PC, Xbox 360 or PS3?

[Enforcer]

TrueSkill is a Live thing, not a game-specific thing. See http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/features/nextgenmatchmaking.htm It even takes into account what modes of a game you play. "For example, if you're dominant in straight up races in Burnout Revenge™, but struggle a bit more in Crash mode, you'll be matched up against players of appropriate skill for each game mode individually."

Does the PS3 let you rate other players? On Live you can review other players and "Prefer" or "Avoid" them. That's been a great feature for me. For "Avoid" you can even sub-specialize for behavior, player's skill, or player's unfamiliarity with whatever game you're playing. So say I don't like have JoeSchmoe on my Team Fortress 2 team because he has no idea what he's doing (unfamiliarity), I can avoid him for that game, thereby leaving open the option that he's awesome at Call of Duty 4 and good to play with there.

 

[Arnwyn]

Cool beans - that TrueSkill system is so needed for online gaming. Awesome stuff (never noticed it, but that might be part of the beauty of it).

The PS3 doesn't have any way of specifically "rating" other players, but it certainly has a friends ("prefer") and ignore ("avoid") system. It can work for both single game or system-wide. Doesn't sound that it has different degrees of Friend/Prefer/Avoid that Live has. More degrees = good, for sure.

With that, I suppose I can see some people willing to spend $50 for that TrueSkill thing if they really, really like online gaming (though I certainly wouldn't).

In any case, that's definitely a start - if MS can do more things like that and advertise them more often and more clearly, they might have a case for a for-pay Live Gold subscription. But casual use on both/all systems certainly hurts MS (though it is also true that not many people have multiple systems).

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Well I really like it so far. I got the Pro system with Forza Motorsports 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Then I picked up NHL 08. I'll rent games like Gears of War and Bioshock since I probably won't play them over and over. Mass Effect is a must purchase though when I get some more cash. Dropping 460 bucks in one shot on video games gave me twitches yesterday. It looks awesome on my 720p TV. And I was surprised it would sync with my iPod for playing music on it. Cool beans, I thought Microsoft would hamper that and make it Zune only.

XBox Live seems cool but I doubt I'll get the Gold membership right away since I don't play much online. That may change of course.

 

[Mallus]

Well I really like it so far.

Cool. You really can't go wrong with a 360 at this point.

That said, I was playing a little Uncharted last night before we wife commandeered the TV for Project Runway, and it's nice to know there's at least one currently available PS3 exclusive that rocks on toast.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I'm sure there are great games coming for the PS3, but as of now what I want is on the 360 and I have some issues with Sony too. Maybe I'll get a PS3 down the line.

This is my first console since the Genesis and I have to say these things have come a long way.

 

[Mallus]

This is my first console since the Genesis and I have to say these things have come a long way.

No kidding. I had both an Xbox and a PS2, and I was still very impressed when I saw titles like Bioshock and Ratchet & Clank running on good HDTV's.

 

[Rackhir]

Interesting article on some of the sources of the 360 hardware problems.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/digitaljoystick/archives/129866.asp

Definitely make sure you get the latest hardware rev models if you possibly can.

 

[John Crichton]

Interesting article on some of the sources of the 360 hardware problems.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/digitaljoystick/archives/129866.asp

Definitely make sure you get the latest hardware rev models if you possibly can.

Good article.

I saw that on another site as well. Nothing actually new in the article but it (if true) does confirm what many of us have been thinking for a while now.

 

[Zarithar]

All 3 if possible. But if I had to choose... PC hands down.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Well, I am a 360 fan, but once you throw a PC into the mix, I'd have to vote for that over the 360. If you are looking for just gaming though, 360 is probably your best bet. If you want to do more than gaming, like reading ENWorld then go PC. Also, if you are into MMORPGs, the PC is for you (not many MMOs on consoles, and the ones that are out there are not very good). If you are into RTSs (like StarCraft) then go PC. If you are into FPSs (like Doom or Unreal) it is a toss up between PC or console. Some people still prefer PCs for their FPSs, but I prefer console (again, 360... I am a Halo fan so...).