Xbox Live . . . Trouble in River City?

[Taqwa11]

In case most of you don't know, the Trouble in River City reference comes from the old musical The Music Man. Now . . .

Check out this article on Xbox's explosion onto the multiplayer scene. Does it spell trouble for PC gaming? I think so. Decide for yourselves.

Here's the link and a tast of what it's about:

http://tech.msn.com/ip/msnartxbox.asp

Ten reasons to sign up with Xbox Live:

10. Signing up doesn't suck.

We were going to try to tell you that signing up is cool and fun, but we know you'd call us on that. So we're just going to point out that signing up is not a huge, nasty, painful process. When you get an Xbox Live subscription, you'll also get a subscription code. You enter this into the Xbox Dashboard, follow simple instructions on the screen, and bada bing, bada boom, you're signed up! How do you get a subscription code? It comes with your Xbox Live Starter Kit, of course.

9. You get a secret identity.

When you sign up you get to pick a "Gamertag" that will be your online identity. You can choose any Gamertag you want as long as it's not vulgar or offensive and no one else has already picked it. Your first instinct will probably be to pick something tough and intimidating like Headbasher or Spleenmuncher, but consider choosing something that will give potential foes a false sense of security like PansyLad or DiaperBaby. Just a thought.

8. Passcodes protect your rep.

So you've got your account all set up and you're plowing your way through the competition as DiaperBaby. The online world fears DiaperBaby. The thought of taking on DiaperBaby makes them need a diaper. Then someone

[undsputed]

I am myself considering an xbox or ps2. I thought I would wait and see some opinions of xbox live, which should appear over the next few days.

The xbox is similar to a computer anyway...it has a harddrive and all. There is almost a sort of converging between consoles and computers.

If anything, I will likely end up with a PS2. It has most of the same games as the xbox and a few good ones that aren't on xbox (like grand theft auto). Anyone have some opinions on these systems? Any xbox or PS2 system owners here?

[Taqwa11]

My wife just got a part-time job. She says the first thing she's going to buy is an Xbox for the kids. Xbox is 200 dollars. A decent computer to game with is over 1000. My kids have a decent computer and a lot of games. My son plays Emperor a bit, but all his friends have Xbox or PS2, so he wants one too. Do you think that the console gaming invasion of the internet is going to hurt the PC game industry? I can't see it being any good for us PC gamers.

[DjCiD]

I was undecided, my brother had a P2 and got the Xbox. Then I made up my mind Xbox baby ^-^. I know everyone says "Well P2 has way more games out", well duh ::)... P2 has been out longer. Xbox is just a year old and is Celibrating with Live how cool. Buy the system and its ready as long as you have broadban. P2 you have to buy a $100-$200 attachment. In rebutal P2 come DVD ready, you can use the controller. Well if you hurry you can buy an Xbox and the DVD remote and get a rebate for the price of the remote so in the end it's just the same (but the offer does end soon :-). Back to online Xbox has built the server so the game companies can just work on the games. P2 and Gamecube its up to the game companies how to host the games online. Now some game companies dont like the idea of hosting the games. Like EA said they didnt want Madden to be live because they feel it will be giving Microsoft to much of EA customers privacy (probaly just scared Microsoft will rip off their game ^-^). If I'm not mistaken EA is boycotting Microsoft for doing Live and wont make any games for Xbox Live :O Well if they didnt piss me off enuff with dumping EmpBFD this puts it over the limit... EA can {EXPLETIVE DELETED}!! >:(

Now Some ppl see the Xbox as nothing but a PC and take the additude well I like my PC game on a PC not a console. Well that sounds like a god idea... but since the xbox is a PC in a box think abou this. Would it make more since for game companies to make games for PC's that varry in almost every aspect possible or to make a game for a suped-up PC that everyone has the same type of? I think its smarter to go for the PC in the box cause that way the game compaines can really push the game and try to push the lilmts of the Xbox, while with a PC if you make a game thats a system mim of suped-up then not every one can play it. Look at Generals for example... even good ol Doc says the system min is a lil high and not everyone will meet up to it... its in a thread some where ;)

But ya know the choice is yours, do some more research and choose the one you like (most places will let you return it within a amount of time and you can always get the other ;))

But if I had to choose again I would still go Xbox ^-^

[undsputed]

Hmm......I think PC gaming will be okay. The one major advantage PC's have is the constant changing of graphics....they are always improving. But then again, some may look for stability and not want to buy a new computer or new video cards and just go to a console out of simplicity (like I may do).

However, for students in college and those older, they may just go computer, since the computer can not only play games but also write a document in word or develop a spreadsheet. No console can do that. So, it offers more value in that sense.

[Gobalopper]

PC's are better for games that use the mouse a lot like an RTS whereas consoles are still more arcade style games. And consoles are heading toward being more like computers that was one of things MS tried to do with the Xbox. I think computers will either become cheaper or consoles will become more like computers.

[Acriku]

The thing with Xbox and PC's, is that Xbox is a pc with console games and a console controller. You get the best of both, the high specs of a computer and hardware of a computer, and the great games that come only for console, or both for console and pc. But think of this : You get a high spec "computer" for 200$ by buying Xbox! You also can get 2 games, a DVD remote, and an extra controller! For 200$!

Xbox is truly the best of the consoles, but PC will always be the best.

[DjCiD]

Yeah I couldnt try to imagine playing EmpBFD with a controller. Games like that belong on PC whle RPG games are best on consoles... IMHO they play better with a controller. ^-^

[exatreide]

i played RA1 with a controler and kicked ass :)

It just takes a litle getting use to but besides that its easy as eating haroin filled pancakes, kinda chalky but good.

[Andrew]

with computers you can update the game. change more graphics/options. and get mods and etc for a game.

[DjCiD]

and the same goes for XBox Live You can down load new maps and mechs for MechAssault and TC-Splinter Cell. They said its just like getting an exspansion pack and downloadables for the PC games.

[undsputed]

I'm gonna start another thread about PS2 vs xbox I think. That would be a good debate for that....lots of people get into heated arguments about that all the time =)

Personally, I'm dead in the middle of the two at the moment. There are games on one I like that aren't on the other and vice versa. There are several games I like that are on both systems. Be careful what games you get your kids Taq, cause I saw they are becoming much more liberal. I wouldn't mind buying something like Grand Theft Auto but I'm not sure that would be good for a kid, at least under ten (but then again, I was raised without much limits and I'm fine.....I saw a lot of horror films...hehe).

There is one game called Deathrow that looks great for XBOX. It is aimed at older audiences also, since I think they actually say some serious swearing. Make sure to look for the "M" rating this xmas Taq =)

[Acriku]

That'd be a good idea, but no fanboys! Can't stand little children shouting their's is the best without backing it up with FACTS not opinions.

[DjCiD]

I take it you didnt see my post in the thread then :P

http://www.dune2k.com/forum/index.php?board=29;action=display;threadid=7235