The Video Game Thread

[maddash]

I'm thinking of getting an xbox myself. These different trims confuse me though - I'm guessing if I want the full experience I should at least get the Pro? Xbox Live is a free service, right?

It really depends. A HD is nice, but you can get by with without one. Are you going to play a lot of games online and DL demos and games?

I don't know. Probably not. I'm more of a Wii guy, but I'm interested in playing some of the higher end graphic games now that the console is a little more affordable. I'll probably just get one or two shoot'em-up games... maybe Spore. I already have Guitar Hero for the Wii. And my Dish Network already has a VOD over IP service.

So what's the difference between Silver and Gold Live membership? The consoles already come with Silver memberships, right?

... I gotta say, from a marketing standpoint all these trims and memberships levels aren't really doing Microsoft any favors with new users. I'd hate to be a parent trying to figure all this out.

Remember, you can always upgrade the HD later. So if you don't get a pro, it's not a huge deal.

Silver is really basic - you can download buy/demos and buy movies, that's about it. Gold allows you to play games online.

Do you have an HDTV? The better graphics are wasted if you don't have one.

One other thing - Spore is PC only.

Sounds like getting an Arcade to start with might be a good option for me.

So if I wanted to play Gears or Call of Duty online I'd need Gold? $40 or $50 a year isn't bad, but that's kind of lame that you have to pay.

Yeah, just checked on the Spore thing. Bummer.

Thanks for the info.

Yeah, having HD is one of the motivators in me getting an xbox. Figure I might as well take advantage of the nice graphics.

[ghostrunner]

I'm thinking of getting an xbox myself. These different trims confuse me though - I'm guessing if I want the full experience I should at least get the Pro? Xbox Live is a free service, right?

It really depends. A HD is nice, but you can get by with without one. Are you going to play a lot of games online and DL demos and games?

How does this work? I got mine with a hard drive. Where do you store saves without it? You have to buy a memory card then, right?

[Michael]

So if I wanted to play Gears or Call of Duty online I'd need Gold?

Yes.

Yeah, having HD is one of the motivators in me getting an xbox. Figure I might as well take advantage of the nice graphics.

It's really stunning. To me it's a bigger "game changer" than the Wii remote.

How does this work? I got mine with a hard drive. Where do you store saves without it? You have to buy a memory card then, right?

Yep, a memory card, like the old PS2.

[Jocephus]

ok, this is where im confused...if i get a HD drive, then i dont need a memory stick/card for saves? if i do get a xbox with a HD, then i dont have to worry about getting a memory stick/card?

[clevername]

right, you only need a memory card if you don't have a HD or if you want to carry your saves with you for some reason.

[Michael]

Wikipedia has a good comparison chart of features between each model here.

[Jocephus]

can downloaded content from xbox live be stored on the memory card/stick?

[Michael]

Yes... but it kind of depends on the size of the DL. For instance, you wouldn't be able to DL the Left 4 Dead demo because it's over a gig.

[Jocephus]

how much space is on a memory stick/card? they dont have like a memory card with...say...5 gigs on it?

[Michael]

It comes with 256 MB, some of which is already used for XBE. The core isn't for you if you're interested in DLs. That being said, you can always upgrade to a HD if you decide you want one.