Last-Gen Console Discussions (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Originally posted by Lana
I like them for a little while, but they very quickly bore the hell out of me.

Personally, as annoying as friend codes are, I actually kind of like it. If I am going to be playing a game with someone, I want it to be someone that I know, not a bunch of complete strangers. You can say there's the social aspect to it, but I don't think that should really be a big deal. Though that's probably part of why I can't stand MMOs - they have no plot and the only real thing that makes the games addictive is the social part, but that's something I have zero interest in.

There is also the point that I'll be willing to bet that most people who are only casually interested in games, which is who Nintendo is trying (and succeeding) in capturing, don't see online gaming as that big of a deal.

On the other online gaming networks you can still choose to only play with your friends, AND you don't have to input some whacky code for each game in order to play with them, you just accept their invite to be your friend and that's all. It's not like you're forced to play with complete strangers over Xbox Live if you don't want, it's still easier to play with friends on live than it is on Nintendo's network, and you have the option of playing with complete strangers if you wish.

Eventually Nintendo will get all of the "outsiders" they're going to get, and the only people left to buy their console will be gamers, and they will want a functional online system that doesn't make you punch in more numbers then a damn ATM machine everytime you want to play with a friend on a different game. And while the casuals may not care initially about online gaming, they may later on.

Out of all the consoles I have, only 10% of the time I spend gaming is spent online, while gaming online may be great, not everyone is keen to take this up, nor has every gamer got online, the focus should be more on whats offline then whats online, because if the future is online, then its a safer option to stick with Wii and know you'll still get good games.

Personally I think this online addition is sort of an excuse to make good out of what would have been a very short, boring or crap game offline. GOW is great, but how tedious would it become if it wasn't online, Halo 2 was great as well but it eventually gets boring and the only reason to keep it in your collection instead of trading it in for another game is because of the online. If this is the future, then this is just giving the devs an excuse to make rubbish games, but once the online is good, everything will be just peachy.

Online shoud be but a bonus, games like GTA, Diablo 2, and FF are long and rarely get boring (unless you're not a fan) even without internet, could you imagine if they did have online and it was executed well, it excites me to think.

Online is great, yeah, but if offline is crap or mediocre, then this is certainly a sign that without internet your gaming experience is about as exciting as worm collecting before or after you complete a game.

This is the way a game should go in terms of greatness:
Offline (Single player or campaign) >< Multiplayer (Offline) > Online

Originally posted by BackFire
On the other online gaming networks you can still choose to only play with your friends, AND you don't have to input some whacky code for each game in order to play with them, you just accept their invite to be your friend and that's all. It's not like you're forced to play with complete strangers over Xbox Live if you don't want, it's still easier to play with friends on live than it is on Nintendo's network, and you have the option of playing with complete strangers if you wish.

Eventually Nintendo will get all of the "outsiders" they're going to get, and the only people left to buy their console will be gamers, and they will want a functional online system that doesn't make you punch in more numbers then a damn ATM machine everytime you want to play with a friend on a different game. And while the casuals may not care initially about online gaming, they may later on.

The Wii has incredibly entertaining off-line multiplayer, however.

I've never really been convinced by on-line play. But then it's not my market because I cannot stand deathmatch. Aside from anything else, it's all just an ego contest. It's amazing how much games like Civ IV get ruined by competitive play with people.

I won't be surprised if the mass online gaming experience dies off, at least in the way we know it. Everything about computing is improving all the time. But the one thing you cannot improve is people. They will remain as annoying as they are forever, whilst the rest of the gaming experience will surpass what the community experience has to offer.

Odd thing is, of course, when gaming started, the entire point was that you could play against the computer, or several of you against the computer. Humans had been playing each other since the dawn of history. It was the AI foe that was the new concept. I think that's the concept that will win out over time.

Originally posted by Ushgarak
The Wii has incredibly entertaining off-line multiplayer, however

yeah, but who has the space to accomodate TWO people flailing around like idiots? i may not splurge on a second wiimote because of this...it just cant end well

I'm a LAN Party type of guy. What I want from new consoles is Easy LANing. For me nothing is as fun as playing with all your friends in the same room without leaving out people.

As for online game play it is very important becuase there is a large percent of people who ONLY play online, and the percent it growing not capitalizing on that is a mistake.

Online game play is fun but I would never again pay to play. I played Phantasy Star online for 9.99 a month for 2 years that make almost 300 bucks for one game, and the WOWers are paying even more I booo pay to play.

Originally posted by PVS
yeah, but who has the space to accomodate TWO people flailing around like idiots? i may not splurge on a second wiimote because of this...it just cant end well

Two you can do, because it works at surprisingly obscure angles and ranges and you just have to rein in the instinct to go mad.

Four is a nightmare without a purpose built gaming area or the use of your own house or suitably large room. Shame.

Originally posted by Ushgarak
Two you can do, because it works at surprisingly obscure angles and ranges and you just have to rein in the instinct to go mad.

Four is a nightmare without a purpose built gaming area or the use of your own house or suitably large room. Shame.

