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has been bugging me for quite a while now; are developers trying to copy from each other? It sounds daft, believe me I know, but when you think about it, it really isn't as stupid as it sounds.
Firstly, the Playstation2 was the first of the next-gen consoles to create its worldwide status, and look what it came with - a DVD player, a cutting edge look, bigger memory cards, advanced control pads and a very fast processor. Nothing faulty here, as it sold thousands and thousands within its first week of release and already there was discussion about broadband.
Then came the Xbox, Microsoft's debut console that carried a load of high expectations. People from Microsoft kept talking about how they had researched on the sort of games the public liked to play nowadays, and they never stopped bragging about how powerful their machine was. Now, the Xbox also came with a DVD player, control pads and you could tell that they desperately tried to make it look like the PS2! However, because of its "power", it ended up looking like a big, fat box with a huge 'X' in the middle. Nothing appealed too much to gamers about the Xbox, until the arrival of Halo. But still, it didn't sell as much as Microsoft expected.
Now, the gaming giants Nintendo strolled their way into the spotlight with what was probably the niftiest and practical design of the lot - the GameCube. Like its name, it was a shaped like a Cube, a very small and manoeuvrable cube that could fit into any gamers bedroom. Already it was looking promising with its very low release price. It came with amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions begin!
Sony were the first to release their console worldwide and this is what causes my speculation. It seems like the Xbox and GameCube copied from Sony or pinched some of their ideas - Here's why:
1) Control Pads - Sony's analogue pad were specifically designed to give gamers a better experience, after all that is what playing games is about. Now, you all know what the Playstation2 analogue pads look like, now take a look at the Xbox and Gameube pads. The Xbox's design is very similar. It has two analogue sticks in the middle, directional buttons on the left side of the pad, top buttons and diamond shaped buttons on the right. It just looks like a bigger version of the PS2 control pad. The GameCube's controller is probably the most similar to the PS2's. From a glance it looks exactly the same as the PS2's, but in a different colour. Why couldn't they create a new idea? It seems to me like they both used part of Sony's idea and tried to make it that exra bit different so that no-one could speculate. Take the GameCube for example, why didn't they stick to their N64 pad idea? Was it because people preferred the Playstation's. And Xbox, why couldn't they at least make up their own idea like Sega did with the Dreamcast? Was it too hard for them? It doesn’t make sense.
2) Capabilities – I’m talking about what’s inside the consoles. Sony was the first to release its next-gen console and it came with a DVD player. Then the Xbox decided to have a DVD as well, and so did the GameCube. You could argue that they were only trying to move forward technology wise, but it just seems a bit ‘quiffy’ that they did it AFTER Sony’s PS2. It’s as if Sony had set a standard both Nintendo and Microsoft had to either follow or surpass. It’s fair that each console had to have a good processor and fast performance hailed as ‘next-gen consoles’, but did they really follow the PS2 to plan for online capabilities, or were they only trying to keep up with the times. The second option seems the most reasonable.
There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated fans and the competition didn’t.
Would it have been different if the GameCube or Xbox were released first? I say YES!
Discuss
Firstly, the Playstation2 was the first of the next-gen consoles to create its worldwide status, and look what it came with - a DVD player, a cutting edge look, bigger memory cards, advanced control pads and a very fast processor. Nothing faulty here, as it sold thousands and thousands within its first week of release and already there was discussion about broadband.
Then came the Xbox, Microsoft's debut console that carried a load of high expectations. People from Microsoft kept talking about how they had researched on the sort of games the public liked to play nowadays, and they never stopped bragging about how powerful their machine was. Now, the Xbox also came with a DVD player, control pads and you could tell that they desperately tried to make it look like the PS2! However, because of its "power", it ended up looking like a big, fat box with a huge 'X' in the middle. Nothing appealed too much to gamers about the Xbox, until the arrival of Halo. But still, it didn't sell as much as Microsoft expected.
Now, the gaming giants Nintendo strolled their way into the spotlight with what was probably the niftiest and practical design of the lot - the GameCube. Like its name, it was a shaped like a Cube, a very small and manoeuvrable cube that could fit into any gamers bedroom. Already it was looking promising with its very low release price. It came with amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions begin!
