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Sony have confirmed it. Blu-Ray will be a featured component in what is set to be their most lucrative bussiness move to date.
For those that don't know, DVD is already becoming outdated. Already you can get view high definition TV, that even surpasses that of DVD. In other words you can be watching Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and it'll look better than the latest Star Wars DVD's.
Does this seem right to you? No indeed it doesn't and 2 major companies also agree this. These 2 major companies have developed 2 new forms of movie media, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
Sony, along with a whole host of other top names, back the Blu-Ray medium to be the next big thing in home entertainment. It is a massive 50GB in size, looks pretty funky and with it being included in the Playstation 3 will autmatically put Blu-Ray in millions and millions of homes worldwide. Hollywood would almost have to support the Blu-Ray system simply because the popularity of the Playstation brand will mean millions will have the ability to play them already. Sony will add pressure with their Tri-star, Columbia and MGM studios... Spiderman, Terminator and Bond already on Blu-Ray. Watch the new system fly.
Unless something incredibly unlikely happens, such as the PSP flops and the PSTwo fails to start then it is likely Sony will be looking at a steam rolling win for the next generation of consoles.
There is one negative aspect of Blu-Ray. Because it doesn't use the simple red laser system for DVD's (something that is now very cheap to implement) and uses Blue laser, it'll mean the cost of the system will be jacked up. Either Sony will have to release it at a high price, wait an extra amount of time or just suffer a loss on the system. The latter isn't something Sony have ever been willing to do.
It is this PS3 decision that makes the Blu-Ray's competitor, the HD-DVD, look bad. Although the system is cheaper to implement the size of the medium is a mere 22GB, under half that of Blu-Ray.
But hope may remain. It is possible that Microsoft's next system, codenamed Xenon, will use it. Microsoft are desperate to release a cheap system out of the box and not to suffer the price point themselves like they are with the X-box. Already they are removing the Hard drive and to incorperate something like Blu-Ray will mean the Xenon will launch at a very high price. In fact Microsoft are hoping to get a years head start (late 2005) on the competiton and Blu-Ray will be even more expensive to use. If Microsoft want a competitive medium HD-DVD may be the only way.
Microsoft with the weaker system is almost a complete role reversal from the current generation.
What of Nintendo? Who honestly knows. No one. Rumours persist that Nintendo will continue to go their own way and buck the trend of the industry. It persists that Nintendo will play down third party support and stick to first party software, that Nintendo will use a totally new system and won't offer movie playback at all.
These rumours are counteracted with the DS almost entirely. Nintendo now base more emphesis on third parties especially with the latest system and the recent GBA Videos indicate Nintendo willingness to develop video viewing means.
But it is also likely that Nintendo will want to fight piracy in such a way that games will be on a totally different form of medium (A.K.A Gamecube/DS) but it is also likely Nintendo will offer a "second medium". Already confirmed is that the Revolution will be backwards compatible. Which points to the inclusion of either very cheap to implement DVD system or slightly more expensive "HD-DVD".
If both Nintendo and Microsoft use "HD-DVD" then there maybe trouble ahead for Blu-Ray after all. Sure Sony may have the sales advantage, but with Nintendo set to launch simultaneously with Sony and Microsoft a year early. It already kick starts a proper war between the two mediums.
On the other hand, with DVD gaining a firm position in society how likely is it that Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will be replacing it by 2006? Surly it'll take a good 5 years to properly take off? Is Nintendo likely to just stick with DVD movies? Especially as they lack the experience of it. But launching the system next to the Playstation 3 indicates that Nintendo are being really competitive this time, and they will want that to right down to the specifications and what the system offers.
Sony have a brilliant stratagy in place. Something Nintendo and Microsoft will have to be very clever to counteract. Recent reports indicate Nintendo are on the offensive, and it is likely we will see a far more agressive stance from the legendary developer... with the added bonus of brilliant and innovative "DS style" features. Microsoft are stripping down their system and offering in advance of the competiton. It is a surprise risk from Microsoft, hoping that releasing the system early will mean they get a stranglehold on the industry.
Didn't work for the Dreamcast did it.
For those that don't know, DVD is already becoming outdated. Already you can get view high definition TV, that even surpasses that of DVD. In other words you can be watching Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and it'll look better than the latest Star Wars DVD's.
