What you are advising is paying massive amounts of interest and taxes on the hope that it will be made up for by appreciation. This is a much bigger gamble than investing in the stock market and renting. A lot of it depends on the area you live in and the rent/ vs. purchase price of homes but buying an expensive house is not a good investment ever. Also, I can think of something even better than that awesome tax deduction you get for mortgage interest... not paying that interest in the first place.
I think HD WILL have an effect on gameplay. Right now the resolution is too poor on an SD TV set to have small words and small objects. HD resolution will allow the camera to "zoom out" which should allow quite a bit more freedom in some games.
but who's going to go to all the trouble of hacking a HD or external DVD drive into a GC to play Metroid Prime only?
I think that's the point. There are more titles I like on the GC than the Xbox but I have a modded Xbox but not GC. Modding a GC would be a severe pain in the butt. You can get a Modded Xbox for $20 more than a regular one. Big difference.
How about the decision to stick with the cartridge format for the N64...
I thought we were only talking about the current generation. Nintendo has definitely made hardware mistakes in the past. I really don't think the mini DVD is a mistake. What is the only current console that does not have widespread game copying? Nintendo knows what they are doing, I think.
No, Nintendo may have monetarily the best console out right now (assuming it costs less to build than a PS2), but I don't think anyone would claim that the XBox is not the best technically. Two words: hard drive.
No. The Xbox is an x86 kludge of a console. It is expensive and inelegant. The reason it has more capabilities is that has more high end (expensive) parts. Throwing money at a problem is not a good technical solution (i.e. paying for an expensive HD).
Oh, and the GC does get 3rd party non-exclusives, but the problem is that while the GC ports may be better than the PS2 (not always the case, given that the PS2 has more storage space available on the disk, and a better controller), they can't hold a candle to the XBox port (see Splinter Cell and Splinter Cell: PT). I expect that a majority of GC owners also have a PS2 or XBox, and so when it comes to 3rd party non-exclusive titles they will either buy it for the platform it's released on first (XBox or PS2, depending on the game), or where it has more/better features (better graphics, online play, better controller, etc).
The GC gets 3rd party exclusives but if they are successful they get ported to the PS2 (I know, not all of them do. I am exaggerating). Also, multiplatform games are rarely better on the Xbox than GC and sometimes, but even more rarely, better on the GC than Xbox. Granted, the PS2 version can sometimes be less impressive but the GC and Xbox are basically the same unless you have an HDTV. Like most people, I don't, so it makes little difference to me which system it is on.
I don't think they have made any stupid decisions regarding hardware thought the GC controller is debatable. They have technically the best console out right now. The Xbox has slightly more capabilities but it is also much more expensive to produce. The problem Nintendo has is that is has not been good at attracting third party developers. They really need to get some good 3rd party exclusives to drive GC sales. Some 3rd party non-exclusives wouldn't kill them either.
either PeeWee Herman has been really busy or there are *a lot* of people very sexually attracted to children
Since when is PeeWee a pedophile? I thought he got caught cranking it to some normal porn. Did something happen after that?
Dear God... What is wrong with creating a site with valid html? The web is slowly turning into a real cesspool. If a site is in Flash, I don't even bother.
There was millions of NESs when the Genesis took over
I don't remember this happening. I may be off base on this one but I can't think of any time that Sega "took over" anything. They were the Pepsi of the Nintendo generation.
I would have to agree for the most part. Baldur's Gate 2 is one of my all-time favorites. I've played throught that game at least 6 times. I have to say, though, I was a little disappointed with KOTOR. Don't get me wrong, the game was awesome but it could have been so much better if it was designed for the PC from the ground up instead of being a console port. It just doesn't have the same depth as the Baldur's Gate series. Having said that, I'm sure I'll buy KOTOR 2, I am just waiting for Bioware to make another PC rpg in the same vein as Baldur's Gate.
The way to circumvent this is to allow players to save their games at any time, but delete savefile when you reload. (Like in Nethack, of course.)
Maybe I didn't express myself clearly enough but this is EXACTLY what I was talking about. Why in the name of God can't developers implement this in their games? I just don't get it.
I think (I hope) he meant. If he has a 2 hour block of time, he would like to be able to get some playing done in that time, rather than watch a CG, fight one battle and then look for a save point because he needs to go somewhere. If that is what he was saying, I agree whole-heartedly.
This is off on a tangent but I also think ALL games should allow you to save at ANY time. Maybe they should allow you to save and only restore that save game once, but it really sucks when I am playing some game and have to go somewhere only to not be able to find a save point. Final Fantasy is one of the most irritating games in that regard.
I don't think anyone can really fault them for it. After all, they are a company and their only purpose is to make money. However, because of the relatively unique position that Microsoft holds (lots of money and no need to turn a profit right now) it can be pretty irritating for us PS2 and GC owners.
It's nice to rely on the fact that most people have this installed.
Kinda like how it's nice to rely on the fact that everyone uses Internet Explorer. How irritating.
Slashdot Mirror
Why don't you fill us all in on what you are talking about there, chief.
Mortgage debt is real debt. I assumed he was talking about that. Otherwise, he is seriously screwed.
What you are advising is paying massive amounts of interest and taxes on the hope that it will be made up for by appreciation. This is a much bigger gamble than investing in the stock market and renting. A lot of it depends on the area you live in and the rent/ vs. purchase price of homes but buying an expensive house is not a good investment ever. Also, I can think of something even better than that awesome tax deduction you get for mortgage interest ... not paying that interest in the first place.
