Xbox and PS2 battle it out for Online dominance, Gamecube sits in the cornerMar 03 '03 Write an essay on this topic.
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Now that the console “battle” has kind of settled down a little bit and the dust has cleared, another battle follows, only this time it’s for online gaming. It may seem like the PS2 kind of “hurried” online gaming along, but they actually didn’t as the Network Adapter was delayed many a time before (most likely due to the development of SOCOM, thank God they didn’t hurry that along, there’s already bugs in it). Xbox however, is really pushing for online console gaming with its Xbox Live Service, while Gamecube is being pulled along behind with the Dial-Up modem and Broadband adapter, not very willing to give online a chance. A lot of people aren’t really for console gaming, and most of that majority always use the “I’ve been playing online with my PC for yours now, online should stay on the computer.” Well, not trying to be disrespectful, but just please shut the hell up. You know, if I HAD a computer that could play games well, then I sure as hell would have been doing it already. But since it’s NOT, playing games online through the consoles is the only way I’m going to get to enjoy games with other people right now because 1) I am not going to pay 100’s of dollars every 6 months or so to keep my computer updated with RAM, graphics cards, sound cards, hard drives, or whatever else I may need, and 2) I don’t HAVE that kind of money to keep upgrading my PC. Many other people are in the exact same boat as I am, and we’re tired of many of the PC gamers who use that stupid arrogant, ignorant, and un-thoughtful excuse about their super cool computers being able to play all the new hotness. Whelp, I’m sorry, but mine’s going to stay old and busted, get it? Got it? Good. Now, before I bust an artery, I’m going to compare the three systems and their online capabilities, along with links to their respective reviews which go into much more detail on how to set-up and stuff like that. Playstation 2 Network Adapter - http://www.epinions.com/content_81988324996 Supports - Dial-up & Broadband Service - It took forever for Sony to finally release the Network Adapter, and when they finally did, it released with a bang in August as it released side by side with SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals. The Network Adapter contains both a v.90 modem for the dial-up users, and also an Ethernet port for those with broadband connections, so you don’t have to buy two separate adapters, and it costs $39.99. Depending on the game and also on what other connection types people are using, there is almost little to no lag in games that I’ve experienced which includes ATV Offroad Fury 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4, and Twisted Metal Black: Online, which are all three available to dial-up and broadband users both. SOCOM: U.S. Navy seals, which is for broadband users only, didn’t have quite as much trouble between it’s release and Christmas, but then once Christmas hit, so many people received the game for Christmas that it was literally IMPOSSIBLE to get online and join a game, and the lag was horrible. Now that a little time has been given for the server maintenance to smooth out a little bit, SOCOM, despite everything that’s happening in the game all at once, runs very smooth, and rarely has any lag. As of now, you do not have to pay to play any games online except for certain ones which are MMORPG’s, or Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game, that right now only includes Everquest Online Adventures and the future projected November 2003 release, Final Fantasy XI. Otherwise, all other games are free to play online, and you only have to pay the initial $39.99 for the Network Adapter, plus the fee for however much that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) costs. Games Available - SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals Twisted Metal Black: ONLINE (comes free with the purchase of a Network Adapter) ATV Offroad Fury 2 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 NFL 2k3 NBA 2k3 Madden NFL 2003 Everquest Online Adventures Future Games - Resident Evil Online My Street Midnight Club Street Racer 2 Auto Modellista Final Fantasy XI And many other un-announced titles... Xbox Live - http://www.epinions.com/content_82158325380 Supports - Broadband ONLY Service - The Xbox Live service is retailed at $49.99, and includes a one year free subscription. Once the first initial year is over, it’s unknown as to how much Xbox Live is going to charge and whether it’s going to be monthly, or if there will be subscriptions sold in bundles (3 months, 6 months, 1 year). Xbox Live is a broadband only service, so it sucks to be a gamer with an Xbox that doesn’t have broadband internet, because if they were interested in going online with their Xbox, they’re not going to be able to unless they get broadband. But, with this “prejudice” service, you get lots of lag free gaming. But then again, that may not be the case, because I have noticed a little bit of lag in Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO, and also Mech Assault, but nothing to really detract from the experience at all, so it wasn’t really that bad when you think about it. All of the games that are released for the Xbox live are taken care of under 50 dollar subscription that you paid for (when you bought Xbox Live), except for one, which is Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, which Sega has opted to have people pay an extra 7-8 dollar fee over the Xbox Live subscription fee. To me, this was a really STUPID move, because that’s making people pay 7-8 more dollars more than they need to. But then again, the ability to communicate directly to who you’re playing with by way of the Xbox Communicator, it might even be worth that 7-8 extra dollars. What makes the Xbox Live the um... “better” or “premium” service, is because of the Communicator. It allows you to talk to other people in ALL of the games, rather than just one like on the PS2 (SOCOM), and the quality is almost that of a fully charged telephone with a perfect reception coming in. Also because of the Hard drive, developers have opted for new levels, modes, characters, etc. to be downloaded to the hard drive from Xbox Live for certain games, which include games like Mech Assault, Splinter Cell, and Toejam and Earl 3. Also look for other games to take advantage of downloadable content. Games Available - Mech Assault Ghost Recon Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO Halo (through xbxconnect or another service) NFL Fever 2003 NFL 2k3 Unreal Championship Future Games - Halo 2 Doom III (rumored) Battlefield 1942 (most likely) Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 True Fantasy Live Online And many other un-announced titles... Gamecube Dial-Up Modem & Broadband Adapter - http://www.epinions.com/content_87115992708 (Dial-Up) & http://www.epinions.com/content_86352039556 (Broadband) Supports - Dial-Up & Broadband Service - Wait, wait...service and Gamecube, should never be in the same sentence at one time. Nintendo hasn’t ever showed any interest in taking the Gamecube online, and although silently releasing the dial-up modem and broadband adapter, for the OPTION of games going online, they’re still very against taking the Gamecube online. The only game available for Gamecube right now, Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, is at least a good one to start the console out on. Whether playing with Broadband or a 56k modem, the game played very smoothly, and I found that there was little to no lag at all, no matter what I was doing. Nintendo’s “service,” will be left up to developers as to whether or not they want to charge any extra money for the game, or if they even WANT to make a game for the Gamecube, and when/IF Nintendo ever releases any of their gold mines online, there will be no fee for the games. Games Available - Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 **cricket sound** Future Games - Mario Kart ONLINE Pikmin 2 ONLINE Mario Party ONLINE Mario Golf ONLINE Mario Tennis ONLINE Animal Crossing ONLINE And any other game that Nintendo decides to bring online, if that ever happens... Final Verdict Whelp, in case you were un-educated on the three consoles and their current “race” for online dominance (I know, I know, the computer will always rule online, shut up already, I’ve heard it a million times, I don’t care anymore), you now know a little bit more about each one. Now if there were a service that I would pick as the best overall, I’d have to say Nintendo. Yes, they are quite absent of a “service” right now, but Nintendo is being very careful when it comes to taking the Gamecube online, and they’re just making sure that it will be profitable, and not ultimately non-profitable in the long run. Nintendo is thinking ahead, and although the PS2 and Xbox are doing good with their consoles online right now, Nintendo’s just taking it slow...slow and steady, that’s the way to go. happy gaming  |
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