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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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Games made for online use: Lose money
Games with online option: A good idea Nintendo take note.
Games with online option: A good idea Nintendo take note.
Yea I kinda noticed that. GameCube - £34.99 and you walk away. Plug into pc and away you go. XBox live is like £39.99 blah blah and PS2 blah.
But good job Ninty.
Anyone experianced GC online with 56kb?
Lag, any warping? Are you getting hosted by Broadband players?
But good job Ninty.
Anyone experianced GC online with 56kb?
Lag, any warping? Are you getting hosted by Broadband players?
I have not yet tried a GC online but it does sound a lot simpler. I considered getting Live, I already have ADSL, but its a USB modem. So I would have a lot of hassle setting it up. In that respect MS could have done better. A wee adaptor to plug my modem straight into the Xbox would have been so much simpler and would have persuaded me to get it. I know this thread is about the GCs online capabilities but I thought I would share my tuppence worth. Sonys plans just seem to be so far behind everyone elses that I think theres a possibility of the PS2 never making it online, or at least with very few users. Oh Sega...come and show them all how its done...
Gamecube is getting Phantasy Star Online Episode 3 exclusive.
Nuff said.
Oh and Gasmask, the 56k works as well as broadband with Phantasy Star Online as the games are hosted by one main server. It'll be the same for Ep3.
Nuff said.
Oh and Gasmask, the 56k works as well as broadband with Phantasy Star Online as the games are hosted by one main server. It'll be the same for Ep3.
Tiltawhirl wrote:
> Gamecube is getting Phantasy Star Online Episode 3 exclusive.
>
See Sega!
When compared to the Xbox or GC, does anyone know of any "killer" online stuff for the PS2?
> Gamecube is getting Phantasy Star Online Episode 3 exclusive.
>
See Sega!
When compared to the Xbox or GC, does anyone know of any "killer" online stuff for the PS2?
Notorious Biggles wrote:
> When compared to the Xbox or GC, does anyone know of any
> "killer" online stuff for the PS2?
EverQuest Online Adventures
Gran Turismo 4
F I N A L F A N T A S Y
> When compared to the Xbox or GC, does anyone know of any
> "killer" online stuff for the PS2?
EverQuest Online Adventures
Gran Turismo 4
F I N A L F A N T A S Y
nether xb cube or ps2 have the best internet gameing
dreamcast had the best
no other console had internet from day one.
no other console had all the equipment you needed in the consoles box.
no other console has done it completely free of charge
oh and lets not forget it did it over 2 years before xb gc or ps2
+ it had a broadband adapter avalible for it and the dial up internet gameing wasent jerky or lag ridden like pc dial up gameing
dreamcast had the best
no other console had internet from day one.
no other console had all the equipment you needed in the consoles box.
no other console has done it completely free of charge
oh and lets not forget it did it over 2 years before xb gc or ps2
+ it had a broadband adapter avalible for it and the dial up internet gameing wasent jerky or lag ridden like pc dial up gameing
Hands up everyone still playing regularly online with their Dreamcasts!!
*Starts to count*
*On the fingers of one hand*
*A hand that's had 3 fingers amputated*
Dreamcast is dead, we're talking next-gen. I've still got my DC and 60+ games, but to be honest haven't touched it since I got the PS2 online. (Wait a sec, I haven't touched it since I got the PS2...).
I agree with your point that the Dreamcast got it right first time. It's just that it's like trying to compare Henry Ford's first ever production car to a Ferrari, Lambourghini and XJ220.
*Starts to count*
*On the fingers of one hand*
*A hand that's had 3 fingers amputated*
Dreamcast is dead, we're talking next-gen. I've still got my DC and 60+ games, but to be honest haven't touched it since I got the PS2 online. (Wait a sec, I haven't touched it since I got the PS2...).
I agree with your point that the Dreamcast got it right first time. It's just that it's like trying to compare Henry Ford's first ever production car to a Ferrari, Lambourghini and XJ220.
Forget online, i cant even like the ps2's "clacky" controllers. thats all i hear when i play with em *clack* *clack* etc etc
Final Fantasy... The one game series that really just does not do anything for me. I get bored with it. I don't see it as worth gtting the PS2 online for. Gran Turismo 4. Well after PGR2 is released I won't be playing it me thinks. Everquest. Well PC does it better (PCs have cup holders).
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