Strike 1 For the 360..

[Zilla Man]

Remember when Waco and others laughed at my E3 and monthly videogame soiree reports of EA employees I talked to being pissed at MS for not delivering their development kits on time? Remember when you said that them being a few months late wouldn't make a difference?

Well, you guys were wrong...

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143540

MS screwed up by trying to rush things to an early launch while NOT having their kits ready. What the hell kind of company does this in an industry that makes billions of dollrs a year? One that's so terrified of their competition, they'll lie to the public about pricing, format, B/C, and the lot. :rolleyes:

While this by no means decides the war for Next Gen, it does confirm what I told you guys about MS's lack of preplanning and careless early launch - that it would probably do more harm then good.

BTW, Masked Gamer, and other Xbot apologists, don't even try to blame EA's programming skills (or lack thereof) on this debacle. They're the most powerful third party developer out there and Madden is the flagship franchise. Remember when SEGA coded their 2001 football from scratch in only six months after not having done anything on the PS2? It CAN be done. If EA can't get the game to look decent it's because:

1) EA doesn't really care about the 360 that much and is throwing resources behind the PS3.

2) MS pissed EA off by not giving the kits in time while pressuring them to finish the game by launch (as I reported from E3).

3) The dreaded programming for 3 processor problem I mentioned is rearing its ugly head and prevented them from getting the most out of the system.

Whatever the reason, it's not a good thing for MS. It just gives people another excuse to wait for the PS3.

All hail Xbox 1.5... :cool:

[folken001]

burn M$, burn!!!

[Superjoint Ritual]

Strike 2... The Nintendo DS line-up.

Strike 3... The Ps2 rpg line-up.

[Mochan]

The triple processor scenario is highly unlikely; people underestimate the power of even just one core. For launch titles and first gen next gen games, one processor should be enough to handle whatever the developers need to do.

[ThaMaskedGamer]

Can you guys please stop with the national crisis everytime there is a slightly negative 360 story. A couple things here. The story does not at all correlate lack of kits with this underwhelming footage. The story doesn't even say anything of the sort. Secondly the story said this is not final footage, could be placement animation, its not high res etc. So relax. Next, who is to say EA could or would do a better job with final kits? Why do you think it is MS making EA have it ready by launch? EA has never acquiesced MS before. It is EA who is making EA push this game at launch. They should simply wait until the game is properly finished. But EA is about hype. They know people are going to blindly buy this game, and I wouldn't be surprised if the game is not substantially different than the current console versions, it might be prettier, but the gameplay is going to be the same.

Listen, I don't think anyone should buy a console for Madden. EA's games and Madden too are a generic commodity in terms of gaming. And if EA can't utilize this systems power it is their programming skill. I don't Madden is as complex a game as something like GR3 or Gears of War. If other teams can create impressive looking games early on, why can't EA? Maybe because they've pissed off all their employees with low wages, no overtime, and other horrible work conditions. They have soooo many different Maddens over sooooo many consoles, what ever programming talent they have spread so damn thin, it can't have an impact. EA is a quagmire. They pump these games out year after year with NO improvements and they NEVER pushed any platform to its full potential. So of course they are going to have problems with the 360 architecture. Do you really think they are using all 6 threads, maximizing the GPU, etc. they could be releasing the game 5 years from now, and they still wouldn't maximize the hardware. You know why? Cause they don't have a reason to. EA is the only game in town. They have no competition and nothing to fear. They purchased the rights to NFL and now you might be seeing the end of result. EA was never going to do anything this upcoming generation. But, don't spaz out yet, wait till the game launches and then blast it, lol.

[slade]

I said from the start that EA would not fine tune Madden to take advantage of 360's hardware. They've got the engine done already and since this game seems one of the only top tier title at launch, it will sell regardless. Everyone thinking that it would turn out otherwise, is only deluding themselves.

Next gen Madden launches with the PS3.

[Mochan]

Or the PC.

[mandark]

Or the PC.
I hate to look like I'm supporting TMG here but he does have a small point. It doesn't really matter how good or bad EA is. The problem is the technology for the 360 is too new to be utilized completely. Anyone remember the first Madden for the PS2? Man, those graphics sucked big time especially the player's eyes that seem to be staring into nowhere, like zombies.(shudder) The dreamcast NFL2K looked leaps and bounds better. Now look at madden 2005 for the PS2 and compare it to that first iteration of Madden for the PS2. The difference between the games are huge. But then again it took 5 years to accomplish that.

[slade]

Madden 06 is already out for the PC.

[Mochan]

Ah, then I guess we will have to look to the PS3 and Madden '07.

[joquito]

That Madden video was just plain sad....but predictable. EA has never made anything other than average looking games for the Xbox, and to expect more is a sign of ignorance. That said, given the power of the 360 one should expect more than what was
displayed.

I didn't see any direct or indirect link in the article to how the timeliness of MS's development kits have anything to do with this. TMG was correct by stating that if other developers can produce, why not EA? Maybe its because we are talking about EA!!

[Gadfly2317]

I hate to look like I'm supporting TMG here but he does have a small point. It doesn't really matter how good or bad EA is. The problem is the technology for the 360 is too new to be utilized completely. Anyone remember the first Madden for the PS2? Man, those graphics sucked big time especially the player's eyes that seem to be staring into nowhere, like zombies.(shudder) The dreamcast NFL2K looked leaps and bounds better. Now look at madden 2005 for the PS2 and compare it to that first iteration of Madden for the PS2. The difference between the games are huge. But then again it took 5 years to accomplish that.

That's why I didn't buy a Ps2 at launch: overpriced and the titles looked like crap.

[Jupiter_x]

That's why I didn't buy a Ps2 at launch: overpriced and the titles looked like crap.

I waited about 4 months, and I was still a bit dissapointed. Sony always delivers though!

PS3 might not even have many great launch titles either, but we all know PS3 will again deliver. though I think PS3 will out do the PS2 in terms of launch titles.

Strike one for Xbox 360? (Al Pacino: "Forget about it") 360 is a waste of time and money! PS3 and Rev all the way!

