Console Wars V

[Asher]

Home really is awful. It's a trainwreck. Even the install process takes forever. It's "only" a 73MB download, then it asks to reserve 3.7GB of space. Then every "zone" you enter, it spends a minute downloading, then another 15s loading. Then once it's loaded, everyone is a "ghost" for a few minutes until it downloads their skins.

Then it's a sausage fest -- normally I wouldn't complain but the people who are "talking" here, it's an endless "LOl ur gay" type comments (painfully typed with a Cellphone-like keyboard) or vocal comments that are usually not understood but consists of things like "lawl you ****** lawl".

[flash9286]

There's really only one option left for Sony to remain in the game: deep price cuts, and not just for people with good credit. Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better, but a $400 console with a mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360 priced at $200 in this economy.

Is there anyway Sony could cut the cost of production for PS3s. It seems like there are stuck at their price point unless they want to loss more money per console. They can't remove their Blu-rays, They probably can't remove hard drives because of slow loading times of the BluRay. They could remove the wireless adapters but I doubt that costs a lot compared to the other components.

[flash9286]

The Xbox 360 has a software attach rate of 8.1 titles, according to Microsoft, with third-party games generating more revenue at retail for publishers than the Wii and PlayStation 3 combined.

That's according to Microsoft, in a month where third-party game sales on Xbox 360 topped USD 298 million.

"We've created the optimal line-up of experiences this holiday season for families seeking lasting entertainment value, particularly during rough economic times in the US and abroad," commented Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

"We have the largest library of games, TV and movie content and the most expansive and rewarding social experiences. We're confident Xbox 360 will continue to drive record sales around the world this holiday and beyond."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/xbox-360-attach-rate-grows-to-8-1-titles

[DrSpike]

Amazing Wii stats.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by flash9286

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-to-8-1-titles

I was just coming here to post that exact link.

Pretty solid though - and GoW2 sales will give an extra push.

[UnOrthOdOx]

Originally posted by Asher
Home really is awful. It's a trainwreck. Even the install process takes forever. It's "only" a 73MB download, then it asks to reserve 3.7GB of space. Then every "zone" you enter, it spends a minute downloading, then another 15s loading. Then once it's loaded, everyone is a "ghost" for a few minutes until it downloads their skins.

Then it's a sausage fest -- normally I wouldn't complain but the people who are "talking" here, it's an endless "LOl ur gay" type comments (painfully typed with a Cellphone-like keyboard) or vocal comments that are usually not understood but consists of things like "lawl you ****** lawl".

I was surprised to see the home in my little bar, and I did get on it for a while just to see.

My download speeds were much better than you seem to have experienced, once it actually let me log in (3 failed attempts). Areas downloaded in the background while I looked over each area. (qued them up in the menu) Once downloaded, transitioning to a new area was very short for me.

As for the types of comments, it's no better, or worse, than any gaming chatroom I've been a part of. And, they're pitching that special keyboard attachment to make chatting easier....good luck selling that.

The "vocal comments" are horrid. Garble garble feedback garble. At the better times it sounded like Peanuts adults talking. Don't know if it's a particular person's microphone or what, but I SURE AS HELL want to have it AUTO-off unless I chose to listen to someone. People's microphones all going at the same time made me kill sound real quick. And why is the microphone volume 20x anything else?

But, I don't 'get' the whole thing to begin with. What is the point of it anyway? Walk around and do WHAT?

The Uncharted area had NOTHING. Period. What's the point?

And if they think I'll be buying furniture or clothes for an avatar....

[DrSpike]

I can't say that I've been overly impressed with NXE on the 360 either. There is far too much redundant information you (at least as far as I can see) can't actually turn off, and navigation between the various areas seems slower at times.

The only thing I really like is that you can find demos etc much easier with the new option to search by first letter.

[asleepathewheel]

I much preferred the blades. I like to see everything at one glance rather than scroll over.

[Asher]

The download rate for content went through the roof with NXE, which really speaks volumes about how much better the organization is.

It's significantly faster than the Blades for me, even the scrolling is faster (before it'd take longer to draw the menus).

[Alinestra Covelia]

I couldn't find anything on the blades layout. Now I can find stuff much more easily. It was a good move on MS' part, as was the avatars. (Though it did have a faint whiff of playing catch-up with the Wii Mii idea.)

I still find the Wii interface the easiest.

Typing's a bother, though.

[Asher]

The Wii's interface is absolutely terrible. It doesn't scale. Which I suppose isn't a problem on the Wii because there is no content to scale with...

[El_Cid]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3882/npd_behind_the_numbers_november_.php

what a crazy topsy-turvy world games consoles are!!! GC was last in the last generation, now Wii is top dog by a long way!!

Still i'm happy with my 'new' PS2 - awesome games good value

[DrSpike]

Yeah, the Wii kicking major ass.

On the PS2 issue I know that there is really no point whatsoever biting, but for the sake of argument please post your top 5 PS2 games.

[Asher]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Yeah, the Wii kicking major ass.

How can you possible give this a thumbs up? It's torturous to see the kind of **** that sells on the Wii. It's damaging to the industry to pollute it with **** like Wii Music and Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii.

The Police Academy movies made a killing too, but don't you ever give them a thumbs up.

[DrSpike]

I only really give the Wii a thumbs up to act as a counterweight to you.

Having said that I genuinely think it's good Nintendo tried something different and are having a great deal of success with that. Unlike you I don't feel threatened by the existence of a different set of gamers with a different set of preferences, as long as MS don't make the next Xbox a direct competitor.

My preferences are best reflected by my buying choices - and although I've considered it I still have no Wii.