Long Live PCs and PC Gaming!

[BeauJangles]

In light of the console launching of both Gamecube and Xbox very soon. I would like to mention the often forgotten competitor, the PC. None of the new systems have convinced me enough to go and drop $200-$300 on one. I don't know about the rest of you but it doesn't seem worth it to me. The ads say I can access the internet with one? Well, that's only for X-box and PS2, and for PS2 you have to buy an ethernet adapter. Then you have to get the thing hooked to your cable line (or whatever). Then what? I can browse the internet through some inferior browser, while not being able to listen to music? Oh, I want to post on AT... gotta buy a USB keyboard and steal the mouse from my computer. Oh wait! I forgot also that I would be doing all of this on a crappy 30 in television. Don't get my wrong, for gaming that is great, but as WebTV proved you can hardly read text on them. I would much rather sit in my comfy chair, looking at my nice 17 in HP monitor running at 85 hz refresh rate. Much easier on the eyes.

Plus with my computer look what else I can do. I can rip all my music and store it on my harddrive, I can listen to it while surfing the web, or playing games, I can post on AT, I can do my homework (ie type a paper), I can program, I can use Photoshop / 3d studio max, I can talk to friends online, I can work on more case mods , and on top of that. I can play games! Maybe the graphics won't be as '1337' as on Xbox or PS2, but give the PC a year or two, and they will be pretty close. On top of all that. Most of the games I have seen (with the exceptions being GTA3, GT3, Metal Gear 2, and maybe a few others) are mostly graphics, and no gameplay. I would much rather see games like Empire Earth, which looks to be awsome! It may not have as good graphics but it was much better thought through then many console games. Granted all platforms have crappy games so maybe it worth comparing.

The point i am trying to make is that these new console are just cheap PCs that can play games better, but that's just about it. They will be made to look like PCs, but don't be fooled, because when it comes time for me to upgrade, I will drop $100 into this system of mine for a new graphics card, and have a decent gaming system for the next 3 or 4 years.

Honestly, none of the companies have convinced me they are offering anything new or exciting.

I don't know about the rest of you, but long live PCs and PC Gaming!

---->> please don't flame this thread with 'xbox 0wnz0rz' or 'PS2 is da bomb.'

I woud actually be interested in hearing from people as to why they bought PS2, Xbox, Gamecube.

 

[Viper GTS]

I used to subscribe to the same theory, I had my P3 700@966 + overclocked GeForce2 GTS back when that was damn fast.

I simply got tired of it. My PC is no longer used for gaming. I have a fast system (dual 1.2 GHz Athlons, 512 MB RAM with another 512 on the way), but my video card is a business card (G450 Dualhead). I have a Dreamcast for gaming, & I may buy an Xbox/PS2/GC if one catches my fancy. Gaming on a Wega looks good.

Right now though I hardly ever touch my Dreamcast, my brother plays it a lot more than I do. He's spoiled I think.

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

I used to be a hardcore PC gamer throwing in a lot of money into my rig. Then I kind of stopped and realized that putting down the money for PS2 would mean no more obsession with upgrading PC.

Recently I've put some cash into my PC to get it up to gaming spec again and now I have two systems. The PC is still ultimately the gaming king. It has the most games, the most genres, the best graphics, multiplay, etc. but consoles are good as well because they get some games that PCs don't get and if you don't want to put a lot of money into PC a console is a one-buy-use-for-a-long-time purchase with no need to upgrade.

 

[UberNeuman]

I'm thinking of buying a next-gen system, but I'll be like ViperGTS and play it for awhile, but end up selling it...

Anyhow, BB, I totally agree with you on this - people get jazzed up about game consoles, then after a period of time come back to the PC...

PC Rules!

 

[BeauJangles]

Definately good points, you have to remember my is from a poor students look at videogaming

 

[Electric Amish]

One word...(ok, so it's an acronym)

MMPORPG

amish

 

[Martin]

I'm, with you on this one.


For me though, its the fact that got a Radeon with 4+1 speakers and a 19". MUCH better than anything in my living room. Most importantly though, multiplayer rulez!!!! Oh sure, the XBOX or PS2 may have some multiplayer capabilities some time in the future....but multiplayer on the PC is here today and has been for years, and it rules

 

[UNCjigga]

I DON'T THINK SO BUDDY!

EDIT:

Wow that was a really strange rant--I think I was high when I wrote that! I'm too lazy to go rewrite it in proper English without using stupid anagrams.

Basically, I still believe that the next-generation consoles, especially those trying to bridge the gap between consoles and PCs(*COUGH*XBOX*COUGH!!!) will offer gamers the best experience by offering the best from both worlds.

The level of competition between MS, Nintendo and Sony will assure even the smallest developers will get a free dev kit or subsidized dev costs in order to be listed as a platform partner. There have been stories of how some developers got oodles of money from Microsoft for XBox development, and in turn they used the extra cash to port these XBox games to GameCube and PS2 as well!

