It is the only innovative thing that has come from a hardware company in years.
So while my XBox 360 sits there, playing the same ol' madden game and overheating, I can't help but thinking I'll be sitting there playing the revolution with the new controller trying out all these new and innovative games, and as usually is the case with nintendo, not being able to stop.
I wish these guys would stop measuring things in terms of 'chips'. I actually think that 3D has ruined the play of many game types, especially madden. I remember on the first Sega, the guys were nice little sprites, that you could see and understand abstractly. Now, with the 3D guys, you can't really see what is going on - the game is much harder to play and not as all as fun. Same thing with Hockey. But you know, boy it looks great doesn't it!!! Game sure is nice to look at, just not as fun.
Arg, it is fun sounding like an old man ranting about games.
1. Wireless connection rocks. 2. Great selection of innovative games. 3. Cost effective - you don't feel dirty after having to buy a bundled 360 with crappy launch titles. 4. You can actually buy one.
The hype bubble of the 360 has burst for me. I was psyched to get one, but alas, Microsoft forgot to make enough. And now, I dunno, it seems better to wait to see what the PS/3 is like, or better yet, wait for the Revolution which actually seems to have some interesting things about it, unlike the usual 'now with more chips and better looking sequels!
So, intead of a 360, I bought a DS, and you know what, the damn thing rocks.
Get a DS with Mario Kart, better yet, get 4. Wireless racing at a party is 'too much fun'.
It is amazing that they took a channel that had a perfectly focused audience, with shows that felt like they were by geeks for geeks. and in general was begining to really hit its stride with great shows like the screen savers...
They took it, and killed it.
And then replaced with a pseudo hip game channel, that feels like it is made by people who don't know games, hosted by actor rejects, and is generally more insulting than an MTV Xbox Launch Show.
I tried to order an xbox at ebgames.com - and all they would sell me was a bundle.
I did this with the PSP, and got burned big time (all the games were very bad indeed)
So now, instead of having a pre-orded xbox because I wanted to avoid the bundles, I have a brand new DS with Mario Kart. And you know, I think I may be happier.
Ok, I'll read the ruling, just grabbed it. But if this case was decided on first amendment grounds, that is b***s***.
But for me, if I am trying to make sure my 10 year old doesn't play GTA, and some store sells him the game. I'm pissed. But there is nothing I can do, because there is nothing that stops the store from doing that. After all, we can't have walmart go out of business.
>A judge with lifetime tenure could really care less about the business interests.
Get real. Judges are all part of a team somewhere. Look at the Gore v. Bush. Those so called supreme court judges voted against their own history of rulings re: states rights to elect Bush into office. All Judges are in bed with somebody's ideology. I pressume this guy was just a pro-business dude. These types of cases in the end always come down to one thing, and it is not freedom of speech, it is freedom of business.
I will say, that as a parent, it does suck trying to raise kids with the media and businesses constantly trying to sell them crappy stuff. So this has everything to do with Parental Control, in that parents basically want some control.
Why doesn't the game industry find other channels for the X-rated stuff? Why is GTA marketed to kids? Why aren't there parental controls on a game that would limit some of the harder edge stuff? Also, if I was a cop, I'd be pissed too. Why are all these kids playing games that shoot cops?
I mean, have kids, it just becomes common sense.
Believe it or not, I'm a liberal. And the thing that worries me is that the game industry, by ignoring common sense, is in the end just making the right wing more powerful.
Yeah, but look at the xbox 360 and how it was marketed. Microsoft made sure that every kid wants that system. And when GTA Xbox 360 comes out, Take 2 will make sure every kid will want to play it.
This is just business, not freedom of speech.
This law was struck down because of the $ involved.
So don't cheer, it is just big business running things...
So I can set up a shack that sells hard core porn, crystal meth and M-16s on your street outside your house and that is okay. After all you have the option of buying them or not.
This has nothing to do with your option of buying something. I can make a violent midget porn game and sell it over the net. This has nothing to do with free speech either.
