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Nintendo managed to do what no other console manufacturer managed to do. In case nobody noticed, you can order a network adaptor for your Gamecube (they're in stock) and 'away you go' with Phantasy Online.
I say 'away you go' because nothing is that simple. Or IS it?
XBox Live got there first, with a MASSIVE marketing campaign to get users signed up, and those XBox Live kits for £39.99 were quite good including a headset, disc, 12 months' subscription and instruction manuals. But there was the smallprint: "Please be aware that high-speed cable or DSL (check with your ISP provider) is needed for Xbox Live - it’s that fast!" For most people, this didn't matter, they had cable modem or ADSL already, so for most there was no extra outlay, for some, who didn't want to disconnect their PCs from the internet there was extra outlay for Internet Connection Sharing if they didn't have a 2nd network card or they could splash out on getting a router and cables and set up a home network. And in 12 months time, there's that subscription renewal of £40 looming to continue to play online. Factor in subscription based RPGs too, and you've got quite an outlay.
PS2 are running a full Beta Test first for their Network gaming, and trials should start at the end of this week or the start of next week, alot depends on how fast Royal Mail are in shipping the Network Adaptors that just got despatched to the Trialists. The official PS2 kit will offer the same as the XBox, except in place of the Headset there's a network adaptor for the PS2. The kit costs the same, £39.99, but again there's the broadband limitation and the possibility of extra outlay should you wish to use your PC at the same time as you play your games online. But no recurring fees after 12 months, what you get in the box is all you need. And for the games that won't require subscription fees, this is great, you'll never need to pay another penny. Sony foot the bill. But of course there will be subscription based games too, around £6.00 a month for the larger RPGs that are constantly updated and so forth.
But Gamecube? Just buy a network adaptor for £34.99. No fanfares, no catches, no beta trials, no smallprint, and you can use your 56k dialup as well as broadband. Then if you grab a copy of Phantasy Star Online you've got 30 days of free online play, after which you can subscribe for £5.99 a month thereafter.
Nintendo kept things simple. That impresses. However if they charge £5.99 per month for EVERY game they release that can go online then that won't be so impressive. But credit where credit is due, they pulled off what no other console maker could do, they made going online very simple, very easy, and didn't make a huge song and dance about it.
I say 'away you go' because nothing is that simple. Or IS it?
XBox Live got there first, with a MASSIVE marketing campaign to get users signed up, and those XBox Live kits for £39.99 were quite good including a headset, disc, 12 months' subscription and instruction manuals. But there was the smallprint: "Please be aware that high-speed cable or DSL (check with your ISP provider) is needed for Xbox Live - it’s that fast!" For most people, this didn't matter, they had cable modem or ADSL already, so for most there was no extra outlay, for some, who didn't want to disconnect their PCs from the internet there was extra outlay for Internet Connection Sharing if they didn't have a 2nd network card or they could splash out on getting a router and cables and set up a home network. And in 12 months time, there's that subscription renewal of £40 looming to continue to play online. Factor in subscription based RPGs too, and you've got quite an outlay.
PS2 are running a full Beta Test first for their Network gaming, and trials should start at the end of this week or the start of next week, alot depends on how fast Royal Mail are in shipping the Network Adaptors that just got despatched to the Trialists. The official PS2 kit will offer the same as the XBox, except in place of the Headset there's a network adaptor for the PS2. The kit costs the same, £39.99, but again there's the broadband limitation and the possibility of extra outlay should you wish to use your PC at the same time as you play your games online. But no recurring fees after 12 months, what you get in the box is all you need. And for the games that won't require subscription fees, this is great, you'll never need to pay another penny. Sony foot the bill. But of course there will be subscription based games too, around £6.00 a month for the larger RPGs that are constantly updated and so forth.
But Gamecube? Just buy a network adaptor for £34.99. No fanfares, no catches, no beta trials, no smallprint, and you can use your 56k dialup as well as broadband. Then if you grab a copy of Phantasy Star Online you've got 30 days of free online play, after which you can subscribe for £5.99 a month thereafter.
Nintendo kept things simple. That impresses. However if they charge £5.99 per month for EVERY game they release that can go online then that won't be so impressive. But credit where credit is due, they pulled off what no other console maker could do, they made going online very simple, very easy, and didn't make a huge song and dance about it.
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Nintendo managed to do what no other console manufacturer managed to do. In case nobody noticed, you can order a network adaptor for your Gamecube (they're in stock) and 'away you go' with Phantasy Online.
I say 'away you go' because nothing is that simple. Or IS it?
