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XBox (Games) Entertainment Games

On Xbox's Progression, Positioning For The Future 117

Posted by simoniker from the power-of-x dept.
Thanks to GameSpy for its article charting the progression of the Xbox from its launch to the present day, with the author's introduction suggesting: "For Microsoft, the video-game industry has been a whiplash rollercoaster ride with lucrative peaks, costly valleys, and a changing list of passengers going along for the ride." After charting a timeline for Xbox's history so far, he concludes: "Xbox has not lived up to all of the predictions, but Microsoft has more than made its point. After two years and two months on the market, the numbers speak for themselves." Has the Xbox been all you expected and wanted it to be?
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On Xbox's Progression, Positioning For The Future More

On Xbox's Progression, Positioning For The Future

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  • Kind of.... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Lukano ( 50323 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:34AM (#8294622)
    The XBOX as far as games and titles has left me feeling a little ... lacking. But as far as it's multimedia capabilities (with some creative adaptation to the hardware of course) has impressed me. Mind you that's not the obvious use for the XBOX, and thusly posed against the question, would leave a resounding "No, has not lived up..." but all in all I'm happy with my purchase.

    • Re:Kind of.... (Score:3, Insightful)

      by imr ( 106517 )
      The question is would you have been as happy without the creative adaptation to the hardware that anybody can't do, and if you were judging it as a gamer only?
      Also, the article is pretty much us centered in his judgement. If anyone else had made so poor world wide without being as cash stuffed (think sega and the great dreamcast), they would bail out or just go bankrupt.

    • Re:Kind of.... (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Singletoned ( 619322 ) <singletoned@gmail.com> on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:51AM (#8294787) Homepage
      I've been more than impressed with the games. It's had a lot of the 'Best in their class' games of recent years (or at least ones that were arguabley best).

      Halo, Dead or Alive, Amped, Topspin, Links, Panzer Dragoon, DoA:XBV, etc.

      There's also been loads of games that I've preferred playing on Xbox rather than PC (like KotOR and GTA3/VC), due to having a good controller.

      It hasn't got the range of PS2 software, but it has got lots of better games.
      • I would argue that Soul Calibur II > DOA and SSX 3 is miles ahead of Amped, but they're on the Xbox anyway.
        • Yes, I should have qualified my statement, that I was referring to single platform games.

          Though the multiplatform games do tend to be better on Xbox (Soul Calibur 2 being an exception).

          Admittedly Xbox hasn't done well with less Western forms of gaming like Japanese RPGs and adventure games. But that's fairly understandable.
          • Er...the multiplatform games tend to be better on XBox? I've never seen that before. Sure, sometimes they look better, if it's possible and the developers take the time, but that's not a given and wouldn't matter if it was. And in every game I've personally played on multiple platforms, I found the control in the XBox version to just be lacking. Timesplitters 2, and, actually, SSX3 both come to mind immediately. More out of curiosity than being argumentative, what are some games that you think are better on
            • A lot of people consider custom soundtracks a sufficient edge for the Xbox. Only one game does this for me, though. True Crime.

              (Whisper: Does it even have a custom soundtrack? I don't even know!)

      • Re:Kind of.... (Score:2, Interesting)

        by damien_kane ( 519267 )
        I'd argue that the XBOX has a higher percentage of good games, only because there are a lot more games for the PS2. Therefor the signal to noise ratio is higher.
        The PS2 has, IMHO, better games than the XBOX, with the exception of Halo (of which I'm not a huge fan, but I'm waiting for Halo2)

        • I'd argue that the XBOX has a higher percentage of good games, only because there are a lot more games for the PS2. Therefor the signal to noise ratio is higher.

          Is that a good thing? One of the things I've never liked about the PS/PS2 are the number of games that are utter crap. Xbox definitely has some crap games as well (Kabuki Warriors, Pulse Racer), but they're easier to weed out.

          Personally, I think Xbox has more quality titles than I have time to play anyway, so a larger game library means little.

          • I would really, [...] REALLY like to see a $RPG

            That's the thing, though.
            In the past there was really only one system at a time that RPGs were made for. In the 8 bit days, it was the NES. In the 16 bit days, the SNES.
            People didn't buy Sega for RPGs, they bought it for sports.
            Each console has its niche. For the NGC, it is arguably children. (Flames aside, I know there are excellent games geard towards adults, but it's more a children's/party system than anything else).
            With the XBOX, its the gamerz. He

      • Re:Kind of.... (Score:1, Funny)

        by Anonymous Coward
        There's also been loads of games that I've preferred playing on Xbox rather than PC (like KotOR and GTA3/VC), due to having a good controller.

