XBLA, PSN, Wiiware...your thoughts

[Isildur´s Heir]

Do you care for it?
Do you buy the games or only play the trial versions?
What would do like to see on that services?

 

[StrainedEyes]

I buy good games on XBLA or Wiiware.

Castle Crashers
BC Rearmed
Alien Hominid
Peggle
N+
Braid
Portal

The only Wiiware game I have bought is World of Goo. I wish Nintendo would get back on Virtual Console, nothing worthwhile has come out for it in a long time.

I generally try demos, but I usually look at reviews and stuff and buy things that are supposed to be good, and demo things that are supposed to be bad. I haven't been disappointed yet.

I really like XBLA. I wish more quality games came out for it, but I like the option that it's there.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Yeah, I like them I guess. I've never used WiiWare, but I've downloaded games from both XBLA and PSN in the past. I like them both fairly good I suppose.

XBLA is fine as is really. I have no real thing I think could be done better. With the XNA (I believe it's called) is really cool. The only thing I would really like to see change is the point system. The system itself doesn't bother me that much, but I hate the way it's handled. I don't care much for the idea that you can't just say, 'Hey, I'd like this amount of points for this one thing' and you're forced to buy a set number of points. It's true you can just save those points for a time when you will use them, but it still really annoys me.

As far as PSN there are a few things I could see changed. For one, I think Sony needs to focus on getting more PS1 classics, there obviously popular and sell decently. I guess what really needs to happen is to at least get many of the PS1 games on the Japanese store over to the Euro and US store. MGS, RE1-3, Xenogears, FFVII, Silent Hill are good examples of games that I'm sure would be successful and well sought over in these regions, I don't understand why there hasn't been more work done to bring those over. Give them trophies, too. I'm not a diehard trophy/achievement ****e myself, but it seems there's a lot out there.

Would love to see a demo version for every downloadable title like over in XBLA, but with the new 16 cents per gig download policy I doubt many companies will do it unless Sony lays down the law and says they have to do it.

The library itself was one complaint I had, but Sony looks to be remedying that. Them funding independent developers and helping publish their games over PSN was a brilliant move. It not only helps to possibly secure exclusive content, I think it's really going to fuel the creative side of the industry.

I've downloaded a few games from both

XBLA: Braid, Puzzle Quest, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai and Rez HD.
PSN: Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty, Flower, Super Street Fighter II HD Remix

 

[Addendum]

I can't say anything about WiiWare or the PSN since I don't own a Wii or a PS3.

As for Live Arcade, I have no complaints about it. I've never been good at dealing with exchange rates of currency, but the way it's setup is easy to remember. As for not being able to purchase X amounts of points, I've never had that problem since I purchase point cards and go from there.

 

[Brainiac 8]

Personally I'm sort of addicted to the download services. I have spent more money on the Virtual Console than I'd like to admit. Plus I support WiiWare and XBLA quite a bit with great collections:

WiiWare: Mega Man 9, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People episodes 1-5, Gyrosphere, Tetris Party, Dr Mario Online, Defend Your Castle.

XBLA: Braid, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Pacman Championship Edition, Galaga Legions, The Maw.

Needless to say, yea, I support the services quite well.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Personally, i´m big fan of XBLA.
Not that i buy every game there is, in fact, prior to the Deal of the Week (great decision by Microsoft, by the way), the last game i bought was the expansion to Puzzle Quest, back in August 08; and before, the last XBLA game was 1 year ago, in April 08, Ikaruga.
Can´t talk about Wiiware or PSN, for i don´t have neither console.
After "Deal...", i already bought Braid, Alien Hominid and Penny Arcade ep1.
But, from a could gather and Teardrop said, i don´t find much logic in having diferent PSN 1 games on diferent regions.
And, is it true that you can download and play PSP games on the PS3?
I read it somewhere, and, if it is, it´s a kick ass decision.

So, if i don´t buy that much games on XBLA, why do i like it so much?
I like the choise of it all, i like to have those games every wednesday and to have the choise of buying them.
Besides, there are plenty of games i still want to get my hands on.

As for the future, i would love for Microsoft to create a new service, one where you could buy budget games.
That, and XBLA franchises (franchises, not sequels, meaning to have a story continuity).
What i mean is, there are plenty of budget games, made by small developer teams, on the PC that no one buys them, or even games that i can´t really see selling today in retail form, but could be great on downloadable format.
The only problem i see with the budget games is HDD space.