Does this seem right to you? No indeed it doesn't and 2 major companies also agree this. These 2 major companies have developed 2 new forms of movie media, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
Sony, along with a whole host of other top names, back the Blu-Ray medium to be the next big thing in home entertainment. It is a massive 50GB in size, looks pretty funky and with it being included in the Playstation 3 will autmatically put Blu-Ray in millions and millions of homes worldwide. Hollywood would almost have to support the Blu-Ray system simply because the popularity of the Playstation brand will mean millions will have the ability to play them already. Sony will add pressure with their Tri-star, Columbia and MGM studios... Spiderman, Terminator and Bond already on Blu-Ray. Watch the new system fly.
Unless something incredibly unlikely happens, such as the PSP flops and the PSTwo fails to start then it is likely Sony will be looking at a steam rolling win for the next generation of consoles.
There is one negative aspect of Blu-Ray. Because it doesn't use the simple red laser system for DVD's (something that is now very cheap to implement) and uses Blue laser, it'll mean the cost of the system will be jacked up. Either Sony will have to release it at a high price, wait an extra amount of time or just suffer a loss on the system. The latter isn't something Sony have ever been willing to do.
It is this PS3 decision that makes the Blu-Ray's competitor, the HD-DVD, look bad. Although the system is cheaper to implement the size of the medium is a mere 22GB, under half that of Blu-Ray.
But hope may remain. It is possible that Microsoft's next system, codenamed Xenon, will use it. Microsoft are desperate to release a cheap system out of the box and not to suffer the price point themselves like they are with the X-box. Already they are removing the Hard drive and to incorperate something like Blu-Ray will mean the Xenon will launch at a very high price. In fact Microsoft are hoping to get a years head start (late 2005) on the competiton and Blu-Ray will be even more expensive to use. If Microsoft want a competitive medium HD-DVD may be the only way.
Microsoft with the weaker system is almost a complete role reversal from the current generation.
What of Nintendo? Who honestly knows. No one. Rumours persist that Nintendo will continue to go their own way and buck the trend of the industry. It persists that Nintendo will play down third party support and stick to first party software, that Nintendo will use a totally new system and won't offer movie playback at all.
These rumours are counteracted with the DS almost entirely. Nintendo now base more emphesis on third parties especially with the latest system and the recent GBA Videos indicate Nintendo willingness to develop video viewing means.
But it is also likely that Nintendo will want to fight piracy in such a way that games will be on a totally different form of medium (A.K.A Gamecube/DS) but it is also likely Nintendo will offer a "second medium". Already confirmed is that the Revolution will be backwards compatible. Which points to the inclusion of either very cheap to implement DVD system or slightly more expensive "HD-DVD".
If both Nintendo and Microsoft use "HD-DVD" then there maybe trouble ahead for Blu-Ray after all. Sure Sony may have the sales advantage, but with Nintendo set to launch simultaneously with Sony and Microsoft a year early. It already kick starts a proper war between the two mediums.
On the other hand, with DVD gaining a firm position in society how likely is it that Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will be replacing it by 2006? Surly it'll take a good 5 years to properly take off? Is Nintendo likely to just stick with DVD movies? Especially as they lack the experience of it. But launching the system next to the Playstation 3 indicates that Nintendo are being really competitive this time, and they will want that to right down to the specifications and what the system offers.
Sony have a brilliant stratagy in place. Something Nintendo and Microsoft will have to be very clever to counteract. Recent reports indicate Nintendo are on the offensive, and it is likely we will see a far more agressive stance from the legendary developer... with the added bonus of brilliant and innovative "DS style" features. Microsoft are stripping down their system and offering in advance of the competiton. It is a surprise risk from Microsoft, hoping that releasing the system early will mean they get a stranglehold on the industry.
Didn't work for the Dreamcast did it.
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They did that for a degree, they walked on a set path and then looked around...
As apart of a mini-game we had to follow a character around that kept doing that.
As apart of a mini-game we had to follow a character around that kept doing that.
I'm only teasing. :-)
Still jealous though, lucky sod! :-P
I wasn't even talking about drawing it style.
