Gaming has been greatly enhanced by new technologies. It wasn't that long ago that we had to go all the way to the store, rely on the advice of a geeky salesclerk and spend hours playing games alone (Ok, so most of us still do that). Today, however, we can research games, download demos, buy games, get hints, and connect with others from all over the world without ever leaving home. Because of these abilities, some once-common sights in the gaming world no longer exist. Some of these disappearances are a good thing, while others are sorely missed. Here are 5 elements that have disappeared from modern gaming:
5. Complete and perfectly working gameplay (without the need for patches)
There are far too many examples of modern games shipping buggy or even broken. Some game producers seem to rush games out the door with a "we'll fix it later" approach. Nothing is more frustrating than buying a new game, installing it and finding out it doesn't work without hunting down a patch. Before the internet, game developers had only one chance to get it right. Console gamers have even been caught in the phenomenon with many PS3 owners being surprised to find their newest games like Call of Duty 4 or Heavenly Sword won't run until a mysterious mandatory "update" is downloaded and installed.
4. Really overpriced 1-900 hint lines
Before the advent one stop game walkthrough sites like GameFAQs, early gamers without access to the internet really could get stuck in a game and render their $40 investment useless. That's why most (especially adventure) games included a standard page near the end of their manual that read something like "...for recorded tips 24 hours a day call 1-900-555-1212 ($0.95/min) for live help call from 8am to 5pm EST 1-900-555-1213 ($1.95/min)". Today you'd be hard pressed to find a company still offering a live help hint line (or anyone willing to call at those rates for that matter).
3. Big boxes with lots of things in them
Instead of the standard size boxes nearly all current computer software comes in today, game boxes used to come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes. While these boxes didn't fit quite as neatly on a shelf as today's games do, they did allow for some pretty cool stuff to come in the box. Wall-sized maps, laminated reference cards and big thick manuals with lots of pictures all easily fit into these boxes. Perhaps the best example was the "feelies" included with classic Infocom text-adventure games. One could find humorous references to their game such as postcards, sunglasses or even a genuine zorkmid.
2. Registration Cards (And cool stuff for filling them out)
Long before nag screens that prompted you every 10 minutes to register your game over the internet, most software included a physical card to be filled out and mailed back to the game creator. In return for providing this valuable marketing data, game companies would often offer valuable physical incentives. Gamers could expect to get disks with bonus content, free shareware titles, coupons, subscriptions to in-house magazines, (another relic sadly missed) and even clothing like cheap t-shirts and hats. While this may not sound like a lot, getting something in the mail was always exciting for young gamers. It is certainly better than the "special promotional offers" (spam) that most companies provide today.
1. Shareware Discs
In the early 90's, you could easily find rotating racks filled with dozens and dozens of games and software shareware floppy disks. These displays were found not only in computer stores, but also in bookstores, grocery stores and even gas stations. For a dollar or two one could pick up a floppy disk containing a (usually quite crippled) piece of software that would require sending a full payment by check or money order through the mail in order to get the full version. If you didn't like the game you could pass it on to a friend or erase the disc and then load on a pirated game for a friend. At any rate, these disks could be an easy way to buy a single floppy disk without having to shell out for a whole box.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
5 Possible Outcomes to the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray Format War
As a follow up to last week's post on HDTV, we will explore the current HD format war in a little more detail. While it's assumed that one format, either HD-DVD or Blu-Ray will eventually "win" and become the format of choice, other possibilities do exist. Here are 5 different ways in which this war could eventually be settled:
1. HD-DVD Wins
HD-DVD still has a lot going for it. Start with a lower cost of manufacture for discs allowing studios to earn higher profits. Lower costs of manufacture for players means most HD-DVD players are less expensive than Blu-Ray players. While most studios support Blu-Ray, Paramount and Universal still back HD-DVD exclusively. Strong support from Microsoft (due to their HDi technology built into players) can’t hurt the format either.
2. Blu-Ray Wins
Blu-Ray has a strong potential to win the war. It currently has the support of the majority of the domestic film studios. This support recently grew as Warner Brothers, who was previously releasing discs in both formats, announced that it would begin to release new titles exclusively in Blu-Ray format. The PS3 also has built-in support for Blu-Ray (unlike the Xbox 360 which requires an optional add-on HD-DVD player). While the PS3 hasn’t exactly blown critics out of the water yet, it’s still a cheap(ish) and easy way to break into the world of HD.
