Hardware / Consoles

Microsoft Xbox

discussed in 241 posts, 2000-2013 · overall tone mixed

Posts per month

Key threads

Will sim racers buy an Xbox? 2001-07-16 · 53 posts
Olly Greenfield asked whether anyone planned to buy Microsoft's Xbox. Posters debated whether its fixed GeForce 3-class hardware could host serious sims, noting World Sports Cars was announced for it, while Simon Brown argued that consoles had never had serious simulations. Practical issues such as using a wheel with a TV were also discussed.
Would a Microsoft purchase of Vivendi help Papyrus? 2003-01-25 · 176 posts
Following reports that Microsoft might buy Vivendi Universal's games division, including Sierra and Papyrus, posters debated whether this would be good for racing sims. Some cited Flight Simulator as evidence Microsoft can back niche sims, while others pointed to CART Precision Racing and feared Papyrus would be swallowed or steered towards Xbox. The thread became heated, with David G Fisher and GPL fans trading insults over the quality of GPL drivers, before drifting into Mac, Linux and mail server talk.
Xbox versus PC for realistic racing 2002-09-21 · 43 posts
ZP asked whether consoles could replace the PC for realistic racing. Replies cited the PC's higher resolution, better controllers and force feedback (absent on Xbox), while Steve Smith and others praised console titles such as World of Outlaws, WRC and Ferrari F355 on Dreamcast. Side discussions covered HDTVs and the Steel Battalion controller.
Xbox price cut rumour and best console racing games 2002-09-06 · 62 posts
Larry asked which Xbox racing game was best after rumours of a $149 price cut. Suggestions included NASCAR Heat 2002, Sega GT 2002, RalliSport Challenge and Project Gotham, while Steve Smith, researching a Motor Trend story, rated Gran Turismo 3 on PS2 the best console title despite criticism of its AI. The thread drifted into Linux on the Xbox, the DMCA, HDTV and the console wars.
Xbox or PS2? Project Gotham versus Gran Turismo 3 2002-03-21 · 33 posts
Steve Crook-Dawkins asked whether to buy an Xbox or PS2 instead of upgrading his PC. Opinions split: some preferred the Xbox hardware and games like Project Gotham and RalliSport, while others found the PS2 had more good games. Most agreed that GT3 is 'sim-lite' while Project Gotham is an arcade racer, and Steve Smith mentioned writing a Motor Trend article on car games.
Xbox launch impressions and racing wheel support 2001-11-16 · 32 posts
Haqsau reported buying an Xbox at launch and praised it. Others questioned its appeal compared with a gaming PC, and replies noted that consoles are dedicated and optimised for fixed hardware. Posters discussed the lack of standard USB or gameport connections for wheels, one poster's warning that its Metropolis Street Racer-style racing would feel arcade-like to sim fans, and the weak support for Microsoft's Sidewinder wheels.
Steve Smith's first look at Gran Turismo 4 2005-02-25 · 72 posts
Steve Smith posted a first look at Gran Turismo 4, praising it as the best console racer while criticising Sony for dropping online play. Others debated the weak AI, gamepad versus wheel use, PC wheel compatibility on the PS2, and the upcoming Forza. Joe62 and Smith argued at length about whether publishers would pay for online play in console games.
Forza previews spark console versus PC sim debate 2004-09-01 · 22 posts
Previews of Forza Motorsport led David G Fisher to predict the next consoles would end PC racing sims, a view shared by some and mocked by others who cited CART Precision Racing's failure and gamepad limitations. Posters noted Logitech and Microsoft Xbox wheels were coming and debated whether Microsoft's shared Xbox-PC development would blend the markets.
GT4 E3 video sparks PS2 versus Xbox debate 2004-05-19 · 60 posts
An E3 Gran Turismo 4 movie led to discussion about buying a PS2 just for GT, with many admitting they had done so for earlier GT games. The thread became a long console argument over Xbox versus PS2 graphics, sales figures, backward compatibility and the next-generation Xbox's rumoured PowerPC chip, with Steve Smith and Internet User trading barbs. A report that the Xbox outsold the PS2 in the US in April 2004 was posted.
Gran Turismo 4 screenshots and console versus PC 2003-05-03 · 92 posts
Posters were impressed by near-photorealistic Gran Turismo 4 screenshots, though some suspected they were pre-rendered. The long thread debated GT3's handling, poor AI and small fields against PC sims like NR2003 and GTR2002, along with planned GT4 online play and Sony and Microsoft's console strategies.
Console versus PC gaming argument 2002-09-27 · 189 posts
Joe M. argued that higher console game prices explained why publishers were abandoning niche PC genres such as sims. The cross-posted thread grew into a long argument, with Charles Doane insisting PC gaming was a hassle not worth it and others insulting him and defending the PC's flexibility. Later posts turned to Xbox purchase advice and progressive-scan DVD players.
RalliSport Challenge on Xbox praised, sparking console debate 2002-03-18 · 42 posts
Sinjin praised RalliSport Challenge on the Xbox for its graphics, hill climbs and accurate co-driver calls. Others found it twitchy or arcade-like and missed a cockpit view, and the thread widened into arguments about Halo, the Xbox controller and Xbox versus PS2 versus GameCube. It ended with some heated but mostly civil exchanges about console loyalties.
Why would a PC sim racer buy a console? 2002-03-13 · 40 posts
Glaspak asked why sim racers would buy a console. Replies cited fixed hardware with no driver conflicts or upgrades, living-room and social play, non-racing games, and good titles such as GT3 and F355 Challenge on the Dreamcast. Others argued that consoles lack mods, patches and proper wheel support, and most concluded there was room for both.
Debate over whether Microsoft's X-Box will kill PC gaming 2000-03-10 · 26 posts
A poster predicted that Microsoft's X-Box would freeze PC games development if it succeeded. Most replies disagreed, saying PCs offered upgradeability, better displays, and suitability for racing and flight sims and other uses. Participants also traded specification details for the announced console.
PS2 or Xbox for racing and sports games 2003-02-11 · 47 posts
Larry asked whether to buy a PS2 or Xbox for racing and sports. Steve Smith, citing his Motor Trend piece, favoured the PS2 for force feedback wheel support and Gran Turismo 3, while others preferred the Xbox for graphics and Xbox Live online play. The thread turned into a debate about Xbox Live subscriber numbers and Microsoft's console losses.

