Next-Gen Console Score Card (page 5 of 10)

Online support analyzed

ONLINE SUPPORT

The dark horse category. All the next-gen consoles support online play...but not all with the same level of commitment. One thing's for sure: extensive support for online play can only be seen as a massive advantage.

Xbox 360

It took four years, but it's now official: Microsoft's Xbox Live 360 is the standard to which all other console online services must measure up. Its foolproof functionality can't be beat and it has extensive developer support on the Xbox 360. Not only is the Xbox Live service rock solid from a technical stance, it also has some killer-app exclusive titles such as Halo 2 and Call of Duty 2. And of course, games like Halo 3 and Gears of War are just on the horizon, and are sure to add more fuel to the online fire.

With the Xbox 360, Microsoft wisely focused on enhancing the Xbox Live community rather than making radical changes. This took the form of an achievement points system, a Marketplace for downloadable games and episodic content, and the newly released Xbox 360 Vision camera. But Microsoft's monthly (or yearly) service fee is its Achilles ' heel, and gives Sony and Nintendo a wide opening for a reduced price or free offering.

Online score: 4.5 (out of 5.0)

PlayStation 3

Media Format score: 3.0 (out of 5.0)

Another key dilemma for Sony is its somewhat murky online component. PS3 developers are frustrated by Sony's tight-lipped attitude towards online gameplay, with some developers opting to cut the feature out entirely (see Tony Hawk's Project 8). Sony has revealed virtually no hard details about this feature, aside from promised video chat and generic buddy list features, which has frustrated some developers who were eager to include online modes in their launch games.

We expect to hear more about Sony's online plans in the coming weeks, but for the moment, the situation is confusing. And confused is a bad thing to be one month before a console launches.

Media Format score: 2.75 (out of 5.0)

Wii

The Wii will feature seamless internet connectivity with the WiiConnect24 service, which sports 802.11b/g Wi-Fi capability and can deliver game updates and patches while the console is idle. The service also allows players to download retro games in the "Virtual Console."

Nintendo has been quiet on online support for the Wii, and it's not hard to see why. Nintendo, like Sony, has been somewhat hesitant to embrace the online world. Case in point: While the Wii definitely supports online gameplay, Nintendo has confirmed that no online-capable Wii games will be available until 2007. Sony, at least, is expected to have online play in a few of its launch titles.

Media Format score: 2.25 (out of 5.0)



DECISION



Xbox 360

A slam dunk for Microsoft. The Xbox Live online service is simply the de facto industry standard for multiplayer gaming. It dominates because it's sleek, fast, and affordable. Both Nintendo and Sony are clearly confused about their respective online prerogatives. Our advice: just mimic Xbox Live already and be done with it. It's not like you could come up with something much better anyway.

Victor!

Victor!

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