Sony were the first to release their console worldwide and this is what causes my speculation. It seems like the Xbox and GameCube copied from Sony or pinched some of their ideas - Here's why:
1) Control Pads - Sony's analogue pad were specifically designed to give gamers a better experience, after all that is what playing games is about. Now, you all know what the Playstation2 analogue pads look like, now take a look at the Xbox and Gameube pads. The Xbox's design is very similar. It has two analogue sticks in the middle, directional buttons on the left side of the pad, top buttons and diamond shaped buttons on the right. It just looks like a bigger version of the PS2 control pad. The GameCube's controller is probably the most similar to the PS2's. From a glance it looks exactly the same as the PS2's, but in a different colour. Why couldn't they create a new idea? It seems to me like they both used part of Sony's idea and tried to make it that exra bit different so that no-one could speculate. Take the GameCube for example, why didn't they stick to their N64 pad idea? Was it because people preferred the Playstation's. And Xbox, why couldn't they at least make up their own idea like Sega did with the Dreamcast? Was it too hard for them? It doesn’t make sense.
2) Capabilities – I’m talking about what’s inside the consoles. Sony was the first to release its next-gen console and it came with a DVD player. Then the Xbox decided to have a DVD as well, and so did the GameCube. You could argue that they were only trying to move forward technology wise, but it just seems a bit ‘quiffy’ that they did it AFTER Sony’s PS2. It’s as if Sony had set a standard both Nintendo and Microsoft had to either follow or surpass. It’s fair that each console had to have a good processor and fast performance hailed as ‘next-gen consoles’, but did they really follow the PS2 to plan for online capabilities, or were they only trying to keep up with the times. The second option seems the most reasonable.
There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated fans and the competition didn’t.
Would it have been different if the GameCube or Xbox were released first? I say YES!
Discuss
Page:
PS2 the first next-gen console? Has everyone forgotten about the Dreamcast? It may not have sold too great and didn't last too long, but no one can say it wasn't the first next-gen console.
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
The reason of that is because that games happen to be the easiest to develop on the PS2 as they can be easily formatted to the disk, closely followed by the X-Box and then the GC with their smaller disks (who did they copy that from?) and at least these companies develop their own games, don't know about the Xbox but I know they make games, SONY just make hardware. Anyway, most of PS2's designs came from the PS1 which just so happened to originally be heading to the SNES as an add-on to compete with the Mega-CD, before they fell out with each other.
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
The reason of that is because that games happen to be the easiest to develop on the PS2 as they can be easily formatted to the disk, closely followed by the X-Box and then the GC with their smaller disks (who did they copy that from?) and at least these companies develop their own games, don't know about the Xbox but I know they make games, SONY just make hardware. Anyway, most of PS2's designs came from the PS1 which just so happened to originally be heading to the SNES as an add-on to compete with the Mega-CD, before they fell out with each other.
PoSh KiD wrote:
>
> Firstly, the Playstation2 was the first of the next-gen consoles to
> create its worldwide status, and look what it came with - a DVD
> player, a cutting edge look, bigger memory cards, advanced control
> pads and a very fast processor. Nothing faulty here, as it sold
> thousands and thousands within its first week of release and already
> there was discussion about broadband.
That was due to advertisement and brand name.
> Then came the Xbox, Microsoft's debut console that carried a load of
> high expectations. People from Microsoft kept talking about how they
> had researched on the sort of games the public liked to play nowadays,
> and they never stopped bragging about how powerful their machine was.
> Now, the Xbox also came with a DVD player, control pads and you could
> tell that they desperately tried to make it look like the PS2!
> However, because of its "power", it ended up looking like a
> big, fat box with a huge 'X' in the middle. Nothing appealed too much
> to gamers about the Xbox, until the arrival of Halo. But still, it
> didn't sell as much as Microsoft expected.
The arrival of Halo... erm that arrived at the same time as the X-box. The X-box is very different to the PS2 in many many ways.
