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Ok, setting the scene: I'm a student at univeristy in halls of residence. I don't have internet access and none of my flat mates have a computer. Alternatively I live at home and have a very slow standard 56k modem and only one computer in the house.
The point: Any chance I can invite my mates around for some multiplayer gaming? Only if I got a console. So why not on a PC? I have four games which are multiplayer on a single PC, they are Worms, FA Premier League Stars, Virtua Fighter 2 and The Rage. Needless to say the last two games aren't all that great. Can we have some more? How about a quality split screen racing game like Gran Turismo 3? Or split screen Tony Hawks (if it isn't, i've read reviews and as far as i can make out it's not split screen)? Or WWF Smackdown whereby we can play multiplayer on the same screen? I can see why this might not have happened in the past, with the case of a single joystick port. But now, in the age of USB, allowing us to connect multiple game pads to our computers, are we not seeing more non-lan, non-internet multiplayer games? If any of you know of any quality games out there that are multiplayer on a single PC, I'd be grateful to hear them. Or if you know of any that are going to come out on the PC in the near future. Otherwise, I might have to invest in a console, and then I have the trouble of deciding which console and when to buy in this price war.
Any info would be welcomed
Stu
The point: Any chance I can invite my mates around for some multiplayer gaming? Only if I got a console. So why not on a PC? I have four games which are multiplayer on a single PC, they are Worms, FA Premier League Stars, Virtua Fighter 2 and The Rage. Needless to say the last two games aren't all that great. Can we have some more? How about a quality split screen racing game like Gran Turismo 3? Or split screen Tony Hawks (if it isn't, i've read reviews and as far as i can make out it's not split screen)? Or WWF Smackdown whereby we can play multiplayer on the same screen? I can see why this might not have happened in the past, with the case of a single joystick port. But now, in the age of USB, allowing us to connect multiple game pads to our computers, are we not seeing more non-lan, non-internet multiplayer games? If any of you know of any quality games out there that are multiplayer on a single PC, I'd be grateful to hear them. Or if you know of any that are going to come out on the PC in the near future. Otherwise, I might have to invest in a console, and then I have the trouble of deciding which console and when to buy in this price war.
Any info would be welcomed
Stu
Z195 wrote:
> fair point, PCs aren't designed around gamers but it's not all about
> what something is designed to do but what it can do
I never said that PCs can't be a good games machine, I love my computer and have a ton load of games to play on it.
> I agree with this point too. My point is that if PCs are more
> powerfull, can take upgrades in both harware and sofware, then they
> should be able to do the same job as a console, if not better.
The trouble with upgrades is their so constant. PCs are getting more and more powerful all the time, to keep up means spending more money on new harware. And before you say anything, I am considering a massive upgrade for my computer by the end of the year, so I'm not against it, its just with console you don't need to go through the hassle of this.
> so what do you run your GC through? a TV? You could run a PC through
> that same TV therefore you'd still be able to get the same amount of
> people around it. So why can't a PC do 2-player games? Because nobody
> makes them for the PC? That doesn't mean they couldn't handle it, it
> just means they haven't got the chance.
Well I haven't got a GC yet, so Its my PS2 which gets the TV. I use the PS2 on the widescreen TV downstairs, i think it will be a bit difficult to connect my PC (which is upsatirs) down to the TV.
I agree that there are hardly any 2-player games on the PC, but I think thats because computers a best suited to massive online games than a 2 or 4 player one. I also think there is a bigger market for 2/4 player games on the console than the PC, I think that this has a big effect on how developers aproch multiplayer games for the two formats.
> fair point, PCs aren't designed around gamers but it's not all about
> what something is designed to do but what it can do
I never said that PCs can't be a good games machine, I love my computer and have a ton load of games to play on it.
> I agree with this point too. My point is that if PCs are more
> powerfull, can take upgrades in both harware and sofware, then they
> should be able to do the same job as a console, if not better.
The trouble with upgrades is their so constant. PCs are getting more and more powerful all the time, to keep up means spending more money on new harware. And before you say anything, I am considering a massive upgrade for my computer by the end of the year, so I'm not against it, its just with console you don't need to go through the hassle of this.
> so what do you run your GC through? a TV? You could run a PC through
> that same TV therefore you'd still be able to get the same amount of
> people around it. So why can't a PC do 2-player games? Because nobody
> makes them for the PC? That doesn't mean they couldn't handle it, it
> just means they haven't got the chance.
Well I haven't got a GC yet, so Its my PS2 which gets the TV. I use the PS2 on the widescreen TV downstairs, i think it will be a bit difficult to connect my PC (which is upsatirs) down to the TV.
