Sherack Nhar
06-14-2001, 01:33 AM
Even though the PC saw some really impressive titles (SoFII, Galaxies, you name it)at this year's E3, on the console side it was equally, if not even more interesting. With the launch of two big consoles (Gamecube and XBox) only three days apart from each other, the year is truly a great time to be a gamer. But, many people like me can barely afford one console out of the three. Therefore, we must make the right choice, by literally predict which console will be on top down the road. (Note: By saying "on top" I mean the one which will have the biggest installed userbase and support from the 3rd party developpers).
Let's find out the pros and cons of each one:
Nintendo Gamecube
Pros: Obviously enough, the gamecube has arguably the best all-around first party developper that the business has ever known, Nintendo themselves. Every game that Mr. Miyamoto produces is guaranteed to be a true gem. And I'm not even counting the top 2nd party developpers like Rareware, Left Field and Retro Studios. Yes, clearly Nintendo has some dedicated talent behind their newest console.
Besides, judging from the early screenshots provided by E3, Gamecube's hardware pushes graphics to a new level. Games like Rogue Leader and Zelda really set the new standard in next-generation graphics.
Lastly, the Gamecube's 200$ US launch price is just plain awesome. It really puts the Xbox's price to shame, with a hundred dollards difference and three days in advance.
Cons: While Nintendo will undoubtedly provide high quality titles, some people already questions the 3rd party support. While Lucasarts, Sega and a few others hastily jumped on the bandwagon, many talented developpers are still unheard of. Seeing that the Nintendo 64's 3rd party support was sub-par, one can only worry that the Gamecube will have the same fate.
Also, while Nintendo is desperatly trying to get rid of his kiddie image (Conker's Bad Fur Day is a prime example of this) , many people still think that the Gamecube is for children. Through the eyes of the casual gamer, Nintendo is still "for kiddies". And the look and color of the console doesn't help at all...
Sony Playstation2
Pros: Well, the PS2 has one big advantage that the other consoles shall never obtain: a full year to prepare itself against the competition. That means that when the Gamecube and Xbox will come out, the Ps2's library of games will be very big, with 2nd generations titles already on the shelves and 3rd generation titles well under developpement.
Let's not forget about Sony biggest weapon: its massive, hell, gigantic 3rd party support. With the unparalleled success of the original Playstation, developpers and gamers alike from all around the world see the PS2 as "the next big thing". The console's sleek design helps a lot here.
Cons: First, while the Ps2's one year advance is very good software-wise, it is a weakness hardware-wise. The PS2's relatively small total of 32 mb of RAM, the textures look blurry. The hardware is a real problem concerning the PS2. Many developpers already complain about the programming difficulties associated with the console. While many say that the problems are only temporary until the devs can find a way around these problems, it will still hinder its success. While we're still talking hardware, let me add that the Ps2's hardware is very unbalanced. With three processors on-board but only 32 MB of RAM, and a petty "4 MB Graphic Synthetizer", the PS2 is all CPU and nothing else. That means the lighting associated in 3D graphics must be calculated by the CPUs, rather than the graphic processor like the other consoles, which means less power for CPU-only operations like artificial intelligence.
Another problem with the PS2 is that, while this is only temporary, there isn't really a 'killer app' for the console yet. The launch lineup was mediocre at best, and the best sellers like MGS2 and FFX are still months away.
Microsoft Xbox
Pros: Last but certainly not the least is the Xbox. The most obvious quality associated with this console is that the hardware is really advanced, with a 733 mhz processor and a modified, slightly faster Geforce 3 core integrated into the motherboard. The only thing lacking is a small 64 MB of RAM, but that's only compared to the other components. Hell, it even has a hard drive!
Another advantage that Microsoft has is that it seems to be racking up every developpers discouraged by the PS2's difficult programming language (let's not forget that the Xbox runs on a modified Win2000 kernel and uses DirectX8 as its API. That, coupled with a PC-like architecture, makes the Xbox a heaven for PC developpers). Developpers like Oddworld has already shifted developpement in favor of the box. Their title, Munch's Odyssey, is even referred as the console's flagship title. Even Sony's mascot, Crash Bandicoot, is coming to Xbox, fleeing the PS2's programming hell!
Yet another advantage is that Sega, a major developper in the business, is heavily supporting the Xbox with some of its most prized franchises, like Jet Grind Radio. Sega has already announced eleven games for the console, and that's only the beginning!
Cons: The biggest problem that Microsoft will have to face is that, well, it's Microsoft! Many people dislike the company, and won't buy their products just to show off. Personally, I consider Microsoft a very capable company, very dedicated, but unfortunately that's not everyone's opinion. Add to this that since Microsoft is an American company, many japanese devs, including Squaresoft, refuses to give the console a chance. We can't blame them, it's their culture, and we must respect that.
Other that that, the Xbox has another problem. It natively supports broadband connection, but not telephone connections. Since the broadband market is still far away from reaching even 50% of the homes, Microsoft believes that the multiplayer over the net is still not a viable option on the 'box.
Lastly, Microsoft stated repeatedly that the Xbox is NOT a toned down PC. While I agree with them, many people don't and because of that Microsoft is pushing it a bit too far, by refusing the production of a mouse and a keyboard for their console. This is a bad move, since many gamers were already accustomed to the DC's mouse/keyboard combo for Quake 3 and UT. As we PC gamers know, the mouse/keyboard is the best combination for 1st person shooters (yes Vag, and you know it!! :D )...
Whew, that's all. A few things might have been left out, so don't hesitate to add or correct me.
