Fun Stuff > CLIKC
The next generation of video games
Phobos:
When you get all the bugs and BS worked out on a PC (I use this as a general term for Macs and Windows-based systems) you get the added bonus of getting to modify your games. Assuming they're popular enough to warrant such a community. Half-Life, for example, would not have Counster-Strike, Day of Defeat, or Firearms if it had been released on consoles only. You also get bonus maps you can download once you've finished the game (or if you got bored half-way). Plus, you can take screenshots or record movies and send them to your friends.
As far as a controller being more convenient because the buttons are close at hand, I play all my games with right hand on the mouse and left hand on the keyboard (WASD baby!). That gives me 5 buttons on one hand, and about 29 on the other. A PS2 controller has 17 buttons plus the analog sticks. The only games I'd rather play with a controller than a keyboard are driving games or flight simulators, and even then, a steering wheel or joystick would be better.
I'll admit, a PC can be very frustrating when you buy a game and it doesn't work properly. But that's the risk you take for a greater degree of gaming freedom. Plus, people who game exclusively on PCs often build their own gaming rigs, and customize them to their tastes. They work hard to get the most out of their games, and they take pride in it. If something goes wrong, those who work to fix it stand out amoung those who simply give up. It's just a different community. It's like those who buy a car from the dealership, and take it back there whenever something goes wrong, and those who buy a used car, fix it up, and perform any repairs on their own.
I can't take Portable Gaming seriously. It's great if you're bored and just need quick entertainment, but as far as investing a lot of time and effort into a game, I'd still rather have a PC. Even if technology advances to the point where they can fit the gaming power of a PC into the size of a cell phone or handheld, you're still stuck with a 3" screen and tiny controls. I just don't think they're worth the money.
Ozymandias:
It's a real shame the video game industry disagrees with you then, since the majority of profit and innovation comes from the consoles.
I can't even explain it. Things are just more fun on consoles. PC gaming is too damn expensive for me. I can barely run The Sims 2, so forget anything else I want to play on PC.
Microsoft has already integrated most of those benefits to PC gaming you spoke of into console gaming. Many, many XBox games have downloadable levels and content. Nintendo's planning on doing it with the DS.
My PC has given me an amazing video game experience exactly twice. Half-Life and Starcraft. My SNES alone has given me that many times over, nevermind my 10 other consoles.
Maverick:
I live in Australia and i must say, xbox has the goods hands down on playstation or the 'kiddy cube'. it is a shame that nintendo is drifting towards the pre-schooler area, but xbox has filled the gap nicely for me. games like the halo series provide for an unparralleled* (in my experience) multiplayer experience and ninja gaiden (though nowhere near as good) has satiated my need for a 'Zelda' type game. I dunno, the prospect of ever-increasing complication in consoles is a bit overwhelming for me, i just want to play decent games with a decent feel to them and at the moment, i have found that atmosphere on the box.
Ozymandias:
"it is a shame that nintendo is drifting towards the pre-schooler area"
Exactly what I'm talking about in terms of image. Nintendo hasn't drifted anywhere. It's in the exact same place it's always been and even, actually, more mature thanks to games like Eternal Darkness and the entire RE series. The industry has shifted older and Nintendo refuses to go with it.
Phobos:
I'm not just talking about downloading content. Almost anyone can download content. I'm talking making your own. How easy is that with an Xbox? Last I checked, Discreet didn't have a console port for 3D Studio Max.
CS, DoD, FA, etc weren't created by Valve, it was individuals from the gaming community who got together and wanted a different experience from Half-Life.
The video game industry doesn't disagree with me, I know the majority of people choose consoles, because they're easier to deal with. Economically it's a better choice to appeal to console gamers, since there are more of them. Just like, going back to my previous example, most people buy cars from dealerships and take them back there when something goes wrong. They have little interest in how their car operates, as long as it does what they need it to, they're happy.
Hardcore PC gamers are a select few amoung the masses, I realize this. We're not the main demographic that console manufacturers should be marketing to, and we're not the number one consumers of the video game industry. We don't produce large enough profits. I was getting to this earlier, we represent a minority. An elite minority, but a minority none the less.
So yes, the majority of profit comes from consoles, but I'd disagree with you on the innovation. Everything that's been done on consoles, has been done on a PC first. Maybe not as well, but the idea originated from PC games. Hell, consoles are PCs, they're just trimmed down, mass-marketed gaming-only versions.
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