NationStates Jolt Archive

If you're a gamer whose been looking forward to Halo 3 then you've likely heard about this (http://kotaku.com/gaming/defective/halo-3-disc-read-errors-rampant-304600.php).

Halo 3 Disc Read Errors Rampant

A storm is brewing in both the Xbox and Bungie forums, where over a hundred posters have now verified that their copies of Halo 3 are causing disc read errors. lockups, and even the dreaded RRoD on their Xbox 360 consoles. From what I can glean from skimming through the 22 pages of replies to the original poster's problem, most of the people affected purchased the standard edition, though a few are reporting having the problem on both the standard and the LE version of the game. Some believe the discs are corrupting the data on the hard disc itself, as some have had their game discs replaced twice or more now with similar results, and removing the hard disc seems to keep the error from occurring with some posters. Some can load the game fine and play it for short bursts before the problem occurs, while others are finding the issue limited to certain game modes. Check out the forum threads for more info on the problems had, and hopefully some official response will be given about the issue soon.

The wee article should speak for itself. Some of the many millions of Halo 3 disks are scratched, right out of the box. More insidious is the fact that some Halo 3 disks, which appear to have no scratches on them, are still recieving a disk read error, and may even cause some consoles to go haywire, resulting in a "Red Ring of Death".

I have yet to get Halo 3: I have it on hold at a local Gamestop until the weekend, but I may have to "postpone" my getting it...at least until this issue is resolved. I already replaced my Xbox 360 once, and I have no desire to do it twice.

Beyond that, this is sure to HURT Microsoft, badly. Not only are they losing money replacing scratched disks, but now they're losing even more money replacing 360s still covered by warranty.

SO!

I would like to know if anyone on NSG is experiencing problems with their copies of Halo 3. Is it as rampant as Kotaku and the message board indicate (found here (http://forums.xbox.com/1/15792880/ShowPost.aspx#15792880) and here (http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13193500&postRepeater1-p=1)). Are they playing it up? Or are they right on the money? And what sort of long-ranging reprecussions do you see with this problem?

Thanks!

I haven't brought it yet, haven't got the money.

Works fine for me. Though frankly, it's a bit meh, so if you have any worries don't bother rushing out to get it. You aren't missing the best thing ever.

Was actually going to go out and buy Halo 3 and a 360 for the boy this weekend. Will have to do some research on this. Thanks for the heads up.

How do you have a game that took this long to come out and it's still rushed?


Sayz the guy who knows shit all about developing a video game...ah, armchair criticism, the true potential of the internet...

(I'm making fun of me, in case someone's panties suddenly feel bunched...)

They cause the RRoD? everything causes the RRoD, in my experience. Why on earth is the Xbox 360 beating the PS3 again?

They cause the RRoD? everything causes the RRoD, in my experience. Why on earth is the Xbox 360 beating the PS3 again?

Better selection of games, x-box live, Microsoft implanted mind control chips...the usual <_<

And more to the point, the RRoD is still happening? What the hell is microsoft doing? I would have thought all the defective consoles had killed themselves by now and been replaced with the problem fixed.

Better selection of games, x-box live, Microsoft implanted mind control chips...the usual <_<

Better games I'll give you. Xbox live? The PS3 version is free - I'll take that any day. But the bottom line is what good are all those features if the console doesn't work?

How do you have a game that took this long to come out and it's still rushed?


Sayz the guy who knows shit all about developing a video game...ah, armchair criticism, the true potential of the internet...

(I'm making fun of me, in case someone's panties suddenly feel bunched...)

No, you're quite right.

Game took a long time to be developed, was heavily advertised, called, perhaps correctly, the biggest video game release of all time, and THIS happens?

Murphy's Law? Or the result of MS packaging using the lowest bidder?

They cause the RRoD? everything causes the RRoD, in my experience. Why on earth is the Xbox 360 beating the PS3 again?

Better selection of games, x-box live, Microsoft implanted mind control chips...the usual <_<

Can we PLEASE not get into this...?

Better games I'll give you. Xbox live? The PS3 version is free - I'll take that any day. But the bottom line is what good are all those features if the console doesn't work?

PS3 might be free but depending on the online content present some people prefer xbox live. As far as the console not working bit I've got to be the luckiest guy around. Got mine when it just came out and have never ever had a problem with the machine or a game on it. I guess it just depends on how lucky your are :p

No problems for me.
Also, whoever built my 360 must have built the thing right, I've even done such stupid things as leave it on for a week and it still works fine.

Out of curiosity anyone swapped Xbox live names to send friend invites? Would think it would be fun to get a group of us from the forums together for a match or two. Anyone interested?

Out of curiosity anyone swapped Xbox live names to send friend invites? Would think it would be fun to get a group of us from the forums together for a match or two. Anyone interested?

'Twould be excellent my friend!

Gamertag: GreenTheorist

I'll look you up when/if I get Halo 3!

'Twould be droll my friend!

Gamertag: GreenTheorist

I'll look you up when/if I get Halo 3!

Currently on 2 at the moment and will be getting 3 soon. My gamertag is Whiteconspiracy. The mic is broken for now because someone stepped on it. Is the fourth one I have bought and told the kids to bad and will have to go without. Anyway will try and add you to my friends list. There is either myself or my son playing on this gamertag.

Works fine for me. Though frankly, it's a bit meh, so if you have any worries don't bother rushing out to get it. You aren't missing the best thing ever.

I hear NY Times says its just Halo 2 with better graphics? That about sum it up?

