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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.
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The article talks a bit about what motivates a consumer. I just wanted to comment that XBox live has motivated me. I'm a Microsoft hater, yet here I am an Xbox 360 owner due to my curiosity in Xbox Live. I'm pretty pleased with the service. I wish there was a little more, a news browser or something maybe. Sometimes you get done playing a game and still want to use the XBOx but not want to play a game, or download a game trailer, or whatever. But really it's slick. Being able to download a demo or trailer for nearly every game is pretty brilliant, and I think the achivements system for each game - and how it keeps track for each player is pretty innovative.
I really hope the PS2 and Nintendo systems can compete. Xbox live marketplace has a lot of overpriced junk on there. Hopefully Sony / Nintendo can offer better products for less money. Should be an interesting couple of years.
This is a plea to all the developers out there. I understand that online play is the next big thing. I understand that more and more (if not all) games will incorporate it.
But please don't underestimate the value single player games offer. I can't imagine how games like Resident Evil 4, Zelda: Ocarina of Time or King's Quest could be made better by offering an online component. These games often set a mood, and adding some uncontrolled element (such as a 13 year old kid yelling "I 0wnz j00 petite Biatch!") will just take away from it.
(Emphasis mine.)
I think we're getting a very good glimpse of what Nintendo's going to be offering. I play on the DS wifi network every day. It's amazingly simple, fast to connect, and no lag to speak of. I think it's a pretty darn good preview.
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Nintendo isn't exactly new in this field either. Their extremely popular DS and DS Lite has passed one million unique gamers. Though the DS / DS Lite handhelds aren't stationary consoles, the principles are the same. Handheld consoles has more or less the same problems and the same gaming possibilities, and it does appear to be a huge success.
So I never play online because I never play alone. Apparantly this really IS for people with no friends. But my wife plays video games with me, and damnit, it would be nice if we could both go online.
I also didn't like having to purchase three copies of Quake3, so that us-and-a-guest could go online and play. We're one family, one set of income(s), having to pay thrice did not sit well with me.
However, at least it is possible for us to join a Q3 server on both of our computers. What are we supposed to do for the consoles, however? Buy another Xbox? Buy another PS2s? (Both of mine are modded so the 2nd ones would need to be too, probably... Even more money, but I do enjoy playing Atari 2600 games on my Xbox! But I digress...)
-Clio
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I'm not sure what you mean, but I don't own an xbox but a couple of my friends do and we routinely go on Live with up to 4 people on the same xbox. Depends on the game to support it though, e.g. Halo 2 you can have 4 people but PGR can only have 2. All with one live account and 1 xbox.
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Xbox's original Live didn't have it perfect, but it was still worlds ahead of the PS2 experience.
IIRC, the online connectivity of original Xboxes in the US was around 25%.