[Mochan]

Well it's not hard to outdo the PS2 in that arena....

[T.Tashi]

Well it's not hard to outdo the PS2 in that arena....
Yeah remember Orphen? Damn. In terms of rpg launch titles (Eternal Ring, Evergrace, Summoner) the PS2 certainly didnot have a good start.

[Gadfly2317]

I waited about 4 months, and I was still a bit dissapointed. Sony always delivers though!

PS3 might not even have many great launch titles either, but we all know PS3 will again deliver. though I think PS3 will out do the PS2 in terms of launch titles.

Strike one for Xbox 360? (Al Pacino: "Forget about it") 360 is a waste of time and money! PS3 and Rev all the way!

I was really into Metal Gear at the time, and if Ps2 had launched with that, it'd have been all over. But when I waited, and then got my hands on Rogue Squadron and Halo, I knew it HAD to be a GC or Xbox first (still some of the graphic whore left in me back then). Then I saw Pikmin, read about the design of Animal Crossing, Metroid Prime in 3d, saw Eternal Darkness and the Sanity Meter; on the other side I saw. . . Halo. Xbox finally got some cool stuff coming in a couple years later. GC really blew me away graphically and with game originality.

With Ps3 likely also priced in the stratosphere, I wouldn't be surprised if I pick up the Rev first--depending on what kinda games we're looking at--an just chilling out on it while the other two systems fall in price and get games at Players Choice prices.

[Jupiter_x]

I was really into Metal Gear at the time, and if Ps2 had launched with that, it'd have been all over. But when I waited, and then got my hands on Rogue Squadron and Halo, I knew it HAD to be a GC or Xbox first (still some of the graphic whore left in me back then). Then I saw Pikmin, read about the design of Animal Crossing, Metroid Prime in 3d, saw Eternal Darkness and the Sanity Meter; on the other side I saw. . . Halo. Xbox finally got some cool stuff coming in a couple years later. GC really blew me away graphically and with game originality.

With Ps3 likely also priced in the stratosphere, I wouldn't be surprised if I pick up the Rev first--depending on what kinda games we're looking at--an just chilling out on it while the other two systems fall in price and get games at Players Choice prices.


:p Same here actually, Metal Gear and FF were all I wanted then. Like I said in my last post, I was disappointed with PS2 at first, even after waiting 4 months and held out until around October that same year hoping for something good. I finally had enough and sold it to a friend of mine, decided through the influence of my wife that I didn't need another console and just play my PC! Though I still waited for GC and Xbox to release. I just couldn't give consoles up entirely. Just like you, I saw these systems and had the most un believable indecision as to what system to get...GC or Xbox. I bought Xbox at first, but after seeing the likes of: Metroid, Pikmin, REmake, and Eternal Darkness and then realizing that there would be a Zelda game, Mario, M-Kart and the Rare games (at the time) That big a$$ Box-X went back and GC the one for me.

As far as Next gen is concerned, I would like to be smart and wait it out, but I am stupid that way, I get very impulsive. Once I step into that Future Shop (Similar to BestBuy), EB or even Best Buy, I am like a 10 year old once again and I just want to grab the PS3 and/or Revolution, go home, call my buddies up and have 'em all hang out, driving my poor wife nutz with all the mayhem. So yeah, when PS3/Rev arrives I will be over those like a Fat Kid on a Twinkie!

[Gadfly2317]

Just some stupid random thoughts, and "Strike 1 for the 360" seemed as good a place to post it as any.

Why did the call it The 360? Is it just me, or is that not a really lame thing to call a videogame system? Maybe if I got why, it wouldn't seem so lame.

I mean, when I think of Ps3. . its pretty uncreative name, but it is simple, unassuming a confident. "Revolution" is exactly what the gaming world needs, so as a name, at the very least it makes any open minded gamer curious to know what the secret "revolutionary" control set-up is. By being secretive and selecting a name that speaks of huge ambition it's been almost impossible to really be negative about the system yet, only curious.

But 360? At first, I thought of "doing 360's" like spinning out, doing donuts in your car, going in circles. As in, same old thing. Then I thought--when it was widely believed by industry analysts that the system would be sanely priced at $299 that "360" referred to the price of the system + 1 game. Xbox $360.

But now I wonder if they meant, 360, the circle, the shape of the human body with its head up its own ass.

[Renzatic Gear]

Cuz dood! 360 is a bigger number than 3 so Xbox360 > Playstation 3! The Xbox is 120 times more powerful than the PS and it's piddly 3, that's why they did that!

[Bob-the-Fish]

Why did the call it The 360?

The reason given by MS is that the name refers to their belief that the system will turn gaming on its head and blow us all away.

In actuality, they named it "Xbox 360" because your average consumer who walks into Best Buy and sees an "Xbox 2" sitting next to a "Playstation 3" will think twice about purchasing the lower numbered system because some little tick in their brain will tell them it's inferior. We see this number thing all the time with cars, i.e. the bigger the number after the random letter in say a Benz or a Beamer, the better the car. (not always true mind you)

Weak-minded consumers, oblivious parents and uninformed tech hounds all fall victim to this tick and it could cause the Box to loose out on a large portion of it's market since gaming is totally mainstream.

And maybe their onto something. The highest selling system from this generation is the only one with a 2 after its name... Don't you just hate people sometimes.

[T.Tashi]

My initial thought was M$ ripped 360 off from IBM. IBM actually used 360 to describe some of their early systems.

[Mochan]

Orphen... a shame for such a good anime. I never got the game; I got a copy but it didn't work right so I never got to try the game but from all accounts I heard it stunk.



With Ps3 likely also priced in the stratosphere, I wouldn't be surprised if I pick up the Rev first--depending on what kinda games we're looking at--an just chilling out on it while the other two systems fall in price and get games at Players Choice prices.

This looks like my strategy as well, although the issue with me is Rev availability. Nintendo console is all but dead in my country and it's going to be a pain getting my hands on the hardware and software.

