Kaput Xbox update: Get out the fork

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:40 am

I think there's a lot of life left in the Xbox, personally. Sure the new games are drying up but who has played all the good Xbox games already released? I look forward to picking up games like Half-Life 2, Sniper Elite, Splinter Cell 3 etc. at bargain prices later this year

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:54 am

Feanor wrote:I think there's a lot of life left in the Xbox, personally. Sure the new games are drying up but who has played all the good Xbox games already released? I look forward to picking up games like Half-Life 2, Sniper Elite, Splinter Cell 3 etc. at bargain prices later this year

Feanor:

Actually, Microsoft VP Peter Moore -- yep, the Peter Moore formerly of Sega -- said at a games conference late last year in Amsterdam that more Xbox games would be released this year than in any other of the console's lifespan.

So you're right: There's still plenty of life left in the Xbox.

Plus I think it's a pretty safe bet that more Xbox titles have been released in the last two months than Xbox 360 titles. The drought of 360 titles since launch is eerily reminiscent of the dry spell following the PSP.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:18 pm

I have no desire for a new system at this point. WE9 coming out in a few weeks will be the icing on the cake. Right now i'm enjoying NBA 2K6 and College baseball. I look at the 360 and there just arent' any games that I really want for it right now so that gives me the opportunity to wait it out and see what Sony does.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:16 pm

pk500 wrote:Plus I think it's a pretty safe bet that more Xbox titles have been released in the last two months than Xbox 360 titles. The drought of 360 titles since launch is eerily reminiscent of the dry spell following the PSP.

Yeah the only difference is that there are some very fun and playable games on the 360 to get us through that. You couldn't really say that about the PSP. Amped 3, NBA 2k6, NHL 2k6, Madden 06 and PGR3 are all damn nice games...with Amped, Madden (in it's GOOD form) and PGR3 ONLY available on the 360.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:39 pm

True, true.

Thanks,
PK

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:54 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
pk500 wrote:Plus I think it's a pretty safe bet that more Xbox titles have been released in the last two months than Xbox 360 titles. The drought of 360 titles since launch is eerily reminiscent of the dry spell following the PSP.
Yeah the only difference is that there are some very fun and playable games on the 360 to get us through that. You couldn't really say that about the PSP. Amped 3, NBA 2k6, NHL 2k6, Madden 06 and PGR3 are all damn nice games...with Amped, Madden (in it's GOOD form) and PGR3 ONLY available on the 360.

Very true.

Since I got the 360 on saturday, I haven't turned on my PSP for anything else than watching tv shows at my lunch break.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:16 pm

These are strange times in the console world.

I don't have the numbers, but I assume that the 2nd PS2 version of Madden outsold the psx version. Unless we see the PS3 sooner than we expect, I don't think we will see more next generation Madden sales than last gen sales this year. I assume (hope) that we will see a 360 version of NCAA football along with Madden this fall (nothing has been announced) but unless things change, it will probably be outsold by the PS2 and/or Xbox versions.

Not good news for companies like EA. While EA continued to support Madden on the psx for years after the PS2 came out, it was obvious that the new versions were little more than roster updates. That is not something that would fly this year when a lot of loyal PS2 and Xbox owners will expect just as many improvements as usual for their money. That is going to be stretching developers to the hilt and will probably hurt development both of the next and the previous generations. Charging less for NCAA/Madden PS2/Xbox won't solve the problem either. Gamers will still b*tch and developers will see less profit.

MS really needs to resolve their production issues and soon. They already had to push back the Australia release of the 360, and while we keep hearing about the third production site going online, it is going to be a while before we see boxes on shelves. As a 360 owner, I don't want to see MS lose momentum. The more consoles that they can sell, the more likely we will see better games released. Not a lot of incentive for a company to push a 360 game out the door right now with only 1.5 million consoles on the street.

