Online Gaming

[Joeiss]

Alright. I want to know which platform has the best strategy for online gaming. However, I only really know Sony's plans, well, because I only have a PS2. So, for the PS2, you need to buy the modem (price of a game). Then, other costs are up to the people who make the games. Most of the first party games are free I believe, and so are a few other flagship titles.

So, can somebody please explain Xbox's and GCN's online strategy/plans (eg. modem price, monthly or yearly fees). Thanks a lot. Because online gaming is going to be sweet. And I want the best system for it.

Oh, also, if somebody can list be some sweet games for whatever system that will be online. Spanks!

[GameKinG]

XBox I guess...I heard Sony is using a slow modem for their server.

[BlueFire]

PC!


Er...XBox is supposed to be purdy damn good.

[gekko]

I'll attempt to post this in a way where I won't get into a 3 page flame war with Justin:

PlayStation 2

Plan
- Buy the modem/BBA for $40
- Buy the HD later if needed for games
- Sony allows 3rd parties to do it all themself

Highs
- Online now (using USB modem)
- Free online play for certain games
- 56K Support so more people can play

Lows
- Most expensive hardware
- Developers can change what they want for online fees
- Some games will be BB only, defeating the purpose of having 56K

GameCube

Plan so far at least
- Buy a modem or a BBA for $35
- Third parties free to go online
- Nintendo will create their own network when they are ready (profit reasons)

Highs
- Best PSO
- 56K Support

Lows
- Very few online titles

Xbox

Xbox is the only one with a real plan, so I'll have more to comment on. Not bashing Xbox here...

Plan
- Xbox Live Starter kit required for online play ($50, includes headset, ReVolt by Acclaim, and one year of service)
- $10 a month once your first year is up
- One user id for all your games
- Stat tracking
- Friends features
- XBL service works between games (message someone playing PSO and ask to join your game of NFL 2K3)
- Headset support for all games

Highs
- Stat tracking
- Everyone will own a headset
- Most online games
- Very affordable

Lows
- Developers reserve the right to add their own fees on top of Xbox Live. So to play PSO, you need to buy the XBL Starter Kit, subscribe to that, and then subscribe to PSO.
- No supported keyboard input for messaging your friends, lobby chats, games where the headset doesn't really fit (MMORPGs come to mind), and at 3am when you have strep throat and would rather not talk through the damn thing.
- No ability to change your name for each game. So no VikingsOwnzj00 on NFL 2K3 and WildOwnzj00 on NHL 2K3.
- 3rd parties can't use their own servers
- No support for 56K users

Now the problem I have with Xbox Live is mainly with the damn headset. As a developer, I'd like to choose whether I want to support the headset or not. Like I mentioned before, I don't consider the headset the greatest way to chat in all the games, and I definetly don't think you'll enjoy it too much when you want to send a message to your friend and you type using the on screen keyboard. Not to mention this rules out any lobby chats, and so on. I know MS is trying to push the headset, because otherwise no one will support it, and I understand. But they should never force developers to support it, and the keyboard is still a necessity for a good online experience. It'll take you 30 minutes to register for Xbox Live using the on screen keyboard.

Also, on PSO, if Sonic Team didn't constantly path their servers and keep up the maintenance, PSO would've become unplayable. When MS has all control on the servers, I see that as a potential problem. While Microsoft providing the servers is appealing in a lot of situations for developers because it won't cost them more money, it could potentially pose as a problem for PSO and other games.

But now if MS added keyboard support, I would have less complaints. MS still has the best online plan, and will have the most online games. So in that aspect, I won't complain right now. I'd rather have a deep hatred for MS and their on-screen keyboard they love so much while I play 50 games online by the end of next year, than be playing only a couple games on Gamecube with keyboard support. Although PSO for GC is better than all Xbox Live titles combined, seriously, PSO ownz.

[Joeiss]

Thank you, gekko. All is clear for me now.

I would love to get an Xbox for Xbox Live, but, my parents are stupid when it comes to buying things online (or paying extra cash to go online).

With Sony, I will be able to pay for the modem, then that is it (this is because I probably will not be buying the games that have monthly fees). The bad part about this is that some of the great games might cost monthly payments (GTA4 better not!). But for now, I will be happy playing SOCOM, Madden 2003 and THPS3 online with no extra fees.

With MicroSoft, I can see the fees building up right now. $120 for every additional year! Plus the possibility of paying more per game. But that is fine for me, because I will not be buying those games anyways. Xbox has some very attractive online games that I would really want to get, but the problem is, I still do not even have an Xbox game console. An Xbox, 3 games and 3 years of online play would cost me $952 Canadian. I really don't want to pay this much.


Thanks again gekko for making this clear.

[gekko]

Something I didn't notice before, when you buy the PS2 modem you get a coupon that you can mail-in for a free copy of Twisted Metal Black Online.

As with Xbox, not all games will charge additional fees, it's just you don't think any should when you're already paying Microsoft. Most of the games should still fall under the Xbox Live fee.

And if you play online games often, $10 a month is well worth it.

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by gekko
Something I didn't notice before, when you buy the PS2 modem you get a coupon that you can mail-in for a free copy of Twisted Metal Black Online.

Where did you read that? Because that is pretty sweet. It will probably turn out like it is a demo of Twisted Metal Black, though .

And if you play online games often, $10 a month is well worth it.

Oh, I agree that it is worth it. And I mean, if third parties do not charge extra (assuming that MS pays them some for money that they do not gain from charging to play on line, because of Xbox Live) it is damn worth it. The only problem is my parents. They do not like me spending money on things like this, even if it is my money. And I can't write checks or anything, so my parents would have to probably.