...Good thing for me then I guess...I like Halo 2 :p. And I'm sure there are new features to use.

If you're a gamer whose been looking forward to Halo 3 then you've likely heard about this (http://kotaku.com/gaming/defective/halo-3-disc-read-errors-rampant-304600.php).



The wee article should speak for itself. Some of the many millions of Halo 3 disks are scratched, right out of the box. More insidious is the fact that some Halo 3 disks, which appear to have no scratches on them, are still recieving a disk read error, and may even cause some consoles to go haywire, resulting in a "Red Ring of Death".

I have yet to get Halo 3: I have it on hold at a local Gamestop until the weekend, but I may have to "postpone" my getting it...at least until this issue is resolved. I already replaced my Xbox 360 once, and I have no desire to do it twice.

Beyond that, this is sure to HURT Microsoft, badly. Not only are they losing money replacing scratched disks, but now they're losing even more money replacing 360s still covered by warranty.

SO!

I would like to know if anyone on NSG is experiencing problems with their copies of Halo 3. Is it as rampant as Kotaku and the message board indicate (found here (http://forums.xbox.com/1/15792880/ShowPost.aspx#15792880) and here (http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13193500&postRepeater1-p=1)). Are they playing it up? Or are they right on the money? And what sort of long-ranging reprecussions do you see with this problem?

Thanks!

whoa...glad I didn't buy Halo 3 yet...I don't wanna go through that damn RRoD shit again...and yea this is sure to hurt Microsoft pretty badly, thier Crown Jewel having problems like this

They cause the RRoD? everything causes the RRoD, in my experience. Why on earth is the Xbox 360 beating the PS3 again?

Price...but that might be fixed by the apparent rumours of another Price drop...

How do you have a game that took this long to come out and it's still rushed?


Sayz the guy who knows shit all about developing a video game...ah, armchair criticism, the true potential of the internet...

(I'm making fun of me, in case someone's panties suddenly feel bunched...)

You know, I agree with this guy. We're all writers here and as writers, we should criticize the shitty plot, lame characters, stale background and poorly written dialogue.

For god sake man, it's like Tannelorn and TFU decided one day to write a game...and they came up with the Halo franchise.

This makes me happy. Why? Because it's funny and it'll harm Microsoft's gaming devision. I don't like the XBox line...I never have, because they epitomize pathetic games that are far more about graphics and shinyness than actual gameplay.

So thumbs up to this news from me!

This makes me happy. Why? Because it's funny and it'll harm Microsoft's gaming devision. I don't like the XBox line...I never have, because they epitomize pathetic games that are far more about graphics and shinyness than actual gameplay.

So thumbs up to this news from me!

I'm sure many guys with defective Xbox 360s are laughing along with you...

*sigh*

Sorry. I need to go to sleep.

I'm sure many guys with defective Xbox 360s are laughing along with you...

*sigh*

Sorry. I need to go to sleep.
No, no, you've got a good point, and I do sympathize with them...I understand console woes since I've managed to break a couple myself.

It's what it means for Microsoft that makes me happy about it.

You know, I agree with this guy. We're all writers here and as writers, we should criticize the shitty plot, lame characters, stale background and poorly written dialogue.

For god sake man, it's like Tannelorn and TFU decided one day to write a game...and they came up with the Halo franchise.

QFT. It might be forgivable if the gameplay were good, but alas, it's just 'meh'. Playing it feels like playing an outdated, slower paced version of Q3A with a controller that's awkward and inherently inferior to a mouse and keyboard (for FPS, at least).

Price...but that might be fixed by the apparent rumours of another Price drop...
Nonsense, the PS3 is fantastic value. Sure, the console itself is more expensive, but that's a one-time cost and after that you don't have to buy any games! It'll be cheaper than a 360 in no time!

This makes me happy. Why? Because it's funny and it'll harm Microsoft's gaming devision. I don't like the XBox line...I never have, because they epitomize pathetic games that are far more about graphics and shinyness than actual gameplay.

So thumbs up to this news from me!
This is just sad. After Sega dropped out of the console business and Nintendo chose to not compete, we only have Sony and Microsoft making high-end consoles. We don't want Sony to be the only choice for such a console the next time around. As for the games, well, I don't really think you know much about the selection of games it has, and have listened a bit too much to irritating fanboys. The 360 has by far the best selection of games right now (though the PS3 will probably come strong next year). Most games are and will be multiplatform anyway.

QFT. It might be forgivable if the gameplay were good, but alas, it's just 'meh'. Playing it feels like playing an outdated, slower paced version of Q3A with a controller that's awkward and inherently inferior to a mouse and keyboard (for FPS, at least).
Agreed about mouse, but keyboard? No. An analog stick is far superior to the digital (either on or off) keyboard. PC games are forced to use modifier buttons (hold a button to walk or run) and have you constantly tapping the buttons to lurch yourself forward in tiny increments if you need to stand in exactly the right place. Imagine how great it would be if we had a thumbstick attachment (basically the left half of a gamepad) that could be attached to the keyboard or your table or something. It would be especially awesome for games where it's important how fast you walk, such as stealth games. I've been babbling about this for years and nobody listens. That might be because I'm babbling about it to people like you instead of people that could make it happen, but still.

it's that freaking case, hubby had to open 15 of them last night before we found one without a noticeable scratch and still when he got it home the freaking thing wouldn't work.

They cause the RRoD? everything causes the RRoD, in my experience. Why on earth is the Xbox 360 beating the PS3 again?