> Now, the gaming giants Nintendo strolled their way into the spotlight
> with what was probably the niftiest and practical design of the lot -
> the GameCube. Like its name, it was a shaped like a Cube, a very small
> and manoeuvrable cube that could fit into any gamers bedroom. Already
> it was looking promising with its very low release price. It came with
> amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual
> cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions
> begin!
DVD player? Big memory card? what console have you been playing on? The memory card 251 the 'Big memory card' came out just over a month ago.
> Sony were the first to release their console worldwide and this is
> what causes my speculation. It seems like the Xbox and GameCube copied
> from Sony or pinched some of their ideas - Here's why:
>
> 1) Control Pads - Sony's analogue pad were specifically designed to
> give gamers a better experience, after all that is what playing games
> is about. Now, you all know what the Playstation2 analogue pads look
> like, now take a look at the Xbox and Gameube pads. The Xbox's design
> is very similar. It has two analogue sticks in the middle, directional
> buttons on the left side of the pad, top buttons and diamond shaped
> buttons on the right. It just looks like a bigger version of the PS2
> control pad. The GameCube's controller is probably the most similar to
> the PS2's. From a glance it looks exactly the same as the PS2's, but
> in a different colour. Why couldn't they create a new idea? It seems
> to me like they both used part of Sony's idea and tried to make it
> that exra bit different so that no-one could speculate. Take the
> GameCube for example, why didn't they stick to their N64 pad idea? Was
> it because people preferred the Playstation's. And Xbox, why couldn't
> they at least make up their own idea like Sega did with the Dreamcast?
> Was it too hard for them? It doesn’t make sense.
Why did Sony steal the idea to have rumble features in the controller from Nintendo? Why did Sony steal the idea to use an analogue stick from Nintendo in the first place? What did Sony steal Nintendo's D-pad design? Why did Sony use the 4 button idea used by Nintendo and SEGA? Come on the original PS1 pad was influenced by the SNES blatently and the Duel shock by Nintendo. The two clever ideas Sony did use was the 2 analogue sticks and in-built rumble... but the two analogue sticks are inpraticually placed as they are next to each other, the D-pad is far to easy to use ruining next gen anlogue stick usage etc... dont get me onto this
> 2) Capabilities – I’m talking about what’s inside the consoles. Sony
> was the first to release its next-gen console and it came with a DVD
> player. Then the Xbox decided to have a DVD as well, and so did the
> GameCube. You could argue that they were only trying to move forward
> technology wise, but it just seems a bit ‘quiffy’ that they did it
> AFTER Sony’s PS2. It’s as if Sony had set a standard both Nintendo and
> Microsoft had to either follow or surpass. It’s fair that each console
> had to have a good processor and fast performance hailed as ‘next-gen
> consoles’, but did they really follow the PS2 to plan for online
> capabilities, or were they only trying to keep up with the times. The
> second option seems the most reasonable.
Nope they followed SEGA's online plan who got inspiration from Nintendo's dabelling into the online market as early as 1990. And what Gamecube DVD player?
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
It is because they got PS2 dev kits first, they started making them and then they got Gamecube and X-box ones and they port it. Also PS2 games make more money so they make the PS2 game and if it does well or enough interest is shown then they port it to other systems. Also Gamecube and X-box are superior to PS2 so if they cant port a game that features a polygon ratio that the PS2 can't keep up with.
> It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they
> set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a
> sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo
> succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new
> ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the
> GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still
> stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all
> the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which
> meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated
> fans and the competition didn’t.
The Playstation 2 is exactly that... the second playstation.
>
> Firstly, the Playstation2 was the first of the next-gen consoles to
> create its worldwide status, and look what it came with - a DVD
> player, a cutting edge look, bigger memory cards, advanced control
> pads and a very fast processor. Nothing faulty here, as it sold
> thousands and thousands within its first week of release and already
> there was discussion about broadband.
That was due to advertisement and brand name.
> Then came the Xbox, Microsoft's debut console that carried a load of
> high expectations. People from Microsoft kept talking about how they
> had researched on the sort of games the public liked to play nowadays,
> and they never stopped bragging about how powerful their machine was.
