14-11-2001 05:09									#1
	The X-Box is here -- Are you ready? ;) Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

X-Box is due out November 15th (less than 2 days from the time of this post).

Are you making plans to buy it?
I'm going to get it sometime before year end, almost certainly. I've read many articles on both the technical aspects and the commercial aspects...

The initial onslaught of games look to be pretty much ports of PC games with some 'enhancements'. But looking at all of the roadmaps, after about 6 months the majority of all of the games being released will be original. And apparently the graphics will get better with later games also, as they were designed from the ground up to fit into the Xbox's hardware specs.

But most importantly, this is what made my decision:

Built in ethernet: Online gaming via broadband! Out of the box. Nearest competitors here are included 56K modems with extra ethernet kits.

But really, what it comes down to is the games on the platform. For that reason, the Gamecube doesn't look too bad (even though technically it's inferior to the Xbox is nearly every way).
But I'm thinking down the road: the Xbox's development is so much easier than any of the other consoles, I'm willing to bet that more games are going to be coming out on it than the other consoles fairly soon. And I'm ready for a change from my N64 and Playstation (I'm pretty bored of Mario, Zelda, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, etc.)

You gonna get it? Or another console?

	14-11-2001 05:21									#2
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well if it were ONLY ONE, it would be ps2, cause that's what i've already bought. i do also plan on buying the gamecube as well though. MAYBE the x-box too, we'll just have to see.

	14-11-2001 05:31									#3
	Increase the size of your Attachments

What about for those of those who can't afford this Xbox ??? Revolution against greedy rich

	14-11-2001 05:33									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

You should be thankful that Microsoft is losing $110 on every Xbox sold, then.

	14-11-2001 05:34									#5
	Re: The X-Box is here -- Are you ready? ;) Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

quote: Originally posted by Asher Built in ethernet: Online gaming via broadband! Out of the box. Nearest competitors here are included 56K modems with extra ethernet kits.

Online gaming on a console? :Shudder:

	14-11-2001 05:35									#6
	Get a bigger avatar today!

Think of the LAN gaming possibilities also.

I'm a fan of online gaming as well as "real life" multiplaying on traditional consoles. Having both is a definite plus for me.

Rumor has it you can take advantage of the Xbox's built in 8GB HD plus the broadband to download game demos and add-ons.

	14-11-2001 05:50									#7
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Does anyone know where I can find a fair, unbiased comparison of the X-Box & Game Cube?

	14-11-2001 05:58									#8
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This is a hardware comparison chart of Xbox vs. PS2 vs. Gamecube:
http://videogames.about.com/library...blxboxspecs.htm

	14-11-2001 06:10									#9
	Inflate your Upload Space

Hey! I already have a Xbox Thread! Over in "Other Games", where it belongs!

	14-11-2001 06:12									#10
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Xbox isn't just a game, though.
It's a gaming system, and belongs here more than anywhere else since it's talk about hardware.

	14-11-2001 06:51									#11
	Got spare money?

If I bought one, it'd be the X-Box. The games will likely be more to my liking, because I'm hoping the computing market will bleed over onto this computer market. I'd have to have a mouse though. I don't see how one could ever play fps's effectively without a mouse (007 makes due with limited movement range and ridiculus auto-targeting). Plus, the X-Box is far and above the technology leader.

Edit: Just read X-Box doesn't play DVD's outta the box. That sucks. They're really damn expensive.

	14-11-2001 06:55									#12
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

quote: Originally posted by Eroberer Edit: Just read X-Box doesn't play DVD's outta the box. That sucks. They're really damn expensive.

Right, it needs the "DVD playback kit". From what I've seen though, most packages you get have that in there. Most of my local retailers send in "packages" (at MS' insistence). Like 1 or 2 games, an extra controller, and the DVD playback kit. The kit itself isn't expensive at all (I'm thinking $10-$20).

I'm skipping that myself, I've got a DVD player already.

Check out these add-ons that'll be available as soon as it's out: http://xboxmedia.ign.com/media/hard...mage/addons.jpg

	14-11-2001 07:04									#13
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

Gotcha. I was thinking the price was pretty well justified by the DVD playback, which my family does not have.

