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Online gaming is undoubtedly the future, and is constantly hyped by the media, and lapped up by developers. Playing games against others across the globe instead of relying on friends seems ideal, and it gives you a chance to theoretically become a global master. This is a relatively new and bold step by console developers, however PC owners have been able to play online for years.
The PC is able to connect to remote servers and play online linked games in a variety of ways. Due to the PC's nature as being easily exploited, and minimally governed, this was possible years ago. The favourite way of playing online games is usually through a community, such as GameSpy, where users can talk to others in chat rooms and where they are guaranteed a large population online at any one time. However, a slow connection to the internet will not suffice with today's games, and in a paradoxical manner, other gamers with quick connections will suffer also if a slow player is in the game. Thus there is no regulatory technique or governing system ruling PC online gaming, and it is often slow and unwieldy.
So are console linked online gaming communities the answer? Well Microsoft and Sony certainly are banking a lot on the answer being yes. Microsoft's proprietry system will only allow broadband connections to its soon to be released XBox Online service. This will ensure only players with fast connections will be granted access to the servers. Thus the overall speed and and efficiency of the online community will be vastly improved. However, this vision of Microsoft's is likely to cost the consumer a fair packet. The gamer will have to pay not only for a broadband connection, but also for rental of the Microsoft XBox Online service. However, it is likely to be true that the gamer will get more than their money's worth from the service.
What makes Microsoft's online service so attractive to gamers? Microsoft have put a lot of thought and money into providing the best online gaming experience that technology can provide. This will include easy to use access and gameplay, the games will be fast - with no lag, and players will be able to chat in real time audio using a headset. To add, the XBox can also alter the voice of the player to sound like, for example, a robot when playing Halo. Microsoft have promised a well integrated and powerful system for gamers to venture into the online world, but as aforementioned, at a price.
So what alternatives do XBox owners have? It is unarguable that all gamers would like to play online, but unfortunately many after paying for the console and the games will be tight on cash. At this point in time the only solution is a complex sounding ethernet link to a PC, and from there fooling the XBox into thinking it is running on a LAN. By doing this XBox owners can run a 'tunnel' program such as GameSpy Tunnel or XBoxGW, and play LANeque games from players over the internet. However, even with the system up and running, the same problems will be encountered as that with PC online gamers. There will be no regulations, so a player could theoretically connect his XBox to a clapped out old modem which would yield poor results for himself and the community as a whole. Thus using tunneled online gaming with the XBox is likely to be as slow and unwieldy as many PC online games using the same community.
So it all boils down to the age old argument, pay for quality, or put up with mediocre service, but not a pay a penny. This argument is likely to be the one that will also be valid for PlayStation owners. Owners of Sony's console are scheduled for a online lead release very soon. Sony are also dubbing an online community similar to that of Microsoft in the not to distant future. Thus there will be undoubtedly another console running a quality online service. This will spawn third party online support as per XBox, and the choice will be available to owners.
It remains axiomatic that a gamer wants solidity and stability in their games, this should remain true with online gaming services. Perhaps one day broadband connections will be widespread and common practice. Also on that fine day we may see online gaming being incorporated into consoles 'as standard'. However, in the current status quo online gaming is relatively 'new' and we should expect to pay for it.
The PC is able to connect to remote servers and play online linked games in a variety of ways. Due to the PC's nature as being easily exploited, and minimally governed, this was possible years ago. The favourite way of playing online games is usually through a community, such as GameSpy, where users can talk to others in chat rooms and where they are guaranteed a large population online at any one time. However, a slow connection to the internet will not suffice with today's games, and in a paradoxical manner, other gamers with quick connections will suffer also if a slow player is in the game. Thus there is no regulatory technique or governing system ruling PC online gaming, and it is often slow and unwieldy.
So are console linked online gaming communities the answer? Well Microsoft and Sony certainly are banking a lot on the answer being yes. Microsoft's proprietry system will only allow broadband connections to its soon to be released XBox Online service. This will ensure only players with fast connections will be granted access to the servers. Thus the overall speed and and efficiency of the online community will be vastly improved. However, this vision of Microsoft's is likely to cost the consumer a fair packet. The gamer will have to pay not only for a broadband connection, but also for rental of the Microsoft XBox Online service. However, it is likely to be true that the gamer will get more than their money's worth from the service.