> Now, the Xbox also came with a DVD player, control pads and you could
> tell that they desperately tried to make it look like the PS2!
> However, because of its "power", it ended up looking like a
> big, fat box with a huge 'X' in the middle. Nothing appealed too much
> to gamers about the Xbox, until the arrival of Halo. But still, it
> didn't sell as much as Microsoft expected.
The arrival of Halo... erm that arrived at the same time as the X-box. The X-box is very different to the PS2 in many many ways.
> Now, the gaming giants Nintendo strolled their way into the spotlight
> with what was probably the niftiest and practical design of the lot -
> the GameCube. Like its name, it was a shaped like a Cube, a very small
> and manoeuvrable cube that could fit into any gamers bedroom. Already
> it was looking promising with its very low release price. It came with
> amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual
> cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions
> begin!
DVD player? Big memory card? what console have you been playing on? The memory card 251 the 'Big memory card' came out just over a month ago.
> Sony were the first to release their console worldwide and this is
> what causes my speculation. It seems like the Xbox and GameCube copied
> from Sony or pinched some of their ideas - Here's why:
>
> 1) Control Pads - Sony's analogue pad were specifically designed to
> give gamers a better experience, after all that is what playing games
> is about. Now, you all know what the Playstation2 analogue pads look
> like, now take a look at the Xbox and Gameube pads. The Xbox's design
> is very similar. It has two analogue sticks in the middle, directional
> buttons on the left side of the pad, top buttons and diamond shaped
> buttons on the right. It just looks like a bigger version of the PS2
> control pad. The GameCube's controller is probably the most similar to
> the PS2's. From a glance it looks exactly the same as the PS2's, but
> in a different colour. Why couldn't they create a new idea? It seems
> to me like they both used part of Sony's idea and tried to make it
> that exra bit different so that no-one could speculate. Take the
> GameCube for example, why didn't they stick to their N64 pad idea? Was
> it because people preferred the Playstation's. And Xbox, why couldn't
> they at least make up their own idea like Sega did with the Dreamcast?
> Was it too hard for them? It doesn’t make sense.
Why did Sony steal the idea to have rumble features in the controller from Nintendo? Why did Sony steal the idea to use an analogue stick from Nintendo in the first place? What did Sony steal Nintendo's D-pad design? Why did Sony use the 4 button idea used by Nintendo and SEGA? Come on the original PS1 pad was influenced by the SNES blatently and the Duel shock by Nintendo. The two clever ideas Sony did use was the 2 analogue sticks and in-built rumble... but the two analogue sticks are inpraticually placed as they are next to each other, the D-pad is far to easy to use ruining next gen anlogue stick usage etc... dont get me onto this
> 2) Capabilities – I’m talking about what’s inside the consoles. Sony
> was the first to release its next-gen console and it came with a DVD
> player. Then the Xbox decided to have a DVD as well, and so did the
> GameCube. You could argue that they were only trying to move forward
> technology wise, but it just seems a bit ‘quiffy’ that they did it
> AFTER Sony’s PS2. It’s as if Sony had set a standard both Nintendo and
> Microsoft had to either follow or surpass. It’s fair that each console
> had to have a good processor and fast performance hailed as ‘next-gen
> consoles’, but did they really follow the PS2 to plan for online
> capabilities, or were they only trying to keep up with the times. The
> second option seems the most reasonable.
Nope they followed SEGA's online plan who got inspiration from Nintendo's dabelling into the online market as early as 1990. And what Gamecube DVD player?
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
It is because they got PS2 dev kits first, they started making them and then they got Gamecube and X-box ones and they port it. Also PS2 games make more money so they make the PS2 game and if it does well or enough interest is shown then they port it to other systems. Also Gamecube and X-box are superior to PS2 so if they cant port a game that features a polygon ratio that the PS2 can't keep up with.
> It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they
> set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a
> sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo
> succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new
> ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the
> GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still
> stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all
> the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which
> meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated
> fans and the competition didn’t.
The Playstation 2 is exactly that... the second playstation.
Ooopps.... hit the post button twice!
