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First of all I'd like to thank Wookiee Monster for telling me everything I needed to know about getting a cable modem (hi-speed internet access, in other words). I've now got access to some lovely streaming web content.
And one of these streams has just literally blown me away.
It's only a 2m 35s clip, but it feels like 20 seconds, it's really that good. If you've got broadband/cable I really do urge you to have looksee.
http://www.xbox.com and click on Games, then Halo E3 Video (High Bandwidth), and enjoy.
The thing I noticed at first was the foggy background, and I thought Ah! They've gotten around popup in the backgrounds using the same fogging techniques as used on the 128-bit Dreamcast, but then later on you see the same area without the fog, and your jaw drops, because even a PC would struggle with this kind of graphical presentation. The arenas are HUGE.
Then there's the video content, Halo is basically a FPS futuristic warfare/combat shoot 'em up, but it just OOZES gameplay, you'll be twitching your trigger fingers at this one, it's really that good. You too will want to be jumping onto the back of that jeep and manning the rotating machinegun, taking out the aliens trying to bushwhack you from behind. And you'll be cheering this guy on as he shows you how to take out the nasties whilst running with his comrades through the woodland sections, fragging left right and centre with whatever that hi-powered assault rifle he's using is called.
Then there's the background music, perfect, gets the blood boiling with anticipation and really gets you into the action.
So that's decided it for me then, I was kinda wondering what my first X-Box title was going to be if I bought one, and now I know for sure. The PS2 and the Gamecube aren't going to get another lookin now, my course is set, and I'll be sailing that course with Halo come early next year when the X-Box comes out in the UK.
YIPPEE!!!!
And one of these streams has just literally blown me away.
It's only a 2m 35s clip, but it feels like 20 seconds, it's really that good. If you've got broadband/cable I really do urge you to have looksee.
http://www.xbox.com and click on Games, then Halo E3 Video (High Bandwidth), and enjoy.
The thing I noticed at first was the foggy background, and I thought Ah! They've gotten around popup in the backgrounds using the same fogging techniques as used on the 128-bit Dreamcast, but then later on you see the same area without the fog, and your jaw drops, because even a PC would struggle with this kind of graphical presentation. The arenas are HUGE.
Then there's the video content, Halo is basically a FPS futuristic warfare/combat shoot 'em up, but it just OOZES gameplay, you'll be twitching your trigger fingers at this one, it's really that good. You too will want to be jumping onto the back of that jeep and manning the rotating machinegun, taking out the aliens trying to bushwhack you from behind. And you'll be cheering this guy on as he shows you how to take out the nasties whilst running with his comrades through the woodland sections, fragging left right and centre with whatever that hi-powered assault rifle he's using is called.
Then there's the background music, perfect, gets the blood boiling with anticipation and really gets you into the action.
So that's decided it for me then, I was kinda wondering what my first X-Box title was going to be if I bought one, and now I know for sure. The PS2 and the Gamecube aren't going to get another lookin now, my course is set, and I'll be sailing that course with Halo come early next year when the X-Box comes out in the UK.
YIPPEE!!!!
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Shocktrooper wrote:
Are you seriously considering buying
> a console because of one game looking good?
Turbonutter asked: "FM, are you sure you want to make this big decision on the basis of one game?" a while back, and I answered him in this very same thread.
Are you seriously considering reading a thread before posting in it?
Are you seriously considering buying
> a console because of one game looking good?
Turbonutter asked: "FM, are you sure you want to make this big decision on the basis of one game?" a while back, and I answered him in this very same thread.
Are you seriously considering reading a thread before posting in it?
I agree with you Shocky, Microsoft have experienced so many problems with this console and it's only going to end in tears for the Microsoft boyz! The games that are being released on the X-Box LOOK good, but do they play as good, but there's one motto that Microsoft really should incorparate which Renault already have, Size matters
;-)
;-)
FM, of all people I would of expected to be weary of this kind of thing, you have let me down.
