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Most people will know the history of add ons. Sega's 32X and Mega CD were made to exploit their lucrative 16bit console even though the industry was screaming for 32bit, and Nintendo's 64DD would allow extras for games and the ability to surf the net. All of these failed horribly.
So why, oh why are Sony trying to make people buy a modem and Hard drive add on to the PS2?
What my above examples have proved is that if a feature doesn't come with a console then games won't support it. If games don't support it, then gamers won't buy it, and so the cycle continues. Basically, if it ain't in the box when you buy the console it won't take off.
However, has the industry changed enough to make sure that Sony's add ons don't flop? After all, both of these things are aimed at internet gaming, which is seen by many to be the way into the future.
Not only that, but already it appears that Sony have some big-name games coming out that will support the modem- Final Fantasy 11 being the biggest.
But what about the hard drive? What will it actually do? It could save upgrades for games- but if people don't buy it then there won't be any games supporting it. It could save things from the internet... but why would people want to buy a whole new unit to do this?
Personally, I am still in the mind that manufacturers have to either provide features in the console when you buy it, OR make upgrades cheap and necissary for people to buy them.
The N64 expansion pack was bundled with games, and even required for some big titles. It was cheap, no hassel, and took off very well. Likewise, I can see the Xbox's cheap upgrade to allow it to play DVDs taking off big time- after all, for £30 you erradicate the need for a DVD player.
However, with the PS2 upgrades, things are different. The hard drive really does have no appeal to any non-hardcore gamers- it's simply too costly to warrant buying. The modem will probably take off in limitted numbers, but how many games developers will really support it to make casual gamers buy what is a fairly pricey piece of kit?
Sonnic
So why, oh why are Sony trying to make people buy a modem and Hard drive add on to the PS2?
What my above examples have proved is that if a feature doesn't come with a console then games won't support it. If games don't support it, then gamers won't buy it, and so the cycle continues. Basically, if it ain't in the box when you buy the console it won't take off.
However, has the industry changed enough to make sure that Sony's add ons don't flop? After all, both of these things are aimed at internet gaming, which is seen by many to be the way into the future.
Not only that, but already it appears that Sony have some big-name games coming out that will support the modem- Final Fantasy 11 being the biggest.
But what about the hard drive? What will it actually do? It could save upgrades for games- but if people don't buy it then there won't be any games supporting it. It could save things from the internet... but why would people want to buy a whole new unit to do this?
Personally, I am still in the mind that manufacturers have to either provide features in the console when you buy it, OR make upgrades cheap and necissary for people to buy them.
The N64 expansion pack was bundled with games, and even required for some big titles. It was cheap, no hassel, and took off very well. Likewise, I can see the Xbox's cheap upgrade to allow it to play DVDs taking off big time- after all, for £30 you erradicate the need for a DVD player.
However, with the PS2 upgrades, things are different. The hard drive really does have no appeal to any non-hardcore gamers- it's simply too costly to warrant buying. The modem will probably take off in limitted numbers, but how many games developers will really support it to make casual gamers buy what is a fairly pricey piece of kit?
Sonnic
Page:
Ah, HHAU, you remninded me that the HDD is completely useless without the modem- I completely forgot that!
Anyway, I genuinely think that internet games on the Xbox will be far more ranged than the PS2. Not only because the modem and HDD are standard, but also due to MS's huge internet experience- they could probably run a gaming network on their own servers!
Sonic
Anyway, I genuinely think that internet games on the Xbox will be far more ranged than the PS2. Not only because the modem and HDD are standard, but also due to MS's huge internet experience- they could probably run a gaming network on their own servers!
Sonic
The success or failure of the addons will be determined by how quickly large numbers of them are sold. Developers will be forced to develop the games if lots of people buy the addons. But it is chicken and egg, people like myself will see how many games are developed to support the addons before buying them, hence developers will be reluctant to spend time and money on developing games with online facilities.
To be successful PS2 owners will be required to take a leap of faith and purchase the addons knowing that there will be games down the line to support them. Much like buying the console at launch, with few good titles knowing the AAA titles like GT3, GTA3, MGS2 and others would be along in time.
