Re:Sad, sad commentary
on
XBox Released
·
· Score: 2
"Let's think about that first one a good deal. A real PC. In the living room of thousands of people -- people, additionally, who wouldn't have thought of putting a PC in their living room. Why doesn't this get more people excited?"
'Cause you can't get Instant Messages on it?
Re:too bad it was going to be a big leap forward
on
XBox Released
·
· Score: 2
"Now if they changed that to Master Chef - and had Lloyd Grossman flying around in a shiny suit - they might have a surefire hit."
Or Iron Chef... they could have had an absolutely vicious Corn Battle. Or maybe a Pheasant Battle.
Re:A PS2 with different games
on
XBox Released
·
· Score: 2
"This is the #1 reason I've been waiting for the XBOX, as NTSC stuff just looks poor on my 120" FPTV."
I think you got an extra "1" in the size of your TV, dude.
I've got a Dell Inspiron 8000 with a 15" screen. It's UltraXGA... 1600x1200.
You'd think 16x12 would be too small on a 15". On the contrary... the text and images are crisp and clear, and very bright. I have no trouble using it even for long periods of time at that res.
I think 16x12 is as much as you're going to get out of a laptop LCD, since portability is such an issue. Quite frankly, I don't understand why Desktop LCD's aren't keeping pace. A 17" LCD should be capable of at LEAST 16x12, but I haven't seen any that do. 10x7 is inadequate.
"... but they also need to deface a supposedly artistic work (yes, for most of television that's highly debatable) to enhance their 'brand identity' initiatives."
Actually, they do it so that you always know who's PROPERTY the broadcast is. They could care less about brand identification... they do it so that when PVR'd copies of programs show up online, it's easier for them to claim ownership.
Now, when will we see software to EXTRACT these logo's?
That's not the question to be asking, and is totally irrelevant anyway. The real question should be...
"Is it OK for a company to override your image quality settings in a game without your knowledge?"
See, this has nothing to do with "optimizing" for a game. They didn't optimize... they fucked around with the image quality on the sly in order to gain performance. Firing Squad has an in-depth look that will show you how.
Optimizing = Achieving better performance WITHOUT sacrifice.
Cheating = Achieving better perfomance through undocumented overriding "features" for only specific games.
My point is this... when someone sets a game to a specific image quality, what gives ATI the right to think they know better than you? I would gladly give up performance for image quality any day (I'm shallow that way), so why should I be saddled with lousy image quality for a few extra frames?
If you want a GAME system, get Nintendo's machine. Nintendo KNOWS games, it's their only business, and they do it better than anyone. Even thier "kiddie" games are better gameplay-wise than most everything else.
If you want a home entertainment console, go with a PS2 or X-Box.
Your controllers were out of date. Nintendo has elongated the handles to make it easier for hig-handed people to hold, as well as other minor changes.
The controller is really outstanding. I held one of the final units at the Toy Test in Seattle, and it was amazing. MOST people won't have a problem with it, and those that do, probably have problems with most controllers.
Spoken like someone who has never HELD the GameCube controller for themselves. It's not a Playstation rip-off. The controller is outstanding, much easier to hold than the Dual Shock, and incredibly comfortable.
The only downside is the ill-conceived "Z-Button" that really needs a counter part of the opposite side, or should just be eliminated. However, they did make it easier to find, adding a little nub so you know when your finger is on the button.
The best part is the shoulder buttons. They move very smoothly, with great response... and the digital click when fully depressed opens a whole new world of gameplay possibilities.
As for the rest of your comments about the GCN... remember, the box isn't being aimed at YOU. If the box looks out of place with all your home entertainment equipment, then you aren't Nintendo's market.
By the way, there's a Black one as well. And will look just fine sitting next to my PS2, on top of my receiver.
There's more great information at Planet GameCube as well, including information on one of thier die-hard staff in Japan as we speak for the launch.
I fully agree. I cannot beleive that other human beings would willfully CELEBRATE the cowardly murder of innocent life such as the images I saw from Palastine today.
I have never seen our country dancing in the streets when we attacked anyone...
If you're looking for Quality Controllers, go for GameCube. The X-Box controllers are huge and clunky, and the buttons are too small. They are nothing like the terrific SideWinder series Microsoft makes, which is baffling.
The GameCube controller is like Butter. I mean, it is extremely comfortable, and every button is easily accessible and has good tactile feel. Ok, every button except the inexplicibly hard to reach "Z Button".
What I really don't understand is why someone would pay $300 to play emulated games on a cutting edge console... You could run it on a cheap pentium computer with a cheap sidewinder controller.
I started using AIM as an alternative to ICQ... mainly because I hated the ICQ interface, and AIM's was friendlier.
I switched to MSN Messenger because of AIM interoperability. Now I run both because they can no longer talk to each other. But I'd stick with MMS (it's our standard at work) if AIM support was restored.
But it's a simple fact that most of the AIM users do NOT use the AOL service. Most of us just wanted a simple alternative to the overly-feature-rich ICQ client. But we only used it because it was the only alternative at the time. And we only continue to use it because there are people that we NEED to talk to that use it as well.
