What's The Best Thing To Happen In Gaming This Decade ?

[Yoshimax]

I don't mean a game - I mean something like :

SEGA becoming a software only company
The DS
Eyetoy
Wireless Controllers (Wavebird/360)


Or my nomination - Xbox Live.

Sure - there have been online gaming services before (used to love PSO and Quake3 on Dreamcast) but the infrastructure MS now have in place after years of R&D and millions of dollars should be the envy of Sony & Nintendo - It's a stunning achievement and I think we'll all realise just how big a success it is when Sony launch their service because I don't see how it can ever be a patch on it.

So there you go - Xbox Live is the best thing for me that has happened to gaming this decade - Once you've tried it I think it'd be very, very, very hard to go back to just offline play - It's not even just about the multiplayer gaming - I have a network of fantastic people on my friends list who I can both have a right good blether/banter with and some great gaming too. A quick scan of the "online" folder shows just how many posts/views the xbox games get. Long live the Halo2 thread

[Dirty Sanchez]

It's either Live or Microsoft committing to gaming in such a big way.

[jimmbob]

Gotta say, the whole community aspect of the Live service. Great whether you want to play a game or just have a natter.

[Ouenben]

Sega becoming a 3rd party developer? I thought this was horrible and wished they made consoles. Their quality of games has lowered alot since becoming 3rd party. Co-incidence? Maybe... I dont think so though


I'd nominate:
The DS
Mario 64
Goldeneye
Zelda OOT

The games are revolutionary and the DS is amazing at how well it's done and how much fun it's provided.

[AdamJW]

I'd say three large console manufacturers duking it out for gamers attention. As the only winners are us gamers.

[NekoFever]

I was thinking of online gaming in general. Live almost has it down to a tee now but it only took what had already come and refined it.

I know plenty of people who don't like online gaming but for me it's singlehandedly increased my gaming time exponentially. The last few summers have all been dominated by an online game and when one gets its nefarious claws into me I'll play it for hundreds of hours. Plus online gaming has led to whole new genres and subgenres being created like the MMORPG and the arena deathmatch.

[Kongster]

Capcom showing everyone that there is more to them than just Street Fighter - their output this gen is nothing short of stunning!

[cohen205]

N64 Controller - It brought analogue control into console gaming.

[Rep]

N64 Controller - It brought analogue control into console gaming.

Agreed, truly a work of art, the very definition of perfect control .

[Brats]

I would also say online gaming in general (although I do love the community of Live). For me personally, it came just at the right time when friends were moving further away and was a great way to keep in touch and continue our hobby.

[Kieran76]

Xbox Live is an truly outstanding achievement. I also think I have been good for gaming, I am a nice lad not too flash and easy to get on with.

[in5ane]

Hard drives? No more memory cards!

Being able to talk to (most) people over Live has been a step back tbh

[sj33]

RE4.

Reminded me what kind of potential next generation hardware has.

[Kubrick]

What's The Best Thing To Happen In Gaming This Decade ?

It didn't happen this decade, but the best thing is that there are still smaller JP companies that value gameplay above everything else.

[Kron]

Applauds.