I Don´t Get It!

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 10:27 am

Hi Guys,
 
 Those that know me from SR and OS are aware that I love my games. With that in mind, I love my Xbox. I have to tell you (if you haven´t seen it already), that there is a post on one of those boards re: a gamer contemplating the purchase of the xbox. Some of the anti-xbox stuff I was reading really turned my stomach. One person called it a "...piece of sh*t..." Some of these people are those that praised the xbox when they finally got their hands on one. Now they´re saying how they should have known all along that the PS2 was the way to go, and one very knowledgeable sports gamer loves his games on the GC (PK knows who I mean for sure). I hate to write a post like this because I respect many of these gamers when it comes to their insight on games......but just ripping the xbox after previously giving it so much love....come on now! It´s like leaving your wife for another woman who you feel has all those "extras," then breaking her heart when she pisses you off, and you know your wife will take you back. Of course that is then filled with bashing the "other woman!" Ok, enough with the analogy, but I HATE the "lynch mob" mentality. One minute the Xbox is barely mentioned on that board, then it is "THE system," and now is being buried by some of that mob! I needed to vent. PK, you are the man when it comes to the PS2 vs Xbox debate...so please chime in. As for the GC being the choice for sports games, I don´t think so. Maybe as one gamer put in an old post somewhere, "...the grass texture is better in the GC version..." that should be a reason to buy the GC for sports games....I don´t think so (unless you only own a GC). Okay, I´m burnt out!
 
 GreatWhite <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_mad.gif">

NoJoke · Post by **NoJoke** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 11:39 am

For what it´s worth. I haven´t used my PS2 since I got my XBox, except to play DVDs. I´ve bought several games that came out on both systems (NFL2K3, Spiderman, Blood Omen 2, Max Payne), and never even thought once about getting it for the PS2.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 11:48 am

I know the thread of which ye speak. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> I was kinda miffed by it as well. I made the switch about the time several of these people we´re praising the Box. I was very happy with the system (and still am BTW) but after reading some of the posts I even began to doubt my switch. Hearing about disk errors and other issues they brought up made me worried and I even thought about getting my PS2 back. Then I realized I hadn´t had any of these problems and I have been very happy with everything I´ve bought for the Box. Not to mention I´ll be able to rub it in next spring when I racing in a Pro Race Driver league on Xbox Live. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">
 
 I guess the point I´m trying to make is that you shouldn´t listen to what others have to say about a system and you should go with what feels right for you. I know got some "You did what!?" reactions when I traded my PS2 in for an Xbox but I know I made the right choice for me. If I could afford them all I would buy them all but I refuse to give in to the fanboyism and peer pressure and instead stick with the system that has the games and capabilities I want.
 
 mixdj1

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 12:05 pm

Mixdj1 - Yes I even have been questioning my decision. It bothers me that reading posts like that could do that to me! So far I haven´t had any problems with my xbox, and if I did, I would deal with it. Lots of people have had problems with their PS2s, and I never had any when I had mine. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is when this "lynch mob" mentality switches like that and then seem to downgrade every thing about a system they praised so highly.
 
 GreatWhite

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 12:14 pm

Great White:
 
 Ah, the great, shifting sands of console advocacy. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 You´re absolutely right: Some of the people who are bitching about the Xbox at Sports Reviewers either haven´t owned it or played it for a few weeks before giving up on it.
 
 As for the "piece of sh*t" comment, that was ridiculous. I e-mailed the poster of that comment directly and illustrated why I thought his post was a bit harsh. He claimed that there was nothing exclusive on the Xbox that thrilled him or was any better than PS2 or GC games. I responded, "That must make all three consoles pieces of sh*t, then, if there´s nothing superior on the Xbox." After all, he didn´t claim that stuff was inferior on the Xbox; he only said there was nothing superior. Fair enough -- I guess all three consoles are sh*tboxes then.
 
 The GameCube is a fine sports console -- if you´re into EA and Sega stick-and-ball sports games. The GC is a joke as a racing console. Calling the GC a great comprehensive sports console is silly.
 
