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The winner is.... The GameCube!
I just had to point out that I no longer consider the XBOX or the PS2 to be "games consoles" in the traditional sense. They better resemble PCs, albeit with a few missing peripherals.
Both machines look more and more like they intend to rely on upgrades for both hardware and possibly software to allow for new games (this isn't happening yet though), and with things like 40GB HDDs and all that rararar. What can you do with that then? Buy a keyboard. Buy Microsoft Office. Buy Anti-Virus software. And you will need anti-virus software eventually. All these developments may not have been announced, but with the hardware available, this evolution is only a matter of course.
Nintendo, to my (limited) knowledge on the matter, are intending no such developments for their GC. It looks very much like the console market has been conceded to Nintendo, the only major player left producing bona fide consoles.
Just my little mention on the matter.
IB
I just had to point out that I no longer consider the XBOX or the PS2 to be "games consoles" in the traditional sense. They better resemble PCs, albeit with a few missing peripherals.
Both machines look more and more like they intend to rely on upgrades for both hardware and possibly software to allow for new games (this isn't happening yet though), and with things like 40GB HDDs and all that rararar. What can you do with that then? Buy a keyboard. Buy Microsoft Office. Buy Anti-Virus software. And you will need anti-virus software eventually. All these developments may not have been announced, but with the hardware available, this evolution is only a matter of course.
Nintendo, to my (limited) knowledge on the matter, are intending no such developments for their GC. It looks very much like the console market has been conceded to Nintendo, the only major player left producing bona fide consoles.
Just my little mention on the matter.
IB
===SONICRAV---> wrote:
> So, your argument is this:
>
> "PS2 is not a console because it has lots of addons, likewise for
> Xbox.
> This leaves the GC as the only, and therefore best console."
It's not the add-ons, but rather the nature of them. GC has addons too. An lcd screen, a sound system etc. These are for increasing the gaming experience already available to you, much like consoles have done in the past, with gameboy magnifying screens, battery packs etc. However, with modems and hard drives coming into play, it opens the potential for a segregation in the market, with people with internet access having one version of the PS2, with updated drivers, downloaded program files, hacked games etc, and those without having to miss out on it all, eventually probably having very little to encourage them to keep the console.
> Sales of the Xbox are only at about 6 million
> Sales of all the Nintendo consoles (exc. GB) are probably at about 100
> million
> Sales of PSX and PS2 console are at over 120 million.
>
> Therefore Sony are the best console makers by default?
Given that I've already argued that the XBOX and PS2 aren't consoles, your figures are somewhat flawed. It was the NATURE of things I was speaking of, and the NATURE of your figures that makes them even less accurate. Never mind the fact that Nintendo's official figures put just the N64 and the SNES at over 110 million units alone. So your figures must be wrong.
> So, your argument is this:
>
> "PS2 is not a console because it has lots of addons, likewise for
> Xbox.
> This leaves the GC as the only, and therefore best console."
It's not the add-ons, but rather the nature of them. GC has addons too. An lcd screen, a sound system etc. These are for increasing the gaming experience already available to you, much like consoles have done in the past, with gameboy magnifying screens, battery packs etc. However, with modems and hard drives coming into play, it opens the potential for a segregation in the market, with people with internet access having one version of the PS2, with updated drivers, downloaded program files, hacked games etc, and those without having to miss out on it all, eventually probably having very little to encourage them to keep the console.
> Sales of the Xbox are only at about 6 million
> Sales of all the Nintendo consoles (exc. GB) are probably at about 100
> million
> Sales of PSX and PS2 console are at over 120 million.
>
> Therefore Sony are the best console makers by default?
Given that I've already argued that the XBOX and PS2 aren't consoles, your figures are somewhat flawed. It was the NATURE of things I was speaking of, and the NATURE of your figures that makes them even less accurate. Never mind the fact that Nintendo's official figures put just the N64 and the SNES at over 110 million units alone. So your figures must be wrong.
Solskjær wrote:
> Even though Nintendo are still currently the ONLY games company
> dedicated to making a machine for gaming ONLY, I still think they may
> consider bringing out an extra HD - like what's happening with the
> PS2.
It would have to be an external drive, which are always ugly. And I have yet to be given a decent application for Hard drives on a console, which by definition should have no purpose for one at all.
> SONY are bringing one out for the purpose of on-line games - starting
> with Final Fantasy XI at the end of this year (possibly).
