@ARRoobs All the complaining about old hardware is unrelated to the FUN of the GAME. Whether it's graphics or sound or... I dunno... PhysX effects...? People are buying the hardware for the software. MOST people are happy and surprised by how good Gears of War looks.
Believe me, I "get" the desire for prettier graphics, but prettier graphics aren't driving the industry anymore (because CONSUMERS aren't asking for prettier graphics). The tech doesn't go to waste when games don't look/sound better - the tech goes to waste when games don't PLAY better.
PC hardware might be newer than 10 years ago, but WoW still plays like WoW, shooters still play like shooters, and RTS... well... I don't know WHAT'S going on with RTS, but that's the PC's big three, MMO, FPS, RTS - who really cares if the same old games get new coats of gloss if it still feels just like I'm playing Quake 2 or Battlefield 2 or Everquest 2 or Civ 2 or the Sims 2?
I think that "back in the day" when there was a HUGE difference between the consoles and the PC, there was a good case for "There's a difference playing on a PC vs console, due to graphics" argument.
Today, however, most games "where graphics matter" are close enough that for MOST people, the $200-400 console keeps up just fine with the $400-4000 PC.
Then, you've got the Wii and GameBoy that have showed that when it comes to Joe Consumer, graphics just might not be near as important as it is when we look at Typcial Tech Site Reader.
"Consoles are just PC games... our games are still good... our games are still good."
Just don't ever plan on playing Chu Chu Rocket, Baku Baku, Castle Crashers, or much of the MGS franchise. Of course, it won't really matter, will it? Since those aren't really games anyway - since they aren't on a Big Boy computer.
I've got a pretty monster gaming rig (as I USED to game primarily on the PC, back before the consoles started providing me with MORE FUN) and it mostly sits there. Gets used almost exclusively for LotrO now. It still has it's place, it's just not the CENTER of gaming anymore. I think there are more iPhone games played in our house than even console games at this point.
GAMErs don't worry so much about which API gets used to make their games. GRAPHICSers might, I suppose. I don't care which platform people choose, CLEARLY most people are choosing the consoles and CLEARLY most people have reasons that are good for them.
Personally, I don't care about the mods for an Elderscrolls game - I can run around in stock Oblivion for hours. I MUCH prefer to play on the 360 over the PC so I got Oblivion on the 360. However, I LOVE to screw around with toolsets and editors, so I also got it on the PC later just for the toolset. At the end of the day, I picked what was good for me. If you're all upset that you aren't going to get as good of graphics/sound/whatever as you want, then don't buy it.
Like it or not, PC gaming is on the decline - if you care about playing GAMES then what difference does it make? GAMING isn't on a decline, PC GAMING is, but I've discovered tons of great new games from the App Store. I'm not going to start whining that Android/iOS is screwing up my console because Angry Birds or Peggle is dumbed down XBLA/PSN.
The market has changed, whether you want to accept it or not. Try playing the game for what IT IS and not what it MIGHT HAVE BEEN if they put their resources someplace else. That game's not even out, the screenshots look fabulous, and we're arguing about DX9 vs DX11, like somehow the API is more important than the CONTENT OF THE GAME ITSELF. THAT'S not a PC GAMER, that's a PC FANATIC.
@wobbl I liked Alice, too - specifically FOR the 3D (the effect on the cat was awesome) and I am in the crowd of people that figured it must have been filmed in 3D. Everyone that went with me to Alice (twice) said they liked the 3D.
I haven't seen Avatar (Fern Gully/Pocohontas comparssions have pretty much put me off the story) so maybe I don't know what I'm missing from "good" 3D or maybe the difference was iMax vs Real3D (I saw in Real3D).
The 3D in the Legend of the Guardians trailer also looked spectacular - I'm in the crowd of people excited for 3D content. Actually, Coraline opened me up to what 3D can do when it's not there just to entertain throwing eggs at the audience for jump effects.
Someone should tell all us crazy XBL members that we don't really like XBL.
If I could pay $50/year and get the PS3 updates/PS3 game patches to install as quickly, I'd do it in a heartbeat - my PS3 spends way too much time on progress bars, whether it's installing, updating, or uh... installing updates, by the time all the updating is done, I've lost interest...
But, honestly, there's a difference between the XBL experience and PSN (and PC gaming these days). And (for me) it's easily worth the cost. It doesn't matter what it's like on the Wii/PS3/PC/XXXX or any console to come before or that will come after; simply put, right now, it's worth $50 a year for me for what that $50 gets me. I can play MW2 on XBL for $50 a year or free on PSN and I opt for XBL. I can get almost any game for much cheaper on the PC AND play online for free, and I'd STILL rather pay the premium to play on the 360.
If you're happy with the PC experience, or the PS3 experience, great - but don't fool yourself into thinking there aren't legit reasons why many, many, many people opt for XBL.
Skyrim 'mostly a DirectX 9 game,' PC mods could make it to consoles
Apr 20th 2011 6:09PM (Joystiq)All the complaining about old hardware is unrelated to the FUN of the GAME. Whether it's graphics or sound or... I dunno... PhysX effects...? People are buying the hardware for the software. MOST people are happy and surprised by how good Gears of War looks.
Believe me, I "get" the desire for prettier graphics, but prettier graphics aren't driving the industry anymore (because CONSUMERS aren't asking for prettier graphics). The tech doesn't go to waste when games don't look/sound better - the tech goes to waste when games don't PLAY better.
