10 things the Xbox 360 does wrong


Recommended Posts

I think perhaps you shouldn't comment abotu things you don't know anything about... like the xbox360 console.

4. "Signing in" with controllers is a COLOSSAL pain in the ass. I don't have an Xbox, but I do have a Wii, and it does the same goddamn horrible thing. Happened to me playing Metroid Prime 3 when the batteries in my Wiimote died and I had to pop it back on that Nyko charger thing. On the Cube I could just swap Wavebird receivers. On the Wii there's some kind of stupid Bluetooth handshake thing that has to take place that, apparently, can't be done mid-game. Thank you so much Nintendo. And Microsoft, you should know better. It's a usability thing - the controller synching is an obstacle to a seamless user experience. Does Steve Jobs have to choke a bitch?

If the battery on your 360 controller runs out there are several options:

1. insert new batteries (you can use regular batteries or the pecial battery pack so..)

2. use the play and charget cable (my preference)

3. turn off the controller, and turn on your other ocntroller if you got two, the other one will get id1, provided it hasn't been on as id2 while the console is on.

4. swap the batteries with the other controller.

5. grab a new battery fomr the quick charge.

in all hese cases you don't need to exit the game, at most you have to press the guide button to turn the controller back on after you replace the batteries. and the 360 cointroller warns you early on about low batteries with a spinnign light circle. When that happns you still have hours left to play so it's not like it sneaks up on you.

8. Format lock-in is pretty much the reason I don't own an Xbox. I've posted before about how I loathe the trojan-horse effort to push DirectX as "the only" game development platform, and this is right along the same lines. No, Microsoft, I do not want to use Windows Media Video. I also do not want to run Windows Anything. I don't like Vista. I don't like MCE. I don't like XP. I like Linux and I like Mac OS X. If you can't be bothered to implement standards in your console, I can't be bothered to go out to a store and give you my money.

didn't read any of the other replies on this topic did you ? and by stanhdards, would you possibly mean something like the UPnP standard for media streamign wich the 360 fully supports ? or the new divx and mp4 codecs? there is no format lock in.

and for MGS, I took a trip to play.com

Xbox360:

Shoot em up: 70 titles (this would be the FPS genre though I think there may be other shooters too)

Adventure: 65 titles (wow you're xbox360 is mostly FPS games is allready crumbling provided the rest of the categories aren't a total of 3 games)

Arcade: 21 titles (crumbled)

Driving: 35 titles

Fighting: 18 titles

Flight sim: 4 titles

Music: 4 titles (ish, also includes a dancing mat :), but not GH2 so it evens out)

Platform: 4 titles

Puzzle: 3 titles

RPG: 19 titles

Sports 51 titles

Strategy: 12 titles

Now let's try toe PS3 for fun

Shoot em up: 43 titles

Adventure: 35 titles

Arcade: 4 titles

Driving: 23 titles

Fighting: 10 titles

Flight sim: 2 titles

Music: 5 titles

Platform: 4 titles

Puzzle: err... Buzz

RPG: 7 titles

Sports: 24 titles

Strategy: 2 titles

Hey look at what's the dominant category on the PS3 as well. and tues to the lower total game volume, it would actually have a higher percentage than shooters on the 360. but on overal I'd say both consoles are abotu the same when it comes to shooters vs everythign else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6. Wi-Fi costs extra

that makes me laugh, because when the PS3 was out original everyone moaned that why theey should pay sooo MUCH if they were never gunna use Wi-Fi :p...

but hey it's one of them things. At the end of the day. yeah the extras are more money. but they are exactly what they say. *Extras*

not essential to have wi-fi just buy a long ethernet wire lol.. :p..

1.Mass storage

Not everyones a freak that downloads everyone GAME demo on live lmao !! :p or are they??

yet again memory card is enough for saves. if not you have choice 20gig/120gig woolworths had the 20gig at ?45 other week i believe.

Bored now:pp

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, I'll have to look at the battery/syncing thing again on the Wii. It was pretty late at night so I think I was running on "reduced cognitive functionality" mode.