> Microsoft's HD is also gunna be used in the same way when the console
> and it's games like Halo become on-line compatible.
Yes, so you have modem, keyboard, and harddrive, how far fetched is it to add Internet explorer and Microsoft Office?
>
> The GameCube only has Phantasy Star On-line as a game to go on-line,
> but i'm sure more will follow sometime next year. If they do decide
> that the likes of Mario Kart and a host of other titles do deserve to
> go on-line, then they may need to consider bringing out a HD add-on so
> that Nintendo gamers can get the best from Ninty's first on-line
> offerings.
Consoles don't really belong on the internet anyway, it's never been part of their appeal, and will never have anywhere near as large a market as PC online gaming. Nintendo have stated they don't want to move heavilly into internet gaming until the market for internet console games is the same size or similar to ordinary console games - this will never happen.
IB
> Even though Nintendo are still currently the ONLY games company
> dedicated to making a machine for gaming ONLY, I still think they may
> consider bringing out an extra HD - like what's happening with the
> PS2.
It would have to be an external drive, which are always ugly. And I have yet to be given a decent application for Hard drives on a console, which by definition should have no purpose for one at all.
> SONY are bringing one out for the purpose of on-line games - starting
> with Final Fantasy XI at the end of this year (possibly).
> Microsoft's HD is also gunna be used in the same way when the console
> and it's games like Halo become on-line compatible.
Yes, so you have modem, keyboard, and harddrive, how far fetched is it to add Internet explorer and Microsoft Office?
>
> The GameCube only has Phantasy Star On-line as a game to go on-line,
> but i'm sure more will follow sometime next year. If they do decide
> that the likes of Mario Kart and a host of other titles do deserve to
> go on-line, then they may need to consider bringing out a HD add-on so
> that Nintendo gamers can get the best from Ninty's first on-line
> offerings.
Consoles don't really belong on the internet anyway, it's never been part of their appeal, and will never have anywhere near as large a market as PC online gaming. Nintendo have stated they don't want to move heavilly into internet gaming until the market for internet console games is the same size or similar to ordinary console games - this will never happen.
IB
Is popular neccessarily best?
France and the Argies were favourites, but turned out crap..........
Microsoft is the biggest company in the wrold - But not the best at waht it does.....think about it!
France and the Argies were favourites, but turned out crap..........
Microsoft is the biggest company in the wrold - But not the best at waht it does.....think about it!
So, your argument is this:
"PS2 is not a console because it has lots of addons, likewise for Xbox.
This leaves the GC as the only, and therefore best console."
Great logic- how about this:
Sales of the Xbox are only at about 6 million
Sales of all the Nintendo consoles (exc. GB) are probably at about 100 million
Sales of PSX and PS2 console are at over 120 million.
Therefore Sony are the best console makers by default?
"PS2 is not a console because it has lots of addons, likewise for Xbox.
This leaves the GC as the only, and therefore best console."
Great logic- how about this:
Sales of the Xbox are only at about 6 million
Sales of all the Nintendo consoles (exc. GB) are probably at about 100 million
Sales of PSX and PS2 console are at over 120 million.
Therefore Sony are the best console makers by default?
Even though Nintendo are still currently the ONLY games company dedicated to making a machine for gaming ONLY, I still think they may consider bringing out an extra HD - like what's happening with the PS2.
SONY are bringing one out for the purpose of on-line games - starting with Final Fantasy XI at the end of this year (possibly).
Microsoft's HD is also gunna be used in the same way when the console and it's games like Halo become on-line compatible.
The GameCube only has Phantasy Star On-line as a game to go on-line, but i'm sure more will follow sometime next year. If they do decide that the likes of Mario Kart and a host of other titles do deserve to go on-line, then they may need to consider bringing out a HD add-on so that Nintendo gamers can get the best from Ninty's first on-line offerings.
Who knows, maybe Miyamoto and co. are already considering this now!
And even with an extra HD, it'll still be a dedicated Games Machine - because that's why it's being added - to assist games.
SONY are bringing one out for the purpose of on-line games - starting with Final Fantasy XI at the end of this year (possibly).
Microsoft's HD is also gunna be used in the same way when the console and it's games like Halo become on-line compatible.