 But I agree with others over there that the GC probably is the best complementary console to either the PS2 or Xbox. The Nintendo exclusives are a nice contrast to the ports spread between the PS2 and Xbox.
 
 The console wars resemble the football game wars this fall. Let´s face it: NCAA 2003, Madden 2003 and NFL 2K3 each are excellent games. Each have similar numbers of strengths and weaknesses. You can´t go wrong with any of them -- it comes down to personal taste.
 
 That´s the same situation with the "big three" consoles. The PS2, Xbox and GC each are fine machines with similar amounts of strengths and weaknesses. It really comes down to which machine has the features and games that you prefer.
 
 I prefer the Xbox. I love the controller, the hard drive, and the upcoming Xbox exclusives -- such as Grand Prix 4, Splinter Cell, Unreal Championship and Shenmue II -- thrill me more than those for the PS2. I´m also very excited about Xbox Live, as I´m already seeing complaints from broadband PS2 users encountering slowdown when playing against dial-up users.
 
 But I would never then say, "The PS2 and GC are pieces of s*** because I prefer the Xbox." That´s f*cking ridiculous.
 
 Many consumers love to validate their purchases with constant mental reinforcement. In other words, "I bought (fill in blank) console, so it must be better than the other two." This happens all the time in gaming forums.
 
 Well, it´s also incredibly naive.
 
 Take this example: I drive an Oldsmobile Intrigue. Does this mean it´s the best midsize sedan on the market? Hell no! But it´s the one that fit my budget, technical needs and taste the best at the time I made the purchase. It´s a very good car, too.
 
 Hey, I´m not going soft since my arrival at DSP. But this board -- although the numbers are small -- has given me a lot of troll- and lemming-free perspective. And over the past few days, I´ve realized that system advocacy is such a waste of f*cking time in this era of three superb consoles.
 
 Frankly, all three consoles are very, very good machines. So I´d rather spend my time ripping into bad games and playing and praising good ones rather than trying to find fault with a console that is very good. In fact, I hope to write my FIFA World Cup 2002 review for the Xbox tonight. Time to sharpen my literary knives. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 Good initial post. Let´s keep up the dialogue!
 
 Take care,
 PK
 
 [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 28-08-2002 09:16 ] [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 28-08-2002 09:23 ]

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 12:21 pm

Mix:
 
 The DVD drive on my Xbox failed after seven weeks, and I briefly considered returning to the PS2.
 
 Then I came to my senses.
 
 I returned the broken unit to Wal-Mart under the 90-day return policy and went to EB and bought another Xbox plus the two-year, "we´ll replace a broken unit on the spot" warranty for $35.
 
 I´ve had more fun in two months with my Xbox than I did in eight months with my PS2. I could break six Xboxes in the next two years, and I´d still return to the ´Box.
 
 There are many more stories of broken hearts and busted PS2´s on the Net than broken Xboxes. Of course, the PS2 has sold many, many units. But I think the breakage stories are proportional for both systems.
 
 I don´t dislike the PS2 -- it´s a fine system. But I prefer the Xbox.
 
 Take care,
 PK

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 1:37 pm

Yea I read that @ SR and laughed my butt off.
 All three consoles offer something to each user.
 
 Nice to see that Matt is back to his old days of bashing the XBOX and making outrageous statements. The poor boy spends so much time up Nintendo´s arse I am amazed he has time to come up for air and post <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_cool.gif">
 
 Of course if Super Monkey Ball 2 was an XBOX only title he would probably be signing a different tune. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 12:31 pm

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2002-08-28 10:37, bdoughty wrote:
 
 Nice to see that Matt is back to his old days of bashing the XBOX and making outrageous statements. The poor boy spends so much time up Nintendo´s arse I am amazed he has time to come up for air and post <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_cool.gif">
 
 Of course if Super Monkey Ball 2 was an XBOX only title he would probably be signing a different tune. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 How true....couldn´t have said it better myself! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

Post by **Jared** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 1:49 pm

I can never understand the infighting between people about what console is best. It all depends on what´s best for your own particular taste. I prefer the PS2...but that´s likely because I´m used to it (and it´s the only console I own). There are enough good titles for both the PS2 and XBox to make arguments about which is better silly.
 
