The comparable virtua fighers are the first one, and 3tb. The reason is because the other virtua fighters were sold when the hardware userbase was much larger.
You are right. It is the slowest selling Virtua Fighter. I think the numbers are reasonable, considering November/December video game sales are typically four times the sales of other months. (Can't find any links to back this up) I'm not sure I would call it's sales a failure yet.
I think thats a pretty good indication of why the current numbers are the way they are. There's a few cartridge games, but no one wants to spend a crazy amount of money on them. There's a few Xbox games and Gamecube games, because there were a few worth buying.
And there are a scary amount of PS2 and PS1 games because there were that many good titles to buy. Its hard to see in the picture, but i can make out Katamari, FFX (and other square games), MGS, some greatest hits titles, etc.
I don't want remakes. I already played the game, and I enjoyed the game in the past.
I'd prefer to spend my time seeing what someone else can come up with!
One of the greatest things about Final Fantasy, is that everytime you buy a new Final Fantasy (major version), you will get a totally new game.
Sure, some ideas and gameplay is rehashed. But I'm satisfied with the combination of character, story and gameplay changes to buy a new final fantasy.
It's certainly better than Dragon Quest, or sports games, or many FPSs.
When you ask for those remakes of old final fantasies, you are asking for a prettier game than the one you've already played, and you're losing a potential new creative game.
I know everyone is excited about the DS networking, and I too look forward to seeing what it can do. Mario Kart DS was a great game to showcase Nintendo networking!
People should be aware of the PSP networking progress as well. The PSP launched in the US with online titles (Twisted Metal, ATV, 989 sports games) and most PSP titles (100+) support Adhoc (LAN) gameplay as well.
SOCOM Fireteam Bravo was the first PSP game and the first handheld game (that I am aware of) to support 16 player PSP voicechat in game. That is really impressive for a handleheld! FTB has 16 player games with many gametypes (deathmatch, bombing bases, hostage extraction, etc) And it shares the SOCOM 3 servers. The gamespot review is here http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/socomusnavyseal sfireteambravo/review.html
Now, where is that Microsoft portable game device!???:)
(Disclaimer - my current game systems are PC, Xbox and PS2)
I have trouble believing I enjoy reading all the hype about the systems. But I guess that is how you find the killer game (app). The Xbox 360 will likely have a shortage no matter what.
For me, it is all about the games.
1. Most systems that first launch are pricey, have issues and don't have great games.
2. Wait until the dust settles, take a look at a variety of systems and games over time.
3. And when your awesome games debut, buy that system and the games you are looking for.
I personally think if you do not buy the system for the games you love, you are wasting money, and you aren't going to be satisfied with what you bought.
Example, the PS2. PS2 comes out year 2000. I buy the PS2 in 2002, when Metal Gear Solid 2 (flawed game but good game play) and Final Fantasy X arrive. Then enjoy games like Katamari Damacy, Guitar Hero, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, etc at your leisure. (I picked this year's games for anyone looking for some excellent creative games)
I'm a little surprised at the lack of insight at the BBC in this article.
Anyone who has enjoyed online games will have already made a decision on this issue. Its fairly simple. Cheaters generally ruin an online game. Just think of the Diablo games or Counter Strike or online poker. It is never fun to play against a cheater.
Serverside cheat detection does not always work because of macro programs that play within the rules of the game mechanics. So game companies must do something to ensure minimal anticheat protection on the clientside.
This obviously involves looking for modifications to the client program. And that information will be communicated to the servers. It is a slight invasion of privacy, but it is well worth the results.
Expect these anticheat programs in all decent online games. And expect cheaters if these anticheat programs do not coexist with the game.
To make an online game for the Xbox, you are required to follow the XBox Live standard and Microsoft SDKs.
This is why EA didn't have online sports games for the Xbox for a while.
Now on the other hand, as far as I am aware, there is nothing stopping network compatibility between Sony and Nintendo (aside from Nintendo's bad wireless implementation on the DS).
You are right of course. UMDs aren't as bad as I made them out to be. It is just when you contrast it with the memory stick, the UMDs seem to have all these limitations. Regarding the movie region coding, I actually do give Sony huge props for removing the region coding for games. Its very cool when you see a place like Frys selling import games.