Because a) it was released about a year before the PS3 and, b) it's cheaper.

Personally, no problems with Halo 3, despite the hours already poured into it. But then, I haven't tried it on-line yet.

ZING... ounce again microsoft creates a top notch failure.. Thank you bill gates for the amusing news on halo 3.

I can see why people get screwed into buying windows, since it more or less has a monopoly on the non-mac market, but the x-box and its lousy games...

I chalk it up to the ADD of all confirmed Halo diehards, and the fetal alcohol syndrome which seems a prerequisite to being an x-box enthusiast.

A company with a reputation for producing shoddy garbage produces more shoddy garbage that people line up to buy...

Maybe the nation is taking the President's philosophy to heart:

"Fool me once... shame on... shame on you... fool me ... can't get fooled again."

Can't you people keep the "M$hit lololol" trolling out of this thread?

I got the limited edition, and both discs were scratched but they play fine. Microsoft is offering a free replacement for defective Halo 3 game discs, so I don't know what the problem is.

If anyone is up for some Halo 3 multiplayer (or anything else) hit me up; Gamertag: Kanarshi

Can't you people keep the "M$hit lololol" trolling out of this thread?

I got the limited edition, and both discs were scratched but they play fine. Microsoft is offering a free replacement for defective Halo 3 game discs, so I don't know what the problem is.

If anyone is up for some Halo 3 multiplayer (or anything else) hit me up; Gamertag: Kanarshi

But this thread is about microsoft's customarily sub-par crap they dump on the market, and suckers who keep buying it. Says it right there in the thread title.

haven't got my copy yet. frankly, i'm having way more fun on my wii to bother at the moment...

though y'know, the new Super Paper Mario game for the Wii is also defective. not the disc, but it has a bug that makes it crash in the same place every time. Nintendo are offering free replacement discs for this game, too... although you can get round the problem if you read their website.

my 360 did have a RRoD sometime earlier this year. took it to the shop and got it replaced there and then. new one hasn't had any problems :)

I can see why people get screwed into buying windows, since it more or less has a monopoly on the non-mac market, but the x-box and its lousy games...

I chalk it up to the ADD of all confirmed Halo diehards, and the fetal alcohol syndrome which seems a prerequisite to being an x-box enthusiast.

A company with a reputation for producing shoddy garbage produces more shoddy garbage that people line up to buy...

Maybe the nation is taking the President's philosophy to heart:

"Fool me once... shame on... shame on you... fool me ... can't get fooled again."

the 360 is rather good, in my experience. i seem to remember the PS2 had major issues with its DVD laser, which lead to lawsuits against sony *ahem*

But this thread is about microsoft's customarily sub-par crap they dump on the market, and suckers who keep buying it. Says it right there in the thread title.

*sigh*

Friend...do not put words into my mouth...it makes Jesus cry...

...Could it be that there are some people who actually LIKE the 360 and what it has to offer? I didn't get mine for Halo 3: I got if for games like Mass Effect, Dead Rising and Bioshock, and the fact that many games that are coming out for the (at least then) more expensive PS3 were also coming out for the 360.

Admittedly, this constant hardware issues make me want to drive a hot metal spike into my ear, and if my system fucks me again, I'm considering cutting my losses and selling my games and getting something else.

...

And I've said more than I wanted to about this PS3 vs 360 vs Yo Mamma bullshit...So I'll just leave it there.

I'm calling my local Gamestop today, and I see how many problems they've had. May give me a good idea on what to do next.

Yay for not having a 360 or Halo?

Yay. :)

Yay for not having a 360 or Halo?

Yay. :)

Yay for not caring.

Yay for schadenfreude

Hey I like Halo,

I'm not a big X-Box fan, but I'm a Halo fan. It's kindof like if I were to be a Super Mario fan but not nesscarly a Nintendo fan. Master Cheif is Microsoft's Super Mario.


I did not know Sony's net system was free. That makes me actually consider getting a PS3 Instead. But I have to ask.. what sortof games are multiplayer for the PS3?

Anything actually worth buying? I think Final Fantasy is retarded. And that's the bread and butter of Sony.
I'm a Playstation person (and never once played Final Fantasy) but even I'll say this-

Yeah, the online thing being free is cool 'cause it's free...however-XBox Live is way way way fucking better and it makes me sad.

You can tell when your friends are on no matter what they are playing, there is a better centralization and thus building of an online gaming community. I've watched my brother while visiting him and saw first hand how that worked out for him.

It's able to do things like better protect against modded or sharked systems and thus reduces pain-in-the-ass cheaters.

It establishes a minimum standard for online game play.

Seriously, I hate the XBox on an irrational level and like the Playstation in spite of itself sometimes, and even from that point of view, XBox Live is better than Playstation''s online aspect even if PS is free.

And it makes me sad.

I'm a Playstation person (and never once played Final Fantasy) but even I'll say this-

Yeah, the online thing being free is cool 'cause it's free...however-XBox Live is way way way fucking better and it makes me sad.

You can tell when your friends are on no matter what they are playing, there is a better centralization and thus building of an online gaming community. I've watched my brother while visiting him and saw first hand how that worked out for him.

It's able to do things like better protect against modded or sharked systems and thus reduces pain-in-the-ass cheaters.

It establishes a minimum standard for online game play.

Seriously, I hate the XBox on an irrational level and like the Playstation in spite of itself sometimes, and even from that point of view, XBox Live is better than Playstation''s online aspect even if PS is free.

And it makes me sad.

