4.20.2007

Consoles and cars [p]

2007Q1 console sales:
Wii: 1,000,000
X360: 720,000
PS3: 500,000
(With DS outselling every system and PS2 outselling X360 and PS3.)

It's nice Sony and Microsoft are getting theirs. To paraphrase the past few years of trash talk:
  • Motion control? That's a gimmick.
  • Motion control? That can't fit the paradigm of modern games.
  • Motion control? We invented it! We call it Sixaxis.
  • The Cell processor basically gives Playstation 3 the power of a supercomputer.
  • We're going to change the way people interact with games. X360 will create an environment where gameplay is driven by human energy.
  • We're not in competition with Nintendo, they sell childrens' games.
  • Playstation 3 will launch this November to compete with X360.
  • The next generation doesn't start until we say it does.
  • When Playstation 3 launches next Christmas, Halo 3 will be there to steal all the attention.
  • The reports that we're implementing the Miis are lies and we will no longer talk to Kotaku... Okay we'll talk to Kotaku again.
That said, I have a fever for a racing game. And the only prescription is a Gran Turismo or Forza. If there's one group that's as annoying as the trash talking SCEA and X360 brass, it's Polyphony. Extraordinary delays, repeated feature sets, and the greatest sin of all: almost charging for content on a re-release. They were the best, and then stopped trying. I believe the verb is 'to EA'.

History indicates the second Forza will follow the Halo series and be the same game with more polygons. It'd be nice to see some innovation, but that's just not going to happen with Microsoft so worried about taking risks with their franchise titles.

Still if the gameplay is solid I'll unshun Microsoft and pick up their system. The Forza car list has been released. Ultimately the quality of the list depends on how it's used. If you have no business buying 90% of the cars because the other 10% blow their class away, your huge list just became very short.

I'm of course saddened that rally hasn't yet been introduced into the series. But other than that I'm impressed. They have a great sampling from so many generations of motorsports. The multiplicity of a single model exists in having numerous race versions rather than the ten different consumer models. The mid-90's lineup is strong, as are the LeMans GT series cars.

Most of all, I'm looking forward to playing with a wheel. It's been all dual shock for me until now. A precision analog wheel and pedal set should make the experience much more enjoyable.

Some highlights of the list...
2002 M3 GTR / 2006 Corvette C6R / 1964 250 GTO / 2003 Mugen S2000 / 1993 XJ-220 / 2005 Exige / 1998 FTO / 1997 GTO / 2002 Skyline Nur / 2007 Peugot 207 / 1995 911 GT2 / 1998 Tommy Kaira Impreza / 1969 2000GT / 1998 VeilSide Supra / 2001 Tuscan R / 2003 R32

Sadly missing...
Nismo Skyline GTR / Veyron / AMG CL35 / M6 / R10 LMP / R34 / Astra

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4 Comments:

Blogger Single finger salute! said...

If you press U/U/D/D/L/R/L/R and A/B/A/B you get to unlock the secret car - the Audi A4 wagon. Did I mention the infinite lives and all the weapons and ammo you also get?

10:08 PM  
Blogger Chris said...

Yeah I heard they dropped a Lambo V-10 in A4's rear. It edged out Rod Millen's MR Pike's Peak Celica in the quarter, which you get with B/A/B/A/U/D/B/A/L/R/B/A/START.

idnoclip sucks because you can't send cars to the outside wall.

11:41 AM  
Blogger Little Thingies said...

Be careful, if you use the directional L,R, your car might explode. You have to use the L,R shoulder buttons.

I'm just glad Epic managed to "convince" Microsoft not to charge for new Gears of War maps. This pay-for-content nonsense has to stop before it really takes off. I pay so much for a game already, I expect everything to be in the box.

But back on topic, the 360 racing wheels looks Xtreeeeme enough warrant building a custom sofa in the shape of a car to go with it.

12:16 AM  
Blogger Chris said...

I doubt we've seen the last of it. I hear the next model they're introducing is paying to get next month's free content now.

I hope 'Xtreeeeme' means good. The Cel could probably spare her passenger seat...

12:43 AM  

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