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I am sure that all of us by now have read reports of bad Xbox sales, forums being overrun with negative slur's and many sites reporting on it.
This sets out a number of questions for you yourself to answer and wonder what is this really about?
Here is my take on all that has been going on in the past few weeks:
Anti Xbox or Anti Microsoft
=============================
When you are such a large company with so much control as Microsoft you will always find people willing to point out the down sides. The Windows Vs Linux arguments rampaged on and on for months and then everyone realised that although Linux was a nice Operating System, Windows just had to many positives to rule it out completely. A lot of people choose to have both Operating Systems and admit that Microsoft still has the most compatible interface available.
The fact that the Xbox displays the Microsoft logo is the only thing in my eyes that is causing all this Anti-Xbox propaganda we are experiencing. With the numerous sites covering negative commentary on the Xbox I am less then convinced of it being just general reporting but rather a farce. A farce that actual can succeed in destroying the Xbox. We all know that advertising is a powerful medium for getting people's attention to buy a product, but this also means that internet sites all covering these insane articles about the so called "Xbox Flop" isn't helping matters.
Xbox Power or Cower
=============================
The console itself most of us admit is the most powerful we have ever seen and now we are seeing the games that are tapping into the heart of the new world Microsoft promised all that time ago. Online gaming is now becoming a reality for console owners. Yes Sega initially had it's own version, but that was dial-up access and not the 100% broadband Xbox is offering. The built in Hard Drive for custom music for games, virtually unlimited game saves and the future option for developers to have add-ons (not patches) for games to add extra levels, characters and statistics.
These are what make this console in particular more exciting, but let's not forget that it is the most powerful console in the market today....
With the help of NVIDIA graphics and a lovely Intel Processor, we are finally experiencing what the PC world has been slowly building up to graphically.
The whole point of a console is the fact that every part (if done properly) can be optimised to make the most of the game features graphically, gameplay and music for creation. PC's although do have all these features and are getting more with new graphics cards entering the market every 6 months, the Xbox has the power to make the use of these features now. PC's have the problem of people playing catch up. Not everybody has the same configuration which causes many problems for programmers and PC users. The constant need for expensive upgrades, driver updates and the wish to build a very fast PC leaves most PC users behind the times in keeping up with technology. This leaves the game creators the task of trying to cater for everybody with resolution options, detail options, Direct X Vs OpenGL speeds and tweak guides for many games and indeed the Operating Systems on which they run. Consoles are static, never change making it ideal for the programming community to tap into every feature if they so wish to.
Xbox or PC?
=============================
Another Anti-Xbox argument is that it is basically a cut down PC. This may be true but why is this suggested? Is it because it uses PC components? Well maybe the other consoles then use something else? Doesn't the Sony Playstation 2 have a graphics chip? yes it does... doesn't the Sony Playstation 2 have a DVD ROM drive? Yes it does. In fact the PS2 goes further then the Xbox in the way of having USB ports for a mouse maybe and a keyboard! Does this make the PS2 A cut down PC also?
Conclusion
=============================
We all have a right to have an opinion and free speech is a good thing in a democratic country, but I personally feel that people are ganging up together to make the Xbox sound like a worthless pile of rubbish when in fact their is a loyal fan base including the visitors to my site and many other Xbox sites around the internet, a constantly growing and diverse games range with some impressive titles such as Halo, Dead or Alive 3, Quantum Redshift, Project Gotham Racing, Unreal Championship to name but a few. Remember developers are making Xbox versions of Serious Sam, maybe even Doom 3 and Unreal 2 for the Xbox. Is this a failing machine or a perfect platform for developers to make graphical splendour and gameplay a reality. Well that is for you to decide. What ever your decision remember this:
It is a console, it is the most powerful, it has only been out for a year, and people like me will always support something that has the potential to revolutionise the console world. You may dislike the Xbox with pleasure, but there is no need for constantly bashing the system to influence neutrals who are deciding which console to go for. Let them decide. Let them go to various stores to view each console and its games and decide for themselves, not have all these internet sites and people on forum's creating propaganda to influence their decision.
I love the Xbox, many people do, so let all the Xbox owners of this article unite and swear to follow the Xbox potential as I myself haven't been this excited since the very start of 3D graphics for the PC. That for one is worth something.
This sets out a number of questions for you yourself to answer and wonder what is this really about?
Here is my take on all that has been going on in the past few weeks:
Anti Xbox or Anti Microsoft
=============================
When you are such a large company with so much control as Microsoft you will always find people willing to point out the down sides. The Windows Vs Linux arguments rampaged on and on for months and then everyone realised that although Linux was a nice Operating System, Windows just had to many positives to rule it out completely. A lot of people choose to have both Operating Systems and admit that Microsoft still has the most compatible interface available.
