Nearly 8 months have gone by and they haven't even been able to say 550k or some such to make it appear that XBL sales are still going.
I think that is mostly attributed to the fact that they'd sound pretty damn stupid announcing a milestone like "550K"
Good sports games? Hardly.
Hence my comment that it needs support for 3rd party games.
Hey, just for fun let's add in the 10+ million GCs and the probably 100k online adapters they've sold and see how much it is!
Since the number of online capable GC games is practically null compared the number Xbox has (approaching 100 by the end of this year I believe and will probably double that next year since every game is practically getting it now whether or not it needs it), you can safely remove GC from your calculation.
That's slightly more than the 50% you seem to think are online now.
I wasn't trying to give a specific value, or else I would've said something in the 90s...I merely threw out a number for the hell of it since the precision of the number had nothing to do with my argument.
I only argue this crap because it is already obvious...there will not be a next generation console WITHOUT online support. Period. It is guaranteed. Therefore, as I already said, Nintendo needs to get its ass in gear so that it doesn't easily lose due to inexperience in the area. All of you can argue all you want that current online experience is obviously inadequate in terms of numbers to prove it is a wanted feature, but the fact that Sony, MS, and Nintendo already plan on online service in the future proves that the service is already important NOW.
It is quite applicable! Plenty of people are acting like Nintendo didn't run into a problem for a while. People need to acknowledge that Nintendo has struggled a bit. A side note...I thought I implied that the started production again...I had considered it understood but that's my bad.
I'm not saying Nintendo is going to die. But as I said in/. a month or so back, if Nintendo does not find some way to start planning and testing an online gaming system before the next generation of consoles comes out, they are going to shoot themselves in the foot. Face it, if MS has nearly perfected an online system and Sony has spent plenty of time developing theirs, Nintendo will look like a bunch of lazy jackasses for having a system that is still a work in progress.
Take for example a few weeks back...on Nov 2, a total of 83,652 players were online at once. Last time I checked, that rivals and excels the numbers of some computer games (and let's face it, most computer games sell because of their multiplayer aspects).
As for total people subscribed, worldwide figures put it about 500k easily (as you said). They say the goal is 1 million subscribed by June 04 but I wouldn't be surprised if it hits that mark months ahead of schedule.
Finally, let's not forget stuff like XSN. While the current incarnation of the sports network is inclusive to MS games, if it includes 3rd party game someday it could be one of the best ideas console gaming has ever seen.
I often enough find that people who say online gaming isn't that great are the ones who are in denial just because they see no use in it. Sorry, you aren't representative of many gamers. Just because 50% of the consoles owners aren't online doesn't mean they wouldn't like to be. I'm not using Xbox Live yet but the reasons have to do with my internet connection sucking at the moment (why try to play when I get horrible packet loss?). If it weren't for those troubles, I'd be playing Xbox Live right this moment. There probably are plenty of people who don't due to lack of broadband connections. The reasons could be numerous.
Nintendo has to make a profit, yeah, but no one ever said their online gaming has to work the same way as Nintendo. They could focus on coming up with a system that works for them.
In the end, my main complaint with Nintendo is that they don't take the current trend seriously. Online console gaming is beyond a niche now. Look at SOCOM. Game sells well considering it is for multiplayer play. It already has a sequel too. When you can make a whole game that focuses on multiplayer and it is extremely anticipated and sells well, you've proven that online gaming is already in demand!
It seems some people here and limited hindsight. They seem to forget that Nintendo had to halt production on the GC for a while to let warehouses reduce stock.
I'm not saying Nintendo is doomed but the number one thing they've got to do is wake up and join Sony and MS in a couple of things. Number 1 is online gaming. I could care less how many Nintendo fanboys (and I used to be one) say Nintendo can survive without it, they are wrong. The console market has moved that way (look at the proliferation of people saying that the next Gameboy should have wireless capabilities to make multiplayer gaming even easier). Number 2 is they are gonna have to consider hard drive storage in the future. Memory cards aren't going to cut it for next generation games (if trends continue towards online extras especially).
This article is a bit stupid to harp on Nintendo for calling itself a video game company though. What else does Nintendo do?! The fact that they stay completely focused on games is the only thing that keeps them in the hardware market. If they were merely about creating games for the industry, the GC probably would fail...instead they have a desire to make their hardware do useful things (like the GBA link, the first wireless controller...). Nintendo is far from dead in the water for admitting that their only focus is what it should be...gaming!
I don't even have 10 GB of ogg files...so having all that extra space for the price does nothing for me. FINALLY a player that supports what I want but it has way more space than I need (and therefore won't pay for at the moment).
Last time I checked, network connections were provided to students well after professors had them for research. I wonder how students would feel if Universities finally just said, "For now one, the network can only be used for homework and nothing more."
Btw, this story sounds extremely silly to me. Universities everywhere have the ability to monitor their students' usage. Most just don't send out messages like this ICARUS does (some will just cut the connection without even warning the student as to why).
