the 360 excitement thread • Gaming • Xbox 360 • Eurogamer.net

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 22:15:28 8,934 posts
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Launch is about two months away now and my anticipation for it is reaching the same level as it did with Halo 2/Zelda 64/PS2. It's making me giddy.

Just think, for the entire life span of Xbox 360 every single game will be Xbox Live "enabled", which means you may not be able to actually play anything online but you will always be "seen" online, you will always be connected to the Live network and be able to recieve game invites at any point of any game at any time of the day.

Look at how sweet the GamerProfile is too. It tracks the amount of time you've played each game, total time you've played your 360, and you're given a ranking-- which deters people from being assholes over XBL. Shit like that is really cool, regardless of how minor it is.

Plus the headset doesn't look like it'll break, the standard controllers are wireless, and there is that Xbox Guide button right in the middle of each controller, to bring up the XBL interface that connects all XBL owners to each other. Millions of people in a connected, unified, intuitive system from all over the world--still connected, regardless of the game you're playing. It's about time this happened, and Microsoft deserves serious kudos for making it happen faster than it normally would have in a home console environment.

Not to mention the console design is about 5000 times better than the first Xbox. Games are going to use high definition TV's. The controller is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. Microsoft is now trusted, experienced, and with millions of loyal gamers from Day 1.

And when I consider how much fun I've had with the first Xbox, and how much exponentially more developed the 360 is as a whole, and with Sony being forced to work its ass off against the always-gaining Microsoft I can tell you this: this is going to be, by far, the greatest generation of consoles ever.

The X360/PS3 games are going to F'ing rock far more than they ever did with XBOX/PS2.

Come November 22nd, this is what I'm buying:

Xbox 360 Premium Edition
Additional Controller
Addtional XBL Headset
2 Rechargable Battery Packs
2 or 3 Games

Ahh, sweet sweet gaming nirvana.

morriss 24 Sep 2005 22:17:25 71,293 posts
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k.o.t.i wrote:

Is very excited, gaming is coming of age.

It better be. Been waiting..what..about 24 years for this apparent 'coming of age'

silentbob 24 Sep 2005 22:17:30 29,527 posts
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k.o.t.i wrote:
Is very excited, gaming is coming of age.

Again.

Syrette 24 Sep 2005 22:17:34 51,181 posts
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i'm very excited about it too. still feel that theres something missing regardless though.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 22:19:38 8,934 posts
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forever, I feel it's missing something too: Halo 3.

morriss 24 Sep 2005 22:20:12 71,293 posts
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Bill Gates is Evil wrote:
forever, I feel it's missing something too: Halo 3.

ditto

morriss 24 Sep 2005 22:20:40 71,293 posts
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Bill-Lumberg wrote:
Meh.

here we go.

morriss 24 Sep 2005 22:24:23 71,293 posts
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Bill Gates is Evil wrote:

Come November 22nd, this is what I'm buying:

Xbox 360 Premium Edition
Additional Controller
Addtional XBL Headset
2 Rechargable Battery Packs
2 or 3 Games

Ahh, sweet sweet gaming nirvana.

Rechargeable battery packs??? For the wireless controllers?

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 22:27:21 8,934 posts
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Pirotic gives a good illustration of the greatness of a new console:

Next gen consoles are almost upon us. And as always, im getting giddy about prospect plugging in that new hardware for the first time. Tearing apart the little plastic bags, taking off the wire tidies. holding the pad for the first time, feeling its weight and checking where the buttons are etc..

I've never agreed with the idea that some past console generations were better than the current one. I think it significantly gets better each time. I probably wouldn't be playing videogames without the development of online gaming on consoles.

A lot of people look to the past and are then flooded with the emotions associated with nostalgia-- which I think skews how much they really enjoyed playing videogames in the past. Games are much better now.

phAge 24 Sep 2005 22:28:26 25,487 posts
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morriss wrote:
Rechargeable battery packs??? For the wireless controllers?

Er, yes...

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 22:29:24 8,934 posts
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yes morriss, the $11.99 rechargeable battery packs for my wireless controllers. why the weird reaction... am I forgetting something?

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 22:30:50 8,934 posts
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there is also the $19.99 "Play and Charge" Kit, which obviously lets you plug the wireless controller and charge at the same time.

may get that. not sure.

Khab 24 Sep 2005 22:38:31 6,583 posts
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Well, it's a nice machine... but I still haven't seen any games that'll make me want to buy it. I mean something that's a significant development over what we have now, and preferrably not just in the eye-candy department, either. : /

It took two years into the last 'box's lifespan until KotOR showed and I really desired one... if I was to get a 360 at launch it'd be purely based on wanting a new toy, not out of a specific desire for a 360 in itself. Which is a shame.

It's possibly a consequence of being first, though, that most games are just upgrades of what we have/were supposed to get on this gen.

Not to ruin your excitement though, I'm sure it'll be super, especially for those of you with HDTVs.

If I had a phat plasma I might consider that a significant improvement...

/ponders

lost_soul 24 Sep 2005 22:49:44 9,372 posts
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Open the bay doors, koti.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 22:50:58 8,934 posts
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I think there is a tendency for people to expect this massive leap in graphics and games. SNES to N64 was a big leap for Nintendo gamers.

But with each generation, for as far as I can see, will still be 3D to 3D: which means games aren't going to change a great deal, they'll just become more refined. The concepts inherent in 3D games do not have the reason to evolve with new technology, because the concepts do not rely on technology beyond the point of having 3D capabilities.

