Any views since launch?
by Etienne Jabbour · in General Discussion · 02/11/2002 (6:44 am) · 9 replies
A few months back a lively debate on the chances the Xbox had against Gamecube was kicked off...at the time the overiding view was that Microsoft didnt have a chance.Of course its still very early days...but I personaly think that it's become very apparant that the Xbox has a very good chance of doing very well.
I was just wondering how others here felt about this topic now?
I was just wondering how others here felt about this topic now?
About the author
#2
The Gamecube is so awesome. Everything about it screams fun! The controllers are just right, the small disks somehow feel more fun (not to mention everything on the GC loads about 10X faster than XB), and lastly, the games are just better. We bought the LCD screen, and the 9V plug-in lights up the GC and the screen for making long car trips much shorter. The XB simply cannot do that.
On the other hand, the XB has the Ethernet port and HD, so we should see some great content later this year. When that happens, we will bring one home as long as Microsoft doesn't require us to sign up for wierd subscription services or tie into unrelated desktop operating systems just to play games. If that happens, then we won't even consider it.
Jeff Tunnell GG
02/11/2002 (7:51 am)
We are a Gamecube house here at the Tunnell's. Actually, we buy every system if there is compelling content. The X-Box does not meet that criteria yet.The Gamecube is so awesome. Everything about it screams fun! The controllers are just right, the small disks somehow feel more fun (not to mention everything on the GC loads about 10X faster than XB), and lastly, the games are just better. We bought the LCD screen, and the 9V plug-in lights up the GC and the screen for making long car trips much shorter. The XB simply cannot do that.
On the other hand, the XB has the Ethernet port and HD, so we should see some great content later this year. When that happens, we will bring one home as long as Microsoft doesn't require us to sign up for wierd subscription services or tie into unrelated desktop operating systems just to play games. If that happens, then we won't even consider it.
Jeff Tunnell GG
#3
As Jeff mentions, the Hard Drive and Ehternet card are a natural evolution to the console market. You will see games come out for the XBOX that can exist on no other system in the next 6 months to a year - simply because of those two additions.
I have Halo, Munch, Starfighter, Hockey, and Azurik. All the games look amazing, have rock solid frame rates, and are extremely entertaining. Because developing for the XBOX is so similar to that of a PC, I believe that the games for XBOX will evolve quicker than that of the other consoles. It will be interesting to see.
I don't have anything against GameCube. I've been a Nintendo junkie for years, in fact I have all their consoles except GC. It was just time for something different (not something you would expect to say about a Microsoft product - heh).
In the end, its a lovely place to be when you get to choose between 4 excellent gaming platforms - the GC, XBOX, PS2, and PC.
02/13/2002 (5:28 am)
At the risk of alienating myself from our most gratious publishers, I am a big XBOX fan myself :) As Jeff mentions, the Hard Drive and Ehternet card are a natural evolution to the console market. You will see games come out for the XBOX that can exist on no other system in the next 6 months to a year - simply because of those two additions.
I have Halo, Munch, Starfighter, Hockey, and Azurik. All the games look amazing, have rock solid frame rates, and are extremely entertaining. Because developing for the XBOX is so similar to that of a PC, I believe that the games for XBOX will evolve quicker than that of the other consoles. It will be interesting to see.
I don't have anything against GameCube. I've been a Nintendo junkie for years, in fact I have all their consoles except GC. It was just time for something different (not something you would expect to say about a Microsoft product - heh).
In the end, its a lovely place to be when you get to choose between 4 excellent gaming platforms - the GC, XBOX, PS2, and PC.
#4
As a game developer, I'd prefer to write for the xbox rather than mess with Nintendo's dev kit (or ps2 for that matter). This goes triple for PC developers, since the hardware is so similar.
As a techno-geek you gotta love the graphics and hardware behind that green X logo. GameCube doesn't even compare in this arena.
