i have never, ever noticed in-game ads or been distracted by them
i figure it's like one of those things where it's not annoying unless you specifically notice it, and once you have noticed it you can't unnotice it, like an annoying speech inflection of a friend or whatever
There's this one turn in Burnout 3 where I always used to crash because for some reason, it always took me by surprise. It was a sharp left with a slight peak beforehand, so if you didn't slow down early enough, you were airborne by the time the turn came.
But if you were really going too fast, you'd go sailing right into Tiger Woods' outstretched finger.
It's like he was making fun of you for fucking up.
I just had to comment - this is the most awesome box art for any golf game ever.
Once, someone posted a "timeline" of sorts depicting the increasing aggressiveness of Tiger's picture on each successive year's edition of the game.
It goes from "hey, golf might be kind of fun if you give it half a chance" to "I'm gonna rape you right through your pants!"
EXTREM3!
Do not link pictures from mobygames.com or you'll end up with the above picture everytime
EDIT: Also, am I the only one who was annoyed by the glare effects and the "omg! I got tranq'd!" blurring effects from Perfect Dark (N64)?
I don't know about you, but we had many a 'tranq only' fight to the death. It was indecipherable, but glorius nonetheless. I also just liked adding the tranq gun in normal games, so if anyone got way behind they could just spend the rest of the time fucking with people.
The inclusion of Blu-Ray on the PS3, forcing a video format and a couple hundred extra bucks on the price tag. Whoops, I'm making a negative statement about the PS3, I better watch out for a mod warning.
The inclusion of Blu-Ray on the PS3, forcing a video format and a couple hundred extra bucks on the price tag. Whoops, I'm making a negative statement about the PS3, I better watch out for a mod warning.
I don't get your hate. Blu-ray is an excellent format and is clearly the winner as the replacement for DVD. Yeah it's coming a bit too soon but so what we are all going to go down that road at some point so why not get a head start? PS3 is well worth the price for a movie player and game machine second if your in the market for such a thing. Besides Didn't Sony recently say that 200 or so games are in dev for the ps3? PS3 has just as many exclusives and games in dev for it as the Wii and 360 do so why the hate?
Though given your statement in your sig I'm most likely wasting my breath here right?
The inclusion of Blu-Ray on the PS3, forcing a video format and a couple hundred extra bucks on the price tag. Whoops, I'm making a negative statement about the PS3, I better watch out for a mod warning.
I don't get your hate. Blu-ray is an excellent format and is clearly the winner as the replacement for DVD. Yeah it's coming a bit too soon but so what we are all going to go down that road at some point so why not get a head start? PS3 is well worth the price for a movie player and game machine second if your in the market for such a thing. Besides Didn't Sony recently say that 200 or so games are in dev for the ps3? PS3 has just as many exclusives and games in dev for it as the Wii and 360 do so why the hate?
Though given your statement in your sig I'm most likely wasting my breath here right?
It's entirely possible that some people would rather just buy a machine that plays games. If it brought the price down $200 I know I would.
I would too. I don't care for HD movies on disk. I think it's the future DVD-Audio. Destined to be replaced by some compressed HD codec. Totally unwanted for me.
Though I wish my Wii could play DVDs. Freeview box + Wii + DVD Player + VCR + TV with 2 scart inputs is very annoying (and splitters fuck up the quality as far as I can tell.)
I would too. I don't care for HD movies on disk. I think it's the future DVD-Audio. Destined to be replaced by some compressed HD codec. Totally unwanted for me.
Though I wish my Wii could play DVDs. Freeview box + Wii + DVD Player + VCR + TV with 2 scart inputs is very annoying (and splitters fuck up the quality as far as I can tell.)
Not in the US it won't be. Not only will the MPAA never figure out how to have downloadable HD content ever without it being complete and utter spyware/malware, but we don't have good enough broadband penetration to make it happen any time in the next decade.
The DualShock2 and SixAxis Controllers
Which are essentially the DualShock controller with bells and whistles added. Sony are really lazy when it comes to controller design - they need to make that thing more comfortable to hold.
Online gaming for handhelds
Don't get me wrong, I love playing MarioKart DS, Tetris DS and Animal Crossing: Wild World online, but it kind of takes the "portable" out of "portable gaming system".
