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Reader Comments (61)

Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:36PM LarZen said

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Dont know what the fuck the problem is, the PS3 atleast can use almost every input device on bluetooth.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:40PM bxgt said

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Not only bluetooth, all the modern consoles have usb 2.0.They are just using this as an easy excuse to collect money and not have to worry about criticism for ignoring consoles.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:09PM timstew said

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That was just a PR response. Blizzard's too smart to waste money on consoles. Everyone has a computer; not everyone has a console or care to play on one.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 1:48AM Vidikron said

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"That was just a PR response. Blizzard's too smart to waste money on consoles. Everyone has a computer; not everyone has a console or care to play on one."

Which is, of course, completely different than everyone playing games on their PCs. Blizzard would make a hefty profit on consoles, but if they want to stick with PCs that's fine... but it has nothing to do with your reasoning.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 1:36PM (Unverified) said

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The limitation here is that the Xbox 360, although it possesses 3 usb 2.0 ports, has no mouse / keyboard support. The Wii Remote is a pointing device, yes, but highly impractical to use for MMORPG gameplay. The PS3 is the only device I know of with Keyboard / Mouse support via Bluetooth and USB 2.0. I don't see the problem in bringing it to the PS3. Square brought FFXI to the PS2 and it worked fine from what I understand.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 7:32PM (Unverified) said

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@ Papa Midget

You mean square did it the other way around right?
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:36PM (Unverified) said

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copout.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:54PM (Unverified) said

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Not copout

Wii has pointing but it is not anywhere near as accurate as a mouse.

sdtv requirements of console companies also rule out any modern games



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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:39PM RKN said

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Just get consoles to support USB or Bluetooth keyboards and mice like Unreal Tournament 3 for the PS3. Its that simple.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:48PM Crusty Magic said

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I've been wanting that for a looooong time.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:48PM SpartacusMagnus said

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Not really. Support for input devices does not equal success with said devices. Games that require extra peripherals to play generally don't garner the mass market appeal they would have if they simply worked with the stock hardware.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:01PM (Unverified) said

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@ Spartacus

Except that we're talking about two input devices that are more popular than all others combined.

I'm all for M/K support in all games, but that'll probably never happen due to balance issues. Let's face it, anyone who's ever done any gaming with M/K combo will admit that controller users would get ploughed by people with mouses since they're way more accurate and responsive.

I can imagine the sheer uproar this would create which is why we still don't have it, imho.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:46PM RKN said

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Or at least give keyboard and mouse support to RTS games on consoles. Your right that one person playing Halo 3 with a mouse and keyboard vs. another with a controller isn't that fair.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 12:55AM Ignatius said

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If you can't afford a USB mouse and keyboard, why do you own a $300 game console and manage to pay $30-40 a year to play online?

If you wanna stick with two sticks, it's all you, buddy, have fun getting creamed.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 2:01AM Vidikron said

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"I'm all for M/K support in all games, but that'll probably never happen due to balance issues. Let's face it, anyone who's ever done any gaming with M/K combo will admit that controller users would get ploughed by people with mouses since they're way more accurate and responsive."

This is hardly even an issue. All you have to do is allow MP games to have an option to select input devices allowed: Controller, KB/M, or Both. Then give players a filter when looking to play online to filterby control type. Pretty simple really.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 2:01PM (Unverified) said

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yeah, because that would totally work with a WoW server... just email up a GM and ask him to flip the switch so you can play with your gamepad.

not to mention- if M/K became an option, do you really think you'd have a good time being a gamepad user? Of course the M/K servers will allow gamepad users to connect.. easy frags. Good luck finding a server to play on with your plan :P
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:41PM bxgt said

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If they are free why tell everyone?
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:41PM jhowlett said

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is he on drugs?
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:42PM LarZen said

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Aye...Blizzard is just full of crap. Just as ignorant as Valve regarding the PS3.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:44PM SpartacusMagnus said

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Hey Blizzard, you don't have to just make a crappy port, you could try designing a game from the ground up with console input devices in mind.