It has to do with Take 2 being able to get Grand Theft Auto into Walmart.
I am a firm believer in the rights of the people, but also the rights of the people to protect themselves and their kids from companies who are only out to make money, and care nothing about anything else (which is fine but that is why sometimes the govt. has to step in)
>While I might not always make the best decision with respect to my kids, I do try to, but the bottom line is that they are MY kids, and its MY decision.
Yeah, but the problem is that many companies are trying to make decisions for your kids, around your back.
Reading the comments on this board, many people are swayed that this is a freedom of speech issue, or a parenting issue, when it really isn't... or rather, the companies involved would love for you to believe that.
All entertainment companies makes lots of money off of kids, especially the game companies, and the less parental involvement, the better.
So when you read about the game companies standing up for our rights, well, it really really ain't true. They are just standing up for their rights, to make money off our kids.
Figuring out how to deal with ratings of content, and so far, is hard. And I won't comment on that.
But everyone just not be so naive to think that the game industry is doing anything but protecting money making turf.
By remaining independent, he could of made better games, plus, made more money in the end.
>Maybe he doesn't want to deal with all of that stuff anymore.
If you want to make great games, you have to deal with that stuff.
>He didn't sell out his employees.
Yeah, he did. Instead of working for an independent company, they now work for a very large bloated publisher that will be in bad shape when GTA runs out of steam.
>He's built firaxis through his own hard work, and if he thinks this is the best move for either the company or himself, he should rightfully feel free to do it.
He's free to do that. And I'm free to critize his move. Too many guys with the clout to make something independent of the system, and prove that you can make money now, run a great business and make great games without a big publisher... well these guys who can do that just aren't doing it.
So I was sad to hear that Sid cashed in his chips instead of taking his company the other way - to make it more independent.
> Businesses being businesses is not necessarily evil.
Agreed. But people are. And guys who sell their development companies to big publishers are not evil, but definitely just plain ol' greedy. Nothing wrong with that of course, but you can't give me the it is just good for business crap, Sid just cashed out and his company and his employees and his games will be worse in the end.
Take Two is clean just because they are flush with cash. They can afford to be okay to developers. Wait til things go bad. And yes, nothing lasts forever, as soon as GTA has runs its course, and they have blown all the GTA money on failed games... Firaxis and other acquired developers will be the first to feel the pain.
And yes, Sid sold his company. He sold out everyone who works there. He should of remained independent and used his clout to show how you can remain independent.
There really is no need to sell to a big publisher, if anything, Sid should of pushed Firaxis into becoming more independent - using digital distribution direct to the players via the internet - instead of getting sucked into a big bloated publisher tied to the big bloated retail world.
Guys like Sid, established guys like him should be leading the charge for the 'artists' of the game industry to become more independent. Instead, he just cashed out.
Oh Sid, why oh why? Did they offer you that much cash?
Well that's that for Firaxis and probably Civ too.
1. Was sucked into the hype vortex. 2. Under a state of hype-nosis, bought into an EB bundle deal. 3. Got 5 games for it. 4. All 5 sucked. 5. Unhappiness breaks me out of hype-nosis.
Never again will I buy into a 'bundle'... (see xbox 360 bundles for even worse deal)
I guess this is a good time to ask, are there any games out yet that will give me a reason to dust off my PSP and hunt around for the certainly now lost power adapter?
1. Most are truly unplayable with the cell phone (See Madden Football)
2. The developers and publishers don't really care if the games are unplayable, since to try them out, you have to buy them, and then it is already too late. Just try to get a refund. And better yet, if you signed up for a subscription instead of buying, you will probably forget to unsubscribe and then have a $5 charge added to your bill each month. This is what they hope for.
3. Phone companies are generally evil. (See your phone bill)
4. If you buy 10 games, and then get a new phone, you got no games.
5. It is a closed market. Unlike the internet, there is only one source for phone games - your service provider. It is like only being able to buy games from comcast if you use comcast internet.
