Anyone here on the US version of Xbox live?

[AlbertSiegel]

I would like to get some fellow FG members on my buddy list. The only games I have are Wolfenstein, Phantasy Star Online, and Unreal Championship.

I could not think of a good gamertag, so I used "Soviet Supreme"... I hope nobody minds...

[emperor]

...announcing that the Xbox was indeed America's top-selling console in April. In a press release, Microsoft claimed the Xbox captured 51 percent of the US console market in the month following the March 30 price drop, with sales up 135 percent by volume compared to 2003. Comparatively, PlayStation 2 sales declined 29 percent to hit a 32-percent share, while the Nintendo GameCube sales dropped 5 percent to a 17-percent market share.
"This marks the first time ever that Sony has been knocked off the leaderboard by another console in this generation."

I guess thats because the vast majority of people who would generally buy a console have already purchased a PS2 initially and particular games exclusive to Xbox (not that there are many - are there?) are luring them to Xbox..

honestly who needs 2 PS2s!?!?
... aside from that spoilt bastard i knew when i was a kid: him and his 2 brother each had a SNES, Megadrive, TV to hook them up to and Gameboy for their own personal use - so there would be no squabbling between them over whose turn it was..
the mom was wonderfully strange though: she was a hot Swedish MILF who loved Aerosmith and AC/DC, and would walk out onto the Avenue in a skimpy vest and panties to call the sons and me in for lunch to the bemusement of all the kids and to the shock of their parents

[kurohinge1]

I would like to get some fellow FG members on my buddy list. The only games I have are Wolfenstein, Phantasy Star Online, and Unreal Championship ...

If you have an Xbox, you need to get "Halo".

It's the best game I've seen on that platform so far and the whole reason I bought one (although you can now also get it for the PC).

[quote]REDMOND, WA&#8212]

Better yet, Halo 2 is due out early November 2004.

Unfortunately, at our place, the mortgage payments take precedence over better internet, and Xbox Live, connections, so I'm not elligible for your buddy list, but I thought the whole "Live" thing was global (like PC games) and didn't depend on what country you were in - or is it limited to the regions? Maybe someone else can clarify ...

[bejiita]

If you have an Xbox, you need to get "Halo".

On that note, an oldie, but a goodie.

[DjMitch_UK]

Hmm I got the English (European I guess) version and I can play (and beat ) Yanks.

Its better than playing a bunch of Germans who shout orders at me that I never understand.

"Beeilen Sie sich englischen der Saftsack!!!!!"

Which I later learnt meant "Hurry up English Fucker".........Lovely people the Germans

[Ptyx]

I tried Halo on PC and clearly i didn't understand what all the hype was about.
Anyway for all you Halo fans and non-fans alike check Red vs Blue it's a sitcom made on Halo and it's just brilliant.

[AlbertSiegel]

I remember when the xbox first launched, the games were all so bad that a magazine called the xbox a $300.00 Halo Tv Adapter.

[AlbertSiegel]

LOL!!! My new xbox started to have some issues!! The cooling fan died!! HA HA HA!! I returned my xbox. I think I will just stick to my PC for shooters. Looks like I am down to just a Sega Saturn and PS2. I still cant get online with my PS2. I dont know enough Japanese yet

Ultra, you ever play Wolfenstein ET? What is your top pick for a FPS?

[DjMitch_UK]

Do you guys play Counter-strike? Day of defeat? Call of Duty?

Wouldn't mind whooping yo' ass on one of them. My favourite games

[AlbertSiegel]

Do you guys play Counter-strike? Day of defeat? Call of Duty?

Not really... I gave up on counter-strike long ago. I have been hooked on Wolfenstein ET for nearly a year. Still my top pick. I am about to give Ragnarok a try. I hope it is as good as my friend says it is.

[Caustic Saint]

That's the main reason I never got an Xbox. I was so pissed after MS bought up Bungie and moved them to Redmond then delayed the PC release indefinitely. As an old Marathon and Bungie fan I'd been waiting years for Halo. I saw a demo at E3 a couple years before MS bought them. I was waiting forever, then MS decided to make it Xbox exclusive. There was no way I was going give in to MS's extortion and buy a whole system to play one game.



