What kind of connection speeds do you need to play games online (without it being a PITA)? Games like Madden, Gears, Rainbow Six, whatever.

i'd say at least 3 megs per second (tops)


mine spikes at like 7 megs sometimes, but I use the wireless adapter so i think that hurts me a bit

OK...I have 1.5mbps now, but I think for $10 more I can double that. What about up speeds? I'm at 512 now, not sure how high I can get on DSL here.

I'd recommend 1.5mbps or higher, the downstream isn't the main issue though, it's the upstream. A stable, low latency connection with at least 256kbps (about 32K/sec) upstream is a must.

Most lag has very little to do with actual downstream bandwidth.


Edit: You on DSL?

I know my brother was using 1.5 mbps and he upgraded to the 3.0 pretty shortly. after that, he hasn't had any problems playing Gears


he usually never hosts. not sure IF that would cause problems, but it might

Yeah, I have DSL. Looks like 512 up is the max I can get.

I guess I oughta try gaming online some before upgrading.

I just read (Joystiq) that EA is shutting down servers for 41 of their older games (2006-2007 titles, a lot of them sports related). Some of them listed are 360 games. Does that effect playing via Xbox live? I thought we were paying money to ensure we can play our games online, no?

Can EA really pull the plug, eliminating online playing, even though we are paying for Xbox Live?

I saw Burnout Revenge on the list, but I don't think the 360 version was affected but I'm not totally sure.

I think only the PS2/Xbox versions.

I just got Wartech (Senko No Ronde) for $29.99 (at gamestop), basically it is a one-on-one overhead shooter (plays kinda like a 2D Virtual On). It is pretty fun if you like shmups and Japanese style games. Online is pretty smooth overall so if anyone wants to play some ranked matches, I am game.

The 360 games effected are:

FIFA Soccer 06 for Xbox 360
Madden NFL 06 for Xbox 360
NBA Live 06 for Xbox 360
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 for Xbox 360

Probably not going to cause much uproar, but it's the principle that I'm worried about. I'm worried that a game I do care about playing online will be abandoned.

So, when we play games via Live, I thought we were using MS's servers (and thus the cost). Is that not true with EA games?

wow, i love virtual on

I'm not exactly sure, but I think EA will only turn off servers where there is nobody playing them.

Now this becomes truly weak when online Achievements are contained in the game. Another reason why I hate them.

Yeah, a lot of online achievements are annoying. "Play 1000 matches on Xbox Live!" Really?

New or used? I've been watching eBay to try to get a cheaper copy.

I've always thought online achievements should be limited, like the 1000k per game/50 achievements per game caps. Perhaps a max of 200 online points only per game, and 50 online points per arcade game, unless said arcade game is ONLY online... stupid online achievements.

That`s the "new" price: http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=200305

YES!

Oh wait.. I've got to buy ANOTHER 360 game?!

if you liked Virtual On, have you guys tried Armored Core 4 online?

Yah no way I am doing that... I think 100 ranked matches aren't too hard (I played 20 last night in about 1.5 hours).

But the rest of the achievements are very doable.

Try to find a used copy at GS, You will save another $5-7.5 (edge card).

I think EA has its own servers. Most other publishers use MS.

It is kinda stupid to turn off servers since they can probably consolidate all 4 games into 1 server to hold data. I mean the actual online matches are peer-to-peer so it is not taxing the server in any way (someone correct me on this if I am wrong).

Agreed! Looks like I'll have to try to finish up the rest of the Burnout achievements before they shut that server down when Paradise comes out.

I'll add you tonight (if I haven't already), maybe we can throw down over the weekend once I've gotten a few practice rounds to get the feel of the game down. Why this wasn't $30 when it came out is baffling.. oh you silly little Ubisoft.