Difference between Xbox 360 & PS2 not obvious to Indian reviewer
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Dec 1st 2006 at 2:55PM }
A bleak console review has trickled out of India, where Xbox 360 made its debut just over a month ago. "[After] spending hours with [Xbox 360], the big difference between this machine and those in the market today, particularly, Sony's PlayStation 2, were not obvious," writes Raghuveer Malik of Rediff.In India, HD displays have yet to penetrate the consumer market and Xbox Live is still a pipe dream. Remove what must be considered Xbox 360's two strongest selling points (HD gaming and Xbox Live) and really, what is the difference between Microsoft's console and PS2?
Now consider the unattractive price tag, relatively few software options, and lack of "support" from the pirating community; it's obvious why "[hardly] anyone was trying out the lonely, shop-soiled demo piece." India's games market is predicted to explode in the coming years, but Microsoft appears unable to gain any ground over the well-established PlayStation brand.
[Via The Xbox Domain]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Urbanstorm @ Dec 4th 2006 12:24PM
OH MY GOD you guy's have no idea what you started................................Or do you???
billybastion @ Dec 1st 2006 3:02PM
so what?
i mean honestly, joystiq is great and all but really who cares?
Faustus @ Dec 1st 2006 3:03PM
The reviewer neglects to mention he was using a 1968 RCA black-and-white TV.
> @ Dec 1st 2006 3:07PM
This is where a viable last gen. console comes in handy... emerging markets that dont want or need bleeding edge technology.
Jonah Falcon @ Dec 1st 2006 3:49PM
First Joystiq dismisses Financial Times, now claiming the PS2 is equal to the Xbox 360... I wonder where their bread is buttered, hm?
Rakthar @ Dec 1st 2006 4:12PM
Just because a next-gen console supports HD doesn't mean that it doesn't look better without it.
Upgrading your graphical horsepower looks great, without a necessary upgrade in resolution. Want an example? Look at your PC. When you get a brand new video card that's much more powerful, you don't necessarily increase your resolution. Things still look better.
The 360 can push more polys, do way more physics, have tons of objects on screen - none of these have to do with HD.
Consider movies on DVD - they look way better than any videogames, and they're not in high def. Until videogame graphics look like a DVD movie on your SDTV, there's always room for improvement. The idea that HD is required for high qualit graphics is silly, and I hope that Joystiq bloggers can decouple the two. HD helps, yes, but there's so much more to it than that.
Jeff @ Dec 1st 2006 3:54PM
"[hardly] anyone was trying out the lonely, shop-soiled demo piece."
Shop-soiled?
What, the counter clerks are flinging cow dung on their demo units or what?
BPM? @ Dec 1st 2006 3:15PM
In before Sony fanboy calls it "Xbox 1.5".
Urbanstorm @ Dec 1st 2006 4:32PM
All jokes aside I am not surprise as much as I love gears of war , even that game has a hard time of beating a last-gen game like final fantasy 12.
Hype aside not everyone is ready for next-gen as the media lets on.Now if you will excuse me i am going to go play actraiser .......
Avinash_Tyagi @ Dec 1st 2006 4:13PM
#1
Actually that shows that they are smarter, skipping over the overpriced machine that has no benefit to them, India is ripe for Wii
sick one @ Dec 3rd 2006 9:50AM
How is it even feasible to compare the 360 to the PS2 when they don't even have access to the features the distinguish the consoles? This article is pure crap
Eric Bostrom @ Dec 1st 2006 3:22PM
If you don't play videogames, they're all kinda the same. I could show the ps1, 2, 3, xbox, x360 and cube to my parents and they wouldn't know the difference.
Sloar @ Dec 1st 2006 3:27PM
The ring-of-light! No current-gen system could do that.
The fact that the ring-of-light was included in specs of the 360 and somehow was intended to denote "next-gen" still stumps me. Props go out to that marketing guru who successfully managed to build hype around the truly incredible ring-of-light.
Usually the only attention someone gives to that is either:
1) showing their friends that it will re-orient itself--but only after it eats your games,
2) when it pulls a Mr. Hyde and transforms into the ring-of-death.
That guy (or woman, I'm not sexist) deserves an award for their marketing brilliance.
J @ Dec 1st 2006 3:45PM
*LMAO!* I thought I had it bad with gaming living in the UK!
