Is The Next-gen Gaming For Everyone?

[Anadim]

"From the start, we intended to make not just a game machine for kids, but a computer for entertainment that adults throughout the world could enjoy," says Ken.

"Other companies may talk of game machines, but we've always referred to 'computer entertainment,' even in our press materials. It's entertainment and also a computer. That's what's important."

Well i am a bit troubled about the direction that gaming is heading to, first Microsoft was all about X360's Media Center abilities -conectivities-superdurerhypercomputer capabilities and now Sony who has recently stated the above.

And the cost of gaming too! Some estimations show that if you wanna be able to play with an x360 you must pay for an hdtv($1000)+console($360)+1game($60),

What amount is that anyway? Who can afford such a price? What if you were a parent and your kids wanted to participate in the so called next-gen, would any parent give that much for a 'toy'. Is it really worth it? Do we really want that super stuff? Is this the way to evolve gaming?

Can't deny that conectivity with lots of wireless devices is a nice touch and great graphics is a must ( at least now ) but why so much hype about something that is irrelevant to the essence of gaming.

Eurogamer

[Anadim]

Well i mean next-gen sorry for the mistake

[Fanboy]

You dont need a HDTV to play the 360. A bog standard 14'' would probably still work!

And when have consoles not been released at the $350 mark?

Thats actually quite cheap IMO for a newly released console.

[Readybrek]

Some estimations show that if you wanna be able to play with an x360 you must pay for an hdtv($1000)+console($360)+1game($60),

[Ravern]

And the cost of gaming too! Some estimations show that if you wanna be able to play with an x360 you must pay for an hdtv($1000)+console($360)+1game($60),

What amount is that anyway? (1)Who can afford such a price? (2)What if you were a parent and your kids wanted to participate in the so called next-gen, would any parent give that much for a 'toy'. Is it really worth it? Do we really want that super stuff? Is this the way to evolve gaming?

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(1) $1420?

(2) Twenty somethings with disposable income. Thirty to fourty something with disposable income, either buying for themselves or for a child as they already have an HDTV.

What, you mean gaming is TEH DOOMED?

And what do you mean "if you wanna be able to play with an x360 you must pay for an hdtv"? Where (apart from spong probably) does it state that an HDTV is necessary for an XBox 360?

Games companies have being saying for two generations now that they want to make entertainment machines not games consoles. If you think that the XBox and PS2 were bad because of these aims, then think again. Even if they do aim for these things, we'll still get great games coming out of them. As long as we still get great games, I'm happy.

And I know you're new and all but there are already a multitude of threads discussing HDTV's relevance etc.

[Ayton]

Well i am a bit troubled about the direction that gaming is heading to, first Microsoft was all about X360's Media Center abilities -conectivities-superdurerhypercomputer capabilities and now Sony who has recently stated the above.

Sony labeled the PS2 as a "computer entertainment system" because classification as a computer saves you export taxes. They'll continue this with PS3 because it saves them money. Other consoles are still taxed under the same class as VCRs and DVD players (higher).

Some estimations show that if you wanna be able to play with an x360 you must pay for an hdtv($1000)+console($360)+1game($60).

What amount is that anyway?

$1420.

Who can afford such a price?

Everyone here.

Do we really want that super stuff?

I want that super stuff.

[Anadim]

well i am sorry if you thought that i tried to make a topic about the hdtv thing, i am just trying to figure out why there's so much fuss about those non-gaming parameters and not about aspects that are closer to the heart of gaming.

[Ravern]

well i am sorry if you thought that i tried to make a topic about the hdtv thing, i am just trying to figure out why there's so much fuss about those non-gaming parameters and not about aspects that are closer to the heart of gaming.

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Because the companies who make the fuss about the non-gaming parameters think it's these things that will sell their consoles.

This business is about money, like all others. Every publisher or console maker, even Nintendo no matter how much they dress themselves up, is in this business to make money.

