The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
The closest gaming is going to get to being a sociable hobby is online gaming. Unfortunately for us, this phenomenon has yet to start. So we are left with our age old friend. Multiplayer gaming.
I find that with all consoles having a multiplayer option there is no excuse for gamers to be your typical (and stereotyped) nerd who has no friends. I am not one, and I guess anyone on these forums would be offended to be called one, because this sterotyping has been wiped out (almost). All because gaming has become social.
From about the NES we've had multiplayer gaming. Now that such advanced consoles (and just as advanced large 16:9 TV's) have been released, multiplayer gaming is becoming more and more popular. From the Micro Machines Mega-Drive cart having an extra 2 controller ports in addition to the default 2, that was the real start of this sociable gaming.
When the Playstation was released I was surprised that it didn't have 4 controller ports. The neccessity of buying a Multi-Tap, or even, a link cable, another TV, another Playstation and another game, made real multiplayer gaming unaccessible to those who spent all their cash on the console and any games they had for it.
The the N64 came along. This was very good in the sense that with 4 controller ports you could have real mulitplayer gaming. And it was great! With GoldenEye, Mario Kart 64, Diddy Knog Racing and Mario Party 1,2 and 3 it was difficult NOT to have a fun night in with your friends and an N64 (and the right game).
Then we have the portable consoles. The Game Boy Colour and the Game Boy Advance, both of which supported 2 player and for the first time ever, the Game Boy Advance could support 4 player. The Game Boy Colour, also with an infra-red link, made interactive gaming possible with each other. Pokemon being a prime example, especially the later games with Card Pop!, Pokemon Trading and the ability to play Mystery Gift making hand held consoles popular. Then the GBA, with it's amazing potential. On the go 4 player gaming. And with everyone having their own individual screen, plus with games such as Mario Kart GBA, it was no surprise that gamers couldn't wait for this console. Even a multiplayer Mario game (not Kart) is available, with a sequel in March.
Now onto the Dreamcast. This console also had 4 controller ports. And these controllers we're interesting in the fact you had a VMU (Visual Memory Unit) with its own screen and any other item (Rumble Pack etc) it made the versatility of the controller more so. And with the ability to play games online (such as Phantasy Star Online) it made this console seem very promising. But unfortunately for Sega, due to some problems with the online gaming early on and others, it didn't pick up and become as populr as it should of, therefore leading to its downfall.
And then we have the PS2, which already has a promising Expansion Bay. Now that can only be a good thing. But Sony, for some reason, decided to only put 2 controller ports on their new console, again, you need a Multi-Tap. So no out of the box 4 player gaming then? Oh well. Money making scheme? Or just for the aesthetics? No less, a confirmed (Japanese, that is) release of the modem and hard drive for summer 2002 means that online gaming soon may be possible in full. Unfortunately there aren't enough people yet that are broadband here, plus costs are higher, so we may need to wait a bit before we get online gaming. And the costs of this online gaming are also fairly high. With the average cost of FFXI Online being about £200, its an expensive gaming addition...
And finally to 2 console yet to be released, Gamecube, of Nintendo, with 4 controller ports (Super Monkey Ball, anyone?) and several expansion bays, and the Xbox, from Microsoft, also with 4 controller ports and a pre-installed hard drive (8GB..oooh...) it looks like its only the beginning of multiplayer and indeed, online gaming. I cant wait for PSO V.2, or Auto Modellista, or FFXI. This new generation of sociable, multiplayer and online gaming has only just begun...
What do you think?
I find that with all consoles having a multiplayer option there is no excuse for gamers to be your typical (and stereotyped) nerd who has no friends. I am not one, and I guess anyone on these forums would be offended to be called one, because this sterotyping has been wiped out (almost). All because gaming has become social.
From about the NES we've had multiplayer gaming. Now that such advanced consoles (and just as advanced large 16:9 TV's) have been released, multiplayer gaming is becoming more and more popular. From the Micro Machines Mega-Drive cart having an extra 2 controller ports in addition to the default 2, that was the real start of this sociable gaming.
When the Playstation was released I was surprised that it didn't have 4 controller ports. The neccessity of buying a Multi-Tap, or even, a link cable, another TV, another Playstation and another game, made real multiplayer gaming unaccessible to those who spent all their cash on the console and any games they had for it.
The the N64 came along. This was very good in the sense that with 4 controller ports you could have real mulitplayer gaming. And it was great! With GoldenEye, Mario Kart 64, Diddy Knog Racing and Mario Party 1,2 and 3 it was difficult NOT to have a fun night in with your friends and an N64 (and the right game).
Then we have the portable consoles. The Game Boy Colour and the Game Boy Advance, both of which supported 2 player and for the first time ever, the Game Boy Advance could support 4 player. The Game Boy Colour, also with an infra-red link, made interactive gaming possible with each other. Pokemon being a prime example, especially the later games with Card Pop!, Pokemon Trading and the ability to play Mystery Gift making hand held consoles popular. Then the GBA, with it's amazing potential. On the go 4 player gaming. And with everyone having their own individual screen, plus with games such as Mario Kart GBA, it was no surprise that gamers couldn't wait for this console. Even a multiplayer Mario game (not Kart) is available, with a sequel in March.