Game Cube Broadband Modem
"Hey guys, let's release an add-on that lets players play their Game Cube games online, but not produce any 1st- or 2nd-party games that make proper use of it, or give any information for how to use it to 3rd party developers! Ooh, and we shouldn't tell any retailing outlets we've done it, either. This time next year we'll be milyunaires, Rodney!"
Developers insisting on making games that require state-of-the-art graphics hardware
So you can't play the game unless you spend a further £250 on hardware upgrades.
"Minimum hardware requirements"
I hate these, too. Lots. This is mostly because developers flat out lie about the minimum requirements. My computer sits comfortably within S.T.A.L.K.E.R'S requirements, and my computer stutters and rumbles it's way through the game. I don't have anything running in the background besides Xfire, before you ask. Tch. Whatever happened to the simple days of "requires 1MEG Amiga" eh?
Steering Wheel controllers
They annoy me.
Things I don't have a problem with:
Advertisements in games
It's nothing new. It's been happening for 15 years at least and, I'll be honest, I never really thought it detracted from the gaming experience. It doesn't bother me at all, so long as it's not too in-yer-face.
Memory Cards
Memory card may cost us £10-20 a pop, but they save developers a fortune. Unfortunately not every developer can afford a battery pack-up cartridge, but having a standard device to save games onto means they have that facility regardless. Team 17 were a small-time developer when Worms first came out - if the PSone had used cartridge-based media, do you think the game would've still been successful if you couldn't save your team names or options? I don't mind paying £10-20 for a memory card if it saves developers money in the long run, especially if they're a developer who's knocking out quality titles.
The inclusion of Blu-Ray on the PS3, forcing a video format and a couple hundred extra bucks on the price tag. Whoops, I'm making a negative statement about the PS3, I better watch out for a mod warning.
I don't get your hate. Blu-ray is an excellent format and is clearly the winner as the replacement for DVD. Yeah it's coming a bit too soon but so what we are all going to go down that road at some point so why not get a head start? PS3 is well worth the price for a movie player and game machine second if your in the market for such a thing. Besides Didn't Sony recently say that 200 or so games are in dev for the ps3? PS3 has just as many exclusives and games in dev for it as the Wii and 360 do so why the hate?
Though given your statement in your sig I'm most likely wasting my breath here right?
This is why we can't have nice things.
Seriously, one thread without a console war would be pretty nice.
I would too. I don't care for HD movies on disk. I think it's the future DVD-Audio. Destined to be replaced by some compressed HD codec. Totally unwanted for me.
Though I wish my Wii could play DVDs. Freeview box + Wii + DVD Player + VCR + TV with 2 scart inputs is very annoying (and splitters fuck up the quality as far as I can tell.)
Not in the US it won't be. Not only will the MPAA never figure out how to have downloadable HD content ever without it being complete and utter spyware/malware, but we don't have good enough broadband penetration to make it happen any time in the next decade.
What they want, and what will happen are different things.
Will iTV be used purely to watch content downloaded off iTunes? I think not.
That doesn't make it right. It doesn't make it ok. But it is inevitable. And eventually they will have to offer it. And like legal mp3 downloads eventually they will realise DRM won't work - and offering the media free of restricitons is the only way forward.
While posting in another topic, I actually came up with a relevant (I think) problem I have 'this gen'. Multiple console 'choices'. I didn't buy a 360 for a few months due to the (now confirmed?) rumor of a new SKU, and I'm leary of buying a PS3 because they seem to change the console every few weeks (let's remove the 'emotion engine' or 'let's add rumble now!'). Not to mention you start out with the choice between the 'core' or 'premium'.
It's like figuring out which HD TV set to buy, only more annoying.
While posting in another topic, I actually came up with a relevant (I think) problem I have 'this gen'. Multiple console 'choices'. I didn't buy a 360 for a few months due to the (now confirmed?) rumor of a new SKU, and I'm leary of buying a PS3 because they seem to change the console every few weeks (let's remove the 'emotion engine' or 'let's add rumble now!'). Not to mention you start out with the choice between the 'core' or 'premium'.
It's like figuring out which HD TV set to buy, only more annoying.
Isn't there a Wii in the works that allows DVD playback, or was that just a rumor?
The 360 doesn't really bother me in this regard. The innards may be different, but if you pick up a Core Pack you can also pick up any game off the shelf and play. Your controller won't go obsolete, and if you really want to install/upgrade a hard drive, you can.
