Microsoft Xbox needs to die.

[Kriptonite]

-Microsoft snip-

If you don't like Microsoft so much, why keep buying consoles and controllers? If you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

[Easton Dark]

2. by principle Vanilla game should be good enough, if its not I'll find somthing else to play

Also, about the mods, I agree with Vault101. If the game hasn't convinced me on its own merit, then I'm not gonna bother modding it. I'd just stop playing it.

But that's the point of mods... to make the game you liked better and/or give it a new feeling.

You two should try it. I can help >_> <_<

 

[Epona]

I'd just like to say, I called this in early 2002 when I discovered Microsoft made a game console.

Initial reaction: "Microsoft... hardware? This won't end well."

Yeah because Microsoft keyboards and mice have always been unreliable, right?

 

[Awexsome]

For each shiny mod that goes beyond small customization I get for a PC game I'm met with 10 crashes or problems. The troubleshooting is the worst about PC for me along with the price tag.

For the 360 I've had one RRoD it's whole lifespan and I was angry and upset at it. For the PC I have problems every week and I get angry and upset at it. One gives me far more grief than the other. If TF2 and some strategy/RTS games weren't so fun there's no way I'd put up with it.

Any 360 game has a 100% chance to work on my 360 and I expect my 360 to work 100% of the time. My standards have to be far lower to put up with the PC. Some people will put up with that because they've gotten used to it or see the advanced technology as worth it but I don't.

 

[Xangba]

While i adore PC gaming, it isn't cheap. you complain about going through 4 xboxs and some controlers, yeah that's 2 gaming PCs. And you will blow up your first gaming PC so yeah 4 xboxs you're still spending less.

I might be in the minority but the PC gamers can keep their mods. There is a reason game developers generate content for their own games; it's because they're good at it. I haven't seen a mod yet that isn't in some way half-arsed or stands out from the original content like dog's balls.

Ever heard of a game called Counter Strike? because it was a mod. lets list a few other games that started as mods.

DOTA (a mod which created an entire genre of games)
Team Fortress (started as a quake mod)
Nehrim - (Oblivion mod that is pretty much an entirely new game)

There's also the unofficial Oblivion patch. A fix to many many many (not all) of the bugs in Oblivion. A patch. Created by gamers to fix a game the developers couldn't. half arsed indeed.

Now, I don't know about that. I still have my gaming PCs from 2004 and from 1998. I still use the one from '04 on occasion to play things that, well, don't quite "agree" with Windows 7, .net framework 3, Direct X 9+, or OpenGL 3.0+.

In general, I've found you can buy much more reliable hardware for a PC when compared to the made-on-the-cheap hardware you usually get in today's consoles. I know not all Xboxes fail, but the failure rate of Microsofts console is still quite high. Higher than would usually be considered acceptable in other product lines.

Also, even if you "blow up" your first gaming rig, it's usually only one or two pieces of hardware that'll go. And you can easily replace them without having to shell out a fortune. In most cases, a good bit less than you'd pay getting a couple of controllers for a console, let along another console.

Unless you're buying pre-built. In which case, oh yeah, you're quite right. That'll cost you WAY more than getting a couple of consoles.

But then, I never recommend going pre-built. It's like buying an unreliable console, only for eight times the price.

Beat me to it. Yeah basically pre-made computer is like buying...well anything. It's designed to wear out so you have to get another one. Learning about computers isn't really all that hard, and in the long run managing a couple parts every few years is pretty simple and relatively cheap. Also anyone getting a desktop, make sure you pay a little extra to keep the capacity for everything as great as possible. I had my last computer for 10 years running fine, then decided it was time for a major upgrade and built a new one with a 32 gig RAM capacity (only running 8 atm though, will upgrade as needed). Now as you can guess, I love my computer, and prefer it for games. That also being said, my best friend loves his console, and isn't much of a computer fan. We both play with each other on consoles and computers, and there is nothing wrong with liking either. We can end all the hate pretty easily by just accepting they're different. My friend said it pretty well I think, involving base controls (as in controller/mouse and keyboard). "Consoles are best for shooters and driving games, and computers are best for...well everything else."

TL;DR There is nothing inherently wrong with either consoles or computers. Both sides quit bitching and being stuck up.

Also, how Xbox gets away with charging for Xbox live while playstation does it free, computers do it free (other than MMOs), and have endless free programs that cover everything Live does. I don't understand it.

