How well do you like the Xbox?

Post by **BreakmanX** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 8:44 pm

Our first poll!

VdgmasterX · Post by **VdgmasterX** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 8:51 pm

definetely a good system

Evilmagicpirate · Post by **Evilmagicpirate** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:59 pm

I like it, but I still spell Mircro$oft with an $.

Juan The Pirate · Post by **Juan The Pirate** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 8:08 am

I've never been the biggest fan of the X-Box, but I am not resentful toward Microsoft. There are so good titles, I like the hdd idea, but the system is more of a computer to game on then a true console, maybe thats the future

Post by **BreakmanX** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 12:20 pm

While I respect both PC and console gaming, I prefer console and really appreciate the differences. One reason I'm not to keen on the idea of the X-Box is their whole turn console gaming to PC gaming approach. One of their execs even said they wanted to gain enough market share of the console market and bring everything to PC.

I would absolutely hate this. Consoles and PCs have different strengths and weaknesses, and it boils down to your opinions as to which one you like better. PC's and consoles hold a kind of balance to the gaming industry, and offer different kinds of games to different kinds of gamers. While there is some cross over, I know that FPS's (Not FPA's =P) will always be better on a PC. Think of how much better Halo could've been. While platformers, and other genre's invented on consoles are better on their intended platform.

Evilmagicpirate · Post by **Evilmagicpirate** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 3:37 pm

BreakmanX wrote: One of their execs even said they wanted to gain enough market share of the console market and bring everything to PC.

I heard you guys talking about this on The Game Show, and I honestly cannot believe that this is Microsofts short-term goal. I think this may have been something that an executive, who was probably ill informed, has said and not explained or made the context clear enough.
Prehaps what he ment was that Microsofts long term goal, like in the next ~10 years, is to transform consoles themselves into PCs (By adding Harddrives, Web surfing abilities, etc).

Post by **BreakmanX** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 4:26 pm

Yeah, I think you have a point. More of a consolodation of Microsoftness than anything else.

Evilmagicpirate · Post by **Evilmagicpirate** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 4:44 pm

Yeah, then they can sell console owners a copy of Windows... And sell you upgrades (patches) every 6 months. Sounds like something those money hungry bastards would do.. Although, I wouldn't put it past Nintendo or Sony either.

Post by **BreakmanX** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 11:29 pm

Yes, but Microsoft already has a history of doing that. And, from studying Japanese business a little, their business style works a little different. Constant updates and the like don't seem to fit in with what I've learned.

But, hey, anything's possible.

RurouniQ · Post by **RurouniQ** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 12:18 am

BreakmanX wrote:Yes, but Microsoft already has a history of doing that. And, from studying Japanese business a little, their business style works a little different. Constant updates and the like don't seem to fit in with what I've learned.

But, hey, anything's possible.

I agree with Break. Japanese business practices believe in releasing a good product the first time instead of trying to improve it later on. That's why japanese cars usually run longer and/or better than american ones. Plus, Nintendo doesn't really have a history of doing that, whereas Sony is constantly upgrading its hardware, although you have to get a new PS2 to get the improved hardware.

Post by **BreakmanX** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 12:23 am

I agree with Ru.

Except, I thought the different hardware on the Ps2 was only because it was cheaper to produce? I dont think that the hardware was anymore powerful. Actually, one of my mags talked about this rumor and said it was false. The only thing I know of is updates the system software that makes for less buggy operation. That and possible bug fixes.

RurouniQ · Post by **RurouniQ** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 7:22 am

Well, yah I didn't mean the PS2 upgrades its capabilities; it only upgrades to make it less buggy. And as I recall, I think Sony did have to change some component in the laser reader to keep it from scratching disks.

mighty bean · Post by **mighty bean** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 11:10 pm

Break likes to mention a quote from an MS exec stating that their intent is to take over the console market so they can destroy it and bring everone over to the PC. Does anyone know where this quote can be found? I'm curious who said it and what, exactly, was said.

VdgmasterX · Post by **VdgmasterX** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 11:48 pm

who knows...break might be hearing things...

Post by **BreakmanX** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 12:09 am

I think I'm going to stop saying that, right now, actually. My brother gets Fortune, and all those types of business magazines. One time when he came up to visit me this year he brought it up and showed it to me. It was basically just a msg to stockholders from Microsoft about having faith in their gaming system. And he mentioned what I keep saying. Unfortunately he took the mag back, and he doesn't know which one its in. I was hoping he could find it so I could prove the quote, but he can't, so its a lost cause. Doesn't matter how good the information is, if you don't have a source. So, in short, screw the quote. I can't find it. And, it may have been an uninformed executive anyway.

The only reason I was anti-Microsoft in the first place was the fact that they had been found guilty of illegal monopolistic practices, no matter how small, in their other big market. That and many other things I've heard throughout the years from reliable people. And I just felt they were treading on unwanted territory.

We all know we need competition for any market to flourish. Microsoft is providing some fresh competiton. They made the most technically powerful system. One that blows the Ps2 away in power, and even overshadows my beloved GameCube in raw pixel pushing power. (Just like to say that this difference doesn't matter much to me, I'm just trying to get to something. Its all about the games to me.) Microsoft, through their nearly unlimited funding, has paved the way for future console online gaming. So, they've done a few good things. But, the American game market has always revolved around two systems. This means one company has to go.

Nintendo has said that if they stop making consoles they will not make games for any other company's system. They would be out for good. It would be extremely sad to have the pioneer, that saved gaming for the US, leave our industry. I really don't think they will.

I really think its between the big S and the big M to see who drops. Sony has made a system that many developer complain about for being designed poorly, and hard to develop for. Choosing Cell technology for the Ps3, something they have admitted to having no idea how to develop for, seems to be going in this same path. The Ps2 is doing amazingly well, but I wonder how long the developers want to put up with such uncaring design. Be interesting to see how their chokehold on the industry maintains.

Microsoft has made a console that is easy to program for, and one that is powerful. Their console is better than the Ps2. Both of the other consoles beat it in games though. (<= Purely opinion)

I really don't know who I would like to win. Sony is a big company that makes every kind of electronic device you could ever want. Microsoft is starting a new in a business much the same way Sony did in 1994.

Basically, I think Nintendo needs to stay in it. They were what it took to get games going again in the early to mid eighty's after Atari left the industry in shambles. And, I honestly think they still have it. They just need to get better in the advertising part of it. In the US anyway.

As long as Nintendo stays in the race, I honestly don't care who wins it of the other too. Sony makes shitty hardware, and I don't have any love for Microsoft. And all of the good games for the Ps2 are third party anyway. They'd just move to one of the other systems. I guess we'll see who is better come out on top. Let's just hope competition continues to flourish. And, I really think it will.

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