Actually SEGA owned more than 50% of the video game market with the Genesis in 1995. The only reason you hear people saying the SNES outsold the Genesis was because when SEGA wanted to bring out the Saturn, they completely dropped support to concentrate all efforts on it since they were seriously lacking money at the time and didn't have the finances to fund other projects at the same time. To quote a great businessman: "Why look left and right when your goal is straight ahead?" - Hiroshi Yamauchi, NCL They bet the farm on the Saturn, which is why they had trouble getting the Dreamcast off the ground as well, by then they wore out their reserves.
Nintendo continued to support the SNES, even as the N64 came out. There was more demand for the SNES once SEGA stopped selling its 16-bit offerings, so in the very end, the SNES won the "most sold" battle. However, the most loved 16-bit console is easily the Genesis.
Actually, the demise of the Dreamcast was mostly due to the fact that SEGA couldn't supply them as fast as consumers wanted them in the beginning (due to problems with the PowerVR in the manufacturing facilities) so by the time Sony came along with their super-hyped PS2 announcement, not many people had them. SEGA was also lacking funds at the time, so they couldn't afford extremely broad marketing campaigns. The first Dreamcast discs produced had defects in them as well, causing some complaints with consumers.
Mostly, it was the fact that SEGA was not able to produce as many Dreamcasts as they wanted by the time the PS2 announcement came, so gamers decided to wait it out and see if Sony's plans came to fruition.
Anyone also notice how smart of a move this is for R&D at Sony? They just sit back, sell units, and wait for someone to code/port the perfect office suit/browser/etc that fully integrates the PS2 into the home office, and then they sell more units! I'd say this puts them at least a step ahead of Microsoft.
Or rather, a step behind the GNU. Sony only made Linux available on the PS2 because they had ported it to the PS2 for use on development kits, therefore they had to make their modifications available to the public, according to the GNU.
An excerpt from an article at SEGA Base, hosted on, which I recommend any video game afficando to read.
"The gist of it was that EA would get to make as many games as it wanted - something Nintendo had not offered them - and a reduction in licensing fees. Sega said no. It planned to impose a restrictive contract on EA just as it had done its other licensees, one that echoed similar Nintendo arrangements. Hawkins had anticipated this, however, and pulled a one-two sucker punch on Sega. Acting on his direction, EA's negotiators brusquely informed Sega of America that it didn't have that kind of clout to throw around; furthermore, EA had already reverse engineered the console and knew how to manufacture its own unlicensed Sega cartridges."
". In response to EA's actions, Sega developed a new security system for the Genesis and quietly incorporated it into the system boot ROM starting with the 1991 production batches. Sega called this proprietary code the TradeMark Security System (TMSS). In essence, it was a simplified version of the 10NES lockout chip that Nintendo had used in the NES. Sega had elected not to go to the 10NES route because they felt that a complete lockout solution was needless overkill. Their solution, the TMSS, was based on very simple principles of intellectual property law. A piece of code burned into the Genesis boot ROM would look for a header code that was supposed to be part of every Genesis program stored in cartridge format. If the header code contained certain unique characteristics, then it was a legitimately licensed Sega product. If the TMSS did not find what it sought, then it would refuse to boot up the system. If the system booted correctly, then the TMSS would display the phrase PRODUCED BY OR UNDER LICENSE FROM SEGA ENTERPRISES LTD. on the screen for a few seconds before running the program contained inside the cartridge. Both pieces of code, the one in the TMSS and the correct cartridge header code, were copyrighted Sega property. The TMSS also generated a trademark display every time it was activated, that being the Sega name itself. In essence, the TMSS was a double tripwire for anybody trying to produce unlicensed Genesis cartridges. If you made an unlicensed cartridge that activated the TMSS, then you were in violation of both copyright and trademark law. If you could figure out a way to get your game running without tripping the TMSS, then you were legally in the clear."
Maybe the FBI is just waiting for the hype to settle in, and then they will have someone issue a "fix," which actually detects if Magic Lantern is *NOT* installed, and then it will install it, signalling that your PC is perfectly safe now...
