How can Microsoft 1-up Sony's HOME? = Good idea btw. [Archive] - Unscripted 360

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 03:41 PM

If Sony can pull this off and have it FREE (I wonder if it would be if Microsoft wasn't in the picture?) - Microsoft will have to respond with something much better IMO.

What ideas do you have to do something similar but better... I have some ideas, like mapping yourself via the 360 camera. Also, a dating service where you can meet women and see how they look by their virtual self.

Oh, and Microsoft should call it "LIVE WORLD"

big isy

03-07-2007, 04:13 PM

Sony really did have a great keynote. Bravo to them for coming out of the event without any negative press for the first time lol.
I don't think anyone can argue that the Playstation Home isn't a great idea, I love it. Sony needed to do something that would make their console stand out above the rest and this does help to push them further towards that goal. Are they there yet? That's up to the consumer to decide really. Let me just say that if I don't have a PS3 within 12 months of it launching here in the UK, I'll denounce myself as a gamer as it's clearly picking up pace now after a little retarded start.

Moving to Microsoft, it'll be difficult for them to come up with something to counter this, seeing as they stepped in some big trouble with the Games For Windows Live fee, $49.99 per annum to play PC games online? Ouch. Its ironic cause Sony's usually the company that makes the idiotic moves.
What MS need to do is push what they have already and establish the Video Marketplace in as many regions as possible as thats clearly a great thing for them. They also need to open up the Live Arcade to more than a single game per week. My biggest criticism of the Live service its the lack of one of the most talked about features prior to the 360 launching, the user-created content. Sure, things are getting started with XNA but c'mon, I gotta pay an additional fee to play user-created games? That's a little greedy IMO.
If they can really push the gamer-created content then MS can outdo anything the competition has.

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 04:18 PM

Sony really did have a great keynote. Bravo to them for coming out of the event without any negative press for the first time lol.

That's really not true... About Killzone

Gamereactor was there and saw the trailer.

http://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/9917/Killzone+uppvisat+p%E5+GDC/

To summarize their opinion:

"Doesn't match the E3 2005 trailer. Doesn't match Gears of War either.
It doesn't look bad in any way, but Sony has placed themselves in a situation in which people will be disappointed when they see Killzone next time."

Gamespot's impressions:

"After the tech-speak, the Killzone trailer rolled--and showed in-game sequences of varying quality. Set in a desolate urban wasteland, the segment showed human commandos fighting house-to-house with heavily armored Hellghast troopers. Interior sequences ran smoothly, looking reminiscent of F.E.A.R. with slicker graphics. A suitably chaotic Call of Duty 3-like tank battle with armored personnel carriers blasting alleyways was also shown. However, several in-engine slow-motion sequences failed to impress, with some in the back rows grousing that the shots looked like they were taken from the original Killzone."

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6166945.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 04:21 PM

Moving to Microsoft, it'll be difficult for them to come up with something to counter this, seeing as they stepped in some big trouble with the Games For Windows Live fee, $49.99 per annum to play PC games online? Ouch.

Well it wouldn't really be fair to 360 owners if it was FREE for PC players... LIVE is the best there is for unified service and voice for all games.

big isy

03-07-2007, 04:22 PM

What I read was that its not Killzone 2 but simply titled Killzone. It could something akin to the GTHD which was just a remake of the PS2 game in High Definition.
In either case I still believe their keynote was excellent and the crowd participation was downright ingenious.

big isy

03-07-2007, 04:26 PM

Well it wouldn't really be fair to 360 owners if it was FREE for PC players... LIVE is the best there is for unified service and voice for all games.

You're honestly not angered by MS charging people to play on their PC's? seriously?

I can see what you're saying but it just doesn't make any sense to me why they'd charge PC gamers when the PC gamers can play free games anyway.

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 04:29 PM

What I read was that its not Killzone 2 but simply titled Killzone. It could something akin to the GTHD which was just a remake of the PS2 game in High Definition.

