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Sony Announces FFXI-Bundled PS2 Hard Drive

Posted by simoniker on from the finally-fantastic-squeenix-sony-hookup dept.

Thanks to Yahoo! for hosting Sony's press release announcing the PlayStation 2 hard drive add-on's March 2004 US release. According to the release, the 40gb drive requires the PS2 Network Adaptor to work, will "...come pre-installed with Square Enix's highly anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), Final Fantasy XI", and will cost $99. Also promised are features such as "...saving CDs to create a personal jukebox, and the ability to download... levels, missions, characters, and much more", and forthcoming Sony-published titles SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs and Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (the latter now due in February 2004) are confirmed as having downloadable content. A GameSpot report from the Sony Editor's Day confirms the subscription pricing for FFXI: "...the first 30 days will be free and a $12.95 per month fee [from then on]."

64 comments

  1. Sweet! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Though too bad it is an online only game.

    Oh well.

  2. Whee! by madcarrots · · Score: 0, Redundant

    this is something to look forward to.

    --
    "Knock the stones together, guys!"
  3. i wonder... by justforaday · · Score: 2, Insightful

    it'll be interesting to see what other possibilities there will be with this kit...a linux install that doesn't require the official kit maybe? qcast that can transfer files to and then read from the local drive?

    --
    I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
    1. Re:I wonder... by rekkanoryo · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Probably something that will take all of 50 seconds to defeat once the trick is learned. Something as stupid as digital media protection will have a bunch of people wanting to take it out, and when you have a bunch of people with a common goal it won't take long to accomplish it.

      I don't think Sony would try something like iTunes, though. One of their business units is part of the RIAA after all, and we know how opposed RIAA is to anything that makes sense.

    2. Re:I wonder... by Etone · · Score: 1

      I agree, I think we'll see quite a bit of content protection shennanigans as a result of this soon. I can hardly wait! -etone-

    3. Re:I wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wouldn't be surprised if it involves their priority memory cards and music format. They seem to be trying to put and use these memory cards in everything(i.e. TV sets).

    4. Re:I wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      One of their business units is part of the RIAA after all, and we know how opposed RIAA is to anything that makes sense.
      Except for the fact that Sony's gaming branch and their music branch don't even seem to be aware of each other's existence. Sony Music actually had a contest not too long back where the prizes were Xbox systems and copies of Brute Force.
    5. Re:I wonder... by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Sony Music actually had a contest not too long back where the prizes were Xbox systems and copies of Brute Force.

      That's because Sony's music branch isn't too bright. They're losing money hand over fist on income that's extremely high.

      Don't believe for a minute, though, that Sony corporate doesn't get involved in the development of the game platforms, otherwise we probably never would have seen CD and DVD playback in the 2 PlayStation consoles.

      --
      -PainKilleR-[CE]
  4. I wonder... by Etone · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "...saving CDs to create a personal jukebox..."

    I wonder what kind of digital media protection we'll see on this thing.

    I also wonder if Sony might be considering opening up their own iTunes-like pay-per-download service? They seem to have all the requisite hardware in place...

    -etone-

  5. I'd reccommend buying the hard drive separately... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    FFXI is the biggest mis-step Square ever released, and I've played The Bouncer.

  6. Beta Withdrawals? by snarlydwarf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only bad thing about this is what it means for Beta Testers.

    March.. -sucks-.

    Those of us in Beta have no idea when Beta will end, but there is a feeling that it will end in another month or so when the Windows release comes out. At which point, they may very well kick all the PS2 users off the server as well.

    That would mean six months without FFXI, which, well, sucks. :(

    I hope that Square-Enix considers that the Beta testers are already hopelessly addicted, and like a good pusher, lets us move to Retail as soon as possible, perhaps letting us be 'prerelease' customers, or even just upgrading us to retail as soon as we provide billing information (ie, don't even bother sending back the HD.. they'll flip a switch and upgrade us).

    I guess it is possible, since from the wording of the announcement, the HD is no longer going to be sold seperately 'soon', but FFXI is being used to push the HD. So at least some of Sony and Square-Enix's marketing has changed since the Japan release. Maybe they already know how addictive FFXI is, and how bad it would be for the beta testers to go through withdrawals.

    (Oh, did I mention Dragoon in FFXI is amazingly cool? The 2-hour skill summons a pet wyvern, which you get to name... the wyvern lasts until it dies.. if you rest properly it can last forever.)

