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So, Tomb raider is confirmed as non-episodic through the online features of the PS2. What was going to be buying the game and then downloading the next level has now been scrapped, with the game now being released complete on disc and consequate levels on seperate discs, but still utilising the online capabilities to access websites containing extra plot details.
While this is a blow to the predictions of online play, it is more of a bonus to the current owners of the console. The consoles best attribute over PCs has to be that you buy a machine, plug it in, put a disc/cart in and play the game, without having the messing about of installing the game, downloading patches and so on, and there is never any compatibility problems. The PC games market is riddled with instances of games being released before their time to get them on the shelves, and then having to download a patch to cure bugs. Consoles are a lot simpler and should be kept that way.
The fact that the machine is a console will go a long way to help keep it away from this. Though the PS2 has amazing potential with it's broadband connection, it is still a home entertainment system at heart. For a game to reach it's maximum audience, it will have to run without the internet connection for the people that don't fancy shelling out the £300 for the kit and then x amount per month.
On the other hand, Tony Hawkes 3 is looking like a must have title. The game itself is stunning, but the online multiplayer is set to lay new ground for the PS2. I am certainly looking forward to whupping some american ass, but the game will still be complete on the disc, and I will be able to play and finish the game without the connection. This is more the console way.
Online for the PS2 does look bright, and I, like many others, will probably make the investment at some point, but probably not right away. Much as we all want to see the online capabilities of the PS2 used to their full potential, and set new standards for consoles in general, When it gets to a point where games will require the connection in order to play the game will either be a long way into the future, or plain silly. Not everyone is interested in playing online, and to restrict a game to those rich enough to play it would not be in their best interests at the moment.
Let's hope that the developers compare the sales of the modem to the sales of the PS2 itself, and make sure the user base is there before they make games that only the modem owners can play. Or at least hang on until I have mine...
Slave
While this is a blow to the predictions of online play, it is more of a bonus to the current owners of the console. The consoles best attribute over PCs has to be that you buy a machine, plug it in, put a disc/cart in and play the game, without having the messing about of installing the game, downloading patches and so on, and there is never any compatibility problems. The PC games market is riddled with instances of games being released before their time to get them on the shelves, and then having to download a patch to cure bugs. Consoles are a lot simpler and should be kept that way.
The fact that the machine is a console will go a long way to help keep it away from this. Though the PS2 has amazing potential with it's broadband connection, it is still a home entertainment system at heart. For a game to reach it's maximum audience, it will have to run without the internet connection for the people that don't fancy shelling out the £300 for the kit and then x amount per month.
On the other hand, Tony Hawkes 3 is looking like a must have title. The game itself is stunning, but the online multiplayer is set to lay new ground for the PS2. I am certainly looking forward to whupping some american ass, but the game will still be complete on the disc, and I will be able to play and finish the game without the connection. This is more the console way.
Online for the PS2 does look bright, and I, like many others, will probably make the investment at some point, but probably not right away. Much as we all want to see the online capabilities of the PS2 used to their full potential, and set new standards for consoles in general, When it gets to a point where games will require the connection in order to play the game will either be a long way into the future, or plain silly. Not everyone is interested in playing online, and to restrict a game to those rich enough to play it would not be in their best interests at the moment.
Let's hope that the developers compare the sales of the modem to the sales of the PS2 itself, and make sure the user base is there before they make games that only the modem owners can play. Or at least hang on until I have mine...
Slave
I have no idea! Apparently (from what I remember) TR is going to bein 5 parts, and there will be points in the game where you meet or hear about someone which you wont see again until a couple of discs later, but you can get more info about it off the net.
Can't see whythey cannot just include it all in the game, but I suppose they are just pushing the online stuff...
Can't see whythey cannot just include it all in the game, but I suppose they are just pushing the online stuff...
Eh? What's the point of that?
Going online to learn of some new features, or plot details.
Bah! A stupid novelty feature to pretend that it's an online game, when it isn't really.
Or have I missed the point? ;-)
Going online to learn of some new features, or plot details.
Bah! A stupid novelty feature to pretend that it's an online game, when it isn't really.
Or have I missed the point? ;-)
So, Tomb raider is confirmed as non-episodic through the online features of the PS2. What was going to be buying the game and then downloading the next level has now been scrapped, with the game now being released complete on disc and consequate levels on seperate discs, but still utilising the online capabilities to access websites containing extra plot details.
While this is a blow to the predictions of online play, it is more of a bonus to the current owners of the console. The consoles best attribute over PCs has to be that you buy a machine, plug it in, put a disc/cart in and play the game, without having the messing about of installing the game, downloading patches and so on, and there is never any compatibility problems. The PC games market is riddled with instances of games being released before their time to get them on the shelves, and then having to download a patch to cure bugs. Consoles are a lot simpler and should be kept that way.
The fact that the machine is a console will go a long way to help keep it away from this. Though the PS2 has amazing potential with it's broadband connection, it is still a home entertainment system at heart. For a game to reach it's maximum audience, it will have to run without the internet connection for the people that don't fancy shelling out the £300 for the kit and then x amount per month.
On the other hand, Tony Hawkes 3 is looking like a must have title. The game itself is stunning, but the online multiplayer is set to lay new ground for the PS2. I am certainly looking forward to whupping some american ass, but the game will still be complete on the disc, and I will be able to play and finish the game without the connection. This is more the console way.
Online for the PS2 does look bright, and I, like many others, will probably make the investment at some point, but probably not right away. Much as we all want to see the online capabilities of the PS2 used to their full potential, and set new standards for consoles in general, When it gets to a point where games will require the connection in order to play the game will either be a long way into the future, or plain silly. Not everyone is interested in playing online, and to restrict a game to those rich enough to play it would not be in their best interests at the moment.
Let's hope that the developers compare the sales of the modem to the sales of the PS2 itself, and make sure the user base is there before they make games that only the modem owners can play. Or at least hang on until I have mine...
Slave
While this is a blow to the predictions of online play, it is more of a bonus to the current owners of the console. The consoles best attribute over PCs has to be that you buy a machine, plug it in, put a disc/cart in and play the game, without having the messing about of installing the game, downloading patches and so on, and there is never any compatibility problems. The PC games market is riddled with instances of games being released before their time to get them on the shelves, and then having to download a patch to cure bugs. Consoles are a lot simpler and should be kept that way.
The fact that the machine is a console will go a long way to help keep it away from this. Though the PS2 has amazing potential with it's broadband connection, it is still a home entertainment system at heart. For a game to reach it's maximum audience, it will have to run without the internet connection for the people that don't fancy shelling out the £300 for the kit and then x amount per month.
On the other hand, Tony Hawkes 3 is looking like a must have title. The game itself is stunning, but the online multiplayer is set to lay new ground for the PS2. I am certainly looking forward to whupping some american ass, but the game will still be complete on the disc, and I will be able to play and finish the game without the connection. This is more the console way.
Online for the PS2 does look bright, and I, like many others, will probably make the investment at some point, but probably not right away. Much as we all want to see the online capabilities of the PS2 used to their full potential, and set new standards for consoles in general, When it gets to a point where games will require the connection in order to play the game will either be a long way into the future, or plain silly. Not everyone is interested in playing online, and to restrict a game to those rich enough to play it would not be in their best interests at the moment.
Let's hope that the developers compare the sales of the modem to the sales of the PS2 itself, and make sure the user base is there before they make games that only the modem owners can play. Or at least hang on until I have mine...
Slave