One of the main reasons I have refused to jump on the Xbox 360 bandwagon is because of the astronomical failure rate the system surfers from. I know that the newer systems are supposedly more reliable and the extended warranty covers the RRoD problem, but it is something I still don’t want to chance. I have heard enough horror stories about MS rejecting a 360 warranty because the problem wasn’t a specific RRoD or people waiting over six weeks to get their unit back to know that I simply don’t want to fuck around with this. I can’t justify investing over $400 (system, games, controller, Live subscription) into something that I am just going to wait on to break.

The real dilemma with a 360, for me at least, is that for better or worse the system has a number of intriguing exclusive titles. Dead Rising, Bio-Shock, Gears, Halo, and Left 4 Dead are all games that I anticipate to play.* On top of that the price is right on a 360 and they look decent on a SDTV (I don’t plan on upgrading to a HDTV anytime soon). While I do like the PS3 and some of the games that the system offers (Warhawk, MSG4, and Little Big Planet), I would never purchase one without an HDTV. The PS3 looks like an absolute abortion on a SDTV.

So here I am at the gaming crossroads. I want a new system because the Wii is no longer passing muster. I don’t have the scratch on hand to purchase a new TV (thus making the PS3 worth owning), but I also refuse to purchase a 360 that in all likelihood will break sooner or later. Luckily for me, Fortuna has finally spun her wheel in my favor.

I acquired a 360 from my cousin last weekend that was “all fucked up or some shit.” The warranty is no longer an option in fixing the system and he said it was mine if I could get it up and running. I felt like a kid at Christmas as he placed the system in my bag. Best case scenario I would have a new 360 with a meager parts investment. Even if I can’t get the system up and running I would still get to rip apart a current generation gaming system, which is still a fairly large win in my book. Unfortunately, I have never cracked the case of any gaming system, ever.

Seeing as I know Jack and shit about fixing a 360 or any other game system (and Jack just left the building), this is the part where I ask for any and all advise, links, tips, blessings, sacrifices, and anything else that might help me on this quest. Post any help you can give me in the comments. I’ll keep the site updated with my progress and lay out the steps and resources I use in attempting to fix the 360. Hopefully others will learn from my mistakes; God speed.

*I know most of these games can be either played on the PC or are coming to the other systems. I don’t care. I typically prefer gaming on a system and the 360 seems to be the most viable option for me at this time.

4

So it seems that as soon as I make one claim, someone has to go and show me up.  Almost as if someone was actually taking my rants seriously (Although it’s ok, I know it’s not true)

Namco Bandai made the announcement that Eternal Sonota will be making it’s way towards the PS3 US this fall. Now even though Tri-Ace’s game may not be the console seller/die hard fanboy lover that the Final Fantasty series has grown over the years. I won’t sit idly by when a day before I was going on hoping for a more leveled playing ground. Then when a company responds, just to ignore it. What kind of Journalist would I be? (I wonder if Hillary Clinton needs anyone to work for her)

So all in all, Eternal Sonota has been announced to make it’s way to the PS3. The game looks quite interesting and shall be played. One reason at least, I feel like it took a stand next to me in a world of equals.

So I gave myself a day to think about this one before the rant begun. When I first heard the news that Microsoft managed to get their hands on FF XIII, I didn’t have the enjoyable sweet taste in my mouth that so many others had during that moment.

Now I want to make one thing clear, I don’t want to call myself a PS3 fanboy. I love my Playstation, and I chose to go with Playstation for a few strong reasons. I didn’t go the way of the 360 because, well I don’t like the idea of shelling out a few hundred bucks to buy a console, some more money for a video game, and on top of that have to shell out more money just to be able to play games online. I kept away from the Wii, because… well I have a personal grudge against Nintendo that I think only Mike K. knows about. I decided to get a Next-Gen console for the sole purpose of Online Gaming, since Online PC games have been… lacking lately unless you play MMO’s live inside of WoW.

Back on track, I am happy to see the 360 getting FF XIII. The only thing that really pisses me off, if you step back and take a look at the industry.  It seems the entire system is revolving around the 360. Where the only thing Playstation has going for them is their Blu-Ray player. I don’t mind the idea of non-first party exclusives. It just seems that Playstation 3 can’t get any from Microsoft. Yes, I’m ready for those of you that are fanboys of 360, or just have their dire hatred of Sony saying various remarks about how the PS3 is shit and that’s why they can’t get any games.  I’m not trying to say the industry should revolve around the PS3, and I am not trying to sound like the fanboy crying.

Instead I’m coming to you as a fellow gamer. Another person that has the love and passion for video games, no matter what system. If I am at a buddies house and they suggest we play PC/360/Wii/hell even board games. I am all for it and ready to throw down. I have never shown up at Ronin’s or Visceran’s house with a clove of garlic and my trusty wooden cross prepared to ward off the evil demons of their 360/Wii.

I just want the developers to start thinking about both (all three parties) when making games for multi-platform. I mean… some of the companies make the games for more than one system, but then only make extra content for one of those systems? What was the point of selling your soul and going non-exclusive for the extra money, if you’re not going to fully comment to the lack of a soul and continue to draw money from all the platforms? Just boggles me how some of these guys think.

-Ranting terminated