Are you seriously considering buying a console because of one game looking good? How do you know that it will PLAY good, eh? I'm betting that's where Microsoft will slip-up in the battle with GC. Their controller has already had scepticism about it feeling horrible and barely usuable - so look how that would effect your gaming when playing Halo. Microsoft, in my opinion, has jumped the gun spec wise. They've launched themselves ahead by making a console with tremendous capability and sadly, more than likely, drop their interest in making playing the game more enjoyable than it could be. To be honest, I'm not sure they'll be as bothered about what it'll be like to play the game as Nintendo will be. I have the feeling that it's down to the old arguement "Graphics over Gameplay" again. This is undoubtedly led to Nintendo having a huge advantage - purely fun, easy-to-play games that everyone can enjoy.
Now I'm not saying every game for the X-box will be 'graphics over gameplay', in fact I'm probably wrong as per usual. But who's more reliable, FM? Microsoft, or Nintendo?
Shocktrooper - not convinced by the X-box power.
Are you seriously considering buying a console because of one game looking good? How do you know that it will PLAY good, eh? I'm betting that's where Microsoft will slip-up in the battle with GC. Their controller has already had scepticism about it feeling horrible and barely usuable - so look how that would effect your gaming when playing Halo. Microsoft, in my opinion, has jumped the gun spec wise. They've launched themselves ahead by making a console with tremendous capability and sadly, more than likely, drop their interest in making playing the game more enjoyable than it could be. To be honest, I'm not sure they'll be as bothered about what it'll be like to play the game as Nintendo will be. I have the feeling that it's down to the old arguement "Graphics over Gameplay" again. This is undoubtedly led to Nintendo having a huge advantage - purely fun, easy-to-play games that everyone can enjoy.
Now I'm not saying every game for the X-box will be 'graphics over gameplay', in fact I'm probably wrong as per usual. But who's more reliable, FM? Microsoft, or Nintendo?
Shocktrooper - not convinced by the X-box power.
The GC's and Xbox's expansion capabilities are only minor you know. DirectX 9 will offer a slight improvement only, because it is just software, and the expansion pack merely suppies more RAM.
The Gamecube Vs The X-box is the main battle everyones talking about, but how about the PS2? It has a couple of decent games on it and a few comming out for it. So the PS2 is over shadowed by the "Bigger boys." But when the PS3 comes out does that mean the GC and XB will be out of date? NO!
The X-Box can be updated with Direct-X (same as a PC) and the gamecube could have an expansion pak! So the PS3 has to have something amazing to over come the GC and XB
The X-Box can be updated with Direct-X (same as a PC) and the gamecube could have an expansion pak! So the PS3 has to have something amazing to over come the GC and XB
Maybe you're right, but every N64 owner in the country knows what a GameCube is, and most will get one. Microsoft, however, don't have that kind of base. PC gamers might buy one, but PC gamers are PC gamers because they don't like consoles, and the Xbox IS a console.
Sony enetered at a very good time, when people were disappointed with the Saturn and needed something to fill their next-gen needs. Sony did all this and more with vigour. However, most people at the moment want either a PS2 or a GC. The competition's hot and it's not the best time for a challenger to enter against the gladitorial Sony and Nintendo. Also, with the stability issues of the Xbox, people might be a bit wary of it. It's one thing a PC crashing whilst typing a document, but quite another if you've got to the end of a particularly hard level only to have the BSOD thrown up at you. This is a possibility, and MS have already taken steps to prevent it but it may not be enough.
The market was perfect for Sony to enter but for Microsoft I don't think there could be a worse time, and that's the difference.
Sony enetered at a very good time, when people were disappointed with the Saturn and needed something to fill their next-gen needs. Sony did all this and more with vigour. However, most people at the moment want either a PS2 or a GC. The competition's hot and it's not the best time for a challenger to enter against the gladitorial Sony and Nintendo. Also, with the stability issues of the Xbox, people might be a bit wary of it. It's one thing a PC crashing whilst typing a document, but quite another if you've got to the end of a particularly hard level only to have the BSOD thrown up at you. This is a possibility, and MS have already taken steps to prevent it but it may not be enough.
The market was perfect for Sony to enter but for Microsoft I don't think there could be a worse time, and that's the difference.
Don't forget the power of advertising/marketing. Sony used that power and reaped the benefits.
Microsoft are 'specialists' in advertising compared to Sony. Look at it this way, the only bad rep that MS have is their monopolisation, but the simple fact is, most PC Manufacturers burn in the Windows OS to their production line PCs because it IS a good OS, despite its faults and despite its origins. Despite their bad rep, people still buy the product.