        Hahahahahahahaha.
      • DoA:XBV

        Whoops, there goes your credibility.
        • What do you mean?

          It's the best volleyball game, and a great example of non-goal-lead gaming. The goal is just to play and have fun.

          It's a brilliant game, well executed, and tries to do something original.
          • I almost agree with you. I personally think Outlaw Volleyball is a better volleyball game though...

            People see DOA girls in bikinis and think that this must be some crap title that was slapped together in an obvious ploy to get geeks to buy the game. The commercials don't help this image one bit, nor do the quicky reviews you find at most gaming sites (*cough*gamespot*cough*). But at its heart, DOA:XVB is an original, deep, complex game based on relationships and collecting (not volleyball). Unfortunately I

    • It gets a B- (Score:4, Interesting)

      by August_zero ( 654282 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @01:50PM (#8296223)
      If I liked sports and racing games, I would likely treasure my X-box more than I do, but as it stands, I consider it a 3rd place in my collection behind the Cube and PS2. This isn't to say that I don't like it, Knights of the old Republic, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Jet Set Radio Future and other titles are great exclusives, and I am looking forward to Halo 2 and Fable just to name a couple.

      X-Box live on the otherhand is a bit Underwhelming (my Live ID is Underwhelmed, perhaps this is a self-fufiling prophecy?) Crimson Skies and Rainbow Six 3 have been the only recent games I have bothered to play with, and neither of them were enjoyable enough for me to put up with the army of 8 year-olds that just discovered the wonders of 4 letter words who usually inhabit most of the public games. This is more an issue of game library versus quality of the service though. I want some multiplayer RPGS or action games or something beyond glorified Death Matches and capture the Flag.

      Am I happy with my Purchase? Yes, I am happy enough that I bought a new x-box when my old one died last week.
      • What did you do with your old one? ive been trying to get old broken ones to give to people for low-end pc's

        nivoset@4am-news.com
      • Personally, I love Live.

        The only game I have run into a bunch of kids on was Mechassault, which isn't a surprise, because it comes free with Live now.

        The people I've talked to while playing Crimson Skies, Top Spin, and Links have probably averaged about 25-35 years old. In fact, if you play in the XSN tournaments, I would say the average age goes up beyond that. (Or at least the minimum age is up to at least 20...it seems like the kids don't have the attention span required)

  • Love it personally. (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Singletoned ( 619322 ) <singletoned@gmail.com> on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:41AM (#8294690) Homepage
    I've always been a bit of a Microsoft hater, but I was tempted to the Xbox by Halo and Dead or Alive (I'm a DoA fanboy) and have to say I've ended up loving it. I've ended up playing on it to the exclusion of my GC and PS2.

    They made a pretty powerful machine and did a great job of getting some brilliant developers to make games for it (whether by fair means or foul).

    The build quality of the components is also surprisingly high. The cables that came with my console are gold-plated and very strong. The controllers are the least flimsy feeling of all the controllers on the market. As soon as it came out of its packaging, it oozed class and effort.

    They even made an effort to create a better size and shape of controller. Okay they failed with their first one. But full marks for trying.

    I don't think they'll win the console war, but I think they are definitely bringing some fresh thinking to the marketplace, and making Nintendo and Sony raise their standards.

    (BTW My only disappointment was that it had a cheap little CD draw. When I first switched it on, I expected the whole top to raise off with a hiss of hydraulics and a glowing green light inside. I was gutted when it didn't)

    • Re:Love it personally. (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Singletoned ( 619322 ) <singletoned@gmail.com> on Monday February 16, 2004 @01:20PM (#8295874) Homepage
      The other thing that has just occurred to me:

      The reasons I (we) have often hated Microsoft (DRM, forced updates, market control, etc) actually work on a console. Their entire philosophy seems to fit the console market better than the PC market. You can utterly control a console and control what people do with it. There is no freedom except if you use a modchip, and if you do that you are banned from online gaming (which is half the fun).

      You could never have a successful open source console, because they have to sell the console at a loss and make their money back on their licensing fees. This model really suits Microsoft, who are good at controlling that kind of relationship, and who have the deep pockets to make a bit of a loss.