Why do that when they will have to do software B/C for that PS2 game (Europe version) when it will be upscalled to 720P/10801? Why make a remake of the same version that looks minimally better on the PS3? Also, does the PS3 even cale yet?

That doesn't make Sony look good compared to Gears of War, now does it?

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 04:34 PM

You're honestly not angered by MS charging people to play on their PC's? seriously?

I can see what you're saying but it just doesn't make any sense to me why they'd charge PC gamers when the PC gamers can play free games anyway.

I'm not mad because I already pay for the service, and I understand that it's the best there is. PC gamers can play free games but what about the ones like HALO 3/Gears of War that will use the LIVE service?

One other thing... there is no online service as good as XBL on the PC, so if I was a PC gamer and I wanted the best there is... I would pay that less than a $1 a week for it.

big isy

03-07-2007, 04:40 PM

Thing is there is a service like XBL on PC's. Steam has a great thing going for it, X-Fire is excellent with you being able to interact with friends in other games.

That is the problem that I have with the service, why should I have to subscribe to a service in order to play a game online, this is the sole reason I hate MMO's.

And the upscaling thing, well, I read the 1up article on it and they mentioned that it could be the game in a very early state, it was something that was last minute according to them. Although it looked good, it was nowhere near a complete game and was standard fare, bullets ripping through a warehouse and all that crap.

I would have preferred if they didn't show Killzone 2 at all until the game was actually playable, but they thought different. ANd Killzone 1 was hardly that great so I'm not holding my breath for this one.

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 04:53 PM

Thing is there is a service like XBL on PC's. Steam has a great thing going for it, X-Fire is excellent with you being able to interact with friends in other games.

That is the problem that I have with the service, why should I have to subscribe to a service in order to play a game online, this is the sole reason I hate MMO's.

You keep on saying PC has services for free... well yes they do, but it's a bit of a mish mosh of things (Ventrillo, Xfire, Steam) - Xbox Live pulls it all together nicely. No screwing around with IP addresses or having to exit the game your in to do something and Friends lists/voice chat with all games, It all just works at the push of a button. If you don't want to pay for that then fine. I personally would rather have the simplicity/quality of live on my PC/360.

big isy

03-07-2007, 04:54 PM

Well, the choice is open to gamers, so it'll be interesting to see just how things turn out. I won't be buying into it, will I even have to considering I have an Xbox Live account already?

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 04:58 PM

will I even have to considering I have an Xbox Live account already?

Nope, you already have it. Now that would be dumb if you had to buy a different account... Just think about it.

big isy

03-07-2007, 05:02 PM

Well, I'm not taking any chances since they plan on charging me to pay to play PC titles. ;)

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 05:11 PM

Well, I'm not taking any chances since they plan on charging me to pay to play PC titles. ;)

More like to play 360 gamers with your PC and all be unified with voice chat & friend lists. :^P

DeaconBlade

03-07-2007, 06:35 PM

are you guys seriously elated about the Sims mixed with NFL 2K's Crib? what am i missing about this idea? it's completely boring to me.

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 06:54 PM

are you guys seriously elated about the Sims mixed with NFL 2K's Crib? what am i missing about this idea? it's completely boring to me.

Hey Deacon... I'm a huge Microsoft/Xbox fan, but you got to admit that this is a smart thing for Sony to do... That is IF they can do it well (Unlike just about everything related to the PS3 = Halfass)

A virtual world for your Arcade games/Movies/Friends/Pics/Achievements/Recorded video/Record your game excellence, among other things (Dating?) is a very good way to have everything all rapped into one area you go into.

Microsoft should do this, and I don't doubt for one minute that they can do it better and have it out before Sony's becomes a good reality... LOL, Get it... a good REALITY?

big isy

03-07-2007, 07:15 PM

Hey Deacon... I'm a huge Microsoft/Xbox fan, but you got to admit that this is a smart thing for Sony to do... That is IF they can do it well (Unlike just about everything related to the PS3 = Halfass)

A virtual world for your Arcade games/Movies/Friends/Pics/Achievements/Recorded video/Record your game excellence, among other things (Dating?) is a very good way to have everything all rapped into one area you go into.