On the Sony side, while I am sure they are laughing at MS, they most likely have concerns of their own. With less than stellar quarters for their music and hardware divisions, the thought of coming out with a new product that will cost considerably more to make than it will bring in with sales could be a risky venture. If I was betting, I would probably lean toward a successful launch, but nothing is for sure.

I am glad I got the 360 when I did, but can certainly understand either waiting for better games or playing wait and see with the PS3. I have always done that in the past. But I had the money and opportunity to get a new console this time and did it. Glad I did too. Even so, the game i am playing the most right now is MVP NCAA.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:31 pm

Great points, Kevin.

At the 360 launch, I was thinking about how long EA supported new versions of Madden and at what point they became nothing more than roster updates. At this point, they can't ignore what is by far the largest user base, the PS2, in order to concentrate solely on the 360 if the PS3 won't be launched much before Christmas. But I'm glad they added the QB vision cone this year, just in case they sit on the code and just update rosters from here on out.

I wonder how many developers/publishers are pushing back release dates?

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:04 am

I think the active PS2 user base is going to be far higher than the PS3 user base even at the end of 2007. So EA (and other sports game companies) would be mad to give up too quickly on making PS2 games.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:03 pm

You can't focus entirely on the user/install base when calculating where to put your resources. The bottom line is that many millions of those PS2's are sitting in a dumpster somewhere, tucked away in a closet, or connected to a TV with no games other than the 4-5 bought at or around the time that 'casual' gamer got the console.

An audience of 4 million 'hardcore' gamers (the kind who begged, borrowwed, stole or preordered an XBox 360) can be more attractive than an audience of 19 million (supposedly) active 'casual' gamers who only buy 2 games a year.

In addition, a develop has limited resources, and can't afford to dedicate too much time to 'yesterday's' technology while being surpassed on the latest crop of consoles. EA learned this lesson with the PS1; put your flag down and stake your claim or the land will be in someone else's (989 Sports) posession when you finally arrive.

2006 will see solid releases for the XBox and PS2, but 2007 will be mark the end of those consoles with nothing but roster updates and niche (cheap) games.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:14 pm

Sport73 wrote:You can't focus entirely on the user/install base when calculating where to put your resources. The bottom line is that many millions of those PS2's are sitting in a dumpster somewhere, tucked away in a closet, or connected to a TV with no games other than the 4-5 bought at or around the time that 'casual' gamer got the console.

You're right; that's why I said "active user base" for the PS2.

Obviously 99.9 % of PS3s sold between the release date and the end of 2007 are going to be in use, while the percentage figure for PS2s will be a lot lower. But the enormous amount of PS2s in the world is going to make up for that, IMO. EA have said before that they lost a lot of money by adandoning the PS1 too early, and they won't make the same mistake again. For millions and millions of casual gamers/big Madden fans, a roster update in August 2006 and 2007 will be more than enough to get them to buy Madden '07 and Madden '08.

Heh, I feel lof typing that as the first Madden I played was just called "Madden" on the Amiga, and the first console Madden I played was Madden '93 on the Genesis/Megadrive.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:45 pm

So PK, no WE9 for you? I was so looking forward to online play with you in that.

No Toca3? Is this really PK posting in here? I think he's been body-snatched by some alien intelligence or something. Send help!!

I have a refurbished Xbox. I think it was an original machine (came with the giganto controller), but has a Sammy drive in it. I've never had a problem with it since I got it, although sometimes with no disc in the tray I have to coax the thing to open. But no DDEs or any of that.

I say you get a refurbished one at an EB or something next week when WE9 comes out. That's my advice.

Teal, I am sorry to hear you sold you machine. I really enjoyed the couple of baseball games we played recently and was looking forward to more. That and more SC:CT versus mode, too!! Oh well. . . .

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:12 pm

I think Zeppo just got kicked in the nuts.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:16 pm

Zeppo wrote:So PK, no WE9 for you? I was so looking forward to online play with you in that.