Maybe you can answer this, Asher. I kept hearing about some feature of the controller that I couldn't account for in pictures except that it might be that black circle thing there in the center. I never read any reviews too carefully, but one of my friends says that circle does nothing. Does that circle do anything?

	14-11-2001 07:10									#14
	Put an end to popups!

The black circle thing in the center with the Xbox logo does nothing. It may glow, I don't know.

There are two "joypads" (top left and bottom right) and a traditional control pad (bottom left).

	14-11-2001 07:19									#15
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

Joypads. That's what it was. I'll look at them. I remembered the review saying they were pretty useless, though.

Edit: Ah nevermind, I don't know what I'm talking about. =P

	14-11-2001 07:21									#16
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

quote: Originally posted by Eroberer Joypads. That's what it was. I'll look at them. I remembered the review saying they were pretty useless, though.

Saddly Nintendo seems to be the only company that is able to design a decent control pad, IMO.

	14-11-2001 07:25									#17
	Suffering from ads?

I have heard only good things about this one. I really don't remember what I heard about the joypad. I'm gonna go take a look at the Gamecube controller though.

	14-11-2001 07:31									#18
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Supposedly the controller for the Xbox was designed after "thousands" of hours of ergonomic and playability testing with "thousands" of real gamers.

	14-11-2001 07:37									#19
	Tired of ads?

Sigh.. I'm married and have no disposable income. X-box, drool... gonna have to knock over a Quikie Mart.

Personally I think the biggest thing about it is the harddrive. A DVD that can dump it's contents onto this thing is going to make this system per. Fewer load screens (if any), larger worlds, more detail.

My only hang up is the controler, but then until I get one in my paws I really can't say.

Nov. 15.. trying to convince everyone and anyone if they get this for my birthday I'll never ask for anything again. (well until the next big thing)

	14-11-2001 07:47									#20
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Good luck finding one on your birthday (which is Nov 15, what a coincidence).

Supposedly supply is going to be quite tight.

	14-11-2001 08:11									#21
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

I'm really confused about the poll results.

What makes the PS2 so popular?

The graphics on it don't really blow me away, and the games aren't too great either (many argue Dreamcast had better games).

Is it because of the backwards compatability with the original PS?

	14-11-2001 08:41									#22
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by Asher I'm really confused about the poll results.

Well, duh! That's because your a Microsoft freak!

	14-11-2001 08:46									#23
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Zer0_T0lerance Well, duh! That's because your a Microsoft freak!

You seep wit as well as intellect.
Wonderful.

And actually, I don't care who made it. I'd buy it if Sega made it, if Toshiba made it, etc.

You should really get a clue, btw.

	14-11-2001 09:06									#24
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

quote: Originally posted by Asher You seep wit as well as intellect. Wonderful. And actually, I don't care who made it. I'd buy it if Sega made it, if Toshiba made it, etc. You should really get a clue, btw.

Don't care??


I still say you're a Microsoft freakazoid!

	14-11-2001 09:14									#25
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quote: Originally posted by Zer0_T0lerance I still say you're a Microsoft freakazoid!

It's okay to be wrong sometimes, you know.
Accept it and move on, deal with your stunning stupidity.

	14-11-2001 09:42									#26
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Bah! Technical performance means very little. It's all about the games. The only exclusive Game I think is Halo; which although it's recieved good reviews won't be enough.

The Cheapest I've seen the Xbox is $400, while the Game Cube is $230, and the PS2 is $300; that's without any games. BTW I heard PS2 going to drop it's price when Xbox is released.

I've also heard rumors about possible production shortages, not horrible shortages but there will be less Xboxes available than Gamecubes.

Speaking of rumors I've heard some bad ones concerning the Xbox, like it will cost $100 per game (actual price is $60). Which undoubtable is marketing failure by Microsoft, haven't heard any nasty rumors about the game cube.

Oh another nasty rumor is that Square may be getting in bed with Nintendo and going exclusive on some new games for the gamecube. (not sure of the validity of this.)

My opinion: I'm currently happy with my playstation, if I upgraded now it would be to the PS2, because of the larger game library it currently has.

	14-11-2001 09:48									#27
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Moral Hazard Bah! Technical performance means very little. It's all about the games. The only exclusive Game I think is Halo; which although it's recieved good reviews won't be enough.

