Ces 2010

Anybody notice the dev screens when they were testing out Natal? Pretty neat, but not sure if there was anything in there that was new.

The Game Room thing could be neat, but I missed parts of the CES video(not the trailer, already seen that). There's a charge for the games right? and there's achievements right? friends can visit your Arcade, but can they play your games for free? I somehow doubt it. Either way, I don't think it will pull me away from Live Arcade & Indie Games. Unless they have plans to do some social gaming like Facebook games. That might be why they named it Game Room instead of Retro whatever. Oh,

Found out it's being done by Krome Studios. I don't think it will be more than just an emulator service. :( At least it's coming to Games for Windows. Probably be the first title to bring avatars to Windows.

Tommy McClain
 
obonicus said:
But regardless, CES continues to be boring as hell for videogame news (maybe even boring in general).
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I look to E3 for gaming and general electronics for CES. Gaming doesn't need 2 shows...There's a sprinkle of gaming but can't expect too much.
 
Gaming has several 2nd tier to E3 shows bigger (for gaming news) than CES. Notably Gamescom, which kind of made a bid to become a lightweight European E3 last year, and GDC.

That said I dont recall any gaming news coming out of CES past, and this time we got several tidbits ( MS's game room, etc.)
 
Lightweight E3?

By scale, Gamescom is the biggeset conference of them all, albeit with the weakest keynotes usually, as all big guns are fired at either E3 or TGS.
 
Pricing & features on Game Room...

It is free to download “Game Room,” which you can then populate with classic arcade games available for individual purchase. Buy games once and play on both an Xbox 360 system and a Windows-based PC for 400 Microsoft Points. Or, to purchase a game for only one platform, each individual Xbox 360 or Windows-based PC title is 240 Microsoft Points. You also have the option to pay to play a single game, just like dropping two quarters in the slot in the old arcades, for 40 Microsoft Points. Visit your friends’ “game rooms” and try their games free before you buy.

“Game Room” Specifications
• One or two players
• HDTV 1080p
• In-game Dolby Digital
• Voice chat
• Avatar support
• Online multiplayer (one or two players)*
• Cross-platform leader boards
• Cross-platform Achievements
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240MSP($3) & acheivements? Looks like they will be fighting XBLIG at that price point & will probably win. The 40MSP for a single play is definitely interesting. Might be a setup for more time-based pay-to-play games.

BTW, it looks like they also announced 2 new XBLA titles: Toy Soldiers & Scrap Metal.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/Materials.aspx

And when did Alan Wake become episodic? Or have I just not been paying attention? LOL

Tommy McClain
 
Dr Evil said:
Episodic in a way that the story is told similar to TV-episodes, but it's not episodic in a way that the episodes are sold separately.
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Hmm. Could have sworn I heard Microsoft say something about exclusive episodic content for the 360 in their keynote.

Tommy McClain
 
Both presentations weren't good from a gaming perspective, but as general consumer product they were ok. The 3D stuff is a lot more interesting to me after having seen avatar, but I have no interest in shutter glasses, and have no interest in being an early adopter. 3D is probably 3+ years out for me.
 
I heard something on n4g.
That said something about natal dropping its internal chip and take a software road by taking some resources from the 360 processor.
 
obonicus said:
Engadget has Sony's keynote:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/live-from-sonys-ces-2010-press-event/

Not much PS stuff. Sony Network Entertainment Inc. announced, the SD thing (maybe PSP-4000 will support SDHC? Haha.)

And now it's over. 3d 3d 3d 3d.
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The most important announcement is the consolidation of their network effort (1 company instead of 3 separate departments). We have been saying that for 3 years.

The cross platform media access may tie back to the cloud DRM discussion.

They should also consider spinning off PS home to the new unit. And that Game Room concept reminds me of the Namco Arcade Room in Playstation Home. :)
 
AzBat said:
Hmm. Could have sworn I heard Microsoft say something about exclusive episodic content for the 360 in their keynote.

Tommy McClain
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Everything I've read elsewhere speaks of DLC that will be TV-like episodic future content. Which brings back the chicken or the egg argument (or perhaps the crippled vs full featured argument) about DLC.

If you've planned DLC prior to the release of the actual game, does that mean you've stripped content from the core game... - or just that you've done some long range planning?

As far as the Game Room thing goes, it might be interesting. Is it set up like Netflix parties are? MST3K style where you watch your avatars watching movies? That might give it a different twist and an old fashioned arcade feel.

Otherwise, I don't see the difference or the 'hook'.
 
