Lack of "buzz" in this forum!

[DeanoC]

The PC games market is currently a bit stagnent but I don't think its anything fatal.

What, where and how I don't know but I really see nothing to make me think that next gen console titles won't be just prettier, flashier version of current games. Its seems a smaller, less fought over space is the place we are going to see real game innovation. Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC are more likely to produce something really new (gameplay wise) than PS3 or Xenon IMHO.

Already look at Mercury (PSP) or Project Rub or the new Yoshi (DS). I see the PC as the place for smaller teams to produce new non portable revolutionary titles, where the consoles will be the space for big, expensive evolutionary titles.

I see the PC market today no different from when Id released Doom many years ago...

 

[MasterBaiter]

It is such a small thing to offer such a controller. I think that the next gen of consoles may change the opinion some pc gamers have of them. If I remember correctly Microsoft was trying to consolidate controller design across it's spheres of influence, so Xbox controllers and PC controllers will be one in the same. Supposedly the Xbox2 will use a usb interface as well, so there's a good chance that there may be a keypad/mouse setup in the cards. If there is any credence to a multi-media version of the Xbox2 being offered... it is a given. I will be very curious to see what kind of resolutions will be supported. That is one of other last bastions that separate consoles from the PC IMO. If they support modes like 1080i/p there is a a good chance I will be spending quite a bit more time in front of my tv rather than my moniter.

 

[Fodder]

It is such a small thing to offer such a controller.

If it was so small, it would have been done already. A console needs to ship with a universal but compact controller, and a gamepad is the best we have so far (and a far better solution than mouse and keyboard for pretty much everything but FPS and RTS). Building in a trackball is a possibility, but I'm not sure how well that would work.

If I remember correctly Microsoft was trying to consolidate controller design across it's spheres of influence, so Xbox controllers and PC controllers will be one in the same.

All that means is you'll have to same buttons on your gamepad and joystick, and they'll plug into either system. The other problem is it's kinda uncomfortable using a keyboard and mouse while draped over the sofa - and if you're going to sit at a desk to play your XBox, it may as well be a PC.

 

[Ailuros]

The PC games market is currently a bit stagnent but I don't think its anything fatal.

What, where and how I don't know but I really see nothing to make me think that next gen console titles won't be just prettier, flashier version of current games. Its seems a smaller, less fought over space is the place we are going to see real game innovation. Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC are more likely to produce something really new (gameplay wise) than PS3 or Xenon IMHO.

Already look at Mercury (PSP) or Project Rub or the new Yoshi (DS). I see the PC as the place for smaller teams to produce new non portable revolutionary titles, where the consoles will be the space for big, expensive evolutionary titles.

I see the PC market today no different from when Id released Doom many years ago...

Can't disagree.

I think some impressions might originate also from the currently high expectations for next generation consoles (wasn't any different in the past either); it usually fades away as soon as PC hardware overruns the console hardware.

 

[Martin Eddy]

AFAIK, D3 reached 1 milion copies month after it had been released and HL2 current number is 1.7milion copies.

yes, these numbers are more worldwide numbers.. Hellbinder was referring to sales in one country .. I think


.... anyway, Hellbinder does have a point, as even say 1.7 million does not compare to say the >6.4 million copies of Halo 2 that have been sold.. heh

Just remember you have to pay license fees to Microsoft,Sony,Nintendo when you sell your games for a console. So as far as revenue goes you can't directly compare 1.7mil to 6.4 mil.

 

[Fodder]

Just remember you have to pay license fees to Microsoft,Sony,Nintendo when you sell your games for a console. So as far as revenue goes you can't directly compare 1.7mil to 6.4 mil.

If Bungie are paying licensing fees to MS, I think they need to take a look at the terms of the takeover.

 

[MasterBaiter]

If it was so small, it would have been done already. A console needs to ship with a universal but compact controller, and a gamepad is the best we have so far (and a far better solution than mouse and keyboard for pretty much everything but FPS and RTS). Building in a trackball is a possibility, but I'm not sure how well that would work.

If I remember correctly Microsoft was trying to consolidate controller design across it's spheres of influence, so Xbox controllers and PC controllers will be one in the same.

