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Q: So the Gamecube's video memory arrangement resembles the PS2's?
A: It shares a few points with the PS2, but we're coming at it from a different approach, so it's not at all a similar design.
Q: What are some of the differences, then?
A: Well, on more general terms, the main difference between the Gamecube and the PS2 is that during development we stuck exclusively to features necessary for games. The concept of the PS2 is to let coders do anything they could possibly want to do; ours is offer high performance, easy development and the ability to concentrate more on creative matters. We know from experience what kind of platform we need, and we included onboard video memory and parallel processing features simply because we thought that's what the games require. I think that's a far different approach from the one PS2 is taking.
The whole article can be read at: http://www.video-senki.com/feat/iw/iw1.html
It just talks about the GAMECUBE hardware. It's coming straight from the horses mouth here too, the figures are correct. If you care much for specs, take a look. I'm not a specs man, so I haven't tryed to draw comparisons between the consoles based on these.
If the gamecube pushes developers in a certain way, then games may always be to that standard. The PS2 will improve with every game made and additions to the middleware will allow maximum performance.
Either way, the gamecube looks great and is sure to make up for the N64.
Not sure about games because I'm not a clusy fool :)
On the PS2 though, you're screwed.
This allows for revolutionary designs like putting passwords and codes on the Gamecube disks that you can look at when you get into certain points in the game.
Do you see.
LOL! :-D
The PS2 also carries on where u left off, if u accedently open the drive.
*****
No it doesn't...
"In comparison the PlayStation 2 will lock up, or continue to play portions of games without music or behave an extremely glitchy manner." ~ IGN
And I think they know what they're talking about.
Strafex wrote:
Ah, but what if you do it deliberately?
******
LOL..... You'll have to use more basic terms... he's a PS2 owner. :D
Another advantage the Gamecube has over the PS2 is the failsafe lid.
> If you're playing a Gamecube game and your stupid brother or sister presses the
> 'Open' button on the console, the game will kindly as you to close the lid, and
> the second you do so, the game will continue where you left of.
THe PS2 also carries on where u left off, if u accedently open the drive.
Im not a big fan of PlayStations, as you may know... the pads seem so crappy and the games, seem so full of graphics... I suppose, in time, the 'middleware' situation will improve. The result will hopefully (for PS2 owners :D) lead to a better understanding of the console.... as was the case with the N64. It took Rare a while, but look what they got out of it...
And look... if the Gamecube is as good as it is now, I can't imagine how much better it'll be in tears to come!
By the way...
Another advantage the Gamecube has over the PS2 is the failsafe lid. If you're playing a Gamecube game and your stupid brother or sister presses the 'Open' button on the console, the game will kindly as you to close the lid, and the second you do so, the game will continue where you left of. After playing for another 2 seconds, the screen pauses for a small update, then you can play as per-normal. This is the case for Wave Race and Monkey Ball.
With Luigi, if you open the lid, you can carry on playing until the games needs to be updated. In other words, if you were to stand in the same place, you MIGHT be able to walk hither and thither with the top open.... When the up-date is required you'll get the same prompt. if you put an alternative disc in, the Gamecube will say, "Oi, you, put the right disc in!" Or something like that, and if you do, you carry on where you left off.
Quite good news really, and it'll help for 2+ disc games.
By the way... if they press the 'Reset' or 'Power' buttons... you're screwed!
Game
Iwata's
> comment that...
"The concept of the PS2 is to let coders do
> anything they could possibly want to do; ours is offer high
> performance, easy development and the ability to concentrate more on
> creative matters."
...does at the very least imply that the
> PS2 has a more flexible development system.
But ofcourse, it's so difficult to reach this flexibility, it's completely out of the question to devellopers other than the most major devellopment houses.
There were two points which gave me mild
> concern, though:
1. Iwata says that, "We know from
> experience what kind of platform we need" That's fine, but he
> is speaking of the he and his team work. The whole system seems to
> be based around what he/his team wanted, and that may not always
> suit other developers.
Well it suited Capcom perfect it seems, and the Sonic Team. I think that whether it's cute cuddly graphics, or blood drenched gloomy zombies, the Gamecube manages it well.
I think he meant it was good from a coders/designers point of veiw
I think I agree with everything else the walking carpet said :-)