The fact that the Xbox displays the Microsoft logo is the only thing in my eyes that is causing all this Anti-Xbox propaganda we are experiencing. With the numerous sites covering negative commentary on the Xbox I am less then convinced of it being just general reporting but rather a farce. A farce that actual can succeed in destroying the Xbox. We all know that advertising is a powerful medium for getting people's attention to buy a product, but this also means that internet sites all covering these insane articles about the so called "Xbox Flop" isn't helping matters.
Xbox Power or Cower
=============================
The console itself most of us admit is the most powerful we have ever seen and now we are seeing the games that are tapping into the heart of the new world Microsoft promised all that time ago. Online gaming is now becoming a reality for console owners. Yes Sega initially had it's own version, but that was dial-up access and not the 100% broadband Xbox is offering. The built in Hard Drive for custom music for games, virtually unlimited game saves and the future option for developers to have add-ons (not patches) for games to add extra levels, characters and statistics.
These are what make this console in particular more exciting, but let's not forget that it is the most powerful console in the market today....
With the help of NVIDIA graphics and a lovely Intel Processor, we are finally experiencing what the PC world has been slowly building up to graphically.
The whole point of a console is the fact that every part (if done properly) can be optimised to make the most of the game features graphically, gameplay and music for creation. PC's although do have all these features and are getting more with new graphics cards entering the market every 6 months, the Xbox has the power to make the use of these features now. PC's have the problem of people playing catch up. Not everybody has the same configuration which causes many problems for programmers and PC users. The constant need for expensive upgrades, driver updates and the wish to build a very fast PC leaves most PC users behind the times in keeping up with technology. This leaves the game creators the task of trying to cater for everybody with resolution options, detail options, Direct X Vs OpenGL speeds and tweak guides for many games and indeed the Operating Systems on which they run. Consoles are static, never change making it ideal for the programming community to tap into every feature if they so wish to.
Xbox or PC?
=============================
Another Anti-Xbox argument is that it is basically a cut down PC. This may be true but why is this suggested? Is it because it uses PC components? Well maybe the other consoles then use something else? Doesn't the Sony Playstation 2 have a graphics chip? yes it does... doesn't the Sony Playstation 2 have a DVD ROM drive? Yes it does. In fact the PS2 goes further then the Xbox in the way of having USB ports for a mouse maybe and a keyboard! Does this make the PS2 A cut down PC also?
Conclusion
=============================
We all have a right to have an opinion and free speech is a good thing in a democratic country, but I personally feel that people are ganging up together to make the Xbox sound like a worthless pile of rubbish when in fact their is a loyal fan base including the visitors to my site and many other Xbox sites around the internet, a constantly growing and diverse games range with some impressive titles such as Halo, Dead or Alive 3, Quantum Redshift, Project Gotham Racing, Unreal Championship to name but a few. Remember developers are making Xbox versions of Serious Sam, maybe even Doom 3 and Unreal 2 for the Xbox. Is this a failing machine or a perfect platform for developers to make graphical splendour and gameplay a reality. Well that is for you to decide. What ever your decision remember this:
It is a console, it is the most powerful, it has only been out for a year, and people like me will always support something that has the potential to revolutionise the console world. You may dislike the Xbox with pleasure, but there is no need for constantly bashing the system to influence neutrals who are deciding which console to go for. Let them decide. Let them go to various stores to view each console and its games and decide for themselves, not have all these internet sites and people on forum's creating propaganda to influence their decision.
I love the Xbox, many people do, so let all the Xbox owners of this article unite and swear to follow the Xbox potential as I myself haven't been this excited since the very start of 3D graphics for the PC. That for one is worth something.
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UT2003 I have found to be graphically lovely, yet the gameplay is quite dull! thats my opinion. I will show you Unreal Championship then we can finally make the PC vs Xbox question valid :)
"There's also no question that Xbox is the most powerful system, yet the difference is not as great as MS would like us to believe. A 733MHz Pentium is probably only slightly more powerful in real terms than the custom gaming CPU's in the PS2 or GC."
Although I can understand why you would be led to belive this is true, your far wrong from two counts!
1) the CPU and GPU combined in the XBOX walk all over the PS2 custom Toshiba ( I Think ) chip, the PS2 chip theoretical graphical output falls dramitcally when lighting and textures are involved, don;t even get me started on the Anti-alaising issue!!