    1. Re:Beta Withdrawals? by Etone · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      I just can't understand why anyone would be so thrilled with FFXI. It's Everquest with some Final Fantasy art and less content.

      -etone-

    2. Re:Beta Withdrawals? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      The beta tester probably has a better idea of what the game is like than you there, chief.

    3. Re:Beta Withdrawals? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As another beta tester, I somewhat agree.

      I've loved the Final Fantasy games in the past (going all the way back to the first one), but I won't be picking up FFXI when it's released.

      It's a decent game for an MMORPG, but that doesn't mean I believe it's a decent game...

  7. I have never paid a monthly fee... by stylerm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...and I wont start with ffx1. A cost of $99 to pay $13 a month for a game that never ends? I believe Blizzard games are so popular because battle.net does not have monthly subscription fees. The games themselves are not that great, in my opinion....But I have gone 2 or 3 months w/o playing diablo2 or wc3, and its nice to just install, patch, and play again.

    1. Re:I have never paid a monthly fee... by szemeredy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You can deactivate your "Content ID" if you don't feel like playing/paying for a period of time, then reactivate it when you feel like playing again and still have all of your character data.

      Square Enix saves all character data regardless if the account is paid for or not - but only active Content ID data is stored on the main database server. All of your old stuff (unless you deleted your character instead of deactivating your ID) is kept around elsewhere so that if you want to play again, you can pick up right where you left off.

  8. Mod parent down. by Etone · · Score: 1

    I am a beta tester. Chief.

    -etone-

    1. Re:Mod parent down. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ok you're a chief, he's a chief, too many damn chiefs around here.....

    2. Re:Mod parent down. by Stubtify · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's great but who are the chefs?

  9. I am looking forward to this by brkello · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Not that I am a big fan of MMORPG, but I think I will give them one more shot. Everquest was fine, but really didn't hook me like other people. Star Wars Galaxies was such a huge disappointment to me. I just didn't like the job system and how you increased your skills. I have yet to be disappointed by a Final Fantasy (but there is always a first time). The only real question is: PC or console? I will have to see what the menus are like. They will have to design it very well to work on a console. MMORPG generally are a lot more complex to navigate menus than a single player game, so it makes me nervous to spend all that money to get hardware I probably wouldn't use except for that game and then end up with something that doesn't allow me to experience the world as easy as it would be with my mouse and keyboard. In any case, it will be interesting to see how they do. Even if it ends up to be a mess, I give props to square for trying something new when all the fanboys tell them this is the "worst mistake ever".

    --
    Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
    1. Re:I am looking forward to this by Etone · · Score: 1

      It's not "the worst mistake ever" because it's online; it's because FFXI's featureset would have barely been compelling five years ago.

      If you were expecting somethingly slightly more evolved than Phantasy Star Online then you won't be disappointed, but veterans of the MMORPG genre would get bored by this game pretty fast.

      -etone-

    2. Re:I am looking forward to this by brkello · · Score: 1

      Are you in the beta (or have played it), or is this just something you have read? I am not horribly concerned about featuresets, more on how enjoyable it is to play. Sometimes games go a little overboard with their features and it is more of a chore to play (like SWG). Unfortunately, I haven't played PSO, so I can't really qualify that. I really do think a lot of people immediately jumped all over it just because it was online...I am a big fan of single player, but it's not like this will be the last one in the series.

      --
      Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
    3. Re:I am looking forward to this by snarlydwarf · · Score: 2, Informative

      The menus are pretty simple (and they're the same on Windows from what I've heard, which confuses Windows users).

      On PS2, you press the square button, and a menu comes up on the right hand side of the screen with generic things like 'Status', 'Abilities', 'Quests', 'Missions', etc. Those can each bring up submenus.

      For actual combat, a menu appears on the left side, with 'Switch Target', 'Magic', 'Abilities', 'Disengage', etc. The melee is handled automatically (ie, you don't press buttons to swing your sword around), but you can choose 'Magic', scroll to 'Cure III', then use the arrows to choose who to cast it on.

      You can also macro things: underneath all the gui is a command line suitable for Macros. You can, for example have a macro for Cure3, that is: /magic "Cure III" <st>

      You bring up the macros using the L2 and R2 buttons, then choose the macro. The <st> will give you a chance to 'select target' for who you'll cast the spell on. You can, of course, make more complex ones, and most people do. The macros are also bound to function keys on the keyboard.