Munch's Odyssey looks good as well.
And for me, technical performance means a helluva lot.
If it really means very little to you, why don't you still play SNES? There's plenty of good games out for that.

I have a similar opinion on the PS2, however. The only game I am even remotely interested out on the PS2 is Gran Turismo 3. And that console has been out for a year already.

I've heard many horror stories about PS2 development (you can't run in max resolution with anti-aliasing on due to memory constraints, etc), while the Xbox was designed to meet developer's demands.

quote: The Cheapest I've seen the Xbox is $400, while the Game Cube is $230, and the PS2 is $300; that's without any games. BTW I heard PS2 going to drop it's price when Xbox is released.

Erm...you're looking at the packages.
Microsoft's plan is to match the PS2's price at all times, which means it's $299US per unit. Even here, the Xbox by itself is $480CDN, which translates to roughly $299US. For $600CDN you get an extra controller, two games, DVD playback kit.

quote: I've also heard rumors about possible production shortages, not horrible shortages but there will be less Xboxes available than Gamecubes.

There were going to be shortages (reportedly due to Sept 11), which is why the launch was delayed a week.

quote: Speaking of rumors I've heard some bad ones concerning the Xbox, like it will cost $100 per game (actual price is $60). Which undoubtable is marketing failure by Microsoft, haven't heard any nasty rumors about the game cube.

Probably has to do with which websites you frequent when looking for news.
Rumors mean absolutely nothing.

quote: Oh another nasty rumor is that Square may be getting in bed with Nintendo and going exclusive on some new games for the gamecube. (not sure of the validity of this.)

Actually, this was denied a while ago.
Square is actually developing some Xbox titles now, and is supposedly going to move away from the Playstation.

Edit: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/gamelizard/xbox-system.html
Xbox was on sale for $299.99 there. Too bad the preorders were through the roof.
Gamecube was on sale for $199.99: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/gamelizard/ngc-system.html
Both of those are the expected retail prices once the initial overcharge for preorders die down.
Playstation 2 is also $299.99: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/idm2000/sonplay2ps2c.html

	14-11-2001 11:58									#28
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Why the PS2? Sure, it's not that great technically, but it looks like evil will triumph again. Don't say I wanted it to win, but it looks like it. And yes, it's all about the games. I'd have been interested in Halo had it come out on PC- I really like Bungie- but I'm not coughing up the massive dough to get it on XBox. What else does XBox have for it? Well, Shenmue II will be coming out exclusively for it, which sucks since a Dreamcast version was already made. Drat. Perhaps I'll rent an XBox someday to play Shenmue 2.

Anyway, I still only have a NES, SNES, & PSX... and I got the PSX really really late. My roommate has a PS2 and Dreamcast which I can play off of, and I suspect I will most likely get a PS2 late, just like the PSX, after the price has dropped and there are quite a few games out there for it.

But the PS2 is quite useful for DVDs (who cares about raw power, and just get the hi-definition cables), and FFX will be coming out for it... though I intend to pick up the PC version myself, despite EA's hideous PC port of FF8. Also, while I haven't played it quite yet, Devil May Cry is tons of fun to watch and has wasted a good bit of my roommate's time. As for the future, I'll probably get the PS2 eventually because of
Grandia X
Star Ocean 3
Xenosaga
Wild ARMs 3
... and so on, which unfortunately will most likely only come out in PS2 versions.

Plus, PSX's are so horrible with regards to maintenance and keeping them going that when they die, you might as well upgrade to a PS2, you know?

	14-11-2001 12:03									#29
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Erm...fair enough.

I've never even heard of any of those games myself.

Guess we just have different taste in games, then.

	14-11-2001 12:07									#30
	Remove this text

Let me put it this way relating to tech. Jaguar was technically superior but it failed (poor marketing, as well) PS's technical superiority didn't help until companies abandoned SNES. Same thing goes.

The rumours I cited were not from web sites but from game stores, I know their innacurate a never to be trusted, but people make thier decisions based on these. The bias appears to be toward the Game cube is all.

Concerning bundles they were all around $500 on Gamespot's gamebuyer. The only non-bundled ones were $400.

edit: read your edit. now. Um PS2 prices should drop anyway.