And like many of you, Metal Gear and Final Fantasy were what made me get the PS2. I bought it when those two games came out, along with I think Onimusha and Devil May Cry. I really waited for some good apps to come out for the PS2 before I even bothered getting it. There was almost no point in getting one at launch.


The reason given by MS is that the name refers to their belief that the system will turn gaming on its head and blow us all away.

Well the problem is that 360 connotes you went full circle back to the start. The best positive spin is that you are going back to basics. The worst is that you are going in circles with your head up your ass. Turn it around and blow your head off? That would be 180, thank you, not 360.

I agree with your assessment, it's simply a numbers game.

[T.Tashi]

Orphen... a shame for such a good anime. I never got the game; I got a copy but it didn't work right so I never got to try the game but from all accounts I heard it stunk.
Ohgod... it was horrible. Interesting magic system though.

And like many of you, Metal Gear and Final Fantasy were what made me get the PS2. I bought it when those two games came out, along with I think Onimusha and Devil May Cry. I really waited for some good apps to come out for the PS2 before I even bothered getting it. There was almost no point in getting one at launch.
I got a PS2 approx. 9 months after launch and the very first title I bought was Silent Hill 2. I was a little disappointed it wandered off the path in that it was more a side story than a sequel but I still enjoyed it thoroughly.

[folken001]

I thought 360 means that this Xbox will only last 360 days....

[Bob-the-Fish]

Well the problem is that 360 connotes you went full circle back to the start. The best positive spin is that you are going back to basics. The worst is that you are going in circles with your head up your ass. Turn it around and blow your head off? That would be 180, thank you, not 360.

I agree with your assessment, it's simply a numbers game.

See, that's how I looked at it too. If you do a 360 you end up right where you started. Maybe they are playing the back to the basics angle somehow. Personally I'd say whatever focus group they ran the names through thought 180 sounded odder than 360. And I'm sure they're trying to appeal to "teh xtreme" gamers out there. Trouble is they may be a generation too late since that particular theme seems to be wearing thin these days.

It also seems as though MS is trying to erase the original Xbox from our collective minds and calling their new system Xbox 2 would distract from it's "orignality." By calling it the 360 it trumps Sony in the numbers game while differentiating it from the original Box. With all the smoke and mirrors clouding the issue of B/C, it seems appropriate that the system won't be Xbox 2, because it really isn't. It's an entirely new beast altogether.

It's all about the 2's and 3's in the end.

[Gadfly2317]

The reason given by MS is that the name refers to their belief that the system will turn gaming on its head and blow us all away.



Is that the REAL reason they gave? If gaming was on its feet, and they want to turn it on its head, that's a 180. 360 degrees turns you full circle back to your feet again.

God, these people really are as stupid and clueless and out of touch bunch of empty suits as I feared. "The Zen of Gaming". . . "The HD Era". . . "We are going to reach 1 billion consumers."

Consume consume consume. Eat and poop. The zen of gaming is not consuming or standing on your effing head, its games!

[Gadfly2317]

See, that's how I looked at it too. If you do a 360 you end up right where you started. Maybe they are playing the back to the basics angle somehow. Personally I'd say whatever focus group they ran the names through thought 180 sounded odder than 360. And I'm sure they're trying to appeal to "teh xtreme" gamers out there. Trouble is they may be a generation too late since that particular theme seems to be wearing thin these days.

It also seems as though MS is trying to erase the original Xbox from our collective minds and calling their new system Xbox 2 would distract from it's "orignality." By calling it the 360 it trumps Sony in the numbers game while differentiating it from the original Box. With all the smoke and mirrors clouding the issue of B/C, it seems appropriate that the system won't be Xbox 2, because it really isn't. It's an entirely new beast altogether.

It's all about the 2's and 3's in the end.

I think you are right about the 2s and 3s. They are trying to appeal to "teh extreme mountain dew boys" which is why they are partnering heavily with Mountain Dew for cross advertising. (Disclosure; I do like Mountain Dew, but I'm Nintendo extreme; I simmer mountain dew down to its essence, draw it up in an insulin syringe and shoot it into one of the bulging veins in my eye.)

I bet 360 also is supposed to make us think of the "Ring of Light" they are touting--that glowing ring around the power button, which connotes "Halo", Halo connotes good instead of evil--you know, they have the "Evil MS" image to overcome. It also brings to mind an angel's sphincter, which in the perfection of heaven could pinch out nothing unseemly, but only radiate the pure light of gaming Zen.

[shogun]

I wouldn't be suprised to see a similar negativity when the PS3 launches. Face it...even if it's capable of those graphics, the launch games are going to end up falling way short of the E3 vids.

Madden '06 looks lame. Not surprising, given it's a multi-plat. This game sure as hell isn't going to sell any 360s looking like that.

[Superior Beatslayer]

Just some stupid random thoughts, and "Strike 1 for the 360" seemed as good a place to post it as any.

Why did the call it The 360? Is it just me, or is that not a really lame thing to call a videogame system? Maybe if I got why, it wouldn't seem so lame.


Well, if they MS named it Xbox 2 it would seem inferior to the PS3 right off the bat so they couldn't go that direction. I think they named it 360 because they want to appeal to many different types of gamers this time around. I don't know why you say its lame, if anything PS2 and 3 are lame, and lets say Sony continues to make consoles as long as Nintendo has, are we going to be seeing the PS5's and 6's? thats even worse dont you think?

[theWacoKid]

Is that the REAL reason they gave? If gaming was on its feet, and they want to turn it on its head, that's a 180. 360 degrees turns you full circle back to your feet again.

God, these people really are as stupid and clueless and out of touch bunch of empty suits as I feared. "The Zen of Gaming". . . "The HD Era". . . "We are going to reach 1 billion consumers."

Consume consume consume. Eat and poop. The zen of gaming is not consuming or standing on your effing head, its games!

Bob the fish knows jack. Its market speak. The xbox 360 puts you in the center of the experience. So you're in the center of 360 degrees of xbox 360 goodness. Kinda cheezy, but it's better than this controller is the gateway to the zen of gaming. Woah!

C'mon man, all the companies do this crap. Nintendo says, "Touching is good." Yeah, I hear that from a lot of convicted pedophiles.

