Ethan Thomas

..you can play it right away instead of having to wait for your 360 to come back from the proverbial black hole that is Microsoft's repair center in Area 51, New Mexico.

How quickly people forget.

Yeah, this release list sucks. It's nothing like how, when I got my 360 on launch day, I was able to go out and grab Gears, GRAW, Oblivion, Rainbow Six, etc. right away and play them....oh wait...I couldn't.

Are you guys just joking around, or is a poor lineup of first year games seriously something none of you have seen before? I'm not a "fanboy" (what a stupid word) of any system, and it's due to that fact that this list is about what I was expecting. The 360 was a worthless doorstop at the same point in its lifetime. I remember going to the game store over and over and staring at the same wall of crap, complaining that nothing new was out. I remember a time when 360 owners were so desperate for games that we were buying Blazing Angels, Over-G Fighters, and Rumble Roses. So I guess now we all are just supposed to forget about that whole thing and say, "Oh, Sony suxxorz b cuz teh lineup iz teh lame1one!!1."

Let me share this thought. I also own a Wii. I've had it for, oh, about two weeks now. I hate it. I mean, passionately hate it. I'm 26 years old and there is NOTHING on it that interests me. However, I wanted to give it a fair chance so I bought Red Steel and Warioware: Smooth Moves for it. Red Steel has got to have the worst control I have ever seen in my life. Talk about touchy. And then, sometimes, it doesn't react at all. Yes, my batteries in the remote are brand new. As for Warioware, a game that scored a 9.1 out of 10 on Gamespot for the record, I sat down, played it, and beat it in an hour and forty-five minutes. Are you serious? $54 for less than two hours? And people eat this stuff up? I was extremely disappointed.

The truth is, the Wii is targeted to the younger audience/casual gamer. Nintendo has even admitted that fact. As someone who has played games for a very long time, paying $50 for a casual game experience leaves me feeling rather jipped. And, after going through 3 Xbox 360's for various hardware issues, I gave up on it and went with the PS3. Does the 360 have more games? Yes. It should. Does the 360 have better online? Yes. It should. I swear, some people would sit there and brag about a stock Viper being faster than a stock Civic and act like they are a genious for figuring it out. The whole Blu-ray/HD-DVD arguement has nothing to do with games, and if you really are out to make the 360 look superior, you should avoid that arguement, as out of the box the 360 has NO HD capabilities when it comes to movies.

Just play what you like and don't bash people because their opinion is different than yours. Every single console out there has positives and negatives. Just because I hate the Wii doesn't mean there aren't a million people out there who love it. And that's fine. Same for 360. Just because I had a tough time with it doesn't mean there aren't people out there who are having a blast on it without so much as a hiccup of trouble. I didn't buy a PS3 to be "1337". I bought a PS3 because it works best for me right now. I'm in that 5% of people who have it hooked up to a 1080p set, use it for Blu-Ray, use it for PSP downloads, use it to play audio, etc. For a game console, the thing is outrageously priced. But if you consider everything else, in my opinion, it's a good buy. I just fail to see why nobody else shares that kind of acceptance for other people's choices. Are all gamers corporate tools now or what?

You know, there are alot of things being said that really have no relevance to anything whatsoever. So the PS2 is outselling Xbox 360? And this shocks you? Ok, well, Snickers bars outsell BMW's, so I guess BMW is screwed, right? Apples to oranges ladies and gentlemen. Of course the PS2 is going to sell more..it's inexpensive and has a ton of games to enjoy for those on a budget, which is about 90% of the population of America.

The worst enemy of the PS3 is the PS2. It's been said before, and it's still true. Sure, the technology has changed a ton. It is, according to many, the most advanced console of the three. However, Hondas always outsell Ferraris. Is that because people prefer an Accord to an F-50? Of course not. But they buy what they can afford. The responses I have read and heard from people who have purchased PS3's reflect just what I would expect from such a crowd: The PS3 is better because it's more expensive. Sure, they list a laundry list of super-technical jargon that absolutely no casual shopper would know or care about, and neither would alot of hardcore gamers like myself. PS3 has Blu-Ray...if that means alot to you, then fine. I'm a fan of all the systems, but until this Blu-Ray fiasco with HD-DVD sorts out, and until Sony makes some games that don't suck other than Resistance, I will not be handing over nearly a grand for a big, black paperweight.

Somewhat more confusing to me, however, is how people say that the Xbox 360 will fail because it only sells strong in North America. There are alot of companies that succeed due to North American sales. The fact that it isn't selling well in Ethiopia means aboslutely nothing.

I just want to say one more thing before I head back to work. Why is it that everyone has to have something that's better than what anyone else has? Just buy what you like and enjoy it. What is the best for one person may be the worst for another. To dispute that fact instantly makes one look foolish. That's all I have to say about that.

Oh, and for those who said that the original Xbox had no good things going for it, consider this: It had the best graphics of last generation. Also, which console had a hard drive again? Seems like this generation, the Playstation jumped on that idea....

