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[Speevy]

Short bursts...what is considered a short burst for you guys? The walk from your Gamecube to the toilet and back when you take a piss for 30 seconds? If that is the case than the problems run much deeper than loads times I'm afraid.

Would you not agree that handheld gaming is for gamers "on the go"?

Therefore, your gaming session could end at any second. You arrive at your destination, you have to go somewhere, etc. Any number of reasons. Now imagine that happening during the halfway point of a 20 minute cutscene, or the load screent that occurs after that. No matter how compelling the game, you'd probably want to play it at home. And chances are, it's probably on the PS2 in some form or other.

 

[seismologist]

WTF? How does the DS have load times? (I've never played an actual game, just the Hunters demo)

:lol The DS doesn't have load times. Maybe if your sitting there with a stop watch you might be able to detect something.

 

[Seth C]

:lol The DS doesn't have load times. Maybe if your sitting there with a stop watch you might be able to detect something.

They aren't long (2-3 seconds at most?) but they're there, that's for sure. I noticed them, even in Mario. Caught me completely off guard. I suppose they are decompressing data.

 

[Spiritreaver]

:lol The DS doesn't have load times. Maybe if your sitting there with a stop watch you might be able to detect something.

It does have load times in some games, most games mask them, but it's about 1-2 seconds, 5 at the most. Usually you don't even notice them.

 

[drohne]

there's very little on the gb or the gba or indeed the ds that isn't entirely derivative of console games. the idea that portable gaming has to offer something different isn't supported by the category's history.

i agree that certain genres are basically unsuited to portable gaming. but the early psp library consists largely of the simple arcadey games -- lumines, minna no golf, ridge racers, vampire chronicle, mojipittan -- that have always been perfect for portable play.

for my patterns of usage, at least, load times are no more objectionable in a portable game than they are in a console game. i can't think of many instances in which i've turned on and played my gba for two minutes or thereabouts. wario ware isn't the archetypal portable game; it's a curio. the archetypal portable game these days is pokémon, and it's something of an rpg.

 

[dark10x]

WTF? How does the DS have load times? (I've never played an actual game, just the Hunters demo)

It does, but they are plenty short. There were games on N64 with load times as well, though. Conker and Perfect Dark, for example, both had loading (both were Rare games too, huh).

 

[Kon Tiki]

waaaaaahhhh load times
waaahhhhhhh 2 hour battery life

get the hell out of this thread.

 

[Insertia]

Would you not agree that handheld gaming is for gamers "on the go"?

Therefore, your gaming session could end at any second. You arrive at your destination, you have to go somewhere, etc. Any number of reasons. Now imagine that happening during the halfway point of a 20 minute cutscene, or the load screent that occurs after that. No matter how compelling the game, you'd probably want to play it at home. And chances are, it's probably on the PS2 in some form or other.

I've noticed that your type makes the most batshit generalizations.

First the guy complaining about PSP playing video and now this. :lol

 

[SolidSnakex]

Would you not agree that handheld gaming is for gamers "on the go"?

Therefore, your gaming session could end at any second. You arrive at your destination, you have to go somewhere, etc. Any number of reasons. Now imagine that happening during the halfway point of a 20 minute cutscene, or the load screent that occurs after that. No matter how compelling the game, you'd probably want to play it at home. And chances are, it's probably on the PS2 in some form or other.

WTF...Are you serious?

 

[refreshZ]

Would you not agree that handheld gaming is for gamers "on the go"?

Therefore, your gaming session could end at any second. You arrive at your destination, you have to go somewhere, etc. Any number of reasons. Now imagine that happening during the halfway point of a 20 minute cutscene, or the load screent that occurs after that. No matter how compelling the game, you'd probably want to play it at home. And chances are, it's probably on the PS2 in some form or other.

Presumably the PSP has some sort of sleep mode for instances like this.

I think a lot of people are getting bent out of shape over what amounts to 30 seconds of loading for a first gen game... load times constantly improve on consoles so why not handhelds? And besides, there's even more impotus to improve handheld load times seeing as though its apparently a real battery drainer... so I'd fully expect things to improve.

 

[Speevy]

WTF...Are you serious?