Now onto the Dreamcast. This console also had 4 controller ports. And these controllers we're interesting in the fact you had a VMU (Visual Memory Unit) with its own screen and any other item (Rumble Pack etc) it made the versatility of the controller more so. And with the ability to play games online (such as Phantasy Star Online) it made this console seem very promising. But unfortunately for Sega, due to some problems with the online gaming early on and others, it didn't pick up and become as populr as it should of, therefore leading to its downfall.
And then we have the PS2, which already has a promising Expansion Bay. Now that can only be a good thing. But Sony, for some reason, decided to only put 2 controller ports on their new console, again, you need a Multi-Tap. So no out of the box 4 player gaming then? Oh well. Money making scheme? Or just for the aesthetics? No less, a confirmed (Japanese, that is) release of the modem and hard drive for summer 2002 means that online gaming soon may be possible in full. Unfortunately there aren't enough people yet that are broadband here, plus costs are higher, so we may need to wait a bit before we get online gaming. And the costs of this online gaming are also fairly high. With the average cost of FFXI Online being about £200, its an expensive gaming addition...
And finally to 2 console yet to be released, Gamecube, of Nintendo, with 4 controller ports (Super Monkey Ball, anyone?) and several expansion bays, and the Xbox, from Microsoft, also with 4 controller ports and a pre-installed hard drive (8GB..oooh...) it looks like its only the beginning of multiplayer and indeed, online gaming. I cant wait for PSO V.2, or Auto Modellista, or FFXI. This new generation of sociable, multiplayer and online gaming has only just begun...
What do you think?
Sorry everyone i forgot to include pc gaming i would appreciate your view on that one!
I'm sorry
I should have put 'more social'
Talking to people online is better than to talk to yourself.
There's a name for that ... schizophrenia
I should have put 'more social'
Talking to people online is better than to talk to yourself.
There's a name for that ... schizophrenia
Multiplayer gaming has been around on the PC for ages, I used to dabble a bit myself. But yes it would be nice to see it available on a console such as the PS2. Well actually in essence it already is as you can play Tony Hawk 3 multiplayer with a 56k USB modem, it's all in the instruction manual!
With final fantasy XI though, as cool as it would be I don't like what I have seen so far, it looks as though the game has changed too much in style and looks much more like a Ultima online game or something. The reason I stopped PC Multiplayer gaming was because the game I was playing was incompletable, every month they added more and there was no end in sight. The novelty wore off pretty quick.
Going back to the original point however, I fail to see how multi-user gaming is social, your sitting on your own in a darkened room in front of your PC hooked up to the net, it's hardly social, i've been there, it's bringing back horrible memories, I think i may cry...
With final fantasy XI though, as cool as it would be I don't like what I have seen so far, it looks as though the game has changed too much in style and looks much more like a Ultima online game or something. The reason I stopped PC Multiplayer gaming was because the game I was playing was incompletable, every month they added more and there was no end in sight. The novelty wore off pretty quick.
Going back to the original point however, I fail to see how multi-user gaming is social, your sitting on your own in a darkened room in front of your PC hooked up to the net, it's hardly social, i've been there, it's bringing back horrible memories, I think i may cry...
The closest gaming is going to get to being a sociable hobby is online gaming. Unfortunately for us, this phenomenon has yet to start. So we are left with our age old friend. Multiplayer gaming.
I find that with all consoles having a multiplayer option there is no excuse for gamers to be your typical (and stereotyped) nerd who has no friends. I am not one, and I guess anyone on these forums would be offended to be called one, because this sterotyping has been wiped out (almost). All because gaming has become social.
From about the NES we've had multiplayer gaming. Now that such advanced consoles (and just as advanced large 16:9 TV's) have been released, multiplayer gaming is becoming more and more popular. From the Micro Machines Mega-Drive cart having an extra 2 controller ports in addition to the default 2, that was the real start of this sociable gaming.
When the Playstation was released I was surprised that it didn't have 4 controller ports. The neccessity of buying a Multi-Tap, or even, a link cable, another TV, another Playstation and another game, made real multiplayer gaming unaccessible to those who spent all their cash on the console and any games they had for it.
The the N64 came along. This was very good in the sense that with 4 controller ports you could have real mulitplayer gaming. And it was great! With GoldenEye, Mario Kart 64, Diddy Knog Racing and Mario Party 1,2 and 3 it was difficult NOT to have a fun night in with your friends and an N64 (and the right game).
Then we have the portable consoles. The Game Boy Colour and the Game Boy Advance, both of which supported 2 player and for the first time ever, the Game Boy Advance could support 4 player. The Game Boy Colour, also with an infra-red link, made interactive gaming possible with each other. Pokemon being a prime example, especially the later games with Card Pop!, Pokemon Trading and the ability to play Mystery Gift making hand held consoles popular. Then the GBA, with it's amazing potential. On the go 4 player gaming. And with everyone having their own individual screen, plus with games such as Mario Kart GBA, it was no surprise that gamers couldn't wait for this console. Even a multiplayer Mario game (not Kart) is available, with a sequel in March.
