*Insert crazy next-gen hype excitement, mentioning HDR lighting, millions of polygons, normal mapping, motion blur, real-time physics engines, multicore and multithreading development, wireless controllers, microtransactions, etc.* I wanted to wait a little later until posting an official thread for launch, but due to some of the concerns over systems shortages, I figured it might not be a bad idea to make one a little earlier than normal. That way, in case some good info comes along during the week or even on launch day, anyone looking to buy one will find out ASAP...hopefully. Also, feel free to ask any last-minute questions which hopefully someone can answer. Besides that, we can also post about hands-on impressions from those lucky enough to get one next week, as well as game reviews, system predictions/thoughts, general Xbox 360 news, etc. Basically anything Xbox 360 related. I’ll start it off with some general launch info, mostly regarding games: 1st off, if you haven’t read the “Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility” thread, it probably wouldn’t hurt to check it out: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=104410 Obviously, it has a list and info regarding working BC titles that you will be able to download the drivers for on day 1; however, the discussions also swayed to system shipments, which may include some important info if you’re looking to get one. Next, the list of launch titles: A couple of the games have already gotten reviews, and we’ll probably see a lot more as the week progresses. You can check them out at the usual sites (IGN, Gamespot, 1UP, etc.), or if you’re lazy like me, you can just check out a site like Gamerankings.com. Here are some that caught my eye (basically all those reviewed by 1UP, Gamespot, or IGN): NBA 2K6: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/666/666970p1.html 7.6 http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145672&did=1 7.0 Kameo: http://xbox360.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145712&did=1 7.0 http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/kameoelementsofpower/review.html 8.7 http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/666/666667p1.html 8.4 Madden 06: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/666/666658p1.html 8.0 Project Gotham Racing 3: http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145713&did=1 10 As of around 9:00 this morning (CST), those are some of the important reviews I’ve seen. Again, more reviews will probably be made throughout the day and the rest of the week. Most of these sites also have some new articles which go into detail about the Xbox 360 and its features. I haven’t had a chance to read the reviews or the articles yet though, so I can’t comment too much on them. One possible “negative” I read about the system is that while the HD is 20GB, you only get about 13GB to use (maybe a little more if you delete some of the preloaded content, IIRC). It isn’t really that big of a deal since 13GB is still a lot for mostly just game data and a couple of other things; however, it is another thing to complain about.
What is the most anticipated launch title? I'm pretty excited about Call of Duty 2 and Perfect Dark Zero, and am hoping one of the basketball titles is awesome. Those latest Call of Duty clips on IGN are insane. Straight out of the first part of Saving Private Ryan or something.
I'm looking forward to CoD2... which is really the only "must play" launch title in my opinion. I am also looking forward to PDZ which should be out before Christmas and am most excited by Ninety-Nine Nights.
I'd buy Condemned: Criminal Origin and Quake 4.. then hold out till Elder Scrolls Alone In The Dark, Wolfenstien, Halo 3 anyone else think that King Kong game looks HELLA stupid??
I'm worried about RC Cola losing his premier status as "next gen console authoritative figure and guru" at Clutch Fans once XBox 360 launches and he's still holding out for PS3. He won't have the "hands on" experience to back up his technical spec rants.