Will it pick up the new controller in place of the old one as Player 1, though? The game in question was single-player, so there's no function for another player "joining in" to justify activating another Wiimote.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, I'll have to look at the battery/syncing thing again on the Wii. It was pretty late at night so I think I was running on "reduced cognitive functionality" mode.

Will it pick up the new controller in place of the old one as Player 1, though? The game in question was single-player, so there's no function for another player "joining in" to justify activating another Wiimote.

I haven't tried removing batteries from one remote and trying to get a second one to take it's place as player 1, that actually might not be possible (just like on 360 I can't stay signed in to Live and swap from a controller to a guitar). But with new batteries the original remote should just turn right back on and reconnect by itself no problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8. Format lock-in is pretty much the reason I don't own an Xbox. I've posted before about how I loathe the trojan-horse effort to push DirectX as "the only" game development platform, and this is right along the same lines. No, Microsoft, I do not want to use Windows Media Video. I also do not want to run Windows Anything. I don't like Vista. I don't like MCE. I don't like XP. I like Linux and I like Mac OS X. If you can't be bothered to implement standards in your console, I can't be bothered to go out to a store and give you my money.

Neither PS3, XBOX360 or any gaming console are "open standards". Get off the high horse. If you have so much problem with proprietary stuff then may be you should...stay off *any * Microsoft product ?

Btw VC1/WM is a standard.

And you thing OSX is completely standards based ? Apple uses open standards only when it is convenient to them. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Neither PS3, XBOX360 or any gaming console are "open standards". Get off the high horse. If you have so much problem with proprietary stuff then may be you should...stay off *any * Microsoft product ?

Btw VC1/WM is a standard.

And you thing OSX is completely standards based ? Apple uses open standards only when it is convenient to them. ;)

To be fair, while not completely "open standard" the PS3 is pretty well geared towards BEING open standard.

They allow you to install another OS (Linux), and from a developers POV (as said by Mark Rein), Sony are are open with PSN/their online platform in regards to games/DLC/mods - Which is the reason he says UT3 is hitting the PS3 first.

The first part about Linux isn't THAT big a deal yet until Homebrew matures - Although we are getting there with full access to RSX being tapped into by folk on ps2dev. This may be the first way for us to get our .mkv files playing natively (VLC in Linux) ;)

Infact VLC DOES work in Linux just now on the PS3, but higher res videos (1080p and the likes) run choppy due to restricted RSX access - As I stated though, that's where some recent breakthroughs have been made.

Sony hardware is plagued with propriety stuff just like MS (expensive 1st party gear), although Sony do allow 3rd party hard drives which is nice and saves a buck or two (and you can backup/transfer content from hard drive to hard drive with a USB stick/USB drive - no need for a transfer cable or the likes)

I would like MS to "open" up a bit more, but they've explained their perfectly reasonable reasons not to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do stay off Microsoft based products, at least on my own computers. I do not have Office installed on my Mac and my PCs run Linux.

Mac OS X has a long, long way to go toward being entirely based on open standards, at least in terms of Apple's application software (e.g. iTunes, QuickTime). However, the BSD core of OS X is open, as is the FOSS media software I use on it, like VLC. That's what I was getting at. Where Mac OS X is concerned I have to try to find open-source application software to counteract the parts of the operating system that are proprietary. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it at least allows me to maximize the amount of control I have over my OS. Really, if I didn't use Final Cut Studio, I'd just install the PowerPC version of Ubuntu and call it a day. As it is, though, my G5 is my media workstation and I need OS X to get the most out of it for that purpose.

WM may be a standard, but how open is the specification? It's still proprietary, isn't it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try doing an update on a 360 and then do one on a PS3. One is as easy as pushing a doorbell, while the other is like filling out mortgage paperwork.

:unsure:

I found that easy to do on both of them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 Things the Xbox 360 Does Right (Remix)

1. Mass storage

Right. While I agree that a hard drive should have been standard, the fact of the matter is that it is very easy for developers to determine if a hard drive is present and stream data to it accordingly. This complaint is on the same level as me complaining that I'm missing a sock.

