May 16th, 3pm PST: PS3 Launches. May 16th, 6pm PST: Xbox2 Launches

[Asher]

Originally posted by Gamecube64
I don't need music or dvd players in my game system.

Which is fine, but I've no doubt in my mind that the lack of these type of things is one reason the Gamecube is in third place.

The definition of game console has changed to become more of an entertainment console, and Nintendo was stuck with their mantra "it's all about the games!" Little did they know that when you get the games (and a lot more of these games, mind you), plus other stuff, it makes Nintendo's platform look like a "cheap" alternative to real entertainment. I won't even mention the stupidity behind the castrated game media -- the entire purpose of these was to prevent piracy. To prevent piracy (read: earn more profit) the Gamecube is limited to 1.8GB discs instead of the 9GB the PS2 and Xbox enjoy. The FMV on gamecube are compressed more and textures frequently also lower res. Further, it costs more per unit to make, since they're not mass produced ala DVDs. They even have lower transfer rates than the Xbox or even PS2.

The low pricepoint actually hurt Nintendo more than helped IMO, it cemented Nintendo's image as a cheaper kiddy console.

It will use a system like X-Box live, except hopefully free.

MS still lost money on Xbox Live, even with the subscription. It costs a lot to have that infrastructure and develop those SDKs and networks the way they have. And given how stingy Nintendo is, there's no way in hell it'll be free.

And a little "me too" from Nintendo on online gaming like Xbox Live is 4 years too late. MS has a 4-year head start and experience on them, Nintendo's late to the game.

[Drake Tungsten]

It's not really going to be called Xbox 360, is it? That's totally gay...

[Tassadar500]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
It's not really going to be called Xbox 360, is it? That's totally gay...

What's wrong with being homosexual?

[Drake Tungsten]

I never said it was a bad thing; just pointing out that "Xbox 360" is not the most butch name. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[Asher]

I honestly don't think it's going to be called Xbox 360.

It and about 3-4 other names were trademarked by Microsoft a while ago.

It could just be the name of a marketing campaign, or peripheral, or software, etc.

[Drake Tungsten]

I heard somewhere that Xbox 360 was going to be the name of the updated Xbox live service. If that's true, it isn't such a bad name, but for the console itself...

They should just call it the "Sex Box" like everyone I know.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
I never said it was a bad thing; just pointing out that "Xbox 360" is not the most butch name.

Butch is most certainly a word associated with Lesbians

[Drake Tungsten]

Thanks for the news flash.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Lord Nuclear

What's wrong with being homosexual?

It's a pain in the ass.

Seriously, the more features the better if they can keep the cost down. I haven't bought a game system since the original Nintendo back in the late 80's so I'm not their target audience but even I can see why it's good to support media because it lets parents say "well maybe I can use this thing for something I like and it's not just for kids". True quality of sound probably doesn't equal a high end audio system but most of the people buying these are probably young couples with small children. I could be wrong about that since there seem to be a lot of 20-30 somethings who never grew up but those people have the extra disposable income to pay $50 more for a convergence device so what does it matter?

[Gatekeeper]

Originally posted by Asher
Nintendo got burned listening to people like you, and they'll probably get burned again. They're out of touch with the reality of what most consumers want.

Wait, are these the same people who don't know how to program their VCR/DVD clocks? Last time I checked, *they* by and far were the largest bloc of users.

Gatekeeper

[Asher]

Originally posted by Gatekeeper
Wait, are these the same people who don't know how to program their VCR/DVD clocks? Last time I checked, *they* by and far were the largest bloc of users.

Gatekeeper

Yep, which is why they prefer needing to know how to operate a smaller number of devices.

[St Leo]

I wish the mainstream would forget about games, so that game companies would cater to grognards instead of college layabouts again. Consoles should be outlawed.

[Atahualpa]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
folks who post game related news in OT vs Other Games spammers. +1 vs +0

umm I almost never post or even visit the other games forum...

[DanS]

Btw, Asher, Goldman Sachs is predicting a $250-$300 introductory price, just as I am. I'm keeping in mind what you said in a previous thread...

Originally posted by Asher

People said $299 was way too much as well.

What exactly do you know about the console market?

Nintendo tried your brilliant strategy, it failed miserably. Gamers equate cheaper to...cheaper. Sub-par. It is in MS' best interest to pricematch Sony to position themselves as a direct competitor, and an alternative.

And Sony's going to freak at having to introduce their machine at that price. Sony's cash on hand = $2 billion. M$'s cash on hand = $35 billion.

[Asher]

Sony will pricematch MS at $299 if MS does that.

Nintendo's will also be $299 if MS does it.

Mark my words.