Microsoft Press Conference: Stream & Discussion - Page 3

Angrist · 06-01-2009, 06:11 PM

Yeah sounds like it. That's not a bad thing of course, I think Nintendo is doing that with DSi, Wii online, etc.

I really want to see more of this tech. The Milo thing was neat, but I wonder how advanced the AI can be. In any game. There's a reason we never talk about chatbots anymore.

KillerGremlin · 06-01-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakABone

Well that's a nifty little service.

STEAM did it first! thank heavens for the guys who invented steam...what a wonderful service that has become.

Bond · 06-01-2009, 08:29 PM

Okay, could we get a celebrity count at the conference?

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Felicia Day, Steven Spielberg.

Am I missing anyone?

DarkMaster · 06-01-2009, 09:05 PM

Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Lennon? If you count them.

So I'm guessing that Mass Effect 2 will be on the PS3 as well now? Seems like the only reason it wouldn't be shown at this conference. Not that I care, really.

Bond · 06-01-2009, 09:08 PM

It's possible, I suppose, but so far it is only for the 360 and PC.

Bond · 06-01-2009, 09:12 PM

High quality photos from the conference:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/majorne...7619114287452/

BreakABone · 06-01-2009, 09:18 PM

Tony Hawk, Joel McHale, James Cameron, Pete Sampras.

Angrist · 06-02-2009, 04:13 AM

The conf started out pretty boring, with all that Beatles stuff. And all those guest appearances, what were they good for?

Gaah, was I the only one who thought the Modern Warfare 2 demo was incredibly boring?

I guess I just don't get Final Fantasy. There's this huge, awesome monster, and what do you do? You stand still, waiting your turn to attack.

I just want to grab my sword and run in.

Joy Ride, finally something that might provide a Mario Kart experience on Xbox.

Wait, Left 4 Dead 2 won't be out for PC????? Or when they said 'only on 360', they meant concoles only? That's lame.

Lol, did that Forza 3 guy really say '1 button driving'? PSTW!!

Movie maker option sounds nice, but how are we ever going to make something like the demo shown?

Am I the only one who thinks the camera is a bit scary? It can follow you through the room... When the girl was trying on a new dress, her trousers suddenly disappear and she has bare legs under the dress. Did she let the game scan her in underwear? And what if she wants to try on a bikini or underwear?

The ricochet game looks boring. Instead of waggle, it's just waving your arms and legs.
Hah, the painting guy walked off the stage as if he was really really ashamed of his painting (and his game).

I wonder if Natal can detect subtle movements, like twists of your hands. And at the price of $200, I wonder if we ever get big games that utilize it. It would be nice to have an adventure game that uses it, but will enough people buy the technology?

Professor S · 06-02-2009, 01:16 PM

Natal sounds great, if it works, and with stuff like motion detection thats a big if.

As for Steam... F&%K STEAM. If I lose my internet connection I can't play my goddamn game!

Angrist · 06-02-2009, 01:22 PM

Lol, that's not true. I've banned my internet for 4 months and I could still play Steam games.

KillerGremlin · 06-02-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

Natal sounds great, if it works, and with stuff like motion detection thats a big if.

As for Steam... F&%K STEAM. If I lose my internet connection I can't play my goddamn game!

There's an offline mode so as long as you have it installed you can play any single player game offline....

I often buy hard copies because they are cheaper and then register them on STEAM so I can install them from wherever. The way I see it, STEAM can be the best of both worlds. And with deals like the Orange Box for 9.99...hard to dispute.

Don't see how any other online content system would be different or improved from STEAM. In fact I know STEAM is better than xbox360 because buying PC hard drive real estate doesn't cost ass raping amounts like the marked up 360 hard drives. (You can buy your own 120gig hard drive and format it for the 360 though).

Professor S · 06-02-2009, 01:48 PM

Hmmm, perhaps it's my own technological illiteracy. I tried to play Empire: TW offline one time and it wouldn't let me. I just don't like the idea of having to answer to someone every time I want to play a game, regardless if there is some setting that allows it.

KillerGremlin · 06-02-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

Hmmm, perhaps it's my own technological illiteracy. I tried to play Empire: TW offline one time and it wouldn't let me. I just don't like the idea of having to answer to someone every time I want to play a game, regardless if there is some setting that allows it.

Hmmm...that's strange. I'm not denying your claim, it is possible that the game needs some form of online verification. =/

One major drawback to online content distribution is what happens if the online company fades away. People who bought DRM-encrypted MP3s from Walmart had to recode all their MP3s when Walmart changed stores. This is one major drawback with DRM/online distribution. What happens if Valve goes under? Or decides they don't want to fund the servers distributing a 10-year old game. It does indeed suck that you have to answer to someone if you want to play your game.

I've always been a huge fan of physical media. Having a physical copy means A) you physically own it and no one can tell you otherwise or take that away from you, B) you can resell it.

I know with games like Half-Life STEAM lets you play in offline mode. However it might lock you out if game is not updated. This was one complaint people had with Half-Life 2.

You basically do need an active Internet connection to update or play a lot of the games, and a broadband one at that. So I think physical media trumps online media for sure.

But I'd check on the web anyway, just in case. Seems odd that STEAM would lock you out of your single player game like that. That is what the offline mode is supposed to resolve.

Online distribution has its pros and cons. =/

manasecret · 06-02-2009, 04:48 PM

Project Natal looks amazing. That guy on GameTrailers Bonus Round brought up a good point about the problem of no controller -- assuming the accuracy is there, you can then incorporate any real life item into the game. It may still need buttons, but maybe it's so accurate it can see you pulling a trigger? And maybe it's accurate enough to pull off the Red Steel 2 type sword fighting with any ol' stick you have laying around.

I think something with buttons will probably be needed for many games. But that's old tech and can be easily added.

It's still early, and I think this will be more of a next-gen thing for Microsoft. But I am damn glad someone is giving Nintendo a run for their money. It cements motion control as a real-deal for the future, and it creates competition.

How awesome would a combination of the Wiimote and Natal be?

Angrist · 06-02-2009, 04:52 PM

A combination of all 3 technologies, that would be awesome.
Except Sony's is just an in-between mix of the 2 others. So yeah, you're right, a combo of Wiimote+ and Natal.

Oh and don't forget Nintendo's awesome finger scanner. Oh and the Virtual Boy. And power glove.