 

[Fidelias]

Hmmm... Have you tried calling support before to get them to fix the problem?

I called them up, 3 times now for that Red Ring of Death. Got my Xbox fixed for free each time. Didn't have warranty, didn't even have to argue with them. They even paid for shipping and sent a box to ship it in.

Of course, they DIDN'T offer to pay for the time my dog knocked the Xbox over and trashed the harddrive, but that's understandable.

If that Rottweiler wasn't so cute, I'd have roasted him for dinner...

So yeah, the reason why I'm a fan of Microsoft is because their support treated me extremely well, not sure if that's changed though in two years...

 

[Vigormortis]

big snip

Good points. Your friend seems to grasp the essence of what makes each platform better. However, I'd argue that PCs are still better for FPS games. Simply by way of the speed and accuracy of a mouse. Not that there's anything wrong with an analog stick for a shooter, it's just that it's inherently less responsive, comparatively speaking.

Though, one could argue further that PCs can use both keyboard/mouse and almost any controller they want. But that's not really the point.

Consoles give the player a bit of ease when it comes to gaming. Just pop in the disc (download the updates, derp), and start playing.

However, for anyone that's even mildly tech-savvy, PCs will always be just as easy. And, in many cases, can function with the same ease as a console. Hell, I've got my rig hooked up to my flat-screen TV and a monitor. So I can multi-task with some application(s) on the monitor and a game full-screened on the big TV. So I can just sit back on my couch and game.

 

[CorruptCor3]

I am on my second 360 after punching the first one in frustration and dislodging the disc reader, but i'm still using the original 20GB hard drive and I haven't had any issues with them that i didn't inflict upon it.

 

[renegade7]

Where are you buying these from, and how are you treating them? Mine worked fine for 3 years before I had to make it RROD (Wanted the one year warranty extension at the end of the three years-plus the USB was messed up but that was my fault). Overheating it didn't work. Pouring water on it didn't work. Dropping it onto a concrete floor didn't work. Eventually I had punch a screwdriver through the vent to finally make the damn thing break.

So needless to say I never had a problem with mine.

 

[ResonanceSD]

All that and yet you bought four of the things and continue to pay for their internet services? When you keep throwing money at them like this, you are giving them every reason to think they are doing a fantastic job.

Precisely this. Why on earth do you keep buying the things? Ignore a sunk cost, you won't get the money back that you've spent on games.

 

[Active Schizophrenic]

Oh hey Im going to go onto the escapist today...

 

[DavidTanis]

Well since I'm still on my first Xbox 360 (which I got about two months after launch) and I've replaced one controller because the left stick was getting a bit wiggly I'm inclined to think that there is plenty to defend besides brand loyalty. Oh and also Xbox Live didn't get hacked.

 

[RedDeadFred]

What I hate about these threads is there is always one person who types this line. "This has not been a problem for me and my Xbox works just fine." Just fine and dandy random person on the internet who thinks that everybody else must treat their stuff like crap. Like how mine broke as well and is sitting in my closet never to be played again.

That one random person and bunch of other people. I have only had one 360 break down on me and that was 2 years after launch AND after being thrown down a flight of stairs. On my second 360 and it works perfectly since 2009.

And then that awkward moment where even more people back you up and say that I have owned a 360 for 4 years and it has never been a problem to me ever.... Yeah.

And then the EVEN MORE awkward moment when another person tells you that they owned the launch 360 for 5 years until they dropped a bottle of Jack Daniels on it (I was drunk) and now they have a 2 year old slim version that works like a dream.

 

[Xangba]

big snip

Good points. Your friend seems to grasp the essence of what makes each platform better. However, I'd argue that PCs are still better for FPS games. Simply by way of the speed and accuracy of a mouse. Not that there's anything wrong with an analog stick for a shooter, it's just that it's inherently less responsive, comparatively speaking.

Though, one could argue further that PCs can use both keyboard/mouse and almost any controller they want. But that's not really the point.

Consoles give the player a bit of ease when it comes to gaming. Just pop in the disc (download the updates, derp), and start playing.

However, for anyone that's even mildly tech-savvy, PCs will always be just as easy. And, in many cases, can function with the same ease as a console. Hell, I've got my rig hooked up to my flat-screen TV and a monitor. So I can multi-task with some application(s) on the monitor and a game full-screened on the big TV. So I can just sit back on my couch and game.