[theWacoKid]

I wouldn't be suprised to see a similar negativity when the PS3 launches. Face it...even if it's capable of those graphics, the launch games are going to end up falling way short of the E3 vids.

Madden '06 looks lame. Not surprising, given it's a multi-plat. This game sure as hell isn't going to sell any 360s looking like that.

You play any football? Madden for the 360 looks lame? Man, madden for current gen consoles has looked uber lame for six long years. That brief clip is miles ahead of what we're playing now and these games have sold in the millions. Sorry, chip, but madden for the 360 WILL sell systems, provided we get some next gen gameplay.

The animation is far more realistic and complex than what's currently available. Players shift weight, twist and turn, struggle for balance. T.O. looks the ball into his hands and brings it into his body. Madden has never sold millions because it was some graphics showpiece.

People are ragging on this vid, because its the thing to do. Nothing like a little mass hysterics to get things going for the EA hate fanclub.

[shogun]

You play any football? Madden for the 360 looks lame? Man, madden for current gen consoles has looked uber lame for six long years. That brief clip is miles ahead of what we're playing now and these games have sold in the millions. Sorry, chip, but madden for the 360 WILL sell systems, provided we get some next gen gameplay.

The animation is far more realistic and complex than what's currently available. Players shift weight, twist and turn, struggle for balance. T.O. looks the ball into his hands and brings it into his body. Madden has never sold millions because it was some graphics showpiece.

People are ragging on this vid, because its the thing to do. Nothing like a little mass hysterics to get things going for the EA hate fanclub.

So out of curiousity, were you lookin at at my "now playing" sig when you threw out the "EA hate club" line? :rolleyes:

This was nothing compared to the video they showed at the 360 debut...and people were arguing then over if the graphics were enough to distinguih this port.

[Superjoint Ritual]

Waco's right, Madden will be a system mover for the 360, especially if it gets the golden Live treatment. If the sheeple will buy roster upgrades year after year... Surely they will buy the same version that gets some next-gen paint. It would be funny as hell if it didn't however. One can only hope.

That being said, there will always been room for EA hate in my heart.

[Gadfly2317]

C'mon man, all the companies do this crap. Nintendo says, "Touching is good." Yeah, I hear that from a lot of convicted pedophiles.

And from horny teens. At least "touching is good" makes actual sense to the product it refers to. And touching IS good.

If what you gave is MS's actual logic behind the name "360". . . man that is really abstract and weird, and not in the good way. Perhaps it'll make sense in the fall advertising blitz.

[theWacoKid]

So out of curiousity, were you lookin at at my "now playing" sig when you threw out the "EA hate club" line? :rolleyes:

This was nothing compared to the video they showed at the 360 debut...and people were arguing then over if the graphics were enough to distinguih this port.

Yeah, like burnout and strangers's wrath are actually EA products. The video shown was a cgi render that was phony baloney and didn't show a single playable camera angle.

[theWacoKid]

And from horny teens. At least "touching is good" makes actual sense to the product it refers to. And touching IS good.

If what you gave is MS's actual logic behind the name "360". . . man that is really abstract and weird, and not in the good way. Perhaps it'll make sense in the fall advertising blitz.

They're doing it now with their promotional videos profiling 360. j. allard smiling at you, "This experience revoloves around you. Welcome to xbox 360." You're at the center of the experience, blah, blah. Now, whether they had this market speak in place and then came up with the name 360, who knows it, but I suspect that's the case. They probably mapped out various marketing strategies based on various name possibilities. Xbox was kind of boring. The Direct X box, get it. Direct X box, take 2, just doesn't cut it. Or the XNAbox.

I'm not a fan of these guys' marketing strategies, MTV, zen of gaming, wanting to be my buddy, I'm at the center of the experience. Marketing-wise they suck pretty hard. They lack focus. I don't want to join the colony. It doesnt' sound like paradise, it's sound like some cult that's intent on committing mass suicide. For the love of all that's precious in gaming, MS get yourelf some proper PR.

[theWacoKid]

Remember when Waco and others laughed at my E3 and monthly videogame soiree reports of EA employees I talked to being pissed at MS for not delivering their development kits on time? Remember when you said that them being a few months late wouldn't make a difference?

Well, you guys were wrong...

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143540

MS screwed up by trying to rush things to an early launch while NOT having their kits ready. What the hell kind of company does this in an industry that makes billions of dollrs a year? One that's so terrified of their competition, they'll lie to the public about pricing, format, B/C, and the lot. :rolleyes:

While this by no means decides the war for Next Gen, it does confirm what I told you guys about MS's lack of preplanning and careless early launch - that it would probably do more harm then good.

BTW, Masked Gamer, and other Xbot apologists, don't even try to blame EA's programming skills (or lack thereof) on this debacle. They're the most powerful third party developer out there and Madden is the flagship franchise. Remember when SEGA coded their 2001 football from scratch in only six months after not having done anything on the PS2? It CAN be done. If EA can't get the game to look decent it's because:

1) EA doesn't really care about the 360 that much and is throwing resources behind the PS3.

2) MS pissed EA off by not giving the kits in time while pressuring them to finish the game by launch (as I reported from E3).

3) The dreaded programming for 3 processor problem I mentioned is rearing its ugly head and prevented them from getting the most out of the system.

Whatever the reason, it's not a good thing for MS. It just gives people another excuse to wait for the PS3.

All hail Xbox 1.5... :cool:

Well, lets revive this sorry assed thread. No, Zilla, its you who's wrong along with your inside info with the janitiorial staff on the midnight shift at EA HQ.

EA doesn't care about the 360? Well, maybe not, but they do care about their franchises. Madden 360 is built from the ground up, is not in any way shape or from a port of current gen and according to a recent developer interview courtesy of gamespot, has been in development for a couple of years now.

The game looks and seems very different from current gen. The first thing I noticed were the dreadful handoff animations from current gen madden were replaced by much slicker animations in the 360 version. Much better playcalling interface. And the game looks better than just decent. As it is, graphics aren't a precedence in sports games to btw. But, if you want to get all stat freaky about, according to the dev interview, player models feature 10x the amount of detail of current gen, the stadiums 50x more detailed, 3x as many animations as before, a new animation system, etc.