Man...if only Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo could put this whole "profit" thing behind them and join forces to create a console that has great games, great online and is tough as nails...that would be heaven.

And that's why I'm not getting Halo 3.

No wait, I'm not getting Halo 3 because (1) I'm not an FPS fan (only one I enjoyed was Goldeneye N64), and (2) I wasn't willing to buy a $500 console when I could get one with twice the good games and half the price.

I hear NY Times says its just Halo 2 with better graphics? That about sum it up?

...Good thing for me then I guess...I like Halo 2 :p. And I'm sure there are new features to use.

-ish.

I think the gameplay is a little better, and the graphics are good. On the other hand the storyline is pretty sketchy and despite bungies claim, probably the worst of all three.

I'm not really blown away by the design of the environments either.

Yeah, there are a few new features: weapons, field equipment and such. But nothing really mind blowing.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad game. It's just sort of victim to its own hype I think.

One of my co-workers is engaged to a Halo fanatic, who waited in line at effing midnight for the game when he had already reserved a copy. I hope she's laughing at him now (the guy's an asshole anyway, so this should be a small bit of karma for him.)

Also, as someone who's never owned an Xbox, what is the RRoD? I assume is like the BSoD, but still, clarification, please...

And that's why I'm not getting Halo 3.

No wait, I'm not getting Halo 3 because (1) I'm not an FPS fan (only one I enjoyed was Goldeneye N64), and (2) I wasn't willing to buy a $500 console when I could get one with twice the good games and half the price.

A 360 is about $350, not $500. It also has a more varied games, and more good games, than either the Wii or the PS3.

I guess I better provide some links...
http://www.metacritic.com/games/ps3/
http://www.metacritic.com/games/wii/
http://www.metacritic.com/games/xbox360/

-ish.

I think the gameplay is a little better, and the graphics are good. On the other hand the storyline is pretty sketchy and despite bungies claim, probably the worst of all three.

I'm not really blown away by the design of the environments either.

Yeah, there are a few new features: weapons, field equipment and such. But nothing really mind blowing.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad game. It's just sort of victim to its own hype I think.

Hype KILLS games.

When a game is hyped, only three things will happen: it will suck, it will be a good game, but not THAT good, or it will actually be one of the best things EVAR!

The last event is very rare, the first two are much more common.

Look at Bioshock. Great game, love to play it, but not the MIND-BLOWING gameplay with the UNIMPEACHABLE storyline that everyone drummed it up to be.

That's why I don't buy into hype.

I'm sure I'll love Halo 3. But will it blow my mind? Doubtful. Only one game has ever done that...Super Mario RPG (drools).

And THIS, folks, is why the Wii has sold 2 million more units than the X-box.

*speaks into phone*

Uh huh...yeah...okay...thanks, take care.

*hangs up*

Okay, I just got off the phone with my local Gamestop. They told me they have had no complaints of scratched disks or busted hardware since Halo 3 went on sale on Tuesday.

I also called my friend back home. His standard edition is playing fine, and has been giving him no trouble.

I have a theory, and its ONLY a theory.

The Halo 3 launch was certainly one of the BIGGEST gaming launches in the history of the industry. Millions of copies sold, at once. Now when any game is launched, there is a certain percentage of error. Could it be that the percentage of error for this game is actually as it should be (not saying this is excusable, by any stretch of the imagination), but because the volume of games sold is larger, that there are more people with the errors?

ONLY A THEORY!*

I'd also like to know, from anyone who has any real knowledge of how hardware and software works, if something wrong with software could actually result in hardware failure. I mean people were saying the same thing about Dead Rising and Gears of War when it came out: turned out there was no problem (correct me on that if I am wrong).

I need to head off to work now. I'll talk to you guys later.

*So please don't castrate me.

QFT. It might be forgivable if the gameplay were good, but alas, it's just 'meh'. Playing it feels like playing an outdated, slower paced version of Q3A with a controller that's awkward and inherently inferior to a mouse and keyboard (for FPS, at least).

I like my Xbox 360, because it's going to have Ace Combat 6. Ace Combat 6 is bigger than Jesus. Xbox is awesome...because it is allowing me to pwn nubs online...in my F-15.

Mmm anecdotal evidence.

For those who want to dance on the battlefield,

Gamertag: Saucy Jack 3

i havent had any problems with my Halo 3 disc(and mine was free floating inside the case) nor have any of my friends who have it.

I like my Xbox 360, because it's going to have Ace Combat 6. Ace Combat 6 is bigger than Jesus. Xbox is awesome...because it is allowing me to pwn nubs online...in my F-15.

Well looks like I'll have to be getting a 360 then.

Mmm anecdotal evidence.

It's almost as fun as hearsay...ALMOST!

Works fine for me :D

Up to Tsavo Highway on Legendary. By myself.

And THIS, folks, is why the Wii has sold 2 million more units than the X-box.

"The report based on sales figures from Enterbrain in Japan, NPD Group in the US and GfK of Germany, which tracks European sales. Sales figures from each console's launch date through the end of July (and the end of August in Japan) were added up, with the Wii just barely edging out the 360: 9 million for the Wii, 8.9 million for the 360, and 3.7 million for the PlayStation 3."

2 million copies eh?

That's thanks to Nintendo's larger target demographic, and larger worldwide fan base.

Seriously, I hate the XBox on an irrational level and like the Playstation in spite of itself sometimes, and even from that point of view, XBox Live is better than Playstation''s online aspect even if PS is free.True for now.