I, however am still not convinced enough that they will be a success to make this leap of faith.
To be successful PS2 owners will be required to take a leap of faith and purchase the addons knowing that there will be games down the line to support them. Much like buying the console at launch, with few good titles knowing the AAA titles like GT3, GTA3, MGS2 and others would be along in time.
I, however am still not convinced enough that they will be a success to make this leap of faith.
good point there sonicrav...
the PS2 add-on will be useless if the modem isnt bought which means people will have to dish about £200 out and spend (in some cases) more on th add-ons than the consoles...
the XBox HDD has a real use the PS2 HDD is just a gimmik by sony to make some hard needed monay and to try and combat the XBox...
the PS2 add-on will be useless if the modem isnt bought which means people will have to dish about £200 out and spend (in some cases) more on th add-ons than the consoles...
the XBox HDD has a real use the PS2 HDD is just a gimmik by sony to make some hard needed monay and to try and combat the XBox...
Most people will know the history of add ons. Sega's 32X and Mega CD were made to exploit their lucrative 16bit console even though the industry was screaming for 32bit, and Nintendo's 64DD would allow extras for games and the ability to surf the net. All of these failed horribly.
So why, oh why are Sony trying to make people buy a modem and Hard drive add on to the PS2?
What my above examples have proved is that if a feature doesn't come with a console then games won't support it. If games don't support it, then gamers won't buy it, and so the cycle continues. Basically, if it ain't in the box when you buy the console it won't take off.
However, has the industry changed enough to make sure that Sony's add ons don't flop? After all, both of these things are aimed at internet gaming, which is seen by many to be the way into the future.
Not only that, but already it appears that Sony have some big-name games coming out that will support the modem- Final Fantasy 11 being the biggest.
But what about the hard drive? What will it actually do? It could save upgrades for games- but if people don't buy it then there won't be any games supporting it. It could save things from the internet... but why would people want to buy a whole new unit to do this?
Personally, I am still in the mind that manufacturers have to either provide features in the console when you buy it, OR make upgrades cheap and necissary for people to buy them.
The N64 expansion pack was bundled with games, and even required for some big titles. It was cheap, no hassel, and took off very well. Likewise, I can see the Xbox's cheap upgrade to allow it to play DVDs taking off big time- after all, for £30 you erradicate the need for a DVD player.
However, with the PS2 upgrades, things are different. The hard drive really does have no appeal to any non-hardcore gamers- it's simply too costly to warrant buying. The modem will probably take off in limitted numbers, but how many games developers will really support it to make casual gamers buy what is a fairly pricey piece of kit?
Sonnic
So why, oh why are Sony trying to make people buy a modem and Hard drive add on to the PS2?
What my above examples have proved is that if a feature doesn't come with a console then games won't support it. If games don't support it, then gamers won't buy it, and so the cycle continues. Basically, if it ain't in the box when you buy the console it won't take off.
However, has the industry changed enough to make sure that Sony's add ons don't flop? After all, both of these things are aimed at internet gaming, which is seen by many to be the way into the future.
Not only that, but already it appears that Sony have some big-name games coming out that will support the modem- Final Fantasy 11 being the biggest.
But what about the hard drive? What will it actually do? It could save upgrades for games- but if people don't buy it then there won't be any games supporting it. It could save things from the internet... but why would people want to buy a whole new unit to do this?
Personally, I am still in the mind that manufacturers have to either provide features in the console when you buy it, OR make upgrades cheap and necissary for people to buy them.
The N64 expansion pack was bundled with games, and even required for some big titles. It was cheap, no hassel, and took off very well. Likewise, I can see the Xbox's cheap upgrade to allow it to play DVDs taking off big time- after all, for £30 you erradicate the need for a DVD player.
However, with the PS2 upgrades, things are different. The hard drive really does have no appeal to any non-hardcore gamers- it's simply too costly to warrant buying. The modem will probably take off in limitted numbers, but how many games developers will really support it to make casual gamers buy what is a fairly pricey piece of kit?
Sonnic
Page: