Holy cow, this thing is gargantuan. Nice comparison to the old CD player. My Pioneer region-free DVD player that cost me like $100 is 1/5 the size, hooks up via component cables (though my TV has an HDMI input as well anyway) and will play any DVD in the world. So I think I'll stick with my current equipment. I'm just not seeing the dramatic benefits to re-buying all my movies on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.
This is not a rumor. It's a fact. Back when the story broke about Sony selling a hard drive for the PS3 separately, I pointed out that Microsoft was going to do the same thing with the 360. I was shouted down and told that my comment was based on a "really old rumor".
Well, it ain't a rumor. If you don't believe the submitted link, maybe you'll believe GameSpot?
From my link:
Today, Microsoft laid down new facts about its upcoming console at the Games Convention in Leipzig, and they sounded awfully familiar to analyst predictions and forum posters' speculations.
Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 will be released in two SKUs, the "Xbox 360 Core System" and the "Xbox 360." The two products will be sold at $299 and $399, respectively. The two systems break down as follows:
Xbox 360 Core System - $299 (299 Euros, 209 GBP)
Xbox 360 console
Wired controller
Detachable faceplate
Xbox Live Silver membership
Standard AV cables
Xbox 360 - $399 (399 Euros, 279 GBP)
Xbox 360 console
20GB detachable hard drive
Wireless controller
Wireless Xbox Live headset
High-definition AV cables
Ethernet cable
Xbox 360 Media Remote Control (limited time)
Detachable faceplate
Xbox Live Silver membership
Did you really just try to compare removing a cancerous tumor to abortion? Good grief, I thought the death penalty/abortion example in the article write-up was shortsighted.
Since your wife is a research biologist, I guess you ought to know that a cancerous tumor doesn't eventually grow into a human child. I think that's the difference that you were looking for.
When the need to analyze and look at things "scientifically" causes you to make asinine statements like "why is it OK to kill a cancerous tumor but not to terminate a fetus", you should really re-examine your outlook on life.
Not only that, but surely I'm not the only one who remembers games like Final Fantasy III (US) and Zelda: Ocarina of Time retailing for about $80 apiece. It seems insane now to talk about a console game costing 80 bucks, when we're so used to everything being $50 or less. But still, it isn't like a $60 pricetag is somehow shocking.
Also, your example of "hours of playability" works even better if you're an RPG fan. It's not uncommon for RPGs to have 40, 60 or more hours of gameplay. I'd say a dollar per hour is pretty cheap entertainment...not even counting replay value.
Anyway, as someone else suggested, you could wait about a year and a half and buy a Revolution instead (which is what I'll be doing, though I would like both a 360 & PS3 at some point). Or wait and get a 360 once the PS3 launches - many people suspect Microsoft will drop the price to $250 at that time.
Of course, since the HD is optional with the PS3, devs will have to assume that it will not be there to reach a wider installed base. PS3 has just made developing for their system more difficult by releasing two products - ones with HDs and ones without.
I guess the Xbox 360 will also be difficult to develop for, as Microsoft is releasing two versions of the console - one with a HD, one without.
This particular scene isn't nearly as goofy as some people would make it out to be. The "water spectacular" is part of an opera that Palpatine and Anakin attend. Big whoop. As someone already mentioned, you can see part of the scene in the trailer. I think it actually looks pretty cool.
It's surely got to be better than that crappy dance number Lucas cooked up for the special edition of ROTJ.
This story reminds me of an email I got from Tripod, the free webhost, in like 1997 or something. I had a page hosted by them, and one day I get this email saying that mp3s will no longer be allowed on their servers. The reason? Mp3 files were "illegal".
I was like, WTF? The format itself isn't illegal, you douchebags.
Re:Because it's never been done is not a reason...
on
PSP Launch Coverage
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· Score: 1
Another selling point is that, from what I understand, PSP games aren't region-coded in any way.
The DS isn't region-coded either.