Most people 'know' that the X-Box is not related to Microsoft Software in that it uses a very stripped down Windows kernel as its OS, one that is geared towards gaming and nothing else.
Most people 'know' that the X-Box is not related to Microsoft Hardware in that is uses components that are all geared to work together towards producing great gaming and nothing else.
And now there's their forthcoming UK advertising campaign, the last weapon in their arsenal to break down the barrier between the buying public and the product itself. Personally I don't need that, I've made my mind up to get one, but the public and Microsoft DO need it in order to make the X-Box a househould name in the way that Playstation and N64 and PS2 are.
Because of the timing of the launches, Nintendo are going to have to work very hard with their advertising to do the same thing for the Gamecube.
Go out in the street today and ask 100 passersby if they've ever heard of the Gamecube or the X-Box and you'll get a lot of blank looks, that's what both Microsoft and Nintendo have to overcome.
Because the advertising campaigns from both camps have not yet begun in the UK, I think it's too early to guess the fate of the X-Box. You never know, that little program called Windows XP that had its code released the other day by Microsoft may be the trigger that starts people thinking about the letter 'X' an awful lot in the future during the runup to launch.
Microsoft are 'specialists' in advertising compared to Sony. Look at it this way, the only bad rep that MS have is their monopolisation, but the simple fact is, most PC Manufacturers burn in the Windows OS to their production line PCs because it IS a good OS, despite its faults and despite its origins. Despite their bad rep, people still buy the product.
Most people 'know' that the X-Box is not related to Microsoft Software in that it uses a very stripped down Windows kernel as its OS, one that is geared towards gaming and nothing else.
Most people 'know' that the X-Box is not related to Microsoft Hardware in that is uses components that are all geared to work together towards producing great gaming and nothing else.
And now there's their forthcoming UK advertising campaign, the last weapon in their arsenal to break down the barrier between the buying public and the product itself. Personally I don't need that, I've made my mind up to get one, but the public and Microsoft DO need it in order to make the X-Box a househould name in the way that Playstation and N64 and PS2 are.
Because of the timing of the launches, Nintendo are going to have to work very hard with their advertising to do the same thing for the Gamecube.
Go out in the street today and ask 100 passersby if they've ever heard of the Gamecube or the X-Box and you'll get a lot of blank looks, that's what both Microsoft and Nintendo have to overcome.
Because the advertising campaigns from both camps have not yet begun in the UK, I think it's too early to guess the fate of the X-Box. You never know, that little program called Windows XP that had its code released the other day by Microsoft may be the trigger that starts people thinking about the letter 'X' an awful lot in the future during the runup to launch.
To be honest, I don't really know what to think about the Xbox anymore.
OK, it has a handful of good games that might be worth buying, but I don't know about its future. It's a rocky road for Microsoft as the newcomers. I know Sony were a newcomer as well, but there was a difference with them. The market at the time was very easy, with only the very poor Saturn holding the fort. Nintendo's console was a few years away, the Saturn was drowning like a brick and gamers wanted more. Also, Sony appealed to the "club nation", they held PlayStation music gigs (really) and it was just generally a cool thing to own. Their marketing strategy of putting pods in clubs was genius.
Microsoft however, are entering at a time where the mighty PS2 is at its strongest (Metal Gear Solid 2), and the always popular Nintendo console is being released. Couple this with Microsoft's appalling reputation and the unavoidable "geeky" PC links, it's not looking too good.
Microsoft aren't going to give up and there WILL be a Microsoft console in 5 year's time, but I have an awful feeling it will end up like the Saturn and Dreamcast. Good, but overlooked in the face of bigger and better consoles. There will be excellent games (Halo for one) but a lot of people will just be too busy drooling over the PS2 and GC to notice.
Therefore, in my eyes, Microsoft are out of the equation, soley for the reason that its future is uncertain. PS2 will be fantastic, the GC will be fantastic (or so I'm told. It doesn't look it now but the *IS* Nintendo we're talking about here) but I get a sort of "sinking ship" feeling from the Xbox. And so, between the GC and PS2, well, I think you know what I'd say...