As a marketer (which I'm not) I'd say that the trend of PC multiplayer on-line gaming is a natural for the xbox. No other console would do currently -- except the dieing DreamCast. We should see titles like this soon on the XBox. Personally I think Sony dropped the ball on this one and could have had this market bagged. When PS2 launched they announced plans of releasing their modem and hard drive by Dec of last year. Of course you can hook up a USB modem to it but that only makes Sony look even more foolish that they don't have there own standard modem. I wonder if some developers of those soon to be on-line games on the PS2 chose to move their titles to the xbox. Also Nintendo's old market share is growing up and wants more mature games than what they generally allow to be developed for their system. Can they keep up the momentum in the newer generations or will they go for the new glitzy XBox?
02/14/2002 (5:48 pm)
XBox is my current favorite. I bought it for Halo. That game is very very cool. As a game developer, I'd prefer to write for the xbox rather than mess with Nintendo's dev kit (or ps2 for that matter). This goes triple for PC developers, since the hardware is so similar.
As a techno-geek you gotta love the graphics and hardware behind that green X logo. GameCube doesn't even compare in this arena.
As a marketer (which I'm not) I'd say that the trend of PC multiplayer on-line gaming is a natural for the xbox. No other console would do currently -- except the dieing DreamCast. We should see titles like this soon on the XBox. Personally I think Sony dropped the ball on this one and could have had this market bagged. When PS2 launched they announced plans of releasing their modem and hard drive by Dec of last year. Of course you can hook up a USB modem to it but that only makes Sony look even more foolish that they don't have there own standard modem. I wonder if some developers of those soon to be on-line games on the PS2 chose to move their titles to the xbox. Also Nintendo's old market share is growing up and wants more mature games than what they generally allow to be developed for their system. Can they keep up the momentum in the newer generations or will they go for the new glitzy XBox?
#5
I have no doubt that xbox, ps2 and gamecube will be competing solidly for the next 2-3 years but I expect the gamecube to start lagging by then.
Ps2 should be lagging by then, but the sheer pop-culture support will keep it going. I mean, look at playstation versus Dreamcast and N64. That system shoulda died a few years back, but with such a massive base they could keep cranking out junk or rehased semi-decent junk and make tonsa cash.
I'm just dissapointed to see such a little support for online console play, after the Dreamcast did it so well.
Play Quake 3 on Dreamcast, and you'll never be able to play Quake 3 on a PC with a 56k again... the game is so smooth, and soo much fun. It's crazy to see Ps2, gamecube, and xbox lack so much off the bat with online play.
Ps2 could have basically owned the market if they pushed for a broadband/56k modem peripheral that was official (thus making it viable for developers) but they screwed up.
I'm still confused to see how they are going to pull off Final Fantasy 11. How many people are going to buy a $50 peripheral and $50 game just to play it (and probably have to pay a monthly fee if it actually lives up to it's MMORPG claims)
Anyway, if Xbox can broaden it's game titles and capitalize on a few solid online games Xbox will be the king of the consoles within 3 years.
02/14/2002 (6:47 pm)
Gamecube is too cute, and lacking some solid action titles.I have no doubt that xbox, ps2 and gamecube will be competing solidly for the next 2-3 years but I expect the gamecube to start lagging by then.
Ps2 should be lagging by then, but the sheer pop-culture support will keep it going. I mean, look at playstation versus Dreamcast and N64. That system shoulda died a few years back, but with such a massive base they could keep cranking out junk or rehased semi-decent junk and make tonsa cash.
I'm just dissapointed to see such a little support for online console play, after the Dreamcast did it so well.
Play Quake 3 on Dreamcast, and you'll never be able to play Quake 3 on a PC with a 56k again... the game is so smooth, and soo much fun. It's crazy to see Ps2, gamecube, and xbox lack so much off the bat with online play.
Ps2 could have basically owned the market if they pushed for a broadband/56k modem peripheral that was official (thus making it viable for developers) but they screwed up.
I'm still confused to see how they are going to pull off Final Fantasy 11. How many people are going to buy a $50 peripheral and $50 game just to play it (and probably have to pay a monthly fee if it actually lives up to it's MMORPG claims)
Anyway, if Xbox can broaden it's game titles and capitalize on a few solid online games Xbox will be the king of the consoles within 3 years.
#6
As far as development goes X-Box has the cash to pick up pretty much any developer they want. The problem is that because X-Box and PC are so similar, developers will be able to port that games over to PC very quickly and if that happens will people pick up the X-Box or just buy the PC version (I'd buy the PC version)?
