Xbox Live

[Churchill]

I'll admit it. I went out and bought myself an XBox on Friday.

As I don't have a problem with Microsoft I can tell you that it is a damn fine game machine. I have a PS2 as well and the XBox knocks it over, not just in graphics but also in the general feel of the games and the controller (the new s-type controller is quite good...)

What I really want to know, does anyone else in TOG have an XBox and are you going to take a serious look at XBox Live? (Or the PS2 offering???)

Now before everybody lays into me, I still love PC gaming more than anything, but sometimes I just like to lay back on the lounge and fire up Fifa 2003...no harm in that!

Remember....TOG stands for The Older Gamers not just The Older PC Gamers.....that way it would be TOPG....and that doesn't sound right...

[Father]

Nope, haven't had a console since the atari 2600 and no intention in getting one.

Can't bring myself to play at 60Hz and 640x480. The misses basically monopolises the TV anyway.

A 21" monitor and 1600x1200 at 100Hz, can't be beaten. Plus with so many games on the PC I can't even imagine having the time even if I would like it.
The good console games like which are properly converted like GTA end up being better on a PC anyway.
Sorry don't like consoles much.

Don't get me wrong, feel free to find some console players here, I have no problem with that.
But I won't be one of them.

[Cailith]

I have a PlayStation (not 2) sitting in the corner gathering dust. I think I took it out the other day for the first time in at least a year to play Colin Mcrae Rally 2 on it.

I won't be rushing out to by any other consoles. My PC has cable connected to it

[Solis]

I really wante to play Halo
But I am not buying an Xbox for it.

[Churchill]

Originally Posted by Solis

I really wante to play Halo
But I am not buying an Xbox for it.

Halo is one of the games I got with the Xbox....It is good, but not any better than most of the FPS games you can currently get on PC (SOFII, Unreall II etc.). I wouldn't get one just for Halo...

I raised the issue of Xbox Live simply to see if anyone had any opinions on the possible impact it may have on PC online gaming. When you consider the price of a high-end PC (anywhere between $2000 and $4000...depending on your definition of high-end...) I wonder whether a lot of families out there may just get their kids an Xbox and Live account, for around $500 with a few games or get them a $2000+ PC? Forgetting the complexity of PC online gaming (i.e cogs, Punk Buster, mods, etc.)

Just putting it out there for discussion....

[Bennett]

Can be pretty sure it will take off. Although I myself will probably never get one (gaming console), you can't deny the fact that there is a huge proportion of people that do have one. There are a lot of people out there who couldn't be bothered with the "complexity" of PC's.

So IMHO I think it will certainly become big ... as big as online PC gaming? ... dunno, time will tell but there is definitely a niche for it.

[Derelict]

Definitely will get big. If not bigger.

Consoles are designed for both the consumer and the developer. Reason being - its a static piece of hardware that the devs are able to program the games to push the equipment to the limit.

For the consumer, it's a no brainer. 1 power lead. 1 set of TV/AV leads, 1 or 2 controllers, multiple CD/DVDs. Each is very obvious in shape and size as to where they're supposed to go. Compare this to the PC. Keyboard, mouse - USB/PS2? take your pick. Monitor? 2 leads there, power to PC, add on another modem... what you don't want a dialup? Cable? DSL? Configure those modems?

If I weren't an IT geekazoid, I'd go for a console.

Now with that in mind, getting the consoles online and playing games against someone else online... how long did it take for online PC gaming to take off? Might take a little while for XBox Live to grab it's little niche simply because it's a "pay as you play" subscription for the online access.

For us, this equates to MMPORPGs because our Internet access is a given - we don't use it purely for gaming... at least I don't.

[Janus]

Yup. Derelict hit the nail on the head regarding the degree of optimisation possible on consoles.

I've seen and played a bit with the XBox, and it is great. Another thing, IMO, that consoles have over PCs is the social interaction. To take Churchill's example, having a group of mates around playing FIFA 2003 or DOA3 with drinks and eats is great - and something that PCs simply can't emulate.

..speaking of FIFA 2003, I'd love to have a couple of games, Churchill.

I will definitely be getting the PS2's online pack. I want to play FFXI online. Looks awesome, and I love the Final Fantasy series - FFVII, FFVIII and FFX being highlights.

I can understand Father's 640x480@60 gripe. However, on a nice TV set (like my Sony 68cm), games like GT3 and VF4 (Virtua Fighter 4) look amazing, play nice a quick, and when you're sitting a couple of metres back, the lack of 1600x1200 resolution doesn't really matter. Looks great, and the big screen definitely adds to the gaming experience.

Play a rally game with a wheel on a PC with a 19in screen - then play the same rally game on your lounge, on the big(ger) screen with the same wheel on a console, and the bigger image makes all the difference.

Enough from me.

..and Churchill, just making sure you got the hint about FIFA 2003.

[Bennett]

Originally Posted by Janus

..speaking of FIFA 2003, I'd love to have a couple of games, Churchill.

I love the FIFA 200x games but never played them on console. Guess I'll just have to stick with the PC.

[Churchill]

Originally Posted by Janus

..speaking of FIFA 2003, I'd love to have a couple of games, Churchill.

..and Churchill, just making sure you got the hint about FIFA 2003.

Didn't miss either of them!!

I'm off to QLD for holidays Friday week for 10 days so how about we organise something when I get back!

I have a projector (1.5m screen) as well...I've had 6 of us playing FIFA 3 a side. It is awesome!