I think HD WILL have an effect on gameplay. Right now the resolution is too poor on an SD TV set to have small words and small objects. HD resolution will allow the camera to "zoom out" which should allow quite a bit more freedom in some games.
Unfortunately, you need to have a good command of Actionscript, server-side programming, browser-based Javascript and frames-based HTML.
Or you need to have a good command of html. Take your pick.
you forgot the first step: Get PHB to approve changes.
That is an objective statement that is more opinion then anything else. try dictionary.com
you ... have to purchase Adobe's version, Adobe Writer.
Or you can use the open source pdfcreator
It seems kind of dumb to me that they had to change the ports being used just because some ass-backwards isp was blocking them.
but who's going to go to all the trouble of hacking a HD or external DVD drive into a GC to play Metroid Prime only?
I think that's the point. There are more titles I like on the GC than the Xbox but I have a modded Xbox but not GC. Modding a GC would be a severe pain in the butt. You can get a Modded Xbox for $20 more than a regular one. Big difference.
How about the decision to stick with the cartridge format for the N64 ...
I thought we were only talking about the current generation. Nintendo has definitely made hardware mistakes in the past. I really don't think the mini DVD is a mistake. What is the only current console that does not have widespread game copying? Nintendo knows what they are doing, I think.
No, Nintendo may have monetarily the best console out right now (assuming it costs less to build than a PS2), but I don't think anyone would claim that the XBox is not the best technically. Two words: hard drive.
No. The Xbox is an x86 kludge of a console. It is expensive and inelegant. The reason it has more capabilities is that has more high end (expensive) parts. Throwing money at a problem is not a good technical solution (i.e. paying for an expensive HD).
Oh, and the GC does get 3rd party non-exclusives, but the problem is that while the GC ports may be better than the PS2 (not always the case, given that the PS2 has more storage space available on the disk, and a better controller), they can't hold a candle to the XBox port (see Splinter Cell and Splinter Cell: PT). I expect that a majority of GC owners also have a PS2 or XBox, and so when it comes to 3rd party non-exclusive titles they will either buy it for the platform it's released on first (XBox or PS2, depending on the game), or where it has more/better features (better graphics, online play, better controller, etc).
The GC gets 3rd party exclusives but if they are successful they get ported to the PS2 (I know, not all of them do. I am exaggerating). Also, multiplatform games are rarely better on the Xbox than GC and sometimes, but even more rarely, better on the GC than Xbox. Granted, the PS2 version can sometimes be less impressive but the GC and Xbox are basically the same unless you have an HDTV. Like most people, I don't, so it makes little difference to me which system it is on.
I don't think they have made any stupid decisions regarding hardware thought the GC controller is debatable. They have technically the best console out right now. The Xbox has slightly more capabilities but it is also much more expensive to produce. The problem Nintendo has is that is has not been good at attracting third party developers. They really need to get some good 3rd party exclusives to drive GC sales. Some 3rd party non-exclusives wouldn't kill them either.
either PeeWee Herman has been really busy or there are *a lot* of people very sexually attracted to children
Since when is PeeWee a pedophile? I thought he got caught cranking it to some normal porn. Did something happen after that?
Ahem, I think you're missinterpreting the poster, it is most surely a joke
Apparently not. Look at the reply.
Dear God... What is wrong with creating a site with valid html? The web is slowly turning into a real cesspool. If a site is in Flash, I don't even bother.
Its also a mother to put in correctly ;)
Yeah. You have to screw it in. Into BOTH sides. It's tough.
Luckily, every competitor has to use numbers, so it is a zero sum game. Personally, I am much more interested in the athleticism than the gadgets.
Longhorn comes with Shut the Fuck Up?
Yes. It comes with a nice steaming cup of it.
There was millions of NESs when the Genesis took over
I don't remember this happening. I may be off base on this one but I can't think of any time that Sega "took over" anything. They were the Pepsi of the Nintendo generation.
I would have to agree for the most part. Baldur's Gate 2 is one of my all-time favorites. I've played throught that game at least 6 times. I have to say, though, I was a little disappointed with KOTOR. Don't get me wrong, the game was awesome but it could have been so much better if it was designed for the PC from the ground up instead of being a console port. It just doesn't have the same depth as the Baldur's Gate series. Having said that, I'm sure I'll buy KOTOR 2, I am just waiting for Bioware to make another PC rpg in the same vein as Baldur's Gate.
The way to circumvent this is to allow players to save their games at any time, but delete savefile when you reload. (Like in Nethack, of course.)
Maybe I didn't express myself clearly enough but this is EXACTLY what I was talking about. Why in the name of God can't developers implement this in their games? I just don't get it.
I think (I hope) he meant. If he has a 2 hour block of time, he would like to be able to get some playing done in that time, rather than watch a CG, fight one battle and then look for a save point because he needs to go somewhere. If that is what he was saying, I agree whole-heartedly.
This is off on a tangent but I also think ALL games should allow you to save at ANY time. Maybe they should allow you to save and only restore that save game once, but it really sucks when I am playing some game and have to go somewhere only to not be able to find a save point. Final Fantasy is one of the most irritating games in that regard.
I don't think anyone can really fault them for it. After all, they are a company and their only purpose is to make money. However, because of the relatively unique position that Microsoft holds (lots of money and no need to turn a profit right now) it can be pretty irritating for us PS2 and GC owners.
From the perspective of most web content developers, that is nice.
I know, but for me it is just downright irritating.
It's nice to rely on the fact that most people have this installed.
Kinda like how it's nice to rely on the fact that everyone uses Internet Explorer. How irritating.