And if there's still some doubt as to whether or not the Xbox was little more than a big plastic junk heap, don't forget the single most important feature that started on Xbox and STILL dominates the market today. Xbox LIVE. Sure, you have to pay for it. You pay for PS3 online as well. It's called it's included in your $600 console. Unless you want to say it's not and admit that you're simply throwing the extra money they charge over the 360 towards a Blu-Ray player, but that's absolutely NOT the case, right? ;)

Racism.


Until everyone on earth is the exact same color, it will exist. Period. Why? Because think about it. What is the easier thing to say? "I can't get a decent job and make good money because I'm too stupid to go to school, get a degree, work my butt off and earn it" or "ZOMG some1 is holding me down!!1one! Not my fault! Pluz u owz me monies! Reparations FTW!"?

Allow me to express how I feel about this whole thing. By the way, cudos to Sliwinski for posting this article. Anything dealing with racism GUARANTEES you high comments in today's society of "It's not my fault, it's HIS!".

I'm white. Everyday I turn on the news, I hear about how so-and-so is the first black this-or-that and how it's so great. I hear about black history month. I watch my favorite TV shows and sit through commercials that glorify black people. Here in Texas, we hear about how the Katrina refugees are "evacuees!" from that idiot Jesse Jackson, who is no more a preacher than I am. If they are evacuees, then what the hell do you call the people who were smart enough to actually leave New Orleans when they were told? Think about that. Then, I come to work, were I have a job thanks to a college degree. However, if some suit someplace higher up sees our "minority employee percentage" drop too low, I can be canned and replace by some black person who has no education and will be paid more money thanks to Affirmative Action. I have to hear about how the NAACP has accomplished this or that...do you see an association for the advancement of white people? Nope. Because that would be racist. I get to hear about how rough the "African American" (screw that...you are American, that's all you get. You're not so damn special that I'm going to place you higher than an Asian American, White American, Hispanic American, or anyone else. If you're here, you're American. And to argue against that point makes YOU a racist.) community has things, while some of the best-paid citizens of this country are black. NBA stars, NFL stars, rap artists who are so held-down by the man, yet can buy a Lamborghini and still collect that monthly check and food stamps (I'm looking at you, Busta Rhymes..btw..your "music" sucks) that I, and everyone else, help pay for. Do you know why there is so much Hispanic on Black violence here in Texas? I'll tell you. Because in Mexico, there are no frills. Every day people come from Mexico to the U.S. to live a better life. Many of them want it so bad, they come in illegaly. And when they get here, what do they see? Black people in mansions, driving Mercedes-Benz cars and bitching about how bad they have it. News Flash - America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, so quit whining about your status, be a little less self-centered, and do something about your life if you aren't happy with it. Don't have your so-called leaders out there trying to say, "Oh, well the white man owes us money because 200 years ago blah blah blah." Ok, well, I am 25% Native American (Cherokee Indian). So, if you want to play that game, then all of you get your asses off my land! See how stupid that sounds? We will never get rid of racism. Because everyone needs a fall back. For minorities, racism has been that fall back for years. I have no quarrel with any minority. But people who use their race to try and get them special advantages and move themselves through life without actually applying themselves and following a hard work ethic make me sick, I don't care who you are, whether you're a white supremecist, Jesse Jackson, or whoever. Get over yourself. Nobody owes you jack. You want something, go get it through hard work and diligence. Then maybe, just maybe, you might just get some respect. But nobody respects a whiner, which is all a racist is when it comes down to it.

/rant

//last post on topics like this...I get all ticked off when this kind of thing is bought up and I try my best not to get involved but I'm at work and I'm bored.

///Create-a-character won't work for a lot of games because the story typically is hard to weave while considering the vast differences in cultural/behavioral patterns of different races of people. Developers should not force create-a-character on the creative minds that they have working for them. If someone told Picasso he couldn't use red, he may not have painted at all. Think about it.

////I'm not a racist. I'll inevitably be labeled as one because my views don't coincide with everyone else's, thus inherently making an adversary of, at the minimum, one person. So be it.

Let me just first say...zero respect for the winning "team". Why, you ask? I shall explain:

Let's say, for example, I and three of my friends were to enter into a Halo 2 tournament hosted by Microsoft. Now, this tournament would be taking place just after Halo 2 had come out. However, thanks to the beauty of sponsorship, we would have been able to practice on the game at least 6 months before it actually released.

Now, "tournament" (a.k.a. unfair matchup time) time comes around and we fly down, using tickets MS and Bungie bought us, to wherever the tournament is going on. We show up wearing Halo 2 shirts, caps, shoes, socks, etc. We sit down in our reserved, padded seats with the Xbox logo on them, and wait to be challenged. In comes Timmy and three of his 12-year-old friends. They just want to try out the new game so they decide to play us and, like the total jerks we would be, we waste them all and start trash talking. Basically, what this article is saying is that it would be acceptable for the above to happen, and would also warrant our pictures and names as front page news. Stupid. Moronic. Typical corporate-sponsored B.S.