      The user interface should be a breeze for anyone with console experience to pick up. It's unusual for the typical Windows game, but it gets pretty simple and fast to navigate with (no moving from keyboard to controller to keyboard needed).

    4. Re:I am looking forward to this by brkello · · Score: 1

      Awesome, thanks for the post on that. I will be more inclined to try the console version now. Hard to curl up on the couch and play on my PC.

      --
      Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
    5. Re:I am looking forward to this by August_zero · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I am/was in the PC beta (I quit playing it a few weeks ago so I am not sure if it is over or not)

      To sum it up quickly:
      The game is pretty easy to get into, most of the commands are on pull out menus, or can be actvated with simple ctrl-letter hot keys. The interface takes a bit of getting used to, but in all honesty the game playes pretty well and isn't going to pose a problem for anyone used to playing games.

      The gameworld is huge, pretty, the music and effects are top-notch, and the game play itself is fast paced (short times to heal, travel distances not all that bad) but leveling is slow to say the least, they may correct this for the actual release but i doubt it.

      Personally I liked PSO a lot more, but they are two completly different games so it isn't really a fair comparison anyway.

      If you don't like multiplayer games and interacting with people, you are not going to like this game. If you have a specific question just ask, I or someone else will do our best to answer it.

      --
      On Wall Street they say "buy low, sell high" On the pad we say, "buy high, sell high" Isn't that somehow better?
    6. Re:I am looking forward to this by brkello · · Score: 1

      I'll take you up on your offer. Does it have a quest based system, and if so, how are the quests? Are there any major mileposts you can get to, like something that would trigger a CGI in a single player game, e.g. you killed a minor boss? How is the grouping system? Is it necessary to group to progress far? What do you think of the job system? (Hope that wasn't too much).

      --
      Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
    7. Re:I am looking forward to this by August_zero · · Score: 4, Informative

      Quests? yes
      Your character belongs to one of 3 kingdoms, and each kingdom has a chain of story quests that you can accomplish. They include cinematics, boss encounters, special items and so on. I beleive that there are about 8 or so in the story arc. There are also quests to unlock secret character classes (only 6 are selectable from start but there are another 6 that can be unlocked, more if they include the expansion with the US version) and a few other quests for items and the ability to dual-class. This is a fair number, but in comparison to the amount of time you will play the game, there are not that many. The story quests though are very cool.

      Groups are from 2 to 6 characters, and then upto 3 groups can form a company, so in essence you can party up with upto 17 other people. xp sharing for groups is a bit.... how do I say it? Harsh. If your not fighting very strong enemies, the xp is bad. Loot sharing is good though, the party leader can either elect a quartermaster to hand out treasure to party members, or a lottery system can be used in which players that want a given item can cast lots for it, or skip it if they don't want it. You can certainly survive alone if you want to, but the game is a lot more fun in a group even if the level advancement rate is usally lower than you could acheive carefully soloing

      The job system is very well done in my opinion. Your character can freely change jobs at his house, and each job is leveled up indivdualy. All stat bonuses are job dependent so Spending 10 levels as a fighter, will not mean that switching to a mage will give you a gimp mage. You can how ever only "equip" one class at a time. Once you reach 18th level it is possible to complete a quest, and thereafter you can equip 2 classes at once, effectively combining any two classes you have access to (though the secondary class can never count for more than half of the primary, so if you were a level 20 warrior, you could be a level 10 redmage at the same time). Characters also have craft, magic and weapon skills that are independent of their jobs, and can only rise through use. Casting "cure" enough times will allow your character to cast better versions of cure later. What you can equip as far as spells and gear are concerned is determined by your class and level. As your rank rises with a given weapon, you will learn special attacks akin to the limit breaks of the later FF games. These charge up as you hit and get hit by foes, and decline with the passage of time. When activated most of these attacks are wonderfully rendered, though their potency is significantly less than the single player FF equivalents.

      --
      On Wall Street they say "buy low, sell high" On the pad we say, "buy high, sell high" Isn't that somehow better?
    8. Re:I am looking forward to this by brkello · · Score: 1

      Thanks! It sounds like it will be pretty good unless you are leaving out all the bad parts.

      --
      Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
    9. Re:I am looking forward to this by August_zero · · Score: 1

      The "Bad stuff" is that you will be spending most of your time killing monsters for loot and xp. THere are some decent quests, but they will not fill more than a smidgen of your total playing time.

