Launch Expectations

[Fivespot]

Lots has been said lately about the next gens launch plans for all three systems. Most recently, MS seems to be receiving lots of flack since they are launching earliest and its only 2 months from now.

I'd like to play devils advocate for a moment and remember launches in years past; PS2 didn't have a stellar launch with most of the greatest PS2 games releasing a year or two after the initial launch. I remember teasing my buddy all the time back then because Soul Caliber on my Dreamcast looked better than all of his launch day offerings on the supposed more powerful PS2.

Same can be said with XBOX's launch - the system really didn't get going strong until a year or so later (especially after the XBOX Live service was introduced one year later). Cube was also similar to this extent.

What are your expectations for the next launch? I think its unrealistic to expect perfection from day 1 and par for the course that launch games skimp on all they'd like to include in order to get the games out on day 1 with the hardware.

Here are my expectations for the next launch:

1. Online capabilities from day 1 w/all games supporting voice chat
2. Preferrably a gamer tag type feature so user names can be shared across the entire platform when looking for and playing with friends online
3. HD capabilities with a min. of 480p although the higher resolution the better
4. Improved system performance allowing
A. Better graphics (more realistic, no jaggies, etc..)
B. No load times (or at least much quicker)
C. Larger, less linear environments (like Far Cry for the PC)
5. Widescreen 16:9 support
6. At least 10-15 games at launch that are not just ports from the older hardware but also showcase at least 3/4 of what this new hardware will eventually be capable of
7. Lots of third party support from both sides of the world (US & Japan)
8. A wide selection of game choices varying between sports, shooters, fighters, RPGs, racers, action/adventure, quirky titles, etc...
9. Wireless controllers with at least 4 supported at once for multiplayer w/friends

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.

What are your expectations?

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

What are your expectations for the next launch?

1) I expect games such as GUN and NFS: Most Wanted (and anything that will be on current and next-gen systems) to play the same as their current gen versions. Eventhough it's a next gen game, it's a launch game, so it's hard to expect a lot more than better graphics from these two games. When there's a NFS: MW coming out for 360, Xbox, PS2, GC, DS, PSP, PC, and mobile, there's no way I can expect the devs put a lot more time in the 360 version, because they will not have that time. Expecting anything more will lead to disappointment.

2) I expect even more FPS on the next system, and I expect to not play almost (if not all) of them.

3) I expect that there will be more 360s available at launch, which will lead to an impulse buy.

4) I expect little things to "WOW" me more than the big things that will be overhyped by reviewers.

5) I expect the packed in remote for launch 360s to spill over into '06, in case I do not impulse buy.


This just for the 360. I'll post PS3/Rev stuff later if necessary.

[Fivespot]

1) I expect games such as GUN and NFS: Most Wanted (and anything that will be on current and next-gen systems) to play the same as their current gen versions. Eventhough it's a next gen game, it's a launch game, so it's hard to expect a lot more than better graphics from these two games. When there's a NFS: MW coming out for 360, Xbox, PS2, GC, DS, PSP, PC, and mobile, there's no way I can expect the devs put a lot more time in the 360 version, because they will not have that time. Expecting anything more will lead to disappointment.

2) I expect even more FPS on the next system, and I expect to not play almost (if not all) of them.

3) I expect that there will be more 360s available at launch, which will lead to an impulse buy.

4) I expect little things to "WOW" me more than the big things that will be overhyped by reviewers.

5) I expect the packed in remote for launch 360s to spill over into '06, in case I do not impulse buy.


This just for the 360. I'll post PS3/Rev stuff later if necessary.

Oops - I should have been more clear in my post. I'm looking for what people want from the next-gen hardware rather than what they think will happen.

Gamers are attacking the hardware based on launch data so I'd like to know what they want and expect since the attacked hardware isn't exactly doing it for them.

It seems like expectations are at an all-time high which is appropriate since the current gen hardware is so fantastic. People expect a big jump to the next hardware (like the 1.5 comments in poking fun of the 360). What do they want? Be specific.

Its pointless and foolish to bash unless the bashing is due to that hardware not meeting the expectations they've established.

[Mochan]

I want:

60fps locked framerate
HDR effects
Advanced physics effects
A lot of JRPGs

[Gadfly2317]

I just want to do something I haven't already done in a game, or it least to do something old in a really new way.

That's pretty much all I care about.

