PSX5Central
Playstation/Gaming Discussions => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: tHe GaMe on June 12, 2001, 04:13:06 PM
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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has expressed concern over Xbox’s broadband future, stating that the current climate could result in diminished demand for Microsoft’s super-console
“We’re not about text, we’re not about browsing, we’re not about email – we’re about online gaming.” Thus spake Robbie Bach, senior vice president and chief Xbox officer for Microsoft, during his declaration of intent at last month’s E3. The entire conference underlined Microsoft’s main focus – online gaming. At the very heart of this was the company’s commitment to broadband and the speed it would bring to network gaming. “It’s gonna be fast because it’s gonna be broadband,” trumpeted Bach.
However, in an interview on the Financial Times’ Website, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, has raised doubts as to the attainment of Xbox’s main aim. Speaking about Microsoft’s planned broadband revolution, Ballmer stated, “We have grown more pessimistic about this than we were a few years ago... It has proceeded more slowly than we expected."
Furthermore, in a comment that would seem to undermine Microsoft’s E3 rallying call, he stated bluntly: “Xbox allows for broadband connections. But the fundamental reason people will buy Xbox is to play games locally.”
Believing it could take over five years before broadband even reaches half of the market, Ballmer expresses his fears that this could affect Xbox sales: “The strategy for Internet gaming is dependent on broadband capability. It is possible that some won\'t buy the Xbox because they don\'t have broadband capability."
Having made such effort to express the importance of online gaming, the admission that gamers prefer to play games offline suggests that Microsoft may have made an error of judgement, and instead of effortlessly linking up to play super-fast network games, people will be sat around, scratching their heads and wondering what happened to broadband: “You won\'t be waiting for the box. You\'ll be waiting for the speed of the telecoms providers,” Ballmer added.
Microsoft has already invested $15 billion to advance the growth of broadband connections, and these comments certainly cast a shadow of failure to bring the service to the masses in the near future. According to investment firm Merrill Lynch, Microsoft will lose around £90 per Xbox unit, compared with only £14 for Nintendo’s Gamecube console. If Microsoft believes that a failure to provide a comprehensive broadband service will harm sales, the company could suffer huge losses. Indeed, Ballmer went on to state that Xbox would only become profitable “Within a few years.”
CVG expects to receive official word from Microsoft soon.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/story.cfm?sid=2861
Interesting.
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Say what you will about Sony, but they were smart about not shipping the PS2 w/o the hardrive and modem.
When Sony was developing the PS2 with Toshiba and others, they thought about the developers/the consumer, especially the casual gamer. They knew right out of the bat that putting a broadband modem in with the PS2 may cause sales to slow down. Because it would give the consumer a thought like, "Oh this system is only for interent junkies, and broadband freaks." So Sony decided to ship the PS2 w/o the broadband modem and if you wanted broadband modem access buy one from them, if you didn\'t want one it wasn\'t installed. They were not giving the hint out that games could only be played with a broadband modem(Microsoft isn\'t saying that all games need to be played with the broadband modem, but consumers will assume they are). Sony knew that broadband wouldn\'t be available everywhere in the U.S.
As for the hardrive, do you really think a casual gamer will actually want a hardrive in a system.
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Thanks for the information.:)
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Originally posted by tHe GaMe
Say what you will about Sony, but they were smart about not shipping the PS2 w/o the hardrive and modem.
When Sony was developing the PS2 with Toshiba and others, they thought about the developers/the consumer, especially the casual gamer. They knew right out of the bat that putting a broadband modem in with the PS2 may cause sales to slow down. Because it would give the consumer a thought like, "Oh this system is only for interent junkies, and broadband freaks." So Sony decided to ship the PS2 w/o the broadband modem and if you wanted broadband modem access buy one from them, if you didn\'t want one it wasn\'t installed. They were not giving the hint out that games could only be played with a broadband modem(Microsoft isn\'t saying that all games need to be played with the broadband modem, but consumers will assume they are). Sony knew that broadband wouldn\'t be available everywhere in the U.S.