Microsoft should do this, and I don't doubt for one minute that they can do it better and have it out before Sony's becomes a good reality... LOL, Get it... a good REALITY?

Shit, did you just praise Sony?! :shocking: :blink: :help:
;)
Deac, think of it as a hub, a place where you can hook up with friends in 3D and walk around and play stuff, all within this hub. You then have you're own private hub, where you can walk around and furnish, even invite friends over and play games that you may have there. Its a great idea but until its out, it'll be hard to judge the actual quality of it.

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 07:20 PM

Shit, did you just praise Sony?! :shocking: :blink: :help:
;)

Hey man, like I've told you & many before... I'm a fan of whatever is the best for my money. If Sony can do it and have the PS3 prove to be all what it's supposed to be, then I would have no problem owning one. However, as we all know that is not the case THIS GEN.

I'm hoping for a better Sony and gaming console from them next time.

big isy

03-07-2007, 07:24 PM

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 07:37 PM

true, but all I've seen you post here, excluding today, is stuff that undermines Sony. Which is why it's strange when you posted that. Not having a dig at you or anything, just a little weirded out ;)

Deacon knows me, and my past from posting at Xbox.com... I was very hard on Microsoft at one time also (Also hyped up Sony's PS3, because I knew that they couldn't live up to the E3 MotorStorm & Killzone CGI/Xbox 1.5 hype), but with the problems & PR talk from Sony in the last YEAR makes the 360's launch seem flawless.

Now, Sony is doing some good... It's still a wait & see from them because we both know about their word of mouth and how that can't be trusted. I really wonder how long their so-called online service will stay FREE (Would it be without Microsoft providing something better for a price?) Also, how many servers are they going to have up for each game, and how long before they close them? See, the great thing about XBL is that I can still play the old Xbox games online... Do you really think Sony will do the same?

DeaconBlade

03-07-2007, 08:04 PM

Mikewarrior

03-07-2007, 08:15 PM

oh hey i know what it is guys...it just doesn't make any sense to me...ok so i'm gonna have Sims and NFL 2K's crib without having to buy these two games :lol:

that's basically it. interact with people, invite them to your crib (apartment)..etc. :wtf: is that new? oh look, i'm sporting a new jacket today on my virtual character...who would honestly care? :lol:

oh well...hey more power to the Mii/Sim/Crib creation.

Deacon, don't knock it man. It's a very good thing for Sony, and yes... even Microsoft. It's a very good way for people to add to their friends list (How else are Sony PS3 owners going to do it so easily?) Also, it's a virtual world that ties everything together in a much better way than just some Blades (Uh ohh, I did it now, LOL):peace:

Sony just 1-uped Microsoft's Marketplace in theory... In reality, we'll see.

Sirharper

03-07-2007, 09:20 PM

Deac...move this garbage to console wars.

DeaconBlade

03-07-2007, 09:28 PM

you're right Harp lol. and i'm not really knocking it....just not interested in it really. i guess i need more details.

i do however like what i see with Little Big Planet.

Mikewarrior

03-08-2007, 04:50 PM

"Phil Harrison announced a new feature for the PlayStation 3 that ties together community and Xbox 360-style achievements into an MMO-like interface. Called simply Home, the free downloadable application (hitting wide-scale beta in April and full-scale release in the fall)"

Holy crap!!!... 6+ months away? Why do I not believe what Sony says... Will this ever come to fruition, or is this more hype to sell systems?