I don't know enough about the PS3 to know whether it's innards are upgradeable or not, but the lack of EE in the new PS3s worries me.
While posting in another topic, I actually came up with a relevant (I think) problem I have 'this gen'. Multiple console 'choices'. I didn't buy a 360 for a few months due to the (now confirmed?) rumor of a new SKU, and I'm leary of buying a PS3 because they seem to change the console every few weeks (let's remove the 'emotion engine' or 'let's add rumble now!'). Not to mention you start out with the choice between the 'core' or 'premium'.
It's like figuring out which HD TV set to buy, only more annoying.
Isn't there a Wii in the works that allows DVD playback, or was that just a rumor?
I think that's coming in a firmware update; not a new console spec.
I wanted, and appreciate Blu-Ray. As the superior disc format, I welcomed it and knew that this move would ensure the longevity of the format. It's not "all about the PS3." I do understand that it may not be good for people who didn't intend to enter the high-def disc market, but the decision was made in the interest of the format and I agree that it was the right one.
I made a very similar argument all through the PS2's lifetime about how the PS2 could have legitimized the Memory Stick market if they didn't try to make PS2 memory cards that fit in the same slots as PSone cards. I never owned a PS2, but I would have had no qualms with buying a Sony digital camera if the PS2 meant that the Memory Stick market had over a hundred million more customers than Sony digital cameras and camcorders alone could have gained. Even if MSPD required an adapter, it would be dual-purpose so a giant, expensive MSPD would not go to waste on just a camera.
Did you see what the PSP did for the Memory Stick market? Yeah. I got REALLY burned there because I purchased a Sony brand 2GB stick for my PSP at $210 (Fall 2005). I had gained over $100 in Best Buy Bucks and I knew that if I spent them on a game, I'd be sorry when I found it on clearance or in a Hits/Choice value series in a few months. Oh, and I could save $5 using the GGCC trick that I could not combine with the BBBs, so I didn't want to just waste $5 of BBBs on any game. BBBs were invalid on game consoles, so I began looking for other "hardware" I could spend it on. After all, I thought it was the smart choice because hardware holds value MUCH longer than software. Then I thought of my PSP and how useful it would be to have a large Memory Stick. MSPD prices had remained steady, and high, for a long time, and my BBBs would make the $210 Sony 2GB MSPD less than half-price. I bit, and I bit hard: In less than three months, faster Sandisk 2GB cards were $130; a month later, $99; a month later, $79; and so on. Now I can get a 4GB Sony-brand one for $59 with only a $10 rebate. And to top it all off, MSPDs are HIGHLY profitable to Sony right now. This was directly attributable to the PSP. There is no other explanation! In fact, I highly suspect that falling memory stick prices and competition with MSPD drove SD prices down to the level they are today.
I wanted, and appreciate Blu-Ray. As the superior disc format, I welcomed it and knew that this move would ensure the longevity of the format. It's not "all about the PS3." I do understand that it may not be good for people who didn't intend to enter the high-def disc market, but the decision was made in the interest of the format and I agree that it was the right one.
I made a very similar argument all through the PS2's lifetime about how the PS2 could have legitimized the Memory Stick market if they didn't try to make PS2 memory cards that fit in the same slots as PSone cards. I never owned a PS2, but I would have had no qualms with buying a Sony digital camera if the PS2 meant that the Memory Stick market had over a hundred million more customers than Sony digital cameras and camcorders alone could have gained. Even if MSPD required an adapter, it would be dual-purpose so a giant, expensive MSPD would not go to waste on just a camera.
Did you see what the PSP did for the Memory Stick market? Yeah. I got REALLY burned there because I purchased a Sony brand 2GB stick for my PSP at $210 (Fall 2005). I had gained over $100 in Best Buy Bucks and I knew that if I spent them on a game, I'd be sorry when I found it on clearance or in a Hits/Choice value series in a few months. Oh, and I could save $5 using the GGCC trick that I could not combine with the BBBs, so I didn't want to just waste $5 of BBBs on any game. BBBs were invalid on game consoles, so I began looking for other "hardware" I could spend it on. After all, I thought it was the smart choice because hardware holds value MUCH longer than software. Then I thought of my PSP and how useful it would be to have a large Memory Stick. MSPD prices had remained steady, and high, for a long time, and my BBBs would make the $210 Sony 2GB MSPD less than half-price. I bit, and I bit hard: In less than three months, faster Sandisk 2GB cards were $130; a month later, $99; a month later, $79; and so on. Now I can get a 4GB Sony-brand one for $59 with only a $10 rebate. And to top it all off, MSPDs are HIGHLY profitable to Sony right now. This was directly attributable to the PSP. There is no other explanation! In fact, I highly suspect that falling memory stick prices and competition with MSPD drove SD prices down to the level they are today.
