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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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If Mario Kart was online it may be different for me. LIVE however is the only way to go, top class stuff.
Theres PSO, then PSO3 exlcusive.
Online kits have been given to developers, so I imagine there are a few more in the pipeline.
Online kits have been given to developers, so I imagine there are a few more in the pipeline.
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