I agree with you 100% there sibs, nice job.
Posh Kid wrote:
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
Die Hard Vendetta is multi and it's coming out on GC FIRST at the end of this month.
Posh Kid wrote:
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
Die Hard Vendetta is multi and it's coming out on GC FIRST at the end of this month.
I agree with you 100% there sibs, nice job.
Posh Kid wrote:
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
Die Hard Vendetta is multi and it's coming out on GC FIRST at the end of this month.
Posh Kid wrote:
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
Die Hard Vendetta is multi and it's coming out on GC FIRST at the end of this month.
Nintendo were the first to have shoulder buttons.
Nintendo were the first to have analogue sticks.
That means Sony copied them.
Nintendo were the first to have analogue sticks.
That means Sony copied them.
PoSh KiD wrote:
It came with
> amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual
> cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions
> begin!
A DVD player...? Hmm, strange I've not been able to find the DVD player function on my GameCube... Am I using it wrong...? ;-)
And what is the relevance of memory cards? No-one is copying the idea of memory cards, they are a necessity since the switch from cartridges to CDs/DVDs. Without on-board saving (like cartridges) you need either a hard drive or memory cards to save game data.
Control Pads- I'd have to say Microsofts controller looks like a hybrid between the PS2 pad and the Dreamcast pad... Obviously it takes inspiration from the other consoles. Xbox is MS' first console, there's only so much you can do with a normal controller, unless they were going to make something brand new (such as develop some expensive new type of controller that people would probably be too scared of to use, or use keyboards and a mouse which would just further the criticisms of Xbox being a PC disguised as a console). And The GameCube pad obviously took some inspiration from the PS2 pad as well, but using it you can actually feel the similarities with the N64 pad. And why not carry on the N64 3 prong design? Simple. How often did you use the left and right prongs? For about 2 games. Every other game used the middle and right prongs because the games were 3D and a 3D stick was much preferable to a D-pad. So the natural progression was to use only two prongs again for a smaller more user friendly controller, and further relegate the D-pad since most games nowadays require analogue input for movement. And think about this for a moment if you will. Where did Sony get the design for the PSX controller? Notice any similarities with the SNES pad? They're practically identical! D-pad? Check. Four Fire buttons on the right? Check. Start and Select button in the middle? Check. Shoulder buttons? Check. Granted, Sony slapped on two extra shoulder buttons to seem more advanced, and made the controller look a bit more modern, but the basic layout is all but identical. Simple fact is without reinventing what we use to play games, all console manufacturers will look to each other for inspiration, and maybe add some of their own ideas to it.
Capabilities- You first mention the DVD stuff. Well, see my above comment on the GameCube... it didn't copy the PS2 as it has no DVD player. And if you're referring the the Q-Cube then obviously Nintendo don't put too much stock in the DVD extra as it was released in Japan only... And as for online play? Nintendo copy Sony? Pah. Nintendo have had online capabilities since the NES in Japan. And what about Sega? Do they get no credit for online gaming on Dreamcast? Again, this is not a case of others copying Sony, if anything Sony are copying others! Nintendo obviously had plans for online play as their 64DD (N64 Japan only add on) showed, and Microsoft have been running internet services and producing online programs for years, did you really think their console would ignore the online market?
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
Erm... this isn't due to Nintendo or MS copying Sony, it's down to third party developers deciding that there's money to be made on the Cube/Xbox as well as PS2 and deciding to port a PS2 title over to that format because that's much cheaper than developing a new game. Why haven't we seen a Cube or Xbox game ported to PS2? Because most multi-format games now come out on PS2 first or come out on all systems at once. Other games haven't come out on PS2 because (like GTA on PS2) developers have an agreement with Ninty/MS that the game is an exclusive, or the developer is first or second party (ie owned/partly owned by Nintendo/MS).
> It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they
> set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a
> sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo
> succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new
> ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the
> GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still
> stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all
> the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which
> meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated
> fans and the competition didn’t.
