Is the Xbox 360 truly "Next-Gen"? Yes!
Ever since the Xbox 360 launched last Novermber, critics have been slamming its launch titles, saying that they don't look "next-gen" enough. This often extends to assertions that the 360 launched too early or that, in one way or another, the 360 falls short of being next-gen.
Some titles, especially multiplatform titles like Gun and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland show almost no graphical leap over the previous generation. Others, like many of EASports' games, shipped with updated graphics, but pared-down gameplay options. Madden, for example, looks nice (though not as nice as the target renders shown before launch) but lacks many modes that are available in the Xbox version. Tiger Woods '06, another offender, has about half as many course as the Xbox version.
So is the next generation really about marginally improved graphics and fewer gameplay options, all with a $60 price tag? Of course not. Neither is the 360.
The games described above are unfortunate victims of launch. The multiplatform games appeared because the current consoles are still viable. Multiplatform games, by their very nature, tend to cater to the lowest common denominator in terms of technology. Naturally, the 360 versions just aren't that impressive. A prettied-up version of a current generation title would have to be damn pretty to be considered next-gen anyway. The sports games and the others that just aren't worth $60 were most likely rushed to meet the 360's launch. This is inevitable and happens with every console, regardless of the timing of its release.
Simply releasing a title on next-gen hardware does not necessarily make a game next-gen. Neither, though, does releasing a sub-next-gen game suggest that the console itself is sub-next-gen.
Games like Project Gotham Racing 3 and Call of Duty 2, for example, clearly demonstrate that the 360 is capable of next-gen graphics. In fact, CoD2 in particular, shows that the next generation isn't just about hot new graphics. The incredible sound, artificial intelligence that's actually intelligent, sweet physics and huge set-piece battles contribute to an immersive experience that screams next-gen. Games like this aptly demonstrate that the weaker 360 titles should not disqualify the 360 from being considered the next generation of consoles.
CoD2 shows us that graphics are just a small part of the picture. We are going to see a more substantial leap in visuals as the console ages anyway, but there's another aspect where the 360 is already clearly next-gen - online. Xbox Live on the original Xbox was ahead of its time and far superior to anything on the consoles. The improved Live on the 360 is far and away the best online gaming service there is. In fact, I would argue that the leap between Xbox Live iterations is at least as big as any generational leap that we've seen.
I had read about the improved online capabilities of the 360, but I didn't really grasp how great they were until I actually got one. Actually, I should say until Asano and I both got one. My single favorite upgrade is the private chat option. While private chatting, Asano (who lives in Japan) and I (who lives in America) can talk pretty much no matter what we're doing. We can play the same game or we can play different games; we can even watch movies or download content. It's really cool that we can talk to each other while not playing together, just like when we used to play different games on our adjacent TV's. With the wireless controller, we don't even have to be in front of the TV- we can grab a beer, take a piss... I even went outside once.
Private chat is just one of a panopoly of awesome upgrades that make the 360 Dashboard a pervasive and compelling environment, rather than a stupid menu that you have to look at before you can play a game. The Dashboard has fundamentally changed the way I game. Never before have I spent so much time not playing retail games. There is so much to do on the Dashboard like downloading Xbox Live Arcade games, demos of retail games, trailers, themes and icons; playing demos or Arcade games; customizing my system (like making my controls inverted for all FPS's); and listening to ripped music. Honestly, there is just so much good stuff on the Dashboard that I don't even use it all, nor do I have time to even list it here.
Gamercards are another upgrade that sounded ho-hum, but in practice are awesome. Having a custom profile that lists your achievements in games is a fantastic idea. Achievements add a more tangible incentive to attempting hardcore feats. Not only do you have the satisfaction of completing a difficult taks, but your achievements are listed on your gamercard for everyone to see. This really resonates with me, because I want to be rewarded for completing difficult tasks in games. It therefore encourages me to reach for higher scores or beat games on additional difficulty levels, which both extends and intensifies my gaming enjoyment. By virtue of adding achievements, Microsoft has essentially added replayabilty to any game, which is welcome when they cost an extra 10 dollars. I sure as shit wouldn't be constantly playing Geometry Wars (as awesome as it is) just to get a higher score. If I get a high score, I want that shit on my gamercard. That goes for all games from now on.
I could probably go on, but I think you get the point. Good graphics or no good graphics, the Xbox 360 has changed the way I play and view games. The Xbox Dashboard and its integrated Live capabilities represent a vast leap (even vaster that Asano's mom's vagina) over anything we've seen before. This alone is enough to consider the 360 to represent the next generation of console gaming. And anyway, soon enough, games for the 360 will make our eyes bleed with how goddamn gorgeous they are. Maybe not enough of them looked good enough at launch, but I don't care. I'll be over here, playing Geometry Wars.