I wonder if the same thing will happen for next gen consoles...
I will admit I thought the idea of UMD movies on the PSP was pretty silly. As everyone says, why buy another version of a movie when you can get better quality and more features on a cheaper DVD?
Having never owned a portable gaming device until now, I didn't realize the answer. It is the same answer to why you buy a laptop when you already have a desktop PC.
Its portable!
Yes, I know, there are portable DVD players. But really, the PSP is the best portable video playing device out there. If someone knows a better one that is just as compact, please let me know.
At my work where many people travel, we decided to start a UMD movie library along with our game library. I went to buy my first UMD movie, and to my surprise, the local Target (Clairemont Mesa, San Diego, $15 per UMD movie) was sold out of UMD movies! I was shocked because I thought nobody would buy UMD movies.
I mean, UMDs suck! They eat battery power, they have long loading times, they are limited to 2 gigs, the movies are region encoded, and the memory stick just seems like an all around better option. But I will grudgingly accept they are easier to manage than a memory stick and they offer copy protection to movie companies. I think those reasons combined with the beautiful video playback on the PSP is reason why the movie companies are starting to sign up to the UMD.
So believe it or not, I have come to the conclusion that UMD movies are going to be a success, based on the movie studio support, my personal UMD movie viewing experience and that my local Target was sold out. It will not nearly be the success DVD was, and it will still be a niche market. But I think this article shows that the movie companies also think UMD movies will be a success.
Seriously, it actually does happen. I've been on a train in Japan and watched kids play cell phone games with each other while they are going to school. And that was 2 years ago.
Once there are good games and many people own a compatible device, this will start happening all over the world. We all know how many ngage's there are out there. But the DS and PSP will be different.
Watch the airports and any other mass transportation over the next two years. It'll be a lot of fun!
How do amazon.com reviews work?!?
on
The Saga of Katie.com
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
My confidence in Amazon.com reader reviews has evaporated!
I clicked on the link to see what had happened with the reviews, and average * rating had gone to nearly 2 stars, with nearly 300 reviews. This was due to the slashdot effect on amazon. (Not that I am sure the slashdot effect is fair either)
However, as I was clicking for the next pages on reviews of this book, I noticed the number of reviews were steadily decreasing. It went from 287 to 100+ to 87 to 85 to 80 just right now. The average star rating is now nearly 4 stars.
Someone is removing the reviews. Who is doing this? Amazon? the author? possibly the publisher?
I respectfully DISAGREE with the spam solution of "pay what you send".
Just look at your phones. I've been called a fair number of times by machines or people with direct marketing. Even if I try to remove myself off the lists. And have you ever been targetted by an out-of-state fax machine? That is not fun.
I think 20 email spams a day is much easier to deal with than 1 phone marketer. I choose to deal with email when to look at my computer. While with the phone, I have to physically get and deal with the phone.
Charging for email will make a lot of legitimate email users upset.
If there was an extra charge for SMTP traffic, then I'm sure a fair number of people would find an alternative protocol for sending email.
A national email charging policy isn't going to stop spammers if they can go out of the country.
And finally, marketing has a budget. Some spammers can just PAY for the email services! Gosh forbid that legitimizes spam.
-Baylor
Slashdot Mirror
How long will SCE support PS2 3rd party developers?
Are there anymore first party PS2 games being created?
I personally think Sony has the best record for emulators.
The prime example being the PS1 games on the PSP.
Thankfully you put the dates with the numbers.
The comparable virtua fighers are the first one, and 3tb.
The reason is because the other virtua fighters were sold when the hardware userbase was much larger.
You are right. It is the slowest selling Virtua Fighter.
I think the numbers are reasonable, considering November/December video game sales are typically four times the sales of other months. (Can't find any links to back this up)
I'm not sure I would call it's sales a failure yet.
I like these numbers a lot.
I'd be curious to see these numbers over time.
However, in the end, it doesn't mean much without the software sales.
Does anyone have numbers for the software sales for each of these platforms?
I'm really surprised no one has replied to you on this.
The sixaxis controller for the PS3 can turn the system on and off remotely.
There is a special shiny new PS button to do this.