A lot of the "BluRay LOL" argument depends on the angle you look at it.
If Sony's aim is to push BluRay then it makes sense.
But if their aim is get a big PS3 user base then it would make more sense to offer the BluRay player as an optional add-on drive a la Microsoft's treatment of the HD-DVD drive.
This way, I (somebody who isn't looking for a next-gen movie player) can buy the high-end PS3 for $400, and you (somebody who is looking for a next-gen movie player) can but a PS3 and add-on drive for $600.
It's no more expensive for the consumer to adopt to BluRay, but it's cheaper for them to adopt to the PS3. Throw in a bundled game (even something like Flow), and you've got a decent console package on your hands.
GoslingLooking Up Soccer In Mongolia Right Now, ProbablyWatertown, WIRegistered Userregular
edited March 2007
In-game ads are a matter of restraint. In the right context, in the right amount, they enhance things. If you're using them in a sports or racing game, and you use real locations, hell, try and get the same ads the actual locations use. If Miller Park has a Piggly Wiggly ad, I want to see a Piggly Wiggly ad in an MLB game.
It's just when you take it to the lengths EA does, plastering ads on everything, or putting them in wholly inappropriate situations, that it bugs. And then they don't even lower the price.
Gosling on
I have a new soccer blog The Minnow Tank. Reading it psychically kicks Sepp Blatter in the bean bag.
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
I have an old-model DS, but I wouldn't want to mod it anyhow. It's the lack of "compatible with 4SA" that really gets me.
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
Really, how much BC do you need? A Game Boy Color or GBA are cheap now, you have to cut the strings sometime.
In-game ads are a matter of restraint. In the right context, in the right amount, they enhance things. If you're using them in a sports or racing game, and you use real locations, hell, try and get the same ads the actual locations use. If Miller Park has a Piggly Wiggly ad, I want to see a Piggly Wiggly ad in an MLB game.
It's just when you take it to the lengths EA does, plastering ads on everything, or putting them in wholly inappropriate situations, that it bugs. And then they don't even lower the price.
Or when games that are not suitable for ads are no longer finacially viable - and so made less.
Or when restraint is overwhelmed by the need to post increased profits.
Or when the people funding the ads censor the games content.
Or when new IP and ideas are turned down because advertises won't comit to a product that has yet to prove itself.
Or when a company self censors itself to insure advertising revenue.
Its not the ads themselves. It's the precident they set. Thats why a few ads in a realistic game should bother you.
EA games are the tip of the iceberg, not the worse case senario.
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
Really, how much BC do you need? A Game Boy Color or GBA are cheap now, you have to cut the strings sometime.
I just kind of assumed it would be there since the DS is marketed as GBA compatible and the GBA is marketed as GB/C compatible. Seemed like a no-brainer to me.
I've got a Game Boy Player on my Cube anyway, but like I said, it's the lack of "4SA and FF:CC compatible" that gets me.
I'm with J-clast on the BluRay issue. My problem with the BLuRay isn't that it's expensive - it's that it's forced and removes choice from the consumer. If you happen to WANT a BluRay player then yeah, it's presence in the PS3 is very welcome. If you're on the other side of the fence...well, too damn bad. You'll buy it and like it, or not have a PS3. And as he said, Sony can have it both ways by offering multiple packages.dollars into a device you have absolutely no use for just to play games.
I don't understand, and no way want to start a flame war about the PS3 drive, but I wish the priority with game media was speed rather than size. On ALL the homeconsoles.
The fact thats it's 2007 and my games still have loads times is beyond a joke. I have less and less free time these days, and don't want to sit there watching a bar get bigger.
In-game ads are a matter of restraint. In the right context, in the right amount, they enhance things. If you're using them in a sports or racing game, and you use real locations, hell, try and get the same ads the actual locations use. If Miller Park has a Piggly Wiggly ad, I want to see a Piggly Wiggly ad in an MLB game.
