Death to the console peasents bringers of the plague! Where once there was great bounty and growth is corruption and death. Noble PC Gamers we must act now and kill them all or the last remnant of our lands will be destroyed!
I have a plan, we will make it an achievement to jump off a cliff! Yes we will be rid of them at last.
Reading this entire thread has made me realise we need a gaming Buddha, to enlighten us all and direct us to peace and harmony. Or maybe a gaming Dalai Lama?
I prefer my PC over my consoles, but that is really just because it is more convenient for me. As I always say, how you game is up to you.
We are all gamers. We have different preference, but we are all one community.
Anyways. You seem to talk a lot about console gaming being... "Casual". You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/YouKeepUsingThatWord]
On that note, let's look at the top selling/profitable PC games.
-The Sims
-The Sims 2
--The Sims 2: Pets
--The Sims 2: Seasons
-World of Warcraft
--Burning Crusade
--Wrath of the Lich King
--Cataclysm
*Starcraft
The list is, reliably, topped by The Sims and World of Warcraft. Some other games that are INCREDIBLY profitable for almost no investment include things such as anything produced by Zynga.
I'd also like to point out that there [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_mario_bros_1] are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Hunter_3] some [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathsmiles] games [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Quest_9] that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Did_I_Do_to_Deserve_This,_My_Lord%3F] are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgaea_4] simply [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_superstar] better [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_5] non-PC [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berzerk].
Most of them, I couldn't even IMAGINE playing using a keyboard & mouse. It just sounds that tedious, due to the inherit limitations of the keyboard.
Could you give me a source on that? As if that source is "US only" and/or "Retail only" I'll know how irrelevant it is. PC is much more popular outside USA and digital downloads are usually not counted at all. I know for a fact that combined Retail AND DIGITAL DOWNLOAD sales of Black Ops on PC was over 3 million... in just the first 3 months.
Also, world-of-warcraft is not a casual-game, have you any idea how complex and in-depth that game is? I'm not hardcore enough for it even after all I have argued for!
Anyway, you are kind of pointing out the obvious with casual-games on PC. There are probably over a Billion(!) PCs out there but most of them low power and used by people who don't care much about specs, that is the dichotomy that you are rather unfairly exploiting here to equate "PC Gamers" with anywone and everyone who plays a game on a PC.
When we talk "PC gamer" we mean far more than jsut play what would barely technically qualify as a game on a PC. We mean someone who actually has invested in a capable gaming machine.
It's like bundling PS2 owners with PS3 owners as "Playstation gamers", they aren't the same. This is the apples-and-oranges comparison beteen console and PC as computer games have only really had 2 generation, DOS and Post-DOS. But a PC to the best spec of 2002 ain't going to play games from 2009, just like PS2 is 2002-spec even if made in 2009.
It's also pure supposition that all those games you list would not be better on PC, seemingly just because they aren't available on PC. I don't think you have even played any games LIKE them on PC as if you had you'd know how much better WASD keys are compared to D-pad input. Key think is you have three fingers can change input very quickly and be very precise with your timing.
Anyway, if a gamepad is more suitable for a game on PC what stops you plugging one in? Nothing. Every serious PC gamer should have a USB gamepad.
If only the same options extended to console games where a mouse + Keyboard would be more suitable. Unfortunately that option is just not available.
Of course some games ARE better on console, but not due to how they control or play but accessibility of the system itself.
(3) What do you think Steam and Steamworks contributes? Absolutely perfect DRM, as it is so incredibly lightweight, unobtrusive and has the most effective anti-hacking element: incentive
People have an incentive not to hack Steam as they jeopardise all that they worked towards on steam:
-the purchases (with benefit of auto-update)
-achivements
-friend network
-cloud save
-large game network
And why hack? Steam sales are so appealing that I know I am not alone in buying more games than I probably have time to play! I don't even have the urge to pirate on PC any more, it's pointless.
This is why I love PC so much more than Xbox or similar, the Steam experience is just so much better than the Xbox experience. Lets go through them:
-free online
-mostly dedicated servers
-easy back-up
-integrated library and store
-easy to manage games libary
-Insta-launch from a huge list of games, no disc hunting
The last one most particularly, I can't tell you how appealing it is to have that huge tiled area of games literally at your fingertips.
And of course, Steam set the HIGH standard but there is the most important element of commerce: competition.
Unlike with Xbox where I am bound to Xbox Live or PS3 and PSN, I am not forced to use Steam by the platform. I have Gog.com, OnLive, EA's new service, and anyone else who wants to compete. Competition drives prices down and quality up.
You're right, I was way out of line there. I got the warning, I'm apologizing for that.
