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"Bribery?"

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Wed 02/05/01 at 13:01
Regular
Posts: 787
Is this, or is this not, alarming:

http://ps2.ign.com/news/34075.html


So, are we to assume that the only way that X-Box software can be made 'better' than other platforms is by MS bribing softco's to deliberately leave out certain functions and capabilities which other platforms are perfectly capable of?

It seems that they don't have too much faith in the over-all attraction of their machine.

I see a dangerous precedent being set here, and would fully expect many similar issues arising in the future in petty 't**-for-tat' exclusivity deals.
Wed 02/05/01 at 22:43
Regular
"Whatever!"
Posts: 9,320
How can X-Box be anything other than a success when all it needs is a bung here and there - How can developers leave out certain features to make one game better than the rest - Does this now mean that other versions are not going to be worthwhile? It sucks!!
The way Microsoft are handling the X-Box at the moment its almost as if they are afraid of something!!
Wed 02/05/01 at 16:01
Regular
"Eric The Half A Bee"
Posts: 5,347
I suppose it all depends how far you want to go to get the
> best game.

It depends how far MS and Sony are willing to go to get control of the market...

When MS first released details of the X-Box they stated that they intended to claim total market dominace...

Is pretty much guarenteed that one of Nintendo, Sony and MS will be killled off over the next few years...

BUT, and lets have a game of "what
> if's", what if the money the Microsoft pays helps to keep the
> developer going, and they can then continue to make games for all
> platforms?

Would it matter? Is MS and Sony are the only players, game quality is going to hold second place to game sales... why buy dodgy titles to keep small companies alive?

This isnt a such a slur against MS and Sony... they are businesses after all... And are doing nothing wrong by attempting to turn over a profit...

It just doesnt mean that we should accept anything they decide to throw at us...
Wed 02/05/01 at 15:54
Regular
Posts: 14,117
Blimey! I've stirred up a right wasps nest with this havent i!!!!

I suppose it all depends how far you want to go to get the best game.

If you have no scruples then you will still buy an X-Box. If you have no idea that microsoft do this sort of thing, (ie most people), then you will still buy an X-Box.

I can see your point of view.

BUT, and lets have a game of "what if's", what if the money the Microsoft pays helps to keep the developer going, and they can then continue to make games for all platforms?

Admittedly, that would only happen to small developers, as big developer wouldn't need to take the money, so they won't accept MS's offer......... or would they? If they do, then surely you should start to doubt the developer for accepting the offer, as well as MS for creating the offer.
Wed 02/05/01 at 15:49
"High polygon count"
Posts: 15,624
It's because the games are important that I personally am shying away from it.

If The Matrix - or any other game - was on X-Box, PS2 and GameCube, and the X-Box had the best version fair and square, then fine - I'd have no hesitation.

But if the X-Box only has the best games because Microsoft pay developers to 'cripple' other versions, then I object to giving them my money. For me, this is far worse than buying simple 'exclusive' rights to a game, as with Munch's Oddyssey.

Also, if the X-box is as almighty as they'd have us believe, they'd be so convinced of its superiority that they wouldn't need to 'cripple' other versions, which for me raises a few doubts about the platform anyway.

As I said earlier, I haven't ruled out buying an X-Box just yet - but, in my case, Microsoft's plan has backfired; rather than helping to guarantee a sale (I love the Matrix movie), they've made it a little less likely. Fair enough, I alone will have no impact on X-Box sales, but I can guarantee that I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Wed 02/05/01 at 15:49
Regular
Posts: 14,117
I thought two faced was the wrong word, perhaps contradictorary is better?

All im saying is, you yourself have mentioned that its the quality of the games that should sell the hardware.

Who care's if they doctor screenshots, change features etc?

As long as the final game is good, surely thats all that matters?
Wed 02/05/01 at 15:46
Regular
"Eric The Half A Bee"
Posts: 5,347
Your Honour wrote:
> I think you two are forgettnig the real reason for buying a console.
> You, indeed every right minded person, keeps saying that it's the
> games that count.

So how come you're both put off buying an X-Box
> due to marketing? It seems a little, im no sure if this is the right
> word, two faced?

I think of the right word, but im sure you know
> what i mean :-)

??? How can it be two faced?...

I'm not selling the X-Box when Bill Gates is in the room and slagging it off when its not...

Loads of reasons why not to buy an PS2 or X-Box based on their actions...

Partly because their business strategy means we, the gamers lose out...

Theres no better way to stop this kind of practice than if companies who perform these sort of practicies lose money...

If by using these tactics Sony and MS's knock Nintendo out of the picture... then they will continue with them... and the only loser will be the consumer...

It may seem a little extreame.. but go with me on this :)....

If the third reiche prodiced the best consoles (say it was a cray with a DVD player atached delling for 50 quid) ... and had the best games... I wouldnt buy their machine...


Wed 02/05/01 at 15:34
Regular
Posts: 14,117
I think you two are forgettnig the real reason for buying a console. You, indeed every right minded person, keeps saying that it's the games that count.

So how come you're both put off buying an X-Box due to marketing? It seems a little, im no sure if this is the right word, two faced?

I think of the right word, but im sure you know what i mean :-)
Wed 02/05/01 at 15:02
Regular
"Eric The Half A Bee"
Posts: 5,347
Compaired to some of the actions Microsoft have taken to help ensure success with their product... this is positivly generous :)

But I know what you mean... I've been moving steadily toward the GC party myself over the past few months...

They seem to be the only company not employing dodgy marketing tactics...

(especially since most of Sonys and MS's menouvers have ment a loss more from the consumer and less a swip at their rivals...
Wed 02/05/01 at 14:23
"High polygon count"
Posts: 15,624
All valid points, but my opinion is that I'd rather have no game than a restricted game.

If 'my' platform's version of a game is inferior in any way, I can live with that *if* the limitations are imposed by the system itself, or through a 'true' exclusivity deal - as with Munch's Oddyssey.

However, if it is because another company has *paid* someone to omit features in a bid to try and force me to buy another platform, then that makes me angry. I mean what's next? "You can only make game X run at the lowest available resolution on platform Y, so that it doesn't look anywhere near as good as our version."

I still don't rule out buying an X-Box, but it's certainly made me take a step away from it, and towards GameCube, should ever feel the need to supplement my PS2.
Wed 02/05/01 at 13:24
Regular
"Eric The Half A Bee"
Posts: 5,347
Wòókiee Møn§†€R wrote:
> True - but neither insist that features are deliberately excluded
> from third-party games which are available on other platforms.

Well.. no... but most instst that the games NEVER appear on any other platform...

It
> gives the impression that they're not convinced that their hardware
> alone is capable of supporting features that other platforms can't,
> so instead they're paying companies *not* to put features in
> versions on those other platforms.

Sounds to me like they want people to say... the PS2 version is good... but the X-Box version can do this, andthis, etc.. so I'll grab an X-Box

Personally, I think Sony and
> Nintendo will find it amusing; MS seem concerned that they won't
> compete otherwise.

I agree that Microsoft are a dirty backstabbing company...

Although I do think it would be nieve (or however its spelt :) ) to think that Sony et al. are ANY different... I'll bet Sony are just annoyed they didnt think of the idea first?

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