By the time it made it to PC, it was pretty outdated and plenty of other good games were out. It was a huge letdown.

Don't forget the bloat! The original E3 Demo for Halo (Marathon 4) was running smoothly on something like a G4 450Mhz. When the Mac version finally shipped the recommended spec was a 1Ghz G4.

For an interesting look at "the many faces of Halo," check out the Halo Evolution movie from Bungie. It shows the game at various stages in its development cycle. The "coder commentary" is especially telling.

10:30 into the video. "Halo used to be cool."

[Caustic Saint]

[Caustic Saint]

Ok, finally got one that plays. It's cool, thanks. I'd never seen any of the real early stuff. Even though it was released, it still seems like 'the game that never was'. It missed its window and didn't live up to it's full potential. The fact that it was still a hit and sold a ton of Xboxes just makes me think of how much better it could've been.

I picked up an Xbox last week. A departing teacher was selling his for $85, with four games. I didn't want any of the games, so I traded them in at the market and got $40 in credit for them. $45 for an Xbox? Heck, who wouldn't take that deal?

I did get Halo for it, and while it's not the end-all, be-all of console games, it is very nice. The controls are great and the visuals are nice. The gameplay's a bit repetetive, but they keep it going by having the story lead you around from area to area. Having new weapons and vehicles added periodically is a good way to keep things moving along.

Now that the system's been out for almost three years there are plenty of decent titles to pick up, and they don't all cost $50 now. Of course, some of the newer titles are worth the cash, too. Ninja Gaiden and Need for Speed: Underground are both competing with Halo for time in the disc tray.

[mr. sparkle]

Hey Caustic,
You may be interested in the "game" I'm working on now. Cutting trailers for a trade show. I'm doing a lot of sound design and cutting. Putting it on good ol' DVD.

US military creates second Earth
The US Army is building a second version of Earth on computer to help it prepare for conflicts around the world.

The detailed simulation will be drawn from a real-world terrain database and will be drawn to the same scale as the original.

The software Earth is being created for the US Army by gaming company There, which is currently working on a virtual world for gamers.

The first version of the virtual planet should be finished by September.

I think it's actually a good idea. The scenarios are pretty cool. A lot of the guys that worked on the ill fated 3DO team are working on this bad boy - the "virtual military world" where you could actually walk across a continent if you wanted to.


kinda bloody ain't it? By the way Sarge, "Question the man in the tan slacks!"

I've cut trailers and done work for EA and 3DO - so the gig sort of the same thing. Lotsa gamecos here in the SF Bay Area.

All links: http://www.theresim.com/theresim_press.htm

Recommended Links:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3507531.stm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0413_040413_armyearth.html#main

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/04/20/BU83768.DTL

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/04/21/news_6093860.html

After this gig, I may go back to work for Pixar for a little vacation relief. Mr. Sparkle needs the CASH. Something tells me I'll be seeing lots of cartoon cars in the next few weeks.



In case you're interested: Jobs at PIXAR

[Taro Toporific]

In case you're interested: Jobs at PIXAR

So like my company C[taro] Custom Composites did a Monster Garage segment for next season...Do ya think PIXAR could use custom car mold makers with heavy computer experience?
(I gotta get out of here]http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:gLF8jsQbd34J:www.kmcwheels.com/buzz4_25/monster.jpg[/img]

[Caustic Saint]

Hey Caustic,
You may be interested in the "game" I'm working on now. Cutting trailers for a trade show. I'm doing a lot of sound design and cutting. Putting it on good ol' DVD.

I think it's actually a good idea. The scenarios are pretty cool. A lot of the guys that worked on the ill fated 3DO team are working on this bad boy - the "virtual military world" where you could actually walk across a continent if you wanted to.