2) the XBOx doesn't use the CPU at all (or shouldn't be :) for graphics rendering, thus leaving it to work on other things, yes a faster CPU would mean faster graphics, but it isn't nessecery!! However, if I can remember correctly the PS2 isn't built this way!
I'm not saying that good or bad, but the XBOX has alot mroe power than the PS2 which, to be fair is surprising me with it's 3G games!! scary the Xbos is just entering 2G!
"The whole point of a console is the fact that every part (if done properly) can be optimised to make the most of the game features graphically, gameplay and music for creation. PC's although do have all these features and are getting more with new graphics cards entering the market every 6 months, the Xbox has the power to make the use of these features now. "
GlideM, you know I agree on most part's but after playing UT2003 (properly) on my PC I'm back with the PC, but yes, it would be nothing with out my spec and not everyone is like me when it comes to spending on PC's!! Your agrument still stands but the PC market has been given a new lease of life where graphics and gameply are involved!!
Although I can understand why you would be led to belive this is true, your far wrong from two counts!
1) the CPU and GPU combined in the XBOX walk all over the PS2 custom Toshiba ( I Think ) chip, the PS2 chip theoretical graphical output falls dramitcally when lighting and textures are involved, don;t even get me started on the Anti-alaising issue!!
2) the XBOx doesn't use the CPU at all (or shouldn't be :) for graphics rendering, thus leaving it to work on other things, yes a faster CPU would mean faster graphics, but it isn't nessecery!! However, if I can remember correctly the PS2 isn't built this way!
I'm not saying that good or bad, but the XBOX has alot mroe power than the PS2 which, to be fair is surprising me with it's 3G games!! scary the Xbos is just entering 2G!
"The whole point of a console is the fact that every part (if done properly) can be optimised to make the most of the game features graphically, gameplay and music for creation. PC's although do have all these features and are getting more with new graphics cards entering the market every 6 months, the Xbox has the power to make the use of these features now. "
GlideM, you know I agree on most part's but after playing UT2003 (properly) on my PC I'm back with the PC, but yes, it would be nothing with out my spec and not everyone is like me when it comes to spending on PC's!! Your agrument still stands but the PC market has been given a new lease of life where graphics and gameply are involved!!
Well im confused, it says: USER REMOVED! yes i havent been and if so why?
testing 1...2....3 it says on my first post ive been removed :S
GlideM wrote:
> Have you ever heard 5.1 sound? It has revolutionised DVD's and thanks
> to the Xbox now games!
It's good, but to me the important thing is always the game. DVD's are great with it, but I've got a DVD player for that -obviously it's more of a bonus if someone hasn't already got a DVD player.
> Xbox Live! Im actually glad is broadband only as with the Dial up you
> would get bad ping, jumpy games and not so much detail!!! In the UK
> more and more people are getting Broadband and the MS subscription is
> only £50 a year and with that you get a headset, a years
> subscription to the Live! service and 2 free games!!!!
It'll be good quality, but an experience that many users won't be able to afford. Online gaming was never supposed to seperate gamers, it was supposed to bring everyone closer together. The introductory offer is bound to be good, once MS has hooked people it can then charge more after the first year, which it will.
~~Belldandy~~
> Have you ever heard 5.1 sound? It has revolutionised DVD's and thanks
> to the Xbox now games!
It's good, but to me the important thing is always the game. DVD's are great with it, but I've got a DVD player for that -obviously it's more of a bonus if someone hasn't already got a DVD player.
> Xbox Live! Im actually glad is broadband only as with the Dial up you
> would get bad ping, jumpy games and not so much detail!!! In the UK
> more and more people are getting Broadband and the MS subscription is
> only £50 a year and with that you get a headset, a years
> subscription to the Live! service and 2 free games!!!!
It'll be good quality, but an experience that many users won't be able to afford. Online gaming was never supposed to seperate gamers, it was supposed to bring everyone closer together. The introductory offer is bound to be good, once MS has hooked people it can then charge more after the first year, which it will.
~~Belldandy~~
------"Features like Widescreen, 5.1 sound, adding your own music are still just gimmicks really, they enhance the gaming but thats all, if there isn't the games there to play they mean little. Xbox Live is a good idea, but like Sony's doomed enterprise, an insistence on Broadband only will condemn it to a slow death unless Broadband prices and MS's subscription rate are cut."
I would never call you a Ninty don't worry, but I would like to counter attack your message :)
Have you ever heard 5.1 sound? It has revolutionised DVD's and thanks to the Xbox now games!
Xbox Live! Im actually glad is broadband only as with the Dial up you would get bad ping, jumpy games and not so much detail!!! In the UK more and more people are getting Broadband and the MS subscription is only £50 a year and with that you get a headset, a years subscription to the Live! service and 2 free games!!!!