I think you misunderstand. Sony didn't release the PS2 when they did because they wanted to set any kind of standard. They released it because they knew if theirs was the first next-gen console out they'd have a monopoly (for a limited time anyway) on the next-gen market. If people wanted a new console they had to buy Sony as there was no other choice. This meant big sales, and a big headstart on the next-gen console race. There was no risk of being rejected when any competition was over a year off. And I qoute: "Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles". Of course they did! Theirs was the only next-gen console out at the time, how could they fail to set the standard?
> Would it have been different if the GameCube or Xbox were released
> first? I say YES!
Obviously. Sony would not have had the huge headstart, and their console would not be seen as dated. They may have realised they had competition in a big way and decided to make their machine more developer friendly, or they may have relied less on their brand name to sell their console... but who knows.
The post made interesting reading, but to be honest was badly researched... I think you make too much of similarities, and have just decided that Sony were the first to come up with ideas...
After all Nintendo invented the shoulder buttons on controllers, they were the first to announce a controller with an analogue stick and the first to announce a rumble function for controllers. All of which are now standard on Sony controllers. So don't make out like Sony are the only innovators in the gaming industry.
It came with
> amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual
> cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions
> begin!
A DVD player...? Hmm, strange I've not been able to find the DVD player function on my GameCube... Am I using it wrong...? ;-)
And what is the relevance of memory cards? No-one is copying the idea of memory cards, they are a necessity since the switch from cartridges to CDs/DVDs. Without on-board saving (like cartridges) you need either a hard drive or memory cards to save game data.
Control Pads- I'd have to say Microsofts controller looks like a hybrid between the PS2 pad and the Dreamcast pad... Obviously it takes inspiration from the other consoles. Xbox is MS' first console, there's only so much you can do with a normal controller, unless they were going to make something brand new (such as develop some expensive new type of controller that people would probably be too scared of to use, or use keyboards and a mouse which would just further the criticisms of Xbox being a PC disguised as a console). And The GameCube pad obviously took some inspiration from the PS2 pad as well, but using it you can actually feel the similarities with the N64 pad. And why not carry on the N64 3 prong design? Simple. How often did you use the left and right prongs? For about 2 games. Every other game used the middle and right prongs because the games were 3D and a 3D stick was much preferable to a D-pad. So the natural progression was to use only two prongs again for a smaller more user friendly controller, and further relegate the D-pad since most games nowadays require analogue input for movement. And think about this for a moment if you will. Where did Sony get the design for the PSX controller? Notice any similarities with the SNES pad? They're practically identical! D-pad? Check. Four Fire buttons on the right? Check. Start and Select button in the middle? Check. Shoulder buttons? Check. Granted, Sony slapped on two extra shoulder buttons to seem more advanced, and made the controller look a bit more modern, but the basic layout is all but identical. Simple fact is without reinventing what we use to play games, all console manufacturers will look to each other for inspiration, and maybe add some of their own ideas to it.
Capabilities- You first mention the DVD stuff. Well, see my above comment on the GameCube... it didn't copy the PS2 as it has no DVD player. And if you're referring the the Q-Cube then obviously Nintendo don't put too much stock in the DVD extra as it was released in Japan only... And as for online play? Nintendo copy Sony? Pah. Nintendo have had online capabilities since the NES in Japan. And what about Sega? Do they get no credit for online gaming on Dreamcast? Again, this is not a case of others copying Sony, if anything Sony are copying others! Nintendo obviously had plans for online play as their 64DD (N64 Japan only add on) showed, and Microsoft have been running internet services and producing online programs for years, did you really think their console would ignore the online market?
> There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think
> they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming
> from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the
> Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
Erm... this isn't due to Nintendo or MS copying Sony, it's down to third party developers deciding that there's money to be made on the Cube/Xbox as well as PS2 and deciding to port a PS2 title over to that format because that's much cheaper than developing a new game. Why haven't we seen a Cube or Xbox game ported to PS2? Because most multi-format games now come out on PS2 first or come out on all systems at once. Other games haven't come out on PS2 because (like GTA on PS2) developers have an agreement with Ninty/MS that the game is an exclusive, or the developer is first or second party (ie owned/partly owned by Nintendo/MS).