      I think that the "system" of the game is good, but there was not enough to do for my tastes. If you like fighting and socializing though, you will be in heaven.

      --
      On Wall Street they say "buy low, sell high" On the pad we say, "buy high, sell high" Isn't that somehow better?
    10. Re:I am looking forward to this by snarlydwarf · · Score: 1

      Heh.. that's exactly why I like the PS2 version. I don't want to sit in a chair at the desk to play when I can lay on the couch. :)

      That, and, well, I don't have Windows. :)

  10. A Little Late... by bottlerocket · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Wow, sounds like what the Xbox has been offering for almost two years now...

    --
    where the comment ends and sig begins
    1. Re:A Little Late... by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 1

      I almost wrote that but I feared the sure moderation. You are dead on though.

    2. Re:A Little Late... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      But neither the XBox nor the PS2 can hold a candle to the awesome power of the N-Gage. Man, have you seen Tony Hawk Pro Skater on it? That is fucking sweet!

      Mike Hawk has a smelly vagina.

  11. Not really $99 by Zed2K · · Score: 4, Informative

    If it requires the network adapator also we are talking $99+$34. So $133 just to get the ability to play FF online. Thats quite an expensive game to only get 1 month of free play time. Isn't that almost what the PS2 is costing now just for the hardware?

    I refuse to pay to play a game online that I've already paid to buy.

    1. Re:Not really $99 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Really, we're going to miss you. No, honestly, I was so worried, wondering whether you were going to deign to join us or not. What you say is important to me. I NEEDED TO KNOW IF YOU WERE GOING TO PAY TO PLAY ONLINE...or it could have just been your massive ego

      PS - it's not $99+$34 to play ffxi online. There is a PC version, and you are overlooking the fact that ffxi IS part of the base hard drive package, and that you may want the harddrive ANYWAY. And that many people already own the network adapter

    2. Re:Not really $99 by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 1
      Can I get the hard drive without FFXI? I have no interest in that game as it doesn't appeal to my particular game playing sensibilities but I would still like the hard drive.

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
    3. Re:Not really $99 by Iscariot_ · · Score: 1

      Based on the wording, I'd say it does not include the network adapter:

      Available in March 2004 for $99 suggested retail price (SRP), the internal Hard Disk Drive attaches to the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation(R)2), which connects to both broadband or dial-up networks, and rests in the expansion bay of the PlayStation 2 console.

      Notice it says "attaches to" and not "comes with".

      --

      Go here for teh [sic] funny.
    4. Re:Not really $99 by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

      Yeah, it's pretty damn expensive. Especially when you realize that you can't use the HD for anything BUT FFXI.

      Luckily, the PC version is only $50, and comes out earlier too.

      -- Dr. Eldarion --

    5. Re:Not really $99 by Ty · · Score: 1

      What the hell do you need the hard drive for right now if you wont play FFXI? As far as I know, there aren't any other US games that use it. If you're importing games to play...well import a hard drive too.

    6. Re:Not really $99 by imitier · · Score: 1

      They'll probably come out with the stand along drive at some point in the future, but for now it looks like FFXI or nothing. I imagine that they're counting on enough people wanting FFXI that they'll be able to get a decent installed base, which will then encourage publishers to make games utilizing the drive. They must assume that the percentage of PS2 owners who want the drive but not FFXI is minimal. I saw that the press release said SOCOM II will support downloadable content. I bet that once enough big games do so, Sony will be motivated to sell the hard drive without FFXI on it.

    7. Re:Not really $99 by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 1
      Ignoring your crude language; I can see the rather useful features of a hard drive including downloadable content which will appear for games that I want. I am sure that FFXI will not be the sole game forever.

      Please be less snide in the future. Thank you.

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
    8. Re:Not really $99 by Ondo · · Score: 1

      I refuse to pay to play a game online that I've already paid to buy.

      Then buy from companies who refuse to pay to maintain a game they already paid to make. There are plenty to choose from.

    9. Re:Not really $99 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Please be less snide in the future. Thank you.

      This comes from somebody named "Acidic Diarrhea".

    10. Re:Not really $99 by Crockerboy · · Score: 1

      Yeah, it's pretty damn expensive. Especially when you realize that you can't use the HD for anything BUT FFXI. Not true.