You don't know jack about football buddy and your contacts appear to know even less. Five games at launch from EA, confirmed for the 360. Yeah, EA is pissed at MS, they're throwing their resources behind the ps3. Anything to back up this piece of sprurious nonsense. So, what are EA's ps3 launch titles, mr. industry insider? You and your reporting at E3 seem to have counted for jack squat and what is this incoherent rambling on the triple core cpu of 360. LOL! Just wait till EA has to deal with those seven spe units to get the most out of the ps3!

[Mochan]

You play any football? Madden for the 360 looks lame? Man, madden for current gen consoles has looked uber lame for six long years. That brief clip is miles ahead of what we're playing now and these games have sold in the millions. Sorry, chip, but madden for the 360 WILL sell systems, provided we get some next gen gameplay.

You don't even need nextgen gameplay. Sports games have been shown to consistently sell no matter what they are like, among fans of the series. My brother religiously buys the next NBA Live 2xxx without fail, he doesn't even look at the new features, screenshots, gameplay features, anything like that. He doesn't even read reviews. He just buys it without a second thought.

Updated rosters alone are good enough for the fans of these series, any other enhancements in gameplay, graphics, etc. are just icing on the cake.

Madden will definitely be a system seller, there is no doubt about it, doesn't even matter what the game is like.

[Gadfly2317]

Just wait till EA has to deal with those seven spe units to get the most out of the ps3!

I know this has been mentioned before, but I would call your attention to Game Informer's hands on with EA's Fight Night--a PS3 game and an EA sports game. It was also a Ps3 game with E3 vid clips that people assumed were pre-rendered rather than actual gameplay footage. According to GI the Ps3 footage was real, the Ps3 version is already playable, has been in development longer than the xbox version, and looks better. Doesn't sound like EA is having a hard time with the Ps3.

As to Madden 2006 on 360, isn't Madden 2006 already out and the football season underway? It seems like what will really count is next year when both Ps3 and Xbox are out and a much larger number of people will be looking at picking up a next gen console along with Madden 2007.

You've ably pointed out before that the kind of games I like aren't the bread and butter for these companies, its stuff like Madden. But with Ps3 delivering these bread and butter games with better visuals, bigger storage capacity/HD movie playback, AND still having the depth of Japanese game support along with better diversity and originality. . . I mean, surely you see why 360 seems obsolete, redundant and unnecessary to so many of us in the face of all that.

Bread and butter. . . or a whole buffet that also has bread and butter on it? Not a hard choice. With you claiming you want only one next-gen console, you are going to be one malnourished gamer.

[theWacoKid]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I would call your attention to Game Informer's hands on with EA's Fight Night--a PS3 game and an EA sports game. It was also a Ps3 game with E3 vid clips that people assumed were pre-rendered rather than actual gameplay footage. According to GI the Ps3 footage was real, the Ps3 version is already playable, has been in development longer than the xbox version, and looks better. Doesn't sound like EA is having a hard time with the Ps3.

As to Madden 2006 on 360, isn't Madden 2006 already out and the football season underway? It seems like what will really count is next year when both Ps3 and Xbox are out and a much larger number of people will be looking at picking up a next gen console along with Madden 2007.

You've ably pointed out before that the kind of games I like aren't the bread and butter for these companies, its stuff like Madden. But with Ps3 delivering these bread and butter games with better visuals, bigger storage capacity/HD movie playback, AND still having the depth of Japanese game support along with better diversity and originality. . . I mean, surely you see why 360 seems obsolete, redundant and unnecessary to so many of us in the face of all that.

Bread and butter. . . or a whole buffet that also has bread and butter on it? Not a hard choice. With you claiming you want only one next-gen console, you are going to be one malnourished gamer.

Arggh, wrong again, gadzook, but then that's on par for you.


Xbox360 set to match EA's impressive Playstation3 tech-demo...

EA’s footage of Fight Night: Round 3 during the E3’05 Playstation3 unveiling added a few points to the Sony camp in the intensifying battle, however a recent interview featured in the US gaming magazine, Game Informer, suggests that the Xbox360 version should match the same quality and unable to spot differences.

So, what was that about the ps3 version looking better. Oh, also, guess which system its going to show up on first? Gee, I guess EA doesn't believe in sony's bogus spring launch anymore than I do.

Keep smoking that sony weed, thinking the ps3 will deliver better visuals. Oh, yeah, they'll be better, up until the point the gameplay kicks in and then it all goes to hell, hey, what happened to those cool looking cinemas, you mean the actual game looks like crap on a stick. Guess which xbox 360 game looks like total garbage, an absolute embaressment. FFXI, it looks pathetic, and that my friend, is a taste of your actual ps3 visuals to come, courtesy of sony and squenix, yea, team. Hope you enjoy that craptastic japanese excuse for gameplay. LAME!

Hey, gadly, you cracked open that copy of disgaea yet. Yeah, I reallly like that sony ps2 diversity, if I ever get down to actually playing any of these games I buy.

You're a joke and a half gadfly, with your newly minted sony love, give us all a beak here, and stop all the glue sniffing. OH, yeah the ps3, home to horse racing sims and cool sounding games like Sheep Village. Where do I effin sign up.

I got news for you, the ps3 will be late, and there will a lot of reliability issues with those newly minted blu-ray drives. If you buy at launch or anywhere during the first year, welcome to problems way worse than what happened to the ps2 in its first year. Yeah, wer'e going to release this new high def optical disc format and cut as many corners as we can so we dont' lose our shirts financially. A classic recipe for disaster. So, gadfly, wake me sometime in 2007 when sony actuallly brings out something decent to play and the mass consumer lawsuits have forced sony to up their Q&A on their drives. Because, until then, pal, as far as I'm concened, the ps3 and revolution both are just vaporware.

[Gadfly2317]

Arggh, wrong again, gadzook, but then that's on par for you.


