By: Shane Satterfield

　　Send us your questions and comments by clicking here. Please include the topic of your message in the subject line of your e-mail and be sure to tell us if you'd like your name withheld. Now on to The Spot!

07/11/01

Babyz!

　　1. How to get rid of some of the babyz we don't want anymore.

　　2. How to get more High Chairs (we have one).

　　3. How to get a full size crib.

　　This guy will help you with any extra babyz you might have lying around the house.

NCAA on the Brain

　　Shane,

　　Hey that was a great preview of NCAA 2002 for a guy like me who can't wait for it to drop. One question: Will they still have the create-a-team feature like the one last year? The 2001 [version] allowed you to create uniforms and all that.

　　Thanks,

　　Ray S.

　　You're not the only person to ask this question, Ray. And we're sorry to say that the create-a-player and create-a-team features likely won't make the cut this year. They're not included in the latest burn we have, and they're not listed on EA's official stat sheet for the game. But don't let that taint your view of NCAA. It's a solid game that's worthy of your attention.

The Big Question

　　Hi, I have a question concerning the PS2 game library. I have recently been considering purchasing a PS2, but I have had doubts about the games available. I have been going through your game reviews, and it seems to me that the quality games for the PS2 right now are fairly limited. Although I have seen a few good titles (Red Faction, Twisted Metal Black, Madden '01, and a few others), I'm not sure if that is enough to make me go and dish out $300-plus. So, getting to the questions:

　　1. Will there be enough games in the future to make my investment well spent? MGS2 and FFX, of course, but are there others?

　　2. Would you recommend purchasing a PS2 or waiting for the GameCube or the Xbox?

　　Thanks for your time.

　　-delerioustoastermonkey

　　Ah, the eternal question. At this point, the cards are on the table for the rest of the year, and every one of us should be able to make our own educated decision. If you think we're keeping a secret that changes everything, we're not. While we may know about some games that are in development that we can't yet report on, a few games here or there shouldn't be what you base your decision on. If you've been reading GameSpot, you know each company's line, you know the kind of games that will be on each console for the next year or so, and you know how much product you will get for your money. Look at the exclusive games for each console and ask yourself, what games do I absolutely have to play? Realize that the majority of third-party games that do well at retail will end up on all three consoles eventually. And then, if possible, buy all three.

Acclaim Back on Track?

　　Do you think that Acclaim is making better games now than it has in the past? The company seems to be [making] better games.

　　-Anonymous

　　I do believe that Acclaim is more dedicated to releasing quality games than it has been in the past few years. Let's just hope the dedication pays off...

Marionette Sunshine 100

　　Hi,

　　During E3 you ran a small article saying that Nintendo is coming out with three different Mario games, but that was the last I heard about them. When will we get more details about these games, and why hasn't Nintendo released any info on them?

　　-Matt

　　Nintendo made a slight slip-up during E3 and posted the names of several Mario games that ended up not being shown. Namely, Mario Sunshine, Marionette, and 100 Marios. Speculation has been rampant about what the games could be, but in truth, only Nintendo knows. The picture should be much clearer about a month from now after Nintendo's Space World show. It's rumored that the next true Mario game will be unveiled there, so that should knock at least one of the games off the list.

Xbox Worth the Weight?

　　With all the hype surrounding the new "magic box" by Microsoft coming out, will it live up to its hype? The thing's built like a tank, it's huge! And what about that poor showing at E3? Do you guys think the Box is really what it's cracked up to be?

　　-Terry Chung

　　Calgary, Canada

　　It all depends upon what you consider "hype." If delivering on a hard drive, broadband support, and powerful hardware at a decent price is what's defined as hype, then yes. If you're talking about the Xbox revolutionizing the way console gamers play video games as Microsoft claims it will, the jury's still out.

N64 II?

　　You said if you're into sports games and not just graphics, get a PS2. Also, that you think NCAA Football 2002 will be really good for the PS2. I love sports games and especially NCAA football. I've always been a Nintendo buyer, and I'd really like to stick with them, but everyone knows there were practically no sports games on the N64. Do you think the GameCube will be better supported with sports games, including the top-rated ones? I'm especially interested in speculation on what EA Sports might release, other than the games they've already stated. Do you think they'll make a NCAA Football for the GameCube? Maybe for 2003? Thanks, and keep up the good work.

　　-Ryan

　　No, the N64 wasn't the greatest console for sports games, was it? But the GameCube should fare somewhat better thanks to Sega's support. EA is jumping on the GameCube fairly heavy with Madden, SSX Tricky, NBA Street, and FIFA already announced. Those are some fairly big games. I would assume the GameCube will eventually see Triple Play, Knockout Kings, and NBA Live as well. However, on a recent trip to EA, I was told by the producer of the NHL franchise that EA currently has no plans to bring the series to the Cube. As for the niche titles like NCAA football and basketball (and NHL hockey, for that matter), it's more likely that Sega will supply them. Your prediction of 2003 seems pretty close to me.

