360 or upgrade…

[TwistedBishop]

I'm not sure that's true, though. Since the 360 is not basically a PC (which the original Xbox was), there won't be a lot of PC games ported to it and vice-versa. Still be some, but it will basically be the same as the PS2 and PC.

As much as I wish this were true, I recall several Microsoft quotes saying basically the opposite: that their intention is to give people the choice of platforms between console and PC. I'm personally a big Xbox fan, and don't agree with the stance at all, but that's what I think we have to deal with.

 

[TwistedBishop]

Go with the computer. There will be almost no games that come out for the 360 that won't for the computer and the computer will be more universally useful.

I should mention that, while I believe the whole "xbox games will come out for the PC eventually" thing is true, I can't agree that upgrading your computer is a good use of the cash. It's hard to compare $400 spent on a console that will last 5 years versus a tech upgrade for your computer which becomes outdated very quickly. (Although if you do a lot of computer work that requires a better video card or more RAM then maybe it's different.)

Aside from the fact that I'm loathe to play using a keyboard and mouse, that's what keeps me buying consoles: simplicity and dependability over the long-term. I love knowing that in 2010 I can still buy a game, drop it in, and be playing instantly. All without worrying that the hot video card I purchased years ago won't cut it.

 

[trancejeremy]

As much as I wish this were true, I recall several Microsoft quotes saying basically the opposite: that their intention is to give people the choice of platforms between console and PC. I'm personally a big Xbox fan, and don't agree with the stance at all, but that's what I think we have to deal with.

Well, it's really not up to MS, so much as the developers. Sure, most FPSs for the 360 will probably also make it to the PC. But most racing games probably won't, except maybe the ones from EA. I doubt any of the Tecmo games will make it to the PC.

And plus, while the launch games weren't really programmed for it, later 360 games will be written with multi-threading in mind. That will make them tricky to port to the PC (and vice-versa) since while those sort of PCs do exist, they are fairly rare, still.

 

[Arnwyn]

I should mention that, while I believe the whole "xbox games will come out for the PC eventually" thing is true, I can't agree that upgrading your computer is a good use of the cash. It's hard to compare $400 spent on a console that will last 5 years versus a tech upgrade for your computer which becomes outdated very quickly.

While I normally agree with this during the middle of a console lifecycle, I don't agree with the above statement right now if the choice is between upgrading your PC or early-adopting a console...

(Although if you do a lot of computer work that requires a better video card or more RAM then maybe it's different.)

Yeah, definitely a factor to consider.

 

[Black Omega]

What I read is that the US list was 200+ games, while the Japan list was 12 games. Multiple sources seem to claim this, but I can't confirm or deny with confidence.

This is basically correct. I don't know exact how many were compatible on the US market. Either Xbox ran out of time or they aren't worried about the US market. Xbox 360 is off to a very slow start there so far.

 

[Bront]

I should mention that, while I believe the whole "xbox games will come out for the PC eventually" thing is true, I can't agree that upgrading your computer is a good use of the cash. It's hard to compare $400 spent on a console that will last 5 years versus a tech upgrade for your computer which becomes outdated very quickly. (Although if you do a lot of computer work that requires a better video card or more RAM then maybe it's different.)

Aside from the fact that I'm loathe to play using a keyboard and mouse, that's what keeps me buying consoles: simplicity and dependability over the long-term. I love knowing that in 2010 I can still buy a game, drop it in, and be playing instantly. All without worrying that the hot video card I purchased years ago won't cut it.

If the sole purpose is gaming, then yes, you are correct, however, the life of the PC will extend far beyond the use for high end gaming, and not all games are as graphicaly or hardware intensive as others, so there are many games that can be played on lesser hardware.

Also, current video card technology is at a point where they are increasing the framerates so they can do extras to a picture, like anti-aliasing, and such. So, with an older video card, the game is just as playable, looks almost as good, just won't have the little extras, and for me, gameplay is more important than graphical quality, as long as it's playable graphicly.

I'm probably going to be upgrading my comptuer soon. Been eyeing a new system of some kind for a while, and think I may just bite the bullet and upgrade to something in a dual core PCI-X SIDE setup. I should be able to upgrade for about $600-800 to get what I want (HD, Motherboard, CPU, memory, and Video Card, possibly a dual layer DVD burner), and honestly I do a lot more on my computer than I do on consol or with games.

However, my Athlon with the Radeon 8500 has lasted me a long time, and rarely lets me down.

 

[drothgery]

I'm probably going to be upgrading my comptuer soon. Been eyeing a new system of some kind for a while, and think I may just bite the bullet and upgrade to something in a dual core PCI-X SIDE setup.

Nitpick: PCI Express and PCI-X are two different things. Modern desktop motherboards have PCI Express slots; PCI-X is older and was server/workstation oriented. PCI Express is a replacement for AGP, PCI, and PCI-X.