Yeah I personally like the feel of a mouse better, but then again I grew up on a computer (dad was a computer tech), and plus a large number of people like the feel of an analog stick better (easily indicated by sales numbers). Just hold your thumb in a direction instead of moving your entire hand, which looking at it like that really does make it clear it's a different feel, even if hand movement is minimal. And like I said, what he said was in regard to base equipment, so controller for console and mouse/keyboard for computers, so there's no possible "You can have this!" "Yeah but you pay for it!" type argument.

 

[Composer]

had my xbox for 4 years(basic white addition)
no RROD yet
had my pc for several years
take a healthy interest in mods (performance mods are the cat's pajamas, lookin at you skyboost)
dont see everyone's problem

 

[Xeraxis]

It just proves the ol' saying true: If something doesn't break, Microsoft didn't make it

I'm disagreeing with this. I've had my Xbox since Christmas 2007, and have not encountered a single problem with it whatsoever.

EDIT: Also to OP, if you can't stand how Microsoft acts on its tactics, shouldn't you have stopped paying for an Xbox before your 4th one?

 

[Vigormortis]

snippy snip

Well, so much for not responding. Guess I just can't resist making a counter-point.

I didn't "refute" your claims because they were so ludicrous I didn't see a point. You lambast the OP for her/his personal experiences with the hardware, implying that she/he is CLEARLY at fault for all the woes she/he faced. Then, you go to speaking on your own experiences and follow that up by saying, in effect, "Don't try to tell me your experiences. I'm right and that's that."

Beyond the blatant hypocrisy of the statement, it also seems to imply a sense if insecurity in opinion. Why are you so afraid of someone saying something different than you? Are you afraid you'll change your mind? Does it scare you to lose your loyalty to the Microsoft brand?

You know what? Screw it. I'm going to go ahead and "refute" your "claims". Let's take them in kind, shall we?

Mods.
Most are "cheats" and not a one improves the game at all? Pardon me while I have a hearty laugh.....

Okay, back to the discussion. This is laughable because, if you actually knew "about all the mods [we're] so dying to tell [you] about", then you'd never say what you said. There are hundreds of mods out there that were made by the community for the sole purpose of making the core game better because the developers failed to fix it.

Take Borderlands. The PC build was fundamentally broken. (one could argue all builds were, but whatever) Yet, Gearbox never bothered to do a damn thing to address the issues. So the community stepped up to do what Gearbox was too lazy and untalented to do themselves. As a result, the PC build became far better than the console builds. Because of mods.

This doesn't even begin to address the thousands of mods that do more than just add to the game, but are more often than not full games in their own right. In some cases, full conversions. Like the one I'm prepping to play tonight called Cry of Fear. A full-conversion mod of Half-Life.

Granted, not all mods are of what one might call "good quality", but the same statement applies to everything, so it doesn't really matter.

RROD
You and "many others" may not have a problem with the RROD, but just as many or more do. I have yet to come across someone, save yourself, who was "okay" with their Xbox RROD'ing. And while I think the OP may have been going a bit too far with the rant, going into the realm of hyperbole, I do feel her/his pain. Especially given that, just like if your harddrive dies on your PC, you have to go through a reinstall process with your games. Except, in the case of the 360, you also have to transfer the access rights for the games from your old console profile to your new console. Which is a hassle that's often made worse by only being able to do this once a year or so.

Power to Price
I know you said you "really don't feel like debating this one", but if that were true then why bother starting the argument with a "claim"?

Speaking of which, this "claim" would have had merit....four years ago. Today, I can easily[/b] build a gaming machine, from scratch, that'll play any game out today for less than what it'll cost you to get an Xbox, a controller, and a year of Live. And, it'll be drastically more powerful than your 360.

Yes, it would most likely be a desktop, but there are desktops that are small enough that they even look like a console. Add to that the fact that you can easily hook it up to your TV instead of a monitor, and...well...what's the point of a console at that point? I have my rig hooked up to a monitor and my big-screen TV. So I can do work on the monitor while I sit back and relax on my couch to play a game on the big screen.

PCs are only as reliable as the user. If you're careless, ignorant to the ins-and-outs of basic computer functionality, and download of lot of illegal data, then of course you'll have issues. If you're careful, have a basic level of knowledge on computers, and are mindful of what you put on your machine, you'll be just fine. Just like with a console. (though, one could argue that with your PC, you can more easily address any issues that come up because, if you built it yourself, you know what's in it. with a console, if it goes awry, you're SOL)

PCs have no more issues with their GPUs than consoles do. Maybe you don't realize this but consoles have graphics cards too. And, just like a PC, if you don't take care of it, it'll break.

