How Online Services Will Shape the Console War 41
Next Generation has a piece looking at the role online services will play in this round in the console Wars. With Microsoft's Xbox Live already in the field and both Nintendo and Sony working on plans for their own online environments, there would seem to be quite a bit to talk about. Despite that, the article offers up a pessimistic view of the competition. From the article: "The short glib answer is that online games will probably be a more important feature for console systems over the next several years, but once again the traditional retail model is likely to be the dominant driving factor when it comes to how the new game systems build an installed base."
Missing comparison (Score:1, Insightful)
More important than what? Previous online games? Non-online games?
Re:Missing comparison (Score:4, Informative)
I've used my PS2 online, but only to download cheat codes... I've played several games which had online capability, but none of the online functionality was interesting to me. They need to fix that problem before they start building grand schemes to charge subscription fees.
Re:Missing comparison (Score:2, Insightful)
Xbox's original Live didn't have it perfect, but it was still worlds ahead of the PS2 experience.
IIRC, the online connectivity of original Xboxes in the US was around 25%.
Online Services May Be Huge (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Online Services May Be Huge (Score:2)
The DS version is already free (Score:2)
Along with the downloadable library of past titles, the DS service sure seems to indicate that Nint
Re:Online Services May Be Huge (Score:2)
Also, Nintendo has only said online play will be free for first party titles. 3rd party publishers/developers can still charge for their online play.
Re:Online Services May Be Huge (Score:1, Funny)
You must be one of those new internet users.
Re:Online Services May Be Huge (Score:1)
A plea to developers (Score:2, Insightful)
But please don't underestimate the value single player games offer. I can't imagine how games like Resident Evil 4, Zelda: Ocarina of Time or King's Quest could be made better by offering an online component. These games often set a mood, and adding some uncontrolled element (such as a 13 year old kid yelling "I 0wnz j00 petite Biatch
Re:A plea to developers (Score:2, Insightful)
what having 300 Links in the killing fields of Hyrule grinding for heart pieces and rupees doesn't appeal to you? or trading for the small subset of items zelda games had ( or ever really needed )
[/joke]
I agree.. Multiplayer is something that must be done for a purpose, and I'd like to think that Game Devs know better. This is coming from a person who spends much of his free time learning and developing a multiplayer backend for a single player game
Though... playing Morrowind as an MMO would be pr
wow, wow, wow, (Score:2)
Re:A plea to developers (Score:2, Interesting)
Online = just a cool feature (Score:2)
"Wow, lookit this! GweenZow 5 has split-screen support!"
"Yeah, and online multiplayer co-op!"
"And I can use my driving wheel and pedals with it!"
It might sell a few more copies of the game, and in some genres it's simply expected to be there, but I'd argue it doesn't make a huge difference to your average gamer with your average game.
I think conso
Bad business model (Score:2, Flamebait)
Re:Bad business model (Score:2)
They have money to burn.
Re:Bad business model (Score:2)
The single player campaign was pretty good. Looked great, played well, no complaints at all.
The multiplayer game is humongous. There are 50 zillion was to set up a game. Different modes, co-op, team, single. There are on-line co-op missions, objective games, etc. etc.
The maps they included look fantastic, and some of them are big...no...EXTRA
what are you talking about? (Score:4, Interesting)
(Emphasis mine.)
I think we're getting a very good glimpse of what Nintendo's going to be offering. I play on the DS wifi network every day. It's amazingly simple, fast to connect, and no lag to speak of. I think it's a pretty darn good preview.
Nintendo already HAS online gaming! (Score:2, Informative)
I like how people ignore history (Score:1)
So now the new x-box has live and all of a sudden it is gonna make a huge difference? Why?
Frankly it is only in the intrest of the console makers and game makers that a single console wins.
For the consumers if one company would really win it would mean the end of choice. Do we really want Sony OR MS OR Nintendo to achieve the same kind of absolute control over console gaming that MS has over PC gaming?
Re:I like how people ignore history (Score:1)
Re:I like how people ignore history (Score:1)
If history has taught us anything, it's that when a void opens in an industry, someone rushes in to fill it. Should, somehow, one console reign supreme, and the other two companies cease producing consoles, someone will see the chance to make big bucks, much the way Nintendo did in the 80's, and Sony (to a lesser extent) did in the 90's.
Nature abhors a vacuum.
Gaming for COUPLES still not adequately addressed. (Score:5, Interesting)
So I never play online because I never play alone. Apparantly this really IS for people with no friends. But my wife plays video games with me, and damnit, it would be nice if we could both go online.
I also didn't like having to purchase three copies of Quake3, so that us-and-a-guest could go online and play. We're one family, one set of income(s), having to pay thrice did not sit well with me.
However, at least it is possible for us to join a Q3 server on both of our computers. What are we supposed to do for the consoles, however? Buy another Xbox? Buy another PS2s? (Both of mine are modded so the 2nd ones would need to be too, probably... Even more money, but I do enjoy playing Atari 2600 games on my Xbox! But I digress...)
Re:Gaming for COUPLES still not adequately address (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Gaming for COUPLES still not adequately address (Score:1)
I guess the answer is: Halo on an X-box. :)
That still doesn't let us play online in DDR, Amplitude, or a slew of other games, however.
Re:Gaming for COUPLES still not adequately address (Score:2)
haha, grass (Score:1)
Still, it would be nice if I could just do what I want, when I want. Anyone know of a small country I could take over?
Personally, I don't agree (Score:2)
Online success doesn't undermine solitare games (Score:1)
I hope that Nintendo will succeed in their quest to reinvent console gaming, and not fall into the pit where Sony and Microsoft are fighting: Competing to be the best non PC PC multimedia entertainment home media center.
As I see it, online is just another game enabling tool, like the new controller, the touch screen, 3D accellerati
Online patches! (Score:1)
Nah - probably not a good idea. I'll just stick with Zelda and Mario on one of the last off-line consoles on the market!
Well, jokes aside: Dear game producers. Please keep up the good work on the consoles, and make some games