Romier S
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 1999
- Messages
- 3,525
if they're now tacking additional charges on in addition to a mandatory broadband requirement then Sony will yet again stomp MS into the groundLets be fair here Adam. Online console gaming is still a new concept to most out there. Microsoft basically provides the network for the online games that will appear on the X-box. Now, When you create a game like Final Fantasy XI where you have to continually provide patches and focus soley on this one game, that becomes time consuming and expensive. There is a reason there are fees attached to this and I personally understand why.
As for the Sony comment I say to you once again, lets be fair here. This can be argued from both sides of the spectrum. Both online plans have their pluses and their minuses that can't be ignored.
Theoretically speaking to play (again as an example) Final Fantasy XI on the PS2 you need to buy the network adapter (39.99), the PS2 hard drive (99.99), the game (39.99-49.99) and you have to pay the monthly fees associated with FXI (9.95/month I believe). We are talking a 200+ dollar that will allow you to play not only FFXI but all of the other PS2 games coming (some of which like the X-box will have monthly fees). Another plus is that you have the option of playing with a 56k modem. Of course you will need to add the ISP fee for dial-up or broadband if we are going to be thorough. For a hardcore gamer like me, that doesn't bother me one bit. I'll gladly spend the money (I already plan to but not for FFXI).
Now if you already have an X-box and a broadband connection your talking about spending 50 bucks for the first year and 10 bucks/month after that. You get the headset communicator, a dedicated broadband network and access to all Xbox online games (with extra fees for particular titles). For those without broadband your going to want to add an additional 20-30 per month (assuming they have a dial-up account) for the broadband connection. Again just being thorough.
We can discuss the pluses and minuses of both plans until our hands fall off from typing but I don't think its in anyone place to say which company will come ahead in the online game. Sony has the userbase and the Playstation name, MS has an out of the box online capable machine and the willingness to spend 2 billion of its money on this thing. I dont think we will be seeing anyone stomping anyone anytime soon.