I agree with him on the last part though. I used to really anticipate a new console generation and look forward to a new, improved control scheme. The jump from NES to SNES was much more for me than just graphics- it was 4 more buttons and many more possibilities. The jump from the SNES to the N64 was even greater, both in graphics and controller evolution. Nowadays, it seems only Nintendo still looks for new ways to control their games. Sony has stuck with the same basic design for 3 generations and MS, while certainly improving their gamepad (360 pad>s controller>Duke), has largely stuck with the same button and stick scheme. I'm hoping both MS and Sony think a little more outside the box next round.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:46PM (Unverified) said

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Diablo 3 wouldn't be any trouble using a controller.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 10:50AM Misfit Toy said

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Agreed.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:48PM Crusty Magic said

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Mouse and Keyboard integration?

Yes please.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:50PM (Unverified) said

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"Blizzard has ignored this generation of consoles"

The statement implies that Blizzard have actually made something worthwhile on consoles since Lost Vikings on 1992 SNES.


As to for the question why Blizzard won't port an MMO onto consoles, you're just answered it silly. If you're really that desperate to play it, buy the cheapest computer on the market, because Blizzard knows this isn't the kind of game you play in the living room on your 50" screen and simply can't be fucked to port it.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:07PM nandokun said

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Of course the cheapest computer you can buy is still just as expensive if not more than the most expensive console.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:12PM (Unverified) said

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$200 PC is more than enough to breeze through WoW @ 60fps. As for the $200 PS3...well, that'd make an excellent episode of MythBusters.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:22PM nandokun said

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I know you were speaking of MMOs and WoW specifically, but the article is stating that Blizzard has not ported anything to consoles or developed any new console specific game. They have made games since WoW in the last 4 years that might need something more than a $200 pc. I'm sure there are many that would buy a Diablo designed for a console. But Blizzard doesn't seem interested in making it. Not that I can blame them for milking WoW dry and not wanting to bother with modern console dev.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:54PM LarZen said

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WoW is old new anyways...but Diablo 3 or any new ip mmorpg game would be nice on both next gen consoles.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:07PM (Unverified) said

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OId news? November 2008 is on the phone, he wants to talk to you about some sales records. He brought his friend January 07, too, in case you forgot him. Two sales records broken in as many years by EXPANSIONS is hardly "old news".
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:12PM LarZen said

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WoW is old news yes, it has become like a Mac..it's "cool" and you "stand out" if you are a player. And it has gone from a nice mmorpg to a game full of kids! Not only that but Blizzard has totaly fucked up the game regarding design in almost all ways possible.


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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 2:00AM Mirhderer said

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People who play WoW don't "stand out" I naturally assume everyone on the internet does or has played WoW

And the game's design is top of the line. It's why 12 million people actively play it. It's why every other MMO that comes out is ultimately lack luster and is measured up against WoW. It's why all upcoming MMO's try to be "WoW" killers.

I for one don't have the patience to play it. The only reason I play games to then end is because of a compelling story, and even that's hard for me to accomplish on 50+ hour games. The problem with WoW in my eyes is as far as I can tell, with the first 50 levels, there's no central story. What's the point of collecting all those animal pelts? Why do I have to deliver this shipment of ale to a nearby settlement? What does recovering a gnome's tools from sunken ships have to do with me?
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 1:41PM (Unverified) said

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Guess I'm the only one here who hasn't played WoW judging based on these comments. Can't really get with the pay monthly to play thing.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:01PM DevilSei said

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Honestly, any of their non-RTS games could be played on a console. WoW isn't so deep that eight face buttons, the four shapes and the dpad, 1-3 on the Left and Right triggers, couldn't handle it. Infact...
lets see...
8...
14.. 14 is more than what their toolbar gives!
As for diablo 3, or even 2, bah. You are stuck using two skills only at a time anyways.

Blizzard just realizes that WoW makes more money than any console game they've made ever could dream of. Why bother trying to sell a few hundred thousands when you got 11mill+ paying $15 a month?
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 12:00AM chispito said

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And with those eight face buttons and analog sticks you are able to throw that wayward rogue in your raid the perfect heal by...

um...

