The Shrine

<div style='font: 9pt arial, Modern; text-align: left; '><b>Link:</b> <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/n ... html">This thing is looking better and better.</a>

Hurrah X-Box!</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Garamond, Modern; text-align: left; '>Damn, now I gotta buy, or steal, one. I'm sure Bill wouldn't mind...or notice. It'd be like me losing a penny...</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>Yeah, who knows now where the Industry will be two years from now, Sega actually has become a major player in the Industry as a third Party Software developer, looks like EA's day in the sun is over =)</div>

<div style='font: 11pt Modern; text-align: left; '>So?</div>

<div style='font: 9pt arial, Modern; text-align: justify; '>As much as I love Sega, I don't think they're going to knock EA out of the spotlight just yet, or even two years from now.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Helvetica, Modern; text-align: left; '>that's a switch</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "comic sans MS", Modern; text-align: left; '>Sure is. I recall when Sega was a bit upset about MS's announcement of the X-box.</div>

<div style='font: italic bold 14pt "Comic Sans MS", Modern; text-align: justify; padding: 0% 15% 0% 15%; '>Well, looks like I have to buy an X-box (especially if this stuff is coming at launch)....</div>

<div style='font: italic bold 14pt "Comic Sans MS", Modern; text-align: justify; padding: 0% 15% 0% 15%; '>Yeah, seeing as most people out there don't really know Sega games since they've been on a couple consoles that have died premature deaths. But I think it's only a matter of time...</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '><b>Link:</b> <a href="http://www.fgnonline.com/xbox/news/1800 ... mmit...</a>

Double hurrah for X-Box!</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '><b>Link:</b> <a href="http://thegia.com/news/0103/n29l.html">Seems like the usual Microsoft doesn't it?</a>

Another one...</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "comic sans MS", Modern; text-align: left; '><img src="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ne ... jpg"></div>

<div style='font: 12pt Helvetica, Modern; text-align: left; '>Back at Oracle's Kelshire Tavern When Sega first announced that MS was going to work with them on their new console I said "what does Sega + MS equal?" the answer? "Microsoft"</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "comic sans MS", Modern; text-align: left; '><b>Link:</b> <a href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/st ... id=2449</a>

None will be exclusive as first reported.</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "comic sans MS", Modern; text-align: left; '>You called right.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>Looks like Sony is about to die of a heart attack</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>Well, this is their way of forcing me to buy that shitty-ass piece of bastardization console (a.k.a. Xbox).</div>

<div style='font: 9pt arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>Nah, it looks constipated.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>What's with this irrational contempt for the XBox you have? You never explain yourself.</div>

<div style='font: italic bold 14pt "Comic Sans MS", Modern; text-align: justify; padding: 0% 15% 0% 15%; '>Ah. Well, I gotta get a PS2 for VF4(exclusive) at the very least along with the other games. But they need to drop the price on that damn thing...</div>

<div style='font: 10pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>Don't you know, Corak? Micro$haft sucks! They make Windoze! Blargh!</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>Windows is the most convenient platform available, what's wrong with it? The bugs thing is just a myth, seriously, I have 98, and I have yet to experience any bug that isn't solvable in 2 seconds</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>The main points they need, to develop a successful console, are missing from their aim. And in fact, whether it's Super_NES, Playstation, Gameboy, or any of the successful systems of the past.... they ALL had fulfilled BOTH these requirements when launching. Microsoft, however, fulfills basically neither:

1.) System is a full generation ahead in hardware technology.
2.) System has exclusive-title software support from major Japan companies.

There are already multiple systems with a great amount of power. Xbox, regardless of anything, is not a generation jump ahead of any of those systems (Playstation2, GameCube, or Dreamcast). Developers already had too many consoles to choose from, now they have more. Having the Xbox, a system which is only relatively more powerful, just opens up more annoyance for gamers; when they decide to make those few rare "exclusive" titles for it (which means you hafta buy another console to play them, when most people will already have one or two consoles to begin with). That could easily happen, seeing how all these systems are far too close in power. It'll all boil down to who the third parties choose to side with, and it'll mean more spent money from consumers. Then...