And the saddest fact of all? Nobody would have cared if that tournament had taken place. Because I'm a guy. It's only when you are a girl (I refuse to refer to people who act as immaturely as these so-called "gamers" do by challenging sub-par opponents as women)that the world should stop and everyone should bow their freaking heads and take notice. And if they don't, well, damn it, you aren't being treated "as an equal!"

We all know that this group wouldn't accept a random challenge from an Xbox Live clan. Because they can't. Because they know, as does everyone else, that they would get waxed and that's the end of it. So, my advice would be to continue to hide your severe lack of anything even remotely resembling skill by only attending fixed events thrown by your sponsor. Give me a freaking break.

P.S. - Matt's post were the best in this thread. I wish more people would open their eyes as to what is REALLY going on here.

P.P.S. - If you think all those girls are pretty, you should get out more. When you are representing a multi-million dollar company, believe me...they can make anyone look how they want. Hence the term "sell-out" comes into play.

- The Milk Man


Thanks for the support. I just don't understand people sometimes. If Sony has it, then it's an option that can't be lived without. And if Sony cuts it, then it's a stupid, worthless option that wasn't needed, regardless of what was previously said. I would buy a PS3...if not for the fact that my Xbox 360 is currently running just fine for me and cost me alot less to purchase. And I didn't even have to camp out for it at all. I'm not a pro-Microsoft person either, or Nintendo for that matter. I just like games, and I think that's the one thing Sony has lost sight of all together.

-Optimus Prime

Okay. I just HAVE to ask you: How many threads do you intend to spam today? Do I really need to point out the bitter irony of a SONY fanboy asking "They promised it! Where is it? Huh? You SUCK!"?

Sony promised the PS3 would ring in the "HD era." That was a bold statement, but acceptable corporate crap. Since then, however, they have stated the PS3 will "support 57 players on the same screen with FREE online service. It will also cook toast, make the bed, do your dishes, AND get you a woman." It's too bad you bought into that last one so much....

But anyway, of all the companies that have made promises, Sony has proven themselves to be a corporation founded on and expanded on nothing but pure vapor-ware and lies. Before this new generation of consoles, I have never seen such stupid people. And that's just my honest feelings on it. If I were buying a car, and I walked onto the car lot and the sales rep told me, "You're buying this car. It's overpriced, it has no features, and comes in two models: With or without wheels. You're going to buy it because our name is on it and we said so. You are an idiot who is incapable of making your own decisions. We don't feel privileged that you chose to shop here at all because we KNEW you would. You simply can't go to any other lot because we are the shit. That's all there is to it.", I would go elsewhere and laugh in their face. But somehow, someway, you guys get told that the company you support doesn't want your support, they don't like you, they'll sell their products because their name is on it, and you can shut the (expletive deleted) up and take it in the face, and STILL, you line up to pay $600 for a big black piece of plastic packed full of unproven technology and built on lies and deceipt. I don't understand it at all. There are multiple options open for a similar game experience without the cash expense. However, I guess some people just LOVE Sony's logo.

Get a clue.

- Optimus Prime

I don't know about anyone else, but music and sound mean alot to me when I play video games. If I'm playing a really good racing game and the soundtrack has some sort of bopper-techno CRAP going on in the background, it isn't going to hold my attention.

I have noticed, however, how you are part of a certain group of people who try to "debunk" and downplay everything negative about PS3. If Sony announced today that the PS3 didn't even play games and was nothing but a Blu-Ray player, I can already hear you saying, "Who cares? Who needs video games on a video game system? Stop grasping at straws, Joystiq!!"

Maybe you should start "grasping" at reality, open your eyes, and realize that Sony really couldn't care less about you or anyone else. The amount of launch units they have allocated certainly speaks volumes about how much they don't care. But then, under your logic, what does that matter? Who needs a PS3 when you can just come on Joystiq and defend a company that is doing absolutely nothing except giving you the shaft?

Stop grasping for ways to validify your purchase of a PS3 and just buy it if you want. They are counting on people like yourself to do just that and keep them afloat.

This dose of harsh reality has been proudly brought to you by Silent Scream. Wake up, stop being a corporate tool, and start playing some games.

As a side note...yeah...nowhere NEAR first post...lol. :P

First Post!! (maybe)

Am I the only person who could care less about 1080p? I'm just not that much of a stickler for picture quality. I'm perfectly happy with the image I get right now on my 46" HDTV. I was happy with the image I got on my 20" Magnavox 10-year-old TV as well.

Honestly, I think the only reason console makers are making such a big issue out of 1080p is because they KNOW their games are lacking. Yeah, I know. Now I'm going to get hammered by pretty much everyone...but I'm just not blown away by the software offerings out there YET.