Anyway, the PSP and DS seem to be for two different audiences. I get tired of people constantly pitting them against one another. The DS is all about games. With the PSP, Sony has obviously tried to create an uber-device for hip & trendy geeks, Sony fanboys, and people who buy new crap simply because it's "new" and shiny.
I personally have no interest in watching movies or listening to music on a PSP. That combined with the relatively high price of the hardware and software, plus the seemingly short battery life, means I won't be picking one up til they drop in price and a bunch of good games have already come out (and dropped in price as well). I'm also afraid Sony will just come out with a better version not long from now...similar to Nintendo and the GBA SP.
I will admit that the DS has proved to be less cool than I originally thought it would be. The dual screen hasn't been put to especially good use in the games that have been released thus far, and I only use the stylus/touch screen for a handful of games (Zoo Keeper, the minigames in Super Mario 64, and Yoshi Touch & Go). I find myself playing my good ol' GBA SP a lot more than than my DS nowadays. The novelty has worn off and the DS needs more and better games, period. Not more mature games, i.e. yet another WW2 shooter or games filled with gore and sex - just more of 'em. Fortunately, it looks like a lot of good stuff is coming out this year for the DS. The launch titles were weak, but I don't think the PSP's are a lot better.
[rant]
Also, when are people going to stop saying Nintendo only makes games for kids? I've already seen that comment a few times in this thread. Just because a game is suitable for kids to play, like a Zelda or Mario title, doesn't mean it's only for kids. Not every adult wants to play another WW2 or Vietnam-themed shooter, or another friggin' GTA game. Does a game have to include content that belongs in an R or NC-17 rated movie to qualify as a game for "adults"? Are great Nintendo games like Baten Kaitos, Zelda Wind Waker, Metroid Prime 1 & 2, Rogue Leader, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Tales of Symphonia, Pikmin 2, Paper Mario, F-Zero GX, Eternal Darkness and Viewtiful Joe "kiddie" games? I guess I'm a kid who happens to be in his late 20's, then.
Granted, several of the above games are Nintendo franchises, and some people are quick to point out that those games are the only reason to own Nintendo's systems these days (which isn't true anyway, if you look at the rest of the games I listed - all Gamecube exclusives as far as I know). You also have people complaining that all Nintendo does is rehash its core franchises over and over. But if you ask people who own a Playstation or Xbox what their favorite games are, chances are you'll get "GTA", "Final Fantasy" or "Halo" as a response. Every system has its megahits, franchises and rehashes, whether they're internally developed or not.
[/rant]
Wow, my first post turned out to be a short novel.
Slashdot Mirror
I wonder if the HD-DVD peripheral for the Xbox 360 will be just as large as this sucker.
Well, it ain't a rumor. If you don't believe the submitted link, maybe you'll believe GameSpot?
From my link:
Today, Microsoft laid down new facts about its upcoming console at the Games Convention in Leipzig, and they sounded awfully familiar to analyst predictions and forum posters' speculations.
Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 will be released in two SKUs, the "Xbox 360 Core System" and the "Xbox 360." The two products will be sold at $299 and $399, respectively. The two systems break down as follows:
Xbox 360 Core System - $299 (299 Euros, 209 GBP)
Xbox 360 console
Wired controller
Detachable faceplate
Xbox Live Silver membership
Standard AV cables
Xbox 360 - $399 (399 Euros, 279 GBP)
Xbox 360 console
20GB detachable hard drive
Wireless controller
Wireless Xbox Live headset
High-definition AV cables
Ethernet cable
Xbox 360 Media Remote Control (limited time)
Detachable faceplate
Xbox Live Silver membership
Gee, sounds like more than a "rumor" to me.
Did you really just try to compare removing a cancerous tumor to abortion? Good grief, I thought the death penalty/abortion example in the article write-up was shortsighted.
Since your wife is a research biologist, I guess you ought to know that a cancerous tumor doesn't eventually grow into a human child. I think that's the difference that you were looking for.
