The New Xbox Live pricing for the Xbox 360 has been leaked. Here's some of the details: Check out the site for more info on each specific plan: http://www.planetxbox360.com/index.php?view=article&article=116 I don't really do the online thing, so I don't know if these are great or not. I thought I read somewhere that this was a little more than the current pricing plans, but considering the types of service given as well as the new things to look for on the 360, it still doesn't seem like a bad deal. I guess I'll just wait for some comments from those already with Xbox Live to give their opinions on the pricing since I'm certainly not in a position to comment on these prices. Also, Gamespot has a nice article about Japanese developers commenting about the Xbox 360. One of the things that stood out in my mind was the following: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/08/30/news_6132218.html While I thought the Xbox 360 might run into some problems late in its life cycle due to the DVD drive, I didn't think they'd run into these problems this soon. In fact, while I liked the 25-50 GB of storage that Blu-ray offers in the PS3, it sounded like developers would be able to cut down on prerendered footage (which take up a lot of storage) and other things, making it easier to stick with DVD's. But if that isn't the case, this could hurt MS a lot more than I originally thought. Granted, this is an RPG, which will typically be bigger than other games, but if these guys are thinking about using 2-3 DVD's this early, I can't help but think other games might as well. I know we've been down this road before with the PS1 (plenty of games that were 2-4 discs, or maybe even more), but I wonder if the option of going with Blu-ray will persuade some devs (or publishers I should say) to develop exclusively for the PS3. Blu-ray discs will be pretty expensive early on, but when they are contemplating 3-4 DVD's versus 1 BR disc, I think the cost factor goes out the door. FWIW, I only view this as a problem if games other than RPG's start needing multiple discs. Like I said, we've been through this on the PS1, and I personally wouldn't have too much of a problem if just the RPG's came with 3-4 discs (although if my games start looking like 10-disc season boxsets, I'll start to worry). RPG publishers might care, but I doubt I'd really care that much about it. Now if games like Halo 3, NBA 2K7, Splinter Cell 5, etc., start taking up a couple DVD's, I might get a little annoyed, unless they somehow are able to execute this perfectly.
Sorry, this is a little OT from your post. But since you are the resident gaming sage, I was wondering if you would hold any credence to the rumor that the elusive Nintendo Revolution controller was to be revealed on Sept 16th at the TGS. Thanks.
Also, a tad off topic. But, since it's the newest 360 thread, I thought I would share. I pre-ordered my copy of the 360 a few months ago. So, I called up the EB Games I reserved it at to see what the process was to tell them which of the two systems I wanted. Anyway, the guy told me that everyone that has/will pre-order the system, is automatically set up for the $400 system and you have to tell them you want to "downgrade" to the core system of $300 if that is the system you choose. I guess that confirms that the $400 system is really their main system with the other being a cheaper version for others who want to upgrade later. So, for those who have already reserved a copy and plan on getting the $400 system, you don't need to do anything.
Will the 360 play Blu-ray discs? Also, what about cotroller's...Will the wireless xbox controllers work on the 360? I'm thinking not, but thought I'd ask...I'm still pumped up about the 360 and need to pre-order the $400
IIRC, that report came from Spong.com, which is about as credible as the basketball sites that Clutch blocks (hoopshype, I think, or something like that; I just think of it as ****.com ). I'm not saying that this won't happen though. There's really so many rumors with the Revolution controller that I don't even take the majority of them seriously any more. Last week, there was supposed to be a "Wednesdayton," but nothing came up. I do know that Nintendo doesn't usually go to TGS, except for this year (although I don't know if Iwata speaking counts as "going.") I'd think that TGS is as good as any time to show off the controller, especially since they said they would show it before the end of the year. I think they've been holding off so that nobody copies them (EX: the Rumble pack and the analog stick), but I think they shouldn't really have to worry about that anymore. IIRC, I don't even think some of the 3rd party developers for the Revolution have seen the controller. If they want to get some attention away from the Xbox 360, they need to do it before it launches, IMO. I read something about that. Thanks for confirmation though. It clears up some confusion. Not unless they come out with a special SKU that reads Blu-ray discs, although I would guess HD-DVD would be a more likely format for the Xbox 360. Even then, it would only be for movie playback and not games, unless something crazy happens. As for the wireless controllers, I don't know the exact specifics of the wireless controllers for the Xbox, but I seriously doubt that they work on the 360. I'm guessing that they would be third-party controllers (Mad Catz, Logitech, etc.) and not from MS. I believe that the new controllers will be using a proprietary wireless technology from MS, which by itself would probably mean that the controllers would not work. Even if it was Bluetooth or whatever, I doubt the controllers would be compatible with the other MS tech anyway. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the regular wired controllers for the Xbox also don't work. However, I guess if MS were to come out with an adapter or something, there might be a chance that the wireless controllers would work as well.
I doubt that the multiple dvd issue is an issue at all. Like you said RC, PS1 had plenty of games that were 2,3 or even 4 discs long but those games were far and few in between. The Final Fantasy series, anything that Square/Enix put out, MGS (i think), and the RE series were the only ones that really needed more than one disc. I'm pretty sure the Halo series, the sports games and what not are safe. But as for GTA series, anything made by Square/Enix, and RE....might have to be spaced out. And as for the Revolution controller, i hope that it's going to be what i had speculated in another thread here a couple of months back: a controller with a flat touchscreen panel where you can move the touchpad "buttons" around so you could mimic the old nintendo controllers of the past. It has to be something that'll knock my socks off if they're keeping it this hush-hush. After all, it's JUST a controller.
http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000993055322/ http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=8140 now famed Game God Peter Molyneux has come out and spoken his mind on the Revolution. He does not say whether or not his company will support the console, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they pledged a few games. At the Leipzig Games Convention, Molyneux revealed that he has, in fact, seen the Revolution controller, and that he had these kind words for it: “There is a line at the end of the book ‘Game Over’ and it is: ‘Never underestimate Nintendo’. That is all I can say about the controller.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I hate to admit it but I'm a Nintendo fanboy myself, I sure hope this is some good stuff
I never underestimated the nintendo. I mean, their super scope, their virtual boy, their dumped snes-cd that turned into their own demise, ...they've been pretty innovative. But this time...it's a controller. unless its going to jack right into my brain and basically processing the data directly from my brain, meh.
If you guys really want some Revolution tidbits (even if it is useless tidbits), here are some comments from Marko Hein of NoE during GDCE (summary from someone at another board): I guess that kind of gives you an idea of what Nintendo might be thinking, although it really isn't that useful if you wanted hints on the controller. I more or less agree with steddinotayto about Nintendo probably needing to come with something pretty awesome. With all the emphasis they put on the controller, it better be nice. Of course, I'm not underestimating them either. Like I said earlier, Nintendo's made some other innovative uses in controllers, so no telling what they could do if the focused solely on making one crazy controller. Even if it fails to meet the hype, I'm guessing Nintendo, even with a small(er) marketshare, will still make tons of money next-gen. If there's one thing Nintendo knows how to do, it is make money, even with poor 3rd party support and somewhat "inferior" hardware. BTW, I was too lazy to make another thread for this, so I'll post it here: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/647/647185p1.html Hmm...that's going to be one interesting Black Friday, if true.
God, that Black Friday would suck. And Nintendo has made their fair share of misses, but their hits have impacted the entire gaming world for years afterward. I think there's probably too much hype to live up to, regardless, but I also believe their will be some creative, unique and innovative things with the Revolution...which is exactly what Nintendo often brings to the table.
