Xbox-Exclusive Games a Growing Trend

securitas writes "The New York Times Technology's Michel Marriott reports (free reg. req.) on the growing trend of developers making Xbox-exclusive games, bypassing the Sony PS2 and Nintendo GameCube. Microsoft is 'playing catch-up on the console' with some notable examples of Xbox-exclusive (or Xbox-first) console games that include Doom 3, Unreal Championship 2, Advent Rising and Full Spectrum Warrior. Marriott interviews Todd Hollenshead (id), Mark Rein (Epic), J. Allard (Microsoft), and Donald Mustard (Majesco) among others that include Sony and THQ. The question is, will gamers follow the developers' preferences? Sony's dominance in the next game console wars could be toppled if they do. 'If Microsoft can woo more developers to Xbox, the balance of power in the next round could change.'"

Comments

Re:Oh, PC-oriented games bypassing the GameCube? N

[drewmca]

To run Doom 3 on a PC, you'll need a video card that costs more than an xbox. It may not be AS great on the xbox, but it will be close (because it's tuned to the console specifically). For a lot of people, that's pretty financially compelling. Also, Full Spectrum Warrior is not currently slated for Windows release. This game was designed from the ground up for xbox, specifically because the army wanted the developer to put together a simulation for the xbox (it's easier to deploy). It may eventually come to PC, but no word as yet.

Re:when will it end

[bigman2003]

Well, the hard drive in the Xbox is 'technology' and it makes a huge difference.

• speed of loading
  
• speed of saves
  
• number of saves
  
• amount of user-defined information
  
• downloaded content
  
• knowing that everyone has room for the save
  
• custom soundtracks
  

All of those things are only possible with the 'technology' in the Xbox. Yes, the PS2 has a hard drive add-on, but you can't put a game out knowing that people have it. (Except for the version of Final Fantasy that comes with it)

The two things that my Gamecube and PS2 owning friends drool over when they finally get to experience them...the hard-drive, and of course Live.

I never need to search around for the right memory card. And yes last time you are at my house playing a game, your characters are still there. (Why would I delete them?) YES those are real people that are shooting your plane down right now.

That is technology that the Xbox has- that developers can use to create great games. Most of the people that play down the importance of things like on-line gaming (Live) are the ones that have never used it. For the rest of the people that do use it, it becomes very, very important.

*If you feel the need to say "but the neXtbox won't have a hard-drive" please refrain, until we see what the specs really are.