As for the hardrive, do you really think a casual gamer will actually want a hardrive in a system.
You are entitled to your opinion, but I advise you to read up on what the advantages of a hard-drive add to a console. And once you read that then come back in here and say sony was smart.
A second to say that broadband gives and impression that a game console is for internet freaks and junkies is stupid. Come on have you ever played games online before? I supose you haven\'t by your statement. Being able to take your game online and go up against tons of other players from different places is awesome. More gamers want online gaming that is why sony is opting to sell add-ons. But too bad add-ons don\'t sell when it comes to consoles.
My adivise try taking a game online using 56K you will scream for broadband.
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Microsoft shot themselves in the foot, watch the XBox fanboys cry... .
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Originally posted by tHe GaMe
Microsoft shot themselves in the foot, watch the XBox fanboys cry... .
The game what are you talking about the article says is that he is worried about broad band.
Just like sony was worried with all the talk about matrix type hardware. And them not able to produce enough hardware. Everyone said that would hurt sony, but it hasen\'t.
Jeesh
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Originally posted by XBOX
The game what are you talking about the article says is that he is worried about broad band.
I know that.
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Originally posted by tHe GaMe
Say what you will about Sony, but they were smart about not shipping the PS2 w/o the hardrive and modem.
.
Duh. The price would of sky rocketed well over 300. It would of been better if Sony made better architecture for the PS2 though so they could release it all in one box.
When Sony was developing the PS2 with Toshiba and others, they thought about the developers/the consumer, especially the casual gamer. They knew right out of the bat that putting a broadband modem in with the PS2 may cause sales to slow down. Because it would give the consumer a thought like, "Oh this system is only for interent junkies, and broadband freaks." So Sony decided to ship the PS2 w/o the broadband modem and if you wanted broadband modem access buy one from them, if you didn\'t want one it wasn\'t installed. They were not giving the hint out that games could only be played with a broadband modem(Microsoft isn\'t saying that all games need to be played with the broadband modem, but consumers will assume they are). Sony knew that broadband wouldn\'t be available everywhere in the U.
Your acting as if Sony made an intelligent business move;wrong!
Developers will now have to guess how many people will buy the HD and and modem which is very stressful and inaccurate. Most developers probably won\'t even take that chance and just continue to develop for PS2 without any online plans. It\'s not the same for Xbox and DC, they know everyone is capable of online gaming. Sony doesn\'t.
As for the hardrive, do you really think a casual gamer will actually want a hardrive in a system.
Do you really think they\'d rather buy one seperate.
FACT- every Xbox user has a HD which means developers won\'t have to worry about who owns one(which is Sony\'s problem). They can seriously take advantage of it\'s opportunities.
I\'m not interested in Xbox, but having a HD included is definitely a smart move.
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Originally posted by tHe GaMe
Say what you will about Sony, but they were smart about not shipping the PS2 w/o the hardrive and modem.
When Sony was developing the PS2 with Toshiba and others, they thought about the developers/the consumer, especially the casual gamer. They knew right out of the bat that putting a broadband modem in with the PS2 may cause sales to slow down. Because it would give the consumer a thought like, "Oh this system is only for interent junkies, and broadband freaks." So Sony decided to ship the PS2 w/o the broadband modem and if you wanted broadband modem access buy one from them, if you didn\'t want one it wasn\'t installed. They were not giving the hint out that games could only be played with a broadband modem(Microsoft isn\'t saying that all games need to be played with the broadband modem, but consumers will assume they are). Sony knew that broadband wouldn\'t be available everywhere in the U.S.
As for the hardrive, do you really think a casual gamer will actually want a hardrive in a system.
just so you know, having a harddrive built into a console will be a huge step in the right direction for gaming. developers can do soo much with the harddrive.
the games that utilize the use of the harddrive will be able to do many more things.
for example. if you play a rpg, and you cut down a tree, or dig a hole in the ground, next tiem you load the game up, it could still be there, that hole in the ground.
you dont even know how good a built in harddrive is for the console industry. jeez.
p.s sonty addon looks goog, i hope it does well, so developers will be able to make soely online games.
but keep in mind, almost all addons for any console to date have not done well or failed miserably.