No, I was performing for your amusement.

 

[dark10x]

No, I was performing for your amusement.

Sure seems that way...

Talking about sweeping generalizations...

 

[lexi]

Jesus, I wish people would actually be debating the game here, most obviously, the addition of Mario Kart-esque drift boosts... Take the DS shit to the dozens of other threads, please.

 

[Brofist]

No, I was performing for your amusement.

Can you perform somewhere else then? Like on the gamefaqs boards where there are plenty of special people like yourself.

 

[Spiritreaver]

there's very little on the gb or the gba or indeed the ds that isn't entirely derivative of console games. the idea that portable gaming has to offer something different isn't supported by the category's history.

I agree there are console like gmes on the GB line, and even the DS. That's a given, but there are a ton of handheld ideal games as well. The standard fare of puzzlers, shorter RPGs, action games that generally cater to the idea of not being able to continue playing for hours on end. Most PSP games seem to at least be able to do that latter in any event. Though I'm not sure about RR itself. But I would assume most RPGs and whatnot would have save anywhere features and such.

i agree that certain genres are basically unsuited to portable gaming. but the early psp library consists largely of the simple arcadey games -- lumines, minna no golf, ridge racers, vampire chronicle, mojipittan -- that have always been perfect for portable play.

I'm not sure about Ridge Racers, not with what we've read today. The other games, minus Lumines, could be affected by load times. I think just the long added wait to a game, makes it less fun to hop into. Perhaps, I'm alone in this thinking and it's just me griping. I agree though, that these games are fine on their own has something you can pick up and play for short periods. But I can't be sure if it'll feel like that in the end.

for my patterns of usage, at least, load times are no more objectionable in a portable game than they are in a console game. i can't think of many instances in which i've turned on and played my gba for two minutes or thereabouts. wario ware isn't the archetypal portable game; it's a curio. the archetypal portable game these days is pokémon, and it's something of an rpg.

This is definitely me too, it was a part of my original post, but I omitted it as it just seemed like bullshit to add in. Am I bothered by load times? Hell no, I generally play handhelds for hours, and much longer than my consoles. But I can't say that's the same for people who are generally not avid fans of handheld gaming. I just see that it could possibly pose a problem in the future.

Though, I think we could all be a little quick to jump the gun. THis is Ridge Racers, probably the most powerful PSP game on the launch lineup. Long load times could just be a problem with this game. We'll have to wait and see. I'm just saying that it could be a problem in the future if this turns out to be a recurring case.

 

[Speevy]

Sure seems that way...

Talking about sweeping generalizations...

Generalizations? Isn't that what the PSP is trying to do, to bring well-produced games with great graphics to the portable platform?

 

[dark10x]

Generalizations? Isn't that what the PSP is trying to do, to bring well-produced games with great graphics to the portable platform?

They aren't trying to bring 20 minute cutscenes to portable land and saving anywhere shouldn't be a problem either...

 

[StoOgE]

Basically this is what is happening in this thread...

PSP gets an awesome game with stellar graphics, good controls and solid gameplay.. and a boost thing which could throw a wrench in the whole thing.. but overall gameplay looks good.

BUT it loads for 12 seconds. So the trolls are out clinging to that to try and show why the PSP will fail horribly.

That about right?

 

[Speevy]

Basically this is what is happening in this thread...

PSP gets an awesome game with stellar graphics, good controls and solid gameplay.. and a boost thing which could throw a wrench in the whole thing.. but overall gameplay looks good.

BUT it loads for 12 seconds. So the trolls are out clinging to that to try and show why the PSP will fail horribly.

That about right?

I don't think the PSP will fail horribly. I think it will be a resounding success. I think this sort of loading, if it's common, is stupid and unnacceptable. And I really hope everyone agrees, so the PSP will get great games without so much loading.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Basically this is what is happening in this thread...

PSP gets an awesome game with stellar graphics, good controls and solid gameplay.. and a boost thing which could throw a wrench in the whole thing.. but overall gameplay looks good.

BUT it loads for 12 seconds. So the trolls are out clinging to that to try and show why the PSP will fail horribly.

That about right?