When Sony finally gets "Home" off the ground (put off to the Spring 08 now), then we'll have a comparison worth talking about.

Unfourtanately if they merged the only thing they'd be is mediocre because then they'd be the only game in town. And had no need to be anything but lame.Not necessarily.

You should pick up a great book, very influential in political economy: Albert O. Hirschman's Exit, Voice, and Loyalty: Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations, and States.

Among other useful findings, he shows that in some markets a monopolist/oligopolist may be relieved by a little competition: the quality-conscious consumers who would be doing most of the complaining jump ship for another offer.

This was the situation for most of the history of Microsoft: they haven't had to deal with the Mac customers who hate them, so they get sluggish and lazy.

In other words, in some circumstances monopoly compels improvement because it forces the firm actually to deal with the consumers most likely to complain.

It's almost as fun as hearsay...ALMOST!

not what i heard

No problems for me.
Also, whoever built my 360 must have built the thing right, I've even done such stupid things as leave it on for a week and it still works fine.
I treated mine like gold. It started with freezing.... Which was annoying. For about 6 months the freezing got worse. Then it corrupted my oblivion saves. Then it corrupted my oblivion saves again (you can't back them up on the xbox 360, you can on the ps3). Then, it died. It has never started again.

Then I bought a ps3. I realised I could install linux on it. I realised that you could hook up an external hard drive to it, my mp3 player was actually accessible from it. I can hook up a keyboard and mouse to it. I'm hoping this will mean some RTS for the playstation - it's far overdue for games.

In all honesty, after playing the xbox 360, I am utterly in awe with all the ps3 has to offer - it just lets you do things, and they just work when you do them. The controller may not be to everyone's tastes, but I would never, ever go back to the 360.

Just wanted to drop my tag into the mix: plutosrevenge...

I mostly play Gears of War. The Halo 3 is hard to come by in my adopted home of South Korea... but soon it shall be mine and I alone will rule the Halo-verse! Mwa-hahah. What? 2.5 million have already been sold? Nevermind...

not what i heard

You prefer to be accused by annecdotal evidence rather than hearsay? Hmm...to each his own...

I treated mine like gold. It started with freezing.... Which was annoying. For about 6 months the freezing got worse. Then it corrupted my oblivion saves. Then it corrupted my oblivion saves again (you can't back them up on the xbox 360, you can on the ps3). Then, it died. It has never started again.

I always treat my equipment like a gem. Same went with my 360. Absolutely no problems until one very HOT day, when I think it just succumbed.

And I'm sure the PS3 is a superb console: still to rich for my blood though, and only has one game that I'm REALLY interested in: MGS4.

You prefer to be accused by annecdotal evidence rather than hearsay? Hmm...to each his own...



I always treat my equipment like a gem. Same went with my 360. Absolutely no problems until one very HOT day, when I think it just succumbed.

And I'm sure the PS3 is a superb console: still to rich for my blood though, and only has one game that I'm REALLY interested in: MGS4.

Yeah, I'll admit the lack of games is bothering me; I've taken to playing abandonware on it under linux. But i have no job right now, so I couldn't buy them anyway. I'm looking forward to Army of Two; a game exclusively designed for co-op sounds ridiculously fun.

I'm looking forward to Army of Two; a game exclusively designed for co-op sounds ridiculously fun.

That's horrible marketing. I mean, how many gamers actually have friends?

That's horrible marketing. I mean, how many gamers actually have friends?
;) Well, I'm sure a lot of them have siblings, anyway.

Is the reason Wii never really comes up that people have few things to complain about (built like fecking bricks, man. :p) or just...what? The "kiddy" thing?

Is the reason Wii never really comes up that people have few things to complain about (built like fecking bricks, man. :p) or just...what? The "kiddy" thing?

No Wii game is remotely appealing to me, at all.

Xbox has FPS, Playstation has RPGs, Wii has...Zelda.

Is the reason Wii never really comes up that people have few things to complain about (built like fecking bricks, man. :p) or just...what? The "kiddy" thing?

I think it is the kiddy thing, yes. The processor is extremely slow compared to the other two, and I couldn't buy an entire console to play kiddy party-type games, because the CPU couldn't do much else. Also, I wouldn't like to constantly have to play around with the wiimote when all I want is to play a game for a while.

Is the reason Wii never really comes up that people have few things to complain about (built like fecking bricks, man. :p) or just...what? The "kiddy" thing?

Most of the games are "meh", except for a few titles like Zelda, Mario, or Super Smash Brothers. None of them have the same kind of rabid followings like the Playstation or X-Box exclusives, especially Halo.

No Wii game is remotely appealing to me, at all.

Xbox has FPS, Playstation has RPGs, Wii has...Zelda.

Why is "Zelda" an insult? Can I know say "Xbox has...Halo"?

Don't misunderstand, it's reasonable to not like the games, just, I don't think "Games other than FPS and RPG (though Super Paper Mario...)" is necesarrily a bad thing.
I think it is the kiddy thing, yes. The processor is extremely slow compared to the other two, and I couldn't buy an entire console to play kiddy party-type games, because the CPU couldn't do much else. Also, I wouldn't like to constantly have to play around with the wiimote when all I want is to play a game for a while.

I'm...confused as to the need for a faster processer? The games play, right? Apparently that's no longer something to expect. Yeah, um, the CPU doesn't actually affect the genre or style of game, yeah? You've not actually used the wiimote too much, huh?