      Also, the Japanese market tends to suit regularly improvements to products (constantly releasing slightly improved versions) which doesn't suit consoles (who wants a PS2.1, or 2.2?), but it does work with an Xbox. They have updated the 'operating system' many times since I bought mine, and are sure to keep doing so.

      Microsoft may just have found a niche that they can be good at, and where their business model is actually loved rather than hated.
      • So let's hope for you that they stick with the harddrive and the costly design. As much as I understand all your points, they all depend on them doing it again with the xbox2:
        -expensive harddrive for the nice os updates and savegames and patches and updated content.
        -expensive strong cable and materials.
        -expensive game compagnies to buy to lock them to the xbox, so there can be those exclusive games you like so much (you know, Bungie wouldnt have been bought, they would have made halo for the console anyway,
        • The only profitable things they've ever done are Office and Windows. With MSN and Xbox, I think they've adequatley proved that they are willing to lose a few billion here and there...
          • Yes, and as I said, are they willing to do it twice?
            If not, and my personnal bet is that they dont, then they will have to cut the prices somewhere.
            Since the xbox factories are already delocalised in china, the only other way is to nerf the features and/or lower the quality.
            Because, there arent that many people ready to put so much in a console, and it doesnt look like there will be more soon.
    • I generally agree with you, and am quite pleased with my Xbox as well. However not all the components are high quality. Namely the DVD drive, there have been numerous problems with Thompson drives dying and having problems reading disks. Sure they've been using other drives such as the Philips and the Samsung, however they're also still using these Thompson drives that are an utter pain to deal with when they start acting up.
      • I did hear about this and yes, you are right. The DVD drive has been substandard on several releases.

        Apparently the early Japanese editions actually scratched the game discs that were put in them and Microsoft weren't quick to replace them, which was a PR disaster for them.

        Overall they have done a good job (though admittedly the DVD drive is a pretty fundamental part of the system).

        That's Microsft for you ;)

  • i bought one the first week ($300) (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:42AM (#8294707)
    and the hardware was pretty unreliable. So, I recently bought another one. I have too many games to NOT have a functioning Xbox, but having spent close to $1500 on Xbox-related purchases, I can say I am pretty dissatisfied.

    By contrast, I bought a Cube for $99, and you can play most of the same games. And, you get Zelda, the new FF, and Mario Golf.

    • You buy a piece of hardware and a lot of software for it. Then because it doesn't work you buy another one.

      So you me a few hundred dollars and buy stuff from people who give me a few dollars as well. Then I beat your face in and you give me another few hundred dollars?

      Am I missing something?

      I can understand that you may have invested to much in software to be able to afford to let the x-box go unused but think about the message you are sending to MS. Wow this customer must really like our stuff. He bough

    • Exactly how did you managed to expend $1000 in xbox "related" purchases? you paid $1200 in repairs when you could have bought a brand new one in $170? or you mean you spent $1200 in games?
      Anyway if you didnt void your guaranty by modding or opening it yourself you could have just have it changed for a new one?
    • It took $1500 for you to realize that your not satisfied with MS's efforts? Must seem a bit silly in retrospect, no?
    • Try Links 2004. I've played that, and Mario. No comparison, Links is a better (best) golf game.

  • Better than I expected (Score:4, Interesting)

    by DrSkwid ( 118965 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:47AM (#8294744) Journal

    Of course, having every title on warezed DVD helps.

    XBox Live, though, is where it's at.

    Project Gotham on XBox live is the best racing ever. Bar none. They have multiplayer *exactly* right.

    I bought Need For Speed Underground on PC at the same time and it's online system was a disappointment. It's update system uses javascript and activex ffs and so first thing I had to do was piss about bringing my I.E. up to date on a box I don't use for web browsing (being a Mozilla user on FreeBSD and all).

    The controllers are an abomination and getting a force feedback steering wheel has been a long long wait.

    I hope Sony get the networking sorted out on the PS3 and the xbox2 is stillborn.

    It is really irksome seeing ads for MSN while playing SSX Tricky or Links2004.

    • Just to clarify before people jump on the part about ads for MSN on SSX Tricky or Links 2004. (My guess is that you meant Amped- not SSX Tricky)

      The ads are just 'billboards' that are typically placed around sporting events. This actually adds to the realism for me. Just like Rallisport Challenge has advertising for all kinds of car companies- just like in real racing.