So, what I want to know is, what's your opinion on consoles? Will you buy one? Which one will be on top in a few years? Make your predictions!
Oh, and... FORCE LONG POST!!! :D
[ June 13, 2001: Message edited by: Sherack Nhar ]
Let's find out the pros and cons of each one:
Nintendo Gamecube
Pros: Obviously enough, the gamecube has arguably the best all-around first party developper that the business has ever known, Nintendo themselves. Every game that Mr. Miyamoto produces is guaranteed to be a true gem. And I'm not even counting the top 2nd party developpers like Rareware, Left Field and Retro Studios. Yes, clearly Nintendo has some dedicated talent behind their newest console.
Besides, judging from the early screenshots provided by E3, Gamecube's hardware pushes graphics to a new level. Games like Rogue Leader and Zelda really set the new standard in next-generation graphics.
Lastly, the Gamecube's 200$ US launch price is just plain awesome. It really puts the Xbox's price to shame, with a hundred dollards difference and three days in advance.
Cons: While Nintendo will undoubtedly provide high quality titles, some people already questions the 3rd party support. While Lucasarts, Sega and a few others hastily jumped on the bandwagon, many talented developpers are still unheard of. Seeing that the Nintendo 64's 3rd party support was sub-par, one can only worry that the Gamecube will have the same fate.
Also, while Nintendo is desperatly trying to get rid of his kiddie image (Conker's Bad Fur Day is a prime example of this) , many people still think that the Gamecube is for children. Through the eyes of the casual gamer, Nintendo is still "for kiddies". And the look and color of the console doesn't help at all...
Sony Playstation2
Pros: Well, the PS2 has one big advantage that the other consoles shall never obtain: a full year to prepare itself against the competition. That means that when the Gamecube and Xbox will come out, the Ps2's library of games will be very big, with 2nd generations titles already on the shelves and 3rd generation titles well under developpement.
Let's not forget about Sony biggest weapon: its massive, hell, gigantic 3rd party support. With the unparalleled success of the original Playstation, developpers and gamers alike from all around the world see the PS2 as "the next big thing". The console's sleek design helps a lot here.
Cons: First, while the Ps2's one year advance is very good software-wise, it is a weakness hardware-wise. The PS2's relatively small total of 32 mb of RAM, the textures look blurry. The hardware is a real problem concerning the PS2. Many developpers already complain about the programming difficulties associated with the console. While many say that the problems are only temporary until the devs can find a way around these problems, it will still hinder its success. While we're still talking hardware, let me add that the Ps2's hardware is very unbalanced. With three processors on-board but only 32 MB of RAM, and a petty "4 MB Graphic Synthetizer", the PS2 is all CPU and nothing else. That means the lighting associated in 3D graphics must be calculated by the CPUs, rather than the graphic processor like the other consoles, which means less power for CPU-only operations like artificial intelligence.
Another problem with the PS2 is that, while this is only temporary, there isn't really a 'killer app' for the console yet. The launch lineup was mediocre at best, and the best sellers like MGS2 and FFX are still months away.
Microsoft Xbox
Pros: Last but certainly not the least is the Xbox. The most obvious quality associated with this console is that the hardware is really advanced, with a 733 mhz processor and a modified, slightly faster Geforce 3 core integrated into the motherboard. The only thing lacking is a small 64 MB of RAM, but that's only compared to the other components. Hell, it even has a hard drive!
Another advantage that Microsoft has is that it seems to be racking up every developpers discouraged by the PS2's difficult programming language (let's not forget that the Xbox runs on a modified Win2000 kernel and uses DirectX8 as its API. That, coupled with a PC-like architecture, makes the Xbox a heaven for PC developpers). Developpers like Oddworld has already shifted developpement in favor of the box. Their title, Munch's Odyssey, is even referred as the console's flagship title. Even Sony's mascot, Crash Bandicoot, is coming to Xbox, fleeing the PS2's programming hell!
Yet another advantage is that Sega, a major developper in the business, is heavily supporting the Xbox with some of its most prized franchises, like Jet Grind Radio. Sega has already announced eleven games for the console, and that's only the beginning!
Cons: The biggest problem that Microsoft will have to face is that, well, it's Microsoft! Many people dislike the company, and won't buy their products just to show off. Personally, I consider Microsoft a very capable company, very dedicated, but unfortunately that's not everyone's opinion. Add to this that since Microsoft is an American company, many japanese devs, including Squaresoft, refuses to give the console a chance. We can't blame them, it's their culture, and we must respect that.
Other that that, the Xbox has another problem. It natively supports broadband connection, but not telephone connections. Since the broadband market is still far away from reaching even 50% of the homes, Microsoft believes that the multiplayer over the net is still not a viable option on the 'box.
Lastly, Microsoft stated repeatedly that the Xbox is NOT a toned down PC. While I agree with them, many people don't and because of that Microsoft is pushing it a bit too far, by refusing the production of a mouse and a keyboard for their console. This is a bad move, since many gamers were already accustomed to the DC's mouse/keyboard combo for Quake 3 and UT. As we PC gamers know, the mouse/keyboard is the best combination for 1st person shooters (yes Vag, and you know it!! :D )...
Whew, that's all. A few things might have been left out, so don't hesitate to add or correct me.
So, what I want to know is, what's your opinion on consoles? Will you buy one? Which one will be on top in a few years? Make your predictions!
Oh, and... FORCE LONG POST!!! :D
[ June 13, 2001: Message edited by: Sherack Nhar ]