X05

[Fivespot]

Anyone check out any of the X05 event coverage from Amsterdam? A ton of news and updates regarding the 360 have surfaced from this event and its reaffirmed my confidance in this future large purchase. Even if the PS3 is more powerful, this machine will satisfy my next-gen cravings for some time to come.

Here are some of the highlights (check this link for a lot more info):

http://xbox360.ign.com/

Perfect Dark 0 is playable and looks much better than it did a few months back. I wasn't planning on picking this title up, until now that is.

Wolfenstein 360 announced
Too Human screens (Silicon Knights new game) and a trailer
A Halo character will appear in DOA4 but unknown which
BioWare title - Mass Effect
Superman title by EA Tiburon (folks behind Madden this gen)
DOA4 playable
Elder Scrolls 4 looking even more fantastic than previously - playable
MotoGP 360 announced
MS launch titles announced
New Gears of War video

Most of these games are looking much more like next-gen and a lot less like XBOX 1.5. I can't wait to see what these developers can do after the system has been out for awile!!

Check it out and share your thoughts.

[Superjoint Ritual]

Thanks Mr. Gates, but I stopped watching M$'s hype-fest's after the MTV debacle. Although, I have to admint, that was pretty damn funny. I mean, Showgirls funny. :D

I'm sick of fps's, I hate racing games, Dead or Alive series sucks..., Ea can go to hell, zero interest in Live, and I will be playing Elder Scrolls 4 on my super brand new pimpin' pc... Why should I be excited again?

Bioware is pimp though.

I just noticed, but I'm good at trolling.

[ThaMaskedGamer]

Anyone check out any of the X05 event coverage from Amsterdam? A ton of news and updates regarding the 360 have surfaced from this event and its reaffirmed my confidance in this future large purchase. Even if the PS3 is more powerful, this machine will satisfy my next-gen cravings for some time to come.

Here are some of the highlights (check this link for a lot more info):

http://xbox360.ign.com/

Perfect Dark 0 is playable and looks much better than it did a few months back. I wasn't planning on picking this title up, until now that is.

Wolfenstein 360 announced
Too Human screens (Silicon Knights new game) and a trailer
A Halo character will appear in DOA4 but unknown which
BioWare title - Mass Effect
Superman title by EA Tiburon (folks behind Madden this gen)
DOA4 playable
Elder Scrolls 4 looking even more fantastic than previously - playable
MotoGP 360 announced
MS launch titles announced
New Gears of War video

Most of these games are looking much more like next-gen and a lot less like XBOX 1.5. I can't wait to see what these developers can do after the system has been out for awile!!

Check it out and share your thoughts.

Yes the most exciting thing to me was Bioware's Mass Effect. They could become a powerhouse in the console business just like their rpg's were on the PC. This kind of title from them is a shocker, they've never been big on the graphics side, nor on the hi-tech side, so for them to dabble in a FPS-RPG with these kind of graphics and robots and **** is just real BIG.

Gears of War I think is established as a go to title. I'm not at all interested in DOA4, the gameplay looks the same, they need to go back and blow up the code and start all over. I think it is interesting that EA is doing a Superman title to go along with the movie, but it won't be on PS3. That is very bizarre. I think its already established that Oblivion will be a go to title. Still not too warm and fuzzy about PD0. But I am starting to warm up to PGR3. I was reading that the game can be adjusted for those who want a serious racing experience. Even if that don't work out too well, if the physics is realistic, then some serious racing can be done online. Opps, I forgot, they made one big mistake. Only 8 cars online is a no no, so sorry PGR3 I won't be buying you.

GR3 is the one title I want to know more about. I'm hoping the team mechanics have changed online. I'm hoping the game will have methodical gameplay and tactics to go along with those good looks. Anyway, its going to be a great year for 360. And year two promises to be even better. I still could miss the whole thing though, i'm still not decided on whether I will be a gamer this upcoming generation. But 360 is making things really hard to decide.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Yes the most exciting thing to me was Bioware's Mass Effect. They could become a powerhouse in the console business just like their rpg's were on the PC. This kind of title from them is a shocker, they've never been big on the graphics side, nor on the hi-tech side, so for them to dabble in a FPS-RPG with these kind of graphics and robots and **** is just real BIG.