      Granted at release there is only going to be one game available that fully utilizes the Hard Drive but many more will follow down the road. You'll be able to save games to the harddrive. Last time I checked a 8MB memory card cost $20US, so for the same price as 40MB of storage using the cards you are going to get 40Gigs of save space.

      Plus, ripping CDs to the drive and creating custom play lists for games will be pretty cool as well.

      So the way I see it, they are selling a hard drive and giving away the game for free.

    11. Re:Not really $99 by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

      I remember talk a while ago that the FFXI hard drive could ONLY be used with FFXI, and that no other games would work on it. It might have changed since then, but...

      -- Dr. Eldarion --

  12. Since when has the xbox... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Been offering online RPGs?

    1. Re:Since when has the xbox... by rhuntley12 · · Score: 1

      Not yet, look up "True Fantasy Online" or something along those lines. It actually looks and sounds pretty damn cool.

    2. Re:Since when has the xbox... by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1
      Since Phantasy Star Online Ep I and II.

      And oh yeah, True Fantasy Live...when it comes out.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
  13. About Monthly Fees by DoubleD · · Score: 1
    You are not "paying" twice for the same game. In a reasonably well done MMORPG the montly fee pays for the full time staff that is working on the next monthly update. Asheron's Call for example featured :

    A new town.

    A family of player crafted items.

    2 new quests and several updated old quests.

    An invasion of a town with several developer controlled raids in the rest of the world.

    An additional type of armor.

    And miscellanious other updates.

    I am fairly certain FFXI would offer a comparable value each month.

    Not to say that this type of game appeals to everyone. But it really is a different beast from Diablo II. Much more work is required to maintain and update a dynamic world than a series of bnet servers.

    --
    "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose."
  14. Stay away. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If Sony's Planetside on the PC is STILL experiencing crashes and seems to have MORE bugs with each patch (not to mention those that have been in the game for the past FOUR MONTHS) - how do they expect to be able to provide the smooth gameplay experience that console users expect and demand?

    FYI, there's been a mass exodus of unhappy players from Planetside due to bugs (the server population has dropped to almost nothing). I would be suprised if Planetside isn't discontinued within 6 months. With this lack of quality, Everquest's sucess must have been a complete fluke.

    And these people think they have the skills to make an online massively multiplayer CONSOLE title? (which is going to be several orders of magnitude more difficult).

    I would laugh if it wasn't expecting so many players to have a very bad experience with this.

    1. Re:Stay away. by FluxCapacitator · · Score: 2, Informative

      You have to remember it has been out for a year in Japan, so the bugs you might encounter might be missed translations etc. which the US beta testers are hopefully looking for. I have been playing the the JP version for a couple of months now and haven't spotted major problems. There was an issue with a big event that they had where a few hundred people were fighting a special monster at the same time but that's not a usual part of the gameplay. I do get some lag now and again, it's quite rare unless there are a lot of people in the immediate vicinity, but that could the PS2 graphics chip chugging away.

  15. What about existing HD's? by Oinos · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What I want to know is can we use the drive we got with our Linux kits? I spent all of about 5 hours with Sony's version of RedHat 6.2 before getting bored with it and putting the drive in the closet. It'd be great to be able to use it for something other than a dodgy version of Linux.

  16. Champions of Norrath! Yessssss. FFXI, blech. by demo9orgon · · Score: 1

    Bugger FFX-whatever, when I read the faq for Champions of Norrath I had a hard time writing up the wishlist to annoy my wifette with (in blood, of course). And you bet your monkey-asses it's on the refrigerator, prominently placed _above_ all the art my wonderful little hellspawn make. Ahahahah! Free online play, random dungeons, shiny things..mmmm..lotsa shiny things to find and use and sell...ahahahah (cavort--cavort), hehehehe, yesss! Yessss!

    --
    Every new form of media has it's own Requirimento
  17. SOE != SCEA by tep-sdsc · · Score: 1

    Everquest, Star Wars Galaxies and Planetside are games from Sony Online Entertainment (a part of Sony of America, along with Sony Music, Sony Pictures) games. All (Sony first party) Playstation games (in the US) are Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) which is part of SCE International.

    What is now SOE was originally part of SCEA, but it was spun out into its own company, then purchased by Sony of America. Go figure.

    The SOE and one of the SCEA offices are about a mile apart, and some former SCEA people are at SOE, but other than that, they have nothing in common.