But i see great things coming for those services.
Competition is always a good thing, and since the PSN and Wiiware entered the picture, those kind of services got an all new meaning, stopped being something "fun" but started to be meaningful, like a gaming platform inside a gaming platform.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

What i mean is, there are plenty of budget games, made by small developer teams, on the PC that no one buys them, or even games that i can´t really see selling today in retail form, but could be great on downloadable format.
The only problem i see with the budget games is HDD space.

They use steam.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Personally, i´m big fan of XBLA.
Not that i buy every game there is, in fact, prior to the Deal of the Week (great decision by Microsoft, by the way), the last game i bought was the expansion to Puzzle Quest, back in August 08; and before, the last XBLA game was 1 year ago, in April 08, Ikaruga.
Can´t talk about Wiiware or PSN, for i don´t have neither console.
After "Deal...", i already bought Braid, Alien Hominid and Penny Arcade ep1.
But, from a could gather and Teardrop said, i don´t find much logic in having diferent PSN 1 games on diferent regions.
And, is it true that you can download and play PSP games on the PS3?
I read it somewhere, and, if it is, it´s a kick ass decision.

Yeah, Deal Of The Week is cool. If you're a Gold Member

Honestly, I'm pretty stomped on way they haven't brought those PS1 games over to the EU and US stores. I don't know if it's stupidity on Sony's part or if the publishers aren't keen on the idea. Either way, it's a dumb move on whoever's part, imo.

I know I'd buy MGS and Xenogears if they did. My original MGS's first disk doesn't work anymore (I lent it to a friend once upon a time and I don't know what the hell he did to it, but there was not much left of the bottom part of that disk) and would love to have a playable copy of it again. And I've always wanted to play Xenogears, but the ebay prices are too much to pay for that, even the Greatest Hits verison is way too high.

Of course it would all come down to price as well. Much as I would want those games there's no way I'd pay more then $10-15 for them.

As for Live Arcade, I have no complaints about it. I've never been good at dealing with exchange rates of currency, but the way it's setup is easy to remember. As for not being able to purchase X amounts of points, I've never had that problem since I purchase point cards and go from there.

Currency issues are the main reason why I like the point setup. I too usually get the point cards, but I've never been a fan of the fact that you can't say, 'Hey, I want 800 points' and you get 800 points. You have to either buy a 1600 point card or buy it online and I believe the closest is 900 points.

I know there's no law or rule that says you have to use your left over points and you're free to just save them, but it's still conceivable that you may never use those points again. Which means you just wasted money on them. I guess it's just a pet peeve thing or something with me as no one else seems to mind, but I've always been irritated by that.

Like I just both Dishwasher for 800 points and if I have gotten my points online I would have 100 Points leftover. What the **** are you going to do with 100 Points? Both themes and gamer pics? I'd rather kill myself then buy that worthless ****

 

[Soapy]

I absolutely love these downloadable services. Just like on actual store shelves there is a lot of crap and shovelware to sift through, and I really wish they would have some sort of rating system, but the good games are well worth it. I own several XBLA games, and a couple of PSN games.

The best thing about it is that it gives indie game developers a much more broad outlet for their efforts. Games like Braid or Flower would probably bomb had they been released in a brick and mortar store. But because they are downloadable for a lower price point they have been hugely successful.

It also allows older games that have been looked over in the past to be rediscovered, such as Rez HD. And allow outstanding remakes of classic games like Bionic Commando Rearmed and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Or even be home to totally fresh reimaginings of games that have long been stale and irrelevant a la Pac-Man Championship Edition.

Price is a strong factor as well. In these lean times, if I'm itching for a new game then I'll just look in the Xbox Live Marketplace or in the Playstation Store before I even consider driving to an actual retailer and dropping sixty bones. The price is usually just right for these bite size games. However I'm a bit distraught to that XBLA games are growing ever more expensive. It seems that the five dollar game is now a ten dollar game and the ten dollar game is now a fifteen dollar game.

All in all, I've very positive about the XBLA and PSN games and look forward to seeing more original games in both.

 

[Raiden]

I'm thinking about downloading games from XBLA, but so far I only have Street Fighter II HD Remix. What other games would you guys suggest? I have alot more games from Wii VC, but then again they have so many good, classic games.

 

[StrainedEyes]

I'm thinking about downloading games from XBLA, but so far I only have Street Fighter II HD Remix. What other games would you guys suggest? I have alot more games from Wii VC, but then again they have so many good, classic games.

