| Acevil said: Really how can something that transfers something from the PC to console gaming market get so much praise. I love my 360, but I really don't get people's list sometimes. Even more so that this feature is payed service. |
Mainstreaming online multiplayer and online features for consoles revolutionized console gaming. How is that not historically significant? The PS2's online was primitive and widely passed over (especially since the phat didn't come with a network adapter) and the Dreamcast, while pioneers of online console gaming, didn't mainstream it because they didn't have the resources to survive long enough. Microsoft took what Sega started and ran with it. Halo 2 and Xbox Live revolutionized the console gaming industry. And the Xbox 360 took things even further. And then Sony had no choice but to follow the format. So Microsoft pretty much dictated the direction that 'core' console gaming has went this decade.
Unfortunately it seems like Microsoft created a monster. DLC is heavily abused by game publishers. It's not like releasing an expansion pack a year later. Lots of DLC are out immediately or not long after the game is already out. It's ridiculous. I understand that game companies spend a lot of money on HD development but charging $60 for a game that isn't complete is totally not acceptable. Unfortunately it seems that companies on all platforms (even the Wii if you want to count Mega Man 9 on Wiiware) jumped on this bandwagon now.
And of course all the really annoying douchebags on LIVE who talk lots of shit. I haven't gamed on PSN so I can't say what the community is like (if they are anything like the Sony Defense Force interent community though, no thanks). PC gaming online has lots of douchebags as well though so it's nothing unique to XBL. A big reason why I don't play WoW and Guild Wars is because I don't want to deal with a-holes (like my MMORPG addicted friend) who are a pain in the ass to co-op with because they take their little game way too seriously. It's sad to see a bunch of nerds online posturing with e-machismo in these games. As a nerd who just wants to have recreational fun and doesn't take games too seriously, I find the excessive e-machismo posturing a turn off. No wonder very few women like to play online 'core' games. If I was a woman, I wouldn't want to be in such a creepy (guys hitting on your left, right and centre) and hostile (nerds screaming out msyogynstic slurs at your) environment.
