Official XBOX360 Thread - Game Reviews Are In - 1UP Likes 7's

[jerryhussain]

Thanks for the transcript dvdvideo.

[dvdvideo]

Not a problem, wish they hah answered more questions though.

Still, a 360 will be mine later this year, even if I have to sell a whole bunch of stuff to afford it, LOL.

[sfu_lifer]

I still think it's stupid to fragment the market this way.
$349 and pack in that laptop HD. No pulling wool over folks heads just so you can advertise "$299"

[puff_daddy_58_99]

the whole thing isn't really encouraging. I mean, the lack of HD will really limit the potential of games....remember you couldn't save a KOTOR game on a memory card, it was too big....you needed to have the hard drive. In the same way, I couldn't imagine playing games off a CD now that I have them all on a modded HD, it's so much faster.

I have no problem with the two price points, but really a $350 launch and $450 launch would have been better if it meant everyone had a HD, and then the $450 one could have included a wifi adaptor, or second controller or something.

I'll still be getting it in November, just not too sure on the direction they are taking the console.

[radeonboy]

I'm gonna wait until prices drop down and by then the PS3 comes out to make my judgement. I know know never to buy anything when it first comes out like I did with my Xbox 1, because now after the pricedrops, Xbox 1 costs soo cheap I got ripped offf..

[eliteblaze]

a HD costs little to nothing for a 20 gb laptop drive anyways. I think a 40gb 5400 rpm drive is $90 :p

[Carpe Diem]

I don't know too much about HD's but couldn't you just use a SATA to IDE converter and hook up a Normal HD.

[dvdvideo]

No. Part of the reason they used a lap top drive is it's more durable against shock, vibrations, etc.

I think the whole hard drive issue is overblown, since the new dvd drive is 6 times faster than the xbox dvd driver.
Also, most developers never used the xbox hard drive, even though it was there to use.

[Headhunter]

No. Part of the reason they used a lap top drive is it's more durable against shock, vibrations, etc.

I think the whole hard drive issue is overblown, since the new dvd drive is 6 times faster than the xbox dvd driver.

The HD is important more for persistent content, than faster loading times.

Also, most developers never used the xbox hard drive, even though it was there to use.

I thought that was stupid, can't justify that. Platformers and the like don't need it, but there were a lot of titles that could have benefitted from permanent storage and chose to go cheap/lazy...

[jerryhussain]

As expected Premium packs are getting sold out (preorders).

[dvdvideo]

The HD is important more for persistent content, than faster loading times.

That only holds true if they would actually use it....which they have proven they will not. I was hoping for a standard hard drive too but in the end it might not matter. Besides, the few developers that used it in the past will still optimize games for loading from the hard drive.

Pre-orders.....where are they even selling them besides eb and toys are us?

I've been waiting for Futureshop to start pre-booking, I won't stand in line at EB while the eb sales people flog extra stuff one by one. Halo 2, they put thru like one customer every 10 minutes, a blazing pace.

[JayPatel]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/644/644005p1.html

Confirmation that in order to play FFXI, you will need the Premium pack or buy the hard drive seperately.

[jerryhussain]

Pre-orders.....where are they even selling them besides eb and toys are us?

I've been waiting for Futureshop to start pre-booking, I won't stand in line at EB while the eb sales people flog extra stuff one by one. Halo 2, they put thru like one customer every 10 minutes, a blazing pace.

IF I ORDER NOW AM I GUARANTEED A CONSOLE FOR LAUNCH / CHRISTMAS?
Unfortunately not - demand for Xbox 360 has been phenomenal. We have now sold out of our expected first allocation and are unable to promise delivery before Christmas if you place an order after 14:30 on 22nd August 2005. Its always possible we will still be able to secure you a unit for launch, but unless we are 100% confident we are not willing to make you that promise.

http://shop.game.net/lowdown.aspx?lid=5128

There is also another retailer where it was sold out already.

[Yesdear]

That only holds true if they would actually use it....which they have proven they will not. I was hoping for a standard hard drive too but in the end it might not matter. Besides, the few developers that used it in the past will still optimize games for loading from the hard drive.

Pre-orders.....where are they even selling them besides eb and toys are us?

I've been waiting for Futureshop to start pre-booking, I won't stand in line at EB while the eb sales people flog extra stuff one by one. Halo 2, they put thru like one customer every 10 minutes, a blazing pace.

I would say your best bet is Future Shop or Best Buy. They will have a large pre-order allocation because of their buying power. Another option may be blockbuster believe it or not. I pre-ordered at EB over a month ago only because no one else was taking them and I had 70% of the total cost to put down. I knew if I didn't that hole in my pocket would get larger and larger and the RFD demons would tempt me with shiny objects.

Just to add to your EB comment.... I recently returned to EB to add additional money to my pre-order and was told they cannot do that. They said they would have to cancel my pre-order and start a new one and then they couldn't guarantee my 360 for launch.

Rant # 1 - Do not take pre-orders if you cannot deliver on the pre-order when I want it. Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where he reserves a rental car and then is told there are no cars available when he goes to pick it up.

Rant # 2 - EB - I am entering a change request order for your software and stop hiring obnoxious (boarding on ignorant) staff that possess 'Used Car' sales tactics.

Ok, I feel better now.....nothing to see here, move along.

[puff_daddy_58_99]

So, as far as pre-orders go

a) has anyone pre-ordered
b) how much was it
c) when was the estimated release, according to the people who took your money?