      So, when there are grandstands in Links, like on the 18th green, there are usually a few small banners. Live, MSN, Suunto, etc. Just li

      • > (My guess is that you meant Amped- not SSX Tricky)

        I'll check. Mybe the MSN one was in Links. SSX Tricky definitely had a 7up.

        > This actually adds to the realism for me.

        Adds to the realism of SSX Tricky?

        I can cope with the Rallisport example because of the motorsport angle but I baulk ad having ads for MSN shoved down my throat. I'm trying to get away from the daytime not have it advertised at me.

        If it's all or nothing then I'd settle for nothing.

        • Well, SSX Tricky is an EA title, where Amped is Microsoft. It's not impossible that SSX has MSN banners, but I am about 99.9% sure that Amped does have them.

          Most professional sporting events have advertising tied to them now- it's just the way it goes.

          Top Spin also has advertising- but only when you play in the big arenas. When you are on a playground, or training facility, you don't see ads. But most of the stadiums are 'sponsored'.

          I do like it, I really think it adds some realism.
        • SSX3 (I've played the GCN version) has ads for dnl, and the Honda Element, I'm pretty sure that's all. It doesn't bother me, advertising is part of sports, it doesn't seem out of place. Take those two adds and put them in Halo or Jak & Daxtor and it'd be annoying to say the least.

  • its great. (Score:2, Interesting)

    by WordUpCousin ( 735088 )
    The machine itself makes the Xbox great. For instance, have you ever ran the same title on the PS2 and the Xbox? The load-time seems to be half of that of the ps2's.

  • Ehh (Score:5, Interesting)

    by kannibal_klown ( 531544 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:49AM (#8294765)
    My first 2 games for the XBox were "Crimson Skies" and "Prince of Persial - SOT". I fell in love the the console after that. Since then I rented Soul Caliber II, Panzer Dragoon, and Rainbox Six III. Also, the free "XBox Live" trial sweetened the deal, as I love kicking people's asses in Crimson Skies (though I suck at Rainbox Six).

    However, it's getting harder to find decent games to rent/buy after the ones I listed. Part of me wishes I had gone the Gamecube route (and saved like $200). While a lot of the GC games are corny-looking, they are pretty fun to play.

    In all, I think the XBox is an alright system, but they need to make more "must have" titles. Halo 2 was looking promising, but now that's delayed until Fall. Oh well, on the PC side I have (hopefully) Half-Life 2 and UT 2004 in a month.

    • Re:Ehh (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Txiasaeia ( 581598 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @12:00PM (#8294893)
      OT, I know, but I *Did* go the Gamecube route, and boy am I happy that I did! I paid $160 CAD for a used system, including a platinum gamecube, an extra controller, memory card and Viewtiful Joe. I've also got F-Zero GX, Soul Calibur II, Windwaker and Mario Kart; between these games, I don't have to rent *anything*.

      The nice thing about the Big N is that most of their first party games are completely awesome, and even some second-tier games (F-Zero was jointly done with Sega, SCII) are still amazing. I've tried a few XBox games, and while they may look pretty, there's no way that console is worth an extra $200.

      • Agreed. It's one of those things I wish I could go back in time, and slap myself in the face while I was waiting in line for 20 minutes. I should've just done something like you did. More fun for a fraction of the price.
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Centre of the Livingroom? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Cebu ( 161017 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:51AM (#8294791)
    I found it interesting that the Xbox Timeline [gamespy.com] article mentioned:
    "Despite the fact that Xbox now trails behind the competition, Takahashi says that he is confident that Microsoft will release a second-generation Xbox. What has changed, however, is the notion that Xbox will be the center point of the livingroom. "I think that the idea that game consoles are going to take over all processing in the livingroom has been tested and has failed," says Takahashi, who continues to cover the games industry for the San Jose Mercury News."


    I think it's somewhat premature to say that "the notion that Xbox will be the center point of the livingroom... has been tested and has failed." What failure has occured, is in the creation of an attractive software package for making the Xbox a centre point of the livingroom. It's as if little to no effort was made at all in this respect, yet the Xbox management imply that they tried as best as anyone could and failed at the task.

    The Xbox had no PVR functionality, didn't include the DVD player as part of basic package, had no ability to transfer media files (or at least stream media), and has a lack luster though useable interface for media playback. Furthermore, what functionality they did provide in these regards, did not even match what was availible in similar devices at the time. Even as a simple DVD player, it was only adequate at best; lowend DVD players could be obtained at a similar cost of just the Xbox DVD package and offered a better experience.... It's no wonder Xbox didn't succeed as "the centre point of the livingroom."