And you won't accidentally turn your ps3 off in the middle of a game.
You have to hold it down for 2 seconds to activate it.
Looking at that picture...
I think thats a pretty good indication of why the current numbers are the way they are.
There's a few cartridge games, but no one wants to spend a crazy amount of money on them.
There's a few Xbox games and Gamecube games, because there were a few worth buying.
And there are a scary amount of PS2 and PS1 games because there were that many good titles to buy.
Its hard to see in the picture, but i can make out Katamari, FFX (and other square games), MGS, some greatest hits titles, etc.
I don't want remakes.
I already played the game, and I enjoyed the game in the past.
I'd prefer to spend my time seeing what someone else can come up with!
One of the greatest things about Final Fantasy, is that everytime you buy a new Final Fantasy (major version), you will get a totally new game.
Sure, some ideas and gameplay is rehashed.
But I'm satisfied with the combination of character, story and gameplay changes to buy a new final fantasy.
It's certainly better than Dragon Quest, or sports games, or many FPSs.
When you ask for those remakes of old final fantasies, you are asking for a prettier game than the one you've already played, and you're losing a potential new creative game.
I know everyone is excited about the DS networking, and I too look forward to seeing what it can do.
l sfireteambravo/review.html
:)
Mario Kart DS was a great game to showcase Nintendo networking!
People should be aware of the PSP networking progress as well.
The PSP launched in the US with online titles (Twisted Metal, ATV, 989 sports games) and most PSP titles (100+) support Adhoc (LAN) gameplay as well.
SOCOM Fireteam Bravo was the first PSP game and the first handheld game (that I am aware of) to support 16 player PSP voicechat in game. That is really impressive for a handleheld!
FTB has 16 player games with many gametypes (deathmatch, bombing bases, hostage extraction, etc)
And it shares the SOCOM 3 servers.
The gamespot review is here
http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/socomusnavysea
Now, where is that Microsoft portable game device!???
I totally agree that if Hugo awards are given to games, they should be given to comics as well.
There are really excellent comics, and with a Hugo award, it would be so much easier to find quality material.
(Disclaimer - my current game systems are PC, Xbox and PS2)
I have trouble believing I enjoy reading all the hype about the systems.
But I guess that is how you find the killer game (app).
The Xbox 360 will likely have a shortage no matter what.
For me, it is all about the games.
1. Most systems that first launch are pricey, have issues and don't have great games.
2. Wait until the dust settles, take a look at a variety of systems and games over time.
3. And when your awesome games debut, buy that system and the games you are looking for.
I personally think if you do not buy the system for the games you love,
you are wasting money, and you aren't going to be satisfied with what you bought.
Example, the PS2.
PS2 comes out year 2000.
I buy the PS2 in 2002, when Metal Gear Solid 2 (flawed game but good game play) and Final Fantasy X arrive.
Then enjoy games like Katamari Damacy, Guitar Hero, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, etc at your leisure.
(I picked this year's games for anyone looking for some excellent creative games)
I'm a little surprised at the lack of insight at the BBC in this article.
Anyone who has enjoyed online games will have already made a decision on this issue.
Its fairly simple.
Cheaters generally ruin an online game.
Just think of the Diablo games or Counter Strike or online poker.
It is never fun to play against a cheater.
Serverside cheat detection does not always work because of macro programs that play within the rules of the game mechanics.
So game companies must do something to ensure minimal anticheat protection on the clientside.
This obviously involves looking for modifications to the client program.
And that information will be communicated to the servers.
It is a slight invasion of privacy, but it is well worth the results.
Expect these anticheat programs in all decent online games.
And expect cheaters if these anticheat programs do not coexist with the game.
Congratulations on such an impressive game.
Although WoW is impressive in many ways, one of the biggest accomplishments is that you are the largest MMPORG in North America.
Regarding online technology,
What are some examples of technology built in-house and technology licensed?
What network technology are you particularly proud of?
What were some of the biggest network component development challenges?
Did you initially think you would be able to handle the huge number of online players when the game launched?
How many players were you initially planning to handle?
What were some of the surprises in the development of WoW?
How do your game servers (player movement network traffic, etc) handle such a large evolving world?