Xbox360 set to match EA's impressive Playstation3 tech-demo...

EA’s footage of Fight Night: Round 3 during the E3’05 Playstation3 unveiling added a few points to the Sony camp in the intensifying battle, however a recent interview featured in the US gaming magazine, Game Informer, suggests that the Xbox360 version should match the same quality and unable to spot differences.

So, what was that about the ps3 version looking better.

Yes, EA has been working to bring the 360 visuals in line with the superior visuals already attained on Ps3. The whole point, Waco, was your claim that EA would have a hard time with Ps3's mutli-threading to get good visuals, but they're not. Just because they are working to bring also bring the 360 up to snuff in this first generation game; I mean, you really aren't a big-picture kinda guy are you? Add it all up. Last Word, despite the messianic fanboy tone of his posts, is nailing valid point after valid point.

Sure Ps3 and Rev are vaporware. But do you have a 360 sittin in your house? No. It's vaporware too, so speculations based on all avialable info are equally valid applied to all three systems. 360 will materialize from the vapor first, but we're not 15 year olds ready to bust a nut on the first easy syphilatic trick that opens its legs to us. All three will materialize shortly, we'll get to see who's full of crap, and who puts out in style. So do your premature ejaculation purchase; you can trade in that old 360 just is quick and easy as you did the PsP, so it doesn't matter. Your a big boy, you are free to repeat your mistakes ad naseum.

[shogun]

Yeah, like burnout and strangers's wrath are actually EA products. The video shown was a cgi render that was phony baloney and didn't show a single playable camera angle.

OHHH I see.:rolleyes:

So it needs to have more than "EA" splattered all over the package for it to be an EA game. So a person who spends a ton of cash on EA games is a "hater" if he badmouths the graphics of one game? what do I have to do to "prove myself" to EA? Fellate everyone on the staff?

not that it really matters, I just find your insane EA-whoring amusing.

[Zilla Man]

Well, lets revive this sorry assed thread. No, Zilla, its you who's wrong along with your inside info with the janitiorial staff on the midnight shift at EA HQ.

EA doesn't care about the 360? Well, maybe not, but they do care about their franchises. Madden 360 is built from the ground up, is not in any way shape or from a port of current gen and according to a recent developer interview courtesy of gamespot, has been in development for a couple of years now.

The game looks and seems very different from current gen. The first thing I noticed were the dreadful handoff animations from current gen madden were replaced by much slicker animations in the 360 version. Much better playcalling interface. And the game looks better than just decent. As it is, graphics aren't a precedence in sports games to btw. But, if you want to get all stat freaky about, according to the dev interview, player models feature 10x the amount of detail of current gen, the stadiums 50x more detailed, 3x as many animations as before, a new animation system, etc.

You don't know jack about football buddy and your contacts appear to know even less. Five games at launch from EA, confirmed for the 360. Yeah, EA is pissed at MS, they're throwing their resources behind the ps3. Anything to back up this piece of sprurious nonsense. So, what are EA's ps3 launch titles, mr. industry insider? You and your reporting at E3 seem to have counted for jack squat and what is this incoherent rambling on the triple core cpu of 360. LOL! Just wait till EA has to deal with those seven spe units to get the most out of the ps3!

Um, didn't you say you were leaving the boards for awhile? Here's an idea for the rest of the board -- why not put Wacko on all our ignore lists - and maybe he really will leave...

Poor, Wacko. First he "apologizes" for unprovoked attacks and admits his low self-esteem (which Trebor wisely saw through). Then he has to dig up an old thread to try to get more attention. I have one word for you my friend: Prozac. Try it. No, really...

EA janitors? Aren't you the guy who's so desperate for industry connections that you said you wanted to get a part time job at EB - just so you could attend E3? I think so!

(Here's a news flash, Sherlock -- they don't let part-time employees into the show) :p

My sources for my info? Well, the fact that EA head honcho Steve Probst was nowhere to be seen at the pre E3 M$ press conference but not only showed up but actually spoke at Sony's would be the first clue.

The second would be some people I had dinner with last month at the house of a guy named Jordan Mechner. Maybe you've heard of him? He threw an industry party and there were two execs from EA's marketing division and one from acquisitions. EA's trying to get him to do a game for them (I guess owning 40% interest in Ubi Soft isn't enough) but he's a filmmaker now (which is how we met). I also have a friend who used to work at Atari who now works at EA. They all spoke about the problems that were caused by receiving the dev kits too late.

As far as launch titles for the PS3 are concerned, the system is set for a fall U.S. release. The EA guys told me that EA won't be revealing most of their PS3 lineup until E3 of next year. The same goes for several other U.S. based 3rd parties.

BTW, if you're willing to become a U.S. citizen I probably could get you a job sweeping EA's floors. Even though I'm not sure you could do it. You see, sweeping is comprised of a consistent motion. Consistency being something you probably know very little about.

Yeah, so I have some industry connections sue me. My reputation on this board's very solid, so go ahead and snipe away, Waco. Envy is always flattering. So bring on the attacks, bro. It just makes you look more pathetic.

[Gadfly2317]

Holy crap. That was a priceless sys wars moment. I'm just glad it wasn't me (this time) on the receiving end of a cataclysmic Zilla Biyatch Slap!

[Gadfly2317]

OHHH I see.:rolleyes:

So it needs to have more than "EA" splattered all over the package for it to be an EA game. So a person who spends a ton of cash on EA games is a "hater" if he badmouths the graphics of one game? what do I have to do to "prove myself" to EA? Fellate everyone on the staff?

not that it really matters, I just find your insane EA-whoring amusing.

Hey SHOGUN! Where have you been? And why the hell are your VGR personal setting such we can't send you a PM. I was wanting to let you know, since you turned me onto the band. . and were lamenting that they had seemed to have stopped putting out albums. . . that Boards of Canada has a new album coming out this month that's getting some good reviews. I'm not going to be able to pick it up this month, but I wanted to hear what you think. Shoot me a PM.

[theWacoKid]

Um, didn't you say you were leaving the boards for awhile? Here's an idea for the rest of the board -- why not put Wacko on all our ignore lists - and maybe he really will leave...

