Next-Gen Online Services Get More Goods

Now that all three consoles are competing in the online market, regular news about the three systems is beginning to be regularly released, as Virtual Console tries to top Xbox Live which in turn tries to overshadow e-Distribution. Sony's online offering is still being finalized now that the console is on the market, and limits on the system are still being decided upon. 500 MB is apparently going to be the cap for downloadable content via the service (much larger than Live's 50 MB limit). The company has also confirmed they'll be offering new version of retro games, to compete directly with Microsoft's service. Speaking of which, Double Dragon will be joining the other classic games on Xbox Live sometime in the future. This week's update was a patch for Texas Hold Em' , while the week before saw the much-anticipated (and well reviewed) Small Arms released to fans. Related to Microsoft's service, the much rumored Xbox Live Arcade joystick was formally announced by MadCatz this week. Not to be left out, Nintendo's Virtual Console grew by three titles this week; gamers can now download Super Star Soldier, Golden Axe, and Genesis classic Ecco the Dolphin. Like Microsoft, Nintendo has plans to release new content every week for the foreseeable future.

Fuck that.

First thing Microsoft needs to do is include the wireless adapter with premium systems.

No, believe it or not Microsoft, my router is not within 20 feet of my gaming console, and I don't feel like dropping $100 on your official wireless addon which places your console in striking distance of Sony, and way ahead of the Wii.

Wii + DS = ?

I'm still waiting to see what Nintendo does with the DS connectivity. Also, why aren't we getting more demo download offers? That's one area where the PC is still beating the snot out of any console/handheld.

Mmm...

Golden Axe makes me all warm inside. I can't wait for the sequels to become availible. Even more importantly, Toejam and Earl is listed on the official Virtual Console website but hasn't been released yet! Give me my precious childhood memories! I demand nostalgia!

Of course, people still look at me funny when I tell them I can play Genesis games on my Wii.

Limits on the system

There is no limit to the size of downloadable content on XBox Live - at least none that I have seen. I've downloaded some game demos that were well over 1GB.

The 50MB limit that is mentioned only applies to Live Arcade - the section with retro and "party" games.

I'm not sure how that compares to Sony's 500MB limit - does Sony's limit apply to ALL downloadable content?

Sony's Online Service *Really* Free?

I can't believe that there aren't some hidden costs to Sony's online service. SOMEONE has to be paying for the infrastructure -- be it Sony or the software companies. In the end though, the consumer will be paying in one form or another -- either by increases in software costs or through other means. Nothing is free and Sony is in certainly no position to be giving any services away when they are already bleeding all over the place from console costs.

Re:Microsoft Better Scramble To Keep Up

I agree. Obviously the 360 has a better library than the PS3 right now but there's no way they can overcome a free service. If Sony can keep the pressure on with good online support then I think they have the advantage. I also heard you can plug a USB keyboard into the console? That would basically convert your PS3 to a computer. If you could chat using the keyboard and play with the controller you'll have a really nice combo that's hard to match.

Re:Microsoft Better Scramble To Keep Up

Ok, tell me why Microsofts service is so much better than Sony.

I don't want to start a console war here, but I am curious why you believe Sony can't match or exceed Microsofts online service.

I do want to say that I own a PS3 and here is what I like about the online experience so far.
1. No points. I hate points and want everything in $$$.
2. Parent account. I love that I can limit my son to what he does.
3. Downloadable trailers. This is somewhat cool, and I love the 1080P stuff.
4. Downloadable demos and games.

Now I haven't tried the wireless headsets yet, nor have I tried RFOM to see what it is like, but I hope to try Marvel Ultimate Alliance soon via online play.

I will say that I didn't like the following:
1. Password restrictions - They suck and Sony is aware of it.
2. Login account id issue. In short there is a bug with their wizard, again they are aware.
3. Registration process - Man it takes a while without keyboard.
4. Wireless setup message. There is an error message that is actually a success. They are aware.
5. Can't do anything while downloading - Again they are aware.
6. Large demo downloads of stuff. A HD in every system is nice.
7. 1080i/720p issue. They are aware, but it isn't clear if a solution will be developed.

From the forums I visit it appears that the RFOM online experience is very good and without a doubt Sony is playing catchup to Microsoft, but I am curious why you don't believe they won't catch up. From where I sit it appears that Sony has done a fair job of its online service at this point and it looks like they are working hard on making it even better.

As you can tell from my post I am not about to sugar coat my experience with the PS3, but I will say that I do like the machine a lot and so far my family has loved the machine.

Have you worked with both the 360 and PS3 online? If so what functionality is missing from the PS3 that can't be fixed with a code update?

Also, how much does XBOX live gold/platinum (whatever) cost per year? If it is something like $5 to $10 then this isn't that big of an issue either, but if it is like $50 or $100 then I can see this being a larger issue for Microsoft.

Either way, I will say the 360 games this year look very good and happy gaming. It looks like March will be the killer month for the PS3, in that a ton of great games come out that month... I just hope our tax check is good and that 1080P TV's keep falling in price.

 

Re:Microsoft Better Scramble To Keep Up

Yeah, we'll see how long that free service lasts. And, sure, it may be lag free now, but that's because there are hardly any systems actually being played... low supply, thousands on Ebay, and many being held back for Christmas gifts. BTW, lots of people love GoW, not every game needs to be a 40 man riot to be fun.

Re:Microsoft Better Scramble To Keep Up

Microsoft better get a fucking clue. 50 dollars a year just for the privilege of playing games online? I don't think so. That adds up to 250 dollars over five years

I'm no Microsoft fan but $50 per year works out to about $4.75 per month, if you compare that to a single game that Millions of people pay to play (WoW) I don't think that is too much to charge. I think that it all comes down to what services they're offering for the money; something as simple as having a uniform interface with the same services offered is worth a lot of money for some people.

Re:Microsoft Better Scramble To Keep Up

Yeah, Sony really provides the same thing as Microsoft does, and does it for free.

The PS3 has one friends list throughout all of the games right? With detailed presence information about what those friends are doing? How about being able to send text, voice, and images all in a message to a friend? And send and receive those in the middle of a game? What about game invites - can you be playing Resistance, and then get informed that a friend has just invited you to play Motorstorm? And when you get an invite, can you have it take you right into the game with that friend? Can you voice chat with a friend, while playing different games, and then continue the conversation while you change games and your friend starts watching a movie?

And how about your game profile? Can you see what various games your friends have played, and when they last played them? How about being able to see that information from the web?

Oh, that's right, the PS3 does NONE of that. You get a friends list that only works in some games, while other games have their own list. You can only read and send messages while you're not in a game, and you can't even see a game invite unless you're already in the same game - and even then, you still have to find that game.

What the PS3 offers for free now is inferior to what the original Xbox offered years ago in terms of online service. Of course they're giving it away, since there's nothing there worth paying for.