All that means is you'll have to same buttons on your gamepad and joystick, and they'll plug into either system. The other problem is it's kinda uncomfortable using a keyboard and mouse while draped over the sofa - and if you're going to sit at a desk to play your XBox, it may as well be a PC.

It is a small thing to do, and yes there is an adapter out to allow this. I think the reason they didn't offer it was that they wanted it to be more differentiated from a pc. :?
http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/565/565000p1.html

I don't think it would be a traditional keyboard/mouse setup, but I must confess that I am not a designer, so I'm not sure what they would come up with (something like a Nostromo perhaps?)

There are quite a few HTPC's out there and their users seem to be doing okay with the keyboard/mouse deal @ the sofa. I'm sure they're much easier to use if you have a coffee table or something equivelant.

 

[Hellbinder]

AFAIK, D3 reached 1 milion copies month after it had been released and HL2 current number is 1.7milion copies.

yes, these numbers are more worldwide numbers.. Hellbinder was referring to sales in one country .. I think


.... anyway, Hellbinder does have a point, as even say 1.7 million does not compare to say the >6.4 million copies of <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=11&k=halo%202" onmouseover="window.status='Halo 2'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">Halo 2</a> that have been sold.. heh

Just remember you have to pay license fees to Microsoft,Sony,Nintendo when you sell your games for a console. So as far as revenue goes you can't directly compare 1.7mil to 6.4 mil.

Thats true but its not that much per copy in the big scheme.

 

[a688]

AFAIK, D3 reached 1 milion copies month after it had been released and HL2 current number is 1.7milion copies.

yes, these numbers are more worldwide numbers.. Hellbinder was referring to sales in one country .. I think


.... anyway, Hellbinder does have a point, as even say 1.7 million does not compare to say the >6.4 million copies of &lt;a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=11&amp;k=halo%202" nomouseover="window.status='Halo 2'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">Halo 2</a> that have been sold.. heh

Just remember you have to pay license fees to Microsoft,Sony,Nintendo when you sell your games for a console. So as far as revenue goes you can't directly compare 1.7mil to 6.4 mil.

Thats true but its not that much per copy in the big scheme.

Its still quite a chunk ESPECIALLY if you don't sell that many units. If you are giving up 5-10 dollars (don't know the actual license fee but I believe they are around there) for every copy sold, thats a lot of money. Plus add in the price for each development station, so initial startup cost is a lot greater than it would be for PC development as well. Just because you COULD sell more units doesn't mean that you'll make more money.

 

[Boke]

Most of the PC game makers have to give up a sizeable chunk of money to a publisher don't they?

 

[Fodder]

Most of the PC game makers have to give up a sizeable chunk of money to a publisher don't they?

And console developers don't?

 

[Doomtrooper]

I think some impressions might originate also from the currently high expectations for next generation consoles (wasn't any different in the past either); it usually fades away as soon as PC hardware overruns the console hardware.

PC hardware far exceeds the power of current console hardware, yet developers spend more of their time working on consoles, and the quality of PC titles being released vs. consoles is very much leaning towards consoles. I don't think hardware will matter much when their is no decent games for it to be used on. Next generation console hardware will be able to deliver anything a modern VPU can, maybe even more as the bus is designed for graphics/sound and no Operating System overhead.

Duke3D wasn't the best looking game in its day, yet people loved the game for gameplay. There seems to be more emphasis on graphics anymore vs. game content. Personally I'd like both

 

[Ailuros]

PC hardware far exceeds the power of current console hardware, yet developers spend more of their time working on consoles, and the quality of PC titles being released vs. consoles is very much leaning towards consoles.

It hasn't been any different in the past when it comes to games; as for current console hardware the XBox or PS2 are how old exactly?

Next generation console hardware will be able to deliver anything a modern VPU can, maybe even more as the bus is designed for graphics/sound and no Operating System overhead.

Ignoring the fundamental differences between a PC and a console, it'll be a matter of a quite short time before PC hardware will again outrun console hardware.

Duke3D wasn't the best looking game in its day, yet people loved the game for gameplay. There seems to be more emphasis on graphics anymore vs. game content. Personally I'd like both.

What levels of geometry, resolutions, antialiasing, AF etc. do you get on a popular XBox game today for example and how will a port of it look like on the PC?

I mentioned games myself a couple of posts before, but from a different perspective.