-Joule
Some titles, especially multiplatform titles like Gun and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland show almost no graphical leap over the previous generation. Others, like many of EASports' games, shipped with updated graphics, but pared-down gameplay options. Madden, for example, looks nice (though not as nice as the target renders shown before launch) but lacks many modes that are available in the Xbox version. Tiger Woods '06, another offender, has about half as many course as the Xbox version.
So is the next generation really about marginally improved graphics and fewer gameplay options, all with a $60 price tag? Of course not. Neither is the 360.
The games described above are unfortunate victims of launch. The multiplatform games appeared because the current consoles are still viable. Multiplatform games, by their very nature, tend to cater to the lowest common denominator in terms of technology. Naturally, the 360 versions just aren't that impressive. A prettied-up version of a current generation title would have to be damn pretty to be considered next-gen anyway. The sports games and the others that just aren't worth $60 were most likely rushed to meet the 360's launch. This is inevitable and happens with every console, regardless of the timing of its release.
Simply releasing a title on next-gen hardware does not necessarily make a game next-gen. Neither, though, does releasing a sub-next-gen game suggest that the console itself is sub-next-gen.
Games like Project Gotham Racing 3 and Call of Duty 2, for example, clearly demonstrate that the 360 is capable of next-gen graphics. In fact, CoD2 in particular, shows that the next generation isn't just about hot new graphics. The incredible sound, artificial intelligence that's actually intelligent, sweet physics and huge set-piece battles contribute to an immersive experience that screams next-gen. Games like this aptly demonstrate that the weaker 360 titles should not disqualify the 360 from being considered the next generation of consoles.
CoD2 shows us that graphics are just a small part of the picture. We are going to see a more substantial leap in visuals as the console ages anyway, but there's another aspect where the 360 is already clearly next-gen - online. Xbox Live on the original Xbox was ahead of its time and far superior to anything on the consoles. The improved Live on the 360 is far and away the best online gaming service there is. In fact, I would argue that the leap between Xbox Live iterations is at least as big as any generational leap that we've seen.
I had read about the improved online capabilities of the 360, but I didn't really grasp how great they were until I actually got one. Actually, I should say until Asano and I both got one. My single favorite upgrade is the private chat option. While private chatting, Asano (who lives in Japan) and I (who lives in America) can talk pretty much no matter what we're doing. We can play the same game or we can play different games; we can even watch movies or download content. It's really cool that we can talk to each other while not playing together, just like when we used to play different games on our adjacent TV's. With the wireless controller, we don't even have to be in front of the TV- we can grab a beer, take a piss... I even went outside once.
Private chat is just one of a panopoly of awesome upgrades that make the 360 Dashboard a pervasive and compelling environment, rather than a stupid menu that you have to look at before you can play a game. The Dashboard has fundamentally changed the way I game. Never before have I spent so much time not playing retail games. There is so much to do on the Dashboard like downloading Xbox Live Arcade games, demos of retail games, trailers, themes and icons; playing demos or Arcade games; customizing my system (like making my controls inverted for all FPS's); and listening to ripped music. Honestly, there is just so much good stuff on the Dashboard that I don't even use it all, nor do I have time to even list it here.
Gamercards are another upgrade that sounded ho-hum, but in practice are awesome. Having a custom profile that lists your achievements in games is a fantastic idea. Achievements add a more tangible incentive to attempting hardcore feats. Not only do you have the satisfaction of completing a difficult taks, but your achievements are listed on your gamercard for everyone to see. This really resonates with me, because I want to be rewarded for completing difficult tasks in games. It therefore encourages me to reach for higher scores or beat games on additional difficulty levels, which both extends and intensifies my gaming enjoyment. By virtue of adding achievements, Microsoft has essentially added replayabilty to any game, which is welcome when they cost an extra 10 dollars. I sure as shit wouldn't be constantly playing Geometry Wars (as awesome as it is) just to get a higher score. If I get a high score, I want that shit on my gamercard. That goes for all games from now on.
I could probably go on, but I think you get the point. Good graphics or no good graphics, the Xbox 360 has changed the way I play and view games. The Xbox Dashboard and its integrated Live capabilities represent a vast leap (even vaster that Asano's mom's vagina) over anything we've seen before. This alone is enough to consider the 360 to represent the next generation of console gaming. And anyway, soon enough, games for the 360 will make our eyes bleed with how goddamn gorgeous they are. Maybe not enough of them looked good enough at launch, but I don't care. I'll be over here, playing Geometry Wars.
-Joule
posted by Voomp at
1:48 PM
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