Busiest threads

Will sim racers buy an Xbox? (15 posts about it)
Would a Microsoft purchase of Vivendi help Papyrus? (12 posts about it)
Xbox versus PC for realistic racing (12 posts about it)
Xbox price cut rumour and best console racing games (11 posts about it)
PS2 Force Feedback vs. PC (7 posts about it)
Xbox or PS2? Project Gotham versus Gran Turismo 3 (7 posts about it)
Xbox launch impressions and racing wheel support (7 posts about it)
Steve Smith's first look at Gran Turismo 4 (6 posts about it)
Geforce 3 pc's maybe slower than XBOX ! (6 posts about it)
Forza previews spark console versus PC sim debate (5 posts about it)
GT4 E3 video sparks PS2 versus Xbox debate (5 posts about it)
Gran Turismo 4 screenshots and console versus PC (5 posts about it)
Console versus PC gaming argument (5 posts about it)
RalliSport Challenge on Xbox praised, sparking console debate (5 posts about it)
Why would a PC sim racer buy a console? (5 posts about it)

Sentiment by year

Each post that discussed it was rated from −2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive).

Year	Posts	Positive	Negative	Tone
2000	11	3	5	mixed (-0.09)
2001	41	16	8	mixed (+0.20)
2002	81	28	16	positive (+0.22)
2003	36	10	14	mixed (-0.14)
2004	26	9	7	mixed (+0.00)
2005	23	2	15	very negative (-0.78)
2006	7	1	2	mixed (-0.14)
2007	9	3	3	mixed (+0.11)
2008	2	1	0	positive (+0.50)
2009	4	0	3	very negative (-1.00)
2013	1	0	0	mixed (+0.00)