READ THIS, you slack-jawed idiots, or THE NEW CONSOLE WARS, z0MG!

[ZERO.]

Don't forget folks there is always Halo 3 and Fable 2.

I think thoes games will make up for some lost time on the 360.

[greed]

And Blue Dragon.
From the developers of Chronotrigger, does anything else have to be said?

Definitely getting a Wii, likely a 360 eventually though it's up in the air, largely because Sony's been pissing me off.

Anyway posting because of this. Based on real Japanese battles.

[The Wandering God]

The more time goes on, the more I see Microsoft totally not promoting the games that would actually convince me to buy a 360. All they push is Live and high profile shooters seemingly.

Yet the more I go out of my way to scratch the surface, there is stuff to see.

Like a Culdcept game. Yum. And that Blue Dragon just mentioned. (The development team of Chrono Trigger is like a whiff of some exotic perfume to my gamer sensibilities.)

The Wandering God

[Mirai Gen]

Hey, guys!
What about the Phantom?

[Bells]

Originally Posted by Mirai Gen

Hey, guys!
What about the Phantom?

It Sucks! \o/

[Krylo]

I'd just like to point out that Fable was on the computer and better than the X-Box version, and that Fable 2 will probably do the same thing.

[phil_]

I'm going to put this here, as it's important, but not important enough to justify another "Hey, the Wii may actually make dreams come true" thread.

So, I'll guess that some of us already heard Iwata's statement on the return of friend-codes for the Wii, making quite a few cringe at the idea of multiple, long, random number codes required to play someone you know. I know that, at least elsewhere, there have been attempts by forum-goers to rationalise this (for example, only having one friend code, and having it apply to the system, not the game). Well, Nintendo filed this patent (this is a link to the US Patent site), detailing plans for something akin to AIM crossed with Gaia crossed with Xbox Live (this is a link to the article I quote below).

Originally Posted by Various news sites, but the link above leads to Codename Revolution

According to the latest United States patent (7056217) filed by Nintendo (planned six years ago) and is now published on June 6th, 2006 it states the following:

Title: Messaging service for video game systems with buddy list that displays game being played

Description: A messaging system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.

The messaging service client provides the user with an opportunity to create a user profile that is stored in the memory of network server…The user profile may contain any desired user-specific information including, but not limited to, an alias, first name, last name, gender, age, city, state, favorite game, favorite food, favorite sport, hobbies, recommended URL and notes…If desired, users may also be given an opportunity to indicate high scores and other accomplishments achieved on the game network or on stand-alone games. Users may also be provided with the capability of including in their profiles customized faces (images) made up of various user-selected features (e.g., a particular nose, mouth, mustache, etc.) in order to enhance the “persona” of the user. These customized faces may be included with messages. Users may even be provided with the capability of including in their profiles digital images of their own faces generated, for example, using a digital camera…

The messaging service client allows the user to create a list (”buddy list”) of other users (”buddies”) with whom he/she wishes to remain in contact…The connecting user and his/her buddies can then communicate with each other on an individual basis and private chat sessions can be set up. These chat sessions are typically text-based, but it also possible to set up voice over Internet sessions between two users…

Each of the game systems includes an input device(s) that is usable by a user to create messages. In the case of a game console, an on-screen keyboard may be used and the game controls are usable to select characters from the on-screen keyboard to create messages. In another implementation, a separate keyboard (not shown) may be connected to the game console. In still another implementation, the input device may be a microphone to enable voice over IP communications. Voice over IP may be implemented within the messaging service.

According to the patent the system will have a View Associate List, Block List, User Preferences, Profile, Access, Status, Rules list, Alerts and Autostart Alerts. It also speaks about the possibility of a portable game console to use this (DS + Wii? sounds mindblowing).

Although Nintendo has always had this planned it seems with the Wii this is now possible. Keep in mind a motion-sensing controller was always planned for the Gamecube long ago. But with these revelations of a possible keyboard, a headset, a ability to most likely use SD Cards to upload pictures and an amazing instant messenger system, it seems highly likely this will end up on the Wii. The Wii just gets better.

Reading the actual patent grants further info, kinda. It's more specific, anyway.

Still, buddy list, the ability to pause a game and chat (claims 11 through 13), a customisable avatar (though not quite to, say, Nuklear Power standards), and the ability to delete yourself from annoying folks' buddy list (claim 9).

Though I should include this disclaimer that this is only a filed patent, not a press-release or an official announcement or anything, so it may not be implemented at launch or at all, if only to keep up an aura of detatchment and suave-itude... not that I particularly foster that image...

Still, it's encouraging.

[Fifthfiend]

Originally Posted by greed

And Blue Dragon.
From the developers of Chronotrigger

Aw shit would you look at that, Microsoft just took a bunch of my money.

Well played, you rat bastards.

[Mondt]

Originally Posted by The_Wandering_God

The more time goes on, the more I see Microsoft totally not promoting the games that would actually convince me to buy a 360. All they push is Live and high profile shooters seemingly.

And the problem?

People play World of Warcraft/EverQuest/DAoC/UA/Starwars Galaxies/etc. for hours on end, yet promoting internet games mostly is bad? Sure, most of them are shooters, but by God, there is every kind of shooter out there now! We got strategy, run 'n' gun, squad thingies, realistic, and the list goes on!

</sarcasm, 'cept the beginning>

[Krylo]

Before you waste too much money on that, Fifth, I'd like to point out that Chrono Cross was also made by the creators of Chrono Trigger.