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How Online Services Will Shape the Console War
Next Generation has a piece looking at the role online services will play in this round in the console Wars. With Microsoft's Xbox Live already in the field and both Nintendo and Sony working on plans for their own online environments, there would seem to be quite a bit to talk about. Despite that, the article offers up a pessimistic view of the competition. From the article: "The short glib answer is that online games will probably be a more important feature for console systems over the next several years, but once again the traditional retail model is likely to be the dominant driving factor when it comes to how the new game systems build an installed base."
More important than in the past. Which is pretty obvious, and also not saying much, as the proportion of people caring to go online at all via console is something like 6-10%.
I've used my PS2 online, but only to download cheat codes... I've played several games which had online capability, but none of the online functionality was interesting to me. They need to fix that problem before they start building grand schemes to charge subscription fees.
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak