Notice how you completely dodge the issue of consoles still having a horrible interface(console controllers) for FPS and RTS games. (And no, the Wii doesn't make this any better.)
Obviously, you're entitled to your opinion. But claiming that consoles have horrible control interfaces seems like a somewhat ignorant statement. I will agree that RTSs have a long way to go before they're controlled efficiently on consoles, but FPSs seem to do rather well. I've spent equal time on consoles and PC. While the mouse seems more accurate in terms of getting the reticle exactly where you want it as quickly as possible in FPSs, I think the modern controller trumps the keyboard in terms of character maneuverability and overall immersion in a game. There are keypads made explicitly for gaming, but the keyboard wasn't created with gaming in mind--it's, first and foremost, a tool for typing. To me, it's rather archaic and unintuitive, and doesn't offer the feedback I want when playing games. The controllers on the major consoles, on the other hand, were made explicitly for gaming and generally offer a more ergonomic experience with more tactile feedback. While it may be true that people can achieve greater accuracy in certain types of games with a keyboard/mouse setup, I find gaming is usually more immersive and enjoyable with a well-made controller.
Actually, they're not the same thing. The reason I posted the second link was because it also mentioned difficulties with Virtua Tennis 3. I was in a hurry to provide some links to refute your notion that everything is going smoothly in Sony's online endeavor, but I came up short. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time on my hands to dig up articles I read a couple of weeks ago.
You're right though, just because one or two developers aren't in the loop doesn't necessarily mean Sony doesn't have their s*** together. The thing is it doesn't really build confidence in the platform if the console is a month from launch and there are still developers out there who have yet to receive support from Sony regarding implementation of online functionality. It remains to be seen just how consistent this service of theirs is going to be with some developers relying on xFire, some using Gamespy, and others using alternate methods to provide online features. If they want to compete with Microsoft they need to provide a user-friendly, reliable, unified online service. It remains to be seen if they're capable of such a thing. They haven't exactly been forthcoming with information.
I had my suspicions that he was responsible for all the series' character designs. But I didn't know for sure and didn't have time to look it up, so that's why I phrased it the way I did. (Sh*t, "incorpating"? I hate typos.)
Actually, MS does have an answer to Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. They are producing two 360 exclusive titles, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, made by Mistwalker, the studio founded by "the father of Final Fantasy" Hironobu Sakaguchi. I think Blue Dragon is going to be similar to Dragon Quest, even incorpating character designs by Akira Toriyama who has done work on past Dragon Quest titles (and Chrono Trigger). And I believe Lost Odyssey will be an RPG in the same vein as Final Fantasy. There are other exclusive JRPGs in production by veterans of the genre, but there aren't many details on them yet.
I think MS is serious about persuading the top Japanese/Korean RPG developers into making high-quality RPGs for the 360 to add to the solid RPG offerings from western developers like BioWare and Bethesda.
Where in the heck did we get "XC"? "XC" = Xbox Console, or Xbox 360 Console? Man, there are enough acronyms and abbreviations floating around out there, do we need to coin new ones that don't make much sense? How hard is it to just use the ones that are already out there or stick to the product's full name?
That said, I'd agree that MS needs to reach those who don't own the console. But really, if you make an effort to keep your current customers happy, they'll go spread the word elsewhere.
"I'd suggest that you reserve your judgement until you can try the games out for yourself."
I couldn't agree more. Why people are so quick to dismiss something that they haven't witnessed for themselves is just beyond me. I'd have to agree with a lot of people that Xbox 360's showing at E3 left something to be desired, but since TGS and X05 things have gotten more interesting. If someone goes to IGN or gametrailers.com, downloads latest 360 HD video previews and are still not somewhat excited by the launch, then I would argue they don't have much of an interest in gaming.
Re:For those who didn't RTFA...
on
State of the 360
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· Score: 1
Scratch that, the poster didn't quote the first paragraph of the report. It's the first paragraph of page three. Guess I need another cup of coffee. Jeez.
