Titanio said:
True, but it wasn't really a new idea. It was taking a bit of dreamcast, a lot of PS2, a lot of refining, et voila.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's totally derivative, just more derivative of others' work than the other two.
The original Xbox also was less derivative with the standard hard disk in every system.
Everything that is successful seems obvious in hindsight. Prior to PS2's announcement, there was much doubt and scepticism over whether a DVD drive would be included or not.
It's application to date perhaps, but the technology is very forward looking. And it's already bearing an influence (Nintendo themselves cited it in the run-up to Revolution's unveiling).
My main point is this: it is disappointing to see Allard, and moreover his cheerleaders, scoff or express sarcasm at the vision of others who's previous vision and "dreaming" has had far greater impact on the industry than anything he has done to date. An industry in which everyone thought like this would go nowhere very quickly.
I dunno then maybe its just my perception. I remember when the PS2 came out and i first heard it would have a DVD drive i thought "well cool, but of course it will." I dont know what discussions were happening behind the scenes but as just a consumer it seemed obvious and evolutionary to me(and the fact that it almost DIDNT have a DVD drive was probably over cost more than anything, not some doubt as to whether the public was ready for the 'vision'?)
To me the MOST important evolutionary steps to the console was the first optical disc. Cheaper, high capacity media really made it much easier for developers to get into the game without having to worry about manufacturing cartridges. I Think it exploded the quality AND quantity of games available and grew the market tremendously. (A close second place for growing the market was Madden football for the genesis IMO.
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The second has been the move to 3d but that was more of an evolution of gaming as a whole.
EDIT: As far as the HD goes, yeah it was the first console to do it but to me, it was more about performance rather than a vision of changing the gaming experience. I think it was obvious to me, and most, early on that Blinx, while 'neat', was not revolutionizing console gaming as we know it. (It didnt btw
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The next idea, from any console has made me go "ahh thats a good idea", XBL. I knew it would probably be problematic early on but i really respected the fact that it was obvious there would be a need in 3 years in the console space and that they were pushing it ahead in the face of early adversity. (Also, knowing MS' background, XBL is more obviously a derivative of the exploding online PC space then it was of the dreamcast.) One service/login for all games, just what the CONSOLE gamer needs.
After knowing what i know now about the new XBL and "my xbox" its clear that were way ahead of their time and every subsequent online service will be derivative of this, though ill wait until we see another service before i make that statement officially.
When you line up all three companies this generation the company that is impacting the GAMING experience most, imo, is MS. Everything else aside, if you focus on just the gaming experience, the new XBL will imact everything you do playing games. They are truly building a 'community' that will extend past just ths console and gives gamers the most convenient way to share gaming experiences together. To me, thats vision.
And another piece of it, not be discounted, is XBL arcade which now seems to ahve a great library of both retro games and new titles that appeal to a MUCH broader demographic. Will my wife play MGS4? No, most definitely not. Will she get hooked on hexic3d? Very possibly (she likes fusion frenzy alot). Will she see other friends of ours online and chat with them? Ya i think so. Expanding the market into these areas is, imo, vision. Seeing how people that are not gamers engage in games, and the gaming community is visionary.
I dont see anythign on the PS3 that has that level of vision. Yes it has great hardware, can play HD movies, but how is it pushing the GAMING experience forward? As for the eyetoy, i'll believe americans want to get off their couches en masse when i see it (region specific comment).
Nintendo is a tough one for me. But ive kind of settled on the same thing that nintendo themselves have. Theres my 2nd console. (figure of speech, i'm sure i'll own all three). I dont think theyre pushing the gaming vision as much because i think they know that the controller provides an 'alternate' exerience, and doesnt necessarily expand the market or grow the market. Ya maybe my wife would think that a fishing game with the controller is neat but i think the novelty for each of these games wears off after a relatively short time so there needs to be a continuous stream of original ideas to keep the controller idea 'hot'.
Overall i think we'll agree to disagree on this one as its probably relative to what the individual person places the most importance on.