I'd switch clients in a heartbeat if AOL would allow interoperability.
You know, I've read a lot of articles about the Indrema. Correct if I'm wrong (please, be nice), but I can't recall ever having seen any sort of BUSINESS plan. You know, making money.
They claimed to want to embrace the garage programmer that wanted to make games. This infers that there would be no royalty charges, since he could write the game for Linux and post the game to the Internet. All free, right?
Well, all videogame consoles are sold at a loss, and the money is made up on royalties. Seeing the specs for the Indrema, if they were going to release the machine at $299, they'd be losing at least $100 per machine. Where would they make up the money? Bad Business Decision Number 1.
OK, so lets assume Royalties are in. The machine plays DVD movies, and has PVR functionality. Neither of which require the purchaser to give additional money to the Indrema folks. What's to stop people from just using the machine for those features... even if Indrema were to collect royalties on software, they CAN'T if they aren't SELLING any software. Hell, even SONY made this mistake. The PS2's sold like mad, but are being used mostly as DVD players in Japan. Publishers are PISSED. You don't piss off your Publishers, but it looks like Indrema is making the same mistake. Bad Business Decision Number 2.
Frankly, I think it's a good thing Indrema died now, rather than after they lost their shirts trying to figure out how to sell it. And if by some miracle, they manage to get funding, they better come up with a business plan... FAST.
If you heard about them, then they wouldn't exactly be "unsung" anymore, would they?
Plus, some folks like to remain out of the limelight intentionally. Others strive for it. Still others try to avoid it, but are thrust into it's glare anyway. Perhaps osme of the names you mentioned are happy to be overlooked.
Innovation is being stifled... these days if you make a great invention, it'll either get stolen, or you'll get sued. No one except the major coporations want to take that risk anymore.
Plus, with the USPO being as royally FUCKED UP as it is, even if you manage to create something you think is new, and no one holds rights to, someone will dredge up a ridiculous patent, and you lose all your months (years) of work.
It's actually closer to a SuperNES. It supports Mode7 scaling effects, as well as multi-channel sound, things the NES couldn't do. Plus, the processor is faster than the NES processor.
... or was that the BORINGEST interview ever. I mean, no offense to CoyboyNeal, but that was incredibly uninteresting. I think it was the quality of the questions that caused it. Those were just terrible.
Now admittedly, I can't think of any BETTER questions, but c'mon, "What's your favorite pizza topping?" That is SO junior high.
The only question there that I actually cared for was about the User Info Slashbox. That was good. The rest was just, well, blah.
Slashdot Mirror
"Let's think about that first one a good deal. A real PC. In the living room of thousands of people -- people, additionally, who wouldn't have thought of putting a PC in their living room. Why doesn't this get more people excited?"
'Cause you can't get Instant Messages on it?
"Now if they changed that to Master Chef - and had Lloyd Grossman flying around in a shiny suit - they might have a surefire hit."
... they could have had an absolutely vicious Corn Battle. Or maybe a Pheasant Battle.
Or Iron Chef
"This is the #1 reason I've been waiting for the XBOX, as NTSC stuff just looks poor on my 120" FPTV."
I think you got an extra "1" in the size of your TV, dude.
I've got a Dell Inspiron 8000 with a 15" screen. It's UltraXGA ... 1600x1200.
... the text and images are crisp and clear, and very bright. I have no trouble using it even for long periods of time at that res.
You'd think 16x12 would be too small on a 15". On the contrary
I think 16x12 is as much as you're going to get out of a laptop LCD, since portability is such an issue. Quite frankly, I don't understand why Desktop LCD's aren't keeping pace. A 17" LCD should be capable of at LEAST 16x12, but I haven't seen any that do. 10x7 is inadequate.
Actually, they do it so that you always know who's PROPERTY the broadcast is. They could care less about brand identification ... they do it so that when PVR'd copies of programs show up online, it's easier for them to claim ownership.
Now, when will we see software to EXTRACT these logo's?
"Is it OK for a company to override your image quality settings in a game without your knowledge?"
See, this has nothing to do with "optimizing" for a game. They didn't optimize ... they fucked around with the image quality on the sly in order to gain performance. Firing Squad has an in-depth look that will show you how.
Optimizing = Achieving better performance WITHOUT sacrifice.
Cheating = Achieving better perfomance through undocumented overriding "features" for only specific games.
My point is this ... when someone sets a game to a specific image quality, what gives ATI the right to think they know better than you? I would gladly give up performance for image quality any day (I'm shallow that way), so why should I be saddled with lousy image quality for a few extra frames?
You forgot "hold their hair back when they're Green."
If you want a GAME system, get Nintendo's machine. Nintendo KNOWS games, it's their only business, and they do it better than anyone. Even thier "kiddie" games are better gameplay-wise than most everything else.
If you want a home entertainment console, go with a PS2 or X-Box.
The official launch is 3PM PST TODAY. That is 7AM the 14th Japan time.