XBox Live got there first, with a MASSIVE marketing campaign to get users signed up, and those XBox Live kits for £39.99 were quite good including a headset, disc, 12 months' subscription and instruction manuals. But there was the smallprint: "Please be aware that high-speed cable or DSL (check with your ISP provider) is needed for Xbox Live - it’s that fast!" For most people, this didn't matter, they had cable modem or ADSL already, so for most there was no extra outlay, for some, who didn't want to disconnect their PCs from the internet there was extra outlay for Internet Connection Sharing if they didn't have a 2nd network card or they could splash out on getting a router and cables and set up a home network. And in 12 months time, there's that subscription renewal of £40 looming to continue to play online. Factor in subscription based RPGs too, and you've got quite an outlay.
PS2 are running a full Beta Test first for their Network gaming, and trials should start at the end of this week or the start of next week, alot depends on how fast Royal Mail are in shipping the Network Adaptors that just got despatched to the Trialists. The official PS2 kit will offer the same as the XBox, except in place of the Headset there's a network adaptor for the PS2. The kit costs the same, £39.99, but again there's the broadband limitation and the possibility of extra outlay should you wish to use your PC at the same time as you play your games online. But no recurring fees after 12 months, what you get in the box is all you need. And for the games that won't require subscription fees, this is great, you'll never need to pay another penny. Sony foot the bill. But of course there will be subscription based games too, around £6.00 a month for the larger RPGs that are constantly updated and so forth.
But Gamecube? Just buy a network adaptor for £34.99. No fanfares, no catches, no beta trials, no smallprint, and you can use your 56k dialup as well as broadband. Then if you grab a copy of Phantasy Star Online you've got 30 days of free online play, after which you can subscribe for £5.99 a month thereafter.
Nintendo kept things simple. That impresses. However if they charge £5.99 per month for EVERY game they release that can go online then that won't be so impressive. But credit where credit is due, they pulled off what no other console maker could do, they made going online very simple, very easy, and didn't make a huge song and dance about it.
I say 'away you go' because nothing is that simple. Or IS it?
XBox Live got there first, with a MASSIVE marketing campaign to get users signed up, and those XBox Live kits for £39.99 were quite good including a headset, disc, 12 months' subscription and instruction manuals. But there was the smallprint: "Please be aware that high-speed cable or DSL (check with your ISP provider) is needed for Xbox Live - it’s that fast!" For most people, this didn't matter, they had cable modem or ADSL already, so for most there was no extra outlay, for some, who didn't want to disconnect their PCs from the internet there was extra outlay for Internet Connection Sharing if they didn't have a 2nd network card or they could splash out on getting a router and cables and set up a home network. And in 12 months time, there's that subscription renewal of £40 looming to continue to play online. Factor in subscription based RPGs too, and you've got quite an outlay.
PS2 are running a full Beta Test first for their Network gaming, and trials should start at the end of this week or the start of next week, alot depends on how fast Royal Mail are in shipping the Network Adaptors that just got despatched to the Trialists. The official PS2 kit will offer the same as the XBox, except in place of the Headset there's a network adaptor for the PS2. The kit costs the same, £39.99, but again there's the broadband limitation and the possibility of extra outlay should you wish to use your PC at the same time as you play your games online. But no recurring fees after 12 months, what you get in the box is all you need. And for the games that won't require subscription fees, this is great, you'll never need to pay another penny. Sony foot the bill. But of course there will be subscription based games too, around £6.00 a month for the larger RPGs that are constantly updated and so forth.
But Gamecube? Just buy a network adaptor for £34.99. No fanfares, no catches, no beta trials, no smallprint, and you can use your 56k dialup as well as broadband. Then if you grab a copy of Phantasy Star Online you've got 30 days of free online play, after which you can subscribe for £5.99 a month thereafter.
Nintendo kept things simple. That impresses. However if they charge £5.99 per month for EVERY game they release that can go online then that won't be so impressive. But credit where credit is due, they pulled off what no other console maker could do, they made going online very simple, very easy, and didn't make a huge song and dance about it.
Even though you're blatantly being biased, you make a fair point.
However, I still don't think Gamecube online will be as good, nor as successful as its two rivals. Very few people own a Gamecube in comparison to the PS2 and Xbox, which obviously means not as many would go online, even with a fairly straight forward linking process.
I do admit though, I wish Sony had such a deal, so I could go online without all the hassle, which I think is the way it's meant to be.
However, I still don't think Gamecube online will be as good, nor as successful as its two rivals. Very few people own a Gamecube in comparison to the PS2 and Xbox, which obviously means not as many would go online, even with a fairly straight forward linking process.