[T.Tashi]

I want:

60fps locked framerate
HDR effects
Advanced physics effects
A lot of JRPGs
That's MY list! I'd only add better A.I. for party members and NPCs and better action RPGs from Japanese developers.

[Jupiter_x]

I just want to do something I haven't already done in a game, or it least to do something old in a really new way.

That's pretty much all I care about.

Gadfly, have you ever heard of a game called "Indigo Prophecy"? It is really hard to explain how you play this game. But from the demo I played, you kill some fella in a New York Diner bathroom and you have to clean up the mess, hide the body, plan your way out of the diner and avoid the "50" sitting having his coffie. Whether you make your escape or not, the screen splits into 2 screens showing the cop walking to the bathroom and figuring out what just happened. This game builds up that anticipation. You feel you just have to get out of that diner...when you make any attempts some things will stop you...like the waitress asking you why you didn't pay your bill yet, bars blocking the bathroom window etc. This game IMO is very different!

[Gadfly2317]

Gadfly, have you ever heard of a game called "Indigo Prophecy"? It is really hard to explain how you play this game. But from the demo I played, you kill some fella in a New York Diner bathroom and you have to clean up the mess, hide the body, plan your way out of the diner and avoid the "50" sitting having his coffie. Whether you make your escape or not, the screen splits into 2 screens showing the cop walking to the bathroom and figuring out what just happened. This game builds up that anticipation. You feel you just have to get out of that diner...when you make any attempts some things will stop you...like the waitress asking you why you didn't pay your bill yet, bars blocking the bathroom window etc. This game IMO is very different!

Are you gonna get it? I hadn't heard of this one; just looked around a little, looks like the PC gamers are giving it higher ratings than the consoles. It does look like an intruiging game. I noticed reviewers saying it had "the best sex scenes ever in a game" or something like that. Always a big plus, (well, I hope we don't ever have to watch Mario having sex, but you know.)

Hopefully I can remember this one; it would be one I'd have to wait for a $19 price. I wish I lived near a decent videoshop that kept their rentals current.

[Jupiter_x]

Are you gonna get it? I hadn't heard of this one; just looked around a little, looks like the PC gamers are giving it higher ratings than the consoles. It does look like an intruiging game. I noticed reviewers saying it had "the best sex scenes ever in a game" or something like that. Always a big plus, (well, I hope we don't ever have to watch Mario having sex, but you know.)

Hopefully I can remember this one; it would be one I'd have to wait for a $19 price. I wish I lived near a decent videoshop that kept their rentals current.

It has sex scenes? Oh brother :rolleyes:

Anyway, the Demo I played gave me the impression that this game would be totally different.It does feel like a PC style game in fact. These are the same guys who made that "Omikron" game. Quantic Dream.

One game that still intrigues me though is Project Eden. The concept behind this game captivates me. I love the idea going from the Futuristic "Upper City" and delving deeper and deeper into what used to be the city we live in today. Very creepy.

[T.Tashi]

It has sex scenes? Oh brother :rolleyes:

Anyway, the Demo I played gave me the impression that this game would be totally different.It does feel like a PC style game in fact. These are the same guys who made that "Omikron" game. Quantic Dream.

One game that still intrigues me though is Project Eden. The concept behind this game captivates me. I love the idea going from the Futuristic "Upper City" and delving deeper and deeper into what used to be the city we live in today. Very creepy.
I have I.P. I've played through it a few times. It's a great game. The sex scenes are only in the European version of the game and from what I read, they're playable. You know after the GTA fiasco America isn't going to stand for anything like that. So the U.S. version is a highly edited version.

[Cuddly Knife]

I am currently playing through Indigo Prophecy, and I have to give it the ol' two thumbs up, as well. This game is what the classic adventure genre has evolved into. I'd say this game is a mix between Silent Hill series, Myst series, Shenmue 2, and 24 the tv show. Good stuff, but I haven't gotten too far because of NGB occupying almost all my game time. Gamespot gave it a rock-solid 8.4 and a lot of good praise.

Back on topic, what I really want from next-gen is more exclusives. It seems like more time and care is taken for exclusive titles. Most of the games I have are exclusive to their systems, with there being only a handfull of titles that are multi-plats, and I enjoy them more for some reason. That said, I'd like to see some of my favorite companies develope for only one system. Put Sega on the 360, keep Konami on the PS3, as well as Capcom. Team Ninja stays on 360, also Ubisoft and EA go to 360. And Nintendo should stay with Nintendo.