And even if it was, that hardly alienates the rest of the world.
Dragon Ball Z? Pokémon?
They could've kept it to the same style, just given more input on cartoon animation, giving the characters more life.
Seriously, the characters had the same zombie lives they did in OOT.
Stand around, or walk around if you're really lucky, and say the same thing when someone speaks to you.
And they would just stand around and a static pose.
If they would perhaps look around once in a while, or be doing SOMETHING.
That was perhaps the biggest disappointment in Windwaker for me.
Still jealous though, lucky sod! :-P
I wasn't even talking about drawing it style.
And even if it was, that hardly alienates the rest of the world.
Dragon Ball Z? Pokémon?
They could've kept it to the same style, just given more input on cartoon animation, giving the characters more life.
Seriously, the characters had the same zombie lives they did in OOT.
Stand around, or walk around if you're really lucky, and say the same thing when someone speaks to you.
And they would just stand around and a static pose.
If they would perhaps look around once in a while, or be doing SOMETHING.
That was perhaps the biggest disappointment in Windwaker for me.
This is my first (and probably final) GAD I've won in the whole year.
Coming from someone that normally wins 10 in a year...
And, I'll have you know Strafio, I've sold the games that I never plan on playing and I've completed a lot recently.
Regardless I'm looking at FIFA as I'm in a football mood.
As for Zelda, it had a toon-shaded look though, Japanese anime may alienate the rest of the world.
I was referring to the entire "comic" "cartoon" look it had.
I thought it was gorgeous. Oh and I forgot about Starfox Adventures.
Coming from someone that normally wins 10 in a year...
And, I'll have you know Strafio, I've sold the games that I never plan on playing and I've completed a lot recently.
Regardless I'm looking at FIFA as I'm in a football mood.
As for Zelda, it had a toon-shaded look though, Japanese anime may alienate the rest of the world.
I was referring to the entire "comic" "cartoon" look it had.
I thought it was gorgeous. Oh and I forgot about Starfox Adventures.
It's not about "proper" cel shading though.
The whole point about going from a style with detailed visuals to one with the flat "shaded" visuals was a trade-off in more fluid animation.
And the animation was a bit better, but you know, it could perhaps have been mind blowing.
And congratulations?
For ANOTHER game Dringo won't find time to play! :-P
I guess I'm not one to talk.
I forgot to claim my GAD last year!
[S]Well I didn't know about it until I had a week to claim it, and I needed to renew my membership first... I ran out of time and those meanies at SR wouldn't let me claim it a day late!![S]
:'-(
The whole point about going from a style with detailed visuals to one with the flat "shaded" visuals was a trade-off in more fluid animation.
And the animation was a bit better, but you know, it could perhaps have been mind blowing.
And congratulations?
For ANOTHER game Dringo won't find time to play! :-P
I guess I'm not one to talk.
I forgot to claim my GAD last year!
[S]Well I didn't know about it until I had a week to claim it, and I needed to renew my membership first... I ran out of time and those meanies at SR wouldn't let me claim it a day late!![S]
:'-(
Ah, nice one Dringo, well deserved. :-)
Rickoss wrote:
> It was never really meant to be properly cel-shaded though
"Toon-shaded" they called it.
> It was never really meant to be properly cel-shaded though
"Toon-shaded" they called it.
It was never really meant to be properly cel-shaded though, was it?
I thought it looked amazing, personally. Agreed that StarFox and Prime look better, but still a beautiful game.
I thought it looked amazing, personally. Agreed that StarFox and Prime look better, but still a beautiful game.
What was so fine about them?
I mean, other than the odd special moment the generally had the blandness of plain colouring with the static lifelessnes of N64 Zelda, which had more detail to compensate (and that was on a previous system).
The basic enemy animations were nice.
Anything involving the wind tended to look fairly decent, but the rest sort of looked... lifeless?
When you compare the amount of life put into Windwaker's characters to a Japanese animé then you see a HUGE difference.
Windwaker looks more like Noddy, or Fireman Sam or another kids "models" program with the lifeless characters with single facial expressions.
Sure, it was the same with OOT and Majora's Mask but they had more picturesque scenery so could get by without character detail.
And you could say I'm a bit more understanding because the N64 had a few more limitations than the Gamecube.