Alien Hominid
Bionic Commando : Rearmed
Braid
Banjo Kazooie
Banjo Tooie (coming very soon)
Castle Crashers
Doom
Duke Nukem 3D
The Maw
N+
Peggle
Pac-man: Championship Edition
Portal: Still Alive
Puzzle Quest
Switchball
Undertow
Zuma

 

[Soapy]

Any specific kind of games you want?

Generally I would recommend Castle Crashers, Rez HD, Pac-Man Championship Edition, Braid, Portal (If you haven't already played it), Banjo Kazooie, and Geometry Wars 1 or 2.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Yeah, if you haven't played it yet you owe it to yourself to play Portal. Rez is also a good choice. It may not be to everyone's taste, but it's one of those games everyone should play to experience at least once

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Yeah, Deal Of The Week is cool. If you're a Gold Member

To tell you the truth, that´s one of the things i like in the Deal of the Week.
You pay for XBL, you might as well have something that gives meaning to it, because, imo, multiplayer should be allowed to everyone, Gold or Silver.
I´m still waiting for the announcement (whisfull thinking) that the upcoming MMO will be free to play for Gold members.
It makes sense if you think about it, and it would give an enormous edge over the PS3.
The main reason you pay a fee on MMOs is because of bandwidth, but on the XBL, your monthly fee is going to, among other things, bandwidth.
So, why pay a fee for MMOs?
Is not like they will say that the upcoming MMOs will be for Gold members only, so, what will gold members have in MMOs in comparison with the Silver?
My guess is that it will be free.
And to have a free MMO is halfway to have your own "WoW" (not comparing in quality, not many can equal Blizzard, only Bioware comes to mind), and to have a "WoW" is halfway to win the "war", even go head to head with the Wii.

They use steam.

Not so much.
There are some, but i´m talking budget, not indie.
Stardock or Gamersgate have more of those "budget games" than Steam does.
Maybe budget is not the right word, so, i´ll give you some examples, like Merchants of Brooklyn, Drakensang, Necrovision,....
But even so, if they get also into consoles, that have a bigger audience, PC and [insert console]

 

[Tron Bonne]

To tell you the truth, that´s one of the things i like in the Deal of the Week.
You pay for XBL, you might as well have something that gives meaning to it, because, imo, multiplayer should be allowed to everyone, Gold or Silver.

I guess it's a difference of view between Gold & Silver users. I guess Gold members think they deserve more perks for paying, but to me the ability to play online when us Silvers can't should be more then meaning towards it.

I´m still waiting for the announcement (whisfull thinking) that the upcoming MMO will be free to play for Gold members.
It makes sense if you think about it, and it would give an enormous edge over the PS3.
The main reason you pay a fee on MMOs is because of bandwidth, but on the XBL, your monthly fee is going to, among other things, bandwidth.
So, why pay a fee for MMOs?
Is not like they will say that the upcoming MMOs will be for Gold members only, so, what will gold members have in MMOs in comparison with the Silver?
My guess is that it will be free.
And to have a free MMO is halfway to have your own "WoW" (not comparing in quality, not many can equal Blizzard, only Bioware comes to mind), and to have a "WoW" is halfway to win the "war", even go head to head with the Wii.

What upcoming MMO are you talking about?

Not so much.
There are some, but i´m talking budget, not indie.
Stardock or Gamersgate have more of those "budget games" than Steam does.
Maybe budget is not the right word, so, i´ll give you some examples, like Merchants of Brooklyn, Drakensang, Necrovision,....
But even so, if they get also into consoles, that have a bigger audience, PC and [insert console]

Isn't that what that XNA thing is on XBLA?

 

[StrainedEyes]

XBL is less than 5 dollars a month. I really don't see why people get so up in arms about paying for it.

 

[Tron Bonne]

XBL is less than 5 dollars a month. I really don't see why people get so up in arms about paying for it.

Well, for one, I'm not 'up in arms' and secondly, my main reason is that overall it's a waste for me. I would rarely use it at all. The most I would use it for would be the half hour to hour I play SFIV a day, but I can do that on my PS3 for free so why should I pay for it? I would maybe use it for some rentals or occasionally a game I got, for example Ghostbusters when it comes out, but I doubt it would last more then a month.

Simply put, it's not worth it for me. If it was the only choice I had for online, I might, but doubtfully. Just not worth paying for one game and occasional week or month uses that happens no more then thrice a year.