I agree that there are hardly any 2-player games on the PC, but I think thats because computers a best suited to massive online games than a 2 or 4 player one. I also think there is a bigger market for 2/4 player games on the console than the PC, I think that this has a big effect on how developers aproch multiplayer games for the two formats.
cipro wrote:
> No, I didn't say or mean that, just saying PCs aren't designed around
> gamers.
fair point, PCs aren't designed around gamers but it's not all about what something is designed to do but what it can do
> Just because a console goes out of date specifications wise, doesn't
> mean it can't still be a good machine to play games on. I owned a
> PSone for many years, and despite some games looking a dogs dinner,
> they where still great to play.
I agree with this point too. My point is that if PCs are more powerfull, can take upgrades in both harware and sofware, then they should be able to do the same job as a console, if not better.
> My PC is on a unit in my bedroom, I can barely get a second chair
> facing the monitor, so yes it is very uncomfortable
> one of the reasons I bought a console, they are far cheaper and more > better at playing 2 to 4 player games
> than the PC. Don't get me wrong, I probably spend more time on my
> computer than my console, but there are some things a console can do
> that a PC can't, 2-player games are one of them.
so what do you run your GC through? a TV? You could run a PC through that same TV therefore you'd still be able to get the same amount of people around it. So why can't a PC do 2-player games? Because nobody makes them for the PC? That doesn't mean they couldn't handle it, it just means they haven't got the chance.
> No, I didn't say or mean that, just saying PCs aren't designed around
> gamers.
fair point, PCs aren't designed around gamers but it's not all about what something is designed to do but what it can do
> Just because a console goes out of date specifications wise, doesn't
> mean it can't still be a good machine to play games on. I owned a
> PSone for many years, and despite some games looking a dogs dinner,
> they where still great to play.
I agree with this point too. My point is that if PCs are more powerfull, can take upgrades in both harware and sofware, then they should be able to do the same job as a console, if not better.
> My PC is on a unit in my bedroom, I can barely get a second chair
> facing the monitor, so yes it is very uncomfortable
> one of the reasons I bought a console, they are far cheaper and more > better at playing 2 to 4 player games
> than the PC. Don't get me wrong, I probably spend more time on my
> computer than my console, but there are some things a console can do
> that a PC can't, 2-player games are one of them.
so what do you run your GC through? a TV? You could run a PC through that same TV therefore you'd still be able to get the same amount of people around it. So why can't a PC do 2-player games? Because nobody makes them for the PC? That doesn't mean they couldn't handle it, it just means they haven't got the chance.
Z195 wrote:
> Just because the PC isn't designed to be a games system does it mean
> that it cannot be one?
No, I didn't say or mean that, just saying PCs aren't designed around gamers.
> Consoles are already out of date
> in terms of specification before they even hit the shops compard to
> PCs.
Just because a console goes out of date specifications wise, doesn't mean it can't still be a good machine to play games on. I owned a PSone for many years, and despite some games looking a dogs dinner, they where still great to play.
> You talk about being
> very uncomfortable some time ago, but what was you running? one joypad
> on a 14inch monitor? not suprised.
My PC is on a unit in my bedroom, I can barely get a second chair facing the monitor, so yes it is very uncomfortable. I also have a 17inch monitor and no joypad. I prefer using the keybord and mouse.
> As I said with USB you can have
> multiple joypads and you can have a 21inch monitor or connect to a TV.
> So if you got a joypad in your hand, viewing it on a large monitor or
> TV, theres no difference in comfort from a console, or is there?
That'll cost. A 21inch monitor alone can cost upward of £200 ono, more than a GC. This is one of the reasons I bought a console, they are far cheaper and more better at playing 2 to 4 player games than the PC. Don't get me wrong, I probably spend more time on my computer than my console, but there are some things a console can do that a PC can't, 2-player games are one of them.
> Just because the PC isn't designed to be a games system does it mean
> that it cannot be one?
No, I didn't say or mean that, just saying PCs aren't designed around gamers.
> Consoles are already out of date
> in terms of specification before they even hit the shops compard to
> PCs.
Just because a console goes out of date specifications wise, doesn't mean it can't still be a good machine to play games on. I owned a PSone for many years, and despite some games looking a dogs dinner, they where still great to play.
> You talk about being
> very uncomfortable some time ago, but what was you running? one joypad
> on a 14inch monitor? not suprised.
My PC is on a unit in my bedroom, I can barely get a second chair facing the monitor, so yes it is very uncomfortable. I also have a 17inch monitor and no joypad. I prefer using the keybord and mouse.