It's just when you take it to the lengths EA does, plastering ads on everything, or putting them in wholly inappropriate situations, that it bugs. And then they don't even lower the price.
Or when games that are not suitable for ads are no longer finacially viable - and so made less.
Or when restraint is overwhelmed by the need to post increased profits.
Or when the people funding the ads censor the games content.
Or when new IP and ideas are turned down because advertises won't comit to a product that has yet to prove itself.
Or when a company self censors itself to insure advertising revenue.
Its not the ads themselves. It's the precident they set. Thats why a few ads in a realistic game should bother you.
EA games are the tip of the iceberg, not the worse case senario.
Sports and racing are appropriate situations. Few other situations are. Really, EA is the only serious offender right now. When Namco and Capcom and Sega take EA's lead, then you have a point, but until then.
Gosling on
I have a new soccer blog The Minnow Tank. Reading it psychically kicks Sepp Blatter in the bean bag.
In-game ads are a matter of restraint. In the right context, in the right amount, they enhance things. If you're using them in a sports or racing game, and you use real locations, hell, try and get the same ads the actual locations use. If Miller Park has a Piggly Wiggly ad, I want to see a Piggly Wiggly ad in an MLB game.
It's just when you take it to the lengths EA does, plastering ads on everything, or putting them in wholly inappropriate situations, that it bugs. And then they don't even lower the price.
Or when games that are not suitable for ads are no longer finacially viable - and so made less.
Or when restraint is overwhelmed by the need to post increased profits.
Or when the people funding the ads censor the games content.
Or when new IP and ideas are turned down because advertises won't comit to a product that has yet to prove itself.
Or when a company self censors itself to insure advertising revenue.
Its not the ads themselves. It's the precident they set. Thats why a few ads in a realistic game should bother you.
EA games are the tip of the iceberg, not the worse case senario.
Sports and racing are appropriate situations. Few other situations are. Really, EA is the only serious offender right now. When Namco and Capcom and Sega take EA's lead, then you have a point, but until then.
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
Really, how much BC do you need? A Game Boy Color or GBA are cheap now, you have to cut the strings sometime.
I just kind of assumed it would be there since the DS is marketed as GBA compatible and the GBA is marketed as GB/C compatible. Seemed like a no-brainer to me.
I've got a Game Boy Player on my Cube anyway, but like I said, it's the lack of "4SA and FF:CC compatible" that gets me.
But the DS uses a GBA-compatible CPU, so GBA compatability was kind of a freebie. GBC on the other hand, requires a GBC chipset (the GBA has a switch that GB/C carts push to switch hardware internally). How long can Nintendo continue to make origina; "1989" GB-compatible CPUs? Even the GB micro stopped including it.
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
Nope. It was a fake. A hoax. The GBA did not use emulation, it actually had a switch that switched over to a second set of internal hardware with a shared screen, controls, cart slot, and link port (dual-voltage).
Similarly, not including GB and GBC compatibility in the DS.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
Really, how much BC do you need? A Game Boy Color or GBA are cheap now, you have to cut the strings sometime.
I just kind of assumed it would be there since the DS is marketed as GBA compatible and the GBA is marketed as GB/C compatible. Seemed like a no-brainer to me.
I've got a Game Boy Player on my Cube anyway, but like I said, it's the lack of "4SA and FF:CC compatible" that gets me.
But the DS uses a GBA-compatible CPU, so GBA compatability was kind of a freebie. GBC on the other hand, requires a GBC chipset (the GBA has a switch that GB/C carts push to switch hardware internally). How long can Nintendo continue to make origina; "1989" GB-compatible CPUs? Even the GB micro stopped including it.
I find this amusing more because I thought the DS was BC all the way back to GB/GBC but never actually tried it since most of the games I play are GBA.
Posts
I just had to comment - this is the most awesome box art for any golf game ever.
It goes from "hey, golf might be kind of fun if you give it half a chance" to "I'm gonna destroy you!"
That's... I'm crying right now. From joy. I just thought I might let you know that.
EXTREM3!
Do not link pictures from mobygames.com or you'll end up with the above picture everytime
EDIT: Also, am I the only one who was annoyed by the glare effects and the "omg! I got tranq'd!" blurring effects from Perfect Dark (N64)?
I don't know about you, but we had many a 'tranq only' fight to the death. It was indecipherable, but glorius nonetheless. I also just liked adding the tranq gun in normal games, so if anyone got way behind they could just spend the rest of the time fucking with people.