Not sure why that's so hard to understand for people and they get all defensive about it

 

[StrainedEyes]

Well, for one, I'm not 'up in arms' and secondly, my main reason is that overall it's a waste for me. I would rarely use it at all. The most I would use it for would be the half hour to hour I play SFIV a day, but I can do that on my PS3 for free so why should I pay for it? I would maybe use it for some rentals or occasionally a game I got, for example Ghostbusters when it comes out, but I doubt it would last more then a month.

Simply put, it's not worth it for me. If it was the only choice I had for online, I might, but doubtfully. Just not worth paying for one game and occasional week or month uses that happens no more then thrice a year.

Not sure why that's so hard to understand for people and they get all defensive about it

That wasn't directed towards you. Just the in general anger towards paying for XBL. Though, I hope you play more games then just SFIV.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I guess it's a difference of view between Gold & Silver users. I guess Gold members think they deserve more perks for paying, but to me the ability to play online when us Silvers can't should be more then meaning towards it.

I don´t think i deserve more anything, but, as we pay for it, it´s great to have something in return, and, as i said, online should be for everyone, because, as things are, Silver members only get to play half the game they buy.
And no, imo, the ability to play online doesn´t cover it.
Why?
I´ll give you my example, i´m not much of a MP player.
I play it, i get addicted like everyone, but it doesn´t rock my boat as much as single player, as the story and characters.
MP, imo, is nothing more than a virtual paintball, it´s fun from time to time, but the real juice is the single player.
There are more with my opinion, some even don´t touch the MP part of a game, so..no, it doesn´t cover it.

What upcoming MMO are you talking about?

Champions Online
Age of Conan (it´s coming to the 360)
The Secret World
Star Trek Online
Huxley (i think it´s still being made)
APB

XBL is less than 5 dollars a month. I really don't see why people get so up in arms about paying for it.

I don´t...i really don´t.
But the point is that you pay, and so it´s cool to have something in return.

 

[Tron Bonne]

That wasn't directed towards you. Just the in general anger towards paying for XBL. Though, I hope you play more games then just SFIV.

Same here, I wasn't directing that last comment at just you, but I always have that thrown at me. It is true it's only 5 bucks, but it's 5 bucks I can spend or put towards something else.

Yeah, I play more then SFIV, but it's the only online multiplayer component to any game I play consistently

 

[Tron Bonne]

I don´t think i deserve more anything, but, as we pay for it, it´s great to have something in return, and, as i said, online should be for everyone, because, as things are, Silver members only get to play half the game they buy.
And no, imo, the ability to play online doesn´t cover it.
Why?
I´ll give you my example, i´m not much of a MP player.
I play it, i get addicted like everyone, but it doesn´t rock my boat as much as single player, as the story and characters.
MP, imo, is nothing more than a virtual paintball, it´s fun from time to time, but the real juice is the single player.
There are more with my opinion, some even don´t touch the MP part of a game, so..no, it doesn´t cover it.

Well, like I said, it just a viewpoint thing.

Champions Online
Age of Conan (it´s coming to the 360)
The Secret World
Star Trek Online
Huxley (i think it´s still being made)
APB

Heard of Champions Online, Star Trek and Conan. Not heard of any of those. I doubt any of those are potential WOWs or even mid-status WOWs.

I don´t...i really don´t.
But the point is that you pay, and so it´s cool to have something in return.

I've already made my points on the subject, so yeah.

 

[Addendum]

I tried the multiplayer stuff with Half-Life 10 years ago in college, since I had never played deathmatch. It soon bored me because it simply the same thing over and over, with no real depth to it. I then went back to the single-player.

With the other games I've purchased since, I've only looked at the multiplayer stuff in the manual, and it's nothing new. I guess some people like playing the same multiplayer experience with only cosmetic and engine changes.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Heard of Champions Online, Star Trek and Conan. Not heard of any of those. I doubt any of those are potential WOWs or even mid-status WOWs.

I didn´t said they were WoW wannabes, what i said was, if they were free (for the reasons i stated), it´s halfway to be console equivalents to WoW, not in quality, but in fame and fortune.
On a side note, The Secret World is made by Funcom (of Age of Conan) and, by the trailer (in Gamestrailers) look amazing.

 

[Tron Bonne]

I didn´t said they were WoW wannabes, what i said was, if they were free (for the reasons i stated), it´s halfway to be console equivalents to WoW, not in quality, but in fame and fortune.
On a side note, The Secret World is made by Funcom (of Age of Conan) and, by the trailer (in Gamestrailers) look amazing.

Yeah, I know what you meant and that's what I meant by WOW or even mid-status WOW. I meant in success, not quality