Underwhelmed by 360?

[Concept]

I agree to an extent, but isn't the current generation just an extension of the last? The PS2 launched with just updates of Playstation games, as did the Dreamcast (pretty much). Every new generation of consoles is simply an extension of the last, apart from when we hit the 32bit era with 3D.

The only console to do anything particularly new in the past ten years is probably the DS.

The problem is there doesn't feel a like a distinguishable leap is taking place. When I mention 'refinement', I was talking about the fact that the 360 actually feels like Xbox 1.5. whereas the PS2 did feel like a successor to the the PSone. In terms of gameplay, then yes, each generation is an extention (to begin with)... the problem is that we already have finesse right now in terms of visual quality. I've become immune to the technical line-in-the-sand each generation used to bring that I was amazed with before, and I'm hungering for something else. That's the difference.

Before with the PSone, the 3D capabilities were obviously technically flawed compared to what we have now. While there's improvements happening, my appreciation for aesthetics has become numb. To put it simply, I'm not really impressed by technology alone anymore. What we have now doesn't look bad on the eyes (if we're talking talented developers) in comparison to the learning curve experienced over the past three if you include the current gen cycles.

Maybe it's the fact that from a visual standpoint we've already reached a level where it's possible to become numbed to the selling point of better tech.

It isn't Microsoft's fault (though I'm disappointed that they want to bring the generational cycles down to a smaller span so they can have a better chance of starting with a blank slate to gain control of the market)... it's just a systematic problem that was always inevitable. People (average Joe and June) are going to be unable to tell less and less each generation apart from here on in, which does beg the question why we may be on the verge of jumping from hardware to hardware more quickly. I could understand this if the leaps were genuine and marked with huge divides, but they aren't anymore. It should be the other way about - if the leap from building to building is becoming smaller, then what's the point in moving on at a hurry? Especially if the development of such technology costs the hardware makers a vast amount of money and means they have to rely on greater software being sold. Surely it would be better to consolidate what you've got, build and make sure you're in a position later down the line where significant changes have been made to launch?

All this does, (with smaller leaps) is fuel the chance of a boom or bust cycle happening, where one of the big three doesn't sell the software required and finds itself without the resources or management willpower to risk it all again a couple of years down the road. We're heading to single-format territory which is probably a good thing, though I think the attitudes of the hardware makers are placing developers at risk for their own greed.

what fresh perspective though??? there is 2d and 3d and nothing more aesthetically! so all we'll ever see is "a turning of the page" as you put it.

thats really what made the original playstation so exciting, it was the first competant 3d gaming platform(and the last REAL advance in gaming aesthetics).

i think of it

I think you've quoted the wrong person. I was specifically talking about a leap similar to the N64 which does something a little different to the norm (or what first appears) and then impacts on software to re-think certain aspects of design. There isn't only 2D or 3D.

Control systems, online infrastructures (which to be fair to Microsoft is something they've helped to successfully integrate into the console market) and different styles of interaction are just a few of the ways things could improve.

Aesthetics are only a part of the package.

[WazMeister]

why i feel and my main choice will be revo from nintendo.

they have their heads fixed on if you ask me..... cant wait to see what revo will bring. i love nintendo.


I buy 360 for small quantitys of fun on live then sell to get revo.

[Ajay1986]

For me im getting and keeping a 360 and i will also be getting a REV but im gonna pass on PS3 unless they make some real adjustments to how they handle online play.

Also, Ive been banging on about Saints Row and it dawned on me lots of people havnt seen it in action and how awesome its gonna be so if you go here

http://www.squadxp.com/13411/17301.html

And scroll down to the saints row bit there is a 100meg zip file with 6 vids. Please take the time to download and watch them becuase even tho they are on Alpha hardware they still look amazing. The physics and the most impressive ive seen vid 6 illustrates that point to the full.

[WazMeister]

oh saints row.... looks awesome

latsest article ign.com states it run at a smooth 30fps on retail.... now that sounds dodgy i rember playing q3 at 35fps and that was choppy

[baad bwoy]

Yep buy the Revolution, and ignore the 360...even though Nintendo have shown absolutely nothing of their machine apart from a mockup, not even the controller, and MS haven't really shown much yet either...is it really worth getting worked up about all this?

[Concept]

Or alternatively, just ignore them all until high quality software appears.

This generation has deep enough layers to discourage people from jumping in feet first to the next.

[WazMeister]

no ones getting worked up?????

when did this turn to a get worked up and argue everything thread?


we simply talking about next gen consoles, who wants what and why etc etc.

I love these threads thet show me alot of opinions and new info

[MikeRox]

At the moment I think I can hold off the 360, I don't think the launch lineup currently looks as strong as the original Xbox one did, but I know that in time it'll grow a decent selection of AAA games.

For now I'm going to stick with my Cube, Xbox and DS and will take another look at the 360 once I've bought and played the new GC Zelda to death as between now and then there is plenty of current gen stuff on the way that I want

[Pavey]

I have absolutely no interest (for the first time) in the next generation. Haven't looked at a single video or screenshot of a 360 game,and its not something i've conciously done.
To me it is far too early. I decided yesterday to go back and finish Splinter Cell as i never quite made it,and have the two sequels waiting to be played. This meant starting again as i never transfered my save over from my original X-Box when i sold it. The lighting and graphics blew me away.Forgotten how good it looked,and then when i played it the gameplay sucked me in,and this is a game from 3(?) yrs ago.
Never played ICO,R6 BA, and loads of others so i made a pact to myself that all these are going to get finished before i upgrade,which by then the 360 should be selling at ?75 with 2 free games and a controller!

[baad bwoy]

Good luck with holding out till then dude

[the_dude]

I was thinking of getting a 360 at launch, but have since changed my mind and just going to wait until all three consoles are out. I'm in no hurry to jump onto the next gen ship yet, as there's still a **** load of games i want for my current consoles.

Yet saying that, I can see myself neglecting the 360 and getting a Playstation 3/Revolution combo, mainly due to the fact that the PS3 is going to be (again) the most supported console when it get's released and with the Revolution you just know your going to get something different, that Nintendo magic!

Not to long ago (about 4 month) i bought an Xbox and a few games, 2 weeks later it was sold because the games weren't doing it for me (Halo has got to be the most overrated game on the planet, Edge should have been shot for giving that game a perfect score. Some how i get the feeling Microsoft have been waving the Green about) and Live wasn't exactly the Bee's ****in Knee's, as some people put it.

So no thanks, i'll just wait.

[Pavey]

Good luck with holding out till then dude

Easy peasy lemon squeezey. Definitely going to wait till i've had my money's worth out of this generation.

[Yoshimax]

Can the mods sticky this thread please so that when all these people are posting 1st play impressions one week after launch we can remind ourselves of the humorous "no buy" stances being adopted ?

[baad bwoy]

The PS3 does have some interesting aspects, but I can imagine how expensive it will be, and how limited the initial release, also the time itis likely for producers to get to grips with its cell, so perhaps it might be better to wait at least a couple more years* before considering the PS3 and get a 360 in the meantime.

*probably be that long before it gets released anyway

[Pavey]

Can the mods sticky this thread please so that when all these people are posting 1st play impressions one week after launch we can remind ourselves of the humorous "no buy" stances being adopted ?

Have faith my child and yee shall see the way. (or some LOTR style bollocks)