Also, not allowing me to use the DS as a GBA for FF:CC and Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.
I don't get your hate. Blu-ray is an excellent format and is clearly the winner as the replacement for DVD. Yeah it's coming a bit too soon but so what we are all going to go down that road at some point so why not get a head start? PS3 is well worth the price for a movie player and game machine second if your in the market for such a thing. Besides Didn't Sony recently say that 200 or so games are in dev for the ps3? PS3 has just as many exclusives and games in dev for it as the Wii and 360 do so why the hate?
Though given your statement in your sig I'm most likely wasting my breath here right?
It's entirely possible that some people would rather just buy a machine that plays games. If it brought the price down $200 I know I would.
Though I wish my Wii could play DVDs. Freeview box + Wii + DVD Player + VCR + TV with 2 scart inputs is very annoying (and splitters fuck up the quality as far as I can tell.)
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
Not in the US it won't be. Not only will the MPAA never figure out how to have downloadable HD content ever without it being complete and utter spyware/malware, but we don't have good enough broadband penetration to make it happen any time in the next decade.
The DualShock2 and SixAxis Controllers
Which are essentially the DualShock controller with bells and whistles added. Sony are really lazy when it comes to controller design - they need to make that thing more comfortable to hold.
Online gaming for handhelds
Don't get me wrong, I love playing MarioKart DS, Tetris DS and Animal Crossing: Wild World online, but it kind of takes the "portable" out of "portable gaming system".
Game Cube Broadband Modem
"Hey guys, let's release an add-on that lets players play their Game Cube games online, but not produce any 1st- or 2nd-party games that make proper use of it, or give any information for how to use it to 3rd party developers! Ooh, and we shouldn't tell any retailing outlets we've done it, either. This time next year we'll be milyunaires, Rodney!"
Developers insisting on making games that require state-of-the-art graphics hardware
So you can't play the game unless you spend a further £250 on hardware upgrades.
"Minimum hardware requirements"
I hate these, too. Lots. This is mostly because developers flat out lie about the minimum requirements. My computer sits comfortably within S.T.A.L.K.E.R'S requirements, and my computer stutters and rumbles it's way through the game. I don't have anything running in the background besides Xfire, before you ask. Tch. Whatever happened to the simple days of "requires 1MEG Amiga" eh?
Steering Wheel controllers
They annoy me.
Things I don't have a problem with:
Advertisements in games
It's nothing new. It's been happening for 15 years at least and, I'll be honest, I never really thought it detracted from the gaming experience. It doesn't bother me at all, so long as it's not too in-yer-face.
Memory Cards
Memory card may cost us £10-20 a pop, but they save developers a fortune. Unfortunately not every developer can afford a battery pack-up cartridge, but having a standard device to save games onto means they have that facility regardless. Team 17 were a small-time developer when Worms first came out - if the PSone had used cartridge-based media, do you think the game would've still been successful if you couldn't save your team names or options? I don't mind paying £10-20 for a memory card if it saves developers money in the long run, especially if they're a developer who's knocking out quality titles.
PortsCenter • Jump Leads • The Life Toyetic with Ben and Molly
This is why we can't have nice things.
What they want, and what will happen are different things.
Will iTV be used purely to watch content downloaded off iTunes? I think not.
That doesn't make it right. It doesn't make it ok. But it is inevitable. And eventually they will have to offer it. And like legal mp3 downloads eventually they will realise DRM won't work - and offering the media free of restricitons is the only way forward.
My predicitions/hopes at least.
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
It's like figuring out which HD TV set to buy, only more annoying.
Isn't there a Wii in the works that allows DVD playback, or was that just a rumor?
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I don't know enough about the PS3 to know whether it's innards are upgradeable or not, but the lack of EE in the new PS3s worries me.
I think that's coming in a firmware update; not a new console spec.
I wanted, and appreciate Blu-Ray. As the superior disc format, I welcomed it and knew that this move would ensure the longevity of the format. It's not "all about the PS3." I do understand that it may not be good for people who didn't intend to enter the high-def disc market, but the decision was made in the interest of the format and I agree that it was the right one.
