As a kid my family got the Intellivision game console. Atari was seen as inferior. Haha. But when the first hobby computers came out, I traded Intellivision for a BBC computer. My school got the ZX81 and later the ZX Spectrum which I learnt how to program on, but I hated the small keyboards.
I haven't played on any of the modern game consoles. My game platform is my PC. I think the consoles and the games made for them are too expensive. And forget online game play - my ISP only allocates 5GB of broadband speed per month before I drop down to 64Kbps (slightly higher than a 56K modem). I usually enjoy broadband speed for only 15 days of each month. Unlimited I would probably consume 15 - 20GB each month, perhaps more if I watched movies online.
Richard, there are many people who feel your pain when it comes to your ISP. I've heard Comcast puts limits on users. There is a huge debate concerning what media, if any, the next gaming consoles will use. Microsoft backed HD-DVD and Sony owns Blu-ray so since the HD-DVD/Blu-ray battle went to Blu-ray Microsoft doesn't want to pay Sony. That being the case, it is possible to have no media in the future and force users, of the XBox (possibly called the 720) anyway, to download games. If this were to happen download limits would be reached quickly. Downloading content (more) is the future, but the ISPs have to cooperate.
Isn't this similar to the way cell phone plans used to be?
Ouch! Richard I feel very bad for you. Do you have HughesNet? I warn everyone about their F.A.P. but I guess when you don't have any other options you take what you can get. 5gb is easy to reach if you do some downloading.
@Ryan Kazinec: No, I have iBurst in South Africa. I pay nearly US$70 per month too! There are cheaper alternatives now, but the trick that SA ISPs use is to lock people into 24 month contracts so they don't have to worry about losing customers until their contracts expire. Without a contract, I'd have to pay an exorbitant amount for hardware that only works with their networks.
@Tom: it is very similar to the lock in that cell phone companies use.
Richard, Ouch once again. $70 If you're anything like me having high speed internet is like having air to breathe. Okay not really but you know what I'm saying.
I had an Atari and loved it! Space Invaders was my favorite. I don't play the new games, although I would like a Wii - that seems interesting. And I still play Ms. Pac-Man and Gallaga, when I go to the movies. My husband can never beat me at Ms. Pac-Man:--)
Ryan Kazinec
· 12 months ago
As far as game consoles I have to agree with Richard in saying, they are too pricy. I have an original xbox and would love to have a PS3 but the price is holding me back. I remember the original nintendo when I was a young lad. I would play Mario brothers for hours. I actually miss pulling the cartridges out and blowing on them just to get them to work.
Ryan, do you think the price is too high as a PS3 and Blu-ray player? For me personally, I'm a Xbox 360 person, but if the PS3 was my thing I would gladly pony up the money since it would play my movies too. Don't you think game consoles offer more than just the gaming experience and this is bringing us one step closer to devices that do it all?
Speaking of devices that do it all, how many people think it necessary to have a server at home? That question is a little bit of a tease - I will talk more about it later.
Ryan Kazinec
· 12 months ago
Tom, IMO it is still too high even with the advanced functionality. I have a beautiful 60 inch Sony xbr that is just waiting for a blu ray player but I can't justify $400 for a PS3 and I won't budge for a blu ray until a Sony drops below $200. Especially now, with the way the economy is going It's just too risky to spend that kind of money.
I admit to being part of the Atari generation. I loved playing Tetris and Frogger. So many families enjoy playing Wii together. It beats having Uncle Harry tell old stories. LOL
Kathy Curry
· 12 months ago
This was a VERY interesting post with VERY interesting comments! I don't understand all the computer jargon, but I am getting closer with each of these new posts that try to educate me!
I loved ms. pacman and tetris! I still go online and play tetris!
All Comments
I haven't played on any of the modern game consoles. My game platform is my PC. I think the consoles and the games made for them are too expensive. And forget online game play - my ISP only allocates 5GB of broadband speed per month before I drop down to 64Kbps (slightly higher than a 56K modem). I usually enjoy broadband speed for only 15 days of each month. Unlimited I would probably consume 15 - 20GB each month, perhaps more if I watched movies online.
<abbr>Richard Cattos last blog post..Domain Name System (DNS) tweaks</abbr>
There is a huge debate concerning what media, if any, the next gaming consoles will use. Microsoft backed HD-DVD and Sony owns Blu-ray so since the HD-DVD/Blu-ray battle went to Blu-ray Microsoft doesn't want to pay Sony. That being the case, it is possible to have no media in the future and force users, of the XBox (possibly called the 720) anyway, to download games. If this were to happen download limits would be reached quickly.
Downloading content (more) is the future, but the ISPs have to cooperate.
Isn't this similar to the way cell phone plans used to be?
<abbr>Tom Sawyers last blog post..How Important Are Gaming Consoles?</abbr>
<abbr>Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..12 iPhone Apps That Would Dominate (pt. 2)</abbr>
@Tom: it is very similar to the lock in that cell phone companies use.
<abbr>Richard Cattos last blog post..Domain Name System (DNS) tweaks</abbr>
<abbr>Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..12 iPhone Apps That Would Dominate (pt. 2)</abbr>
<abbr>Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..12 iPhone Apps That Would Dominate (pt. 2)</abbr>
Don't you think game consoles offer more than just the gaming experience and this is bringing us one step closer to devices that do it all?
Speaking of devices that do it all, how many people think it necessary to have a server at home? That question is a little bit of a tease - I will talk more about it later.
<abbr>Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..Is Job Security Becoming More Significant Than Compensation and Benefits?</abbr>
I loved ms. pacman and tetris! I still go online and play tetris!