It's probably because users are used to using "Search" engines and not "Find" engines, to the dim ones out there, it might be more appealing if it is called "Search"
Have you noticed that those are all console games? Tux racer is filling a HUGE void on the PC, where we have next to no mascot racers whatsoever.
Finally, we see a game company seeing how viable a certain genre is and bringing it over to PC. You can't argue that we have an overflow of fighting games, platformers, console-style RPGs, arcade racing, or shooters (Gradius, Contra) on PC either, btw.
Microsoft would've probably included it in Windows if it actually helped the user experience. I'm sure they've experimented with this sort of thing before.
This is just a freeware third party app, not a critical Windows element, so it doesn't have to be all that useful. It's just a neat trick, as the story suggests.
Anthony,
Thank you for contacting McAfee.com Support Center. My name is Brett. I have received your email and I apologize for the inconvenience you're experiencing. I'd be happy to support your needs.
From the information you provided, I see you are experiencing some challenges with
magic lantern.
Currently we are working to decide if we are going to allow the scan to detect
it in Canada or other countries. Please check back with us in the future.
I'm sure you will find these answers/solutions should meet your needs. If you
have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know and I will be
happy to support you further.
Thank you for visiting McAfee Support Center. I've appreciated this opportunity
to support you.
Brett S.
Technical Support Agent
McAfee Technical Support
DOA3 looks really, really nice on my Xbox, but I can't help thinking how much better it'd be at 1600x1200 with AA. Or with some of the other refinements I've mentioned above. Sadly, the hardware still isn't there yet...
Isn't that why we have graphics detail options on PCs? Win32 developers aren't forced to program for the lowest common denominator thanks to DirectX, which can detect which options a graphics card supports automatically. PC games also usually have "high detail actors" options.
My video card (GeForce 2 GTS) has a bandwidth of ~5.4GB/sec to the on-board RAM, which is similar to the X-Box's video specs. My CPU has 1.4GB/sec of bandwidth to RAM, similar to the X-Box again. My CPU is more capable that the X-Box's, as is my RAM. We should be able to see graphics in our games much better than what is found in the X-Box... yet it hasn't happened yet. Game developers don't want to mess with the "small time" that is PC gaming. Consoles are where the big bucks is. It's very depressing because I spent a lot of money building up my PC, yet I don't have any games similar to what we can find on consoles. At least, that's the conclusion I've come to after reading this thread which discusses this very thought. It's kind of sobering, but also disappointing.
Does Microsoft really expect everyone who buys an X-Box to use the online plan? That's kind of frightening. I don't plan on playing online with the X-Box (I don't even like online PC games, my preference) and I'm sure many traditional console gamers prefer single player or just popping in another controller.
However, with Microsoft betting the bank on online gaming, it's scary to think that they might 'force' you into online gaming by making games that actually require a connection, or games where you can hardly do anything without a connection to the internet.
I would feel cheated if I had paid $60 on a game and then had to be part of an online plan to be able to enjoy the game. I would also feel cheated if I bought a console expecting 5 years of great games, yet being limited to half the games on the shelf simply because I don't enjoy online gaming. I'm also afraid that Microsoft might feel so strongly about online gaming in consoles that this might even make developers stop producing single player games after a while in a similar way that ever since 3D was available it's been extremely difficult finding any 2D games.
Developers might program online games simply because they can, not because it would provide the most enjoyment... they programmed Contra in 3D, and even though it didn't work the first time, they tried it again the second. Now I feel they have dropped the entire Contra series without having considered going back to its 2D roots where it enjoyed the most success, simply because they might think 2D is obsolete. They might also think not being online is obsolete.
"There seems to be no incentive in the US for people to favour the PS2"
It's called game preference. People who like Metal Gear Solid 2, Gran Turismo 3, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 more than Halo, Project Gotham Racing, and Tony Hawk 2x are more likely to buy a PS2 than an X-Box, no?
Also, by your logic, everyone would be buying a GameCube since it has the power of the X-Box (PPC 495MHz vs Intel 733MHz, ~Radeon 8500 vs ~GeForce 3, 24MB 1T-SRAM + 16MB DDR or SDRAM? vs 64MB DDRSDRAM) yet it's $100 cheaper.