    The point of this is that experiences with EverCrack, et.al. will not be the same as FF XI, even taking the PC vs PS2 differences into account. SOE has servers all over the place (esp in the US), but FF XI will likely be hosted on servers in JP for all players worldwide. So check those ping times...

  18. Budget buyers.... by MMaestro · · Score: 2, Flamebait
    Will just get the PC version without noting the price difference. Why? Simple.

    The graphics will be (presumably) better

    No need to own a PS2 (contrary to popular belief, not everyone owns a PS2)

    Consoles have not proven themselves (very) capable of running online games, let alone MMORPGs (SOCOM is loaded with cheaters, XBox Live is lacking in the game department, and Everquest Online Adventures sucks quite frankly)

    Until I see a seriously ground breaking online game hit a console, which everyone seems to be hoping is Halo 2, my paper money is loyal to my consoles but my credit card is loyal to my PC.

    1. Re:Budget buyers.... by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 2, Informative
      Why does a console game have to break new ground in the online arena in order for you to consider that consoles have proven themselves capable? Wouldn't console games that provide reasonable online play supply this conclusion that consoles are capable?

      And Madden 2004 has a great online experience that I enjoy quite frequently. My friends and I play tournaments and generally have a very enjoyable time.

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
    2. Re:Budget buyers.... by rhuntley12 · · Score: 1

      Xbox Live is the only one of the three that has a pretty decent list of games. And a ton more coming out.

    3. Re:Budget buyers.... by MMaestro · · Score: 1
      A console game does not have to break new ground, it just has to prove that it can run a game relatively stable and well on a console. Everquest (for the PC) is unarguably the most successful MMORPG for the PC, and it was ported to the PS2. Fine. But as you can see based on the number of players, success on the PC version did not translate into success for the console version. I'm not saying consoles are incapable of online play, I'm just saying no game has successfully used online capability successfully yet. People are trying to use the sales figures of consoles in order to shovelware games with crude online play.

      As for Madden 2004, I'm not a sports fan so I won't comment on that. But other than that game, can you name 3 online console games that you regularly play online? (At least 30 minutes a week, which is a below average game time and thus easy to do.)

    4. Re:Budget buyers.... by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 1
      "A console game does not have to break new ground"
      But look at what you originally posted. You said you'd have to see a truly groundbreaking game in order to take online gaming on the console seriously.

      As for your request: Madden 2004, Tony Hawk 4, NBA 2K3. Just because there are no games that you want to play online doesn't mean that there are not games out there. All 3 of these games have very comprehensive online play and are not crude in any respect.

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  19. 40 Gig Hard Drive? by Mupp252 · · Score: 1

    40 gig hard drive? Pffft, I've got a 120 gig in my Xbox...

    Wait... did I say that out loud?

  20. Useful with Sony Net adapter only? by flibbidyfloo · · Score: 1

    The article says "the internal Hard Disk Drive attaches to the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation(R)2)". I wonder if this means you have to have their adapter. What of us who bought a third party USB NIC taht works fine with games, but doesn't attach to the expansion port?

    1. Re:Useful with Sony Net adapter only? by snarlydwarf · · Score: 1

      Then it wouldn't work.

      The Hard Drive fits into a slot on the back of the PS2 (look and you'll see the cover.. the HD slides into there), but the power/control connection comes from the network adaptor that attaches over that slot. If you just slid a hard drive in there, it would have no power and no control/data connections to the PS2, you may as well have slid a sandwich in there (which may be more functional, since at least a warm sandwich is good to eat).

  21. Asheron's is an exception though.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... and this is a sony related product.

    Sony's record is to release games with expansions and profit. They proved that with Planetside which is far from a good game at it's base level where they promised to make fixes to the game in terms of content. We've gotten little post launch content and we're already seeing an expansion. I'm not buying the expansion and I'm cancelling my account with less than 2 months of time on it.

    Asheron's actually fits with MS's goal of a subscription fee with 'free' extra content downloads. They had one expansion. It was worthy of an expansion, they're not pushing for people to buy them every 4 or 5 months.

    Now I know Square is separate from Sony, but last I checked, there aren't many square titles on the other consoles (they're just now getting back with Nintendo ever so slowly).

  22. All I want is "Fragment" by jameskojiro · · Score: 1

    Just release Fragment for the PS2 and i will be happy. Just as long as the CC corp doesn't do anything stuipid./SIGN

    --
    Tsukasa: All I really want, is to be left alone...