My Lesson in Buying a Console System

[scrapser]

A couple weeks ago I bought the new Xbox 360. I have been keeping an eye on the console industry over the years but not really paying attention at a level one would if they owned a system. I wish I had.

Consoles (any console system) are years behind PC hardware and High Definition television in terms of graphics. This was my biggest shock.

You see lots of ads on TV for FPS games on consoles and yet the controllers they use suck for FPS compared to keyboard and mouse control. You would think they'd at least offer an optional controller tailored for FPS games using a thumb trackball. This was my second biggest shock.

Ninety-nine percent of all console games can only manage 720P screen resolution which makes them look like cartoons compared to widescreen monitors using 1920x1200. The new Xbox upconverts to 1080P but it still looks like crap.

And yet with all this, the market for console systems and games is huge. Retail stores barely support PC games.

The world is truly a strange place.

[Arclight]

I think it's because it's more likely for a console to be available to a kid than a gaming PC. In comparison, consoles are a lot cheaper than a "specialised" PC with the proper hardware. As a result, most kids grow up with consoles to play games on, never experiencing gaming on a PC firsthand.

I guess sitting 2m away from a TV helps hide the comparatively poor graphics as well, but then it should be said that graphics don't make the game in the first place.


Given the average Xbox user's intelligence, as presented (or stereotyped) in YT videos, it's probably for the best they stick to consoles anyway.

[ajrimmer42]

Gran Turismo 5. That's all I'm saying

[Spike88]

Originally Posted by ajrimmer42

Gran Turismo 5. That's all I'm saying

I concur. You should of gone with a Ps3 for Gran Turismo 5, free multiplayer, and built in blu-ray player.

[TheBrauerHour]

I have owned an Xbox, Playstation, PS2 and currently my children have a Wii. I want a PS3 for the sports Games (Baseball, Football and Soccer), but all these game systems cost so much.

If they ever drop the price of a PS3 to $199, I will buy, but until then, I will just let the kids play.

[Task Force]

Yea, I dont understand some of the people who I know with consoles...

The main thing I hear them say is "Oah, how great the graphics are" I look at them and think... "what world do you live on..."

Also most games Ive seen for the Xbox are mainstream, stupid games taylored to a kid with the attetion span of a fly. Who dosent knotice how fugly the graphics are because there is a explosion going off every other second.

Most of the people I know who are console gamers would go crazy playing a PC game, If I was to give them DCS Blackshark there head would probably explode...

[Wolfehunter]

Originally Posted by scrapser

A couple weeks ago I bought the new Xbox 360. I have been keeping an eye on the console industry over the years but not really paying attention at a level one would if they owned a system. I wish I had.

Consoles (any console system) are years behind PC hardware and High Definition television in terms of graphics. This was my biggest shock.

You see lots of ads on TV for FPS games on consoles and yet the controllers they use suck for FPS compared to keyboard and mouse control. You would think they'd at least offer an optional controller tailored for FPS games using a thumb trackball. This was my second biggest shock.

Ninety-nine percent of all console games can only manage 720P screen resolution which makes them look like cartoons compared to widescreen monitors using 1920x1200. The new Xbox upconverts to 1080P but it still looks like crap.

And yet with all this, the market for console systems and games is huge. Retail stores barely support PC games.

The world is truly a strange place.

Console system is a scam. But it sells. More and more fall for its gimics. I got my PS3 for free while buying a laptop for my wife. I only use the PS3 for blue-ray movies. works great for that.

Also needing online activation of you account to play some games. Jezz..

my brother still plays his PS2 and won't get any newer console. Doen't like the idea of monitoring and having to sign up to stuff for a stupid game. not worth the headaches and I agree with him.

I'll stick to PC games.

[Lionclaw]

My 360 is behaving oddly, pausing a movie DVD for a few minutes locks it up and won't respond. Red ring of death if I restart it.

Once it froze on the start-up sequence.


I wonder if it's dying or if it's the power supply cable, since it's at an awkward angle just after the plug that's connected to the console. Basically a U shape.

If it's indeed dying, it only lasted 2 years and 2 months.


EDIT: According to Xbox support it could be power supply issue. Perhaps there's some damage to the wiring inside the part of the cable that's bent like a U.

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by Wolfehunter

Also needing online activation of you account to play some games. Jezz..

my brother still plays his PS2 and won't get any newer console. Doen't like the idea of monitoring and having to sign up to stuff for a stupid game. not worth the headaches and I agree with him.