No Toca3? Is this really PK posting in here? I think he's been body-snatched by some alien intelligence or something. Send help!!

I have a refurbished Xbox. I think it was an original machine (came with the giganto controller), but has a Sammy drive in it. I've never had a problem with it since I got it, although sometimes with no disc in the tray I have to coax the thing to open. But no DDEs or any of that.

Zep:

No way I'm buying a refurb Xbox. They're $90, right? Waste of money, especially looking down the road at the next generation.

If I can get either a Samsung or Hitachi drive on eBay for $55 including shipping, then I'll return to Xbox gaming. I can justify that by saying I can fix my box for the cost of one full-priced new game plus tax.

Otherwise, it's save for the 360 or drop console gaming for good. I'm still shuddering at $500 just to walk out the door with a 360 and one game. That's money that could be used on discretionary purchases that have a lot more appeal to me right now than a gaming console.

We shall see.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:16 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:I think Zeppo just got kicked in the nuts.

LOL

But I mean, Toca3. . . PK. . .

Toca3. . . PK. . .

I can't get my head around it!!!!!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:17 pm

Zeppo wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:I think Zeppo just got kicked in the nuts.
LOL

But I mean, Toca3. . . PK. . .

Toca3. . . PK. . .

I can't get my head around it!!!!!

See above. If I still get my freebie copy and have no Xbox, then I'll start some sort of contest around here and give it to the winner.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:23 pm

pk500 wrote:No way I'm buying a refurb Xbox. They're $90, right? Waste of money, especially looking down the road at the next generation.

Not sure I see the logic in that. Waste of money? $90 for an as-new Xbox, complete with a fresh warantee? How is that a waste? Pauing for a new unit would be IMO spending more than you need to when there are refurbished units on the shelves.

But are you telling me you don't think you'll get $90 worth of fun and good times from your freebie copy of Toca3?

Color me confused.

PS, I am very willing to throw $20 into the 'get PK a refurbished Xbox so he can play Toca 3 with Zeppo until he can pay us all back' fund

.

I'm serious.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:32 pm

Zeppo wrote:
pk500 wrote:No way I'm buying a refurb Xbox. They're $90, right? Waste of money, especially looking down the road at the next generation.
But are you telling me you don't think you'll get $90 worth of fun and good times from your freebie copy of Toca3?

Color me confused.

PS, I am very willing to throw $20 into the 'get PK a refurbished Xbox so he can play Toca 3 with Zeppo until he can pay us all back' fund .

I'm serious.

First, I appreciate the offer. But I don't need the charity. Honestly, I'm not poor. Not at all. I'm tight. There's a BIG difference. As WCO said, I'm going to be the guy with $2 million in a shoebox in my house or tucked away in some remote bank account when I die. The frau tucks away money into investments and the bank like crack-addled squirrels just before winter at a nut farm, and I love her for it.

Second, I'd rather take the $55 route on the disc than $90 on the Xbox. I only need the disc drive, as I'm certain that's the problem. I took apart my Xbox the other night, and it's a lot easier than I thought.

As I said before, we shall see.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:36 pm

Zep:

Quick follow-up: I just checked EB's Web site about refurbished Xboxes, and the price is $129!

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/216616.asp

That's f*cking ridiculous. No way in hell I would buy a used box for that much, especially when they're only $149 new.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:46 pm

pk500 wrote:Zep:

Quick follow-up: I just checked EB's Web site about refurbished Xboxes, and the price is $129!

Heck, I think mine was about that back three years ago when I got it! Ridiculous indeed.

OK so let's make it the 'loan PK $55 bucks to get a Samsung drive so he can play WE9 and ToCA 3 with Zeppo' fund! LOL. I know you don't need the charity, but don't look at it as charity. Look at it as a guy buying you a couple of drinks 'cause he wants you to come down to the bar and hang out.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:13 pm

Zeppo wrote:
pk500 wrote:Zep:

Quick follow-up: I just checked EB's Web site about refurbished Xboxes, and the price is $129!