RancidLunchmeat said:
Everything I've read elsewhere speaks of DLC that will be TV-like episodic future content. Which brings back the chicken or the egg argument (or perhaps the crippled vs full featured argument) about DLC.

If you've planned DLC prior to the release of the actual game, does that mean you've stripped content from the core game... - or just that you've done some long range planning?

As far as the Game Room thing goes, it might be interesting. Is it set up like Netflix parties are? MST3K style where you watch your avatars watching movies? That might give it a different twist and an old fashioned arcade feel.

Otherwise, I don't see the difference or the 'hook'.
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Ahh, it is DLC. The way they were making it seem was that the whole story was episodic, not just the future content.

As for the Game Room, I agree having the Netflix-type party thing would be neat. However, all the docs say is that your friend can come over to check out your room & try your games for free. That itself doesn't sound so appealing. Though the 40MSP per play sounds interesting if you could conceivably get all(or the majoity) of the achievements in one play. Beats paying 240MSP & one play through & never playing it again.

More details from the one sheet...

Challenge friends to beat your high score by sending custom challenges and taunts across platforms, earn Achievements, unlock levels and climb your way to the top of universal leader boards. Compete in ranked mode, in which you play against other Xbox LIVE members on the world leader board, or challenge mode, in which you take turns playing a game.* “Game Room” also offers local Couch Play mode for up to two players
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Sending custom challenges & the challenge mode sounds cool.

Tommy McClain
 
Sure, that site only contains the arcade skins though. I think there are others that has a functioning 3D virtual arcade. In Playstation Home, you have a common avatar across games, plus chatting capability. The Namco Musuem is essentially a roomful of arcades (You have to buy the PSN arcade games or download the free demoes).

I think you can also put other arcade units in your own apartment and clubhouse(s) where friends can visit upon your invitation. The Home leaderboard was added one or two releases ago. However, the first time we hear about betting on PSN (not just Home) is their survey for PSN subscription.

I see they have a Celeb for the presentation (Taylor Swift ?). This time she's singing, so no damage done. ^_^

EDIT: Ah, MS is going to charge for 2 quarters per arcade session. The microtransaction system should complement their other per-game purchase model. In Home, they have started microtransaction model with SodiumOne too (Just last month !).
 
Sounds like GameRoom is what Home should've been -- simple, no-nonsense and easy access to video games in a virtual environment.

I hope they don't adopt Home's ingenious "queue up to play virtual video games" feature.
 
Yap, you have to queue up to play free games in Home (Different model from the GameRoom).

If you pay to play the games (like the Namco Arcade Musuem), there is no queuing. ^_^
In fact, it is a regular PSN game. For no-nonsense gaming, you can start the game directly from XMB. For some in-Home arcade machines, you can put them in your own apartment. Home has its severe flaws, but it is deeper than most people think, especially after SodiumOne has released.

The $#&$#&* inconsistent UI obscured and degraded some of its niceness. There are also games in Home that are not arcade based.

EDIT: Actually, I think if a game is funded, you may not need to queue. e.g., RedBull Air Race is sponsored by RedBull. I don't remember I need to queue for it, but I could be wrong here.
 
Hands-on with Game Room...


Now that doesn't look too bad. Will be neat to check out.

Tommy McClain
 
More Game Room details...

- Pricing should be $2-3 dollars per game per system or $5 for both versions of the game. You can literally log in while you at work just to beat someone’s score.

- They eventually want to emulate all games. Yep, every single arcade and classic console game ever made. Think of Virtual Console on steroids. They mentioned their interest in Dreamcast emulation as well. They want to get the product out first and then start beefing up the library after they see how well it does.

- It’s not only for Gold members. The service is free to Gold and Silver members, you only have to pay for the games.

- Games will have achievements. Games from the fucking 80’s will have ACHIEVEMENTS!!

- If you don’t own a certain game and your friend who does own it challenges you, you can play it one time for free.

- Even though there is a ranking mode that updates to Xbox Live leaderboards, you still get to post high scores on your personal arcade and only your friends can beat them. If one of your friends beats your high score, it will show on a banner above the game so you’ll know exactly which games you should play.
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http://www.thebitbag.com/2010/01/07/dreamcast-in-the-works-for-microsofts-gameroom/

Another impression with a video, but absolutely terrible audio...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ht...2010737287_ces_xbox_game_room_demo_-_the.html

Tommy McClain
 
Cool, I :love: the focus on deep arcade experience (and the retro-gaming folks). The target is very specific. Hope to see the Home team upgrade their facility as well ! Would be great if they can incorporate PSP Minis into the environment too.
 
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