Alc
02/15/2002 (9:26 am)
My bet for PS2 online play is that they are waiting for FFXI to release it. I for one would pick it up with the modem just to play it and I'm sure I'm not the only one.As far as development goes X-Box has the cash to pick up pretty much any developer they want. The problem is that because X-Box and PC are so similar, developers will be able to port that games over to PC very quickly and if that happens will people pick up the X-Box or just buy the PC version (I'd buy the PC version)?
Alc
#7
Let's be honest the ONLY reason any of us older folks even have a reason to buy this kids machines is for the classics, Mario, Metroid and Zelda. . . . Smash brothers is fun for the 1st hundered games or so, but you need to play 700 (what were they smoking) games before you get a chance to beat Mew two and unloack the last challenges. As for Sonic being made for Nintendo I still can come to grips with that.
My only hope it that they remake ALL the old games like Kid Icarus, Ghost n' Golbins, Bionic Commando, Trajan, or Blaster Master
02/15/2002 (9:49 am)
I hate my GameCube, as always Nintendo released a system with no FUN games. . . Luigi's Mansion, had great graphics but it was BORING, Pikmen is just plain frusterating, WaveRace was ruined (N64 was fun as hell no this one is crap). Since I played Grand Theft Auto 3 I wanted to trade soooooooooo much, and now x box has a simlar game.Let's be honest the ONLY reason any of us older folks even have a reason to buy this kids machines is for the classics, Mario, Metroid and Zelda. . . . Smash brothers is fun for the 1st hundered games or so, but you need to play 700 (what were they smoking) games before you get a chance to beat Mew two and unloack the last challenges. As for Sonic being made for Nintendo I still can come to grips with that.
My only hope it that they remake ALL the old games like Kid Icarus, Ghost n' Golbins, Bionic Commando, Trajan, or Blaster Master
#8
I'm really not concerned either way. As far as it goes I couldnt care less what platform it is, as long as its not PS2 (horrid peice of equipment, badly put together).
Xbox is no easier to develop for than gamecube (gamecube's graphics api is OpenGL for want of a few function names). Xbox is basically a stripped DX or OGL layer too. Hardware wise, Xbox is beafier, but thats only really useful for super bump mapped titles (i think there should be an equation, more bump-maps = less taste).
I'd be happy to do work on either GC or XB. They'd both be absolutely fine, with the XB maybe having the edge in terms of ram.
As to the current games, nothing really screams out for me to have it, but mainly because i prefer making games to playing them :)) I like GT, GTA3, ICO on PS2, but I dislike the PS2, I like Halo, I like smash bros on GC.
I'd like to have them all, but I'm buggered if I'll pay 40-50 quid for a game, even if its a console game.
Phil.
02/15/2002 (9:53 am)
Its still a big debate at work.I'm really not concerned either way. As far as it goes I couldnt care less what platform it is, as long as its not PS2 (horrid peice of equipment, badly put together).
Xbox is no easier to develop for than gamecube (gamecube's graphics api is OpenGL for want of a few function names). Xbox is basically a stripped DX or OGL layer too. Hardware wise, Xbox is beafier, but thats only really useful for super bump mapped titles (i think there should be an equation, more bump-maps = less taste).
I'd be happy to do work on either GC or XB. They'd both be absolutely fine, with the XB maybe having the edge in terms of ram.
As to the current games, nothing really screams out for me to have it, but mainly because i prefer making games to playing them :)) I like GT, GTA3, ICO on PS2, but I dislike the PS2, I like Halo, I like smash bros on GC.
I'd like to have them all, but I'm buggered if I'll pay 40-50 quid for a game, even if its a console game.
Phil.
#9
Btw all, personally I think I'd be more inclined to by a title for a console than the PC just because you know that it's going to work on the console. The PC has done me wrong too many times. Just my thoughts on that.
02/16/2002 (2:37 pm)
Phil, I'm curious why you say the ps2 is so badly put together. Is it because you developed on that system? Maybe if you could post a new thread on that. Thanks.Btw all, personally I think I'd be more inclined to by a title for a console than the PC just because you know that it's going to work on the console. The PC has done me wrong too many times. Just my thoughts on that.
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