🚀 go-pugleaf

Dean Siren wrote:
> 
> Do you think Valve's Steam broadband content distribution, or something similar,
> will work on today's consoles? Valve's Steam rep Gabe Newell said that "...the
> underlying Steam 'service' will just be something that's transparent to you -
> things like updates, new anti-cheating code, news, special offers, buddy lists,
> server lists, etc. These will be added bonuses to you the customer." Meaning
> that Valve's games will spy on their customers to some extent. I'm wondering how
> Steam will work for players under 18 and players without credit cards.
> How do you want to pay for and play your games?
> 
> Read more on,
> 
> http://www.gamespy.com/gdc2002/poweredbysteam/
> http://www.steampowered.com


Interesting article, but I don't believe that consoles ever will take off in 
online gaming, and for several reasons, mostly related to the nature of
consoles.

The ideas presented by STEAM are not new.  Subscription game downloads were
done by SEGA as Sega TV many years ago, and as you can see, the idea didn't
last.  Online console gaming has been tried as well, with the X-Band 
matching service (SNES and Genesis, failed), the Saturn Netlink (failed)
and most recently the Dreamcast with Seganet (pretty much dead).

There are several reasons why there is a natural resistance to online games
involving consoles, imho.  I'll outline a few of them.

Unlike a PC, a videogame console is a "set top box" design, much closer in
the intent of use of say, a VCR or a DVD player (some actually DO that) in
conjunction with other entertainment components than a self-contained PC
typically is.  Consoles therefore lock up common shared household resources
(the TV set, stereo, and all of the attachments) to a much greater degree
than a PC does (in typical use).  This is the resource issue, and until
it's resolved, online console gaming has a tough row to hoe.

Another issue which causes problems is one of spontaneity, as console 
gamers are used to moving from one game to another almost as quickly
as one goes from machine to machine in a video arcade.  Unlike PC online
games, many console games actually have arcade origins, and more than a
few of the big names in the console world began as arcade developers.
So, traditionally, console games are much more along the lines of say,
slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am than PC games.  This is not the way most online
games can be played, as it often takes so long to find an opponent that
for a shorter arcade-style game, it's simply not worthwhile.  This is
the spontaneity issue, and it too will be difficult to resolve for online.

Last, but hardly least of the issues, is the issue of cost.  The single
most OBVIOUS difference between a gaming-class PC rig and a console is
the price tag.  Consoles pretty much max out at $300, and you couldn't
even get a PC worth LAUGHING at for that little money.  Console gamers
often game with an eye towards costs, with very few expensive peripherals
ever becoming very successful and the costs of games constantly causing
much grumbling.  To put it mildly, console gamers are a lot more frugally
minded than what PC gamers are, and the minute anyone mentions a "fee"
for playing a game, the console userbase all but evaporates instantly.
This is the sticker-shock issue, and it will possibly be the most 
difficult of all to resolve, because it requires changing the entire
console gaming attitude.

All imho.

-- 
ense petite placidum sub libertate quietem;
With the sword she seeks calm repose under
liberty: By the sword we seek peace, but
peace only under liberty.
(motto of Massachusetts)