That's basically the PSP's story with trolls so far. ANytime something good happens to it they latch onto 1 thing that can be seen as a negative and then make the biggest deal out of it.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Have interruptable cutscenes, save anywhere and a theatre mode for viewing cutscenes. Wow, that was a huge developmental challenge.

 

[StoOgE]

Generalizations? Isn't that what the PSP is trying to do, to bring well-produced games with great graphics to the portable platform?

Yes, because every next gen game has long FMV cut scenes. There is not a single game this gen that is pick up and play. Also, no 2d game on the GBA has any cut scenes. No, Castlevania does not exist. Those are not cutscenes.. those are cartoons with funshading. Pokemon on the DS will also not have any text or long drawn out speaches you have to sit through.l

 

[DarienA]

Please STFU people.

 

[Spiritreaver]

That's basically the PSP's story with trolls so far. ANytime something good happens to it they latch onto 1 thing that can be seen as a negative and then make the biggest deal out of it.

I thought this was the case of just about every thread... Especially in these handheld wars.

 

[StoOgE]

That's basically the PSP's story with trolls so far. ANytime something good happens to it they latch onto 1 thing that can be seen as a negative and then make the biggest deal out of it.

whats really funny is I dont even like Sony and Im having to come to their defense. Im pretty much an Xbox at this point, but even I realize that Sony has put together a KILLER product.

 

[Speevy]

whats really funny is I dont even like Sony and Im having to come to their defense. Im pretty much an Xbox at this point, but even I realize that Sony has put together a KILLER product.

It surely is a killer product. So before everyone adopts it, wouldn't you rather hear its downsides exhausted?

 

[Spiritreaver]

I think this issue makes me feel even more comfortable with the idea that I want both handhelds to coexist freely. I don't see why so many people want either to fail, they both give off something that pleases different consumers. It's too bad we can't have our fairyland world where everything exists without conflict. We can dream though.

 

[Fafalada]

Yes, because every next gen game has long FMV cut scenes. There is not a single game this gen that is pick up and play. Also, no 2d game on the GBA has any cut scenes. No, Castlevania does not exist. Those are not cutscenes.. those are cartoons with funshading. Pokemon on the DS will also not have any text or long drawn out speaches you have to sit through.l

Hehehe, this reminds me of the atrocity called Prince of Tennis on GBA - I spent nearly 15minutes of clicking through endless conversations before I finally managed to get to the "gameplay" part.
Nevermind that gameplay has absolutely nothing to do with tennis of course...

 

[seismologist]

Basically this is what is happening in this thread...

PSP gets an awesome game with stellar graphics, good controls and solid gameplay.. and a boost thing which could throw a wrench in the whole thing.. but overall gameplay looks good.

BUT it loads for 12 seconds. So the trolls are out clinging to that to try and show why the PSP will fail horribly.

That about right?

The only new info here is the 24 second load time. As much as you'd like the PSP to come across flawless, it's gonna be discussed.

 

[lexi]

That's basically the PSP's story with trolls so far. ANytime something good happens to it they latch onto 1 thing that can be seen as a negative and then make the biggest deal out of it.

Pretty much, but the same goes for DS threads. Ah, GAF.

 

[Kon Tiki]

The only new info here is the 24 second load time. As much as you'd like the PSP to come across flawless, it's gonna be discussed.

No game console is flawless. get the fuck out of this thread.

 

[DarienA]

The only new info here is the 24 second load time. As much as you'd like the PSP to come across flawless, it's gonna be discussed.

There are no flawless consoles or handhelds...

It's funny with the PSP it was:

bitch about price...
bitch about whether that was REALLY an analog controller...
bitch about whether real screen was same quality as demo screens...
bitch about whether it was really wi fi enabled....

Did I miss any?

 

[Speevy]

The only new info here is the 24 second load time. As much as you'd like the PSP to come across flawless, it's gonna be discussed.

Exactly, and the more informed we are about the products we are about to buy, the more satisfied we can be with our purchases.

People went on and on about how the DS launch lineup wasn't very good, and those that actually bought it are happier for those warnings.

 

[Speevy]

There are no flawless consoles or handhelds...

