Virtua Fighter 5 - Waste of time.

[bertie]

I think Parm makes a really excellent point, and I have to say I agree with it.

For techie people like us, who take an overview of consoles and what they can do before making a purchase, the lack of online play at least as good as the 360 can be seen as a major problem for would-be PS3 buyers.

However, a lot of people I'd imagine who wouldn't buy an Xbox or Xbox 360 because "it's not a playstation" have no idea about the delights of online play and as long as the box has PLAYSTATION written on it they couldn't care less.

Sony are shooting themselves in the foot by not providing developers with the tools to add online play for all the launch games, and it doesn't bode well for the future of the console.

As for the launch titles mentioned, I really don't think it'll be a big deal for many people who have been eagerly anticipating the PS3 .. as long as they are not regulars on the (from what I hear fantastic) Xbox Live service.
I don't doubt that given the right tools, developers will make the best of the PS3s online capabilities in time.


I guess it really boils down to personal preference and experience as others have pointed out - if you're used to having online play in every game, you're going to miss it when it's not there, if not (like me), you won't.

I think it's easy to forget that a surprising number of people are still willing to let a company tell them what they want and need, as weird as it sounds, making this less of an issue for hardcore fans as you might think.

[bigblue]

I kinda thought the same, that the typical PS3 owner may not be as clued up about online play as a PC/360 owner. The more I've thought about it though, the less sure I've become of it.

While I appreciate that there will be a lot of spoilt little brats demanding and getting one, I think we're doing PS3 buyers a disservice.

I'm pretty sure that at that price point, and with it's AV/Blu-ray capabilities, the buyer of a PS3 may be a little more mature and "techie" than current PS owners. Indeed I imagine that there will be a few ageing AV buyers who've possibly never owned another console buying it for the Blu-Ray, as much as a lot of non gamers on various AV Forums have bought a 360+HD DVD drive purely for it's media playing/streaming functions.

I think the PSP made the average age of a Playstation product owner older, and I imagine the PS3 will do it further.

[Nick]

As a PS3 owner, yes, I've had one for a month or so now, my initial thoughts were of excitement, then, (sadly), disappointment.

Its a bit like being given the keys to what looks like an immensely powerful car and then finding out that the rev limiter is set to1100rpm.

The PS3 just lacks the software to make it a viable challenge to the Xbox 360. The online side of things, such as the abysmal PlayStation Network, just underlines the fact that Sony haven't finished making this package... and no, I don't mean developing I really do mean making.

Seriously, there's been an update for the console itself almost every week over the last 6 weeks, there's so little online play it might as well not be there and as a media system, the PS3 is totally outclassed by the Xbox 360.

Sure, you can argue AV fans will go for the PS3 because of BD's unarguable greater spec but tech-savvy AV fans will still be holding off on making a buying choice right now. And from actual experience, even shopping in countries where BD has been out a while, BD is far, far less easily available than HD-DVD, either on the street or through e-tailers.

In the networked media stakes, the Xbox 360, as we know, is a media extender that hooks up to any windows XP (or later) machine and can stream media over your network. The PS3 doesn't. At all. It's all through memory stick or not at all. I would bloody LOVE to be proved wrong and be told how the PS3 streams music and photos (as the most basic Xbox 360 set-up will do) but it just doesn't as far as I can see.

And all of these negative comments, from a PS3 OWNER don't forget, don't even touch on the lack of decent games. Yeah, yeah, I know it's not out yet, but I order online, job done... except there's little to actually go for.

Call of Duty 3 I have and quite like, much better than the Wii version.
Fight Night 3 - Done it on the Xbox 360 and was underwhelmed by it then.
Full Auto 2 - MOre of the same game from the Xbox 360 version.
Genji Days of Blade - repetitive fighting (wish I'd never bought it! Stoo, wanna trade? )
Madden NFL 07 - Just not a game I want to play... It might be marvellous but it's not my bag.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance - Oh deary me.. a revamp of the Xbox 360 game.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire - Very, very, very average. If it wore grey and drove a MIcra it couldn't be more average.
NBA 07 - See NBA 2K7
NBA 2K7 - See NBA 07
Need for Speed: Carbon - Hmmm, is this a port? From which platform, possibly the Xbox 360? Either way, nothing at all new here.
NHL 2K7 - Don't like ice hockey so I haven't played it.
Ridge Racer 7 - Not played it... it's the SEVENTH version of the game, where's the innovation?
Sonic the Hedgehog - Ah no, sorry, a next-gen console with a 4 millionth gen OLD game? Just not risking me cash on it.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 - Wow, it's just like the Xbox 360 version... oh hang on, that's not a good thing...
Tony Hawk's Project 8 - Ooh, a use for the six-axis... except it sucks more than an industrial pump at the sewage farm.
Resistance: Fall Of Man I've had a crack on and just didn't like it.