There's the problem of software support. In PC gaming, basically every known title is developed by an American company. America holds the cards in PC gaming. With console gaming, however, almost every non-sporting hit title is a translated game from Japan. Japan owns THAT side of gaming. This is not talking out the ass, either... this is based on close observation of sales, for all consoles, since 1995 (when the current generation of systems started, with PSX's launch). Microsoft's only guaranteed winning point at the start, was to have key American developers and PC makers doing games for it. However, as key developers like Square, Konami, and the other top software sellers DENIED them the right to exclusive game titles or versions... they realized that their backing in Japan would not be as strong as one would usually want. And not to beat a dead horse, but, people will rightfully say "we don't need a computer masked as a console."

And yes, with Sega... they FINALLY have a Japanese software develop making EXCLUSIVE titles for their system... rather than remixes of games from PS2. So in thus, Crono chose to say "they're forcing me to buy their system with this move." That helps a system, very much so. They wanna have killer apps, ones which are exclusive to their console. That is a neccessary goal in any console's success. Before Dreamcast bowed out, we already had three substantiated consoles for this generation. And even without DC, there's already enough of them to maintain competition while ALSO giving choices. Xbox is a choice we don't need.

It's Bill Gates, and other Microsoft folks who wish to profit... trying to capitalize on a market that is now "trendy" again. 3DO did it with their system, and they even HAD one of those two key requirements fulfilled (generation ahead on hardware). But, in failing to fulfill the second, they bombed. Especially in a market where both Nintendo and Sega had successful systems out (SNES and Genesis). Just replace those two with PS2 and GameCube, add an even smaller gap in technology improvement on MS's part, and voila.</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "comic sans MS", Modern; text-align: left; '>X-box is basically a trimmed down PC. Nothing innovative like the EE.</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "comic sans MS", Modern; text-align: left; '>Only YOU would think that.</div>

<div style='font: 10pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>Sarcasm, Seeker, sarcasm.</div>

<div style='font: 10pt Verdana, Tahoma, Modern; text-align: left; padding: 0% 10% 0% 10%; '>It's about as stable as a 6th grade relationship.</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "EngraversGothic BT", "Copperplate Gothic Light", Modern; text-align: left; '>Dude, there's more to video games than Japan.</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "EngraversGothic BT", "Copperplate Gothic Light", Modern; text-align: left; '>So? The PS2 is just a trimmed down NVIDIA system. Just because you don't see too many of them doesn't mean it's "innovative".</div>

<div style='font: 11pt "EngraversGothic BT", "Copperplate Gothic Light", Modern; text-align: left; '>Too bad the first two suck.</div>

<div style='font: 10pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>How is EE innovative?</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>"There are already multiple systems with a great amount of power. Xbox, regardless of anything, is not a generation jump ahead of any of those systems (Playstation2, GameCube, or Dreamcast). Developers already had too many consoles to choose from, now they have more. Having the Xbox, a system which is only relatively more powerful, just opens up more annoyance for gamers; when they decide to make those few rare "exclusive" titles for it (which means you hafta buy another console to play them, when most people will already have one or two consoles to begin with). That could easily happen, seeing how all these systems are far too close in power. It'll all boil down to who the third parties choose to side with, and it'll mean more spent money from consumers. Then..."

Um, XBox is coming out around the same time as Gamecube (knowing Nintendo however......). And it will most likely be at least as powerful as Gamecube. There are 3 consoles this generation. You are saying there are too many. So, last generation which comapany did you bash to hell for joining in? Are you saying every console that has to come out has the be a generation ahead of any console before it? If that was the case their would be only one console per generation.

"There's the problem of software support. In PC gaming, basically every known title is developed by an American company. America holds the cards in PC gaming. With console gaming, however, almost every non-sporting hit title is a translated game from Japan. Japan owns THAT side of gaming. This is not talking out the ass, either... this is based on close observation of sales, for all consoles, since 1995 (when the current generation of systems started, with PSX's launch). Microsoft's only guaranteed winning point at the start, was to have key American developers and PC makers doing games for it. However, as key developers like Square, Konami, and the other top software sellers DENIED them the right to exclusive game titles or versions... they realized that their backing in Japan would not be as strong as one would usually want. And not to beat a dead horse, but, people will rightfully say "we don't need a computer masked as a console."