Your controllers were out of date. Nintendo has elongated the handles to make it easier for hig-handed people to hold, as well as other minor changes.
The controller is really outstanding. I held one of the final units at the Toy Test in Seattle, and it was amazing. MOST people won't have a problem with it, and those that do, probably have problems with most controllers.
It's so they could up launch allocations to 700K instead of 400K. They don't want to be caught in the same situation as Sony was at their launch.
Demand is NEVER higher than at a system launch before Christmas. Not having enough units at a launch is suicide.
Spoken like someone who has never HELD the GameCube controller for themselves. It's not a Playstation rip-off. The controller is outstanding, much easier to hold than the Dual Shock, and incredibly comfortable.
... and the digital click when fully depressed opens a whole new world of gameplay possibilities.
... remember, the box isn't being aimed at YOU. If the box looks out of place with all your home entertainment equipment, then you aren't Nintendo's market.
The only downside is the ill-conceived "Z-Button" that really needs a counter part of the opposite side, or should just be eliminated. However, they did make it easier to find, adding a little nub so you know when your finger is on the button.
The best part is the shoulder buttons. They move very smoothly, with great response
As for the rest of your comments about the GCN
By the way, there's a Black one as well. And will look just fine sitting next to my PS2, on top of my receiver.
There's more great information at Planet GameCube as well, including information on one of thier die-hard staff in Japan as we speak for the launch.
I fully agree. I cannot beleive that other human beings would willfully CELEBRATE the cowardly murder of innocent life such as the images I saw from Palastine today.
...
I have never seen our country dancing in the streets when we attacked anyone
If you're looking for Quality Controllers, go for GameCube. The X-Box controllers are huge and clunky, and the buttons are too small. They are nothing like the terrific SideWinder series Microsoft makes, which is baffling.
... You could run it on a cheap pentium computer with a cheap sidewinder controller.
The GameCube controller is like Butter. I mean, it is extremely comfortable, and every button is easily accessible and has good tactile feel. Ok, every button except the inexplicibly hard to reach "Z Button".
What I really don't understand is why someone would pay $300 to play emulated games on a cutting edge console
I've saturated my Pants just thinking about it.
I started using AIM as an alternative to ICQ ... mainly because I hated the ICQ interface, and AIM's was friendlier.
I switched to MSN Messenger because of AIM interoperability. Now I run both because they can no longer talk to each other. But I'd stick with MMS (it's our standard at work) if AIM support was restored.
But it's a simple fact that most of the AIM users do NOT use the AOL service. Most of us just wanted a simple alternative to the overly-feature-rich ICQ client. But we only used it because it was the only alternative at the time. And we only continue to use it because there are people that we NEED to talk to that use it as well.
I'd switch clients in a heartbeat if AOL would allow interoperability.
They claimed to want to embrace the garage programmer that wanted to make games. This infers that there would be no royalty charges, since he could write the game for Linux and post the game to the Internet. All free, right?
Well, all videogame consoles are sold at a loss, and the money is made up on royalties. Seeing the specs for the Indrema, if they were going to release the machine at $299, they'd be losing at least $100 per machine. Where would they make up the money? Bad Business Decision Number 1.
OK, so lets assume Royalties are in. The machine plays DVD movies, and has PVR functionality. Neither of which require the purchaser to give additional money to the Indrema folks. What's to stop people from just using the machine for those features ... even if Indrema were to collect royalties on software, they CAN'T if they aren't SELLING any software. Hell, even SONY made this mistake. The PS2's sold like mad, but are being used mostly as DVD players in Japan. Publishers are PISSED. You don't piss off your Publishers, but it looks like Indrema is making the same mistake. Bad Business Decision Number 2.
Frankly, I think it's a good thing Indrema died now, rather than after they lost their shirts trying to figure out how to sell it. And if by some miracle, they manage to get funding, they better come up with a business plan ... FAST.
Plus, some folks like to remain out of the limelight intentionally. Others strive for it. Still others try to avoid it, but are thrust into it's glare anyway. Perhaps osme of the names you mentioned are happy to be overlooked.
Actually, Nintendo was going to change the name, but the public (myself included) PREFERRED the name "Advance". So it stuck.
PlanetGamecube covers all things Nintendo, including Gameboy Advance. Check 'em out.
Perhaps hiring a hit is your only alternative? :)
Plus, with the USPO being as royally FUCKED UP as it is, even if you manage to create something you think is new, and no one holds rights to, someone will dredge up a ridiculous patent, and you lose all your months (years) of work.
Color Gameboy was the handheld NES.
The "Fat and Ugly Sleeves" are actually a minor benefit. The PCCard sleeve has an additional battery, allowing the iPAQ to last longer.
There's a VGA Box you can buy that allows S-Video and RGB (15-pin dsub). Sega makes one, and there are third-party boxes as well.
Now admittedly, I can't think of any BETTER questions, but c'mon, "What's your favorite pizza topping?" That is SO junior high.
The only question there that I actually cared for was about the User Info Slashbox. That was good. The rest was just, well, blah.