Fist reason is MS wont want to cannibalize their own market
What market? What could, say, "Dead Or Alive 3" on PC compete with? There is no PC equivilant. This goes with many console games. Also, there are so little PC gamers that it would hardly make a dent on either side.
That must be a rare case, or perhaps you're putting it through some abuse. Also, smoking near electronics is never a good idea.
I've got a PS2 from the launch date (30001, and another just recently (the 35001 with GT3 as a pack-in). Both work fine, play all my DVDs, all my old games, all my new ones... There have always been such things as defective systems concerning any electronics, but I can't help but wonder if there might be another factor in your case.
A letter I wrote to IGN about this
on
XBox Released
·
· Score: 1
Bullpatties! In the article that said "Xbox May Force Early PS3 Shipment," it sounds like Sony is actually admitting that the PS2 is inferior. It doesn't make sense for a corporation to admit that their product is not as good as the competition. Isn't this going to spoil sales of the PS2? If anyone's wondering what console to buy this x-mas, why would they buy a PS2 now?
In any case, 3 years is mighty small in terms of games development. Remember the tricks they pulled on the last generation of SNES, Genesis, PlayStation, and N64 games? With the PS2, developers will just come to terms with what they can do on the system until it comes time to move onto the PS3.
All that taken into consideration, why should gamers be expected to buy a new system every 3 years? This means that the improvement a new console will bring will only be slightly incremental. I have a PC to upgrade too, by the way. I'm pretty pissed off, because I bought a Dreamcast, PS2, and plan on buying the Gamecube, just so I could avoid the dilemma of being limited to exclusive games. (I'm still not buying an X-Box).
The PS2's hardware can't be that bad... can it? They stuck it out with the PSX and came out on top of Nintendo, even graphically. If the Saturn would have stuck around, even its inferior technology would have been able to produce amazing things (did you catch the video of Shenmue for Saturn?)
Disappointment.
I just torched a building downtown...
on
Virtual Keyboard
·
· Score: 1
...and I'm afraid I'll do it again!
Wiggum: Oh, yeah, right. I'll just type it up on my invisible typewriter! Dum de dum...
I too use Windows, and I learned all of my touch-typing instincts from QBasic (Haw haw, let's all have a big laugh at me) back when I was 12.
The only problem is that now they are so deep-rooted that I still use SHIFT+DEL to cut and SHIFT+INS to paste instead of CTRL+X and CTRL+V (I actually had to look that up in the Edit menu to verify). I constantly use the CTRL+Arrow keys as well, even for selecting files. CTRL+Space is great for selecting (or de-selecting from a Select All) in an Explorer window.
This is just good practice too, it helps you get around a few annoying things, such as when you need to copy text on a web page, yet the page creator decided to take away your own browser's functions, such as hiding the toolbars and removing the right-click on your mouse (You can get around this by hitting Enter to get rid of the msgBox and then right-clicking nearly instantly afterward, I find). Just highlight the text, and CTRL+C to copy.
Just don't connect your Windows PC to the internet. Use Windows to play games, audio, whatever... but dual boot to another OS for your internet connection... it seems like the only way you can take control of Windows:/
boxen oxen boxen oxen boxen oxen boxen oxen boxen oxen... starting to sound a little silly?
I think what you want is DOOM III or Unreal II, then, Wolfenstein 3D will not be too much new in terms of graphics, as it uses the same engine as Quake III.
Hey, this wasn't offtopic when it was originally attached to someone else's message. Methinks it was removed? What happened here? This used to be part of a thread!
Slashdot Mirror
Nintendo continued to support the SNES, even as the N64 came out. There was more demand for the SNES once SEGA stopped selling its 16-bit offerings, so in the very end, the SNES won the "most sold" battle. However, the most loved 16-bit console is easily the Genesis.
Mostly, it was the fact that SEGA was not able to produce as many Dreamcasts as they wanted by the time the PS2 announcement came, so gamers decided to wait it out and see if Sony's plans came to fruition.
Or rather, a step behind the GNU. Sony only made Linux available on the PS2 because they had ported it to the PS2 for use on development kits, therefore they had to make their modifications available to the public, according to the GNU.