Here's my take so far on the 360... I saw COD2 at Walmart and it looked amazing how fluid the game runs and has the best smoke bomb I've ever seen. I haven't played the PC version but I was told that it only runs at 30fps as opposed to 60fps on the 360 with minor graphical upgrade. I was impressed with COD2 more then Kameo and King Kong which were also was on the display/kioske. I am very surprise that PGR3 got a perfect 10 from 1UP when all of the other 360 games including Kameo gets no higher then a 7. Can this game be the killer aps for the 360 instead of Kameo or PDZ? I'm not a fan of either of those two games but having a racing game as the flagship 360 title might not be a good thing since most casual gamer or even diehard xbox fan(TeamXbox.com) are not really into the racing genre. I think PG3 looks awesome and is one of the two game I'm willing to get on launch along with COD2...but I certainly wouldn't give it a perfect 10 from what I could see about the game so far. Damn, I wish it had run at 60fps. Maybe its just me, but I don't think Madden 2006 looked all that great despite it getting 9.0 on graphics and an 8 overall from IGN. The players still looks out of proportion and the turf/grass looks like plastic. I expected a lot more reallistic looking visual in the new generation. I do agree with the review of NBA2K6 to a degree. The player models looks gorgeous(better then Madden) along with the movements of the jerseys and such but the stadium could use some work. I would've rated this game a little higher then a 7 though and I think it looks better then Madden 2006 overall. I did not pre-order the 360 but will attemp to get one on launch, hopefully during a mid-night opening at the 24hr Walmart. If the attempt fails, then its no big deal for me since I could wait a while untill a true next-gen title arrives that will blow me away. Gears Of War doesn't come soon enough...
Kind of hard to say what is THE title most talked about. I was hoping Oblivion would be it, but it got delayed. No telling what will happen, but Kameo, PDZ, and PGR3 always seemed to get a lot of attention. Condemned has been getting some nice impressions as well, and COD2 is looking pretty solid. Everything else, I'm not too sure about. Wait...maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but PDZ is a launch title. I mean, technically that is before Christmas, but there really isn't any "should" about it. In fact, it may already be in stores with some of the other other games. I can't remember exactly when PDZ ships, but it will be in stores next Tuesday if not sooner. Oh well, at least I still get to help people put emulators on their PSP's. The framerate on the PC version depends on what your specs are, I imagine. IIRC, if you have one of the super-high-end video cards (and probably in SLI/Crossfire), I think you get maybe about the same performance (maybe a little better due to resolutions on PC's). edit: Well, you're best bet is still very unlikely at this point I imagine. I gave some suggestions in the BC thread that I mentioned earlier, but basically just try to hope for the best and try to get one at a Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, etc. at midnight, or as soon as they open. Again, if anything comes up during the week, I'll try to post it here. Of course, I don't live in Houston, so if anyone there has some info on stores, it would be great if they post that as well.
For the longest time they said PDZ wasn't going to be ready on launch day but was going to be a launch title. They consider any game out before Christmas to be a launch title... but I just noticed that at the MS Amsterdam show they confirmed PDZ's release for 11/22 with the console, SWEET! PDZ and CoD2 are definately my must have games.
Well, Im looking for the Platinum package. If anyone in town has the hook-up hit me up on AIM: Beverb95 or PM me here. I'll give you the cash for the XBOX360 platinum bundle plus a pair of Rockets Club Seats + Parking pass (box office value over $400.) I cant line up for release day because I have family coming into town for Thanksgiving who I need to "entertain"
Sweet Mother of.....Holy.....Jeez.... What a deal. I may go get one just for that! Any news on some of the stores holding drawings?
Here is the Wal-Mart procedure. http://www.onthespotgames.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/9/Number/19749/an/0/page/0#Post19749 In short, tickets will be distributed an hour before midnight (green=standard, silver=premium) and if you get a ticket you get your 360. I wonder how early folks will line up?
i'm going to walmart on monday night with a buddy and then sears when they open in the morning. my mom's boyfriend is a manager at sam's overnight so as soon as they're available he can get one for me. i want to get atleast a couple to sell and hopefully that will cover part or all of the one that i keep. if i only get the one then i'm probably not keeping it. i don't want to pay nearly $500 to play one new game.
The Xbox Live marketplace content for day 1 was announced today. Here's part of a Gamespot article about it: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6139851.html Here's a few pics from someone who got their system a little early: Also, PGR3 got a 8.8 from IGN: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/667/667076p1.html
Ah, still love for the Dreamcast...I still have mine and play it every blue moon...Unreal Championship Rocks...My kid still plays the car games... I'll be out of town for the launch, but may hangout at wal-mart Monday night...