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Maybe you Xbox fanboys are right about the Hardrive thing, but Sony still rulessssssssss.
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Originally posted by tHe GaMe
Maybe you Xbox fanboys are right about the Hardrive thing, but Sony still rulessssssssss.
you have no right to call ANYONE a fanboy.
how was my comment fanboyish? it wasnt. i talked about how good the harddrive is for the console industry.
and about the sucess rate of addons.
i flamed nothing.
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Originally posted by Falcon4
you have no right to call ANYONE a fanboy.
how was my comment fanboyish? it wasnt. i talked about how good the harddrive is for the console industry.
and about the sucess rate of addons.
i flamed nothing.
Sorry for that dude, I didn\'t mean it that way.
Maybe I should have said, you gaming fans are right.
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Originally posted by Jumpman
Duh. The price would of sky rocketed well over 300. It would of been better if Sony made better architecture for the PS2 though so they could release it all in one box.
How about just spending all that extra time and money just to make sure the damn thing works right out of the box. B/c I\'ve already been burned by their less than adequate hardware designs.
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but Sony still rulessssssssss
SONY bites ass, they ****ed there system up this gen, PS1 was gold, which is far to say for PS2.
Another thing I hear people saying, that MS makes **** products, well he\'s a little bit of reality so does SONY, actually sony makes alot of ****ty products. Now does this mean that there gamming console will reflect that, NO!
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I like the XBox. Then I see people like you.
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I see no reason to panic for people who are X-Box fanboys. They just simply talk about them having trouble with Broadband.
Oh and make sure you check out Weltall\'s link in sig, seing Samwise nude was well worth the tiny click. :)
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I like the XBox. Then I see people like you.
LOL, good one, that must of taken alot of thought(or brain power) to come up with something like that. Opps sorry my mistake, It has just occurred to me that you have a very little inferior brain, that you probably don\'t even use ---Then I see people like you see(no pun intended) the problem here is you can\'t see me, only hear me verbally, but I can bet you just repelled to my post out of ignorance and dislikemnet towards me. without even thinking about what you were saying and what it will accomplish(which is nothing). matter of fact I too am guilty of this, for even bothering to respond to such a mindless and stupid post, but hey I’m only human.
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Originally posted by ViVi
I see no reason to panic for people who are X-Box fanboys. They just simply talk about them having trouble with Broadband.
Oh and make sure you check out Weltall\'s link in sig, seing Samwise nude was well worth the tiny click. :)
Unless samwise is really a women in disguise I\'ll save my click.
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Originally posted by TheOgodlyThing
LOL, good one, that must of taken alot of thought(or brain power) to come up with something like that. Opps sorry my mistake, It has just occurred to me that you have a very little inferior brain, that you probably don\'t even use ---Then I see people like you see(no pun intended) the problem here is you can\'t see me, only hear me verbally, but I can bet you just repelled to my post out of ignorance and dislikemnet towards me. without even thinking about what you were saying and what it will accomplish(which is nothing). matter of fact I too am guilty of this, for even bothering to respond to such a mindless and stupid post, but hey I’m only human.
I don\'t like you. I don\'t see YOU but I do see your posts. And I can see your elaborate charade of being unbiased crumble around you and the XBox fanbaby inside come screaming out when you are cornered. Stop being such a hater.
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Stop being such a hater.
I was about to say the same about you, funny you mentioned it? Oh and if i\'m an XBAUX(lol) fanboy than I guess your SONYFANBOY all the way.
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What\'s this? Another pointless biased post by tHe MoRoN?