Most of the games are "meh", except for a few titles like Zelda, Mario, or Super Smash Brothers. None of them have the same kind of rabid followings like the Playstation or X-Box exclusives, especially Halo.

most games are meh, period. Bah, what's that thing called? Making too many exceptions? "All the games are meh, except for all these games that aren't".

I thought people hated rabid followings?

Why is "Zelda" an insult? Can I know say "Xbox has...Halo"?

Don't misunderstand, it's reasonable to not like the games, just, I don't think "Games other than FPS and RPG (though Super Paper Mario...)" is necesarrily a bad thing.
He probably meant that the Wii doesn't have all that many games. The publishers/developers didn't think the Wii would be as successful as it became, and they didn't think it would be so underpowered (meaning you can't easily port games meant for 360/PS3 to it), which has lead to a severe lack of games for the platform. The Wii should have a much better selection of games in a year or two though.

I'm...confused as to the need for a faster processer? The games play, right? Apparently that's no longer something to expect. Yeah, um, the CPU doesn't actually affect the genre or style of game, yeah? You've not actually used the wiimote too much, huh?
This is just silly. Processing power is incredibly important for games of almost every kind, since it allows you to do so much more gameplay-wise. You can have larger worlds, more objects, better physics, better animation, better everything. You can't run HL2 on a PC from a decade ago. You can't run Deus Ex on a pocket calculator. And, to be slightly on topic, you can't run Halo 3 on a Wii, not even if the graphics were stripped down to wire frame. The game just does too much, it's too large. It would never work.

He probably meant that the Wii doesn't have all that many games. The publishers/developers didn't think the Wii would be as successful as it became, and they didn't think it would be so underpowered (meaning you can't easily port games meant for 360/PS3 to it), which has lead to a severe lack of games for the platform. The Wii should have a much better selection of games in a year or two though.

*shrug* S'okay.

This is just silly. Processing power is incredibly important for games of almost every kind, since it allows you to do so much more gameplay-wise. You can have larger worlds, more objects, better physics, better animation, better everything. You can't run HL2 on a PC from a decade ago. You can't run Deus Ex on a pocket calculator. And, to be slightly on topic, you can't run Halo 3 on a Wii, not even if the graphics were stripped down to wire frame. The game just does too much, it's too large. It would never work.

So...what did we do before processers had that power? I remember fun, did we have fun?

P.S. Incidentally I recently got this TI-89 Titanium thing...you'd be surprised by calculators. >_>

So...what did we do before processers had that power? I remember fun, did we have fun?

Using the exact same reasoning when pong was just invented, we would still be playing... pong. And maybe a few other similar and extremely simple games. Or if it was 15 years ago we said it, we would still be playing only 2D games today. 10 years ago and we would have no physics to speak of. You have to admit that things have happened, that gaming has evolved significantly.

I don't think you believe yourself when you say that processing power doesn't matter, because then you wouldn't need the Wii. You could just as well dig out a NES and play on that. Or ball in a cup.

Using the exact same reasoning when pong was just invented, we would still be playing... pong. And maybe a few other similar and extremely simple games. Or if it was 15 years ago we said it, we would still be playing only 2D games today. 10 years ago and we would have no physics to speak of. You have to admit that things have happened, that gaming has evolved significantly.

I don't think you believe yourself when you say that processing power doesn't matter, because then you wouldn't need the Wii. You could just as well dig out a NES and play on that. Or ball in a cup.

You misunderstand. I'm more asking if all games before now were kiddy. While mentioning processing power has little to do with how much we enjoy a game. After all, two decades from now, we could say that exact same thing about Halo...

And as long as we're on the subject, I still give my Tetris a fair go. :p

You misunderstand. I'm more asking if all games before now were kiddy. While mentioning processing power has little to do with how much we enjoy a game. After all, two decades from now, we could say that exact same thing about Halo...

And as long as we're on the subject, I still give my Tetris a fair go. :p

I thought he meant simple, which is something that usually doesn't attract the "hardcore" gamer type, but I didn't really think much about it before posting. Perhaps I shouldn't have been thinking about it at all...

But yes, about Halo 3, definitely. In 20 years only a few nostalgic nerds will play Halo through their emulators while everyone else is playing games that for us are completely unimaginable. Provided that Moore's law holds, that is.

I thought he meant simple, which is something that usually doesn't attract the "hardcore" gamer type, but I didn't really think much about it before posting.

What's with that anyway? Like gaming needs it's own annoying mainstream?

Perhaps I shouldn't have been thinking about it at all...

Thinking is troublesome, let me do it for you :)

But yes, about Halo 3, definitely. In 20 years only a few nostalgic nerds will play Halo through their emulators while everyone else is playing games that for us are completely unimaginable. Provided that Moore's law holds, that is.

I'm one of those guys. Still play Sonic the Hedgehog from time to time, and my SNES is alive and kickin after 11 years in the trenches.

Then I bought a ps3. I realised I could install linux on it. I realised that you could hook up an external hard drive to it, my mp3 player was actually accessible from it. I can hook up a keyboard and mouse to it.

err, you can do all those things with a 360 as well... bar the linux thing. though i did that on my original xbox and got bored with it.


I have a theory, and its ONLY a theory.