[Renzatic Gear]

I want:

...HDR effects

Take some vaseline, rub it in your eyes, then look at a bright light. Instant HDR.

I'm already sick of HDR, and I haven't even played a game that has it fully implemented yet. I think the reason why is that developers are overusing it and producing effects that give off far too much glare than what you'd get in real life.

The only game I've seen pictures of that does it right is Gothic 3. Oblivion on the other hand...man, they go way overboard with it.

[Mochan]

Mario having sex? I recall seeing an avatar where Mario bonks the princess and each time he does, a "1 Up" sign comes out. Lemme see if I still have it, I'll change my avatar again lol.

Indigo Prophecy? That gameplay sort of sounds like Hitman though from what you guys are saying it might be better directed (Hitman has horrible writing!). I'll give this game a spin.

As to HDR, of course I want it implemented properly, not the way Oblivion is doing it. Everything looks wrapped in shiny cling wrap!

[T.Tashi]

Mario having sex? I recall seeing an avatar where Mario bonks the princess and each time he does, a "1 Up" sign comes out. Lemme see if I still have it, I'll change my avatar again lol.

Indigo Prophecy? That gameplay sort of sounds like Hitman though from what you guys are saying it might be better directed (Hitman has horrible writing!). I'll give this game a spin.

As to HDR, of course I want it implemented properly, not the way Oblivion is doing it. Everything looks wrapped in shiny cling wrap!
In terms of gameplay Indigo Prophecy has more in common with Shenmue and Simon Says (though 100X better) than Hitman, but where Hitman gave you multiple ways to tackle a mission, IP give you multiple choices that effect the storyline. But there's so many decisions to make it's difficult to tell how many branches there truly are. But I'm playing for a third time through (it's short... 6, 7 hours maybe?) the entire thing (beat it once you can go back and play each chapter) and I just accessed an entire scene I missed the first two times. And it's one of those highly edited sex scenes.
Btw, if you get it you may want to opt for the PC version (best graphics though they are very dated) and if you're interested in the edited scenes, the Euro version is called Fahrenheit. Which is funny considering Europe uses Celcius.

[ThaMaskedGamer]

First I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the XBOX launch. I think it was pretty damn good, Halo, DOA3, Project Gotham, Oddworld. If the 360 can match that it would be doing GREAT.

My expectations for launch. First, a variety of great games. No more waiting years for say a good western RPG. You need a shooter and a racer also. I think you probably should have a good kiddie game too. Of course, my requirements for next gen is you need to be launching, LAUNCHING with great online games and services. Sure, last generation, console online gaming was new. Now, there are no more excuses. Everybody should be online, Sony, Nintendo and MS.

Obviously, great graphics are a must. But a minimum 720p hd resolution is also a must. That is baseline, 1080i and 1080p are always welcome.

I think the 360 launch should be good at a minimum, great on the high end. Ghost Recon3 is shaping up to be a completely new incarnation of the series, instead of a cookie cutter Clancy game. Oblivion is all new too. PGR3 looks hot. And who knows how DOA4 and PD0 will turn out. I think the 3rd party games will determine if the launch is just good or great. But, MS has done their part i'd say.

[Mochan]

I think it was pretty damn good, Halo, DOA3, Project Gotham, Oddworld. If the 360 can match that it would be doing GREAT.

By all reports, 360 Launch will be making that look pale in comparison.

I wonder about your comments on past Ghost Recon games, though. Well maybe GR2 was a cookie "cutter game," (whatever that means) I don't know. But Ghost Recon 1 was not, I'm assuming by cookie cutter you are saying they are like all other Tom Clancy games.

GR1 was *very* different from previous games with the Clancy name, the difference from the Rainbow series was incredible, such that I couldn't go back to the Rainbow Series after GR1. GR3 doesn't look like a revolution over GR1 aside from a few technical aspects like graphics, loadtimes, Novodex physics, etc. The IWS crosscom windows are nice but do not sound like a game-changing feature.

The most significant change I am seeing is that GR3 will be an urban-environment game, which I actually do not like. GR1 was a wilderness game, Rainbow series were more on urban-environment. I prefer the wilderness setting, without a doubt. If anything, GR3 will be more of a "cookie-cutter" game if it sticks to urban ops.