I still hold the opinion that PC gaming is in its quagmire because of PC's problems and PC gamers' own errors, but I expressed it far too beligerently.
I think part of what PC gamers need to do is show some proactive fight -against- piracy rather than embracing it so heavily. It's ubiquitous, far too many pc users pirate pc games for it not to be a problem.
That's a huge contributor. Obviously if more gamers paid for games there'd be more money in the pot for developers to develop games.
(1) that's probably what happened with GTA4 belated poor-quality port to PC... that no one bought (except me... and speedrunners). Now Red Dead Redemption doesn't seem it will ever get a PC port nor either for LA Noire. Shame.
Aye. I actually loved GTA Vice City on my laptop. I had both the usual Keyboard+Mouse and USB Controller rig.
(2) PC gaming is becoming increasingly appealing from a combination of factors:
-Steam is showing huge market success
-extended console generations mean PC is main recourse for better graphics
-Laptops (the preferred PC) graphics are approaching to be more powerful than home consoles
-scourge of pre-owned market
Mid-grade laptop game-processing power exceeded that of current consoles over two years ago.
Of course, manufacturers will still stick shit-grade VGAs to prop up sales of standard-grade video cards; all of which are suitable for running any Xbox 360 or PS3 equivalent game at good or better quality.
Despite this, the number of mainstream PC-centric games hasn't grown much if at all; rather grinding-garbage like Farmville and WoW have remained the most profitable and dominant games out there; and of course, that's because there is investor confidence in their game platforms (or outright theft in Zynga's case). MMOs and Mass-Social titles have their own sort of DRM built into them (required server connection).
While I do enjoy Steam, I wonder how long it will be before they too implement Always-Online DRM, or before the Publishers just start setting up their own proprietary distribution systems that include this bullshit DRM (EA is already in the process of doing this, and Blizzard is practically there already).
So far, the only real success in resisting this form of DRM has been against Ubisoft. That is, Ubisoft moved back to a more conventional form of DRM after their Always-Online system blew up in their face.
I'm hoping that Usability prevails here. Ubisoft learned that even a weak DDOS attack will render their customers unable to play the games they paid for. If such a system is consistently down, then the only real hope for the customer is a class-action-lawsuit (failure to provide a legally required service) or simply not doing business with that company again.
In short: If the DRM issues become too burdensome to even deal with, then legitimate customer support for the platform will vanish, and thus the incentive to make games for it will vanish with it.
Mid-high range laptops have been considerably more powerful than any of the current consoles for some time. Even the notoriously underpowered premium brands (that I"m strategically not naming ) are significantly more powerful than current gen consoles in all but their entry level models.
That said, decently powerful laptops are still nowhere near as cheap (from what I've seen in Australia) as the consoles
That's the thing, people may LIKE to own a console, but feel they NEED to own a laptop to even function in the modern world.
Also laptop-console price comparison isn't fair as a laptop ticks many more boxes than a console:
-integrated screen
-integrated speakers
-webcam
-small/lightweight components to be transportable
-large battery for USE on the go
-likely 4x larger data storage capacity
-Full PC operating system
So console-Laptop comparison, for the console add:
-HDTV/Monitor
-(Speakers, if above option lack them)
-USB webcam PSeye
-can't make it smaller add 25% to price for cost of microisation
-can't use a battery add about $100
-Add much larger HDD
-buy a separate PC like a Netttop PC,
Also console have added costs like arbitrary subscriptions (XBL Gold), console tax (about $10-15 per game), Premium proprietary peripherals (Daffy duck HAETS them) and other stuff I can't remember.
Bottom line: people WANT laptops, if they get laptops that are 360-beaters, then unlike in a LONG time the mass market of PC owners may find themselves in a position to game on PC even without actively seekign it out.
Bottom line: people WANT laptops, if they get laptops that are 360-beaters, then unlike in a LONG time the mass market of PC owners may find themselves in a position to game on PC even without actively seekign it out.
Bottom line: people WANT laptops, if they get laptops that are 360-beaters, then unlike in a LONG time the mass market of PC owners may find themselves in a position to game on PC even without actively seekign it out.
Uh, but those don't capitalise on how the hardware is more powerful than a 360. They are simple 2D games you could render on a stock PC from even 2002.
I'm talking about who will bring HD quality 3D games to PC mass market.
I wonder how long it will be before they too implement Always-Online DRM, or before the Publishers just start setting up their own proprietary distribution systems that include this bullshit DRM (EA is already in the process of doing this, and Blizzard is practically there already).
You have to realise - to spite all impressions - these companies are not TRYING to be dicks, they are just doing what will protect their copyright. OK, they have often done it in a callous an bone-headed way but still their intention isn't to hobble your games, pissing off your customer is a sure way to lose them to the competition.