What makes Microsoft's online service so attractive to gamers? Microsoft have put a lot of thought and money into providing the best online gaming experience that technology can provide. This will include easy to use access and gameplay, the games will be fast - with no lag, and players will be able to chat in real time audio using a headset. To add, the XBox can also alter the voice of the player to sound like, for example, a robot when playing Halo. Microsoft have promised a well integrated and powerful system for gamers to venture into the online world, but as aforementioned, at a price.
So what alternatives do XBox owners have? It is unarguable that all gamers would like to play online, but unfortunately many after paying for the console and the games will be tight on cash. At this point in time the only solution is a complex sounding ethernet link to a PC, and from there fooling the XBox into thinking it is running on a LAN. By doing this XBox owners can run a 'tunnel' program such as GameSpy Tunnel or XBoxGW, and play LANeque games from players over the internet. However, even with the system up and running, the same problems will be encountered as that with PC online gamers. There will be no regulations, so a player could theoretically connect his XBox to a clapped out old modem which would yield poor results for himself and the community as a whole. Thus using tunneled online gaming with the XBox is likely to be as slow and unwieldy as many PC online games using the same community.
So it all boils down to the age old argument, pay for quality, or put up with mediocre service, but not a pay a penny. This argument is likely to be the one that will also be valid for PlayStation owners. Owners of Sony's console are scheduled for a online lead release very soon. Sony are also dubbing an online community similar to that of Microsoft in the not to distant future. Thus there will be undoubtedly another console running a quality online service. This will spawn third party online support as per XBox, and the choice will be available to owners.
It remains axiomatic that a gamer wants solidity and stability in their games, this should remain true with online gaming services. Perhaps one day broadband connections will be widespread and common practice. Also on that fine day we may see online gaming being incorporated into consoles 'as standard'. However, in the current status quo online gaming is relatively 'new' and we should expect to pay for it.
*in Bond bad guy voice*
The latest morning post from Franny, I've been expecting you...
The latest morning post from Franny, I've been expecting you...
Online gaming is undoubtedly the future, and is constantly hyped by the media, and lapped up by developers. Playing games against others across the globe instead of relying on friends seems ideal, and it gives you a chance to theoretically become a global master. This is a relatively new and bold step by console developers, however PC owners have been able to play online for years.
The PC is able to connect to remote servers and play online linked games in a variety of ways. Due to the PC's nature as being easily exploited, and minimally governed, this was possible years ago. The favourite way of playing online games is usually through a community, such as GameSpy, where users can talk to others in chat rooms and where they are guaranteed a large population online at any one time. However, a slow connection to the internet will not suffice with today's games, and in a paradoxical manner, other gamers with quick connections will suffer also if a slow player is in the game. Thus there is no regulatory technique or governing system ruling PC online gaming, and it is often slow and unwieldy.
So are console linked online gaming communities the answer? Well Microsoft and Sony certainly are banking a lot on the answer being yes. Microsoft's proprietry system will only allow broadband connections to its soon to be released XBox Online service. This will ensure only players with fast connections will be granted access to the servers. Thus the overall speed and and efficiency of the online community will be vastly improved. However, this vision of Microsoft's is likely to cost the consumer a fair packet. The gamer will have to pay not only for a broadband connection, but also for rental of the Microsoft XBox Online service. However, it is likely to be true that the gamer will get more than their money's worth from the service.
What makes Microsoft's online service so attractive to gamers? Microsoft have put a lot of thought and money into providing the best online gaming experience that technology can provide. This will include easy to use access and gameplay, the games will be fast - with no lag, and players will be able to chat in real time audio using a headset. To add, the XBox can also alter the voice of the player to sound like, for example, a robot when playing Halo. Microsoft have promised a well integrated and powerful system for gamers to venture into the online world, but as aforementioned, at a price.