I remember reading about a game similar to this around 10 years ago. The idea was to have mutiple layers to the game. Those who like real-time strategy games could play at the "General" level, while those who preferred action would control the individual units. i.e. - the General plots the battle and gives the orders/objectives, but the troops have to go and win the fight for him.

Sounded cool, but technologically impossible at the time. Will this new project have similar layers to it, or is it an altogether new beast?

[mr. sparkle]

In case you're interested: Jobs at PIXAR

So like my company C[taro] Custom Composites did a Monster Garage segment for next season...Do ya think PIXAR could use custom car mold makers with heavy computer experience?
(I gotta get out of here]http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:gLF8jsQbd34J:www.kmcwheels.com/buzz4_25/monster.jpg[/img]

Maybe the heavy computer experience will do it for ya!
You gotta know crazy stuff like Maya to do any animating. I work in the 2D department, so I only need to know After Effects.

I have heard they have a model shop and mock stuff up with real lights. I'll ask about the mold making. You always need good fiberglass guys in movie making.

The weather will be more forgiving, but it is always cool. It NEVER gets hot here - which is a drag if that's what you like. I'm a white boy Irish American type so I'm just fine with the cool weather.

Hey, go get Mrs. Taro, grab a mint julep on your deck in your backyard, next to your garage where we can barbeque by your pool in Berkeley.

Nope. That ain't Japan.

Can't wait to see the Monster Garage, though. That's gonna be awesome!

PS. I just had some tasty fried corn tortillas with cheese and guacamole. I would miss that snack so damn much if I ever lived inside the Buddha.

[Caustic Saint]

I've spent a fair bit of time with Halo over the past few days, and I'm starting to see what all the fuss was/is about. It's really good.

More than that - it's fun!

I'm just up to the part in the campaign where you start getting vehicles other than the Warthog (Puma!). The actions of the other marines and the aliens (and their associated dialogue) are nicely done, and there's plenty of eye-candy for when you're not running around blasting stuff.

Now, I just need a friend so I can play co-op....

Also, for more video fun, check out the (oldie but a goodie) Warthog Jump movie. It's fun with physics!

And if you're getting geared up for Halo 2, check out the (rather large) E3 2k4 video.

[American Oyaji]

I'm on Xbox live.

You can find me on
Rainbow Six 3
Ghost Recon: Island Thunder
Halo 2
Phantasy Star Online

My gamer tag is : El Ronin

[Faded]

Hey Caustic,
If you are enjoying Ninja Gaiden, you might want to hook up with X box live. Aug 2nd they are releasing a free download called "hurricane pack 1" (2 is in the works) New costume, new weapons, new enemies, etc. No new levels but they revamp all the ones already in the game.

[Caustic Saint]

Hey Caustic,
If you are enjoying Ninja Gaiden, you might want to hook up with X box live. Aug 2nd they are releasing a free download called "hurricane pack 1" (2 is in the works) New costume, new weapons, new enemies, etc. No new levels but they revamp all the ones already in the game.

Sounds cool, but I'm not on Live. Not a big deal to me, but I do wish I could getAquaduct, the OSX client for XBConnect to work....

[kurohinge1]

I've spent a fair bit of time with Halo over the past few days, and I'm starting to see what all the fuss was/is about. It's really good.

More than that - it's fun! ...
Now, I just need a friend so I can play co-op.... ...

I love Co-op. I just wish they could have more than two people.

But I played my first game with more than 3 people the other week - we had a "boys weekend away" and managed to scam two data projectors for the weekend, which allowed us to have 8 player "Halo" screened across an entire wall. Enormous fun.



"Live" sounds great too, but we're still on a dial-up modem, so it'll have to wait.

[maoriboy]

If you want a good driving game for the Xbox I recommend Project Gotham Racing 2. Its by far the best racing game Ive played on the Xbox and its a riot online playing against 7 other people. The insults are flying thick and fast!!!!

[kurohinge1]

If you want a good driving game for the Xbox I recommend Project Gotham Racing 2 ...

I'll second that.
The Yokohama track is fairly boring but most of the other
tracks are great including Sydney, which I can vouch has
great attention to detail.