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Monday, 02 July 2007, 10:12:05 EDT

I don't think it is a big secret that I'm not a fan of the Micrsoft corporation. So, it was no light decision for me when I decided to purchase their Xbox 360 video game console. I came to the realization that I would eventually need to buy a "next generation" console. It would be only a matter of time before new games ceased being released for the Playstation 2 and Nintendo Gamecube (which I have very few games for anyway). Thus, I evaluated the new consoles and made my decision.

John Wallom brought his Nintendo Wii to work the last day campus was open before closing for the winter holiday. So I had a chance to try it out. I think it is a good console for casual gamers or gamers who have a lot of friends over to their place often. I had fun with the games we played, but I don't think they would be much fun without other people. If Nintendo's plan for the console is to be believed, and I don't know of any reason it shouldn't, then that will be the majority of the games. So, not many single player games for the Wii. That, and it is basically a beefed up Gamecube. Therefore, no Wii for me until I see something that makes me change my mind.

The other option would be the Playstation 3. Sony hasn't been impressing me with their [lack of] love for the consumer lately. From installing rootkits without warning to arrogantly stating the PS3 will be expensive and people will buy it anyway, they are showing how little they care for the people buying their products. I just can't get down with that. It might be that in the future there will be little alternative to the PS3 for playing console games. But that's a big "maybe."

And so, I was left with one choice if I wanted to get a new console — the Xbox 360. I had played games like PGR3 and been impressed. It also looked as if Microsoft had done a good job integrating online capability with the console. Their ubiquitous friends list, game agnostic chatting, and gamerscore features are really quite nice. I really only had a couple of reservations about the console: game price, pay-to-play online, and reports of console failure. So far, I've only paid full price for two games out of the thirteen I own — Dead or Alive 4 (a budget title) and Call of Duty 3. I bought CoD3 full price to show support for my friend Jason's work. Every other game I've been able to get for cheap on eBay or at a discount in a retail store. So concern one really wasn't much to worry about. I still don't like the pay-to-play bit. I haven't seen anything about the online service which requires payment that really makes it worth it. Finding games to play online is just as chaotic and volatile as it is on the personal computer. As for console failures, it hasn't hit me and I hope it never does.

I've had my Xbox 360 since December. I have to say, I really do like it. It is the only console I have connected right now. It feels like I've rediscovered video games. I had been getting bored with my hobby. But these past few months, when I have had time to play, I've really enjoyed it. If you have an Xbox 360 and want to game sometime, my gamer id is Morhyn.