Xbox 360 - It has Begins!!!

[captain ahar]

anyone else confused as hell by the controller logo.

x-logo surrounded with 1, 2, 3, 4 at 90 degree intervals

[crithit5000]

anyone else confused as hell by the controller logo.

x-logo surrounded with 1, 2, 3, 4 at 90 degree intervals

I was thinking that since the controller was wireless, that the logo was the switch for each player's signal...

[captain ahar]

after looking at the webpage it says that "The Xbox Guide Button at the center of the controller gives you quick access to all your favorite Xbox 360 system activities, such as watching movies, listening to music, contacting friends on Xbox Live, and customizing your gaming experiences. Easily jump to the Xbox Gamer Guide or Xbox Live Marketplace."

apparently it has a "play function".

[sethsez]

I miss the good old days........

Yeah, I miss the days when game companies would give out Jolly Ranchers for free and were all working to better mankind. Now it's all about money.

Oh, wait...

[Specineff]

Actually, a buddy on my LJ list showed a frontal shot of both systems and it appears that the curvature of the X-Box 360 is actually desgined to allow it to sit on top of the original X-Box's curved surface. Now, I don't stack my consoles... I would think that doing so would heighten the likelyhood of one of them (if not both) overheating very quickly.

Remember the hype about the PS2 being able to guide a SCUD missile due to its "powerful" graphics processor? Microsoft designed the case like this so you can start your own ICBM program by running both consoles in parallel. In your face, Sony.

Ok. Seriously. So they invented a shortcut button on the controller. Big F***ing whoop. Gimmick, all the way. Just so Johnny Sixpack doesn't have to bother going into a freaking menu and calling all the functions from there. Sorry, Nintendo. Your touchscreen/gyroscope/toaster thingy has been pwned by Microsoft. P-W-N-3-D.

[Dylan1CC]

The whole in-your-face-pop-culture-mtv-bullshit presentation of the program bugged me though.

I couldn't agree more. There was about thirty seconds where you actually saw the console (assuming that you hadn't already seen the leaked XBox360 pics over at Engadget or The Magic Box), and the rest of the program was three minutes total of game footage shown in a bunch of two second clips, edited MTV style (i.e., no more than seven seconds of footage without a cut/jumpcut).

As for the XBox360, I'll leave my impressions of it for a future rant...

Thank goodness I did not go to the trouble of taping this. It's a good move by MS to put some pre-emptive hype against the PS3, but if ya wanna tick me off as a game consumer, having a bunch of celebs blabbering with 2 seconds of moronic MTV "zing!" editing is the way to do it.[/i]

[alpha5099]

The new controller looks like the bastard child of the Wavebird and the Dreamcast controller.

Then again, the XBox controller always looked like a DC controller, maybe it's just the white design and the wireless-ness that brings in the Wavebird comparison.

[Specineff]

I also see a shade of the Saturn controller there, too.

[The n00b]

Bleh I'm not a fangirl or some dork who thinks everyone should live and breath gaming or they don't even deserve to touch a controller so....I don't give a crap about how they market it.

That said I'm going to wait on getting an xbox 360. There are just no games on it that are really speaking to me right now. With the original xbox there was rallisport challenge and Halo which made it a "must have" system. I don't expect 2d games since I own a Saturn and a genesis for all my 2d needs but I do expect something to grab me which MS has failed to show off at this point.

[Turrican]

So, we're finally arrived to that moment...

in all these hardware changes the casual consumer could easily tell the difference in terms of graphics enhancements, with the 8 to 16bit leap being probably the more subtle and 16 to 32bit the most noticeable.

This leap was something hardware specific, ie you could saw it right from the launch titles. You did not have to wait for Chrono Trigger, Super Mario World was a already a significative jump.

Now I look at DOA4, Ninja Gaiden, "millionth samurai action game" screenshots, and I cannot tell if these are Xbox or Xbox 360 games.

Let me quote this historical event from Magic box:

"Here are the first images screens of Tecmo's Dead or Alive 4, it is uncertain whether the game is for the Xbox or the next generation Xbox console."

Wow. Just wow. I mean, try to imagine: "Here's F-Zero, it is uncertain if it's a nes or a snes title". "Here's Ridge Racer, might be for Snes or Playstation, we cannot tell from photos."


I see why Microsoft is talking all gadgets: menu button, wireless joypad, live functions...


Note that I'm not bashing Microsoft. I am sure PS3 will do the same way. Iwata said times ago that he was content with the current hardware, that from a technical standpoint he did not feel the need of an upgrade, and all there was to do now was use creativity. I'm beginning to think he was right.

Question: why should casual market be lured into new hardware, if what's shown here is so close to current gen?

[jp]

So, we're finally arrived to that moment...

in all these hardware changes the casual consumer could easily tell the difference in terms of graphics enhancements, with the 8 to 16bit leap being probably the more subtle and 16 to 32bit the most noticeable.