> It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they
> set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a
> sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo
> succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new
> ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the
> GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still
> stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all
> the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which
> meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated
> fans and the competition didn’t.
I think you misunderstand. Sony didn't release the PS2 when they did because they wanted to set any kind of standard. They released it because they knew if theirs was the first next-gen console out they'd have a monopoly (for a limited time anyway) on the next-gen market. If people wanted a new console they had to buy Sony as there was no other choice. This meant big sales, and a big headstart on the next-gen console race. There was no risk of being rejected when any competition was over a year off. And I qoute: "Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles". Of course they did! Theirs was the only next-gen console out at the time, how could they fail to set the standard?
> Would it have been different if the GameCube or Xbox were released
> first? I say YES!
Obviously. Sony would not have had the huge headstart, and their console would not be seen as dated. They may have realised they had competition in a big way and decided to make their machine more developer friendly, or they may have relied less on their brand name to sell their console... but who knows.
The post made interesting reading, but to be honest was badly researched... I think you make too much of similarities, and have just decided that Sony were the first to come up with ideas...
After all Nintendo invented the shoulder buttons on controllers, they were the first to announce a controller with an analogue stick and the first to announce a rumble function for controllers. All of which are now standard on Sony controllers. So don't make out like Sony are the only innovators in the gaming industry.
The attack of the clone4s is bollucks, It has action yes, but the storyline is absalutely bollucks.
has been bugging me for quite a while now; are developers trying to copy from each other? It sounds daft, believe me I know, but when you think about it, it really isn't as stupid as it sounds.
Firstly, the Playstation2 was the first of the next-gen consoles to create its worldwide status, and look what it came with - a DVD player, a cutting edge look, bigger memory cards, advanced control pads and a very fast processor. Nothing faulty here, as it sold thousands and thousands within its first week of release and already there was discussion about broadband.
Then came the Xbox, Microsoft's debut console that carried a load of high expectations. People from Microsoft kept talking about how they had researched on the sort of games the public liked to play nowadays, and they never stopped bragging about how powerful their machine was. Now, the Xbox also came with a DVD player, control pads and you could tell that they desperately tried to make it look like the PS2! However, because of its "power", it ended up looking like a big, fat box with a huge 'X' in the middle. Nothing appealed too much to gamers about the Xbox, until the arrival of Halo. But still, it didn't sell as much as Microsoft expected.
Now, the gaming giants Nintendo strolled their way into the spotlight with what was probably the niftiest and practical design of the lot - the GameCube. Like its name, it was a shaped like a Cube, a very small and manoeuvrable cube that could fit into any gamers bedroom. Already it was looking promising with its very low release price. It came with amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions begin!
Sony were the first to release their console worldwide and this is what causes my speculation. It seems like the Xbox and GameCube copied from Sony or pinched some of their ideas - Here's why:
1) Control Pads - Sony's analogue pad were specifically designed to give gamers a better experience, after all that is what playing games is about. Now, you all know what the Playstation2 analogue pads look like, now take a look at the Xbox and Gameube pads. The Xbox's design is very similar. It has two analogue sticks in the middle, directional buttons on the left side of the pad, top buttons and diamond shaped buttons on the right. It just looks like a bigger version of the PS2 control pad. The GameCube's controller is probably the most similar to the PS2's. From a glance it looks exactly the same as the PS2's, but in a different colour. Why couldn't they create a new idea? It seems to me like they both used part of Sony's idea and tried to make it that exra bit different so that no-one could speculate. Take the GameCube for example, why didn't they stick to their N64 pad idea? Was it because people preferred the Playstation's. And Xbox, why couldn't they at least make up their own idea like Sega did with the Dreamcast? Was it too hard for them? It doesn’t make sense.
2) Capabilities – I’m talking about what’s inside the consoles. Sony was the first to release its next-gen console and it came with a DVD player. Then the Xbox decided to have a DVD as well, and so did the GameCube. You could argue that they were only trying to move forward technology wise, but it just seems a bit ‘quiffy’ that they did it AFTER Sony’s PS2. It’s as if Sony had set a standard both Nintendo and Microsoft had to either follow or surpass. It’s fair that each console had to have a good processor and fast performance hailed as ‘next-gen consoles’, but did they really follow the PS2 to plan for online capabilities, or were they only trying to keep up with the times. The second option seems the most reasonable.