6. Sick of hearing about how cell phone games are the 'next big thing' for the past 5 years.
7. Sick of hearing how cell phone games are 'huge' in asia.
You aren't buying the disc when you buy a game. You are buying a license to use the game?
Why wouldn't game guys just put in the license agreement, 'this license is non transferable', thus making it illegal for best buy to resell licensed code?
What a deal, on amazon through toys r us the bundle is 800 beans.
You are forced to get 7 games
Plus:
"Customize your new rig with this stylish metallic face plate."
So basically, if you want an XBox this year, get ready to spend 800 bucks and have to buy 7 games you don't get to pick and a shitty plastic 'stylish metallic face plate'
It really sucks that not only is the XBox way expensive for the real one, it is actually really really expensive because of EB forcing you to buy a bunch of crap launch titles when you want to get one.
After feeling screwed via the PSP bundle I got suckered into - talk about a crappy set of launch titles - this time I'm passing on any bundle offers.
I've tried experimental controllers like this before that work spatialy, and they never feel quite right. They just don't have a solid enough feel - sometimes it is because of latency issues, other times you just don't get a good sense of the bounds of movement like a analog pad gives you.
But having said that, if any company can get it right and move the whole industry in a different direction, it is Nintendo.
Slashdot Mirror
Nintendo controller - a let down???
You gotta be kidding.
It is the only innovative thing that has come from a hardware company in years.
So while my XBox 360 sits there, playing the same ol' madden game and overheating, I can't help but thinking I'll be sitting there playing the revolution with the new controller trying out all these new and innovative games, and as usually is the case with nintendo, not being able to stop.
I wish these guys would stop measuring things in terms of 'chips'. I actually think that 3D has ruined the play of many game types, especially madden. I remember on the first Sega, the guys were nice little sprites, that you could see and understand abstractly. Now, with the 3D guys, you can't really see what is going on - the game is much harder to play and not as all as fun. Same thing with Hockey. But you know, boy it looks great doesn't it!!! Game sure is nice to look at, just not as fun.
Arg, it is fun sounding like an old man ranting about games.
Dave
Here is why:
1. Wireless connection rocks.
2. Great selection of innovative games.
3. Cost effective - you don't feel dirty after having to buy a bundled 360 with crappy launch titles.
4. You can actually buy one.
The hype bubble of the 360 has burst for me. I was psyched to get one, but alas, Microsoft forgot to make enough. And now, I dunno, it seems better to wait to see what the PS/3 is like, or better yet, wait for the Revolution which actually seems to have some interesting things about it, unlike the usual 'now with more chips and better looking sequels!
So, intead of a 360, I bought a DS, and you know what, the damn thing rocks.
Get a DS with Mario Kart, better yet, get 4. Wireless racing at a party is 'too much fun'.
After the XBox 360 launch, maybe they should run FEMA now.
It is amazing that they took a channel that had a perfectly focused audience, with shows that felt like they were by geeks for geeks. and in general was begining to really hit its stride with great shows like the screen savers...
They took it, and killed it.
And then replaced with a pseudo hip game channel, that feels like it is made by people who don't know games, hosted by actor rejects, and is generally more insulting than an MTV Xbox Launch Show.
I miss tech tv.
I would like a real game channel.
Right now, I got nothin'
The PSP bundle, yes.
The new DS, nope.
I'm going to avoid buying hardware from any stores that make you buy bundles. I'm going to start my own Bundle Boycott.
So EB and Best Buy (sorry apology not accepted and not believed) are first in line.
Any other stores I have to ad to my list?
I tried to order an xbox at ebgames.com - and all they would sell me was a bundle.
I did this with the PSP, and got burned big time (all the games were very bad indeed)
So now, instead of having a pre-orded xbox because I wanted to avoid the bundles, I have a brand new DS with Mario Kart. And you know, I think I may be happier.