This leap was something hardware specific, ie you could saw it right from the launch titles. You did not have to wait for Chrono Trigger, Super Mario World was a already a significative jump.

Now I look at DOA4, Ninja Gaiden, "millionth samurai action game" screenshots, and I cannot tell if these are Xbox or Xbox 360 games.

Let me quote this historical event from Magic box:

"Here are the first images screens of Tecmo's Dead or Alive 4, it is uncertain whether the game is for the Xbox or the next generation Xbox console."

Wow. Just wow. I mean, try to imagine: "Here's F-Zero, it is uncertain if it's a nes or a snes title". "Here's Ridge Racer, might be for Snes or Playstation, we cannot tell from photos."


I see why Microsoft is talking all gadgets: menu button, wireless joypad, live functions...


Note that I'm not bashing Microsoft. I am sure PS3 will do the same way. Iwata said times ago that he was content with the current hardware, that from a technical standpoint he did not feel the need of an upgrade, and all there was to do now was use creativity. I'm beginning to think he was right.

I agree totally. More powerful hardware just doesn't matter anymore. There really isn't THAT much more they can do. Though God knows at leasy for the next decade or so we'll be getting our 5 year updates where the football players' asses jiggle a little bit more due to "updated hardware". *yawn*

Question: why should casual market be lured into new hardware, if what's shown here is so close to current gen?

Because its the hip new thing... and thats all the casual market cares about. Gameplay has never been important to that lot.



At any rate, if they don't announce some fuckin' launch titles soon I may not be buying one at launch. OK, a golf game, a football game, a skateboard game, and a car game. What is this? The PSP?

Perfect Dark Zero... OK, fine, it could be fun, but Rare really hasn't been on top of the ball as of late. Lets see Killer Instinct 3!

"Halo 2.5" and "Dead or Alive 4" haven't been announced as launch titles, but are rumored, which is somewhat funny since Halo and Dead or Alive 3 were the big Xbox launch titles. So the new Xbox is called the 360 because Microsoft is moving in circles are far as games go?


Ninja Gaiden 2 + Elder Scrolls: Oblivion + Quake 4 = jp buying one though.

[FatCobra]

You know, ever since I got my Saturn I really don't give a shit about the current market anymore. Why waste money on Generic Mainstream Title #40936790432609347 when that money can go towards Radient Silvergun?

Hardware means jack to me, it's all about the games. My roommate thinks I'm crazy for buying an import Saturn, but he's the one who's nutz.

Geez, the next gen is kinda being forced upon us isn't it? I only got my PSTwo a few months back and already there's talk of the PS3 launching soon. Gotta love being obsolite I guess.

[jp]

You know, ever since I got my Saturn I really don't give a shit about the current market anymore. Why waste money on Generic Mainstream Title #40936790432609347 when that money can go towards Radient Silvergun?

Thats a damn good way to be IMO.



But eventually... you run out of Saturn games to buy... and then you run out of PC-Engine Duo games to buy... and then... Neo-Geo...


Actually, no. With the Neo-Geo, you get everything, and then save up for several years so you can buy Kizuna Encounter (PAL).

[FatCobra]

But eventually... you run out of Saturn games to buy... and then you run out of PC-Engine Duo games to buy... and then... Neo-Geo...

I didn't say I was just focusing on the Saturn, I'm focusing my time and energy on a couple outdated machines. Why I'd just bought an old Game Boy Color and Dragon Warrior III for $20 last week. You gotta love the markdowns for outdated hardware.

Of course some outdated stuff actually go up in price, but what are you gonna do?

[Diabollokus]

If its backwards compatible I could be seriously tempted, next console I buy must have rpgs! and cheap online play I plan to do alot in my final years at university!

[kong]

No xbox 360 for me. I don't even own a hdtv.

Condemned, Gears of War, Ghost Recon and the new Morrowind all look amazing graphically. Definitely superior to the current xbox/ps2 games as far as visuals go. I'm just not a big fps guy though and the xbox 360 seems to be loaded with that genre. I'm not sure how people can cry about shumps being more of the same yet they play fps after fps. When will the murder simulator bubble burst and what effect will it have on the US game industry?

[captain ahar]

new dame/same/name/shame/informer arrived today (i used to buy used games at gamestop) and they have a feature on the 360 *cringe at the stupid, stupid name*.

it will have a harddrive of 20Gb, that will be detachable. also, upgrades will be sold separately with more capacity.

didn't read the article though, so i am unsure about backwards compatability... but if it doesn't *raises fist*

[system11]

I agree totally. More powerful hardware just doesn't matter anymore. There really isn't THAT much more they can do. Though God knows at leasy for the next decade or so we'll be getting our 5 year updates where the football players' asses jiggle a little bit more due to "updated hardware". *yawn*

All this hardware, and we STILL don't have the holy grail of all games running a full frame rate.