Online Gaming RIP?

　　I know the Dreamcast is pretty much taking its last breath, but is its online capability going down with it? Face it, online gaming is very fun. Being in clans and stuff is really cool. Is the online support going to die with it? I really hope not, but do tell if you know.

　　-Anonymous

　　Sega has stated that it plans to keep its servers up and running for Dreamcast games for some time. But if you log on and try to play games like NFL 2K1 or NBA 2K1 right now you're going to have problems finding competitors close by. I tried last weekend and found just 37 people playing NFL 2K1 in the entire US. Sega has also mentioned allowing companies like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft to use its servers and network for their online games. You definitely haven't seen the end of online console gaming. The Dreamcast was just the beginning.

MGS2 for the Cube?

　　I just wanted to know if Konami will make a GameCube version of Metal Gear Solid 2? Thanks for answering.

　　-Waddley Perrier

　　At this point, I would have to say that it's highly unlikely. Regardless of how easy it is to develop games for the GameCube, Hideo Kojima recently stated in EGM that he's not sure if the Cube will appeal to older players. Though I would say he's mistaken if he believes that a game as anticipated as MGS2 would not sell on a Nintendo console--or any other platform, for that matter. Konami did release Metal Gear Solid for the Game Boy Color, so you never know. But I wouldn't count on Solid Snake making an appearance on the Cube (or the Xbox, for that matter) anytime soon. And in the GameCube's case, if at all. With quality games coming in November on all three platforms, I think the console rental market is about to explode.

One Solid Snake

　　Hey, I'm a hung MGS Fan. I just wanted to know if you could still break necks in MGS2?

　　-Josh

　　Are you and "Waddley" the same guy?

Chronic Chronicles Glitch

　　We all know about the errors in Final Fantasy Chronicles on disc one. The disc that contains Final Fantasy IV hardly ever works. So my question is, are Electronic Arts and Square working to fix this problem?

　　-Anonymous

　　Square has recognized that there is a problem and is looking into it. As of today, Square has yet to pinpoint the culprit. I would wait until the issue is resolved before returning the disc, though.

PS2 Online

　　I was wondering. What is going to be needed to play online PS2 games this November? I can't wait for THPS3, and do you only need the Network Adapter to play it online, or will you need to subscribe to "SonyNet" or whatever? Also, will the HDD be required for any games?

　　-Max Terry

　　As far as we know, you're only going to need to buy the Network Adapter for the first batch of point-to-point games like THPS3. Any massively multiplayer game or any RPG with a persistent world will require a server, and likely a fee. Square has already stated that you will have to use its PlayOnline service to play Final Fantasy XI. I would imagine that we'll eventually see PS2 games that require the HDD, but that's a bit down the road. Sony would be foolish to split its PS2 business with such requirements in the HDD's infancy. It will likely be handled like the Expansion Pak for the N64. Games won't require it, but there will be added features if you have it.

Explain Yourself!

　　Dear GameSpot,

　　Tekken Tag Tournament has a rating of 9.6 with the scores 10, 9, 9, 9, 10. On the other hand, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec has a rating of 9.4 with the scores 9, 10, 10, 10, 9? How does Tekken have a better rating? Please explain.

　　-Anonymous

　　I'm pulling in our executive editor, Jeff Gerstmann, on this one.

　　Jeff responds: Well, Mr. Anonymous, you've stumbled into the intrigue-filled world of the GameSpot score. I'll tell you how it works...but realize that by doing so, I'm essentially ending your life.

　　The GameSpot score is a weighted average, meaning that some categories factor more into the final score than others. I think you'd agree that something like gameplay is more important than sound or value. Anyway, the breakdown looks a bit like this:

　　((Graphics * 1.5) + Sound + (Gameplay * 3) + (Value * 1.5) + (Tilt * 3)) / 10

　　So, as you can see, the gameplay and tilt scores are the largest factors in determining our final score. Since Tekken Tag received 10s in the two categories that matter the most, it managed to get a better score than GT3.

　　To explain our system a little further, the reviewer's tilt score is there to serve games that, for one reason or another, need a score adjustment. For instance, think about a game that has pretty awful graphics and sound, and not a lot of value, but plays pretty well. Giving it a high gameplay score starts to counter the low graphics, sound, and value scores, but it would still come out pretty low on our scale. The tilt lets a reviewer tweak the final score one way or the other, resulting in a score that more accurately reflects the reviewers feelings on the game. Similarly, if a game gets high marks in most of the component areas but somehow just doesn't come together as a complete package, the tilt score can help the reviewer properly reflect that.

　　OK, the burly guys with baseball bats and blackjacks will be at your house within the hour. They'll probably come give me a stern talking-to, as well. Thanks a lot.

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