3. Both Formats Stay
Who says a format is going to or even has to win? It is far from unheard of that two very similar but different technologies share the spotlight. Think Mac vs. Windows. It could happen that neither format gains enough support to win over consumers. We could be stuck with both formats until the next generation of video technology surfaces. Players such as the LG BH100 which support both formats only serve to make this outcome a very real possibility.
4. Total HD (Or Another Dual Format) Wins
Warner Brothers announced a third format called Total HD that supports both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players on a single disc. While a fairly far off shot, it’s conceivable that consumers could adopt this format or another "universal disc" style format (if it ever gets released to market).
5. No One Wins
Admittantly it’s a pretty far off shot, but it could happen that consumers never really accept either format en masse. It’s a vicious circle – as people wait for the format war to resolve itself before choosing a device the war simply drags on longer. Unlike the switch to DVD’s, high definition discs require a new TV purchase for most people in addition to the player itself. If all you have is a standard TV, there’s just no really good reason to switch, especially when HD titles are often much more expensive than DVD versions of films. People may end up waiting so long that some new format that's better than both comes along.
1. HD-DVD Wins
HD-DVD still has a lot going for it. Start with a lower cost of manufacture for discs allowing studios to earn higher profits. Lower costs of manufacture for players means most HD-DVD players are less expensive than Blu-Ray players. While most studios support Blu-Ray, Paramount and Universal still back HD-DVD exclusively. Strong support from Microsoft (due to their HDi technology built into players) can’t hurt the format either.
2. Blu-Ray Wins
Blu-Ray has a strong potential to win the war. It currently has the support of the majority of the domestic film studios. This support recently grew as Warner Brothers, who was previously releasing discs in both formats, announced that it would begin to release new titles exclusively in Blu-Ray format. The PS3 also has built-in support for Blu-Ray (unlike the Xbox 360 which requires an optional add-on HD-DVD player). While the PS3 hasn’t exactly blown critics out of the water yet, it’s still a cheap(ish) and easy way to break into the world of HD.
3. Both Formats Stay
Who says a format is going to or even has to win? It is far from unheard of that two very similar but different technologies share the spotlight. Think Mac vs. Windows. It could happen that neither format gains enough support to win over consumers. We could be stuck with both formats until the next generation of video technology surfaces. Players such as the LG BH100 which support both formats only serve to make this outcome a very real possibility.
4. Total HD (Or Another Dual Format) Wins
Warner Brothers announced a third format called Total HD that supports both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players on a single disc. While a fairly far off shot, it’s conceivable that consumers could adopt this format or another "universal disc" style format (if it ever gets released to market).
5. No One Wins
Admittantly it’s a pretty far off shot, but it could happen that consumers never really accept either format en masse. It’s a vicious circle – as people wait for the format war to resolve itself before choosing a device the war simply drags on longer. Unlike the switch to DVD’s, high definition discs require a new TV purchase for most people in addition to the player itself. If all you have is a standard TV, there’s just no really good reason to switch, especially when HD titles are often much more expensive than DVD versions of films. People may end up waiting so long that some new format that's better than both comes along.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
6 Reasons HDTV Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be
High Definition Television has been lauded as an amazing breakthrough in television and home video that will forever change the way we view media. Anyone who truly considers themselves a techno-geek needs to fully invest in this exciting leap into new technology. Or do they? Here are the top 6 reasons why its ok to hold off HDTV for now.
6. It's Inherently Confusing
HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, 1080i, 1080p, 720p, HDMI, DVI, Apsect Ratios, etc, etc, etc. I consider myself to be an early adopter and someone up on current technology trends, but even I sometimes get confused within the world of HD. Televsion is a mind-numbing experience and is meant to be easy. Plug it in, connect the cable to the wall and watch. Now in order to get the most out of your set one needs to have at least a passing knowledge of many potentially confusing terms. The draw of previous technologies was they made life easier and simpler. HDTV is nearly the exact opposite.
5. The Format War
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are essentially almost identical, but different enough to be completely incompatible. We've learned nothing from the VHS vs. Betamax war and now anyone wanting to invest in the ability to view high definition movies at home risks buying the "wrong" system and being out hundreds of dollars. Can't we all just get along?