I do admit though, I wish Sony had such a deal, so I could go online without all the hassle, which I think is the way it's meant to be.
Ròckó wrote:
> Even though you're blatantly being biased, you make a fair point.
I'm a PS2 owner...
> Even though you're blatantly being biased, you make a fair point.
I'm a PS2 owner...
For Blatently being biased, read the 'BT Online Console Special' that comes with this months C&VG. It has about 10 pages of Xbox and PS2 coverage for broadband, then a page at the back saying 'Gamecube online is crap, it only has one game'.
hm. I expect that's nothing to do with BT wanting to sell that Broadband subscription which at least 40% of people can't get then?!
hm. I expect that's nothing to do with BT wanting to sell that Broadband subscription which at least 40% of people can't get then?!
Ròckó wrote and I quote "Very few people own a Gamecube in comparison to the Xbox"
Erm, Wrong!
Erm, Wrong!
A bucketful of cubes have been sold recently.
FantasyMeister wrote:
> XBox Live got there first
Dreamcast? Had hours of on-line fun with that - and it wasn't even the first, both NES and SNES had limited on-line capabilites, as did N64 via the 64DD.
> XBox Live got there first
Dreamcast? Had hours of on-line fun with that - and it wasn't even the first, both NES and SNES had limited on-line capabilites, as did N64 via the 64DD.
Fantasy Meister biased IN FAVOUR of Nintendo? :-D
That turns the tables on 2 years ago's "Mr Pro Xbox". :-)
I'll turn the tables further by taking Xbox Live's defense:
Although setting it up will be a pain the first time (with Router and networking etc, although to be fair, in MS's native America, these things are practically standard with DSL connections) after that it's put the disk in and play for ANY "Live" game wheras the Gamecube would need setting up for every subsequent game.
Also, compare £6 a month for ONE game to £40 over a year for ANY game and MS come up better there too.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still a die hard Ninty fan, but if I find myself wanting to play with more than 3 opponents, I'm going to have to save up for an Xbox and hope mum + dad get broadband.
I see what you mean about the simplicity. I was completely taken aback the first time I saw what sort of things you'd need to do to get your Xbox online, but it's nothing that a good instruction manual can't solve (I'm assuming MS supply these with Xbox live kits...).
That turns the tables on 2 years ago's "Mr Pro Xbox". :-)
I'll turn the tables further by taking Xbox Live's defense:
Although setting it up will be a pain the first time (with Router and networking etc, although to be fair, in MS's native America, these things are practically standard with DSL connections) after that it's put the disk in and play for ANY "Live" game wheras the Gamecube would need setting up for every subsequent game.
Also, compare £6 a month for ONE game to £40 over a year for ANY game and MS come up better there too.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still a die hard Ninty fan, but if I find myself wanting to play with more than 3 opponents, I'm going to have to save up for an Xbox and hope mum + dad get broadband.
I see what you mean about the simplicity. I was completely taken aback the first time I saw what sort of things you'd need to do to get your Xbox online, but it's nothing that a good instruction manual can't solve (I'm assuming MS supply these with Xbox live kits...).
Conflict Desert Storm 4 player Cube co-op eliminates all arguments for online play.
There is no way it could be that much fun online.
You just have to scream at each other in person.
:)
There is no way it could be that much fun online.
You just have to scream at each other in person.
:)
Pumpkinist wrote:
> Conflict Desert Storm 4 player Cube co-op eliminates all arguments for
> online play.
You've yet to experience the delights of SOCOM: US Navy SEALS online. Up to 8 men per team, each team member in voice communication with each other via headset, it's the whole new future of gaming (on a console at least). No lag (everyone is using broadband), hundreds of possible tactics to deploy your men (go for a firefight or circle around and snipe?), it's MEGA fun. Especially if you get a Brit clan up against a German clan :)
If anyone hasn't got broadband and a PS2 with a network adaptor they're going to miss out BIG time.
> Conflict Desert Storm 4 player Cube co-op eliminates all arguments for
> online play.
You've yet to experience the delights of SOCOM: US Navy SEALS online. Up to 8 men per team, each team member in voice communication with each other via headset, it's the whole new future of gaming (on a console at least). No lag (everyone is using broadband), hundreds of possible tactics to deploy your men (go for a firefight or circle around and snipe?), it's MEGA fun. Especially if you get a Brit clan up against a German clan :)
If anyone hasn't got broadband and a PS2 with a network adaptor they're going to miss out BIG time.
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