I was just ready to be excited about another Bioware game until I saw the 3 dreaded letters....F....P.....S. Interest level initally dropped all the way down to where Nintendo dwells, but I'm actually going to try and keep an open mind towards FPS next-gen if Bioware can actually make it worth playing. Knowing them, that's always a good possibility. Any word on when it's coming out?

I'm going to have to read up on the Too Human, Oblivion, and Gears of War footage. Those could be a few early keepers next-gen.

[Fivespot]

I just noticed, but I'm good at trolling.

I just noticed the same thing.

[Mochan]

Xbox 360 is really working hard to overthrow PCs. Its' getting almost everything a PC gamer would want and then some!

All it's missing now is mouse/kb support (I haven't managed to confirm whether it can handle that kind of input for FPS), free online, and 100% massive Japanese dev support. If it had those, I'd sell my PC, turn my back on Sony, and buy a 360 this Christmas.

Mass Effect looks interesting, but I've always had issues with Bioware and their writing/directing. If the game ever makes it to the PC (or if I ever get an XBox 360) I'll still probably give it a try. Probably borrow it or something, I have a policy against buying Bioware products right now.

DOA4 still has all the same problems I had with it back since DOA2, the only thing that looks like it improved was the graphcis engine. Until they fix up the animations I'll still be in the Tekken camp.

Not really interested in racing titles (I only get interested in them after watching Initial D, lol) but the game looks gorgeous. It's the first nextgen racer out so no real competition yet but as it stands it looks great. Can you do drifting on them, though? That's the only reason I'd want to play a racing game. :P

I'm going to have to read up on the Too Human, Oblivion, and Gears of War footage. Those could be a few early keepers next-gen.

RBH, you dislike FPS but are okay with TPS (Third Person Shooter)?

[Fivespot]

Xbox 360 is really working hard to overthrow PCs. Its' getting almost everything a PC gamer would want and then some!

All it's missing now is mouse/kb support (I haven't managed to confirm whether it can handle that kind of input for FPS), free online, and 100% massive Japanese dev support. If it had those, I'd sell my PC, turn my back on Sony, and buy a 360 this Christmas.

Mass Effect looks interesting, but I've always had issues with Bioware and their writing/directing. If the game ever makes it to the PC (or if I ever get an XBox 360) I'll still probably give it a try. Probably borrow it or something, I have a policy against buying Bioware products right now.

DOA4 still has all the same problems I had with it back since DOA2, the only thing that looks like it improved was the graphcis engine. Until they fix up the animations I'll still be in the Tekken camp.

Not really interested in racing titles (I only get interested in them after watching Initial D, lol) but the game looks gorgeous. It's the first nextgen racer out so no real competition yet but as it stands it looks great. Can you do drifting on them, though? That's the only reason I'd want to play a racing game. :P



RBH, you dislike FPS but are okay with TPS (Third Person Shooter)?

I read an article (sorry no link) where Itagaki mentioned that keyboard chat would be supported in the DOA4 lobbies & encouraged. Could this be an indication of k/b & mouse support??? Could be - worth sharing anyhow.

[theWacoKid]

I read an article (sorry no link) where Itagaki mentioned that keyboard chat would be supported in the DOA4 lobbies & encouraged. Could this be an indication of k/b & mouse support??? Could be - worth sharing anyhow.

Keyboard for chat only. Games like FFXI rely on the keyboard for chatting.

[Fivespot]

Keyboard for chat only. Games like FFXI rely on the keyboard for chatting.

The article surprised me a little, why wouldn't they just use voice-chat? If voice-chat is standard on all games (like current XBOX Live), who'd want to chat on a keyboard?

Can someone enlighten me?

[Mochan]

Maybe keyboard chat is babelfished? What if you're talking ot some Japanese gunk who can't speak English, lol. Honestly I don't know.

[Fivespot]

A stab in the dark -

Maybe its because some of these lobbies will support so many players that voicechat would just be a shouting match with too many talking at once whereas k/b chat would be more manageable.

[Superjoint Ritual]

I just noticed the same thing. * golf clap *

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

RBH, you dislike FPS but are okay with TPS (Third Person Shooter)?

Yeah. I prefer TPS a lot more than FPS, but I would rather see more games with both instead of FP only. I can see more of the game in a TPS, where as in a FPS, I feel like I'm wearing those blinders that race horses wear.

