Archive for November, 2005
Gaming-360.com is Back!
Posted by Blackstaffer in Xbox 360 on November 23rd, 2005
But that doesn’t mean you don’t find the Xbox 360 interesting, fascinating, or down right exciting. While I report some Xbox 360 news that I find interesting, this site isn’t really meant to be an Xbox 360 resource.
For those of you looking for a good Xbox 360 resource, you’ll be happy to know that Gaming-360.com is back online and that they have two new writers as well. So now you get Hiro, Phoghawk, Moontopher, and Twitnip all talking about the Xbox 360. It’ll be interesting to see how many posts are about the same topic…. 
Gaming-360 was my favourite Xbox 360 site before it went on hiatus, and now they’re back. They were my first respected site! I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.
Sony Moving to Main Floor at CES
Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3 on November 23rd, 2005
Sony is making a big stomp at C.E.S. in January by making the largest booth at the show. This will mark Sony’s return to the main floor of the show after a 10 year absence.
Mike Fasulo, chief marketing officer, said the objective of the 25,000-square-foot booth is “not only to collaborate across all of our divisions, but to show how consumer electronics is transforming consumer entertainment in the future.”
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The booth itself will feature what Fasulo called several “pillars” which involve all aspects of HDTV, from broadcasting and professional equipment, to branded HDTVs and Blu ray, to other consumer products. PlayStation will also have a featured place at the new CES booth, as well as what Sony calls “e-Entertainment,” the newest developments in cellular phones, Walkman, Vaio PCs and LocationFree TV, among others.
It’s times like these that I wish someone would call me up and offer to send me there. The question is: will Sony be saying anything about the PS3? Personally, I think that it’ll be there but that not much new will be shown. Scratch that. Sony will be releasing all sorts of details at C.E.S. Uh… I dunno? Yeah, I think I’ll stick with door number 3. It’s times like these that I wish I had an inside source at Sony that could scoop me all sorts of details.
Middleware and the Developer
Posted by Blackstaffer in Software on November 23rd, 2005
PSINext has a great article dispelling some of the myths around middleware. Middleware? Basically it’s software that developers use to write games. And by “use” I mean the software that actually runs on the console, not just the developer’s computer. For example, if I wrote a some computer code to calculate a lens flare and sold it to you, your code could make use of my code to create a lens flare whenever it wanted. Your code and my code would coexist together on the console while the game runs. That’s middleware. And with the PlayStation 3 (PS3) getting ready for release next year, middleware announcements have been cropping up all over the place. The most famous of which is the Unreal Engine 3.0.
So what are some of the myths? Here they are. But to find out whether they’re true or not, you’ll have to check out the article.
- Middleware provides final solutions to problems and difficulties that developers will face.
- Middleware products reduce the need for programming staff.
- Middleware products save time and money.
- Use of middleware products make it easier to find suitable talent.
- Everybody buying the same middleware will make all the games out there look the same.
- Middleware products for next-gen will smooth out the next-gen transition.
- Next-gen middleware means that the technical challenges of next-gen hardware will be no more.
- With engines like UE3 and NovodeX and Havok out there, gamers will finally get more of what they want.
That’s it! Take a look, see which ones you think are true, false, or maybe, and then see if you’re right over at PSINext.
PS3 Countdown Podcast #8
Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3 on November 22nd, 2005
Gavin has posted PS3 Countdown Podcast #8.
In this episode…
- …we hear reports that the PS3 controller’s design is here to stay.
- …Sony responds to some nasty DRM rumors.
- …it sounds like PS3 games might not be region-coded.
- …we find some neat facts in a Hollywood Reporter article (of all places).
- …Sony decides to stick with a non-unified online service.
- …IGN posts ten reasons to not buy the Xbox 360 and wait for the PlayStation 3.
Gavin’s PlayStation 3 musing are fun. You’re missing out if you don’t listen!
Wait for the PS3?
Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3, Xbox 360 on November 22nd, 2005
They point out that the PS3 will have a Blu-ray player, while the Xbox 360 doesn’t. The PS3 will supposedly be more powerful. (Although the consensus currently seems to be that they’ll be roughly equal.) Don’t forget that the PS3 will be backwards compatible! Yeah yeah. What else… oh yeah! Sony might slash the PS2 price to $100. How is that a good reason to wait for the PS3? I dunno.
How about this: if you’re an RPG fan, the PlayStation is the platform to be on. Historically it’s had the lion’s share of RPG’s, and that is likely to continue. What about Gran Turismo? The next installment will be PS3 only. Ditto for Metal Gear Solid. Formula 1? PS3. The PlayStation 2 has been the place for RPG’s, platformers, and some good racing games. The Xbox has been the place for FPS’s, and also some good racing games.
Because at the end of the day, it’s about the games. People have complained about the lack of a killer launch game for the Xbox 360′s launch. Well, it all depends on your outlook. What kind of gamer are you? What kind of games do you like? For many people, the PS3 will have the games they want. And the same is true of the Xbox 360′s launch today.
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