[gekko]

But then considering not many people play online, and even fewer will want the HD for that price, it really makes no difference.

For the majority of PS2 owners, they really won't give a damn. PS2 is going online slowly, but surely. Xbox isn't going any faster and that was basically built around online play.

Funny, I guess nintendo was the only one who actually saw a Dreamcast. Dreamcast came out and it had the best graphics anyone had ever seen, sweet ass games, and it allowed everyone to go online from Day 1. It's not the developers needed time cause they just got the online info. they had it right from the start, the network was up and running the second i brought it home. Well guess what? Slowly games started taking advantage of it, but not many. Even the ones that did never really got that great of a turnout. Aside from PSO, which had it's following for months, the other games never really did so well, and there never were too many games that actually took advantage of the online features.

Now Sony is going online, and you can see it's improving, but it doesn't look good. It's looking too costly, and I don't see FFXI being the next Ultima Online. Then there's Xbox which had been built around going online, and all they have is plans. they think what's going to help them again? Unreal Championship? Come on! Unreal is a PC game, and with Unreal 2 and Unreal Tournament 2003 coming out on PC this year, where online gaming is much more accepted, that's not going to mean a thing.

Online console gaming is a new thing, but frankly, I don't think it's ready for this generation. It looks like it will follow DC's path, just get going and then it's over. We need games built specifically for online that are going to get players to hook up their console online. Games like PSO do that, but it's kinda come and gone, and I don't think the ports will bring it back to life. FFXI has that potential, but I doubt anyone's going to pay. They should've waited until FFXII, and if people loved the first one, then charge. Basically all they're doing now is limiting the number of players.

I don't see online gaming making it anywhere until we get more games that are character developing games. Games like PSO are perfect, but look at the PC and they have so many more. Consoles need games where players can keep coming back, connecting, and building a better character, without getting sick of the game. Without that, throwing in Madden and Unreal is great, but it won't get anywhere.

One big problem is that PC gamers are on average, older. Console gamers are younger kids who don't have their own PC lying around, cause it's a lot more expensive. PCs are hooked up to the internet, so install your game and go. Consoles aren't, so most people are stuck dragging it over to their phone jack, or router, and then finding a TV and moving it over their too. Trust me, it's not the greatest thing in the world. I go from playing PSO on an HDTV to a little 13" TV. See the problem?

What I hope happens is that MS, Sony, and Nintendo start planning their new systems now. Start making their next systems work for online gaming. In the meantime, start making online games. I'm not talking Halo online and that crap, I mean true online games. Look at Diablo 2, it's how old now? People are still playing it constantly. We need some RPGs like that, where players will continue to find new rare items, and build their character, and have it server based so it can be updated over time.

I agree with Bond, Xbox would be the best console for online gaming. Ok, so he never said that in this thread, but I know it's his opinion on the matter. The HD and built in ethernet support would make it great. But the thing is, it's great games that make the online experience, not hardware. PSO was great on DC with 128kb mem cards. Xbox is really the best because of one thing, it's a PC in a box. But that brings up the question, why not just play on a PC then?

Online console gaming: Move your console to the nearest ethernet port. hook it up. Move your TV and speakers. Find a place to put your keyboard, because you have to chat, and most people have no place for a keyboard by their TV. Then hook up, and play. Not as many possibilities without level builders and mods, however updates are possible.

Online PC gaming: Sit down at your PC, and go. Keyboard is easy to reach, mouse is easy to reach. Already connected to the internet, sound and video in place. Can easy download levels and mods, install expansion packs. Also have level builders, and stuff.

If I was a developer, I would see the most potential profit in the PC world. sure Mario Kart online and stuff would be hella fun, but I don't think we'll ever see the true online gaming experience we have on PC. Not until wireless networking is more common, and you can have a hub for your consoles.