So you can see I've spent a fair bit of time and blown a good whack of my cash on the PS3 and my conclusion is this:

It's premature. Way way way too early for the software and online side of the experience to be ready.

The PS3, POTENTIALLY, has the processing power to make XBox 360 titles (in a direct, side by side comparison), look inferior.

But, as is the way with new hardware, the support just isn;t there as yet.

However, what makes the PS3's lack of support worse is that even compared to the Xbox 360's launch, which as Stoo will rightly point out had a crap start too, the PS3 is still a less satisfying experience 'out of the box' than the Xbox 360 was.

You could argue that this is becuase the Xbox 360 has developed and we expect more from the PS3 but my answer would be yes, I do expect more from the PS3, it cost me more and has been in development longer, all I've heard is how it's more powerful and superior to anything I've seen before... but the physical evidence sitting under my TV right now suggests something slightly different...

That PS3 under my telly right now obviously has the potential to be a better gaming machine than the Xbox 360, I've seen glimpses of what it can do and I'm looking forward to it maturing... in everything else, online and media streaming, the XBox 360 has the PS3 trounced.

The PS3 just isn't ready yet. Like the latest Rocky film (which is bloody good, actually), the PS3 needs to go off, run up and down some stairs and work hard on it's technique... having loads of muscle is no good if it trips up over the ropes getting into the ring... However, if Sony sort out the online experience,possibly even aping the Xbox Live full GUI... if they can get some sort of decent media streaming going and if BD gets more widespread retailer and producer support, then the PS3 will take the Xbox 360 the full distance and very likely win on a unaminous decision.

But that's a lot of 'ifs' and based on what I have here right now, I honestly think that anyone buying a PS3 in March should think VERY carefully about what they're expecting from the console.

[kempez]

Nice sum up Nick, sure to be useful to those who are thinking about a PS3

My mate is getting one for sure, because of BD and his 1080p TV, but I think he's gonna be slightly disappointed with the rest of it (he already has a 360 and loved it, especially online Gears of War).

I'm still holding judgment, even though I've actually had a good play with one

[Raz316]

I dont actually have any of the current (are they current now, or still next gen?) consoles and haven't had a console that had online play. It hasn't really seemed like an important factor to me.

Dont get me wrong, I've played my fair share of online games but on the PC. I spose what I am saying is, I totally understand why it's important to you (cos ya clearly like online play) but maybe a majority of gamers still dont really do online play? (I cant back that up with anything, its just a thought)

If I had to choose between an X360 and a PS3 though, it'd be the xbox everytime (I really like the idea of achievement points, the fact that you can get them from old re-releases too is really cool)

[GeorgeTuk]

I agree with Parm here.

I mean we can all talk about, grandiose terms anput specs and 1080i/p/s/m/d/xy and z until the cows come home but in reality the tech community make up quite a small proportion of the market and I think alot of consumers will be heading out to upgrade their PS2 with a PS3. Simple as that.

They will get the series they like already, some online features and a Blu-Ray player. It will be an upgrade on what they already have and as such a safe bet. I am sure they won't fl off the shelves in the same way the Wii does bt slowly and surely it will sell plenty enough for Sony to be happy about.

[steve threlfall]

Will a lack of quality titles, which is perfectly understandable considering the systems relative infancy and little to no online play, damage PS3? I dont think so. The initial hard core early adopters will see the bigger picture and buy one, bearing in mind that it will (one day) be great. I did the exact same thing with the PS2 and 360 (no decent AAA games available when i bought either system).

For hardcore gamers, xbox live is a big draw. Great online play can massively increase a games life span. The real money of course is in the high voulme sales genearted by more casual gamers and they are more likely to be turned off by PS3's price than a lack of decent games/online play. Most casual gamers dont really care about online gaming and though im sure this sitation will change over time, its really not an issue at the moment.

Remember, most casual gamers cant see the differences between game graphics or HD/SD etc, and even if they did, they probably wouldnt care anyway. Besides, Sony will do what they have done before and over the next few years the PS3 will be expertly marketted. Reading about how PS3 has been 'owned' is getting more than a little tiresome now anyway. I would rather be playing some top notch games like GOW, Crysis or Gran Turismo because after all, it really is (or at least should be) about the games.