And how will it not lag with Millions on at the same time in that “Home“ world?

big isy

03-08-2007, 08:09 PM

It'll remain free because they have the Advertisements to support the financial side of things. Couple that with 'micro-transactions' that you just know they're gonna have, stuff like buying a couch and crap would help em greatly. The good thing is, all this is completely optional and you can avoid it. Whereas if this route was taken with a game, say you had to better your apartment by putting stuff in it, then I'd be pissed. I'll stick with my shitty box of a room thank you. :lol:
As for the old xbox games, servers have begun to shut down now. I can't remember the exact game but I recall EA announcing the closure of some. But because we have the benefit (or curse) of in-game advertisements, financial worries of keeping a server open shouldn't bother the consumer any longer. I say shouldn't but we won't know that until a good few years down the line.

Mikewarrior

03-08-2007, 08:19 PM

As for the old xbox games, servers have begun to shut down now. I can't remember the exact game but I recall EA announcing the closure of some. But because we have the benefit (or curse) of in-game advertisements, financial worries of keeping a server open shouldn't bother the consumer any longer. I say shouldn't but we won't know that until a good few years down the line.

Don't use EA as an example (EA sucks) They are the ones who wanted to use their own servers, remember? You know, when they denied to have their Xbox games be capable of LIVE? It's because they wanted full control, and not for our benefit.

UNSCleric

03-09-2007, 12:16 AM

No Xbox Live game can have its servers shut down cause it's peer to peer. The only games having servers shut down are EA, because they are money-hungry scam artists.

Sirharper

03-09-2007, 06:44 AM

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 09:38 AM

Peer-to-peer = cheating and host advantage. The reasons many people quit playing Halo2. Server based is far superior, maybe not EA's implimentation of it, but in general. Huxley should demonstrate this quite well.

As for the question of how MS can 1-up them...simple...stop charging for Live. Live could sustain itself just fine with the sale of points alone.

First of all server based still has cheating with a cost to the publisher and many times YOU... Huxley will not be FREE and games being server based NEVER last for as long as you own the game. That's the reason EA wanted full control... It was to shut down the server for last years games, so you would HAVE to buy the newest versions of their games to be able to play online for the next year or so until a newer version comes out. = THAT'S $50+ PER GAME A YEAR to play online! WoW costs $15 a month to play ONE GAME while it costs less than $4 a month to play MOST of Xboxs/360's games on LIVE... Now how in Hell is that worse? Sony's servers for their PS3 games will not last or stay FREE, and I would bet you my house on that.

Also, if anyone has a problem paying less than $1 a week for LIVE... I would suggest them to stop paying monthly broadband fees that cost a near 10 times more, oh and stop buying games also. Having LIVE FREE (Saving a whole $50 a YEAR) would not 1-Up anything... It would just cost Microsoft to lose more money and cause them to give us less quality. By paying for it, we the buyers can demand the best and I don't doubt for one second that Microsoft will do something far better than what Sony is doing, or can do no matter what Sony SAYS & shows.

Sirharper

03-09-2007, 10:16 AM

Server based has far LESS cheating that is the point. Standby'ers and modem glitchers are thwarted when the server controls the timing. That was most of Halo2's problem.

Huxey will likely be pay-to-play that was my point. It is server based and we will all note the benefits of that in the form of less cheating and having a whole truckload of people in the same game. Peer-to-peer cannot do that.

The problem isn't that Live costs money nor is it the amount it costs. The problem is you are being charged for the "right" to play peer-to-peer sessions. You are paying money and being given nothing you couldn't do on a PC game for free. Only MS could dream of a way to take once free services...put them on a closed system...then make people pay for what they had for free all along.

I see all you people lambasting PS3's price while at the same time overlooking that 360 will have a higher cost of usership over this generation.

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 10:23 AM

big isy

03-09-2007, 10:52 AM

MIke, its like you said. Because you're paying for Live, you can hold MS accountable for their service, sadly, you can't hold the game devs accountable for their implementation of said service.

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 11:11 AM

MIke, its like you said. Because you're paying for Live, you can hold MS accountable for their service, sadly, you can't hold the game devs accountable for their implementation of said service.

True in a way, but when you fully BUY into one of their games knowing full well that they are hyping up it's online to sell it in high numbers... I believe you still have a voice to be heard after paying that $60 for what they promised.