The Halo 3 launch was certainly one of the BIGGEST gaming launches in the history of the industry. Millions of copies sold, at once. Now when any game is launched, there is a certain percentage of error. Could it be that the percentage of error for this game is actually as it should be (not saying this is excusable, by any stretch of the imagination), but because the volume of games sold is larger, that there are more people with the errors?


this was actually one of my first thoughts. considering i had to replace my copy of Super Paper Mario for the Wii, i thought disk errors can't be that uncommon. out of the millions of units sold this weekend already, a few hundered complaining (which assumedly translates into a few thousand people total, at a guess) doesn't sound like too much. are there any figures for the number of Halo 3 discs that have been replaced by stores so far? because making judgements without that knowledge is kinda just hearsay.

but of course that doesn't stop the M$ haters coming out of the woodwork...

this was actually one of my first thoughts. considering i had to replace my copy of Super Paper Mario for the Wii, i thought disk errors can't be that uncommon. out of the millions of units sold this weekend already, a few hundered complaining (which assumedly translates into a few thousand people total, at a guess) doesn't sound like too much. are there any figures for the number of Halo 3 discs that have been replaced by stores so far? because making judgements without that knowledge is kinda just hearsay.

but of course that doesn't stop the M$ haters coming out of the woodwork...

Like I said, my Gamestop has not had a SINGLE complaint.

...For the sake of consistancy, lets do the math. Conservatively, 1 million units were sold on the opening night (I'm using this number because this is apparently the number of people on Xbox Live playing Halo 3 the next day). Now let's say 2000 people, the approximate sum of posts I've seen SO FAR on both the Bungie and and Xbox Live Message Boards complaining about defective units, have a bum disk (and that's assuming EVERY post was a person with a bad game).

Okay...

2000/1000000

1 out of every 500 units or .2% of all units sold is defective...

...

...

THEORETICALLY!

Of course this is EXTREMELY rough. I don't have exact numbers, and I am leaving out the number of people who don't post on those message boards...but so far I'm not seeing any hueg stafu...

...

...

...yet...

And the game causing hardware failure? I still don't know how that's possible. Like I said, when Gears of War and Dead Rising came out people said the same damn thing...

...They seem to forget that the Xbox 360 is fragile as all hell. Could it have been a coincidence that it decided to fudge itself out while you were playing this game? PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG.

...And like you say, Pure Metal, any fanboy, of any stripe, will always take opportunites of apparent weakness to attack...like parasites...

err, you can do all those things with a 360 as well... bar the linux thing. though i did that on my original xbox and got bored with it.



this was actually one of my first thoughts. considering i had to replace my copy of Super Paper Mario for the Wii, i thought disk errors can't be that uncommon. out of the millions of units sold this weekend already, a few hundered complaining (which assumedly translates into a few thousand people total, at a guess) doesn't sound like too much. are there any figures for the number of Halo 3 discs that have been replaced by stores so far? because making judgements without that knowledge is kinda just hearsay.

but of course that doesn't stop the M$ haters coming out of the woodwork...

Really? Because my mp3 player (actually neither of them) worked when I connected it to the Xbox 360. About the keyboard, perhaps you can use a microsoft one, which isn't available yet (and is only limited support - you can't use it as you would on a computer), but Microsoft wanted to restrict this to stop people from installing linux on it. With the PS3, it can be any usb keyboard or mouse, not one that Bill Gates says is acceptable for me.

*speaks into phone*

Uh huh...yeah...okay...thanks, take care.

*hangs up*

Okay, I just got off the phone with my local Gamestop. They told me they have had no complaints of scratched disks or busted hardware since Halo 3 went on sale on Tuesday.

I also called my friend back home. His standard edition is playing fine, and has been giving him no trouble.

I have a theory, and its ONLY a theory.

The Halo 3 launch was certainly one of the BIGGEST gaming launches in the history of the industry. Millions of copies sold, at once. Now when any game is launched, there is a certain percentage of error. Could it be that the percentage of error for this game is actually as it should be (not saying this is excusable, by any stretch of the imagination), but because the volume of games sold is larger, that there are more people with the errors?

ONLY A THEORY!*

I'd also like to know, from anyone who has any real knowledge of how hardware and software works, if something wrong with software could actually result in hardware failure. I mean people were saying the same thing about Dead Rising and Gears of War when it came out: turned out there was no problem (correct me on that if I am wrong).

I need to head off to work now. I'll talk to you guys later.

*So please don't castrate me.
There have also been some early reports that in the Collector's Edition version of Halo 3, the hub that is supposed to keep the game discs in place is faulty. This may lead to scratched game discs. Microsoft has confirmed the problem and offers to replace scratched Halo 3 game discs free of charge until the end 2007.[43] However, this does not appear to be a problem in either the Legendary Edition or the Standard Edition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_3

hubby was searching through collectors editions when he was not able to find an unscratched disc. *nod*

...And like you say, Pure Metal, any fanboy, of any stripe, will always take opportunites of apparent weakness to attack...like parasites...

1) *is nintendo fanboy*

2) Aren't parasites more usually the cause of weakness?

So...what did we do before processers had that power? I remember fun, did we have fun?

All processors have power! Old ones just didn't have as much, which is why in 1993, Doom was some cutting edge shit.

P.S. Incidentally I recently got this TI-89 Titanium thing...you'd be surprised by calculators. >_>

Yes, well, that's a scientific calculator, not a pocket calculator.

All processors have power! Old ones just didn't have as much, which is why in 1993, Doom was some cutting edge shit.

Hence my use of the word 'that'. ;)

Yes, well, that's a scientific calculator, not a pocket calculator.

...I have big pockets.