I made a very similar argument all through the PS2's lifetime about how the PS2 could have legitimized the Memory Stick market if they didn't try to make PS2 memory cards that fit in the same slots as PSone cards. I never owned a PS2, but I would have had no qualms with buying a Sony digital camera if the PS2 meant that the Memory Stick market had over a hundred million more customers than Sony digital cameras and camcorders alone could have gained. Even if MSPD required an adapter, it would be dual-purpose so a giant, expensive MSPD would not go to waste on just a camera.
Did you see what the PSP did for the Memory Stick market? Yeah. I got REALLY burned there because I purchased a Sony brand 2GB stick for my PSP at $210 (Fall 2005). I had gained over $100 in Best Buy Bucks and I knew that if I spent them on a game, I'd be sorry when I found it on clearance or in a Hits/Choice value series in a few months. Oh, and I could save $5 using the GGCC trick that I could not combine with the BBBs, so I didn't want to just waste $5 of BBBs on any game. BBBs were invalid on game consoles, so I began looking for other "hardware" I could spend it on. After all, I thought it was the smart choice because hardware holds value MUCH longer than software. Then I thought of my PSP and how useful it would be to have a large Memory Stick. MSPD prices had remained steady, and high, for a long time, and my BBBs would make the $210 Sony 2GB MSPD less than half-price. I bit, and I bit hard: In less than three months, faster Sandisk 2GB cards were $130; a month later, $99; a month later, $79; and so on. Now I can get a 4GB Sony-brand one for $59 with only a $10 rebate. And to top it all off, MSPDs are HIGHLY profitable to Sony right now. This was directly attributable to the PSP. There is no other explanation! In fact, I highly suspect that falling memory stick prices and competition with MSPD drove SD prices down to the level they are today.
A lot of the "BluRay LOL" argument depends on the angle you look at it.
If Sony's aim is to push BluRay then it makes sense.
But if their aim is get a big PS3 user base then it would make more sense to offer the BluRay player as an optional add-on drive a la Microsoft's treatment of the HD-DVD drive.
This way, I (somebody who isn't looking for a next-gen movie player) can buy the high-end PS3 for $400, and you (somebody who is looking for a next-gen movie player) can but a PS3 and add-on drive for $600.
It's no more expensive for the consumer to adopt to BluRay, but it's cheaper for them to adopt to the PS3. Throw in a bundled game (even something like Flow), and you've got a decent console package on your hands.
I bought my 64meg MP3 player for the same price as my 4gig nano.
But on the other hand I bought a 4gig nano for the price of my 64meg mp3 player.
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
It's just when you take it to the lengths EA does, plastering ads on everything, or putting them in wholly inappropriate situations, that it bugs. And then they don't even lower the price.
I remember when the DS first came out, there was a hardware hack that would allow you to run GB and GBC games. The CPU had the same z80 emulation as the GBA and could run the games, but the slot wasn't wired for the higher voltage to run them. Not sure if it works with newer DS units, though.
I have an old-model DS, but I wouldn't want to mod it anyhow. It's the lack of "compatible with 4SA" that really gets me.
Really, how much BC do you need? A Game Boy Color or GBA are cheap now, you have to cut the strings sometime.
Or when games that are not suitable for ads are no longer finacially viable - and so made less.
Or when restraint is overwhelmed by the need to post increased profits.
Or when the people funding the ads censor the games content.
Or when new IP and ideas are turned down because advertises won't comit to a product that has yet to prove itself.
Or when a company self censors itself to insure advertising revenue.
Its not the ads themselves. It's the precident they set. Thats why a few ads in a realistic game should bother you.
EA games are the tip of the iceberg, not the worse case senario.
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
I just kind of assumed it would be there since the DS is marketed as GBA compatible and the GBA is marketed as GB/C compatible. Seemed like a no-brainer to me.
I've got a Game Boy Player on my Cube anyway, but like I said, it's the lack of "4SA and FF:CC compatible" that gets me.
The fact thats it's 2007 and my games still have loads times is beyond a joke. I have less and less free time these days, and don't want to sit there watching a bar get bigger.
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
(I know it isn't N,C and S - but it's happening)
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
I stand corrected.
Nope. It was a fake. A hoax. The GBA did not use emulation, it actually had a switch that switched over to a second set of internal hardware with a shared screen, controls, cart slot, and link port (dual-voltage).
I find this amusing more because I thought the DS was BC all the way back to GB/GBC but never actually tried it since most of the games I play are GBA.
I am a freaking nerd.