I, like some other people I've read in opinions regarding LH, think that Lynch really doesn't have any one idea on what that movie should be. There is just so much you can derive/hypothesize on that just sends you in loops/contradictions/etc. Mindboggling:/.
If you are planning to have using tv for more than gaming, then I'd say definitely if you are willing to spend the money. I've played Halo on a widescreen tv and it was just incredible.
If this is only for games though and you'll rarely use it for movies, don't bother. The price right now doesn't justify it.
I actually was trying to seperate vs. SNK and vs. Marvel. Those games, due to the team system, felt very different to me. I didn't really feel all the difference in the SF series like you did. Granted, there we games with even less innovation (like MK).
KI was a love/hate game for everyone. Those who loved it mastered the combo system. Those who hated it either lost or found the easy way to win with a cheap victory (projectiles).:|
What does this have to do with the topic and Internet2? Since neither are used by the common person (they are used between Universities doing research), your comments (which are far from insightful, even if on-topic) don't address a single thing in this news story.
Having 1/5th of the world's population does not imply having 20% of the global market (think of money and who has it...not all of the 1.3 billion are in the market for buying this).
Is rhythm all that matters? I can go into a dance club and find horrible europop-like music that has more rhythm, but that doesn't make it better music. That only makes it better for dancing.
Amazing how music 'gurus' always say their band is what is so different and amazing about music.
I'm gonna give you an example of a band that gets radio attention yet is musically talented enough to shun the 3:30 long song, boring repetativeness, and lackluster vocals: Tool. The band itself isn't exactly a revolution to the music industry but what they play is certainly better than Talking Heads. I don't care if some band has tried to play what no one else will play...that's not saying anything. Are Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton known because they did stuff no one else did? No, they are known for the same reason Jimi Hendrix is...they are GREAT AT PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENT.
Gimme a bunch of guys/gals who can play their music well (caveat: they must explore their talent, not play the same song every damn track) anyday over some lame band that thinks it defines what music should be just cause it can pick up something, jam out what you don't hear on radio, and act like it is the holy grail.
I shutter to think that you two fools insult a band that had one of the greatest drummers of all time in it...apparently quality musicians aren't important to music today...
Reduce the quality of music? My good man/woman, what gave you the idea that they are currently producing a standard of music that is greater than or equal to the 'most efficient level'? I'm shocked by such a notion:O.
Slashdot Mirror
I only argue this crap because it is already obvious...there will not be a next generation console WITHOUT online support. Period. It is guaranteed. Therefore, as I already said, Nintendo needs to get its ass in gear so that it doesn't easily lose due to inexperience in the area. All of you can argue all you want that current online experience is obviously inadequate in terms of numbers to prove it is a wanted feature, but the fact that Sony, MS, and Nintendo already plan on online service in the future proves that the service is already important NOW.
Brian: "Germany...Jermaine...Jackson!...Jackson 5...TITO!"
Teacher: "Brian, what the hell are you talking about?"
It is quite applicable! Plenty of people are acting like Nintendo didn't run into a problem for a while. People need to acknowledge that Nintendo has struggled a bit. A side note...I thought I implied that the started production again...I had considered it understood but that's my bad.
/. a month or so back, if Nintendo does not find some way to start planning and testing an online gaming system before the next generation of consoles comes out, they are going to shoot themselves in the foot. Face it, if MS has nearly perfected an online system and Sony has spent plenty of time developing theirs, Nintendo will look like a bunch of lazy jackasses for having a system that is still a work in progress.
I'm not saying Nintendo is going to die. But as I said in
Live is doing quite well I'd say.
Take for example a few weeks back...on Nov 2, a total of 83,652 players were online at once. Last time I checked, that rivals and excels the numbers of some computer games (and let's face it, most computer games sell because of their multiplayer aspects).
As for total people subscribed, worldwide figures put it about 500k easily (as you said). They say the goal is 1 million subscribed by June 04 but I wouldn't be surprised if it hits that mark months ahead of schedule.
Finally, let's not forget stuff like XSN. While the current incarnation of the sports network is inclusive to MS games, if it includes 3rd party game someday it could be one of the best ideas console gaming has ever seen.
I often enough find that people who say online gaming isn't that great are the ones who are in denial just because they see no use in it. Sorry, you aren't representative of many gamers. Just because 50% of the consoles owners aren't online doesn't mean they wouldn't like to be. I'm not using Xbox Live yet but the reasons have to do with my internet connection sucking at the moment (why try to play when I get horrible packet loss?). If it weren't for those troubles, I'd be playing Xbox Live right this moment. There probably are plenty of people who don't due to lack of broadband connections. The reasons could be numerous.
Nintendo has to make a profit, yeah, but no one ever said their online gaming has to work the same way as Nintendo. They could focus on coming up with a system that works for them.
In the end, my main complaint with Nintendo is that they don't take the current trend seriously. Online console gaming is beyond a niche now. Look at SOCOM. Game sells well considering it is for multiplayer play. It already has a sequel too. When you can make a whole game that focuses on multiplayer and it is extremely anticipated and sells well, you've proven that online gaming is already in demand!