"The gist of it was that EA would get to make as many games as it wanted - something Nintendo had not offered them - and a reduction in licensing fees. Sega said no. It planned to impose a restrictive contract on EA just as it had done its other licensees, one that echoed similar Nintendo arrangements. Hawkins had anticipated this, however, and pulled a one-two sucker punch on Sega. Acting on his direction, EA's negotiators brusquely informed Sega of America that it didn't have that kind of clout to throw around; furthermore, EA had already reverse engineered the console and knew how to manufacture its own unlicensed Sega cartridges."
". In response to EA's actions, Sega developed a new security system for the Genesis and quietly incorporated it into the system boot ROM starting with the 1991 production batches. Sega called this proprietary code the TradeMark Security System (TMSS). In essence, it was a simplified version of the 10NES lockout chip that Nintendo had used in the NES. Sega had elected not to go to the 10NES route because they felt that a complete lockout solution was needless overkill. Their solution, the TMSS, was based on very simple principles of intellectual property law. A piece of code burned into the Genesis boot ROM would look for a header code that was supposed to be part of every Genesis program stored in cartridge format. If the header code contained certain unique characteristics, then it was a legitimately licensed Sega product. If the TMSS did not find what it sought, then it would refuse to boot up the system. If the system booted correctly, then the TMSS would display the phrase PRODUCED BY OR UNDER LICENSE FROM SEGA ENTERPRISES LTD. on the screen for a few seconds before running the program contained inside the cartridge. Both pieces of code, the one in the TMSS and the correct cartridge header code, were copyrighted Sega property. The TMSS also generated a trademark display every time it was activated, that being the Sega name itself. In essence, the TMSS was a double tripwire for anybody trying to produce unlicensed Genesis cartridges. If you made an unlicensed cartridge that activated the TMSS, then you were in violation of both copyright and trademark law. If you could figure out a way to get your game running without tripping the TMSS, then you were legally in the clear."
Sneaky!
It's probably because users are used to using "Search" engines and not "Find" engines, to the dim ones out there, it might be more appealing if it is called "Search"
Finally, we see a game company seeing how viable a certain genre is and bringing it over to PC. You can't argue that we have an overflow of fighting games, platformers, console-style RPGs, arcade racing, or shooters (Gradius, Contra) on PC either, btw.
This is just a freeware third party app, not a critical Windows element, so it doesn't have to be all that useful. It's just a neat trick, as the story suggests.
Anthony,
Thank you for contacting McAfee.com Support Center. My name is Brett. I have received your email and I apologize for the inconvenience you're experiencing. I'd be happy to support your needs.
From the information you provided, I see you are experiencing some challenges with
magic lantern.
Currently we are working to decide if we are going to allow the scan to detect
it in Canada or other countries. Please check back with us in the future.
I'm sure you will find these answers/solutions should meet your needs. If you
have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know and I will be
happy to support you further.
Thank you for visiting McAfee Support Center. I've appreciated this opportunity
to support you.
Brett S.
Technical Support Agent
McAfee Technical Support
Isn't that why we have graphics detail options on PCs? Win32 developers aren't forced to program for the lowest common denominator thanks to DirectX, which can detect which options a graphics card supports automatically. PC games also usually have "high detail actors" options.
My video card (GeForce 2 GTS) has a bandwidth of ~5.4GB/sec to the on-board RAM, which is similar to the X-Box's video specs. My CPU has 1.4GB/sec of bandwidth to RAM, similar to the X-Box again. My CPU is more capable that the X-Box's, as is my RAM. We should be able to see graphics in our games much better than what is found in the X-Box... yet it hasn't happened yet. Game developers don't want to mess with the "small time" that is PC gaming. Consoles are where the big bucks is. It's very depressing because I spent a lot of money building up my PC, yet I don't have any games similar to what we can find on consoles. At least, that's the conclusion I've come to after reading this thread which discusses this very thought. It's kind of sobering, but also disappointing.
However, with Microsoft betting the bank on online gaming, it's scary to think that they might 'force' you into online gaming by making games that actually require a connection, or games where you can hardly do anything without a connection to the internet.