PC gaming will not die, contrary to what I said after smokin' some o' that real sticky icky stuff. BUT, it has a ways to go before it can outstrip the current crop of consoles. The biggest problems are still compatability and ease of installation, of course. There will come a day when 75% of households with computers have a minimum 1.6GHz chip with programmable GPU, DirectX9, Windows XP-based OS, ACPI OnNow, Dolby Digital sound and broadband. You will then buy PC games on a CD- or DVD-ROM, place them in your drive and an installation routine will automatically complete in the background, in 30 seconds or less, with no user intervention! Subsequent use of the CD will automatically launch the game in 3 seconds. Only when this level of transparency has been achieved will PCs be a serious threat to traditional consoles. Until then, you can keep screwing with tweaks, drivers, patches, hacks, cheats and tech support while myself and my cohorts enjoy our new consoles!

 

[UberNeuman]

uncJIGGA - I'm sure you are aware that console games also fail to meet their deadlines and aren't out when expected...

 

[RedRooster]

It all comes down to what kind of games you like. There's no use arguing which platform is better, because neither is!!
There's certain genres of games that work better on one system or another, and depending on what kind you like should dictate what kind of system you use/buy. I like realistic racing and FPS games, hence my decision to go with a PC.

 

[JellyBaby]

<< long live PCs and PC Gaming >>

I'll assign an IRQ to that!

Seriously the platform is just a means to an end: to play the games you want, the way you wanna play them. If you dig flight simulators, open-architecture games, heck complicated games in general then it's a PC for you. If you dig action games, sports games, or any game for which a gamepad offers the best interfect, then you go with a console. If you dig both you may buy both.

I can also see consoles being better for group/social gaming (all in the same room) and for those with little technical literacy...a PC is still too complicated for many.

That said you'll need to take my PC from my cold, dead hands before I give her up!

 

[BeauJangles]

uncJIGGA - i am in no way attempting to say consoles are bad. Nor am I bashing them in an way. I am just stating my opinion on consoles, and was interested in comments from people. Honestly, if I have in any way flamed consoles (besides saying I don't think they are for me) forgive me. I had no intention.

Granted your arguement has some valid points. The lowest common denominator is a problem. However, it is being overcome by having games have settings, and people can turn on/off what they want. Second of all, where did you come up with the statistic DECENT PC game is 18-24 months? Console games may take less time to develop, but PCs eventually get them, and usually in improved forms. I see your point about money too. This may have a great impact on PC gaming, but i believe PCs are getting easier to develop for as well. Also, I don't believe that companies make that much more money on console games.

I feel you have spent most of that long post flaming PCs. Although you do make some valid points you fail to realize that many PC games work the same way. People develop one thing for PC (Quake Engine for example) then it is used by other gaming companies, and shortens development time.

Also, when will i be able to use 3d studio max on my console? never. When will I be able to program? never, and the list goes on and on.

 

[UNCjigga]

Bump for my update.

EDIT:

BlinderBomber, that rant wasn't directed at you--it was written back in August! I just saw your thread title and thought "wow, I wrote the exact opposite some time ago!" I don't think you made any console-bashing statements, and I'm DEFINATELY NOT a PC basher (I spend too much time on my PC!!!) I'm a bona fide Counter-Strike addict too, and I used to play Asheron's Call until it messed up my grades!!! Don't even get me started on Black&White!!

My only issue is that since consoles keep getting more, uhh, "PC-like" in their featureset while PCs STILL haven't made much progress in terms of compatibility and ease of installation for games, then naturally developers will be more interested in consoles since they can POTENTIALLY reach a greater audience of gamers while minimizing their costs.

However, since traditional PC game developers are aware of these issues, they are using their influence to help create better DirectX releases, better hardware & OS support, etc. Sooner or later the PC will catch up, but not yet.

 

[Steeven]

<< uncJIGGA - I'm sure you are aware that console games also fail to meet their deadlines and aren't out when expected... >>



That's because they have to make sure their games work because they can't release a game that doesn't work and gradually release patches for it so it will work. On many online computer games you have to download "updates" or "enhancements" that are 50MB or larger because the publishers don't care about releasing a product that actually works; all they care about is meeting the deadline.

And when I can get a computer for the same price as a console that will deliver the same results, let me know.

 

[UNCjigga]

Steeven:

Online games release 50MB patches because they're adding monthly content to develop a continuing story line, its not all bugfixes and patches!!! Console-based MMPORGs will still have monthly updates!

 

[Steeven]

<< Steeven:

Online games release 50MB patches because they're adding monthly content to develop a continuing story line, its not all bugfixes and patches!!! Console-based MMPORGs will still have monthly updates! >>



Most of the patches are updates and fixes because they had to rush the game out. Very few of the patch is new content; if you want more levels you buy an expansion.

 

[worth]

Steeven, if you're going to smoke, at least smoke something more expensive than that cheap $5 crack.

The reason PC games have 50MB patches is because many PC games are constantly being updated. For example, look at Counter-Strike: please take a moment to compare Counter-strike BETA1 with Counter-Strike 1.3 Final, and tell me if you see any differences. That's why many PC games have 50MB "patches."

If Counter-Strike was developed for console(which wouldn't have even happened), then Counter-Strike would still look like BETA1.