When the need to analyze and look at things "scientifically" causes you to make asinine statements like "why is it OK to kill a cancerous tumor but not to terminate a fetus", you should really re-examine your outlook on life.
Not only that, but surely I'm not the only one who remembers games like Final Fantasy III (US) and Zelda: Ocarina of Time retailing for about $80 apiece. It seems insane now to talk about a console game costing 80 bucks, when we're so used to everything being $50 or less. But still, it isn't like a $60 pricetag is somehow shocking.
Also, your example of "hours of playability" works even better if you're an RPG fan. It's not uncommon for RPGs to have 40, 60 or more hours of gameplay. I'd say a dollar per hour is pretty cheap entertainment...not even counting replay value.
Anyway, as someone else suggested, you could wait about a year and a half and buy a Revolution instead (which is what I'll be doing, though I would like both a 360 & PS3 at some point). Or wait and get a 360 once the PS3 launches - many people suspect Microsoft will drop the price to $250 at that time.
I guess the Xbox 360 will also be difficult to develop for, as Microsoft is releasing two versions of the console - one with a HD, one without.
You mean, "Sony's PS3 won't play Halo 7" or whatever sequel they're up to now?
It's surely got to be better than that crappy dance number Lucas cooked up for the special edition of ROTJ.
I was like, WTF? The format itself isn't illegal, you douchebags.
The DS isn't region-coded either.
Anyway, the PSP and DS seem to be for two different audiences. I get tired of people constantly pitting them against one another. The DS is all about games. With the PSP, Sony has obviously tried to create an uber-device for hip & trendy geeks, Sony fanboys, and people who buy new crap simply because it's "new" and shiny.
I personally have no interest in watching movies or listening to music on a PSP. That combined with the relatively high price of the hardware and software, plus the seemingly short battery life, means I won't be picking one up til they drop in price and a bunch of good games have already come out (and dropped in price as well). I'm also afraid Sony will just come out with a better version not long from now...similar to Nintendo and the GBA SP.
I will admit that the DS has proved to be less cool than I originally thought it would be. The dual screen hasn't been put to especially good use in the games that have been released thus far, and I only use the stylus/touch screen for a handful of games (Zoo Keeper, the minigames in Super Mario 64, and Yoshi Touch & Go). I find myself playing my good ol' GBA SP a lot more than than my DS nowadays. The novelty has worn off and the DS needs more and better games, period. Not more mature games, i.e. yet another WW2 shooter or games filled with gore and sex - just more of 'em. Fortunately, it looks like a lot of good stuff is coming out this year for the DS. The launch titles were weak, but I don't think the PSP's are a lot better.
[rant]
Also, when are people going to stop saying Nintendo only makes games for kids? I've already seen that comment a few times in this thread. Just because a game is suitable for kids to play, like a Zelda or Mario title, doesn't mean it's only for kids. Not every adult wants to play another WW2 or Vietnam-themed shooter, or another friggin' GTA game. Does a game have to include content that belongs in an R or NC-17 rated movie to qualify as a game for "adults"? Are great Nintendo games like Baten Kaitos, Zelda Wind Waker, Metroid Prime 1 & 2, Rogue Leader, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Tales of Symphonia, Pikmin 2, Paper Mario, F-Zero GX, Eternal Darkness and Viewtiful Joe "kiddie" games? I guess I'm a kid who happens to be in his late 20's, then.
Granted, several of the above games are Nintendo franchises, and some people are quick to point out that those games are the only reason to own Nintendo's systems these days (which isn't true anyway, if you look at the rest of the games I listed - all Gamecube exclusives as far as I know). You also have people complaining that all Nintendo does is rehash its core franchises over and over. But if you ask people who own a Playstation or Xbox what their favorite games are, chances are you'll get "GTA", "Final Fantasy" or "Halo" as a response. Every system has its megahits, franchises and rehashes, whether they're internally developed or not. [/rant]
Wow, my first post turned out to be a short novel.