I would never call you a Ninty don't worry, but I would like to counter attack your message :)
Have you ever heard 5.1 sound? It has revolutionised DVD's and thanks to the Xbox now games!
Xbox Live! Im actually glad is broadband only as with the Dial up you would get bad ping, jumpy games and not so much detail!!! In the UK more and more people are getting Broadband and the MS subscription is only £50 a year and with that you get a headset, a years subscription to the Live! service and 2 free games!!!!
If you look hard enough you'll see that all 3 of the main consoles has its fair share of haters and moaners, if the internet has achieved one thing then its that it allowed hatred of a variety of things to be spread around the world a lot faster.
Many people see Microsoft's buying of Rare, and the numerous other reports of Microsoft trying to buy various other developers, as bad. The industry as a whole has more or less been working to the idea of largely multiformat gaming with consoles only having a core of exclusive titles. Microsoft has the money to, in theory, buy a lot of developers, and hte fear is that if Xbox goes the way of the Dreamcast then those developers will be lost, In addition, whatever games have come out since launch, Microsoft have done a poor job of letting anyone know about them, many of us non Xbox people can name abut five titles - Hal, DOA3, Project Gotham, Amped and Buffy -. A glance at the official Xbox magazines A-Z of games show that the launch titles are still the most highly scoring games out in the main.
I feel that Microsoft are trying to emulate Sony by appealing to the same kind of gamer. The gaming experience is nearly the saem but with graphics that are slightly nicer, however it isn't the gaming experience that the Gamecube gives with its UNIQUE games. Sure, rant all you like about Halo but it's still a FPS at the end of the day. Where's the decent platform games like Mario ? Party games like Super Smash Bros Melle, where's somethign unique like Pikmin, or a great movie tie in like Rogue Leader ?
Features like Widescreen, 5.1 sound, adding your own music are still just gimmicks really, they enhance the gaming but thats all, if there isn't the games there to play they mean little. Xbox Live is a good idea, but like Sony's doomed enterprise, an insistence on Broadband only will condemn it to a slow death unless Broadband prices and MS's subscription rate are cut.
And before I get called a "ninty" or whatever you feel like, I've got a PS2 as well.
~~Belldandy~~
Many people see Microsoft's buying of Rare, and the numerous other reports of Microsoft trying to buy various other developers, as bad. The industry as a whole has more or less been working to the idea of largely multiformat gaming with consoles only having a core of exclusive titles. Microsoft has the money to, in theory, buy a lot of developers, and hte fear is that if Xbox goes the way of the Dreamcast then those developers will be lost, In addition, whatever games have come out since launch, Microsoft have done a poor job of letting anyone know about them, many of us non Xbox people can name abut five titles - Hal, DOA3, Project Gotham, Amped and Buffy -. A glance at the official Xbox magazines A-Z of games show that the launch titles are still the most highly scoring games out in the main.
I feel that Microsoft are trying to emulate Sony by appealing to the same kind of gamer. The gaming experience is nearly the saem but with graphics that are slightly nicer, however it isn't the gaming experience that the Gamecube gives with its UNIQUE games. Sure, rant all you like about Halo but it's still a FPS at the end of the day. Where's the decent platform games like Mario ? Party games like Super Smash Bros Melle, where's somethign unique like Pikmin, or a great movie tie in like Rogue Leader ?
Features like Widescreen, 5.1 sound, adding your own music are still just gimmicks really, they enhance the gaming but thats all, if there isn't the games there to play they mean little. Xbox Live is a good idea, but like Sony's doomed enterprise, an insistence on Broadband only will condemn it to a slow death unless Broadband prices and MS's subscription rate are cut.
And before I get called a "ninty" or whatever you feel like, I've got a PS2 as well.
~~Belldandy~~
Excellent post mate. ;-) I'm a very happy X-Box owner and I can't wait for the future releases that are on the way. I have a list of around 80 titles that I want. ;-))
Excellent Stuff.
Being an Xbox owner myself, I find that people can be quite biased towards the console itself. After trading in my PS2 for an Xbox i have never regretted it since.
Why are people so negative towards the Xbox? I just don't get it, Its a great console....
Being an Xbox owner myself, I find that people can be quite biased towards the console itself. After trading in my PS2 for an Xbox i have never regretted it since.
Why are people so negative towards the Xbox? I just don't get it, Its a great console....
Nice post. All I can say is I have an Xbox and I think it's excellent. I sold my PS2 for it and I don't regret it at all.
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