Heck, I think mine was about that back three years ago when I got it! Ridiculous indeed.

OK so let's make it the 'loan PK $55 bucks to get a Samsung drive so he can play WE9 and ToCA 3 with Zeppo' fund! LOL. I know you don't need the charity, but don't look at it as charity. Look at it as a guy buying you a couple of drinks 'cause he wants you to come down to the bar and hang out.

You're too kind. Seriously, keep the tin cup in the cupboard. The gesture is magnanimous as hell, but I'll have close to $80 in my PayPal account by the end of the week.

I don't need to scrounge like this to buy stuff. But I like to do it; I REALLY like to do it. It's a fun challenge for me to find stuff to sell and get creative in what I sell, and I'm the kind of person who needs a challenge to stay stimulated in everything I do.

It brings me a lot of satisfaction to know that I have used none of my "real job" income to fund nearly all of my discretionary hobby purchases. Strange, I know, but anyone who has played XBL with me knows that "strange" and "PK" dovetail quite well.

I'm selling every Xbox game I have except for NHL 2K6 and Colin McRae Rally 2005, clearing the shelves for TOCA 3 and WE 9 if I get my drive.

I think I can be happy as hell with TOCA 3, CMR 2005, WE 9 and NHL 2K6. Covers my hockey, racing, rallying and footie joneses quite nicely.

I'm selling Flashpoint because it seems to have died around here, and I've played quite a bit of it offline. Plus it has the best resale value of my remaining games, and I need the discretionary dough for the drive and WE 9.

That should be enough for me to snag a drive, if I choose.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:49 pm

pk500 wrote:You're too kind. Seriously, keep the tin cup in the cupboard. The gesture is magnanimous as hell, but I'll have close to $80 in my PayPal account by the end of the week.

I hear you, man. But my point still stands, and my attitude remains the same: look at it as a buddy buying you a couple of drinks while you're down at the bar throwing darts, rather some charity hand-out.

And hey, if you really want to hold off on gaming for a while, than that's your prerogative, and more power to ya.

BUT TOCA3 MAN!!! TOCA3!!

Plus WE9 online should be KILLER! No need to worry about difference in skill levels, there are so many teams to choose from to even it out and make the games competitive as hell.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:52 pm

Zep:

I know, I know: The pull of TOCA 3 and WE 9 are very, very strong. Plus CMR 2005 and NHL 2K6 are the games that continue to give to me every time I play them. I NEVER tire of them.

That's why my collection probably will consist of only those four games if my Xbox pulls a Lazarus with a new drive.

Take care,
PK

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:12 pm

PK, if you do get enough in the Paypal account....DO NOT buy another drive.

The reason is my XBOX crapped out 6 months ago...I bought a samsung drive and could only play 2 or 3 games with it...the rest came up DDE.

Just spend the extra $20 and get a used XBOX.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:39 pm

pigpen81 wrote:PK, if you do get enough in the Paypal account....DO NOT buy another drive.

The reason is my XBOX crapped out 6 months ago...I bought a samsung drive and could only play 2 or 3 games with it...the rest came up DDE.

Just spend the extra $20 and get a used XBOX.

You're the first person I've seen have this experience. Nearly all other forums have posts from people who have had good luck with replacement drives.

Unfortunately, Piggy, I checked eBay and most used Xboxes are going for $80 or more. That's more than I want to spend for a unit that could have been abused by the owner. Plus hardly any of the listings indicate what type of drive is in the box or when it was manufactured, so I could be buying a unit with another sh*tty Thomson drive.

I'd rather take my chances on $60 on a hard drive. It's only one variable that could fail than a host of variables that could be f*cked up in a used Xbox.

Then again, if anyone here has a used Xbox with a Sammy or Hitachi drive that's in good shape and wants to sell at a good price, I'm all ears and eyes ...

Take care,
PK