There isn't one single disc based game for the PS3 that needs you to be online with an activated PSN account, not one, unless you want to engage in online MP.

The only games that require accounts/activation and a net connection are those bought from the PSN store but you/your brother won't even know about them if the console is not online with a PSN account.

The PS3 can be used just like the PS2, completely offline, with no net connection and if a game requires newer firmware then it's included on the disc.

I suppose PC gaming is better in that respect, I mean having a UBI account, EA account, R* account etc etc.......compared to my single PSN account......

[Dowly]

Dan, you REALLY should consider applying to some PR job for Sony.

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Dan, you REALLY should consider applying to some PR job for Sony.

LOL, tell me about it.

I want commission too. Last week I got them 2 Vaio and 3 PS3 sales. Where's my kickback?

[Wolfehunter]

Originally Posted by danlisa

There isn't one single disc based game for the PS3 that needs you to be online with an activated PSN account, not one, unless you want to engage in online MP.

The only games that require accounts/activation and a net connection are those bought from the PSN store but you/your brother won't even know about them if the console is not online with a PSN account.

The PS3 can be used just like the PS2, completely offline, with no net connection and if a game requires newer firmware then it's included on the disc.

I suppose PC gaming is better in that respect, I mean having a UBI account, EA account, R* account etc etc.......compared to my single PSN account......

Sure your right. If you don't want updates or patch fixes for games. If you don't connect it to the net it act like the old PS2 system. Newer games will require PSN accounts. Has nothing to do with multiplayer. Thats there new policies changes that came out a year or two ago.. When does sony plan to enforce this? I have no idea. its just written there for now.

i have the email somewhere.. to lazy to bring it out. Anyhow I don't play console games nor do I play PC games that have uber DRMs like ubisoft.

Those few DRM games I do buy I fix them so there not intrusive.

[Highbury]

I have a console, but only use it for games that are just not available on the PC. Which basically means EA Sports games lol. Of those I really only play the NHL games, which is why my Xbox is usually referred to as my hockey box.

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by Wolfehunter

Sure your right. If you don't want updates or patch fixes for games. If you don't connect it to the net it act like the old PS2 system. Newer games will require PSN accounts. Has nothing to do with multiplayer. Thats there new policies changes that came out a year or two ago.. When does sony plan to enforce this? I have no idea. its just written there for now.

I know exactly what you're referencing. I have all the revisions of the Terms of Service for the Playstation Network (PSN) and the Terms and Conditions for the Firmware Updates released so far for the PS3....Long story but I was pi$$ed at them for removing my Linux option....anyway.....

The parts they amended in both T&Cs was to do with trend data collection for all existing and future PSN accounts. Much the same as Google do in Chrome, M$ in IE etc.......basically, like it or not, if you have a PS3 + PSN account Sony can collect any data (not private) they like without prior permission. They also added the fixed requirement that some/future digital content (obtained from the PS Store) may require the owner to be signed in to even start the game. Heck, I have 2 of these games already. Not signed in = no play, but again if you're PS3 is not online you can't get this content anyway.

However, there has never been (or will there be in this generation) the forced requirement to create a PSN account and to have the PS3 connected to the internet as a requirement for any future disc based games. Perhaps the PS4 but not this time around.

Which games does your brother think he is being forced to create an account for?

[Wolfehunter]

Originally Posted by danlisa

I know exactly what you're referencing. I have all the revisions of the Terms of Service for the Playstation Network (PSN) and the Terms and Conditions for the Firmware Updates released so far for the PS3....Long story but I was pi$$ed at them for removing my Linux option....anyway.....

The parts they amended in both T&Cs was to do with trend data collection for all existing and future PSN accounts. Much the same as Google do in Chrome, M$ in IE etc.......basically, like it or not, if you have a PS3 + PSN account Sony can collect any data (not private) they like without prior permission. They also added the fixed requirement that some/future digital content (obtained from the PS Store) may require the owner to be signed in to even start the game. Heck, I have 2 of these games already. Not signed in = no play, but again if you're PS3 is not online you can't get this content anyway.

However, there has never been (or will there be in this generation) the forced requirement to create a PSN account and to have the PS3 connected to the internet as a requirement for any future disc based games. Perhaps the PS4 but not this time around.

Which games does your brother think he is being forced to create an account for?

He doesn't care. He's not even going there. Regardless of the possible future changes. He has enough games for his PS2 to last him many years.. And then borrow my PC games on top..

He's not a hardcore gamer like me. He doesn't burn through games like I do.