More on the Xbox 360
Some further thoughts on the 360:
- The "achievements" feature is just amazing. It adds a whole new dimension to gaming. Even single-player games are transformed into multiplayer games, because you can compare your achievements to those of your friends. I can check out my Hexic HD badges compared to Crucible's, for example.
- Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter looks fantastic, and is fun (albeit really hard) to play. I don't know whether I'm hardcore enough to keep it, though (EB has a 7-day exchange policy on games). I just don't think I'd be playing online all the time, and the single-player campaign, while good, may not hold my interest
- Still waiting on my RGB SCART cable, so I'm yet to play a game in 5.1 surround
- We've watched several DivX videos on the 360's Media Center extender using LightningWare's free MCEVideoEncoder program. Great stuff.
- Check out what Crucible has been doing with his LinkSys NAS device! He can stream music and photos from it now, without the need for a PC. Awesome!
Something I want now: Some more backwards-compatibility-supported games. In particular, I'd love if Jet Set Radio Future and Kung Fu Chaos were supported. They're two of the best games on the original Xbox, if not two of the best games ever.
Comments
# crucible
29/03/2006 10:39 AM
Yeah the achievements haven't really been the "carrot" for me - I've been more drawn to the in-game goals to achieve... although I can see with the gamer ratings why many hardcore gamers would want the prestige of having a higher score...
And you just wanted to rub your Hexic achievements in my face, didnt you?
Well, I gotta say buddy, you may have a lot of Hexic badges - now you'll just need a chest to pin em to ;)
I'm wondering if theres any bonus to achievements and a high gamer score? I feel like if Microsoft don't have in place a rewards system, like free skins for the interface, a few smaller arcade games, or even special notification to your username - that would drive the use of the games, purchase of more games (for easier achievements) higher.
*shrugs* I only found out I could choose a skin for my interface last night when I hit it by accident.
I should really read the manual! :)
# mabster
29/03/2006 10:47 AM
I have a sneaky feeling that there will be ways to get "credits" to buy content on Xbox Live Marketplace via achievements.
# crucible
29/03/2006 11:04 AM
It'd only make sense -
Achievements = Rewards
Rewards = More content/More status.
Drive for more status = Need for more Achievements
More Achievements can only be gained through more gameplay or purchasing more games.
= Win for MS and Game companies.
Plus it keeps us game freaks away from the general public for long periods at a time.
Come to think of it, the public should fund my Xbox exploits, Microsoft is doing a public service keeping me off the streets!
# mabster
29/03/2006 1:36 PM
Yeah, there's definitely a business model behind the concept.
I actually saw on digg.com the other day that someone has made a list of games that are quick and easy to build gamer points with.