[bigblue]

I still kinda disagree the the majority of PS3 owners will be PS2 upgraders. People who are now considered "typical" PS2 owners are somewhat different to the folk that bought it at launch, at the not too dissilimar launch price

Regarding AV buyers not buying anything 'til the format wars settle, I agree to a point, but from being fairly active on many European and US AV boards what's happening to a degree is people are buying a console HD player until the format wars settle. That's what I'm doing meself

I wouldn't stay away from PS3 because I have 360 and Wii. I can't wait. I don't have loyalty to any manufacturer and don't feel that now I've got another system that I've made my choice so I can't go to a rival brand. All I really care about is the games. The machines are simply a way to let me play them so I don't care who makes it, if it has decent titles, I'm 'aving one !

[mcmiller]

yeah have to agree it is kida tiresome reading how the 360 is owning the ps3 well duh its been out for a year longer than ps3 the same goes online gaming i'm pretty sure sony are busy getting it ready, if after 6 months there hasnt been any substantial improvement on the online features then its time to criticise.
I personally would like to have ps3 but due to cost i cant afford one and i personally think its to much to pay anyway so in that respect i'd rather hve 360

[sawyen]

Sega AM-2 have made no secret of their lack of online throughout the series - it's a serious hardcore fighter and they don't believe it's possible to have fair fights online given the precision timing in this game. I really don't see how this ruins the game though - yes, it's easier to find players online than get mates round, but that's about it.

nod nod.. my thoughts exactly..

try doing wave dash (well, tekken players should know what I'm talking about) or chicken recovery (for VF) online with a set ping will probably get you killed most probably..

I mean, online games are great, but having VS game will a specific ping delay, which I know it wont matter for most casual players, is almost penalizing for advanced players.

Eventually, players would end up playing 'turtle' in VF, or end up being just a grapple-fest, as breaking throws can no longer be as accurate as two players playing side by side.. Juggle moves will be watered down to a 3 move or multiple hit rapid pressing combos rather than specifically timed combos that carry depth and difficulty. And when if games like VF go online, frame data (generated by pro communities, and SEGA themselves) becomes entirely irrelevant as just-frame moves will no longer 'guarenteed' to connect, as it also dependent on the ping of your connection. So 'punishment' on silly moves by the opponent will not translate to definite high difficulty but rewarding tech-catch, rather to a washed down jab or kick to end it all..

I dont know my comments bring any form of contributions, but I'm speaking in a VS game language which is getting a little niche anyways (most pro players of this ancient gaming genre is pretty much depleted)..

[Stewart]

Thread cleaned up and moved to Sony forum.

[directhex]

VF5 has been outsold in japan...

...in a 2:1 ratio...

...by DOA4 on xbox 360

eek!

doa4's been out a little longer, true, but there are 7.5x more ps3 owners than 360 owners

http://kotaku.com/gaming/virtua-figh...oa4-235688.php

[Stewart]

Good.

I hope Virtua Tennis 3 on the 360 outsells the PS3 version by 70 quintillion to 1.

Sony need to realise, if you charge a premium price for your hardware, and then supply inferior software, people are not going to like it.

Having VT3 exactly the same on both systems, but with online mode only on the 360 is a massive embarassment for Sony. It makes a mockery of their cutting edge, modern image. How can a game like this not be online... its 2007, not 1997.

I wonder if VT3 will cost half as much on the PS3, seeing as half the game experiance will be missing?

EDIT - Silly me, its all ok after all, because the PS3 version will have a sort of crap tilt thingy included! That more than makes up for it!

[Tejstar]

Credit is due to Sega here. I think their decision not to include online play shows the integrity they hold for the VF franchise. Until the network infrastructure is spot on (i.e. lag free play for fighting games given that timing is so crucial) I imagine Sega will stay away from online versus.

[Stewart]

Credit is due to Sega here. I think their decision not to include online play shows the integrity they hold for the VF franchise. Until the network infrastructure is spot on (i.e. lag free play for fighting games given that timing is so crucial) I imagine Sega will stay away from online versus.

Take your point, but the reviews don't say that, they say 'no online - thats a bit of a downer'.

[haloman]

I just read the first post, and comparing VF5 to DOA is an utter joke - one has the depth of the sea and the other has the depth of a jam sandwich. Due to the nature of VF5, a highly technical fighting game, I seriously doubt it'd even work online, particularly considering the type of people who play it (it's practically a competitive sport!).

I'm not a PS3 apologist or fanboy or whatever. I just think it's an obscene comparison to make - I don't think VF5 appeals to the same audience as DOA either despite the similarities on the face of it.