Poor, Wacko. First he "apologizes" for unprovoked attacks and admits his low self-esteem (which Trebor wisely saw through). Then he has to dig up an old thread to try to get more attention. I have one word for you my friend: Prozac. Try it. No, really...

EA janitors? Aren't you the guy who's so desperate for industry connections that you said you wanted to get a part time job at EB - just so you could attend E3? I think so!

(Here's a news flash, Sherlock -- they don't let part-time employees into the show) :p

My sources for my info? Well, the fact that EA head honcho Steve Probst was nowhere to be seen at the pre E3 M$ press conference but not only showed up but actually spoke at Sony's would be the first clue.

The second would be some people I had dinner with last month at the house of a guy named Jordan Mechner. Maybe you've heard of him? He threw an industry party and there were two execs from EA's marketing division and one from acquisitions. EA's trying to get him to do a game for them (I guess owning 40% interest in Ubi Soft isn't enough) but he's a filmmaker now (which is how we met). I also have a friend who used to work at Atari who now works at EA. They all spoke about the problems that were caused by receiving the dev kits too late.

As far as launch titles for the PS3 are concerned, the system is set for a fall U.S. release. The EA guys told me that EA won't be revealing most of their PS3 lineup until E3 of next year. The same goes for several other U.S. based 3rd parties.

BTW, if you're willing to become a U.S. citizen I probably could get you a job sweeping EA's floors. Even though I'm not sure you could do it. You see, sweeping is comprised of a consistent motion. Consistency being something you probably know very little about.

Yeah, so I have some industry connections sue me. My reputation on this board's very solid, so go ahead and snipe away, Waco. Envy is always flattering. So bring on the attacks, bro. It just makes you look more pathetic.

You want to talk pathetic, stick to your lame ass analysis, insider boy. NONE of the points you made have any bearing on anything. You don't know jack and you're totally avoiding the issue at hand, which is your craptoid analysis of the situation. You were wrong about Madden, mr. knee jerk reaction looking at a couple of screenshots and a BK promo video and extrapolating like crazy.

Yeah, there's problems getting dev kits late, that comes under the heading of "DUH!" But, the points you made were all crap, but you don't have the balls or good sense to admit when you're wrong.

You have the mentality of a standard fanboy, you hear a little bit of gossip and you rush on these boards, see, I told you so, I told you so. You base an analysis on EA being rushed to meet launch dates and some initial disappointment over the look of the game and come out with your three pronged bozo report.

Which of your three points, spanky, have any validity, remind me, because I think I and the rest of the board aren't getting it. What was the point anyway of this lame thread. Some stupidity about EA being pissed at MS for late dev kits, so they're out to destroy the madden franchise, by putting out a sloppy, crappy game, is that the gist? How brainless and totally lacking in any business sense can you be? They're not supporting the xbox 360. Yeah, no support with five games day and date with launch. They're throwing their resources behind the ps3 instead. So, what's the big ps3 lineup for spring, chip, clue us all in with your insider contacts.

Yeah, put me on your ignore list. You embaress yourself with some goofball theory of yours about late dev kits and some moronic analysis all based on what? A BK promo video and some early screenshots. Here, let me give you and the other hosers on this board a big round of applause. OH, yeah, madden for the 360's just a ps2 port from current gen. Blah, blah, blah.

And btw, Mr. Industry insider, its LARRY Probst, not STEVE Probst, you don't even know your people, there's a good laugh.

[Zilla Man]

You want to talk pathetic, stick to your lame ass analysis, insider boy. NONE of the points you made have any bearing on anything. You don't know jack and you're totally avoiding the issue at hand, which is your craptoid analysis of the situation. You were wrong about Madden, mr. knee jerk reaction looking at a couple of screenshots and a BK promo video and extrapolating like crazy.

Yeah, there's problems getting dev kits late, that comes under the heading of "DUH!" But, the points you made were all crap, but you don't have the balls or good sense to admit when you're wrong.

You have the mentality of a standard fanboy, you hear a little bit of gossip and you rush on these boards, see, I told you so, I told you so. You base an analysis on EA being rushed to meet launch dates and some initial disappointment over the look of the game and come out with your three pronged bozo report.

Which of your three points, spanky, have any validity, remind me, because I think I and the rest of the board aren't getting it. What was the point anyway of this lame thread. Some stupidity about EA being pissed at MS for late dev kits, so they're out to destroy the madden franchise, by putting out a sloppy, crappy game, is that the gist? How brainless and totally lacking in any business sense can you be? They're not supporting the xbox 360. Yeah, no support with five games day and date with launch. They're throwing their resources behind the ps3 instead. So, what's the big ps3 lineup for spring, chip, clue us all in with your insider contacts.

Yeah, put me on your ignore list. You embaress yourself with some goofball theory of yours about late dev kits and some moronic analysis all based on what? A BK promo video and some early screenshots. Here, let me give you and the other hosers on this board a big round of applause. OH, yeah, madden for the 360's just a ps2 port from current gen. Blah, blah, blah.

And btw, Mr. Industry insider, its LARRY Probst, not STEVE Probst, you don't even know your people, there's a good laugh.


AcK, ack, ack! Remember, it's spelled P-R-O-Z-A-C.

The fact that you had to dig up an old post to pick a fight to get attention shows that I've already won! Jealousy is so hilarious. :rolleyes: How's your buddy's Viper, pal? Hope you enjoy that part time gig at EB,

Can't wait to see Trebor and Gaddy rip you a new one. As far as your concerned, I'm through. I think this thread says it all -- especially post #32:

http://forums.videogamereview.com/showthread.php?t=5405&page=2

[theWacoKid]

AcK, ack, ack! Remember, it's spelled P-R-O-Z-A-C.