I get FREE downloads from Microsoft that I don't have to pay for, and that right there makes up for that $50 LIVE cost a year.

big isy

03-09-2007, 11:13 AM

its not really free though, considering you're already paying the $50 per annum.

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 11:19 AM

its not really free though, considering you're already paying the $50 per annum.

That's why I said it makes up for that $50 cost a year. I also get to talk to my friend that lives in Las Vegas (I live in Oregon = 1000 miles away) anytime we want for that $50 a year.

Now, how can anyone knock Xbox LIVE's costs?

big isy

03-09-2007, 11:25 AM

Well, I can talk to my friend in Korea for as little as nothing. MSN FTW!

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 11:30 AM

Well, I can talk to my friend in Korea for as little as nothing. MSN FTW!

Yes, but everyone who has MSN doesn't have a headset to talk to... now do they?

XBL FTW!!!:grinking:

Sirharper

03-09-2007, 11:41 AM

O.k. But it comes at a cost, and you don't want that... Right?

Huxley also comes at a cost and you don't want that... Right?

LIVE comes at a cost and by what you get you don't want those costs... Right?

Not wnen you need to buy Blu-Ray movies at $20 to $30 a POP to justify buying a $600 game console.

I want Huxley and will pay for it because it offers additions Live alone cannot. Thats added value. Live adds no value over PC gaming but yet charges the fees anyway.

I pay for Live because I must, if the competition gives their service for free than we are getting hosed.

Your point is illogical. You will exceed $600 for your 360 with Live fees before the life cycle is up. Movies on a game console are irrelavant.

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 11:48 AM

I want Huxley and will pay for it because it offers additions Live alone cannot. Thats added value. Live adds no value over PC gaming but yet charges the fees anyway. - It does to me... I hate PC gaming. Keep paying $100's a year to keep up.

I pay for Live because I must, if the competition gives their service for free than we are getting hosed. - You must? Get real, you know damn well that you pay for it because it's the best unified service that allows all 360 games linked togeather with voice and friends.

Your point is illogical. You will exceed $600 for your 360 with Live fees before the life cycle is up. Movies on a game console are irrelavant. - Well then LIVE is irrelavant, because it's also (Like Blu-Ray movies) NOT a must.... You are still paying more for a GAMING console no matter how you want to Sony SPIN it.

...

Sirharper

03-09-2007, 11:59 AM

More mindless babble I see.

You are content to pay for a what could be a free service simply because you like it. It hard to debate such an irrational argument.

Yes I must. I must if I want to play games with other people because MS says so. There is no other way short of getting people together in person.

The fact that PS3 games are also on BluRay discs seems to have escaped you. That benefit will become more obvious as time goes on.

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 12:12 PM

More mindless babble I see. - To a Sony defender, yes I guess.

You are content to pay for a what could be a free service simply because you like it. It hard to debate such an irrational argument. - It's not FREE just because YOU think it should... Microsoft spends money to pay people to upgrade Xbox LIVE service all the damn time. If you had a clue on how that works for a company, you would understand that it costs money and BILLIONS to set up at first. Keep that hope alive that one day Sony will do something better and have it always stay FREE.

Yes I must. I must if I want to play games with other people because MS says so. There is no other way short of getting people together in person. - Well what about your PC gaming? Also, it's never been because Microsoft says so... It's always been Sony that says so for their fans to believe in.

The fact that PS3 games are also on BluRay discs seems to have escaped you. That benefit will become more obvious as time goes on. - Do you work for Sony (Yes, I must ask?) because there is ZERO proof that Blu-Ray does any good for PS3 games over 360 DVD ones... especially when they have to duplicate data(Takes Blu-Ray storage space advantage away) & initial download to the Hard drive to get the loading times near the 360 ones. Please talk after it can prove it to be an advantage, and until then... It's more Sony BS to sell systems.

...

Sirharper

03-09-2007, 12:25 PM

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 01:00 PM

Must I really state all this again...

