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vsp · 12-04-2001, 01:53 PM

Every game console is sold at a loss, with very few exceptions (the first editions of the NeoGeo home system and the 3DO come to mind). The PS2, GameCube and XBox are all being sold at a loss -- the money is in software, and (coming soon) online services. Sega took baby steps in the latter direction (NetLink for the Saturn, online play, downloadable upgrades and PSO for the DreamCast) and would still be making consoles today if they'd gone balls-to-the-wall with the concept. (Note that they're sticking to software now, where they can actually make some dough.)

As much as the concept scares me, massively multi-player online RPGs are going to be a major force for consoles in the near future, and those that adjust to that will succeed. A cheap console that can play Everquest and hook suckers into $n-per-month subscriptions will both succeed wildly and drive America's national productivity into the ground.

That having been said, if you're buying a system for your loved ones this year, my choice is (by FAR) the PS2. The PS2 has a year's worth of software on the shelf, an assortment of top-notch titles in multiple genres (MGS2, Gran Turismo 3, Devil May Cry, Grand Theft Auto 3, Frequency, lots of sports), a vast assortment of preowned and reduced-price titles for bargain-hunters, PLUS the massive PS1 library to choose from. And it's got a Linux kit on the way as we speak. It's a year older than the XBox and GameCube, but for now it's got power to spare to keep up with the newcomers.

Despite my better judgement, my second choice would be the GameCube. I'm not usually a big Nintendo fan (I openly mock the Game Boy series, and 90% of the N64 titles bored me; between the Atari 2600 days and the PS1, the only major console I haven't owned is the N64). However, they're finally getting the idea that disc-based games (FMV and increased storage) and some edgier titles (locking down the rights to future Resident Evil games, for instance) can bring back some of the older audiences lost to the barrage of colorful pre-teen crap games that the N64 hosted. Combine that with the usual array of games with Nintendo's flagship characters (the Mario family, Pokemon, Metroid, Zelda, etc.) AND the fact that it's $100 cheaper than its competitors, and it'll do just fine this holiday season. Time will tell what its future software lineup will look like.

The XBox is Microsoft's first foray into the console world, which makes many nervous. (Then again, the PSX was Sony's first console and look how that turned out.) It's got a hefty price tag when you figure in games and accessories, but it's no worse than the PS2 in that regard. Microsoft has quietly acknowledged that they're planning on the online-services revenue stream in the future -- i.e. picture a substantial number of games with online-subscription components in years to come.

There's nothing wrong with it RIGHT NOW per se... except for a relatively weak initial software launch. Much like how the Dreamcast had Soul Calibur, NFL2K and little else at launch, the XBox has Halo, Halo and Halo (and perhaps Dead or Alive 3 if you enjoy the series, which has never been a system-seller elsewhere, or Munch's if you buy into its hype). Beyond that, it's slim pickings into next year, which makes me want to wait until (a) more titles (particularly exclusives) begin to pop up, (b) the system drops in price, and/or (c) a clearer picture of the online component emerges.

One other quibble that has me worried is the XBox's internal hard drive. It sounds like a selling point, except for two things:
a) What happens when the drive gets corrupted, virus-infected, or dies?, and
b) it allows games to be rushed to market in a half-assed state, with patches available online to be downloaded later to fix them (which is one of my big problems with PC games in general).

None of them are bad systems; the PS2 has been proven good, and the jury's still out on which of the others will fare as well.

And me? I picked up a NeoGeo Pocket Color for $20 recently and I've played little else for the past week or so. ;)

12-04-2001, 01:53 PM	#9
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	Your holiday buying guide disguised as a rant Every game console is sold at a loss, with very few exceptions (the first editions of the NeoGeo home system and the 3DO come to mind). The PS2, GameCube and XBox are all being sold at a loss -- the money is in software, and (coming soon) online services. Sega took baby steps in the latter direction (NetLink for the Saturn, online play, downloadable upgrades and PSO for the DreamCast) and would still be making consoles today if they'd gone balls-to-the-wall with the concept. (Note that they're sticking to software now, where they can actually make some dough.) As much as the concept scares me, massively multi-player online RPGs are going to be a major force for consoles in the near future, and those that adjust to that will succeed. A cheap console that can play Everquest and hook suckers into $n-per-month subscriptions will both succeed wildly and drive America's national productivity into the ground. That having been said, if you're buying a system for your loved ones this year, my choice is (by FAR) the PS2. The PS2 has a year's worth of software on the shelf, an assortment of top-notch titles in multiple genres (MGS2, Gran Turismo 3, Devil May Cry, Grand Theft Auto 3, Frequency, lots of sports), a vast assortment of preowned and reduced-price titles for bargain-hunters, PLUS the massive PS1 library to choose from. And it's got a Linux kit on the way as we speak. It's a year older than the XBox and GameCube, but for now it's got power to spare to keep up with the newcomers. Despite my better judgement, my second choice would be the GameCube. I'm not usually a big Nintendo fan (I openly mock the Game Boy series, and 90% of the N64 titles bored me; between the Atari 2600 days and the PS1, the only major console I haven't owned is the N64). However, they're finally getting the idea that disc-based games (FMV and increased storage) and some edgier titles (locking down the rights to future Resident Evil games, for instance) can bring back some of the older audiences lost to the barrage of colorful pre-teen crap games that the N64 hosted. Combine that with the usual array of games with Nintendo's flagship characters (the Mario family, Pokemon, Metroid, Zelda, etc.) AND the fact that it's $100 cheaper than its competitors, and it'll do just fine this holiday season. Time will tell what its future software lineup will look like. The XBox is Microsoft's first foray into the console world, which makes many nervous. (Then again, the PSX was Sony's first console and look how that turned out.) It's got a hefty price tag when you figure in games and accessories, but it's no worse than the PS2 in that regard. Microsoft has quietly acknowledged that they're planning on the online-services revenue stream in the future -- i.e. picture a substantial number of games with online-subscription components in years to come. There's nothing wrong with it RIGHT NOW per se... except for a relatively weak initial software launch. Much like how the Dreamcast had Soul Calibur, NFL2K and little else at launch, the XBox has Halo, Halo and Halo (and perhaps Dead or Alive 3 if you enjoy the series, which has never been a system-seller elsewhere, or Munch's if you buy into its hype). Beyond that, it's slim pickings into next year, which makes me want to wait until (a) more titles (particularly exclusives) begin to pop up, (b) the system drops in price, and/or (c) a clearer picture of the online component emerges. One other quibble that has me worried is the XBox's internal hard drive. It sounds like a selling point, except for two things: a) What happens when the drive gets corrupted, virus-infected, or dies?, and b) it allows games to be rushed to market in a half-assed state, with patches available online to be downloaded later to fix them (which is one of my big problems with PC games in general). None of them are bad systems; the PS2 has been proven good, and the jury's still out on which of the others will fare as well. And me? I picked up a NeoGeo Pocket Color for $20 recently and I've played little else for the past week or so. ;)