4. It's Ridiculously Expensive
All new technologies come at a high cost, but considering HDTV is a mainstream technology it seems to be especially pricey. First there's the actual HD compatible widescreen TV. Then you need an expensive HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player (or both if you want to watch all movies released). Finally, if you want to watch cable TV in HD you need to buy a highly overpriced receiver and subscribe to an expensive cable package that only includes a few HD channels. Prices will come down, but until they do there's no immediate rush to jump on the HD bandwagon.
3. Those damn black bars are still there
I was really excited to watch my first high definition movie on my newly purchased Blu-Ray player and widescreen TV. I turned on the movie only to still have the letterbox black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. I thought one of the reasons I was getting a widescreen tv was so that videos would take up the whole screen. I've since become familiar with the various aspects and ratios involved with home video, but really, in today's day and age can't we make all movies the same size?
2. HDMI Cables
I know, I already argued that HDTV is really expensive, but HDMI cables deserve a number all their own. I think HDMI cables are great in that they carry all video and audio in one signal without needing a mess of component cables. I do not however agree with the need to charge $200 for a 3 foot cable. It's no secret there's very little profit in big ticket electronics so stores need to sell lots of accessories with your purchase to make money. I'm tired of being shunned by sales clerks and technophiles for not buying a top of the line monster brand cable when a (still expensive) store brand cable works just as well. Need proof? Buy both and try both. I did to prove to a friend my point. Guess which one got returned?
1. It's not THAT much better looking
Of course HDTV looks good. There's nothing quite like the first time you see your favorite movie star's face up close in all its blemished and pocked glory. Generally speaking though, it's just not the same jump that happened from VHS to DVD or Cassettes to CD's. I enjoy hanging out in electronics departments watching people comment "That's It?" while seeing HD for the first time. If you ever need further convincing just take a look around the room you're in. That's HD in real life and it's as good as HDTV will ever get.
6. It's Inherently Confusing
HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, 1080i, 1080p, 720p, HDMI, DVI, Apsect Ratios, etc, etc, etc. I consider myself to be an early adopter and someone up on current technology trends, but even I sometimes get confused within the world of HD. Televsion is a mind-numbing experience and is meant to be easy. Plug it in, connect the cable to the wall and watch. Now in order to get the most out of your set one needs to have at least a passing knowledge of many potentially confusing terms. The draw of previous technologies was they made life easier and simpler. HDTV is nearly the exact opposite.
5. The Format War
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are essentially almost identical, but different enough to be completely incompatible. We've learned nothing from the VHS vs. Betamax war and now anyone wanting to invest in the ability to view high definition movies at home risks buying the "wrong" system and being out hundreds of dollars. Can't we all just get along?
4. It's Ridiculously Expensive
All new technologies come at a high cost, but considering HDTV is a mainstream technology it seems to be especially pricey. First there's the actual HD compatible widescreen TV. Then you need an expensive HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player (or both if you want to watch all movies released). Finally, if you want to watch cable TV in HD you need to buy a highly overpriced receiver and subscribe to an expensive cable package that only includes a few HD channels. Prices will come down, but until they do there's no immediate rush to jump on the HD bandwagon.
3. Those damn black bars are still there
I was really excited to watch my first high definition movie on my newly purchased Blu-Ray player and widescreen TV. I turned on the movie only to still have the letterbox black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. I thought one of the reasons I was getting a widescreen tv was so that videos would take up the whole screen. I've since become familiar with the various aspects and ratios involved with home video, but really, in today's day and age can't we make all movies the same size?
2. HDMI Cables
I know, I already argued that HDTV is really expensive, but HDMI cables deserve a number all their own. I think HDMI cables are great in that they carry all video and audio in one signal without needing a mess of component cables. I do not however agree with the need to charge $200 for a 3 foot cable. It's no secret there's very little profit in big ticket electronics so stores need to sell lots of accessories with your purchase to make money. I'm tired of being shunned by sales clerks and technophiles for not buying a top of the line monster brand cable when a (still expensive) store brand cable works just as well. Need proof? Buy both and try both. I did to prove to a friend my point. Guess which one got returned?
1. It's not THAT much better looking
Of course HDTV looks good. There's nothing quite like the first time you see your favorite movie star's face up close in all its blemished and pocked glory. Generally speaking though, it's just not the same jump that happened from VHS to DVD or Cassettes to CD's. I enjoy hanging out in electronics departments watching people comment "That's It?" while seeing HD for the first time. If you ever need further convincing just take a look around the room you're in. That's HD in real life and it's as good as HDTV will ever get.
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