It's funny with the PSP it was:

bitch about price...
bitch about whether that was REALLY an analog controller...
bitch about whether real screen was same quality as demo screens...
bitch about whether it was really wi fi enabled....

Did I miss any?

In the end, none of this will matter. The US consumer will decide.

 

[iapetus]

Im pretty much an Xbox at this point

We need a :boggle smiley for this one...

 

[drohne]

load times aren't exactly an unforeseen consequence of optical media. but if you're just out to inform the poor consumer, speevy, then i support you.

personally i've forgiven optical media for its load times, because i've heard samples of the music in ridge racers and lumines.

Spoiler

cue: "is good music really appropriate for portable games? portable games have classically featured shrill bleeps, the sonic qualities of which permit them to cut through ambient noise! what if you're playing in a crowded airport lobby? won't you need $30 sony-branded headphones just to hear that music? thanks a lot, sony!"

 

[Insertia]

cue: "is good music really appropriate for portable games? portable games have classically featured shrill bleeps, which can cut through ambient noise! what if you're playing in a crowded airport lobby? won't you need $30 sony-branded headphones just to hear[/] that music? thanks a lot, sony!"

:lol
exactly.

 

[teiresias]

Nah, you're sitting in the airport terminal, with the awesome Ridge Racers soundtrack blaring out as you play. A crowd gathers behind you, drawn by the acoustic sex, sees the awesomeness of the game and immediately gives Sony a userbase increase of about 20 people.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Jam with the Band/Band Brothers would sound really great on PSP.

 

[Gek54]

Please STFU people.

What is that pic from?

 

[Jr.]

What is that pic from?

Thats that dummy Brittney Spears crying like the little baby she is!

 

[D2M15]

sliding to charge up nitros sounds chillingly reminiscent of crap like burnout or pgr.

You're a hard guy to love, drohne. But yes, it's a lot like Burnout 2 - which, especially on Crystal Summit Peak, has been my Ridge substitute for the past two years, so Ridge Racers is just returning the favour - so the nitro buildup's dependent on how long you hold the drift for. It's about encouraging going into a corner horizontal (or in the dreamlike 360 spins, which are magical) as early as possible and staying there until the last possible moment, not constantly weaving back and forth on the straights. It works well.

Honest.

 

[Blimblim]

sliding to charge up nitros sounds chillingly reminiscent of crap like burnout or pgr.

Since when does PGR have nitro ? Unless you mean something other than Project Gotham Racing...

 

[D2M15]

Since when does PGR have nitro ?

He means drifting for kudos.

 

[drohne]

the drifty-nitro system is more something to be dogmatic about on gaf than something that's likely to bother me when i'm playing. if you're going to love me, you'll have to allow me these little pleasures.

and i think my intense dislike of burnout 3 has retroactively soured my vague enjoyment of the first two burnout games.

 

[D2M15]

and i think my intense dislike of burnout 3 has retroactively soured my vague enjoyment of the first two burnout games.

I just knew we could bridge our differences with a common hatred.

 

[mumu]

PSP damage control is strong in this thread. Some PSP friends would even find a way to defend 5 minute load times (and believe it!) Loading times is also the reason why the N64 did outsell the PSX after all ... wait a second.

Truth is it's a problem, but Joe Average won't care at all. Unless they are really frequent and interrupt the experience severly. From the Gamespot impressions i'm not sure if they do.

I'm expecting some Nintendo commercials where people are playing 4 player DS in one room, and in another room 4 people are playing PSP but spend 1/3 of the time waiting and being annoyed, while the DS room is of course full of excitement and whatnot. Watch it happen.

 

[Celicar]

uh oh!

sell your psps! it's over!

 

[CloudNL]

This game will be fantastic.
Can't wait to play this beauty.

One thing is for sure: this game will be a lot better than RR DS.

 

[drohne]

I'm expecting some Nintendo commercials where people are playing 4 player DS in one room, and in another room 4 people are playing PSP but spend 1/3 of the time waiting and being annoyed, while the DS room is of course full of excitement and whatnot. Watch it happen.

...as long as they artfully avoid showing the screens, lest it suddenly turn into an unintentional psp commercial. :lol