1) I have NEVER owned ANY version of PS
2) I love to use my 360 (note the 29,000 + gamerscore)
3) My lifelong ownership of Sony products consists of a clockradio, a 1980's Walkman, and a digital camera

I own a 360, but a 360 does not own me. By taking the fanboy emotion out people are capable of rational thought. You should try it sometime.

Must I state this again... I don't hate the PS3. It's Sony that doesn't deserve trust or support and I like to show why. It's you who I cannot understand... Why does it bother you so to defend them against me?

It's you who is showing your emotion towards me by my reasoning/proof of why I dislike Sony... Maybe you should look in the mirror and try to understand what I’m really trying to say instead of calling someone names and having a site up to promote hate towards people who have similar reasons as I do?

big isy

03-09-2007, 01:30 PM

Stephen Mcgill, Head of Gaming & Entertainment had the following to say regarding Playstation HOME.
"I feel great about the position we’re in today and our leadership in installed base; our leadership in online community; and our leadership in great games available. Let’s not forget that this is a games business. Games are at the centre of our strategy and will continue be. We’ve got a great portfolio and we’ve got some big blockbusters on the way with Guitar Hero II, Forza Motorsport 2, Mass Effect, GTA 4 and of course Halo 3 all coming soon."

He continues, "If you look at Sony’s announcements around communities we’re pleased Sony are now in agreement with what we’ve been saying since we unveiled Xbox 360. When you look at the “virtual world” Sony have just announced, it’s good to see them finally focus the online space but let’s remember our virtual world games are at the center of our online strategy. And Xbox LIVE is here NOW! With Xbox LIVE you have full access to the online community, communications and rich experiences - whether in the game or in the dashboard. We firmly believe that the key to creating connected experiences is by building the community. We have over 6 million members on Xbox LIVE today and our community is getting ready for a giant boom. This spring we are bringing LIVE to Windows where there’s already a community of over 200 million gamers. Finding friends and playing or chatting with them is what gamers want and nothing delivers that better than Xbox LIVE."

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 01:54 PM

Chris Satchell, general manager, Microsoft Developer Group:

Quote:
"I think Little Big Planet is very cool. It's a very cool game and it's got a cool user-generated content feature but I can't see a big portfolio of games at the moment that do this. I don't think there's a whole load to catch up.

I think they've definitely taken some concepts that we originated like achievements, but I think they're pushing in a different direction and we've sort of fundamentally got two different approaches going on here. I think theres is very much a vision that people see it and it looks cool but it's fundamentally separate from the games - or at least what they've shown so far.

So you've got an environment where I don't have a unified community, I don't have unified achievements, I have to leave the experience to go back and see all that stuff - it's not an approach that's consistent; It's like some games will do it, some games won't, some games have achievements but they don't have to have achievements.

It's not a very game-centric approach. It's a cool world but it's like a little game by itself. Our approach is the other way around; that games are the center and that's the star of the show, that's what people buy the console for."

Chris Satchell makes some good points. You have to leave your gamign experience to experience this. The current Live model is fully integrated. I don't have to leave a game to experience custom soundtracks, voice chat, messaging, a unified friends list and other stuff. I can't help but feel that Sony is focusing on all the bells and whistles when they don't have the foundation of the building laid just yet.

We'll see how well Sony can execute on this vision. It is still a long ways away and with the lack of integration this may not be a good experience. Personally, I buy consoles to play games not hang out in a virtual space.

big isy

03-09-2007, 01:58 PM

At the moment we have very little to go on, even after viewing all the footage on this feature. From what I've seen it looks promising, something that can be worked upon, a good base if you will.

Mikewarrior

03-09-2007, 02:10 PM

At the moment we have very little to go on, even after viewing all the footage on this feature. From what I've seen it looks promising, something that can be worked upon, a good base if you will.

Hey, it's a good start for Sony (I'm not saying it isn't) but before I buy into anything Sony says or shows... I'll wait for the reality to set in first.