[Fanboy]

well i am sorry if you thought that i tried to make a topic about the hdtv thing, i am just trying to figure out why there's so much fuss about those non-gaming parameters and not about aspects that are closer to the heart of gaming.

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Your HDTV comment is backwards!

HDTV makes your games look nicer, surely everyone wants that? Why would you not?

You dont really seem to know what your point is.

[nevsan]

To be honest topics like this add to the 'fuss'

[Poromenos]

Who can afford such a price?

Everyone here.

Wait, so you're telling me that everyone there can afford $1500 for gaming? And I don't mean I-won't-eat-for-a-month afford, I mean gee-what-should-i-do-with-my-money-today afford, because I sure as hell am not going to shell out $1500 to buy a TV I don't need to use my console. Hell, I never watch TV, why should I get a new one? I agree about companies wanting to maximise profit, but even my watch can play DVDs, do I really want a new DVD player, with player prices at like $30?

[Smoothy]

No one has said you need a new TV. In fact, the next gen consoles will allow you to use a wider range of TVs with it, from crappy ones with an RF lead to the top-of-the-range HDTV ones, with in-game options tailored to the TV you have. This is perfect cos HDTV is better, fact, but that won't stop you from using it on your normal TV.

So you really need to get your facts right and read the statements properly before you suddenly judge that you need this and that to play games.

[TheSlugFormerlyKnownAsNap]

Oh come on, $1500 can hardly be qualified as real money.

[Fanboy]

Wait, so you're telling me that everyone there can afford $1500 for gaming? And I don't mean I-won't-eat-for-a-month afford, I mean gee-what-should-i-do-with-my-money-today afford, because I sure as hell am not going to shell out $1500 to buy a TV I don't need to use my console. Hell, I never watch TV, why should I get a new one? I agree about companies wanting to maximise profit, but even my watch can play DVDs, do I really want a new DVD player, with player prices at like $30?

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Dont fucking buy one then?

[Smoothy]

I think we're missing the point here. No one from the console industry has said you need to spend $1500 for the next gen console. You just need to spend the price of the new console, simple. For those who want to have the very best experience, there is the option, whereas there isn't now.

[Fanboy]

I think we're missing the point here.  No one from the console industry has said you need to spend $1500 for the next gen console.  You just need to spend the price of the new console, simple.  For those who want to have the very best experience, there is the option, whereas there isn't now.

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No, its cool...most of us understand.

[Poromenos]

Dont fucking buy one then?

Oh, we have a genius over here. Well, why didn't I think of that? Of COURSE I'm not going to buy one, Einstein...

[Ravern]

Oh, we have a genius over here. Well, why didn't I think of that? Of COURSE I'm not going to buy one, Einstein...

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I think his point was there will be plenty who want the XBox 360 as they will see it more (rightly so) as more than just another DVD player.

I'm sure they'll be more than enough who'll buy an HDTV after all the hype it's got. I mean, people were saying no one would want widescreen before.

[Fanboy]

Oh, we have a genius over here. Well, why didn't I think of that? Of COURSE I'm not going to buy one, Einstein...

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Instead of simply acting like a 13 year old

"oh Noes!1!1! the XBOX is D00med!111!"

Why not actually read about your chosen topic of discussion.

You can buy and XBox 360 for a sub $400 price, and play it on the same TV as your current XBox...

Where is the issue?

[Venice Cull]

And the cost of gaming too! Some estimations show that if you wanna be able to play with an x360 you must pay for an hdtv($1000)+console($360)+1game($60),

And what of the house you need to put it all in? There's another £180,000 to add on top, and that's not including the car you'll need to go and pick up one of these new machines!

[Fanboy]

And what of the house you need to put it all in? There's another £180,000 to add on top, and that's not including the car you'll need to go and pick up one of these new machines!

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Perhaps he lives on a boat?

Save a bit of money!

[Anadim]

Well yes i live on the boat next to your's hi Fanboy!

