Consoles Are Fun! - Page 6

Robert Maxwell · May 6 2011, 09:52 PM

I think the "next generation" of game consoles will likely not do anything revolutionary, the way the PS3 was a huge technical leap over the PS2. They'll probably take what they have now and just make it bigger and faster. Faster CPU, more RAM, more disk space, better GPU.

Honestly, I don't understand why Sony took the approach they did for the PS3. Sure, it was better than anything else out there when it was launched--but by the time most people could afford it, it had already been eclipsed by commodity PC specs.

Even so, I don't expect Sony and Microsoft to come out with new consoles for a couple more years yet.

J. Allen · May 6 2011, 10:11 PM

I guess they were betting the farm on "A Blu-ray player for less than $1000!", which is really shortsighted.

Vance · May 6 2011, 11:01 PM

Robert Maxwell wrote:

Honestly, I don't understand why Sony took the approach they did for the PS3.

Pushing the BluRay was part of the equation, it was a way for Sony to edge out the inferior HD-DVD format (much like how the PS2 pushed out the DIVX format). By getting it started, they created and expanded their own broader market... and, let's face it, it worked.

(Thanks in no small part to MS half-assing the HD-DVD format and Toshiba wanting high-royalties on each printed HD-DVD disc.)

Sure, it was better than anything else out there when it was launched--but by the time most people could afford it, it had already been eclipsed by commodity PC specs.

The other half of the equation was the XBox's rising success since it was more powerful than the PS2. Both companies really started to push one-another to get thier 'next gen' system out, well before they really needed to.

Keep in mind, though, that the Great Recession of 2009-Current was still a few years off and the new hi-def discs, players, and televisions were the major purchases for that year. At the time, both the X360 and PS3 were sold to the 'phile' market, not so much to the regular gamer. (Which is why the Wii trounced them both for a long time.)

Even so, I don't expect Sony and Microsoft to come out with new consoles for a couple more years yet.

Sony has no plans for an outright new console, but higher specs are possible with the next batch of systems. Microsoft is on record as saying BOTH that a new console is coming soon, and no there isn't...

bigdaddy · May 8 2011, 02:52 AM

J. Allen wrote:

I guess they were betting the farm on "A Blu-ray player for less than $1000!", which is really shortsighted.

Bingo.

The PS3 killed HD DVD off, so they won the format war.

The Squire of Gothos · May 9 2011, 12:35 AM

T.Geiger wrote:

Be ready to walkaway from any given game if its not really working for you

I have, don't worry.

In fact the same mate confiscated his copy of Chronotrigger when I had only half finished it a few weeks after being given it to play.

Copies of Grand Theft Auto are thankfully cheap. Checking around on Ebay, many games made for multiple platforms are much cheaper on the PS2. I might get a chance to play a few games I never got round to on my GC.

I'd considered getting a Wii when they fell enough in price, but I just don't have the time and money any more. If I pick up a Wii now, it'll be the first time I picked up a Nintendo console after it became defunct, and not before.

Spot's Meow · May 9 2011, 08:57 PM

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is by far my favorite Gamecube game. I love, love, LOVE this game. Not only is it visually beautiful, but the story is great, the controls are great, and the gameplay is just so much fun and just the perfect amount of difficulty.

The Simpsons: Hit and Run is also a fun game to have around. It really is a Simpsons-themed Grand Theft Auto. It's something you can play a little here and there without having to set a lot of time aside for it. Super Smash Bros. Melee is another game like this, and one that is especially fun when playing with a group of people.

I know I've played Eternal Darkness but I must not have thought it was that awesome, because I can't seem to remember anything about it.

I played the Lego Star Wars games on the Gamecube and really enjoyed them. I also liked Star Fox Adventures.

Finally, I would suggest picking up a copy of Luigi's Mansion if you can find it for cheap. You probably can because I believe it was bundled with the console for a while. It is a Mario type adventure game that stars, obviously, Luigi instead. He travels through a haunted mansion using his vacuum to suck up ghosts. It's a strange but fun take on that type of game.

zarkon · May 10 2011, 08:34 PM

Spot's Meow wrote:

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is by far my favorite Gamecube game. I love, love, LOVE this game. Not only is it visually beautiful, but the story is great, the controls are great, and the gameplay is just so much fun and just the perfect amount of difficulty.

The wrestling chapter cracked me up. Amazing game.

May 6 2011, 09:52 PM	#76
Robert Maxwell Cherry Chassis Location: The Track	Re: Consoles Are Fun! I think the "next generation" of game consoles will likely not do anything revolutionary, the way the PS3 was a huge technical leap over the PS2. They'll probably take what they have now and just make it bigger and faster. Faster CPU, more RAM, more disk space, better GPU. Honestly, I don't understand why Sony took the approach they did for the PS3. Sure, it was better than anything else out there when it was launched--but by the time most people could afford it, it had already been eclipsed by commodity PC specs. Even so, I don't expect Sony and Microsoft to come out with new consoles for a couple more years yet. __________________ Your crash was, like, spectacular! My world simulation project! Also: Women and Men: Self-Image and Rape Culture

May 6 2011, 10:11 PM	#77
J. Allen Professional Enabler Location: A Quantum State	Re: Consoles Are Fun! I guess they were betting the farm on "A Blu-ray player for less than $1000!", which is really shortsighted. __________________ The most horrible suffering one can bring upon another person in dire need, is that of indifference. With love, you try to uplift their life. With hatred, you seek to end that life. With indifference, however, you seek merely to render it inconsequential.

May 9 2011, 08:57 PM	#81
Spot's Meow Vice Admiral Location: California	Re: Consoles Are Fun! Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is by far my favorite Gamecube game. I love, love, LOVE this game. Not only is it visually beautiful, but the story is great, the controls are great, and the gameplay is just so much fun and just the perfect amount of difficulty. The Simpsons: Hit and Run is also a fun game to have around. It really is a Simpsons-themed Grand Theft Auto. It's something you can play a little here and there without having to set a lot of time aside for it. Super Smash Bros. Melee is another game like this, and one that is especially fun when playing with a group of people. I know I've played Eternal Darkness but I must not have thought it was that awesome, because I can't seem to remember anything about it. I played the Lego Star Wars games on the Gamecube and really enjoyed them. I also liked Star Fox Adventures. Finally, I would suggest picking up a copy of Luigi's Mansion if you can find it for cheap. You probably can because I believe it was bundled with the console for a while. It is a Mario type adventure game that stars, obviously, Luigi instead. He travels through a haunted mansion using his vacuum to suck up ghosts. It's a strange but fun take on that type of game. __________________ Time present and time past are both perhaps present in time future. And time future contained in time past. —T.S. Eliot

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