2. It crashes and it dies

Maybe back when it first came out, but all the problems seem to have been fixed. Besides, the three year warranty showed that Microsoft was perfectly willing to help the vocal minority of people who did have problems.

3. Noise

If you can actually hear the noise while playing a game or watching a movie, then you've gotta be Superman or something. I can't hear it unless I'm actively trying to. And if you play late at night and have to keep the volume soft? Use headphones; that's what they're there for.

4. You have to ‘sign in’ with controllers

No, you don't. This is a bold-faced lie.

5. Its UI is vulgar

No, it's not. The writer seems to forget that the UI was universally praised when the system came out for cleanly organizing a massive amount of information. Plus, the addition of the Marketplace blade in the Spring update, as well as the huge reorganization of information in the most recent Fall update shows that Microsoft is more than happy to make adjustments in the name of usability.

5a. Faceplates

I have a few faceplates, and they look quite nice. Obviously, not all of them are great, but what do you expect? I've got a sexy Full Auto faceplate on that looks awesome on my Elite.

6. Wi-Fi costs extra

So? Not everybody needs Wi-Fi; I know I don't. And the option to add it is there if you need it.

7. Multiple SKUs

If it were on the same level as Vista, this would be a valid complaint. But, at launch, there were two SKUs. The Elite became a third, and the Arcade replaced the Core in much the same way that the HDMI-enabled Premium replaced the Premium. So, you've got a low-end version with no hard drive and obviously targeted towards casual gamers, an average version with a hard drive that is suitable for most people, and a high-end version that has a large hard drive for people who intend to take advantage of all the downloadable content on Marketplace. I fail to see how this is a negative.

8. Format lock-in

Again, a bold-faced lie. You can stream data to the 360 from pretty much any operating system, and the addition of DivX and Xvid in the Fall update shows that Microsoft is more than happy to allow you to play the content you want.

9. Xbox Live costs money

Yeah, so they can keep the service running smooth and steady. Besides, if you just want to download stuff from the Marketplace, you can just get a Silver account, which is free.

9a. Wallpapers and themes cost money.

So? Don't download it if you don't want to. Ignoring the fact that the 360 comes with about 20 different themes, for free, there are always free themes to download on Marketplace; I'm using a Ford Sync theme, which was free, and it looks great. Furthermore, most of the themes are crap in the first place, so it's not like you're really missing out on anything by refusing to spend money on themes. Finally, you can easily apply your own wallpaper to the system, perfectly free, and make your system look like whatever you want (although, admittedly, the inability to apply different wallpapers for each blade is somewhat lame, despite the fact that being able to do so would invalidate the whole point of paying for themes).

10. Sheer bloody-mindedness

I don't even really know what this means. Microsoft and the Xbox Team has had unprecedented contact with the gaming public, with Major Nelson being the most visible example of that. They are willing to admit mistakes and take steps to fix them. The Xbox 360 continues to be the best next-gen system on the market, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Microsoft must be doing something right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:unsure:

I found that easy to do on both of them?

360 update (Entire process takes about 30 seconds)

1. Turn on console and be greeted with an "Update" notice

2. Accept the update

3. The 360 downloads and installs it in about 15 seconds

4. 360 reboots itself

PS3 update (Entire process takes about 10-15 minutes)

1. Turn on console and notice that it didn't sign you in

2. Go to the System Update setting

3. Tell it to download the update from the Internet

4. Go through the 3-4 screens of telling it YES and finally hit X

5. PS3 begins to download the update (My last 4 updates took about 3-4 minutes)

6. After the download is complete, it then "looks" for the update (As if it ran off somewhere or the PS3 misplaced it)

7. Go through the same YES screens where it asks you if you want to install the update (My last 4 updates took about 2-3 minutes)

8. PS3 finally reboots

Link to comment
Share on other sites

360 update (Entire process takes about 30 seconds)

1. Turn on console and be greeted with an "Update" notice

2. Accept the update

3. The 360 downloads and installs it in about 15 seconds

4. 360 reboots itself

PS3 update (Entire process takes about 10-15 minutes)