I've no idea what you're on about with your "There is always a problem.....with the in-game content" Would seem to me consoles have just as many "problems" in this regard as PCs do.

Also, "install" and "performance". Pardon me while I laugh again....

Maybe you haven't noticed, but a LOT of console games now require you to install it to your hard drive. In most cases, to help with it's "performance". So the irony of your statement is doubly funny.

Exclusives and Live
As for this, well, most of what you said is opinion. I don't refute opinion. It's a fair point you've made, given that there are lots of exclusives to PC that I can't get on a 360 as well.

However, I will argue that Live is only "accessible" and only has "good servers" if you're playing the newest, most popular titles of the day. If your game of choice isn't quite as popular or is more than 2 years old, it tends to have terrible servers, shoddy match-making, and little to no support on Microsofts end.

(though, I would still argue that "excellent service" isn't a term I'd use for Live as, for one example, after SEVEN YEARS they've still not fixed the damn party-chat system. that thing crashes more than a Windows phone. ironically.)




All that said, I don't take issue with you playing your Xbox. Nor you preferring it to another platform. We all like to game, so what does it matter what platform we use? Like I had said, I game on both. But if you're gonna call someone (the OP) out on their gripes over something, make sure you can validate your claims before you lambast them for theirs.

 

[Vigormortis]

had my xbox for 4 years(basic white addition)
no RROD yet
had my pc for several years
take a healthy interest in mods (performance mods are the cat's pajamas, lookin at you skyboost)
dont see everyone's problem

Pretty much my thinking.

I've tried to defend both sides in several threads like this. Defending PC when the console-fans come out in force. Defending the consoles when the PC-fans come out in force.

In EVERY case, I'm branded as either a "PC elitist" or a "console tard". Despite defending both and point out flaws in both platforms.

When it comes to this age-old debate, I take a page from the film War Games.

"The only way to win is not to play."

As such, I will now bow out of this topic.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

snippy snip

Well, so much for not responding. Guess I just can't resist making a counter-point.

I didn't "refute" your claims because they were so ludicrous I didn't see a point. You lambast the OP for her/his personal experiences with the hardware, implying that she/he is CLEARLY at fault for all the woes she/he faced. Then, you go to speaking on your own experiences and follow that up by saying, in effect, "Don't try to tell me your experiences. I'm right and that's that."

Beyond the blatant hypocrisy of the statement, it also seems to imply a sense if insecurity in opinion. Why are you so afraid of someone saying something different than you? Are you afraid you'll change your mind? Does it scare you to lose your loyalty to the Microsoft brand?

You know what? Screw it. I'm going to go ahead and "refute" your "claims". Let's take them in kind, shall we?

Mods.
Most are "cheats" and not a one improves the game at all? Pardon me while I have a hearty laugh.....

Okay, back to the discussion. This is laughable because, if you actually knew "about all the mods [we're] so dying to tell [you] about", then you'd never say what you said. There are hundreds of mods out there that were made by the community for the sole purpose of making the core game better because the developers failed to fix it.

Take Borderlands. The PC build was fundamentally broken. (one could argue all builds were, but whatever) Yet, Gearbox never bothered to do a damn thing to address the issues. So the community stepped up to do what Gearbox was too lazy and untalented to do themselves. As a result, the PC build became far better than the console builds. Because of mods.

This doesn't even begin to address the thousands of mods that do more than just add to the game, but are more often than not full games in their own right. In some cases, full conversions. Like the one I'm prepping to play tonight called Cry of Fear. A full-conversion mod of Half-Life.

Granted, not all mods are of what one might call "good quality", but the same statement applies to everything, so it doesn't really matter.

RROD
You and "many others" may not have a problem with the RROD, but just as many or more do. I have yet to come across someone, save yourself, who was "okay" with their Xbox RROD'ing. And while I think the OP may have been going a bit too far with the rant, going into the realm of hyperbole, I do feel her/his pain. Especially given that, just like if your harddrive dies on your PC, you have to go through a reinstall process with your games. Except, in the case of the 360, you also have to transfer the access rights for the games from your old console profile to your new console. Which is a hassle that's often made worse by only being able to do this once a year or so.