[Anadim]

Well for a matter of fact i tried to create this topic just to think some aspects of the next gen gaming, not to argue about the freakin hdtv, i care not about that, but i care about the fact that console companies are putting so much effort in trying to convince us to buy a console that has so many extras ( and needs some more to get completely in teh doomed gen), instead of telling us what is the reason to buy a new console, when all the new stuff that has to offer is busty graphics and 1000000.1 surround stuff, give me a break is that the reason you played smb 1.

[Fanboy]

Well for a matter of fact i tried to create this topic just to think some aspects of the next gen gaming, not to argue about the freakin hdtv, i care not about that, but i care about the fact that console companies are putting so much effort in trying to convince us to buy a console that has so many extras ( and needs some more to get completely in teh doomed gen), instead of telling us what is the reason to buy a new console, when all the new stuff that has to offer is busty  graphics and 1000000.1 surround stuff, give me a break is that the reason you played smb 1.

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I hope to god English isn't your first language.

Anyway, consoles are evolving. They are no longer simply games machines, because they can be used for so much more.

Why are you complaining about a console that offers nice pretty games, along with other multimedia funtionality?

It makes no sense.

[Ravern]

Well for a matter of fact i tried to create this topic just to think some aspects of the next gen gaming, not to argue about the freakin hdtv, i care not about that, but i care about the fact that console companies are putting so much effort in trying to convince us to buy a console that has so many extras ( and needs some more to get completely in teh doomed gen), instead of telling us what is the reason to buy a new console, when all the new stuff that has to offer is busty  graphics and 1000000.1 surround stuff, give me a break is that the reason you played smb 1.

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Are you actually reading anyone elses points?

I've already said WHY they're doing that, and I don't think they think it's your right to say that you don't want a company to make profit just because you want them to care about the gameplay more.

If at E3 one maker came out and said: "Woo whizz bang look at us! HDTV, amazing surround sound, TOP QUALITY graphics, such an immersive experience."

and the other said

"The gameplay's better on ours."

Which do you think would get more attention? Which would sell more?

[Smoothy]

The first one, cos you can't trust the tosser who says "the gameplay is better than ours", he could be lying out of his teeth. The fact is these enhancements are there, no developer needs to use them, they are free to understate their game if they so choose. But if a developer wants to be able to immerse their target audience in 3D graphics and sound, then so what?

[Anadim]

I am greek sorry for my english all right, correct me when I am wrong, multimedia capabilities are good, but do you have any complains about those of xbox1 or gcn, for me the graphics of those havent aged yet, and the graphical leap ( if you forget the prerendered ps3 vids) is far from exotic, is this gen dead allready? Are the graphics so unbearable?

[Fanboy]

I am greek sorry for my english all right, correct me when I am wrong, multimedia capabilities are good, but do you have any complains about those of xbox1 or gcn, for me the graphics of those havent aged yet, and the graphical leap ( if you forget the prerendered ps3 vids) is far from exotic, is this gen dead allready? Are the graphics so unbearable?

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The XBOX is a multimedia device...not only does it allow you play games, but DVDs, CDs, and it now has the MS entertainment centre thing for it!

The graphics look pretty, but surely the fact that better graphics can be found on the PC, should be something for console developers to aim for...

[Smoothy]

This current gen has been around for years already. Think about it, it's always been roughly 5 years between consoles so the next gen is just an evolution that's gone on for decades. The fact is the technology is here so why not embrace it?

[Ravern]

The first one, cos you can't trust the tosser who says "the gameplay is better than ours", he could be lying out of his teeth.  The fact is these enhancements are there, no developer needs to use them, they are free to understate their game if they so choose.  But if a developer wants to be able to immerse their target audience in 3D graphics and sound, then so what?

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No shit.

Look Anadim, you just carry on talking bollocks. The point I'm making for the third time now is that the companies are doing it to make money. Obviously there's a lot more that can be done with this generation, as happens with all, but the fact is that the companies want to make more money, and new consoles is the way to do this.