> As I said with USB you can have
> multiple joypads and you can have a 21inch monitor or connect to a TV.
> So if you got a joypad in your hand, viewing it on a large monitor or
> TV, theres no difference in comfort from a console, or is there?
That'll cost. A 21inch monitor alone can cost upward of £200 ono, more than a GC. This is one of the reasons I bought a console, they are far cheaper and more better at playing 2 to 4 player games than the PC. Don't get me wrong, I probably spend more time on my computer than my console, but there are some things a console can do that a PC can't, 2-player games are one of them.
Just because the PC isn't designed to be a games system does it mean that it cannot be one? Even if it means some hardware or software upgrades, it could still do the job. Consoles are already out of date in terms of specification before they even hit the shops compard to PCs. Take the xbox for example, whats that got? 800mhz and its brand new? thats nothing compared to the power of PCs. You talk about being very uncomfortable some time ago, but what was you running? one joypad on a 14inch monitor? not suprised. As I said with USB you can have multiple joypads and you can have a 21inch monitor or connect to a TV. So if you got a joypad in your hand, viewing it on a large monitor or TV, theres no difference in comfort from a console, or is there?
Stu
Stu
The PC isn't designed to be games system in the first place, so it’s probably expected that playing two or four player games is almost impossible. I had a couple of 2-player games for my PC some time ago (I forget the names) and I found it very uncomfortable, I would imagine it would be harder to enjoy a 4-player game crowded around a PC.
I think PC multiplayer is designed for more players from around the world to join in a game, with some servers to games having 32 players each. Consoles however, are a more interactive experience, sinse you generally play with other people around you instead of across the world.
I have a PS2 and soon to get a GC, I find that console provide a much better 2/4-player experience than PC's. And if you're looking for a console with a wide selection of multiplayer games, I would suggest a Gamecube. There are plenty of great looking 4-player games to choose from, and that one of the reasons I've chosen to get the Nintendo machine.
I think PC multiplayer is designed for more players from around the world to join in a game, with some servers to games having 32 players each. Consoles however, are a more interactive experience, sinse you generally play with other people around you instead of across the world.
I have a PS2 and soon to get a GC, I find that console provide a much better 2/4-player experience than PC's. And if you're looking for a console with a wide selection of multiplayer games, I would suggest a Gamecube. There are plenty of great looking 4-player games to choose from, and that one of the reasons I've chosen to get the Nintendo machine.
Ok, setting the scene: I'm a student at univeristy in halls of residence. I don't have internet access and none of my flat mates have a computer. Alternatively I live at home and have a very slow standard 56k modem and only one computer in the house.
The point: Any chance I can invite my mates around for some multiplayer gaming? Only if I got a console. So why not on a PC? I have four games which are multiplayer on a single PC, they are Worms, FA Premier League Stars, Virtua Fighter 2 and The Rage. Needless to say the last two games aren't all that great. Can we have some more? How about a quality split screen racing game like Gran Turismo 3? Or split screen Tony Hawks (if it isn't, i've read reviews and as far as i can make out it's not split screen)? Or WWF Smackdown whereby we can play multiplayer on the same screen? I can see why this might not have happened in the past, with the case of a single joystick port. But now, in the age of USB, allowing us to connect multiple game pads to our computers, are we not seeing more non-lan, non-internet multiplayer games? If any of you know of any quality games out there that are multiplayer on a single PC, I'd be grateful to hear them. Or if you know of any that are going to come out on the PC in the near future. Otherwise, I might have to invest in a console, and then I have the trouble of deciding which console and when to buy in this price war.
Any info would be welcomed
Stu
The point: Any chance I can invite my mates around for some multiplayer gaming? Only if I got a console. So why not on a PC? I have four games which are multiplayer on a single PC, they are Worms, FA Premier League Stars, Virtua Fighter 2 and The Rage. Needless to say the last two games aren't all that great. Can we have some more? How about a quality split screen racing game like Gran Turismo 3? Or split screen Tony Hawks (if it isn't, i've read reviews and as far as i can make out it's not split screen)? Or WWF Smackdown whereby we can play multiplayer on the same screen? I can see why this might not have happened in the past, with the case of a single joystick port. But now, in the age of USB, allowing us to connect multiple game pads to our computers, are we not seeing more non-lan, non-internet multiplayer games? If any of you know of any quality games out there that are multiplayer on a single PC, I'd be grateful to hear them. Or if you know of any that are going to come out on the PC in the near future. Otherwise, I might have to invest in a console, and then I have the trouble of deciding which console and when to buy in this price war.
Any info would be welcomed
Stu