What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

[DXZeke]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

As for the 360 having useless features...

You can get a 360 CORE for 300 that's just GAMING. Get a memory card. You can still play online, but forgo the other features like game demos, etc.
It's the same price the PS2 and XBox 1 were as gaming machines.

Throwing on a few USB ports just added the ability to hook your MP3 player up and have custom soundtracks streaming off of something else besides the HD. MUCH MORE CONVEINANT that buring CDs to your XBox 1 all day... and a lot of people used this freature. Since the XBox and PS2 had DVD drives it only made sense for it to stream movies. They gave us these options as well as GAMES!

Then XBox Live.
That's a totally different beast... and everything associated with it.


To me Next Gen was nicer visuals and better gameplay. If they just took what the XBox 1 and PS2 did, but clean away all the jaggies and use HDR and Spectral lighting on the current gen graphics that would be great! Just make great use of that 512meg of RAM for use of more syphisticated AI and higer rez textures... wait... that's basically what've they've done, minus the AI...

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

As for the 360 having useless features...

You can get a 360 CORE for 300 that's just GAMING. Get a memory card. You can still play online, but forgo the other features like game demos, etc.
It's the same price the PS2 and XBox 1 were as gaming machines.

Game demos, included wireless controllers and built-in storage capacity are part of the GAMING experience. You only get those out of the box with the Premium for $399.

Plus, a hard drive was built in to the last Xbox for $299 at launch, $149 now. And that hard drive was used for gaming. Why should I pay $299 now for a machine without a hard drive?

That's one of the many reasons why the Premium is the only true option for a serious gamer, and MS knows it.

Take care,
PK

[DaveDQ]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

But what if you don't need that stuff, like me, and would prefer to pay $100 less for a machine that just played great games?

Take care,
PK

Then I'd suggest going with something different. No need to Hulk up over it.

I really enjoy my 360. I don't get caught up with what MS is trying to do or whether or not they are going to conquer the world with their gaming console. MS, Sony and Nintendo are all "for-profit" businesses. They all want to dominate the market.

I think you and I just want to have some fun with it.

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Then I'd suggest going with something different. No need to Hulk up over it.

I really enjoy my 360. I don't get caught up with what MS is trying to do or whether or not they are going to conquer the world with their gaming console. MS, Sony and Nintendo are all "for-profit" businesses. They all want to dominate the market.

I think you and I just want to have some fun with it.

I'm not "Hulking" up, whatever the hell that means. This discussion simply is an offshoot of my original response about what I consider next gen and what I expect from it. Basically, I'm disappointed that MS and Sony expect that gamers want a multimedia device because all I want is a game machine.

That's it.

Take care,
PK

[DXZeke]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I'm not "Hulking" up, whatever the hell that means. This discussion simply is an offshoot of my original response about what I consider next gen and what I expect from it. Basically, I'm disappointed that MS and Sony expect that gamers want a multimedia device because all I want is a game machine.

That's it.

Take care,
PK

the "average" gamer which makes up way more of the market than us Hardcore, Gameplay First.... those average tards want an all in one machine. they are sold on that. it's how it is.

I think he meant you started going off like the Hulkster. You got hit with a chokeslam and you no sold.

[jdros13]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I'll put in my $.02....

Personally I think that next-gen has been what I expected it to be...not so much about the hardware capabilities (although improved graphics are nice I guess, and certainly improving AI is a must) but rather the OS software / console interface...I love the fact that I have the ability with my 360 to try out many of the games that I am interested in before I purchase them, for free (don't need Live Gold for that), just by pressing a button to download it....I love the fact that I can make a simple purchase of additional game content (if it truly is additional game content, not alt. unis - if they actually were available) without using a CC....I really love the ease of extending my media center pc to my 360...that has opened up a whole other avenue for renting movies through PC downloads to view on my HD TV without hooking up my CPU to the TV, etc....I am extremely impressed that I will be able to download HD (or SD) films and TV programs through this machine....Frankly I think that this technology will ultimately make the entire HD-DVD vs Blue Ray battle moot, at least for me....I want my 360 (or other machine) to be more than a gaming system...I love the fact that all games are required to be in HD, adding increased value to my TV purchase...

I don't like that I only have a 20 GB (formatted 14 GB?) hard drive, although I do think that will change eventually (at an additional cost to me...another don't like)...I don't like that we haven't seen any real innovation in gameplay yet from the developers - in fact we are still playing the same games (in some cases dumbed down) that we were playing before - they just look a little better....I expect this to change, but only if consumers demand it.

To me we have seen positive growth with the 360, and I expect that we will see other positive growth with the other new machines....I also am not surprised that not everyone is satisfied...Perhaps a Nintendo DS or Sony PSP is truly the most satisfying pure gaming experience for some out there....it just ain't for me...I don't want a return to NES or 2600 functionality, where all I can do is play games....and I want to play on my big screen, in HD, not on a small handheld LCD....

For those that are cautioning of a Video Game crash, I simply remind you that when that happened, at home consoles were still in their relative infancy....my generation (30+) have lived the majority of their lives with a home console, and it has become a normal part of our entertainment....We are the people with disposable income, young kids, and an interest in gaming....and it will be a way for us to connect with our kids that the majority of our parents didn't take advantage of....

Ok, I ran out of steam....good topic though!

[rudyjuly2]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

the "average" gamer which makes up way more of the market than us Hardcore, Gameplay First.... those average tards want an all in one machine. they are sold on that. it's how it is.