Even if it were true "having a PC discuised as a console" would be a pretty hot product. PCs are expensive, complicated (for those who don't spend alot of time on them), unrealiable and the games are usually buggy as hell. But the game content is there. Do you play PC games? Do you like PC games? If not, great. XBox might not be for you. As I've always said the picture in Japan is not the greatest at the moment and the TGS that just happened did little to change that. The real verdict will be handed down at the Fall TGS when the picture will really be clear. But I have my doubts about it but that does not mean it will not succeed here to say nothing of the game "quality". The reason consoles have been driven by Japanese content is because the consoles were Japanese. You can say American systems always fail, just look at Jaguar, 3D0, etc. But I think XBox has moved well beyond those systems, already, and this is f-ing Microsoft :) You just have to look at the support it is already receiving in both the US and Japan. And I have a feeling we haven't seen nothing yet.

"And yes, with Sega... they FINALLY have a Japanese software develop making EXCLUSIVE titles for their system... rather than remixes of games from PS2. So in thus, Crono chose to say "they're forcing me to buy their system with this move." That helps a system, very much so. They wanna have killer apps, ones which are exclusive to their console. That is a neccessary goal in any console's success. Before Dreamcast bowed out, we already had three substantiated consoles for this generation. And even without DC, there's already enough of them to maintain competition while ALSO giving choices. Xbox is a choice we don't need. "

You know, I could almost agree with you. I wouldn't mind too terribly at all if XBox never existed (although if it means more games that would normally be PC-only on a stable convient platform not to mention being able to rent them, then I'm all for it). I felt the same way about PSX last generation. All those 3rd party titles that made the PSX great could have just as easily been on Saturn or N64 (um...maybe not N64 but then the FMV could just be real-time cutscenes) and any games Sony wanted to publish they could have put on those systems. When you think about it, the same could apply to other consoles, even those with great 1st party support. Of course, I would prefer the console makers to have great 1st party support if there were multiple consoles as others consoles that may be almost totally driven by 3rd party games would be in some ways worthless and money that didn't "need" to be spended. But it still would be a great system, because a system is defined by the games it has, not only the 1st party games. The XBox is here, its a reality and there's nothing we can do about it. I think we should see if it has great content and judge it by that, not if the console is "needed" or if Microsoft sucks or not. And the verdict is still out on that. And the more consoles there are the more likely hardware innovation will occur. I shuuder to think of the technology today if it were not for the Sony and the PSX last generation.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Helvetica, Modern; text-align: left; '>What the hell's an EE?</div>

<div style='font: 10pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>Emotion Engine.</div>

<div style='font: 10pt Papyrus, Modern; text-align: left; padding: 0% 15% 0% 15%; '>Sure, if you only play PC games.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>It has the Vector Units like the N64 did, as well as Rambus like the N64 did, there isn't really anything new or innovative that I can see.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>That reply should be for G-man</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>Saturn had its 3D powers added at the last second, because the found out that Playstation was gonna be selling on that aspect (big 3D power). Otherwise, the Saturn was originally supposed to be the "ultimate upgrade of SNES, the best 2D oldstyle system of all time." (which it did manage to do, actually). And the Saturn, of course, did NOT suck compared to PSX because it had the great software support (and developers who eventually made brilliant stuff with what they had..... which was still way ahead of SNES's power). Each system needs their "selling point" if they're gonna come from the same generation as another. Xbox's is the "PC and american software support" (which a lotta folks don't want so much, but it's fine if you do).</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Arial, Modern; text-align: left; '>As for that message of yours that you deleted below, it's bullshit. All of the ALLTIME top-selling console games (in America) dating back to NES.... are Japanese games. The few exceptions are Rareware games on N64.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>Isn't that a little strong especially when you didn't even address what I was talking about? I never mentioned all time. I said since September 1999 as far back as those charts go, non-Japanese games have dominated the top 10 charts. Look through all the TRSTS charts at www.npd.com in the interactive entertainment section. It's very rare for there to be even 4 Japanese-made games in the top 10. And most of the top Japanese made games come from Nintendo. What does it matter about the elite top selling games anyway? Nintendo had many of those in the 32/64 bit generation in both Japan and US far more than most if not all other companies but their consoles got spanked big time. It's all about diversity and quanity.</div>

<div style='font: 12pt Modern; text-align: left; '>Who knows, maybe XBox's hardrive will be a great innovation, download updates, new levels, new units, new scenarios, etc. That could be big and breath life into games getting old. Of course that could turn the XBox into a "publish as soon as possible, let the users bug test" platform, but I would hope Microsoft would apply some form of "standards" unlike the PC which is totally unregulated. It could be its greatest feature or its most hated feature. :) But that was just a small side point I was making. What about the rest of my post? So absurdly wrong, not even worth acknowleding? :)</div>