Timbo acting like a retard douche, again, and losing an argument, again Options

[Throwdown]

i saw this in the austin american statesman today. you have to register to view the article so i just pasted it here

The new generation of video game consoles from Sony Corp., Nintendo Co. and Microsoft Corp. have more than zippy processors and flashy graphics in common: They're also getting serious about online services.

Although earlier models also provide the necessary plugs to enter most online worlds, they've done little to capitalize on them.

That's changing with the upcoming PlayStation 3 from Sony and the Wii from Nintendo, as well as the Xbox 360 released by Microsoft late last year.

All three contenders in this round of console wars have announced broad plans to turn their systems into networked hubs that deliver an array of content and services beyond just games — features such as videoconferencing and downloadable movies.

Just how they will stack up should be a central theme of this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, the game industry's de facto annual conference.

As always, the overall focus of the expo, E3 for short, will be actual games, many of which make their debut at the show. But the days of unconnected gaming are numbered.

In fact, a new AP-AOL Games poll of 1,046 gamers finds that among the four in 10 Americans who play games on computers or consoles, 45 percent play online. And they spend more money and time on gaming than those who only play offline.

The market for game downloads on consoles and PCs, meanwhile, is poised to grow from less than $1 million in 2005 to nearly $4 billion by 2011, according to ABI Research.

"It is the future that we have to move toward," said Denis Dyack, whose company, Silicon Knights, is working on "Too Human," a sci-fi multiplayer game for Xbox 360. "What you get online cannot be duplicated. When you play with your friends, that creates something intangible that can't be done in any kind of linear experience."

The shift to online comes four years after Microsoft took the first step and debuted its $50-per-year Xbox Live service for the original Xbox.

Back then, according to Microsoft, less than 10 percent of gamers played online. Today, about half of the 3.2 million Xbox 360 units sold so far are connected.

Even with more than 2 million paying subscribers, Microsoft's early lead is not insurmountable for its rivals, said Josh Larson, director of GameSpot Trax, an industry service that measures emerging trends in gaming.

Sony has a shot at convincing gamers that the PS3 can deliver a comprehensive online service that's simple and affordable, Larson said, despite the company's history of releasing proprietary, hard-to-use standards.

"The software is really the killer app," he said. "We know roughly what the systems are going to look like. Now it's just 'show us what we can do with it.' "

Though full details haven't been released, Sony executives have positioned the PS3's online service as a family media hub with voice and video communications over the Internet. Players will be able to buy downloadable extras such as game demos and virtual weapons and armor used in play.

Sony also has access to the vast library of music and motion pictures owned by its entertainment subsidiaries.

Nintendo, meanwhile, will stick to games and dip into its decades-old library, offering a "Virtual Console" download service to play classics such as "Mario Bros" and "Zelda."

Sony and Nintendo haven't announced prices for their online services or consoles. As with Xbox Live, players will need a high-speed Internet connection and related networking gear.

that is absolutely ridiculous imo. call me old school or a dinosaur, but i enjoy just sitting down, turning a system on and playing a game. i've never played online, nor do i have a desire to ever play Madden against a frenchman. they're saying that of the 40% who play games, 45% play online. that's only 18% of gamers, and they're now trying to make all consoles online only? sounds like another ploy to screw gamers out of more and more money

[Throwdown]

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/.../05/8games.html

link

[Divergent Realit...]

not all games will be online.

some just dont work out well like that.

i can see lots of games having a multiplayer option, but that will just be a side function.

think back to final fantasy xi. that game looked and still looks painful to the final fantasy franchise.

[Dogmeat]

I hope not, because I've been having a blast with Oblivion, heh

[Spectatrix]

My prediction is that there will be many games that will have online capabilities, but very few are going to be online-only.

[Divergent Realit...]

I hope not, because I've been having a blast with Oblivion, heh

indeed. once you get the hang of vampirism its not that bad. the stat buffs are ok.

[Dogmeat]

I am just playing along bashing things and trying to learn alchemy right now, heh

[rabble]

Did I miss where it said that games would become online only?

Its just a side feature, instead of having to have your friends over to play multiplayer madden, now you can all stay at home and be antisocial while still playing madden.

[Throwdown]

My prediction is that there will be many games that will have online capabilities, but very few are going to be online-only.

not all games will be online capable, which makes it even more useless that console manufacturers will basically require that you buy the online software bundled with the system. i have no problem with choosing to get online capabilities and i have no problem with my gaming experience being diminished if i don't choose to get online capabilities. but don't force me (and it seems the 72% of the gamers who don't play online) to buy something we have no intention of using

[Spectatrix]

not all games will be online capable, which makes it even more useless that console manufacturers will basically require that you buy the online software bundled with the system. i have no problem with choosing to get online capabilities and i have no problem with my gaming experience being diminished if i don't choose to get online capabilities. but don't force me (and it seems the 72% of the gamers who don't play online) to buy something we have no intention of using

I doubt that the networking software is going to add much to the price. It's the subscription that will cost the most money, and that is most definitely optional.

And it's 72% of Americans who don't play games online, not 72% of gamers... it's 55% of gamers who don't.

[Divergent Realit...]

I am just playing along bashing things and trying to learn alchemy right now, heh

just steal or buy lots of basic food stuff and make lots of restore fatigue potions.

it works on your mercantile too.

[John6.7]

All consoles should have online play.

Gamecube lost out a lot for not being online.

Even the dreamcase had online play, even if it was mostly 56k players

[Timbo]

Sony will win.

This makes me sad

REASONS!

1) Stupid consumers will not see the difference between the motion sensors in Sony's and Nintendo's controllers and think that Sony's got the best of all worlds

2) Stupid consumers think more expensive = GOTTABEBETTER (the damn thing costs $500 for a 20gb hdd, and $600 for more, but I forget how much)

Timbo

[Timbo]

JESUSFUCK Nintendo's E3 conference was awesome =o

Timbo

[Spectatrix]

$600 for more, but I forget how much)

It's a 60GB HDD.