I don't think its true that the average gamer wants an all in one machine other than possibly for DVD capabilities. HD DVD/Blue Rae abilities are an unnecessary cost until HDTV is mandatory which is years away. I definately think the average gamer doesn't want to pay more than $199 for a gaming machine which is why next gen sales will stay slow for quite awhile imo. No way the 360 or PS3 sell anywhere close to PS1/PS2 numbers until the prices come way down.

[DaveDQ]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I'm not "Hulking" up, whatever the hell that means. This discussion simply is an offshoot of my original response about what I consider next gen and what I expect from it. Basically, I'm disappointed that MS and Sony expect that gamers want a multimedia device because all I want is a game machine.

That's it.

Take care,
PK

Hulk up, like turning into the Incredible Hulk. You just seem angry. (Your use of words have an angry tone).

Hey, I think we both agree that we want to game. Period. Whether or not we are truly getting "next-gen" games is up for debate, but I never thought we'd see them until 2 years into the 360, and recent titles are hinting that we are closer to the next generation of gaming.

[dubplate]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Gears of War. That game has far surpassed any expectations I had about it (and they were lofty). The game is a blast on-line and off.

[DaveDQ]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

For those that are cautioning of a Video Game crash, I simply remind you that when that happened, at home consoles were still in their relative infancy....my generation (30+) have lived the majority of their lives with a home console, and it has become a normal part of our entertainment....We are the people with disposable income, young kids, and an interest in gaming....and it will be a way for us to connect with our kids that the majority of our parents didn't take advantage of....

It's interesting you bring that up about our parents. You know, I was reading that the Intelliviaion cost 299.99 at it's release in 1979 (I believe). I still can not see my father buying that. I mean, 300.00 at that time was a bunch of money. That was a good chunk of his Dodge Duster.

As you said though, my father never touched that thing. It frustrated him, and he even admitted it. But my brother and I spent hours on it.

The interesting thing for me is that I now have a 2 boys (3 and 1) and one on the way. What better way to connect with them than through videogames. Now, what next-gen system would I get if I were to do that? Definately the Wii. In fact, next Christmas I will probably do so.

[Jistic]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Next Gen is here, GOW. I grew up on Pong, so I'm entirely satisfied.

I think many people are spoiled/jaded. I guess it helps to still have a sense of wonder no matter what your age.

[bcruise]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I personally consider next-gen to simply be the newer released system while the older "lame duck", current gen system is still in use. Once the current gen becomes obsolete, the next gen becomes the new current gen. Graphics and gameplay don't play a whole lot into my my definition.

And by this definition, I do consider the Wii to be next-gen. That doesn't mean I'm trying to compare it to the 360 and PS3, though.

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

The interesting thing for me is that I now have a 2 boys (3 and 1) and one on the way. What better way to connect with them than through videogames.

I can think of many things that help me connect better to my three kids than videogames. Books, music, sports, church, family dinners, family gatherings, board games, card games, etc., etc.

The last thing I want to do is encourage my kids to sit in front of a TV all day, staring into a screen and playing games. Any wonder why child obesity is an epidemic in the U.S.? It's pretty sad that we see more kids -- usually fat -- slobbering all over the video game section at major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target than we see in the bicycle or sporting goods section these days.

When I was a kid in the 70s, you headed straight for the sporting goods section of retailers. That was THE department where you lusted over stuff. New bikes, baseball bats, basketballs, football helmets with the local team's colors, etc.

Plus videogames are like crack needles. We're discerning adults, and we have trouble getting away from the console. How the hell do we expect kids, who don't have a sense of reason and logic, to do it?

I'm sure I'm in the minority with this belief, though, as we live in an era in which the TV is an entertainer and a babysitter. To each their own, and best of luck to all parents.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I think many people are spoiled/jaded. I guess it helps to still have a sense of wonder no matter what your age.

I still have a sense of wonder. But I also have a strict budget that will ensure my three kids a college education, fun activities and a very comfortable retirement for my wife and I.

Take care,
PK

[jdros13]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I'm not telling you how to be a dad, but I can think of many things that help me connect better to my three kids than videogames. Books, music, sports, church, family dinners, family gatherings, board games, card games, etc., etc.

The last thing I want to do is encourage my kids to sit in front of a TV all day, staring into a screen and playing games. Any wonder why child obesity is an epidemic in the U.S.?

I'm sure I'm in the minority with this belief, though, as we live in an era in which the TV is an entertainer and a babysitter. To each their own.

Take care,
PK

*EDIT: I grabbed your original quote that you obviously adjusted, but the point was the same*

I realize that you relish the role of "forum contrarian" on OS, but I think you went a little off point here....

I would imagine that most of us on here are reasonably well adjusted adults / young adults who play video games....my point (which he was commenting on) was that rather than the kids playing the "video game machine" without the parents, it is likely (at least in my house) that it will be another way to be a part of my kids lives.

FYI, not that it is particularly relevant for this conversation, my wife works for the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) specifically dealing with childhood obesity (creates the information that is distributed to doctors and patients). She would be the first to agree with you that excessive TV watching and video game playing contributes to the problem, and that American Kids are spending less time outside than previous generations did. That doesn't mean that parents who utilize a gaming console as another way to interact with their children are "less" of a parent however, and I would argue that it would be more beneficial than just watching TV....

As someone who obviously has a passion about gaming (otherwise I would assume you wouldn't make many of the statements you do about the next-gen consoles) I'm certain that you yourself have spent at least a decent portion of your leisure time in the last 20 years playing games...and possibly even benefited....and if you have 3 kids at home I'm assuming that you have probably even involved them in your passion from time to time....that doesn't mean you discourage them from participating in sports, playing games, reading, having dinner with the family, etc...it just means you have found another level to interact with them on...and that isn't a bad thing.