So what alternatives do XBox owners have? It is unarguable that all gamers would like to play online, but unfortunately many after paying for the console and the games will be tight on cash. At this point in time the only solution is a complex sounding ethernet link to a PC, and from there fooling the XBox into thinking it is running on a LAN. By doing this XBox owners can run a 'tunnel' program such as GameSpy Tunnel or XBoxGW, and play LANeque games from players over the internet. However, even with the system up and running, the same problems will be encountered as that with PC online gamers. There will be no regulations, so a player could theoretically connect his XBox to a clapped out old modem which would yield poor results for himself and the community as a whole. Thus using tunneled online gaming with the XBox is likely to be as slow and unwieldy as many PC online games using the same community.
So it all boils down to the age old argument, pay for quality, or put up with mediocre service, but not a pay a penny. This argument is likely to be the one that will also be valid for PlayStation owners. Owners of Sony's console are scheduled for a online lead release very soon. Sony are also dubbing an online community similar to that of Microsoft in the not to distant future. Thus there will be undoubtedly another console running a quality online service. This will spawn third party online support as per XBox, and the choice will be available to owners.
It remains axiomatic that a gamer wants solidity and stability in their games, this should remain true with online gaming services. Perhaps one day broadband connections will be widespread and common practice. Also on that fine day we may see online gaming being incorporated into consoles 'as standard'. However, in the current status quo online gaming is relatively 'new' and we should expect to pay for it.
The PC is able to connect to remote servers and play online linked games in a variety of ways. Due to the PC's nature as being easily exploited, and minimally governed, this was possible years ago. The favourite way of playing online games is usually through a community, such as GameSpy, where users can talk to others in chat rooms and where they are guaranteed a large population online at any one time. However, a slow connection to the internet will not suffice with today's games, and in a paradoxical manner, other gamers with quick connections will suffer also if a slow player is in the game. Thus there is no regulatory technique or governing system ruling PC online gaming, and it is often slow and unwieldy.
So are console linked online gaming communities the answer? Well Microsoft and Sony certainly are banking a lot on the answer being yes. Microsoft's proprietry system will only allow broadband connections to its soon to be released XBox Online service. This will ensure only players with fast connections will be granted access to the servers. Thus the overall speed and and efficiency of the online community will be vastly improved. However, this vision of Microsoft's is likely to cost the consumer a fair packet. The gamer will have to pay not only for a broadband connection, but also for rental of the Microsoft XBox Online service. However, it is likely to be true that the gamer will get more than their money's worth from the service.
What makes Microsoft's online service so attractive to gamers? Microsoft have put a lot of thought and money into providing the best online gaming experience that technology can provide. This will include easy to use access and gameplay, the games will be fast - with no lag, and players will be able to chat in real time audio using a headset. To add, the XBox can also alter the voice of the player to sound like, for example, a robot when playing Halo. Microsoft have promised a well integrated and powerful system for gamers to venture into the online world, but as aforementioned, at a price.
So what alternatives do XBox owners have? It is unarguable that all gamers would like to play online, but unfortunately many after paying for the console and the games will be tight on cash. At this point in time the only solution is a complex sounding ethernet link to a PC, and from there fooling the XBox into thinking it is running on a LAN. By doing this XBox owners can run a 'tunnel' program such as GameSpy Tunnel or XBoxGW, and play LANeque games from players over the internet. However, even with the system up and running, the same problems will be encountered as that with PC online gamers. There will be no regulations, so a player could theoretically connect his XBox to a clapped out old modem which would yield poor results for himself and the community as a whole. Thus using tunneled online gaming with the XBox is likely to be as slow and unwieldy as many PC online games using the same community.
So it all boils down to the age old argument, pay for quality, or put up with mediocre service, but not a pay a penny. This argument is likely to be the one that will also be valid for PlayStation owners. Owners of Sony's console are scheduled for a online lead release very soon. Sony are also dubbing an online community similar to that of Microsoft in the not to distant future. Thus there will be undoubtedly another console running a quality online service. This will spawn third party online support as per XBox, and the choice will be available to owners.
It remains axiomatic that a gamer wants solidity and stability in their games, this should remain true with online gaming services. Perhaps one day broadband connections will be widespread and common practice. Also on that fine day we may see online gaming being incorporated into consoles 'as standard'. However, in the current status quo online gaming is relatively 'new' and we should expect to pay for it.