Eric

I think the problem is competition, or more specifically lack thereof. I have continually detested their NHL series since it hit the 32bit era, but competition (2k) has forced them to up the ante and I think that EA's NHL 2008 is the best hockey sim I've ever played - I play the game for real and I want to be able to bring that to my videogame experience and you can in this years' NHL. I'd like to options to customize my breakout and regroup, but other than that the game is nearly perfect.

I cannot stand Madden, I prefered the 2K series since the Dreamcast and when people finally took notice of it (2K5) EA bought the license instead of pushing the product forward. And Live has never been good as a sim, it took a petition from its' fans to get the series back on track.

People get tired of the same old thing and the only reason EA has to innovate its' football products is a drop in sales beacuse there is no competition. I won't but those games until I know it's not Madden '02 with a prettier face.

Dude, are you kidding? So what are you saying? That PS Network users are somehow more intrinsically polite than XB Live users? If a game like COD4 had twice as many players on it then your have more of a chance of running into a dickhead. I don't need a scientific formula to recognize common sense. SOCOM, which was easily the most widely played online game on the PS2 had tons of jerks. Maybe you've been unlucky, who knows? I also don't run away after five minutes because someone's got a smart mouth; maybe you need thicker skin. Have you ever played competitive sports? If I skated away from the crease every time a defenseman cross checked me in the back and told me never to come back or he'd rape my mother I would never have played a full period.

If someone's a real dick I just mute 'em, then beat their ass at the game; and like I stated , the nature of Live lets you build a friends list and consistently game with people you know and like. I play Top Spin with guys from Australia, NHL with my buddy in Missouri, and plenty of other games with people both local and nationwide. I don't encounter many issues because I either don't let it bother me, use the mute button, or play with people I know.

Hey Shep,

Sorry for your experiences but the simple fact is that more players equals more assholes. My overall experience has been great, I have a solid community of friends from all over the world I game w/ on XB Live and that definitely minimizes my experiences w/ the douchebags out there; and when they do show up we usually rip them as a group and no big deal. I game avidly on XB Live and have had no problems with reporting and have a five star rating - and although I don't do it actively I am not adverse to talking trash and trying to get under someone skin to get them off their game. (Note: no racist or homophobic comments needed to do that).

The fact of life is Shep that anonymity and microphones equates to jerks coming out of the woodwork and I can't believe for a second that the PS Network won't have the same problem as the community increases. You want assholes? Try playing any SOCOM or Madden on the PS2. And when they show up you can't blame the network for it.

My point to Stu was that XB Live is simply the standard for online console gaming by a wide, wide margin. The PS Network (mind you, I own the PS3) seems so bare bones comparatively that it's embarassing. And honestly, aside from watching movies (which it is excellent at) the system is never on. I was very disappointed with the PS Network and after exploring it XB Live seems that much better; it is in fact leagues beyond what Sony is doing.

p.s. Not to sound petty, but I was right about DMC4 which you swore would never come out on the the 360. And for the record, so will MGS4. No way Konami ignores that install base.

Hey Stu,

Honestly, I own a ps3 and let me tell you how wrong you are. Uncharted was technically solid but didn't have a single original idea in it, it copied Gears - but not as visceral, Tomb Raider - without the exploration, and Prince of Persia - without the creativity. Ratchet (and I'm a big fan of the series) good but does not 'crucify' anything (Galaxy was much, much better), and Warkawk? Please. COD4 and Halo 3 killed that game. I'm really disappointed with system, the online is barren compared to Live, and the only game I want for it is Hot Shots Golf (Love that series!)

It's a good movie player. That is all I use it for. 360 FTW.

@Vince UK

So what? I've been on XB Live since its' inception and the service has been phenomonal. The only noticable hiccup I've encountered was what you referenced, and even then it wasn't bad - just slower to log on than usual; and given that the service has been flooded with new users I have no problem with it - plus I'm getting a free arcade game.

I own a PS3 and I've got to say the PS Network is barren in features and users compared to XB Live. $50 is a pittance to pay for the ease of use and comprehensive features.

You get what you pay for.

The PS Network is free! Getting what you pay for much?

props for the Ghostbusters reference

@zsavior

Sorry, I never saw shovelware crap like 'Chicken Hunt' on the ps2. It was an internet flash game ported to a console. Give an example of that kind of lowbrow content on the ps2. Granted, there were some horrible games on it, but a significant amount of Wii games seem to be falling into this category only one year into its' lifecycle. Props to EGM again for calling out a company that is letting that happen.

They were not 'all smiles' on Assasins' Creed, and after e3 they names it 'the game they were most worried about' after which Ubisoft let them do a more extended hands on preview where they stated they saw some improvement but remained underwhelmed. As for the Street Fighter preview they gave praise to what they've seen of the game so far because they actually played the game. It wasn't just a screen shot and glowing optimism - actually read the preview next time.

@beholdapalehorse

That Tretton interview was very pointed. They specifically tried to pin down Tretton on a specific time frame when the psNetwork would actually match xblive feature for feature, among other things like not including hd cables and such.

Citing GI as your gaming literature de riguer shows a fair amount of ignorance. Let's just say I work for a certain retailer that is strongly connected to the mag and games that the company pushes as big releases are never bashed in GI - think there's a conflict of interest there? In addition to that, their reviews will have could have an overall poor view of a game, but the score doesn't reflect it. Think that has anything to do with them making sure the metacritic review isn't affected and keeping the publisher (who give tons of cash to this retailer for in-store advertising) happy? GI, while not trash, is without question a vehicle for advertising games and giving them inflated scores to help the retail end of the operation make money. Not a coupon book? Guess you miss the quarterly buy2 used games get one free, and get an extra 10% on your trades at a certain retailer that GI is simply an extension of. But what would I know? I just run the place.

I've been reading EGM for years and they have been consistent in their stance on not bowing to pressure from publishers. They did in fact grill Jack Tretton the following year after the release of the PS3 and Reggie FilsAme refused to do an interview because he didn't like the questions EGM was going to pose.

I've been gaming a long time and I know that I don't have to take any review as gospel, especially if I am a fan of a particular genre and may enjoy a game despite significant flaws. These are editorial pieces and anyone reading them should be intelligent enough to filter those opinions through their own prefrences for their hobby. If Car and Driver comments that the Honda Accord wasn't great through a high G turn does that mean that Soccer Mom, USA shouldn't buy it?

I don't always agree with the reviews in EGM but I believe their editorial stance and integrity to have been consistent and in the service of the readers who love this hobby.

those numbers are from software revenue, genius. Not accessories and xb live subscriptions. Did you read the article before shooting your mouth off? I personally like the options MS has given, I didn't need the network adapter so I didn't spend $100 on it, I didn't need the hd-dvd add on so I didn't buy it. Any system for years now requires you to buy a second controller so that argument is stupid too. And $50 for xb live is well worth it. I got a PS3 this November and the PS Network is embarassingly barren in both features and users.

The 360 is hands down the best console right now. Period.