Ok, I'll read the ruling, just grabbed it. But if this case was decided on first amendment grounds, that is b***s***.
But for me, if I am trying to make sure my 10 year old doesn't play GTA, and some store sells him the game. I'm pissed. But there is nothing I can do, because there is nothing that stops the store from doing that. After all, we can't have walmart go out of business.
>A judge with lifetime tenure could really care less about the business interests.
Get real. Judges are all part of a team somewhere. Look at the Gore v. Bush. Those so called supreme court judges voted against their own history of rulings re: states rights to elect Bush into office. All Judges are in bed with somebody's ideology. I pressume this guy was just a pro-business dude. These types of cases in the end always come down to one thing, and it is not freedom of speech, it is freedom of business.
I will say, that as a parent, it does suck trying to raise kids with the media and businesses constantly trying to sell them crappy stuff. So this has everything to do with Parental Control, in that parents basically want some control.
Why doesn't the game industry find other channels for the X-rated stuff? Why is GTA marketed to kids? Why aren't there parental controls on a game that would limit some of the harder edge stuff? Also, if I was a cop, I'd be pissed too. Why are all these kids playing games that shoot cops?
I mean, have kids, it just becomes common sense.
Believe it or not, I'm a liberal. And the thing that worries me is that the game industry, by ignoring common sense, is in the end just making the right wing more powerful.
Selling X rated games in privately owned stores is not a free speech issue.
Sending in police in to stop someone from selling X rated games on their own over the internet would be.
Yeah, but look at the xbox 360 and how it was marketed. Microsoft made sure that every kid wants that system. And when GTA Xbox 360 comes out, Take 2 will make sure every kid will want to play it.
This is just business, not freedom of speech.
This law was struck down because of the $ involved.
So don't cheer, it is just big business running things...
>I have the option of buying them or not.
So I can set up a shack that sells hard core porn, crystal meth and M-16s on your street outside your house and that is okay. After all you have the option of buying them or not.
This has nothing to do with your option of buying something. I can make a violent midget porn game and sell it over the net. This has nothing to do with free speech either.
It has to do with Take 2 being able to get Grand Theft Auto into Walmart.
I am a firm believer in the rights of the people, but also the rights of the people to protect themselves and their kids from companies who are only out to make money, and care nothing about anything else (which is fine but that is why sometimes the govt. has to step in)
>While I might not always make the best decision with respect to my kids, I do try to, but the bottom line is that they are MY kids, and its MY decision.
Yeah, but the problem is that many companies are trying to make decisions for your kids, around your back.
Reading the comments on this board, many people are swayed that this is a freedom of speech issue, or a parenting issue, when it really isn't... or rather, the companies involved would love for you to believe that.
All entertainment companies makes lots of money off of kids, especially the game companies, and the less parental involvement, the better.
So when you read about the game companies standing up for our rights, well, it really really ain't true. They are just standing up for their rights, to make money off our kids.
Figuring out how to deal with ratings of content, and so far, is hard. And I won't comment on that.
But everyone just not be so naive to think that the game industry is doing anything but protecting money making turf.
true.
but the thing had two screens - that's enough innovation to give them a mulligan on that launch.
Even these had something...
Luigi's Mansion - innovative game play and look
WaveRace - cool water effects
(yawn)
It is always amazing to see these companies put huge money into these consoles, and forget to have a couple of innovative titles to go along with it.
I think it may be the reason nintendo just keeps on going.. they always have a game that you just have to play when they launch a new box.
>Why should he have?
By remaining independent, he could of made better games, plus, made more money in the end.
>Maybe he doesn't want to deal with all of that stuff anymore.
If you want to make great games, you have to deal with that stuff.
>He didn't sell out his employees.
Yeah, he did. Instead of working for an independent company, they now work for a very large bloated publisher that will be in bad shape when GTA runs out of steam.
>He's built firaxis through his own hard work, and if he thinks this is the best move for either the company or himself, he should rightfully feel free to do it.