Power to Price
I know you said you "really don't feel like debating this one", but if that were true then why bother starting the argument with a "claim"?

Speaking of which, this "claim" would have had merit....four years ago. Today, I can easily[/b] build a gaming machine, from scratch, that'll play any game out today for less than what it'll cost you to get an Xbox, a controller, and a year of Live. And, it'll be drastically more powerful than your 360.

Yes, it would most likely be a desktop, but there are desktops that are small enough that they even look like a console. Add to that the fact that you can easily hook it up to your TV instead of a monitor, and...well...what's the point of a console at that point? I have my rig hooked up to a monitor and my big-screen TV. So I can do work on the monitor while I sit back and relax on my couch to play a game on the big screen.

PCs are only as reliable as the user. If you're careless, ignorant to the ins-and-outs of basic computer functionality, and download of lot of illegal data, then of course you'll have issues. If you're careful, have a basic level of knowledge on computers, and are mindful of what you put on your machine, you'll be just fine. Just like with a console. (though, one could argue that with your PC, you can more easily address any issues that come up because, if you built it yourself, you know what's in it. with a console, if it goes awry, you're SOL)

PCs have no more issues with their GPUs than consoles do. Maybe you don't realize this but consoles have graphics cards too. And, just like a PC, if you don't take care of it, it'll break.

I've no idea what you're on about with your "There is always a problem.....with the in-game content" Would seem to me consoles have just as many "problems" in this regard as PCs do.

Also, "install" and "performance". Pardon me while I laugh again....

Maybe you haven't noticed, but a LOT of console games now require you to install it to your hard drive. In most cases, to help with it's "performance". So the irony of your statement is doubly funny.

Exclusives and Live
As for this, well, most of what you said is opinion. I don't refute opinion. It's a fair point you've made, given that there are lots of exclusives to PC that I can't get on a 360 as well.

However, I will argue that Live is only "accessible" and only has "good servers" if you're playing the newest, most popular titles of the day. If your game of choice isn't quite as popular or is more than 2 years old, it tends to have terrible servers, shoddy match-making, and little to no support on Microsofts end.

(though, I would still argue that "excellent service" isn't a term I'd use for Live as, for one example, after SEVEN YEARS they've still not fixed the damn party-chat system. that thing crashes more than a Windows phone. ironically.)




All that said, I don't take issue with you playing your Xbox. Nor you preferring it to another platform. We all like to game, so what does it matter what platform we use? Like I had said, I game on both. But if you're gonna call someone (the OP) out on their gripes over something, make sure you can validate your claims before you lambast them for theirs.

Holy wall of text, Batman!

Loved they way you took the time to type out format, and bold your response by the way...

I must say, you are a very impassioned person on this issue.

Alright, I'll be honest. I wrote my OP in a bit of a rage and it could have been far less dickish. Most of my points stand with a bit of rational adjusting... I just get sick of the "PC is better and that is a given" vibe that comes from these threads.

We REALLY need to stop these threads. I have yet to see one that hasn't devolved into at least vicious arguing if not a full fledged flamewar. [sub/]alliteration is fun...[/sub]

 

[Zeckt]

Hey you guys, I'm sorry I largely ignored my topic after my initial post. I'm actually overly sensitive off the forums and saw the large number of quotes in my message box and was putting off reading them because usually the case with forums is people really tear into you. I'm actually incredibly surprised not one of you who quoted me were insulting, I'm really impressed with this forum.

Now that I've had the opportunity to relax a little bit after my very unfortunate luck with my new limited edition controllers which completely SUCKS I was stoked when I got them (I keep hearing xbox controllers are supposedly high quality, am I really that cursed?) I've come to the conclusion that next gen I really hope microsoft learns its lesson and never releases a console with such poor durability just to be first. I have to say it but they really dropped the ball with that whole rrod thing.

Honestly? I think I will just make myself a custom gaming rig computer that will last me 2-3 years into the next consoles lifespan. By that time the problems will be weeded out with it, it seems the first batch of consoles are usually awful. (except the backwards compatible ps3, thats pretty sweet!) Who knows, maybe I won't even look back. All hail to my new steam and gamers gate overlords I guess. But the gap on the pc is big enough to move over to till the eventual release and ironing out of the next consoles happens. Maybe pick myself up limited editions of them also!

Anyways, thanks again for not trashing on me and actually discussing my points.