Mercenaries (TPS) is my favorite shooter this gen.

[slade]

I liked the Too Human trailer although they need to brush up the main guy's character model. This trilogy set of games and Ninja Gaiden 2 is probably what will eventually force me to get a 360.

[Mochan]

Yeah. I prefer TPS a lot more than FPS, but I would rather see more games with both instead of FP only. I can see more of the game in a TPS, where as in a FPS, I feel like I'm wearing those blinders that race horses wear.

Mercenaries (TPS) is my favorite shooter this gen.

Well, I can see your point. I personally prefer first person because third person on the other hand puts a blind spot where your character is! I felt this keenly in Fable where I had trouble timing my blocks because my character was blocking my view of the enemy's movements.

Not a good example but RE3's third person view was also severely crippling. It added to the gothic horror feel but I hate it when I can't see an enemy in the left part of the screen simply because Leon is blocking my view.

Even less obtrusive TPS games like Oni still felt like they had a blindspot.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Well, I can see your point. I personally prefer first person because third person on the other hand puts a blind spot where your character is! I felt this keenly in Fable where I had trouble timing my blocks because my character was blocking my view of the enemy's movements.

Not a good example but RE3's third person view was also severely crippling. It added to the gothic horror feel but I hate it when I can't see an enemy in the left part of the screen simply because Leon is blocking my view.

Even less obtrusive TPS games like Oni still felt like they had a blindspot.

The RE example actually is a good example, because Leon was all in the way of my view. I hope Capcom fixes this for the new RE, because there's no reason for a character to take up THAT much of the screen.

Only thing(s) I remember about Oni was: It was a Bungie game on PS2 (shocking), and it had some horrible controls.

One next-gen game that will have both FP/TP views is Oblivion. Honestly, if it didn't include the third person view, I wouldn't even want to play it.

[theWacoKid]

Good gameinformer article with Peter "The zen of gaming" Moore, and J. "Extreme Makeover" Allard. The article is a long one.

http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200510/N05.1005.1820.37210.htm

Some stuff that people might be interested in like b/c are addressed.

"GI: Two of the big questions were launch lineup and then what games would be ready for backwards compatibility. Can you give us any kind of list for the day one titles? When will we find those out?

Moore: You have all heard this before I’m sure, but we are working on a software emulation that we have built that is had to hand combat game by game by game. Each game is emulated and you know the issue with the GPU and the CPU. We will probably be in a position in about two weeks to give you a list and that list will go up on Xbox.com and it will get updated as more and more games get through certification.

GI: So out of the box, some games will be playable, that’s what you’re saying?

Moore: Yeah. And that list will grow and grow and grow.

GI: Will you be charged for that in Marketplace or will that be free?

Moore: There will just be an auto-update that you may not even be aware that happens. Say Crimson Skys becomes backwards compatible. We will post an update on Xbox.com. We may even set up an email alert for people who are interested enough. Bottom line, you will start seeing more concrete information is two weeks. We will post a list. The guys continue to pound through these games and the emulation is working well. After launch, we will continue to do it. Until consumers show lack of interest, then we will move on."

Also, what's on the hard drive.

"GI: What’ll be on the hard drive on day one?

Allard: Some good stuff. There’s going to be a little bit of video content, some audio content. I don’t know if I’m actually allowed to talk about this… I can talk about this. I’m the boss. There will be a soundtrack. We’re putting together a custom soundtrack with some pretty good tracks. So it basically comes with a free album. We’re going to have some video on it. We’re going to have a little “making of Xbox 360” and a couple of other little video samplers, some gamer tiles, Hexic, a puzzle game. Basically what we’re doing with this extra content on the hard drive is starting to show users, you know, it’s really no fun to go to the video section and have it say “no videos found.”

It’s a little bit more fun to go to the video section and see a three minute making of video and say, “Oh I understand what that section’s about.” It’s a lot more fun going into the trailers section and seeing a couple trailers. Part of it is to get the gamers understanding the capabilities of the system and discovering more and encouraging them to discover. Part of it also is giving them an extra bonus for either buying a hard drive and adding it to the core or buying the premium system."

Well, its going to be interesting seeing what's b/c and what's not and how much.