Basically, the whole point in Cel Shading was to bring life into characters through the animation. The sort of got it with the enemies, and with one or two features, but if they'd REALLY wanted to pull it off then they should've gotten proffessional animators to help realize it.
And before you go on about kids game not needing detail, is that what Zelda's been reduced to? A game EXCLUSIVELY for kids?
Besides, Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z are also for kids, but their characters manage to have a little life in them.
I'm not even putting Windwaker down for it's visuals, because at the end of the day they were fine enough for me, but calling them some of the finest on the Gamecube?
I know you want to encourage Nintendo trying new directions but patronising them won't make them feel any better, I promise. :-)
Starfox Adventures and Metroid Prime remain the eye candy from what I've seen. Not that you're not entitled to YOUR opinion, but I think your opinion of your politics is perhaps speaking, rather than your opinion of the visuals.
Or maybe I'm imagining things! ;-P
I mean, other than the odd special moment the generally had the blandness of plain colouring with the static lifelessnes of N64 Zelda, which had more detail to compensate (and that was on a previous system).
The basic enemy animations were nice.
Anything involving the wind tended to look fairly decent, but the rest sort of looked... lifeless?
When you compare the amount of life put into Windwaker's characters to a Japanese animé then you see a HUGE difference.
Windwaker looks more like Noddy, or Fireman Sam or another kids "models" program with the lifeless characters with single facial expressions.
Sure, it was the same with OOT and Majora's Mask but they had more picturesque scenery so could get by without character detail.
And you could say I'm a bit more understanding because the N64 had a few more limitations than the Gamecube.
Basically, the whole point in Cel Shading was to bring life into characters through the animation. The sort of got it with the enemies, and with one or two features, but if they'd REALLY wanted to pull it off then they should've gotten proffessional animators to help realize it.
And before you go on about kids game not needing detail, is that what Zelda's been reduced to? A game EXCLUSIVELY for kids?
Besides, Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z are also for kids, but their characters manage to have a little life in them.
I'm not even putting Windwaker down for it's visuals, because at the end of the day they were fine enough for me, but calling them some of the finest on the Gamecube?
I know you want to encourage Nintendo trying new directions but patronising them won't make them feel any better, I promise. :-)
Starfox Adventures and Metroid Prime remain the eye candy from what I've seen. Not that you're not entitled to YOUR opinion, but I think your opinion of your politics is perhaps speaking, rather than your opinion of the visuals.
Or maybe I'm imagining things! ;-P
Nintendo did a fantastic job with cel-shading, it lacked the detail used in Jet Set Radio but the Jet Set Radio is more of a teen thing.
In fact Zelda's graphics stand next to Pikmin and Resident Evil as the finest graphics Nintendo have offered this generation.
In fact Zelda's graphics stand next to Pikmin and Resident Evil as the finest graphics Nintendo have offered this generation.
It didn't look dreadful.
I know what you mean, it wasn't the best piece of cel shading to come out of the industry, but it was a brave attempt as no one had tried using it for this sort of game before. And in some ways it worked beautifully.
The effects of the wind on sails and grass was pretty neat, and when you got facial expressions (that weren't the standard glued on cheesy smile), they could be pretty funny.
Like when Link is following that girl, and if she hears something she turns around and goes "who's there?", and Link meow's like a cat...
It had plenty of classic moments like that. :-)
And that kid with the dripping nose... :-S
Nintendo would've done better to have hired in some proper Animé artists to help them realise the full potential of a cel shaded game, but you can't expect them to get everything perfect.
I know what you mean, it wasn't the best piece of cel shading to come out of the industry, but it was a brave attempt as no one had tried using it for this sort of game before. And in some ways it worked beautifully.
The effects of the wind on sails and grass was pretty neat, and when you got facial expressions (that weren't the standard glued on cheesy smile), they could be pretty funny.
Like when Link is following that girl, and if she hears something she turns around and goes "who's there?", and Link meow's like a cat...
It had plenty of classic moments like that. :-)
And that kid with the dripping nose... :-S
Nintendo would've done better to have hired in some proper Animé artists to help them realise the full potential of a cel shaded game, but you can't expect them to get everything perfect.
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