There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated fans and the competition didn’t.
Would it have been different if the GameCube or Xbox were released first? I say YES!
Discuss
Firstly, the Playstation2 was the first of the next-gen consoles to create its worldwide status, and look what it came with - a DVD player, a cutting edge look, bigger memory cards, advanced control pads and a very fast processor. Nothing faulty here, as it sold thousands and thousands within its first week of release and already there was discussion about broadband.
Then came the Xbox, Microsoft's debut console that carried a load of high expectations. People from Microsoft kept talking about how they had researched on the sort of games the public liked to play nowadays, and they never stopped bragging about how powerful their machine was. Now, the Xbox also came with a DVD player, control pads and you could tell that they desperately tried to make it look like the PS2! However, because of its "power", it ended up looking like a big, fat box with a huge 'X' in the middle. Nothing appealed too much to gamers about the Xbox, until the arrival of Halo. But still, it didn't sell as much as Microsoft expected.
Now, the gaming giants Nintendo strolled their way into the spotlight with what was probably the niftiest and practical design of the lot - the GameCube. Like its name, it was a shaped like a Cube, a very small and manoeuvrable cube that could fit into any gamers bedroom. Already it was looking promising with its very low release price. It came with amazingly comfortable control pads, discs (instead of the usual cartridges), a DVD player and big memory cards. Now the questions begin!
Sony were the first to release their console worldwide and this is what causes my speculation. It seems like the Xbox and GameCube copied from Sony or pinched some of their ideas - Here's why:
1) Control Pads - Sony's analogue pad were specifically designed to give gamers a better experience, after all that is what playing games is about. Now, you all know what the Playstation2 analogue pads look like, now take a look at the Xbox and Gameube pads. The Xbox's design is very similar. It has two analogue sticks in the middle, directional buttons on the left side of the pad, top buttons and diamond shaped buttons on the right. It just looks like a bigger version of the PS2 control pad. The GameCube's controller is probably the most similar to the PS2's. From a glance it looks exactly the same as the PS2's, but in a different colour. Why couldn't they create a new idea? It seems to me like they both used part of Sony's idea and tried to make it that exra bit different so that no-one could speculate. Take the GameCube for example, why didn't they stick to their N64 pad idea? Was it because people preferred the Playstation's. And Xbox, why couldn't they at least make up their own idea like Sega did with the Dreamcast? Was it too hard for them? It doesn’t make sense.
2) Capabilities – I’m talking about what’s inside the consoles. Sony was the first to release its next-gen console and it came with a DVD player. Then the Xbox decided to have a DVD as well, and so did the GameCube. You could argue that they were only trying to move forward technology wise, but it just seems a bit ‘quiffy’ that they did it AFTER Sony’s PS2. It’s as if Sony had set a standard both Nintendo and Microsoft had to either follow or surpass. It’s fair that each console had to have a good processor and fast performance hailed as ‘next-gen consoles’, but did they really follow the PS2 to plan for online capabilities, or were they only trying to keep up with the times. The second option seems the most reasonable.
There’s more things about the Xbox and GameCube that make me think they copied from the PS2 like the multi-formatted games mainly coming from the PS2’s direction. When have we actually seen a game from the Xbox or GameCube become multi-formatted?
It’s the truth. Sony’s Playstation2 was the first to be made and they set a standard. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube used it as a sample of what people wanted – Microsoft failed miserably, Nintendo succeeded. Fair enough, Nintendo and Microsoft have put certain new ideas in their consoles like the Xbox’s memory hard drive and the GameCube’s interaction with GameBoy Advances, but the truth still stands firm. Playstation2 set a standard for next-gen consoles and all the competition had to do was either par with it or exceed, which meant Sony took the risk of being rejected by millions of dedicated fans and the competition didn’t.
Would it have been different if the GameCube or Xbox were released first? I say YES!
Discuss
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