For those who didn't RTFA...
on
State of the 360
·
· Score: 2, Informative
The guy who started this thread posted the first paragraph in the IGN piece. That first paragraph definitely gives the impression that the 360 is going to fail miserably. However, if you actually read the entire article, you're left with a slightly different impression. Here's the final paragraph.
Despite Microsoft's rough start, and a lineup that doesn't have a single, clear-cut killer app, this launch is really just the start of a much broader assault. The 25-plus launch window titles are like appetizers at a party, with the main course to come. These first games are just meant to whet your whistle. They'll be good, but the real innovation, the genuinely astonishing next-gen titles won't come out until 2006. I can tell you this, though, when you get and actually play those games, damn, are you going to have geeked-out, high-tech fun. When you connect that Xbox 360 to your HD TV and Dolby 5.1-enabled stereo, you're going to find out just how sophisticated, deep, and fun the box itself is. When you boot up Call of Duty 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, NBA 2K6, whatever it is, the long slow summer of waiting, the mistakes we've all been witness to, and that bothersome worry in the back of your head, will quickly fade.
Not exactly something that instills confidence, but not the prophecy of doom that many self-proclaimed gamers would have you believe. I'd suggest waiting for the release of the system to pass judgement on it. At the very least, wait until the end of X05 when MS is likely to have shown more telling screens and video of its launch line-up.
Slashdot Mirror
Meant "multi-platform".
Yeah, tack a couple of years onto that and you're getting there. I wouldn't be surprised if Square announces it's multiplaform before then.
Actually, they're not the same thing. The reason I posted the second link was because it also mentioned difficulties with Virtua Tennis 3. I was in a hurry to provide some links to refute your notion that everything is going smoothly in Sony's online endeavor, but I came up short. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time on my hands to dig up articles I read a couple of weeks ago.
You're right though, just because one or two developers aren't in the loop doesn't necessarily mean Sony doesn't have their s*** together. The thing is it doesn't really build confidence in the platform if the console is a month from launch and there are still developers out there who have yet to receive support from Sony regarding implementation of online functionality. It remains to be seen just how consistent this service of theirs is going to be with some developers relying on xFire, some using Gamespy, and others using alternate methods to provide online features. If they want to compete with Microsoft they need to provide a user-friendly, reliable, unified online service. It remains to be seen if they're capable of such a thing. They haven't exactly been forthcoming with information.
Really? Resistance would appear to be the exception./ 15/5301 t -delivered-online-specs-to-ps3-developers/
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/9
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/sony-still-hasn
Holy crap! That Metroid e-manga just made my day!
I had my suspicions that he was responsible for all the series' character designs. But I didn't know for sure and didn't have time to look it up, so that's why I phrased it the way I did. (Sh*t, "incorpating"? I hate typos.)
Actually, MS does have an answer to Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. They are producing two 360 exclusive titles, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, made by Mistwalker, the studio founded by "the father of Final Fantasy" Hironobu Sakaguchi. I think Blue Dragon is going to be similar to Dragon Quest, even incorpating character designs by Akira Toriyama who has done work on past Dragon Quest titles (and Chrono Trigger). And I believe Lost Odyssey will be an RPG in the same vein as Final Fantasy. There are other exclusive JRPGs in production by veterans of the genre, but there aren't many details on them yet. I think MS is serious about persuading the top Japanese/Korean RPG developers into making high-quality RPGs for the 360 to add to the solid RPG offerings from western developers like BioWare and Bethesda.
Wow! A PC gaming elitist on Slashdot, imagine that!
Where in the heck did we get "XC"? "XC" = Xbox Console, or Xbox 360 Console? Man, there are enough acronyms and abbreviations floating around out there, do we need to coin new ones that don't make much sense? How hard is it to just use the ones that are already out there or stick to the product's full name? That said, I'd agree that MS needs to reach those who don't own the console. But really, if you make an effort to keep your current customers happy, they'll go spread the word elsewhere.
Man, that's harsh. I think you forgot to say something about his mother.
Scratch that, the poster didn't quote the first paragraph of the report. It's the first paragraph of page three. Guess I need another cup of coffee. Jeez.
Stupid question, who were the bad guys in Night Trap? The Augers or the bimbos?