The GameCube only has Phantasy Star On-line as a game to go on-line, but i'm sure more will follow sometime next year. If they do decide that the likes of Mario Kart and a host of other titles do deserve to go on-line, then they may need to consider bringing out a HD add-on so that Nintendo gamers can get the best from Ninty's first on-line offerings.
Who knows, maybe Miyamoto and co. are already considering this now!
And even with an extra HD, it'll still be a dedicated Games Machine - because that's why it's being added - to assist games.
I agree with your IB, I've noticed the facts you've mentioned for some time now. The PS2 and x-box, well I wouldn't really consider them as games consoles, nor would I consider them small PC's. To me they are more like entertainment centre's.
They no longer resemble games machines, instead relying on features like DVD players and Hard Drives which allow people to play music on. They are nice features, but pointless for a machine that's suppose to be a games console.
This is obviously to try and butt into not only the games market, but also other entertainment markets, where there are more potential customers. It's not about the games anymore for sony and microsoft, it's about the money. My opinion anyway, that's how I see things now.
They no longer resemble games machines, instead relying on features like DVD players and Hard Drives which allow people to play music on. They are nice features, but pointless for a machine that's suppose to be a games console.
This is obviously to try and butt into not only the games market, but also other entertainment markets, where there are more potential customers. It's not about the games anymore for sony and microsoft, it's about the money. My opinion anyway, that's how I see things now.
Insane Bartender wrote:
> A keyboard is but an input device, only when combined with the sort of
> software that requires a harddrive does it start to take a PC shape.
>
> I don't think you'll see "MS Smartsuite GC" on the shelf in
> this universe.
> The equivalent for XBOX or PS2 is only a matter of time.
No offense, but rubbish. And tish. Not to mention pah. Xbox have been very careful to disassociate themselves with Micro$oft. That would be the last thing they did. And Sony are too aware of the coolness of the Playstation brand to do anything hum-drum like that.
> A keyboard is but an input device, only when combined with the sort of
> software that requires a harddrive does it start to take a PC shape.
>
> I don't think you'll see "MS Smartsuite GC" on the shelf in
> this universe.
> The equivalent for XBOX or PS2 is only a matter of time.
No offense, but rubbish. And tish. Not to mention pah. Xbox have been very careful to disassociate themselves with Micro$oft. That would be the last thing they did. And Sony are too aware of the coolness of the Playstation brand to do anything hum-drum like that.
A keyboard is but an input device, only when combined with the sort of software that requires a harddrive does it start to take a PC shape.
I don't think you'll see "MS Smartsuite GC" on the shelf in this universe.
The equivalent for XBOX or PS2 is only a matter of time.
I don't think you'll see "MS Smartsuite GC" on the shelf in this universe.
The equivalent for XBOX or PS2 is only a matter of time.
It might be worth mentioning the combined keyboard peripheral that'll be coming out for GC to support the next Phantasy Star Online. Which will require a modem (which I think is in the keyboard, but I could be wrong).
The winner is.... The GameCube!
I just had to point out that I no longer consider the XBOX or the PS2 to be "games consoles" in the traditional sense. They better resemble PCs, albeit with a few missing peripherals.
Both machines look more and more like they intend to rely on upgrades for both hardware and possibly software to allow for new games (this isn't happening yet though), and with things like 40GB HDDs and all that rararar. What can you do with that then? Buy a keyboard. Buy Microsoft Office. Buy Anti-Virus software. And you will need anti-virus software eventually. All these developments may not have been announced, but with the hardware available, this evolution is only a matter of course.
Nintendo, to my (limited) knowledge on the matter, are intending no such developments for their GC. It looks very much like the console market has been conceded to Nintendo, the only major player left producing bona fide consoles.
Just my little mention on the matter.
IB
I just had to point out that I no longer consider the XBOX or the PS2 to be "games consoles" in the traditional sense. They better resemble PCs, albeit with a few missing peripherals.
Both machines look more and more like they intend to rely on upgrades for both hardware and possibly software to allow for new games (this isn't happening yet though), and with things like 40GB HDDs and all that rararar. What can you do with that then? Buy a keyboard. Buy Microsoft Office. Buy Anti-Virus software. And you will need anti-virus software eventually. All these developments may not have been announced, but with the hardware available, this evolution is only a matter of course.
Nintendo, to my (limited) knowledge on the matter, are intending no such developments for their GC. It looks very much like the console market has been conceded to Nintendo, the only major player left producing bona fide consoles.
Just my little mention on the matter.
IB