The fact that you had to dig up an old post to pick a fight to get attention shows that I've already won! Jealousy is so hilarious. :rolleyes: How's your buddy's Viper, pal? Hope you enjoy that part time gig at EB,

Can't wait to see Trebor and Gaddy rip you a new one. As far as your concerned, I'm through. I think this thread says it all -- especially post #32:

http://forums.videogamereview.com/showthread.php?t=5405&page=2

Yeah, you're through, all right. Still, so no refutation of any of my points. No suprise there, when you've got nothing, you can't come back with anything. Your thread was lame, your analysis was lame, you're lame, buddy.

So, the truth comes out, eh, zilla, you work part time at EB, that's how you get to E3, that's your status as an industry insider. A part-time sales monkey at EB. Now, it all makes sense.

Prove me wrong, go ahead. The forums's all waiting, they're all on your side, that's fo sure, put that so called big biyatch slap down on me. Ack, ack, ack! With what?! Your penetrating analysis, your intimate knowledge of the inner workings at EA, where, STEVE, er, correction LARRY Probst clues you in to latest scuttlebutt. Roflmao!

I love this newfound tactic of yours, let's stick theWacoKid, on our pay me no mind list. Hey, I've been telling people for ages to do just that. But, nobody seems interested. LIke my momma always said, you can take a horse to water, you can't make it drink.

[trebor]

Ack, ack, ack!

Why should Zilla bother to refute any of your moronic postulations, eh?

Let's see...

Wacko predicts that the DS touch screen is a gimmick and merely a "knee-jerk" reaction to the PSP.

Wrong!

Wacko predicts that the PSP would trounce the DS in sales.

Wrong!

Wacko assumes the current PSP would receive no design updates.

Wrong!

Wacko assumes that the HDD, Wireless controller, and HD cables would be standard with the 360.

Wrong!

At this stage of the game, the only worthwhile thing you've provided for the VGR community is volunteering to become the resident virtual punching bag.

[Gadfly2317]

Wrong!

Wrong!

Wrong!

Wrong!

At this stage of the game, the only worthwhile thing you've provided for the VGR community is volunteering to become the resident virtual punching bag.

Waco is not always wrong, at least not when he's "being serious." I still think this post of his is one of the best posts summing up the impending 360 launch:

M$ is of course, greedy, they want the whole enchilida. We'll launch first, that'll solve our problems and completely ignore the reasons for the success they've enjoyed to this point. I'm being serious here, an xbox 2 with no hardware advantage and quite possibly, tech-wise the low man on the totem pole, I mean, why bother. For what, M$'s sterling first party lineup. Most of what passes for M$ first party is nothing more than M$ contracting out titles on a guns for hire approach. Oh, that and every three or four years a title from Bungie and the Rare guys will take an old n64 project and update it for Xbox 2 .

M$ simply doesn't have strong enough of a first party to come out first and have people care. Oooh, M$ first party exclusive software, oh, drool. Sorry, I don't think so. Nintendo can do this, M$ can't. What about third parties, well, third parties have liked the xbox because it's a higher spec platform. Customers have bought the xbox versions of third party titles because they're considered the best version. Take that away, and what happens to third party developers and won't customers wind up buying the ps3 "superior" version instead.

It could be a deadly combination with third party developers climbing onboard the ps3 juggernaut anyway and if the ps3 provides the superior hardware platform, it could be just a matter of time, before developers throw their allegiance fully behind the ps3 and ditch the xbox 2 entirely.

[trebor]

Waco is not always wrong, at least not when he's "being serious." I still think this post of his is one of the best posts summing up the impending 360 launch:

That was then and this is now, so they say.

[Gadfly2317]

That was then and this is now, so they say.

Well, then we should be kind and sympathetic; if he's still "being serious" then he clearly must have some sort of degenerative mental condition, and I think its a little cruel to make fun of the handicapped.

Uhm, no I'm just kidding. Everything is fair game.

Q: What's better than winning the special olympics?
A: Walking!!!!

[Zilla Man]

Why should Zilla bother to refute any of your moronic postulations, eh?

Let's see...

Wacko predicts that the DS touch screen is a gimmick and merely a "knee-jerk" reaction to the PSP.

Wrong!

Wacko predicts that the PSP would trounce the DS in sales.

Wrong!

Wacko assumes the current PSP would receive no design updates.

Wrong!

Wacko assumes that the HDD, Wireless controller, and HD cables would be standard with the 360.

Wrong!

At this stage of the game, the only worthwhile thing you've provided for the VGR community is volunteering to become the resident virtual punching bag.

Thanks for the backup, Trebor...

Waco has the honor of being the first person to be put on my ignore list in all my time at VGR. That's something not even Moody, TMG, or Massimodo were able to accomplish! The fact that Waco is posting about me 'til he's blue in the face and I don't have to ever see it is pretty hilarious. :p

Nice new avatar, BTW. I can see you've got a real talent for images/graphics. Just how cool were some of those catalogs -- especially Nintendos?

[Zilla Man]

Well, then we should be kind and sympathetic; if he's still "being serious" then he clearly must have some sort of degenerative mental condition, and I think its a little cruel to make fun of the handicapped.

Uhm, no I'm just kidding. Everything is fair game.

Q: What's better than winning the special olympics?
A: Walking!!!!


It's probably both the latter, Gaddy.

Due to mood swings and the fact that they don't let logic stand in the way of a good argument, I'm beginning to suspect that both Waco and Masked Gamer are actually women...

[trebor]

Nice new avatar, BTW. I can see you've got a real talent for images/graphics. Just how cool were some of those catalogs -- especially Nintendos?

Thanks, but I only cropped and resized an existing photo - some bloke on IGN gets the credit for the photo itself...or his cat does, however you want to look at it. I did quite a bit more photoshopping and editing on my previous "Run Kitty Cube!!!" avatar, though.

I saw that Nintendo catalog that you sent me at Target recently. It's a really nice piece, makes sense they would get more mileage out of it then just having it be a E3 promotion, where you got it.

[Gadfly2317]

It's probably both the latter, Gaddy.

Due to mood swings and the fact that they don't let logic stand in the way of a good argument, I'm beginning to suspect that both Waco and Masked Gamer are actually women...

Ouch! You sexist pig! Attacking the handicapped is one thing, but. . . .

It feels good to shake of the PC shackles once in a while, doesn't it?