UnmaskedHero @ Dec 1st 2006 4:27PM
Wow, I am never moving to India... I already get annoyed by stupid people here in America... I couldn't imagine having to walk down the street next to a guy this dumb.
Spartacus @ Dec 1st 2006 4:10PM
Of course he'll then have to say the same thing about the PS3... Sans rumble.
But really, this comparison means nothing to the American gamer who most likely has internet and has a very good opportunity to buy an HDTV at a reasonable price. But yeah, for emerging gaming countries, probably none of the next gen consoles will look attractive due to price. The Wii may even get overlooked due to it's comparitively high price next to a PS2.
Zonk @ Dec 1st 2006 4:16PM
This is no surprise. I think the 360, and PS3 will suffer this generation simply because a lot of gamers don't have HDTVs and spending $500-600-700 for a console without one would be pretty stupid. They will either justs tick with the PS2, XBox, or the Wii.
Hagrin @ Dec 1st 2006 4:44PM
You know, I can't tell the difference between my Xbox 360 and this brick.
Oh, I forgot to mention - I don't have electricity.
MarioLegend @ Dec 1st 2006 3:37PM
Oh boy, maybe that was the reason why nintendo refused to go all out on the graphics engine because that line is already blurred out to everyone else in the world.
What Microsoft needs to enter furiously into that third international other world, is a mascot that everyone can go about loving. [That naturally means someone that looks non-violent ;) BUT can be strong and violent if need be (IE, Goku, Ryu, Megaman, Mario, Titus, and Sonic)]
That's all the trouble that Microsoft has. Put aside all the shooters, and have something that everyone might go about and be at least happy with. Halo can't shoot into that market, why not something similar to Alice?
- g -
Rich @ Dec 1st 2006 4:21PM
Just wondering...
Could someone (PLEASE!) tell me how I can add comments without having to wait for an email confirmation first? The email states to log on with email and password (which I have), but I see nowhere to use it. Am I missing something?
Shaun @ Dec 1st 2006 3:40PM
"So what who cares?" - Is that ignorance or arrogance?
This is a perfectly valid argument, not all countries have adopted HDTV yet. Both 360 and PS3 look marginally better on a SDTV.
It's sad that 90% of comments here will now be fanboys slagging off either India or the lack of HDTV.
Fanboys, gotta love 'em!
BIGGEN @ Dec 1st 2006 3:41PM
wow, they'll REALLY have problems with the ps3 then. all joking aside, i was serious. imagine paying $200 more for the ps3 that looks like its predecessor. poor india, they just don't know any better.
Amos @ Dec 1st 2006 3:48PM
By the same points that Indian reviewer would find the PS3 appeoximately 250% more unnatactive. In any case, I don't care. If he doesn't like the games and (somehow) can't manage to "see the difference" on an SDTV, oh well. I'm sure a last gen piece of hardware would be all the rage in a country where pirated games are tops...
Player1 @ Dec 1st 2006 3:49PM
Actually, the ring of light is quite clever. Whenever I used wireless controllers and split screen on current-gen systems, there would be several minutes of sorting out the confusion of who was where on the screen and passing around controllers. Now with the ring of light, you look at your controller, and you know what quadrant of the the screen you are on. Believe me, if it wasn't there, it would be "xbox 360 annoyance #XXX".
Anonymouse Rep @ Dec 1st 2006 3:58PM
Actually, James just did some nice cherry picking from the original article in an effort to stir things up out here.
So let's look at the actual article...
What's this? Praise in the article?
"That, notwithstanding, the box should see some success, what with a bustling economy and a fresh and invigorated generation of brats and hardcore gamers." - Okay, there's a market in India for it, apparently.
"The main reason why I didn't warm up to the new XBox 360 is probably that, like the majority of people in India, I don't own a high-definition TV (HDTV). To do so, I would most likely have to sell off a kidney. Unacceptable." - Sure, it does look better on HD, but you can still play nicely on SD - and if you think it's unacceptable now, wait until PS3 hits your country next decade.
"So, for the average Indian, the XBox 360 is a bulkier, much more powerful, and significantly dearer version of the PS2." - Hey, guess what? Same reasoning could apply to the average American - HDTV's are just now, this holiday, making the penetration into homes.
Ah, James - let's leave this out: "However, for the discerning gamer (with cash to spare), the XBox 360 is a clear winner"
And yes, I'm cherry picking, too, because who knows WHEN PS3 and Wii will show up in India.