Now onto the Dreamcast. This console also had 4 controller ports. And these controllers we're interesting in the fact you had a VMU (Visual Memory Unit) with its own screen and any other item (Rumble Pack etc) it made the versatility of the controller more so. And with the ability to play games online (such as Phantasy Star Online) it made this console seem very promising. But unfortunately for Sega, due to some problems with the online gaming early on and others, it didn't pick up and become as populr as it should of, therefore leading to its downfall.
And then we have the PS2, which already has a promising Expansion Bay. Now that can only be a good thing. But Sony, for some reason, decided to only put 2 controller ports on their new console, again, you need a Multi-Tap. So no out of the box 4 player gaming then? Oh well. Money making scheme? Or just for the aesthetics? No less, a confirmed (Japanese, that is) release of the modem and hard drive for summer 2002 means that online gaming soon may be possible in full. Unfortunately there aren't enough people yet that are broadband here, plus costs are higher, so we may need to wait a bit before we get online gaming. And the costs of this online gaming are also fairly high. With the average cost of FFXI Online being about £200, its an expensive gaming addition...
And finally to 2 console yet to be released, Gamecube, of Nintendo, with 4 controller ports (Super Monkey Ball, anyone?) and several expansion bays, and the Xbox, from Microsoft, also with 4 controller ports and a pre-installed hard drive (8GB..oooh...) it looks like its only the beginning of multiplayer and indeed, online gaming. I cant wait for PSO V.2, or Auto Modellista, or FFXI. This new generation of sociable, multiplayer and online gaming has only just begun...
What do you think?
I find that with all consoles having a multiplayer option there is no excuse for gamers to be your typical (and stereotyped) nerd who has no friends. I am not one, and I guess anyone on these forums would be offended to be called one, because this sterotyping has been wiped out (almost). All because gaming has become social.
From about the NES we've had multiplayer gaming. Now that such advanced consoles (and just as advanced large 16:9 TV's) have been released, multiplayer gaming is becoming more and more popular. From the Micro Machines Mega-Drive cart having an extra 2 controller ports in addition to the default 2, that was the real start of this sociable gaming.
When the Playstation was released I was surprised that it didn't have 4 controller ports. The neccessity of buying a Multi-Tap, or even, a link cable, another TV, another Playstation and another game, made real multiplayer gaming unaccessible to those who spent all their cash on the console and any games they had for it.
The the N64 came along. This was very good in the sense that with 4 controller ports you could have real mulitplayer gaming. And it was great! With GoldenEye, Mario Kart 64, Diddy Knog Racing and Mario Party 1,2 and 3 it was difficult NOT to have a fun night in with your friends and an N64 (and the right game).
Then we have the portable consoles. The Game Boy Colour and the Game Boy Advance, both of which supported 2 player and for the first time ever, the Game Boy Advance could support 4 player. The Game Boy Colour, also with an infra-red link, made interactive gaming possible with each other. Pokemon being a prime example, especially the later games with Card Pop!, Pokemon Trading and the ability to play Mystery Gift making hand held consoles popular. Then the GBA, with it's amazing potential. On the go 4 player gaming. And with everyone having their own individual screen, plus with games such as Mario Kart GBA, it was no surprise that gamers couldn't wait for this console. Even a multiplayer Mario game (not Kart) is available, with a sequel in March.
Now onto the Dreamcast. This console also had 4 controller ports. And these controllers we're interesting in the fact you had a VMU (Visual Memory Unit) with its own screen and any other item (Rumble Pack etc) it made the versatility of the controller more so. And with the ability to play games online (such as Phantasy Star Online) it made this console seem very promising. But unfortunately for Sega, due to some problems with the online gaming early on and others, it didn't pick up and become as populr as it should of, therefore leading to its downfall.
And then we have the PS2, which already has a promising Expansion Bay. Now that can only be a good thing. But Sony, for some reason, decided to only put 2 controller ports on their new console, again, you need a Multi-Tap. So no out of the box 4 player gaming then? Oh well. Money making scheme? Or just for the aesthetics? No less, a confirmed (Japanese, that is) release of the modem and hard drive for summer 2002 means that online gaming soon may be possible in full. Unfortunately there aren't enough people yet that are broadband here, plus costs are higher, so we may need to wait a bit before we get online gaming. And the costs of this online gaming are also fairly high. With the average cost of FFXI Online being about £200, its an expensive gaming addition...
And finally to 2 console yet to be released, Gamecube, of Nintendo, with 4 controller ports (Super Monkey Ball, anyone?) and several expansion bays, and the Xbox, from Microsoft, also with 4 controller ports and a pre-installed hard drive (8GB..oooh...) it looks like its only the beginning of multiplayer and indeed, online gaming. I cant wait for PSO V.2, or Auto Modellista, or FFXI. This new generation of sociable, multiplayer and online gaming has only just begun...
What do you think?