Fill in the blank:
If you're going to eat fish expect bones
If you're going to buy Microsoft products expect ____

Fill in the blank:
If you're going to eat fish expect bones
If you're going to buy Microsoft products expect ____

umm...a plastic structure supporting the form of the product?

umm...a plastic structure supporting the form of the product?

Not the one I was thinking of, but it fits.

Not the one I was thinking of, but it fits.

I'd liked the analogy section. :D

I think it's time for some neutral opinions... :D (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1383-Zero-Punctuation-Console-Rundown)

I think it's time for some neutral opinions... :D (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1383-Zero-Punctuation-Console-Rundown)

Ah, curses. I seem to have stumbled over onto that overreaction mislabeled an article about some strange phenomenon called girls.
*debates replying to the topic...*

I think it's time for some neutral opinions... :D (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1383-Zero-Punctuation-Console-Rundown)

lol *laughs* :p

I think it's time for some neutral opinions... :D (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1383-Zero-Punctuation-Console-Rundown)

"But then again that's like beating two quadruple amputees at paddle ball."

Not exactly related to the RRoD, but my Xbox (the original, not the 360) is doing weird things as of late. For example, when it's not been used in a while, it opens the drive just fine and plays whatever I want it to. However, immediately upon ceasing the use of it, and desiring to eject the disc from the console, it refuses. The light remains green, and just blinks endlessly. Even turning it off and trying it that way doesn't work. Only thing that works is walking away for a time, and coming back later.

I'm thinking it's overheating, but it's in a well ventilated area, and I've always taken care to not drop it, etc. So...what gives? Microsoft secretly implanted some self-destruct feature inside the console somewhere? Gremlins? Political red tape?

Any ideas Generalites?

(Assuming you even care enough to reply...)

Not exactly related to the RRoD, but my Xbox (the original, not the 360) is doing weird things as of late. For example, when it's not been used in a while, it opens the drive just fine and plays whatever I want it to. However, immediately upon ceasing the use of it, and desiring to eject the disc from the console, it refuses. The light remains green, and just blinks endlessly. Even turning it off and trying it that way doesn't work. Only thing that works is walking away for a time, and coming back later.

I'm thinking it's overheating, but it's in a well ventilated area, and I've always taken care to not drop it, etc. So...what gives? Microsoft secretly implanted some self-destruct feature inside the console somewhere? Gremlins? Political red tape?

Any ideas Generalites?

(Assuming you even care enough to reply...)

Sounds like it's wounded that you don't play it and is afraid if you take the disk out you won't play it anymore.

Not exactly related to the RRoD, but my Xbox (the original, not the 360) is doing weird things as of late. For example, when it's not been used in a while, it opens the drive just fine and plays whatever I want it to. However, immediately upon ceasing the use of it, and desiring to eject the disc from the console, it refuses. The light remains green, and just blinks endlessly. Even turning it off and trying it that way doesn't work. Only thing that works is walking away for a time, and coming back later.

I'm thinking it's overheating, but it's in a well ventilated area, and I've always taken care to not drop it, etc. So...what gives? Microsoft secretly implanted some self-destruct feature inside the console somewhere? Gremlins? Political red tape?

Any ideas Generalites?

(Assuming you even care enough to reply...)

If it's old, there might be a ton of dust in it. Cleaning the fans and ventilation holes can have a dramatic effect on the temperature.

Hmm...didn't think of that... I usually kept it clean though, but that doesn't guarantee dust won't get INSIDE.

The only games I really liked off Xbox were the Halo games, Fable and Medal of Honor games.

However, my all time favorite games happen to be from the PS side of the fence. Metal Gear series and Ace Combat series.

I did have a Nintendo once. And even the gun, remember the gun? Duck Hunt...Wish they did that still with consoles, that'd be fun. My brother, at the tender age of 2 decided he didn't like the cord, so he cut it off the gun...three years later I repaid him back with a metal baseball bat to the forehead, but that's another story *shifty look*

Oh, and I had a Super Nintendo. Played Super Mario world all the time. I don't think I had any other games on that system come to think of it...

And honestly, when I was a kid, I tried playing Zelda. For some reason at the time, I didn't like it. Then again, I had (and still do have) a natural inclination to shun the console gaming for outdoor fun with friends.

I sound so old... but take my word. I'm not old enough to walk thirty miles in the snow uphill, downhill, both ways and barefoot. In Florida! *serious look* I did however walk ten miles to get home a month or so ago...

Hmm...didn't think of that... I usually kept it clean though, but that doesn't guarantee dust won't get INSIDE.

The only games I really liked off Xbox were the Halo games, Fable and Medal of Honor games.

However, my all time favorite games happen to be from the PS side of the fence. Metal Gear series and Ace Combat series.

I did have a Nintendo once. And even the gun, remember the gun? Duck Hunt...Wish they did that still with consoles, that'd be fun. My brother, at the tender age of 2 decided he didn't like the cord, so he cut it off the gun...three years later I repaid him back with a metal baseball bat to the forehead, but that's another story *shifty look*

Oh, and I had a Super Nintendo. Played Super Mario world all the time. I don't think I had any other games on that system come to think of it...

And honestly, when I was a kid, I tried playing Zelda. For some reason at the time, I didn't like it. Then again, I had (and still do have) a natural inclination to shun the console gaming for outdoor fun with friends.

I sound so old... but take my word. I'm not old enough to walk thirty miles in the snow uphill, downhill, both ways and barefoot. In Florida! *serious look* I did however walk ten miles to get home a month or so ago...

Hmmm... Well, hope you get it figured out and it doesn't give you too much trouble!