 (Now the Genesis versus the Super Nintendo....that was argument worthy <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> )

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 3:05 am

Hmmm... I was checking out the thread in question, and I really didn´t see much system bashing really. And I definitely didn´t see Matt making any outrageous statements.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 8:01 am

I would buy an Xbox today if Microsoft let you get the S Controller with the console and if you could download files using a tool like the Sharkport.
 
 Even Sony -the least customer friendly company this side of the cable TV industry - put the Dual shock in the psx box. Come on Microsoft - step up to the plate.
 
 There is no way in hell I am going to spend a month creating or modifying rosters. With the PS2 I don´t have to do it - I can get someone else´s work and download it and use it. I don´t even mind making a donation to the creator of the rosters if it seems appropriate. I don´t know why the Xbox/Microsoft seem so adamant about preventing us from doing this. Custom mods kept PC games fresh for years and I think this huge advantage should make its way to consoles. Otherwise, the hard drive on the Xbox is a waste to me. I can get by with one memory card on the PS2, so what is the point to all those gigs of space?
 
 Nothing wrong with the Xbox - but since I already have a PS2 there is little compelling reason to spend the money to upgrade. There are several games on the horizon - Thief 3 and Deus Ex 2 - that could make me get an Xbox. Both rely on stealth and the Xbox site and sound advantages - and the hard drive for saves - could make it worth the purchase.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 9:45 am

>>>And I definitely didn´t see Matt making any outrageous statements.<<<
 
 Airdog:
 
 Matt called the Xbox a "major piece of sh*t" or something like that in one of the threads. "Piece of sh*t" was the operative term -- not sure of the preceding adjective.
 
 Either way, that statement is way off-base. The Xbox may not be everyone´s cup of tea, but it´s not a piece of sh*t. It´s a fine console, as is the PS2 and GC.
 
 Matt normally is one of the most rational observers on the Net of the gaming scene, but he must have pounded too many Mountain Dew´s and inhaled too many Little Debbie´s before making that dopey statement.
 
 Take care,
 PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 9:53 am

Kevin:
 
 Very interesting points, and a legitimate reason to pass on the Xbox.
 
 I own an Xbox and love it. But I´ll agree that Microsoft has not done a good job in this first year of differentiating itself from the PlayStation 2. Many of the games are PS2 ports, and few games have really taken advantage of the graphics power of the ´Box. Halo, Rallisport Challenge and Dead or Alive 3 are exceptions that pop to mind immediately.
 
 The hard drive also has been underused. Sure, it provides unlimited save space, and that´s cool. And load times are shorter than the PS2. But is that due to the hard drive or the faster processor? I´m not sure -- I´m no electronic genius.
 
 I think MS has the chance to really differentiate the Xbox from the PS2 this fall and holiday season, for these reasons:
 
 1. Xbox Live. All beta accounts indicate this system works fantastic, with no lag in most cases. Plus the Voice Communicator for all games should be a riot and is something the PS2 doesn´t have except for one game.
 
 2. Games that take advantage of the hard drive. Blinx is a platform game coming this fall that turns the Xbox basically into a TiVo. You can save parts of the game, rewind, fast-forward and alter the progress of the game any way you want. That´s a bad description, but check out the previews on the Net: This game looks pretty damn innovative.
 
 3. Better games, exclusives and games coming to Xbox first. Titles like Splinter Cell, Grand Prix 4 (for racing fans), Ghost Recon (online), Unreal Championship (online) Blinx, Brute Force, Metal Gear Substance (you can play the whole game as Snake -- a big plus) and Shenmue II should help the Xbox carve out a software niche.
 
 4. Online hockey. OK, this won´t produce a ton of sales. But for a hockey freak like me, it´s huge. The Xbox is the only console this year with online hockey.
 
 Take care,
 PK

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 10:38 am

PK,
 
 Well said!
 
 GreatWhite