I would feel cheated if I had paid $60 on a game and then had to be part of an online plan to be able to enjoy the game. I would also feel cheated if I bought a console expecting 5 years of great games, yet being limited to half the games on the shelf simply because I don't enjoy online gaming. I'm also afraid that Microsoft might feel so strongly about online gaming in consoles that this might even make developers stop producing single player games after a while in a similar way that ever since 3D was available it's been extremely difficult finding any 2D games.
Developers might program online games simply because they can, not because it would provide the most enjoyment... they programmed Contra in 3D, and even though it didn't work the first time, they tried it again the second. Now I feel they have dropped the entire Contra series without having considered going back to its 2D roots where it enjoyed the most success, simply because they might think 2D is obsolete. They might also think not being online is obsolete.
It's called game preference. People who like Metal Gear Solid 2, Gran Turismo 3, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 more than Halo, Project Gotham Racing, and Tony Hawk 2x are more likely to buy a PS2 than an X-Box, no?
Also, by your logic, everyone would be buying a GameCube since it has the power of the X-Box (PPC 495MHz vs Intel 733MHz, ~Radeon 8500 vs ~GeForce 3, 24MB 1T-SRAM + 16MB DDR or SDRAM? vs 64MB DDRSDRAM) yet it's $100 cheaper.
What market? What could, say, "Dead Or Alive 3" on PC compete with? There is no PC equivilant. This goes with many console games. Also, there are so little PC gamers that it would hardly make a dent on either side.
I've got a PS2 from the launch date (30001, and another just recently (the 35001 with GT3 as a pack-in). Both work fine, play all my DVDs, all my old games, all my new ones... There have always been such things as defective systems concerning any electronics, but I can't help but wonder if there might be another factor in your case.
In any case, 3 years is mighty small in terms of games development. Remember the tricks they pulled on the last generation of SNES, Genesis, PlayStation, and N64 games? With the PS2, developers will just come to terms with what they can do on the system until it comes time to move onto the PS3.
All that taken into consideration, why should gamers be expected to buy a new system every 3 years? This means that the improvement a new console will bring will only be slightly incremental. I have a PC to upgrade too, by the way. I'm pretty pissed off, because I bought a Dreamcast, PS2, and plan on buying the Gamecube, just so I could avoid the dilemma of being limited to exclusive games. (I'm still not buying an X-Box).
The PS2's hardware can't be that bad... can it? They stuck it out with the PSX and came out on top of Nintendo, even graphically. If the Saturn would have stuck around, even its inferior technology would have been able to produce amazing things (did you catch the video of Shenmue for Saturn?)
Disappointment.
Wiggum: Oh, yeah, right. I'll just type it up on my invisible typewriter! Dum de dum...
Hey, if Kintaro learned how to use a computer with a paper keyboard, I bet you could too!
Patent this idea quick! If it isn't already...
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/raww rite.ht m
I too use Windows, and I learned all of my touch-typing instincts from QBasic (Haw haw, let's all have a big laugh at me) back when I was 12.
The only problem is that now they are so deep-rooted that I still use SHIFT+DEL to cut and SHIFT+INS to paste instead of CTRL+X and CTRL+V (I actually had to look that up in the Edit menu to verify). I constantly use the CTRL+Arrow keys as well, even for selecting files. CTRL+Space is great for selecting (or de-selecting from a Select All) in an Explorer window.
This is just good practice too, it helps you get around a few annoying things, such as when you need to copy text on a web page, yet the page creator decided to take away your own browser's functions, such as hiding the toolbars and removing the right-click on your mouse (You can get around this by hitting Enter to get rid of the msgBox and then right-clicking nearly instantly afterward, I find). Just highlight the text, and CTRL+C to copy.
Then how could the patent be filed in 1992? The company was founded in 2000...
boxen oxen boxen oxen boxen oxen boxen oxen boxen oxen... starting to sound a little silly?
I think what you want is DOOM III or Unreal II, then, Wolfenstein 3D will not be too much new in terms of graphics, as it uses the same engine as Quake III.
Hey, this wasn't offtopic when it was originally attached to someone else's message. Methinks it was removed? What happened here? This used to be part of a thread!