Steve Ballmer? A suited CEO who sits in a office, and hasn\'t been involved much with XB has apprehentions about a single aspect of the \'Box? Oh no, stop the presses! :rolleyes:
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Originally posted by TheOgodlyThing
I was about to say the same about you, funny you mentioned it? Oh and if i\'m an XBAUX(lol) fanboy than I guess your SONYFANBOY all the way.
That I am. I\'m also a Nintendo fanboy. And I might\'ve said Xbox sucks... maybe once, maybe not at all. I just love to play with haters.
But you are most definitely an XBoy. No sense in trying to deny it.
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Yawn.....................wake me up when you have something important to say
I just love to play with haters
As well as yourself I bet!!!!!!!! LOL,LOL
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I used to. Now I just let my girlfriend do it for me:)
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I used to. Now I just let my girlfriend do it for me
You named your hand your girlfriend now. LOL
JUst kidding with you man, no hard feelings
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Originally posted by tHe GaMe
Microsoft shot themselves in the foot, watch the XBox fanboys cry... .
I don\'t think they shot themselves in the foot. I have DSL and I am going to enjoy it.
You shot yourself in the mouth by missing out and making stupid fanboy remarks.
Broadband is the right way to go and if I was Microsoft, I would be looking towards the government to find a solution to light a fire behind the a$$es of the ISP\'s. A little preasure wouldn\'t hurt.
I work with a company that Streams Video on Demand over the Internet and my job depends on broadband.
Microsoft should work also on getting AOL on broadband, that would help things quite a bit. Yes, I know I said AOL, but something has to be done. Legacy modems from the 1980\'s are holding us back (yes there were not 56k modems in the 80\'s but the modem technology was invented in the 1960\'s and used in 1977 to start the first bulletin board system, its older than crap and needs to be replaced).
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Originally posted by Docwiz
I don\'t think they shot themselves in the foot. I have DSL and I am going to enjoy it.
You shot yourself in the mouth by missing out and making stupid fanboy remarks.
Broadband is the right way to go and if I was Microsoft, I would be looking towards the government to find a solution to light a fire behind the a$$es of the ISP\'s. A little preasure wouldn\'t hurt.
I work with a company that Streams Video on Demand over the Internet and my job depends on broadband.
Microsoft should work also on getting AOL on broadband, that would help things quite a bit. Yes, I know I said AOL, but something has to be done. Legacy modems from the 1980\'s are holding us back (yes there were not 56k modems in the 80\'s but the modem technology was invented in the 1960\'s and used in 1977 to start the first bulletin board system, its older than crap and needs to be replaced).
Sony already has AOL Time Warner, so too bad.
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Sony already has AOL Time Warner, so too bad.
He knows that already, Plus Sony may have AOL though keep in mind, AOL is not broadband and DOCWIZ was suggesting that if MS pushed AOL to have broadband it would allow a better costumer user base of it, therefore allowing more people to have access to the MS network online gaming for XBOX
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Originally posted by Docwiz
You shot yourself in the mouth by missing out and making stupid fanboy remarks.
LOL, did you write that Docwiz?
There must be nothing more left of your mouth but bullet holes then.
Stupid fanboy remarks? YOU never would make any, wouldn`t you?
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Originally posted by macabre
LOL, did you write that Docwiz?
There must be nothing more left of your mouth but bullet holes then.
Stupid fanboy remarks? YOU never would make any, wouldn`t you?
ooooooooohhhhhhh........ strong words.....
anyways, i think that The Game has been really pro sony lately.
but still, docwiz dosent have the rights to tell someone he\'s a fanboy. i agree.
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It ain\'t so much the "broadband-only" that\'s Microsoft\'s fault. THey are just preparing for the next generation of inter-connectivity. But they need to ensure backward compatibility for people who don\'t have that option.
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M$ only worries about making a buck or two. :D
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M$ only worries about making a buck or two
Oh not this again, for the 100th time so does SONY and NINTENDO.
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quote:
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Oh not this again, for the 100th time so does SONY and NINTENDO.
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Well that might be true, but MS is evil :D
Just 10 minutes ago my PC got a GPF, and it hung the whole system :D