Finally, there's this:
"So, key question for my friends in their MBA classes: In a country where people pay tens of thousands for mobile phones before they buy their first suit, why shouldn't one go in for the XBox 360? The answer is in many parts and depends on whether you can wait.
If you consider yourself a hardcore gamer and having the latest console is imperative, go ahead. The XBox 360 is a great buy"
I'm not knocking India, but the country has a GDP of $3,400 per capita, while the US has a GDP of $41,500, Germany is $30,100, Japan is $31,600, the UK is $30,100, Australia is $31,600, and most countries in South America are in the $11,000 range. Even China only has a GDP per capita of $6,400, while South Korea is $22,600 (and North Korea is $1,700). Net result - India as a nation is a poor country. Take that into consideration in your article as well - if your average income is under $1,000, then only the 10% of the population that controls 25% of the money can afford one.
solomonrex @ Dec 1st 2006 6:21PM
GDP per capita FTW!!!
USA!USA!USA!
Um...I just watched Miracle.
Pyronite @ Dec 1st 2006 5:01PM
I don't know how he sees no difference -- I play on an SD and the difference is IMMENSE.
"14. First Joystiq dismisses Financial Times, now claiming the PS2 is equal to the Xbox 360... I wonder where their bread is buttered, hm?"
But still, comments like these are ridiculous. THEY DIDN'T WRITE THE ARTICLE! Joystiq is not "claiming" anything about the PS2 or the Xbox 360.
I wonder who's a little touchy, hm?
billybastion @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:08AM
maybe they wouldnt have problems with the 360 if they werent trying to play it in their teepee's.
zing!
Ricky Robby @ Dec 1st 2006 5:25PM
Well, why'd you want to move there anyway white boy? India doesn't need stupid whiny immature white trash like you. Just go to Japan where all the wapanese are going asswipe.
Avinash_Tyagi @ Dec 1st 2006 4:40PM
#22
How is it dumb? If you don't have HDTV or Xbox Live what's the point of a 360 over a PS2? PS2 has more games, and in India theres plenty of Piracy to go around.
Wii on the other hand has a good shot in India :D
Avinash_Tyagi @ Dec 1st 2006 4:42PM
Heck if Nintendo made Wii Cricket for release in India they'd dominate the market ;D
rTwelve @ Dec 1st 2006 7:25PM
@8
Clippy?
Jeramy @ Dec 1st 2006 5:10PM
i don't understand why everyone thinks that hd is necessary for a 360. i have my 360 hooked up to my 20" sdtv (with component cables, though) and it still drops my jaw more than my xbox did. granted, hd is ideal, but not necessary by any means.
Markham Carroll @ Dec 1st 2006 6:08PM
I was in India for all of September. Few people there can afford a video game system, much less have the time to play it, much less have an actual interest in video games.
Seriously, technology there is still around 5-8 years into the past. All the PCs I've encountered there still run on Windows 98 and occasionally Windows 2000.
Hank @ Dec 8th 2006 8:00AM
Well, for most people there the PS2 is the better deal. Especially with the PS2 having pirated games.
Thats just the sad state of affairs there, with PS3 and blue ray, I wonder how they will be able to make copies of those games?
Vince @ Dec 1st 2006 8:58PM
For all you people, India has aprox 1 billion people.
just me or is that about 25% of the world?
They are a strong market, americans only have aprox 200million people.
microsoft needs india, just like how sony n nintendo do, they're valid customers, sony is currently the leading gaming company in india,japan and europe. Microsoft has alot of catching up. (and leading as in sales of ps2 against gamecube and xbox + 360)
Jim @ Dec 2nd 2006 4:14AM
The same reviewer couldn't find an obvoius difference between Bollywood and Hollywood ether...
Nossy @ Dec 1st 2006 6:57PM
Laughs...cheap excuse for not being able to afford something.
In short, I won't be able to tell the difference between a Chevy Corvette and a Dodge Neon, so it doesn't justify spending $60K on it.
Arkon @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:40AM
"If you don't have HDTV or Xbox Live what's the point of a 360 over a PS2?"
Umm, I don't own an HDTV or have Xbox Live and I think my 360's a blast, especially graphics-wise.