PC hardware might be newer than 10 years ago, but WoW still plays like WoW, shooters still play like shooters, and RTS... well... I don't know WHAT'S going on with RTS, but that's the PC's big three, MMO, FPS, RTS - who really cares if the same old games get new coats of gloss if it still feels just like I'm playing Quake 2 or Battlefield 2 or Everquest 2 or Civ 2 or the Sims 2?
Skyrim 'mostly a DirectX 9 game,' PC mods could make it to consoles
Apr 20th 2011 5:46PM (Joystiq)I think that "back in the day" when there was a HUGE difference between the consoles and the PC, there was a good case for "There's a difference playing on a PC vs console, due to graphics" argument.
Today, however, most games "where graphics matter" are close enough that for MOST people, the $200-400 console keeps up just fine with the $400-4000 PC.
Then, you've got the Wii and GameBoy that have showed that when it comes to Joe Consumer, graphics just might not be near as important as it is when we look at Typcial Tech Site Reader.
Skyrim 'mostly a DirectX 9 game,' PC mods could make it to consoles
Apr 20th 2011 5:20PM (Joystiq)"Consoles are just PC games... our games are still good... our games are still good."
Just don't ever plan on playing Chu Chu Rocket, Baku Baku, Castle Crashers, or much of the MGS franchise. Of course, it won't really matter, will it? Since those aren't really games anyway - since they aren't on a Big Boy computer.
I've got a pretty monster gaming rig (as I USED to game primarily on the PC, back before the consoles started providing me with MORE FUN) and it mostly sits there. Gets used almost exclusively for LotrO now. It still has it's place, it's just not the CENTER of gaming anymore. I think there are more iPhone games played in our house than even console games at this point.
Skyrim 'mostly a DirectX 9 game,' PC mods could make it to consoles
Apr 20th 2011 5:15PM (Joystiq)Personally, I don't care about the mods for an Elderscrolls game - I can run around in stock Oblivion for hours. I MUCH prefer to play on the 360 over the PC so I got Oblivion on the 360. However, I LOVE to screw around with toolsets and editors, so I also got it on the PC later just for the toolset. At the end of the day, I picked what was good for me. If you're all upset that you aren't going to get as good of graphics/sound/whatever as you want, then don't buy it.
Like it or not, PC gaming is on the decline - if you care about playing GAMES then what difference does it make? GAMING isn't on a decline, PC GAMING is, but I've discovered tons of great new games from the App Store. I'm not going to start whining that Android/iOS is screwing up my console because Angry Birds or Peggle is dumbed down XBLA/PSN.
The market has changed, whether you want to accept it or not. Try playing the game for what IT IS and not what it MIGHT HAVE BEEN if they put their resources someplace else. That game's not even out, the screenshots look fabulous, and we're arguing about DX9 vs DX11, like somehow the API is more important than the CONTENT OF THE GAME ITSELF. THAT'S not a PC GAMER, that's a PC FANATIC.
Shift Extended trailer explains the game in plain black-and-white
Nov 25th 2010 9:56AM (Joystiq)Sound off: New Xbox 360 Dashboard
Nov 1st 2010 2:37PM (Joystiq)I thought this same thing, but then I caught that the "previews' show the newest items, so it's kind of "built in".
I think it's limited to three from each category, but it does actually show things a little sooner in the process now.
What it takes to properly convert a 2D movie to 3D
Apr 8th 2010 3:05PM (Engadget)I liked Alice, too - specifically FOR the 3D (the effect on the cat was awesome) and I am in the crowd of people that figured it must have been filmed in 3D. Everyone that went with me to Alice (twice) said they liked the 3D.
I haven't seen Avatar (Fern Gully/Pocohontas comparssions have pretty much put me off the story) so maybe I don't know what I'm missing from "good" 3D or maybe the difference was iMax vs Real3D (I saw in Real3D).
The 3D in the Legend of the Guardians trailer also looked spectacular - I'm in the crowd of people excited for 3D content. Actually, Coraline opened me up to what 3D can do when it's not there just to entertain throwing eggs at the audience for jump effects.
Zune HD Facebook app will be ready when it's ready
Mar 1st 2010 11:38PM (Engadget)No, not coming... it's here NOW
Nanofiber lighting promises to be better, safer than incandescent or CFL bulbs
Feb 12th 2010 2:11PM (Engadget)Left 4 Dead 2 goes free-to-play on Xbox Live next weekend
Jan 11th 2010 2:14AM (Joystiq)If I could pay $50/year and get the PS3 updates/PS3 game patches to install as quickly, I'd do it in a heartbeat - my PS3 spends way too much time on progress bars, whether it's installing, updating, or uh... installing updates, by the time all the updating is done, I've lost interest...
But, honestly, there's a difference between the XBL experience and PSN (and PC gaming these days). And (for me) it's easily worth the cost. It doesn't matter what it's like on the Wii/PS3/PC/XXXX or any console to come before or that will come after; simply put, right now, it's worth $50 a year for me for what that $50 gets me. I can play MW2 on XBL for $50 a year or free on PSN and I opt for XBL. I can get almost any game for much cheaper on the PC AND play online for free, and I'd STILL rather pay the premium to play on the 360.
If you're happy with the PC experience, or the PS3 experience, great - but don't fool yourself into thinking there aren't legit reasons why many, many, many people opt for XBL.