I don't think it would be that bad if you had a very large tv becuase you could spread out and move back more and still have a good view. But with a small tv it would suck.

well its not that bad playing with four people as long as you make everyone aware of space limits. If you wanna be the ass hole who wants to flail your wiimote all over the place then be sure that next round or next time your not playing. (because thats how televisions, straps, and nose's all get broken)

Secondly some games are made for multiplayer that are exceptionally fun like mario party (you cant play that by yourself) it was made specificly for when you want to play with your friends or family or some large crowd and its great fun.

and i found the whole paying to play online absoulutely ridiculous, i simply dont understand what can be so addictive or great about a game that A. you have to first puchase the game. then B. pay a monthly fee to play a game that you already bought.

I personally like online gamming because it allows you to become a better gammer in that you learn from others also because you can have the most hilarious convos out there, and this goes for both PC and consoles. IMO getting a console means you dont really need to be playing on PC anymore, just like I have HL2, CSS and DODS I rarely play these games because once I am done playing on XBOX360 thats it. Back to online, if it wasnt for online then how many times could you play GOW over and over again or Resistance, you would get bored eventually with the single player. Heres a test play Grand Turisomo 4 and beat the game getting every car possible then see how long you can continue to play the game.

Yeah, but that is actually the point of the game, to achieve these things. Games don't have to have infinite lifespans- indeed, all the finest gaming experiences are contained within a finite setting.

So continuously repeating the same old deathmatch games online does not strike me as being that important in comparison.

Fsct of the matter is... the offline market is still much bigger.

I agree that the offline is where its at however isnt that where everyone starts when the first buy the game?

I admit that online does have its advantages, such as meeting new gamers and people, see I met all you cool people here at KMC, maybe a forum and not a game, but the fact remains the same, there have been awesome people I have met while playing Counter Strike, Socom, Halo 2 and other online games, and I also admit that the best way to improve is to play with other gamers.

But then consider this, take PS3's Gundam Wing for example, complete joke of jokes, but put it on XBL or some other multiplayer service add a few more levels and death match and suddenly people start playing it more 😖 WTF? Thats the same thing with some PS2 online games, you could find up to 200 or more people on games you would think no right minded person would ever go online and play considering the game is so terrible. I suppose in a way this is great for bad games to get a second chance, but its also an excuse to be lazy about games.

I have never been much of a Halo fan, after playing the first one, which was original and great, going through the second one was almost a painful experience for me, its only the ability to take out my stress on other Halo people online that made it reamin on my shelf to this day otherwise I would have traded it in ages ago. What does one do without internet connection? What does one do without broadband? I mean its not so bad for laptops as new Wi-fi hotspots are being put up all over the place in places like here in Britan making gaining an internet conncetion a lot easier, so you could play a PC game on lan or online with some mates and relax at the nearest starbucks if you don't have an internet connection at home, but how is that possible with a home console? For some online gaming is great, for others it is completly useless, for me, its both, however, I don't like to be online all the time, playing on my own is good enough for me most of the time.

Originally posted by Pulse2 I admit that online does have its advantages, such as meeting new gamers and people, see I met all you cool people here at KMC, maybe a forum and not a game, but the fact remains the same, there have been awesome people I have met while playing Counter Strike, Socom, Halo 2 and other online games, and I also admit that the best way to improve is to play with other gamers.

But then consider this, take PS3's Gundam Wing for example, complete joke of jokes, but put it on XBL or some other multiplayer service add a few more levels and death match and suddenly people start playing it more 😖 WTF? Thats the same thing with some PS2 online games, you could find up to 200 or more people on games you would think no right minded person would ever go online and play considering the game is so terrible. I suppose in a way this is great for bad games to get a second chance, but its also an excuse to be lazy about games.

I have never been much of a Halo fan, after playing the first one, which was original and great, going through the second one was almost a painful experience for me, its only the ability to take out my stress on other Halo people online that made it reamin on my shelf to this day otherwise I would have traded it in ages ago. What does one do without internet connection? What does one do without broadband? I mean its not so bad for laptops as new Wi-fi hotspots are being put up all over the place in places like here in Britan making gaining an internet conncetion a lot easier, so you could play a PC game on lan or online with some mates and relax at the nearest starbucks if you don't have an internet connection at home, but how is that possible with a home console? For some online gaming is great, for others it is completly useless, for me, its both, however, I don't like to be online all the time, playing on my own is good enough for me most of the time.

You just answered your own question.

Originally posted by LinixCobra
You just answered your own question.

Anyway, slipping off topic slightly.

It really disgusts me how far some people have taken this console war thing, it doesn't just stop at gaming and tech, its even gone as far as racism, insulting those with medical issues because they touched a Wii or some other console, and a shooting over here in England 😖 because of an arumen that started because of gaming (360 vs PS3 of course), it was in the metro newspaper this morning 😖 Fortunatly, the boy who got shot is okay, the other one, well you can guess what has happened to him.

Kinda cool if this is real...

http://www.gametrailers.com/umwatcher.php?id=35986

Looks cool, my only issue is the screen, ITS TOO SMALL! And the guy is kinda funny, lol. "Think you've seen enough of my L33T Skillz" Joker.

Heh, that's pretty neat.

Originally posted by AstroFan
Kinda cool if this is real...

http://www.gametrailers.com/umwatcher.php?id=35986

it looks real cool...

Originally posted by Barker
I like the way he just threw that first disc away randomly like it $50 worth of software.

Maybe it was the Ant Bully. 😐