  • Killer Games (Score:3, Insightful)

    by leadfoot2004 ( 751188 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:53AM (#8294812)
    It's one of the few times where Microsoft could not say they dominated the market. Mind you, because it's Microsoft, people tend to be a bit more critical about their accomplishments. This is partially attributed to their marketing hype at the initial launch of the X-Box. I think from this point forward, Microsoft really needs a series of "Killer Games" (in parallel to the Killer Apps). Consumers need to be convinced that in order to play THAT game, they HAVE to buy the X-Box (just like how Gran Turismo or Final Fantasy did to the Playstation). We'll just wait and see...

  • Flame me all you want for supporting MS, but... (Score:5, Informative)

    by Recoil_42 ( 665710 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @11:55AM (#8294836) Homepage Journal
    The XBOX is really a fantastic console, and imo, its a huge leap in the console market.

    -The hard drive is absolutely fantastic; game saves are effortless, and i don't need to buy memory cards. What happens when i run out? By that time, we'll be way into XBOX3 or XBOX4 :P

    Custom soundtracks are a pretty cool feature, i love funking out to gorillaz down a mountain on Amped (Snowboarding game), when i get bored of the music in the game.

    XBOX Live is, dare i say, the most fantastic, complete product that MS has ever made:
    -Downloads are plentiful, and a great incentive for me to keep those single player games that are 'play through once'. The new Splinter Cell levels were great.
    -Cheating protection is great. Modchips are are automatically banned, and if anyone ever finds a game exploit, patching is automatic and mandatory, and in some cases (MotoGP) scoreboards are reset.
    -Voice Support completely changes everything. On PC, it's pretty much optional, but on LIVE, nearly everyone has a communicator (it comes with the kits) and EVERY GAME SUPPORTS IT. The difference in team organization in a first person shooter, for instance, is immediately clear.
    -Prizes, leagues, tournaments. I don't have an XSN [xsnsports.com] game myself, but from what other people have told me, the setup is pretty good. Prizes are a cool addition too; right now there is an official competition for a cool $25,000US. Nice.

    On top of all this, the lineup is shaping up, too. It doesnt have the Japanese RPGs like the PS2, or the Nintendo games, but it has everything else. Its the only console for which FPSs actually work *AT ALL* (Gamecube's controls are too rigid, and PS2's analog sticks are too short), and i actually prefer (blasphemy!) the analog sticks to WASD and a mouse.. its just so much more natural.

    So yeah, MS did an excellent job with the XBOX. Surprise, Surprise.
    • "Its the only console for which FPSs actually work *AT ALL* (Gamecube's controls are too rigid, and PS2's analog sticks are too short), and i actually prefer (blasphemy!) the analog sticks to WASD and a mouse.. its just so much more natural."

      Utterly. And the dimples on the analogue sticks are a moment of genius. My finger hasn't slipped once. I can't believe no one has thought of it before (using concave instead of convex tops to the sticks). It adds so much control.

      Why they can't release a controlle
    • Voice Support completely changes everything. On PC, it's pretty much optional, but on LIVE, nearly everyone has a communicator (it comes with the kits) and EVERY GAME SUPPORTS IT. The difference in team organization in a first person shooter, for instance, is immediately clear.

      Man that's one thing I hate. I don't want to hear a bunch of 12 year olds saying stupid crap like "owned".
      • Rainbow Six 3, Counter Strike and every other FPS i've played you cant hear your opponent. So even if you do get spammed by a 12 year old, you arent going to hear him gloat. The down side is that when you get your revenge, he wont hear you either. This leaves you and your team mates to work more effectively, set traps, respond to rushing and work as a team. PLUS, it is real easy to mute any morons that start singing in the lobby before the game.
  • I actually read the article. This caught my eye:

    Europe (a territory that includes Africa, Australia, and all of Asia except Japan)...

    I wonder why that is? Africa may be a pretty small market, but all of Asia other than Japan gets lumped in there too?

    • I don't think XBox sells very well in Asia (it trails the PS2 and GC), so MS probably just groups it into the U.S. and "everybody else."