Look even at Diablo2, which has fairly small patches: take a look at the differences between the first edition of Diablo 2 Lord of Destruction and the latest patched version. The differences are huge! They aren't patches, they are complete game revisions, with more and better items, more monsters, more exciting quests, etc.

 

[worth]

Oh, and don't give me BS about how PC game developers are all about making money by quickly rushing out PC games, while Console developers are all about the quality of the games...

At least if you're going to accuse someone for "only caring about money," then at least be fair.

 

[worth]

Oh, and when you can find me a console for the same price of a computer that will do 1600x1200 32-bit graphics at 60+ fps, please let me know...

Oh, and--remember that you can get a decent PC for $500...

 

[StageLeft]

Actually in terms of MMORPGs much of what steven said is true. Most/all of these things have been rushed and do not work properly at release so they have to patch the living hell out of them.

 

[Steeven]

I should have been a bit clearer. There are a few exceptions like HL that do need big update files because there are legitimate updates. But in the realm of MMORPG games, there are constant large "updates" that are needed to make the games playable; it's just sad. Yes there are console companies that don't bother finishing games completely and sell them; but it happens way less compared to PC developers because they can depend on patches.

Xbox and Gamecube can do HD resolution you just need an HD TV. And if anyone can build a PC for $500 that can do what these consoles can do I'd like to see it. The Xbox would be able to do all that your $500 PC can do; all it needs is programs.

 

[BeauJangles]

<< The Xbox would be able to do all that your $500 PC can do; all it needs is programs. >>



Maybe so, but I don't see myself plunking down in front of my tv on my couch to write up my history paper. Also I don't see the X-box as being my jukebox like my PC is. As for programs... again, when will I see Photoshop, or 3D studio Max, or dreamweaver on Xbox or PS2?

Granted they are cheaper, they have not justified their exsistence to me yet.

uncJIGGA - your points in your update are well taken. I agree that driver support needs to be hammered out and I believe the PC gaming world should come out with a 'standard' ie when they will raise the bar for games. This would ensure that they don't have to cover such a wide range of bases as they do now. What does everyone think of that?

As for the drivers... well, windowsXP seems to really address this pretty well. I'm amazed that it just installed every driver for my system. I only had to update my video card driver and that's amazing! Maybe in the next few years PCs will come back and make a march on console gaming, but I have to agree that for now it will be just another platform for gaming.

 

[worth]

Steeven, don't forget that HDTVs are not free. Also, HDTV resolution is nothing near 1600x1200 32-bit color.

And, I think with $500 you could build a nice Athlon computer (no monitor, obviously the console needs a TV as well).

Now obviously, many people have huge plasma TVs and surround sound systems, so maybe a console would work better for them if they only play games. I however, use my computer for homework mostly, and I just don't see myself writing an essay on my X-box--it would need a removable drive, a printer, keyboard, mouse, plus there's the fact that text looks horrible on TV.

PCs and consoles are just aiming at different kinds of people...

And remember, the more PC-like consoles become, the more they inheirt PC's problems and disadvantages. No such thing as a free lunch.

Also, there's the fact that I tend not to like console games. The only game that looks mildly interesting is GT3. I notice that most/all games on consoles tend to be 3D--for me, if a game is in 3D, the graphics are top notch. I just hate playing 3D games that are ugly(Playstation 1, Nintendo 64).

There's also the fact that many consoles seem to be outdated as soon as they are released. Remember when the X-box was announced and it was rumored to use one of the fastest CPUs at the time? Now that processor seems fairly weak in comparison to the 2GHz Pentium and Athlon processors that are appearing. 6 months after the X-box is finally released, PC games will look completely different. Unless console manufacturers implement a way of upgrading consoles(which again, brings PC disadvantages) consoles soon become outdated.

 

[drewshin]

I can think of two big advantages my console has (dreamcast, in this case):

1) I can play it on my big screen TV and it looks great. Sure a 19" monitor is big, but 32" is even better.

2) I can play games, especially sports games with one to three of my friends. with a pc, i guess you could add another joystick, but for keyboard games, impossible. and yes, you can play online, but what fun is it to be alone in your room playing something with people far away? you get a good kill and you're sitting there whooping to yourself, or your roommate looking over your shoulder. consoles are much more social and fun to play.

then again, you have lan parties, but then everyone's got to lug their own $500-$1500 system around.

 

[BeauJangles]

<< I can think of two big advantages my console has (dreamcast, in this case):

1) I can play it on my big screen TV and it looks great. Sure a 19" monitor is big, but 32" is even better.

2) I can play games, especially sports games with one to three of my friends. with a pc, i guess you could add another joystick, but for keyboard games, impossible. and yes, you can play online, but what fun is it to be alone in your room playing something with people far away? you get a good kill and you're sitting there whooping to yourself, or your roommate looking over your shoulder. consoles are much more social and fun to play.

then again, you have lan parties, but then everyone's got to lug their own $500-$1500 system around. >>




Again, good call. I loved when I could play madden 2k with 3 other friends and we would all be going nuts. I will miss that... but I can always go to a friend's house to do that. As for your screen size arguement. I agree 32" usually is nicer, but think about it.. a 32" TV can't even touch the refresh rates of PC monitors, or the resolutions.