The future of Online-dependant DRM lies with the users.
Key is the users have to have a REASON to like a DRM that want to be online all the time, mainly that would mean some kind of benefit from online in single player games. Something like what Demon's Souls did or offline processing.
How about a single player game that has AI programmed off site on a server that is FAR more capable than what your system can compute.
Something like that and even then it is clear NO ONE in the entire video games industry from Angry Birds gamers to ARMA gamers don't like the idea of being completely cut off when off the internet. Ultimately, publishers have to trust their customers and make all their games The game has to be at least mostly (if not wholly) functional without internet.
The keyboard is very limited as a gaming input. Mostly because it isn't primarily designed to be one.
Keyboards can't even detect amount-of-pressure correctly, for Rah's sake.
Why not use a gamepad? Because of a very basic concept. Guaranteed equipment. AKA: What you automatically KNOW your user has. Here's as I see it.
PS3: A ps3 controller.
360: A 360 controller, and headset.
Wii: Wiimote and Nunchuke.
Selling games that aren't as playable without extra equipment makes no business sense. And besides, I'll still be limited by the fact the game was made for the keyboard.
Also, WoW is NOT a very hardcore game. Most of it is having bigger numbers than your enemy. Very little strategy, very little skill based gameplay. It's all numbers and luck. I've played it. It's not a deep game in any sense of the word.
Also, I never said WoW was casual. I said it was garbage. There is a difference.
As for the game's I listed? I'll now give why I wouldn't want to play them on PC.
Mario 1: Movement controls simply not up to standard. Two keyboard buttons can serve as A and B adequately.
monster hunter 3: Awful movement, making dodging attacks (A VERY fundamental aspect of the game) awkward. Comboing attacks would become a real pain. As would special attacks. There's a reason why there's only one PC monster Hunter game. Oh, and it's better on 360.
deathsmiles: A shmup. W-a-s-d doesn't give NEARLY enough accurate movement for this game. Especially given the bullet hell aspects.
dragon quest 9: JRPG. Very rarely transfer over to PC well.
what did I do to deserve this, my lord: Would have to be lobotomized and RUINED in order to be profitable on PC. AKA: Dumbed down.
disgaea 4: The gameplay would have to be fundamentally changed to be adequately playable with the keyboard.
kirby superstar: I've tried to play this on keyboard.
It.
Is.
ABSOLUTELY. AWFUL.
It's a platformer. One of several genres (including fight games and shmup's) that will never have a serious or even noteworthy presence on PC.
final fantasy 5: JRPG. Next.
berzerk: I just wanted to mention berzerk. It's just a great game overall.
4 million sales on black ops? Whooooooo, that wouldn't even register on this list. Starcraft is listed at 11 MILLION sales. WoW is at TWELVE.
The Sims 1 dominates it with 16 MILLION units sold. Easily quadruple the number of Blops units sold.
But call of duty is pretty awful overall anyways.
Also, strictly speaking I don't NEED a PC. The only thing I use my PC for is Minecraft (Which I won't even be playing on PC for long.)
Hungry bread-and-butter hustle
You've been doing it a while, it is only fair
Where's your relaxation?
Where's the time required for your health
Been hating on my new perspective
It's already happened, and already been protested, yet these publishers seem to keep trying to push the boundaries even when it doesn't do anything but piss their legitimate customers off.
You have to realise - to spite all impressions - these companies are not TRYING to be dicks, they are just doing what will protect their copyright. OK, they have often done it in a callous an bone-headed way but still their intention isn't to hobble your games, pissing off your customer is a sure way to lose them to the competition.
Based on my recent, non-Steam, experiences, I cannot completely agree with that.
Really, I'm just tired of being funneled onto a server to access features that don't/shouldn't even require a server to begin with.
The future of Online-dependant DRM lies with the users.
Key is the users have to have a REASON to like a DRM that want to be online all the time, mainly that would mean some kind of benefit from online in single player games. Something like what Demon's Souls did or offline processing.
How about a single player game that has AI programmed off site on a server that is FAR more capable than what your system can compute.
Something like that and even then it is clear NO ONE in the entire video games industry from Angry Birds gamers to ARMA gamers don't like the idea of being completely cut off when off the internet. Ultimately, publishers have to trust their customers and make all their games The game has to be at least mostly (if not wholly) functional without internet.
But they don't trust their customers enough. Those that can pirate the game, well, they're already pirating the game. Even Ubisoft's "Final Solution" was beat in under a week. And still they keep putting the thumbscrews on (hi Battle Net 2).
Personally, I'm waiting to get my glimpse of the future when EA launches Origin, strictly out of curiosity.
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) are significantly more powerful than current gen consoles in all but their entry level models.