[sethsez]

I'm not sure how people can cry about shumps being more of the same yet they play fps after fps.

Don't kid yourself... they don't talk about shmups at all.

When will the murder simulator bubble burst and what effect will it have on the US game industry?

Why waste money on Generic Mainstream Title #40936790432609347 when that money can go towards Radient Silvergun?

Because you can only buy Radiant Silvergun once, and personally I don't think it's that great anyway (I think Darius Gaiden is better, as is Galactic Attack/Layer Section, and they don't cost me $150+ to play).

I'd also like to point out that the Saturn had its fair share of utter crap as well.

Also, I hope you haven't bought a single bad or shallow movie when there are hundred of classics out there. After all, why buy Pirates of the Carribbean if you don't own 8 1/2, The 400 Blows, Citizen Kane, All About Eve, Rashomon, Akibiyora, The Pillow Book, Drowning by Numbers, etc yet?!

[ST Dragon]

What is this Xbox 360?
PC? Console? What games does it play?
Nice design.

I'm at a very lazy point in life where I can't be bothered searching & reading about this shit.
Short description will be appriciated.
Thanks in advance.

[system11]

When will the murder simulator bubble burst and what effect will it have on the US game industry?

People will -never- tire of killing other people. It's human nature.

[The n00b]

What's a murder simulator? It sounds like something a 50 yr old politician made up to bash videogames. The shmups forum doesn't need to use terms like these.

[raiden]

All this hardware, and we STILL don't have the holy grail of all games running a full frame rate.

we will never reach that. There was a report a few months ago where someone interviewed several major developers (mostly western ones) about this issue and was repeatedly told "60 fps is not on our agenda anymore".
Haven´t you heard of it? It was quite an issue on other message boards I´ve been visiting. A lot of speculation, attempts to justify (like games getting too complex, physics, new screen types not showing the difference etc.), and of course many disappointed people stating they won´t buy any of the new stuff, then.

What's a murder simulator? It sounds like something a 50 yr old politician made up to bash videogames. The shmups forum doesn't need to use terms like these.

it´s quite a difference whether the act of shooting and destroying enemies has an abstract, almost mathematical function like in shmups, or whether games emphasize dying animations, splatter, cut body parts and all the other disgusting elements those military tactic FPS games contain.

[The n00b]

All this hardware, and we STILL don't have the holy grail of all games running a full frame rate.

we will never reach that. There was a report a few months ago where someone interviewed several major developers (mostly western ones) about this issue and was repeatedly told "60 fps is not on our agenda anymore".
Haven´t you heard of it? It was quite an issue on other message boards I´ve been visiting. A lot of speculation, attempts to justify (like games getting too complex, physics, new screen types not showing the difference etc.), and of course many disappointed people stating they won´t buy any of the new stuff, then.

What's a murder simulator? It sounds like something a 50 yr old politician made up to bash videogames. The shmups forum doesn't need to use terms like these.

it´s quite a difference whether the act of shooting and destroying enemies has an abstract, almost mathematical function like in shmups, or whether games emphasize dying animations, splatter, cut body parts and all the other disgusting elements those military tactic FPS games contain.

I don't care about the differences. Videogames are videogames. If we start using terms like this we're just a couple steps away from using terms like "homicide bomber," "Freedom Fries," and other stupid crap. Gamers get enough crap from politicians without having to deal with over the hill conservative minded old time gamers. I feel like my dad is going to call me any minute now to talk about how "those new fangled color graphics are soooo overrated. Back in my day all we needed was Pong."

[Specineff]

All this hardware, and we STILL don't have the holy grail of all games running a full frame rate.

Four words. Virtual On Oratorio Tangram.

[jp]

All this hardware, and we STILL don't have the holy grail of all games running a full frame rate.

Four words. Virtual On Oratorio Tangram.

2 words:


Fuck. Yes.

[sethsez]

it´s quite a difference whether the act of shooting and destroying enemies has an abstract, almost mathematical function like in shmups, or whether games emphasize dying animations, splatter, cut body parts and all the other disgusting elements those military tactic FPS games contain.

You mean the kind of violence that's been a part of our artistic and literary culture for thousands of years in many, many forms?

[Davey]

it´s quite a difference whether the act of shooting and destroying enemies has an abstract, almost mathematical function like in shmups, or whether games emphasize dying animations, splatter, cut body parts and all the other disgusting elements those military tactic FPS games contain.

You mean the kind of violence that's been a part of our artistic and literary culture for thousands of years in many, many forms?

There's a difference between playing Postal 2 and reading All Quiet on the Western Front.

[sethsez]

There's a difference between playing Half-Life 2 and watching The City of the Living Dead (which has a woman vomiting up her own intestines!).

Your point?

Postal 2 didn't exactly do well or spawn many imitators, either.

[FatCobra]

What the hell is a "murder simulator?" Something like GTA or Manhunt?

Or is it FPSes we are talking about?