Thanks!
To make an online game for the Xbox, you are required to follow the XBox Live standard and Microsoft SDKs.
This is why EA didn't have online sports games for the Xbox for a while.
Now on the other hand, as far as I am aware, there is nothing stopping network compatibility between Sony and Nintendo (aside from Nintendo's bad wireless implementation on the DS).
You are right of course. UMDs aren't as bad as I made them out to be. It is just when you contrast it with the memory stick, the UMDs seem to have all these limitations.
Regarding the movie region coding, I actually do give Sony huge props for removing the region coding for games.
Its very cool when you see a place like Frys selling import games.
I wonder if the same thing will happen for next gen consoles...
I will admit I thought the idea of UMD movies on the PSP was pretty silly.
As everyone says, why buy another version of a movie when you can get better quality and more features on a cheaper DVD?
Having never owned a portable gaming device until now, I didn't realize the answer. It is the same answer to why you buy a laptop when you already have a desktop PC.
Its portable!
Yes, I know, there are portable DVD players. But really, the PSP is the best portable video playing device out there.
If someone knows a better one that is just as compact, please let me know.
At my work where many people travel, we decided to start a UMD movie library along with our game library. I went to buy my first UMD movie, and to my surprise, the local Target (Clairemont Mesa, San Diego, $15 per UMD movie) was sold out of UMD movies!
I was shocked because I thought nobody would buy UMD movies.
I mean, UMDs suck! They eat battery power, they have long loading times, they are limited to 2 gigs, the movies are region encoded, and the memory stick just seems like an all around better option.
But I will grudgingly accept they are easier to manage than a memory stick and they offer copy protection to movie companies. I think those reasons combined with the beautiful video playback on the PSP is reason why the movie companies are starting to sign up to the UMD.
So believe it or not, I have come to the conclusion that UMD movies are going to be a success, based on the movie studio support, my personal UMD movie viewing experience and that my local Target was sold out.
It will not nearly be the success DVD was, and it will still be a niche market. But I think this article shows that the movie companies also think UMD movies will be a success.
Yes, I have seen it happen ... in Japan ^_^
Seriously, it actually does happen. I've been on a train in Japan and watched kids play cell phone games with each other while they are going to school. And that was 2 years ago.
Once there are good games and many people own a compatible device, this will start happening all over the world. We all know how many ngage's there are out there.
But the DS and PSP will be different.
Watch the airports and any other mass transportation over the next two years. It'll be a lot of fun!
My confidence in Amazon.com reader reviews has evaporated!
I clicked on the link to see what had happened with the reviews, and average * rating had gone to nearly 2 stars, with nearly 300 reviews.
This was due to the slashdot effect on amazon.
(Not that I am sure the slashdot effect is fair either)
However, as I was clicking for the next pages on reviews of this book, I noticed the number of reviews were steadily decreasing.
It went from 287 to 100+ to 87 to 85 to 80 just right now.
The average star rating is now nearly 4 stars.
Someone is removing the reviews.
Who is doing this? Amazon? the author? possibly the publisher?
I have a relative who worked at Intel, and I actually respect Intel quite a bit.
I have trouble imagining a person who worked at Intel being locked up without charges, no explanations and NO ACCOUNTABILITY!
Has anyone actually heard back from any of their representatives on this matter?
This pisses me off really. The government asks for people's trust to handle terrorism investigations, and then you hear something like this.
There better be a damn good explanation coming from the federal government soon.
I respectfully DISAGREE with the spam solution of "pay what you send". Just look at your phones. I've been called a fair number of times by machines or people with direct marketing. Even if I try to remove myself off the lists. And have you ever been targetted by an out-of-state fax machine? That is not fun. I think 20 email spams a day is much easier to deal with than 1 phone marketer. I choose to deal with email when to look at my computer. While with the phone, I have to physically get and deal with the phone. Charging for email will make a lot of legitimate email users upset. If there was an extra charge for SMTP traffic, then I'm sure a fair number of people would find an alternative protocol for sending email. A national email charging policy isn't going to stop spammers if they can go out of the country. And finally, marketing has a budget. Some spammers can just PAY for the email services! Gosh forbid that legitimizes spam. -Baylor