So yes indeed, it's going to take ideas to create new experiences: not technology. The tech is only good for making better and more immersive games, but not "different" games.

I think this is the reason Microsoft puts so much emphasis on Xbox Live: it's the next step after 3D, in some ways. It can create new games, new experiences.

It allows a European like Khab to play with an American like myself in a cooperative game of Rainbow Six, for instance, where we must be in sync in regards to tactics and our plan of approach.

That's the next step after 3D-- something the PC has been doing for a long time, but which Microsoft is striving to perfect for the millions of console gamers.

I wouldn't be the least bit excited about Xbox 360 without Xbox Live.

Deleted user 24 September 2005 22:59:52

My excitement's gone up a little since those PDZ scans were posted.

Can't wait for Xmas.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:02:34 8,934 posts
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I'm more excited with Call of Duty 2, PGR 3, Ghost Recon 3, Elder Scrolls, Tiger Woods Golf, and Top Spin 2....

Only some, possibly none, of which will be available on Day 1.

Deleted user 24 September 2005 23:03:11

k.o.t.i wrote:
** NOT COMMERCIAL **

PSP and 360!

Who wouldn't be.

Game Boy Micro too?

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:05:44 8,934 posts
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PSP has been a huge disappointment-- no good games yet.

That and I really can't ever find myself playing handheld games anymore. I don't take trains and the only real opportunity I would have to play a PSP is at home, when I'm sitting next to my home consoles.

Deleted user 24 September 2005 23:07:01

Bill Gates is Evil wrote:
PSP has been a huge disappointment-- no good games yet.

Virtua Tennis, Ridge Racer, Everybody's Golf, Wipeout Pure, Burnout Legends and Lumines?

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:13:40 8,934 posts
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K.O.T.I. PSP doesn't "have" GTA though.

I don't doubt that PSP is going to eventually have some really great games, but that's not my point.

For me, I find Console to Portable conversions pointless. If I wanted to play a console-style game, I'll use a console.

I'm looking forward more to games that play well on portable games: strategy, RPGs... games that do not require the twitch reaction of DeathGibbons list.

And I also do not deny PSP's potential for success: in fact, I believe the PSP will eventually surpass Nintendo in the portable market.

Deleted user 24 September 2005 23:14:39

You can get Tales of Eternia on import and there's a few strategy games coming out.

I think Level 5 are doing something too for PSP.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:18:46 8,934 posts
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Rhythm, I found the early killing of Xbox to be a bit disappointing as well: you're right, there are so many great games recently released and on the horizon that it's a bit sad.

But I do understand Microsoft's reason for killing it early: to be more in sync with Sony. And the Xbox 360 will most definitely last longer than it otherwise would have because of the early killing of the Xbox.

A good thing is that Microsoft will probably make just about all of the best Xbox 1 games compatible with the 360... if you're willing to shell out for the harddrive.

I'm just ready to get rid of black brick myself.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:20:26 8,934 posts
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As soon as PSP gets more strategy/RPG/puzzle games, my views will change. I have no doubt that PSP will be getting plenty for those genres either.

It's just at present, the lineup doesn't do it for me.

Khab 24 Sep 2005 23:24:44 6,583 posts
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While you wait for those PSP games, I'll just play Rebelstar: Tactical Command, ok?

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:31:03 8,934 posts
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lol, nice.

I'm stuck inside today, fuckin hurricane making for rather bad weather.

may go grab a beer.

Khab and Koti, let me know when there is a portable strategy game than can be played online with a WiFi connection.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 24 Sep 2005 23:54:56 8,934 posts
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I don't recall a single launch that has occurred in my lifetime that hasn't been considered "rushed". It comes with every launch, especially the first of the generation. The saving grace of launch day is that keep in mind: it only gets better from here.

Aside from the difficulty of programming with three cores, I haven't heard of any problems with Xbox 360 itself... I have heard that it is really well balanced and has no obvious bottlenecks.

Pirotic Moderator 25 Sep 2005 00:03:38 20,644 posts
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I dont know, the playstation consoles never seem rushed at all - if anything sony seems to delay them as long as possible as the current gen stuff is selling so well despite its age.

It's always the same, the winner of the current gen is happy to sit back with the advantage and the runners up have to make the next move. Sega did it with the dreamcast which is, probably the best console we've seen in the last 5/6 years and that got ground into the dirt simply by the hype of sonys machine.

you can compete in the hardware market nowadays without actually having to release hardware it seems. hype and PR alone is enough to kill of your opponents then you are free to release a rather unbalanced, underpowered machine and rake in the �� again.

< is bitter that the DC didn't do well still.

Bill-Gates-is-Evil 25 Sep 2005 00:09:23 8,934 posts
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And I have every expectation that Xbox 360 is going to be an extremely successful console. Way more successful than Xbox 1. Market share at the end of this generation is probably going to be very close between Sony and Microsoft-- and do not disregard the possibility Xbox 360 could ultimately outsell PS3. It's possible. PS2 has outsold Xbox by what ratio, 3.5:1? 4:1?

Think of all thats changed for Microsoft since. An early launch with huge momentum as opposed to a late launch with no momentum. Microsoft also has a probable price advantage for this entire generation over Sony-- leaving the already financially strapped Sony with little breathing room. These are huge fundamental advantages that Microsoft didn't have in the last generation that they do now.

The point of this post is not to go into console wars, only to reaffirm the fact that X360 is going to be extremely successful at retail: and this is the guarantee that it will have a lot of really great games.

There is a lot of good reasons to be excited about the Xbox 360.