It seems some people here and limited hindsight. They seem to forget that Nintendo had to halt production on the GC for a while to let warehouses reduce stock.
I'm not saying Nintendo is doomed but the number one thing they've got to do is wake up and join Sony and MS in a couple of things. Number 1 is online gaming. I could care less how many Nintendo fanboys (and I used to be one) say Nintendo can survive without it, they are wrong. The console market has moved that way (look at the proliferation of people saying that the next Gameboy should have wireless capabilities to make multiplayer gaming even easier). Number 2 is they are gonna have to consider hard drive storage in the future. Memory cards aren't going to cut it for next generation games (if trends continue towards online extras especially).
This article is a bit stupid to harp on Nintendo for calling itself a video game company though. What else does Nintendo do?! The fact that they stay completely focused on games is the only thing that keeps them in the hardware market. If they were merely about creating games for the industry, the GC probably would fail...instead they have a desire to make their hardware do useful things (like the GBA link, the first wireless controller...). Nintendo is far from dead in the water for admitting that their only focus is what it should be...gaming!
Only 5 states are without a sales tax rate. Yeah, that may be 10 percent but that still isn't many.
Argh...just avoid parent...you know what it is...
I'll complain...the capacity.
:).
I don't even have 10 GB of ogg files...so having all that extra space for the price does nothing for me. FINALLY a player that supports what I want but it has way more space than I need (and therefore won't pay for at the moment).
Oh well, good to see progress
Last time I checked, network connections were provided to students well after professors had them for research. I wonder how students would feel if Universities finally just said, "For now one, the network can only be used for homework and nothing more."
Btw, this story sounds extremely silly to me. Universities everywhere have the ability to monitor their students' usage. Most just don't send out messages like this ICARUS does (some will just cut the connection without even warning the student as to why).
On that note, would that make Nsync a distributed version of the system?
I, like some other people I've read in opinions regarding LH, think that Lynch really doesn't have any one idea on what that movie should be. There is just so much you can derive/hypothesize on that just sends you in loops/contradictions/etc. Mindboggling :/.
If you are planning to have using tv for more than gaming, then I'd say definitely if you are willing to spend the money. I've played Halo on a widescreen tv and it was just incredible. If this is only for games though and you'll rarely use it for movies, don't bother. The price right now doesn't justify it.
Correction, I'm the 10th user...but I'll buy it soon enough :D
I actually was trying to seperate vs. SNK and vs. Marvel. Those games, due to the team system, felt very different to me. I didn't really feel all the difference in the SF series like you did. Granted, there we games with even less innovation (like MK).
:|
KI was a love/hate game for everyone. Those who loved it mastered the combo system. Those who hated it either lost or found the easy way to win with a cheap victory (projectiles).
For his next article, can he tell us if the parrot is dead?
If we drop some people from large buildings in an online game, will it get them to switch back to normal language instead of 1337?
Street Fighter hit such a wall though. Yeah, SF2 was a great game but 10 years later there hasn't been much change to the Street Fighter formula.
:(.
Course my favority fighter was Killer Instinct...helped further the combo theory of fighting but never got enough support to last
What does this have to do with the topic and Internet2? Since neither are used by the common person (they are used between Universities doing research), your comments (which are far from insightful, even if on-topic) don't address a single thing in this news story.
Having 1/5th of the world's population does not imply having 20% of the global market (think of money and who has it...not all of the 1.3 billion are in the market for buying this).
Good to know some moron of a moderator got his kicks on this post while he could...flamebait...lol, probably didn't even read the article...
So a problem caused by a worm is basically trivial, eh MS?
I like how they cover their ass by implying that the easiest solution is to upgrade to the non-vulnerable 2003 Server...marketing at its best...
Is rhythm all that matters? I can go into a dance club and find horrible europop-like music that has more rhythm, but that doesn't make it better music. That only makes it better for dancing.
Amazing how music 'gurus' always say their band is what is so different and amazing about music.
I'm gonna give you an example of a band that gets radio attention yet is musically talented enough to shun the 3:30 long song, boring repetativeness, and lackluster vocals: Tool. The band itself isn't exactly a revolution to the music industry but what they play is certainly better than Talking Heads. I don't care if some band has tried to play what no one else will play...that's not saying anything. Are Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton known because they did stuff no one else did? No, they are known for the same reason Jimi Hendrix is...they are GREAT AT PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENT.
Gimme a bunch of guys/gals who can play their music well (caveat: they must explore their talent, not play the same song every damn track) anyday over some lame band that thinks it defines what music should be just cause it can pick up something, jam out what you don't hear on radio, and act like it is the holy grail.
I shutter to think that you two fools insult a band that had one of the greatest drummers of all time in it...apparently quality musicians aren't important to music today...
Reduce the quality of music? My good man/woman, what gave you the idea that they are currently producing a standard of music that is greater than or equal to the 'most efficient level'? I'm shocked by such a notion :O.