It's already a dumbed-down, albeit fun, game. I can't imagine how they would have to further reduce the complexity for a PS3 or X360 controller.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 12:03AM DevilSei said

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Well, since the toolbar only goes from 1 to =, that leaves 2 buttons.
One of those two could cycle between parties, with the other letting you cycle between players in those parties. You could have a focus set up, that by clicking both buttons you go to their party and that person.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 1:27AM (Unverified) said

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yeah except there aren't any classes that only use 12 bindings.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 7:33PM RogueJedi86 said

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Because those tens of thousands on consoles would be paying the same $15 a month as the PC people. FFXI has made a killing on the console MMO market that no one else is milking. Most people play that MMO on console, included buying new expansions from the store and paying the monthly fee. 500,000+ people can't be wrong. Blizzard could definitely benefit from dipping their hand into that somewhat untapped market.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:06PM shadowhowl1900 said

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cause Blizzard makes some really good games so they cant be pressured into developing for consoles plus all the royalty from profit could make any company millionaires
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:06PM Typicalgamer said

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sure, cuz everyone LOVES motion mashing!!!
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:12PM DevilSei said

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Yes, cause mashing a button is worse and more monotonous than clicking 2-3-6-3-6-3-6-3-6-2-3-6-3-6-3-6-8, or left clicking on something 20-30 times...
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:18PM spin cycle said

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Cause they don't need the money. And they aren't wanting for customers, so any money spent adapting it to consoles is probably wasted.

Oh yeah, and if you publish it for a console, the console maker takes part of the profits.

I can't see why Blizzard needs to look beyond the PC just yet.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:29PM johnperkins21 said

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I don't think Rob has actually played any Nintendo Wii games. While the concept is there, the execution of the Wii Remote an Nunchuck are nowhere near accurate enough for any of their games. Sure it's a new control scheme, and there are a few games that make good use of it, but most of them are frustratingly inaccurate. Anyone who's tried to putt in Tiger Woods golf can attest to that.

I really feel like the current gen controllers for the PS3 and 360 are very close to the perfect design for sitting on your couch and playing a game. While a mouse/keyboard system is more accurate, it's much less comfortable to use where most people play their console systems.

I'm all for innovation, but only when it's to make the experience better. The Wii has a few games that take good advantage of the controls, and are fun to play, but while it enhances some games it severely limits others. It's a trade-off, and I prefer having both the more traditional controls for the majority of my games, and the Wii for a few diversions that do well with the motion controls.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:33PM (Unverified) said

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What about the simple fact that Blizzard can't charge you $9.99/month to play WoW on XBOX Live?
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 8:57PM (Unverified) said

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Actually...they could. Phantasy Star and FF11 can be played online on Silver Accounts, provided you do pay the subscription.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:13PM (Unverified) said

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I have a wireless keyboard and mouse hooked up to my ps3... just an ordinary USB setup I bought at best buy for my PC but then decided I wanted it in my living room instead.

Works fine for browsing the web but that no console games make full use of it.

But the hardware is there, and it works great.

I understand the XBOX 360 supports USB devices also but I could be wrong...
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 11:31PM spin cycle said

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Xbox 360 supports it. But it is against the rules for a game to support non-approved peripherals. So that means no mouse and keyboard support on 360 unless MS approves it.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:10PM (Unverified) said

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What an ignorant and arrogant bastard. Blizzard's colossal success have made them too cocky. How can some1 in that position spurt out such noobish argument? Proof that making billions a year does not guarantee a smart brain.

From not participating in E3 to selling each chapter of Starcraft2 as an individual game and now this.
Some1 needs to knock these guys out of the mmo throne and teach them a few lessons.

Be humble for once!

The truth is Blizzard's titles have a lot of user made addons and mods, something perhaps hard to work in the console market.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:34PM falcomadol said

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And if I were Blizzard, I'd shut the fuck up and get back to stealing Games Workshop's IP before they start suing.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:35PM Erdie said

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I wouldn't mind being able to play Diablo 3 on a console, as I have zero interest in upgrading my PC to run it decently.
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Posted: Mar 27th 2009 9:39PM Mr Khan said

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World of Wiicraft, then? I mean, the Blizzard design theory fits very closely with Nintendo's own, it'd be quite the match.
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