He's free to do that. And I'm free to critize his move. Too many guys with the clout to make something independent of the system, and prove that you can make money now, run a great business and make great games without a big publisher... well these guys who can do that just aren't doing it.
So I was sad to hear that Sid cashed in his chips instead of taking his company the other way - to make it more independent.
> Businesses being businesses is not necessarily evil.
Agreed. But people are. And guys who sell their development companies to big publishers are not evil, but definitely just plain ol' greedy. Nothing wrong with that of course, but you can't give me the it is just good for business crap, Sid just cashed out and his company and his employees and his games will be worse in the end.
Take Two is clean just because they are flush with cash. They can afford to be okay to developers. Wait til things go bad. And yes, nothing lasts forever, as soon as GTA has runs its course, and they have blown all the GTA money on failed games... Firaxis and other acquired developers will be the first to feel the pain.
And yes, Sid sold his company. He sold out everyone who works there. He should of remained independent and used his clout to show how you can remain independent.
Sid must want to retire.
There really is no need to sell to a big publisher, if anything, Sid should of pushed Firaxis into becoming more independent - using digital distribution direct to the players via the internet - instead of getting sucked into a big bloated publisher tied to the big bloated retail world.
Guys like Sid, established guys like him should be leading the charge for the 'artists' of the game industry to become more independent. Instead, he just cashed out.
Oh Sid, why oh why? Did they offer you that much cash?
Well that's that for Firaxis and probably Civ too.
Dave
1. Was sucked into the hype vortex.
2. Under a state of hype-nosis, bought into an EB bundle deal.
3. Got 5 games for it.
4. All 5 sucked.
5. Unhappiness breaks me out of hype-nosis.
Never again will I buy into a 'bundle'... (see xbox 360 bundles for even worse deal)
I guess this is a good time to ask, are there any games out yet that will give me a reason to dust off my PSP and hunt around for the certainly now lost power adapter?
1. Most are truly unplayable with the cell phone (See Madden Football)
2. The developers and publishers don't really care if the games are unplayable, since to try them out, you have to buy them, and then it is already too late. Just try to get a refund. And better yet, if you signed up for a subscription instead of buying, you will probably forget to unsubscribe and then have a $5 charge added to your bill each month. This is what they hope for.
3. Phone companies are generally evil. (See your phone bill)
4. If you buy 10 games, and then get a new phone, you got no games.
5. It is a closed market. Unlike the internet, there is only one source for phone games - your service provider. It is like only being able to buy games from comcast if you use comcast internet.
6. Sick of hearing about how cell phone games are the 'next big thing' for the past 5 years.
7. Sick of hearing how cell phone games are 'huge' in asia.
8. I like my Game Boy Advance.
Feel free to add 9 and 10 if i missed anything.
I bet they all slip.
Xbox will launch, and the only thing to buy for it will be a bunch of face plates.
You aren't buying the disc when you buy a game. You are buying a license to use the game?
Why wouldn't game guys just put in the license agreement, 'this license is non transferable', thus making it illegal for best buy to resell licensed code?
What a deal, on amazon through toys r us the bundle is 800 beans.
You are forced to get 7 games
Plus:
"Customize your new rig with this stylish metallic face plate."
So basically, if you want an XBox this year, get ready to spend 800 bucks and have to buy 7 games you don't get to pick and a shitty plastic 'stylish metallic face plate'
It really sucks that not only is the XBox way expensive for the real one, it is actually really really expensive because of EB forcing you to buy a bunch of crap launch titles when you want to get one.
After feeling screwed via the PSP bundle I got suckered into - talk about a crappy set of launch titles - this time I'm passing on any bundle offers.
I'll bide my time...
I've tried experimental controllers like this before that work spatialy, and they never feel quite right. They just don't have a solid enough feel - sometimes it is because of latency issues, other times you just don't get a good sense of the bounds of movement like a analog pad gives you.
But having said that, if any company can get it right and move the whole industry in a different direction, it is Nintendo.