Avinash_Tyagi @ Dec 1st 2006 7:36PM
#32
Bad comparison, since you don't have to buy something extra on top of the corvette to experience the car's capabilities, with a 360 you need an HD tv and Xbox live to fully experience everything
New 360 owner. @ Dec 1st 2006 7:53PM
Hey, India!! You obviously have computers there, so you must have monitors, right??? How about waking up to the fact that you can get a VGA cable (shock horror) for your 360 and use the monitor that you already have to play it in HD??? All you need is a monitor capable of at least 1280 x 720 to play in 720p. Try it, it works.
Tom @ Dec 1st 2006 8:01PM
Somehow I doubt this will stop them from buying Xbox 360s at American retail outlets (but only if they are on sale at 50% off and only if they can get 3 or 4 consoles at a time) and then sending them to friends and family back home in Belapur. Also, they will likely try to haggle with Gamestop employees to get the price down even further.
Avinash_Tyagi @ Dec 1st 2006 8:15PM
#35
Most households don't have PC's, I believe recent data showed 12 PC's for every 1000 people in India, most go to internet cafe's to use computers when not at work or school
Tony @ Dec 1st 2006 8:28PM
I honestly cannot believe that there's still this many people who somehow think the games look marginally better on a standard TV compared to a PS2. What the heck are you people playing?
HD makes a huge difference. A really huge difference. But people make it seem like it somehow doubles the polygon count of these games.
Beans @ Dec 1st 2006 9:31PM
Somebody hand this guy a Wii, soon :P. heh
Pulse @ Dec 1st 2006 9:53PM
I sense a hint of racism in here simply because India hasn't taken up 360, just like the Japanese didn't :(
Why is it 360 fanboys dish out all the sly and racist comments when they realise a country isn't buying thier console, thats hardly fair.
When 360 was announced to not be selling well a year ago at gamespot, all the 360 fans came rushing in slagging of Japan and Japanese ppl, thenwhen Africa was reported to start having 360s imported, some said they are too poor to afford 360s. I really despise you fanboys, you let a machine get ahead of your respect for other cultures and races, I don't much appreciate that, and I agree with the reviewer, what is it worth picking up a so called Xbox 1.5 if the only things talked about are fps games, hd and live, they might as well stick with thier PS2s. Yeah PS3 will have that problem, but this article isn't about PS3 is it, its about 360, stop trying to shove PS3 infront,t ahts just childish.
mike @ Dec 1st 2006 10:16PM
For all you people, India has aprox 1 billion people.
just me or is that about 25% of the world?
They are a strong market, americans only have aprox 200million people
----
USA! USA!
HAHAHAHHAAHHAHA... dude, go back and.... pick up a book.. there is so much gold in this post... lol
Pal @ Dec 1st 2006 11:06PM
This isn't bad news for Microsoft's Xbox 360. This is bad news for Sony's PlayStation 3 as well. The Nintendo Wii will be a Gamecube with a new controller for them. Oh, that's the same for us too.
anon @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:50AM
Well its very easy to make fun of India, but you gotta realize people there havent grown up with video games so their definitions of whats cool and whats not might be slightly primitive as of now. I used to have an Atari back in the day and was kinda the cool kid on the block.
The population there is also hella large. So if you have a billion people and even if only 10% of the population can afford it thats still a 100 million and if you sell it to 10% of that 100 million thats still 10 million units.
Just the populations of India and China make them a huge threat and with all the young yuppies ready to spend money it'd be remiss of any company to not atleast try and sell their product there.
I personally love my wii!
Microsoft need to pounce on this opportunity and make the 360 the defacto console in India. Nintendo doesnt even have a foothold and for now it can just be a straight battle between Microsoft and Sony.
stop bytching @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:26AM
WTF are yall talking about. When i played COD2 on my SDTV and PGR3 that ish blew xbox and ps2 away. This huy is an idiot simply because DOA and ninja gaiden blew PS2 outta the water so spare me the BS. Im not fanboy but I want the truth to be tokd and the record to be straight. XBOX made the PS2 ugly(minus God of War and FF games) GT was crap compared to forza they both looked the same but if take into account that forza had visial mods custom paint jobs and realistic damage, those facts push it way beyond GT4 with just looking pretty.
Far cry on 360 looked way better than the old xbox I guess no one saw Need for speed most wanted on Ps2 and xbox then saw it on the 360,,,,oh yea how bout nba 2k6 it goes on and on. Like i said stick to the facts, and do a lil research and Bs like this wont be spoken