OK, it has a handful of good games that might be worth buying, but I don't know about its future. It's a rocky road for Microsoft as the newcomers. I know Sony were a newcomer as well, but there was a difference with them. The market at the time was very easy, with only the very poor Saturn holding the fort. Nintendo's console was a few years away, the Saturn was drowning like a brick and gamers wanted more. Also, Sony appealed to the "club nation", they held PlayStation music gigs (really) and it was just generally a cool thing to own. Their marketing strategy of putting pods in clubs was genius.
Microsoft however, are entering at a time where the mighty PS2 is at its strongest (Metal Gear Solid 2), and the always popular Nintendo console is being released. Couple this with Microsoft's appalling reputation and the unavoidable "geeky" PC links, it's not looking too good.
Microsoft aren't going to give up and there WILL be a Microsoft console in 5 year's time, but I have an awful feeling it will end up like the Saturn and Dreamcast. Good, but overlooked in the face of bigger and better consoles. There will be excellent games (Halo for one) but a lot of people will just be too busy drooling over the PS2 and GC to notice.
Therefore, in my eyes, Microsoft are out of the equation, soley for the reason that its future is uncertain. PS2 will be fantastic, the GC will be fantastic (or so I'm told. It doesn't look it now but the *IS* Nintendo we're talking about here) but I get a sort of "sinking ship" feeling from the Xbox. And so, between the GC and PS2, well, I think you know what I'd say...
The Game wrote:
but if they so much as look at
> Nintendo's gaming crown for longer then they should i'll personally
> walk up to Bill Gates and say, "Excuse me sir..." *Smack*
Yes, and then his 50 or so bodyguards will all pull 9mm's on you and you will die.
Or at least be sued. (Not that he needs any more money. He'll just sue you for the satisfaction of watching your life go down the toilet. He's a nice guy.)
:)
but if they so much as look at
> Nintendo's gaming crown for longer then they should i'll personally
> walk up to Bill Gates and say, "Excuse me sir..." *Smack*
Yes, and then his 50 or so bodyguards will all pull 9mm's on you and you will die.
Or at least be sued. (Not that he needs any more money. He'll just sue you for the satisfaction of watching your life go down the toilet. He's a nice guy.)
:)
I hate it when FM is right. He's nearly always right, but this time he isn't.
The X-Box won't be as good as the Gamecube. The Gamecube has loads of potential, and the 100% games-console idea will attract lots of people... having said that... the Cuber-Would-Be's might be attracted away from the GC because the X-Box has a more mature average for the games ratings... know what I mean.
I have trouble getting my head round most of the factors that will make people buy the console... I suppose the marketting wil be big... and with Microsoft releasing (The Mighty) HALO compared to Nintendo releasing some Pretend-To-Be-Scary game with Luigi in it because Mario couldn't be bothered to show up I think Microsoft will give Nintendo a run for their money....
Having said that, I have never really wanted Microsoft to fail... I wanted them to get a foot in the market because I believe they can benefit the industry in so many ways, but if they so much as look at Nintendo's gaming crown for longer then they should i'll personally walk up to Bill Gates and say, "Excuse me sir..." *Smack* - I'll hit him with a frying pan right on his head..and it won't be stars he sees, no it'll be Flying Windows! Ha! - Get it?! Flying... W..yes.
It's too late...
Game
The X-Box won't be as good as the Gamecube. The Gamecube has loads of potential, and the 100% games-console idea will attract lots of people... having said that... the Cuber-Would-Be's might be attracted away from the GC because the X-Box has a more mature average for the games ratings... know what I mean.
I have trouble getting my head round most of the factors that will make people buy the console... I suppose the marketting wil be big... and with Microsoft releasing (The Mighty) HALO compared to Nintendo releasing some Pretend-To-Be-Scary game with Luigi in it because Mario couldn't be bothered to show up I think Microsoft will give Nintendo a run for their money....
Having said that, I have never really wanted Microsoft to fail... I wanted them to get a foot in the market because I believe they can benefit the industry in so many ways, but if they so much as look at Nintendo's gaming crown for longer then they should i'll personally walk up to Bill Gates and say, "Excuse me sir..." *Smack* - I'll hit him with a frying pan right on his head..and it won't be stars he sees, no it'll be Flying Windows! Ha! - Get it?! Flying... W..yes.
It's too late...
Game
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