  • does many things right (Score:3, Interesting)

    by kisrael ( 134664 ) * on Monday February 16, 2004 @12:44PM (#8295373) Homepage
    Xbox is my third current console (GC first, then PS2) and it has pretty much held its own. (Unlike the PS2, especially now that GTA3 and Vice City are out for Xbox.) I'm sometimes impressed at how many correct decisions they made, the same ones I would have made...the good controller (the smaller remake is the best on the market I think), the 4 controller ports, the way some of their top games support both Xbox Live AND 4 player split screen (Halo and Crimson Skies at least), Xbox live itself...I still think GameCube is my favorite of the three but Microsoft has made a very impressive entry into the market.
  • The X-Box has been all I expected it to be and more. Unfortunatly for M$oft that has been because of third party bioses/software/hardware and interest. It should be obvious to M$ what to do to make a successful console next time, unfortunatly it's all illegal.

  • Selling their Xbox (Score:3, Interesting)

    by superpulpsicle ( 533373 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @01:01PM (#8295646)
    I know of 3 people who sold their xbox in a span of about a year. The selection of games really haven't captured their attention. All 3 people are in their 20s.

    The typical complaint is... there are no good RPG. Xbox put emphasis on games like halo, which for any fps belongs on a PC anyways.

    Basically the general consensus is they are unhappy with xbox. Especially those giant controllers. The good games on xbox, are generally available on other consoles anyways. etc etc
    • Is this post traveling through a time warp from like 2 years ago?

      Look, here's the deal:

      Firstly: XBox, while it does not have a LOT of RPGs, has very GOOD ones. Morrowind and Knights of the Old Republic, for instance. (Morrowind was a launch title, so I don't know how your friends said there was no good RPG on XBox if they hadn't even bothered to pick up about the only RPG that was even available at all.)

      Secondly: The large controllers are not only not sold *with* the machine anymore, they're actually n
      • Firstly: XBox, while it does not have a LOT of RPGs, has very GOOD ones. Morrowind and Knights of the Old Republic, for instance. (Morrowind was a launch title, so I don't know how your friends said there was no good RPG on XBox if they hadn't even bothered to pick up about the only RPG that was even available at all.)

        Qhilw I can agree on KotOR being a great RPG, Morrowind I can't. I hated it, and that wasn't even because it is the bugggiest, glitchiest piece of software on the Xbox, either. I just did

  • I think the x-box would have been alot more popular if they had included TiVO capability, and the ability to link up to your computer throught LAN port on the back and put picture, music and video files on it. What really annoyed me, though, was the fact i had to pay and extra $40 for the DVD play-back kit. I have an x-box, and it's great, but i would have prefered a bit more bang for my buck.

    • Re:x-box (Score:3, Insightful)

      by ShadowDrake ( 588020 )
      Problem: The original Xbox had 8 or maybe 10G of disc space. An hour recording at top quality (with the PVR software of my TV card) is probably close to 2G (I tend to record 40-minute blocks, at 1.4-1.6). Nobody wants a Tivo with less capacity than a T-120 VHS.

  • The numbers... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by samdu ( 114873 ) <samdu@NOSPAM.ronintech.com> on Monday February 16, 2004 @01:33PM (#8296018) Homepage
    the numbers speak for themselves.

    Isn't the X-Box trailing behind the other two consoles in every market except for a relatively small lead over the GameCube in North America? I know they aren't flying off the shelves in Japan. Dreamcast and the PS-One were still outselling X-Box at least most of the year last year.

    • Re:The numbers... (Score:4, Insightful)

      by *weasel ( 174362 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @01:47PM (#8296186)
      I believe the point is: who in 2000 or 2001 expected Microsoft to actually be in stiff competition with Nintendo for the number 2 spot?

      Surely no sane analyst would have suggested Sony would lose #1 to either Nintendo or MS in this generation. And the strength and historical performance of Nintendo was counted on as being carved in stone. Most figured that the Xbox would fail spectacularly and go away. Very few thought it would do well enough that MS would make a second one.

      That's the performance that's speaking for itself -- the fact that it's even arguable whether MS is in 2nd place or not. The fact that Microsoft stepped in and had a Playstation-like first-console performance (other than Sony, no-one has captured as much of the market with their first console). Sure, they aren't doing as well as their PR department says - but frankly, no-one does.

      • Re:The numbers... (Score:1, Insightful)

        by Anonymous Coward
        "(other than Sony, no-one has captured as much of the market with their first console)"

        Really?
        How about the Nintendo's first console in the US, the NES? They WERE the video game market back then.