1. Turn on console and notice that it didn't sign you in

2. Go to the System Update setting

3. Tell it to download the update from the Internet

4. Go through the 3-4 screens of telling it YES and finally hit X

5. PS3 begins to download the update (My last 4 updates took about 3-4 minutes)

6. After the download is complete, it then "looks" for the update (As if it ran off somewhere or the PS3 misplaced it)

7. Go through the same YES screens where it asks you if you want to install the update (My last 4 updates took about 2-3 minutes)

8. PS3 finally reboots

Haha, really? That's laughable! :rofl:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I know, those are the only games I own.

I really wouldn't know, since I don't own a PS3.

No, I just pointed out the obvious. The X360 lineup is over saturated with shooters (superb, mediocre, crappy shooters).

See, it doesn't bother you because you like FPS. But for people like me, the only other options are Mass Effect and Ace Combat 6.

And for FPS I've got my PC, so its much better.

If stating the evident is attacking the X360, then sorry to hurt your feelings.

Then maybe the XBOX360 isn't for you? Why the hell did you buy it then? :rolleyes:

I count 3 - piracyX, brandon, ironman

You know, the usual :p

Thats rich coming from you. You are the trollmaster around here, not us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, I just pointed out the obvious. The X360 lineup is over saturated with shooters (superb, mediocre, crappy shooters).

See, it doesn't bother you because you like FPS. But for people like me, the only other options are Mass Effect and Ace Combat 6.

And for FPS I've got my PC, so its much better,

You also forgot superb racing games and (at the moment at least) superior sports games. The rest are available on pretty much all consoles save for some exclusives here and there with the exclusive edge going to Nintendo with the 360 close behind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

His argument about the 360 being overly saturated with FPS games was killed with this:

and for MGS, I took a trip to play.com

Xbox360:

Shoot em up: 70 titles (this would be the FPS genre though I think there may be other shooters too)

Adventure: 65 titles (wow you're xbox360 is mostly FPS games is allready crumbling provided the rest of the categories aren't a total of 3 games)

Arcade: 21 titles (crumbled)

Driving: 35 titles

Fighting: 18 titles

Flight sim: 4 titles

Music: 4 titles (ish, also includes a dancing mat :), but not GH2 so it evens out)

Platform: 4 titles

Puzzle: 3 titles

RPG: 19 titles

Sports 51 titles

Strategy: 12 titles

Now let's try toe PS3 for fun

Shoot em up: 43 titles

Adventure: 35 titles

Arcade: 4 titles

Driving: 23 titles

Fighting: 10 titles

Flight sim: 2 titles

Music: 5 titles

Platform: 4 titles

Puzzle: err... Buzz

RPG: 7 titles

Sports: 24 titles

Strategy: 2 titles

Hey look at what's the dominant category on the PS3 as well. and tues to the lower total game volume, it would actually have a higher percentage than shooters on the 360. but on overal I'd say both consoles are abotu the same when it comes to shooters vs everythign else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

correct, that's the way you apply updates on that thing... :rolleyes: :p

Well it's no secret that since Microsoft is a software company first that the process would be as easy as just hitting a button to accept the update on the 360, but I didn't know the whole ordeal was so primitive on the PS3. It's pretty sad, I wonder how many PS3 users there are that are still on older firmware because they weren't able to figure out how to update. I know of at least 1 for sure (friend of mine).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Someone did a chart of the 360 games and only 14% of them were shooters. It's not the 360s fault that the best games just happen to be shooters. Could be worse though. The 360s top AAA games could be complete flops like some other console maker.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

His argument about the 360 being overly saturated with FPS games was killed with this:

Would you look at that, PS3 has more FPS games on their system than anything else. :rolleyes:

Hopefully this "XBOX360 only has FPS games and nothing else" can die, but of course i am sure its only getting started. :wacko:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me it's simple, I hate all the consoles.

Well then go back to the Hardware Hangout? what are you doing here anyway if all you have come to do is say that?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.