    • Re:The numbers... (Score:3, Informative)

      by imr ( 106517 )
      when I first heard about the sales in japan, on slashdot mind you, they were selling less than the original black and white game boy each week. And the new one was out.

  • Yup, I love my xbox's (Score:3, Insightful)

    by fozzmeister ( 160968 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @02:04PM (#8296341) Homepage
    I did the solder TSOP thingy on 2 of my xbox's, I got one cheap server for Mail and DNS as well as one very cool entertainment system which includes MP3, DVD (Multi Region) loads of cool emulators as well as some pretty good XBox games and online play (XLink Messenger).

    A Highly spec'd PC (which im probably getting for Doom3) could do all this, but the XBox is way more social with interfaces that are good on TV. I also often stick the thing in a backpack and it round to a friends house for some great 2 lan gaming which would be a much bigger operation with PC's.

    So yes, the XBox has far outweighed my expectations.

  • Depends on how you classifu success... (Score:3, Interesting)

    by CashCarSTAR ( 548853 ) on Monday February 16, 2004 @02:17PM (#8296473)
    Business-way, yeah, they have been having some sucess. A very sucessful ad campaign, as well, focusing on specific genres gave them good inroads into both the gamer and casual console market.

    Quality-wise? It's a very mixed bag. No X-Box only title has really hit a home-run so far. Halo was only half-finished (still a very good engine, but the single-player was under-developed level design wise and the mutli-player feels like an add-on.) Project Gotham Racing is fun, but hardly a deal maker (Burnout/NfS:Underground are just as good) Amped is boring. They've had some success with their sports games, but in my mind they are a dime a dozen.

    The multi-media features had possibility, but came out as kind of bleh. The In-system MP3 player is nice, but not really a deal-clencher.

    Some of the grey-market front ends are really sweet 'tho.. those are a deal-clencher.

    In the future? Fable will either be really good or really bad. Take your pick. (I bet that different people will see it either way.). Halo 2 should be THE killer ap on the X-Box, if it's not overshadowed by Half-Life 2 and Doom 3. (If Half-Life 2 comes with Counter-Strike 2.0 and Day of Defeat 2.0 ON THE DISK, then Halo 2 will be overlooked.)

    What else is there? Not much that I can see. And that's a shame.

    • While Halo's multiplayer could have used more levels, it has never felt "tacked on" to me by any stretch. The multiplayer is part of what makes the game as great as it is. You hear people in the news, like sports stars and entertainers, boasting about how good they are at Halo. In my opinion, it's about as good as console FPS multiplayer gets. Something about the pacing, control, shield system and weapons balance makes it the standard bearer for console FPS. So I'd disagree with "tacked on".
      • That's the engine.

        The tacked on part is the lack of internet play or AI-controlled bots, which are needed for console FPS in my mind. As well, marketing goes a long way. Halo is "cool". I just don't think it's that good.
        • You're missing the point. A lot of games don't necessarily offer bots, and at the time none offered internet play. Actually Halo offered LAN play, which no other console game that I'm aware of offered; it couldn't have offered more b/c xbox live wasn't out yet. The point is that the multiplayer in Halo was so well tuned and honed that it was far better than any other console FPS, either then or now. You may disagree with me, which is fine, since I know people who also don't think Halo is that great. But I k
    • If Half-Life 2 comes with Counter-Strike 2.0 and Day of Defeat 2.0 ON THE DISK, then Halo 2 will be overlooked

      And if Duke Nukem Forever is ever actually released, I think Jason Jones (Bungie), John Carmack (Id), and ??? (Valve) might as well hang up their spurs and go work for McDonalds. I mean, really, I loved Halflife, and I am intending to plunk down $1500 on a new computer as soon as Halflife 2 hits stores, but please try to tone down the fanboy thing.

      You're totally right that Amped was lame; SSX T

  • I like it overall (Score:2, Interesting)

    by The12thRonin ( 749384 )

    I traded my PS2 for the XBox. I'd been thinking about it for a while since really all the PS2 was doing was playing DVD's for me. Then the decision really cemented itself when our step-daughter got one for her dad's house and we decided to get one for ours so she could play the same games over here.

    I also hate the PS2 controller with a passion. Nothing has made my hands hurt more than trying to use the shoulder buttons on it. I thought MGS2 was going to give me arthritis. Then I see that KOTOR was co

  • "more" than I expected (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    the XBox's form factor still amazes me. How did they expand that little power into such a large box?
  • I was initially negative about the Xbox, it is Microsoft afterall, and I do have some opinions:

    The good:

    - Graphics and sound technology is the best amongst all the consoles.

    - Hard drive adds unique features like custom soundtracks and no memory card saves.

    - Active hack community with loads of options for those that like to tinker. MAME and other emulators just further the value of this machine.

    - Unique games like Halo and Gotham Racing, specific to Xbox.

    - No problems with DVD ROM drive failures. Overa

  • Following Nintendo (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 16, 2004 @04:48PM (#8298089)
    So...they're using a similar chipset to the GameCube, taking out the harddrive like the GameCube, trying to be a price-competitive system much like the GameCube, and they say "I think that the idea that game consoles are going to take over all processing in the livingroom has been tested and has failed," suggesting that they're going to take up the philosophy which Nintendo stood by for GameCube.

    There were doubters about Nintendo's philosophy back in 2002, but I guess that's a +5 Insightful in retrospect.

  • Xboxin' with the GameCube (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Amigori ( 177092 ) * <eefranklin718@nosPAM.yahoo.com> on Monday February 16, 2004 @06:03PM (#8298961) Homepage
    I didn't want Xbox when it first came out. I still don't like the PS2 (sequel this, prequel that). When the current generation of systems was released, I bought a GameCube about 6 months after its release. SSBM, Metroid Prime, Mario Sunshine are all great games that I wanted to play. Xbox and PS2 didn't have anything I really wanted to play, except GTA3 and Halo. Eventually, I got a job at Sears and I needed a DVD player, so with all my discounts and coupons, I got an Xbox for about $120. Yes, PS2 enthusiasts, I did look at your system, and you're going to say, "Well, you still have to buy the DVD remote." So?? I have to buy a memory card with your system, so what's your point. Either way, another $25 was leaving my pocket and I like the hard drive in the xbox because it does more than your piddly memory card. Anyways...

    Now I've had my xbox a little more than a year, I bought xbox live last summer and to my disappointment, my university broadband connection is too slow to play Xbox live with, so much for high "technology" fees. I've been waiting for a new game to turn my head and be amazing to play on xbox, but I'm still waiting. Halo? Finished it, awesome game, good multiplayer, but I'm getting bored with it. GTA3 double pack, finished it. So instead of buying a new game, I dug out my Dreamcast and my vast selection of titles with high replay values, Samba de Amigo (with 2 sets of maracas), Virtual Tennis, NFL 2k2, Soul Caliber, MSR, Tony Hawk 2, Crazy Taxi 1&2, and JSR. Right now, my Gamecube gets most of the action with NFS: Underground (yes, its available on xbox, but its identical and no special features), Super Monkey Ball 1&2 (can you say addicting), Mario Kart DD, and Mario Sunshine (some of those classic style levels are pretty tough).

    In summary, here's my xbox pluses:

    Excellent DVD Player

    Nice S Controller
    Better graphics than PS2 (and some GC titles)
    Halo
    Xbox Live (It works on my cable modem at home)
    Hard Drive (Custom Soundtracks rock. Why don't we see this feature more often, it can't be that hard to implement.)
    Microsoft loses money on the console, or at least used to.
    minuses:

    Lack of a new Killer Game
    Halo 2 delays
    Size (the thing is huge)
    Xbox Live (doesn't work at school)
    Amigori
  • What the article doesn't discuss is that Microsoft takes serious losses on every XBox sold. Even at its original release, they needed to sell four games with every XBox to break even. With the price cuts, this has gone up to about a dozen games per XBox. And not at discounts, but at their new-release prices.

    Of course, it is not Microsoft's plan to lose money. Their plan is, as always, to become so big a player in their chosen market that all the other will be marginalized. Then, and only then, their price

  • Has the Xbox been all you expected and wanted it to be?

    Well, let's see... it's the last place "next-gen" console behind Game Cube and PS2 as far as US sales, it's being outsold by the PSOne in Japan, it's been hacked to make a cheap Linux server, EA have abandoned making any Xbox online sports games, and the Xbox division has lost Microsoft a ton of money. The console's list of killer titles is Halo and... er... that's it, and Halo isn't exclusive any more.

    So yeah, that's exactly what I expected and wan

  • Best use for an Xbox. Only downside is that the AdvanceMame2x Scaling makes it a bit slow.

    That being said, Prince of Persia kicked ass, but on the whole people are much happier playing Asteroids or Joust.

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