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The PC gaming situation is dire at the moment. Games are great, that's a given. Graphics are brilliant, speed isn't much of an issue any more and the sheer volume of titles being released is refreshingly large. However, what is so dire about gaming today is the patching business.
I buy games to play them. I want to play them for a long time, enjoy them and usually finish them. What I do not want, is a glitch half way through preventing this, or perhaps 'unfinished levels' being cut from the release. This is why I tend to shy away from PC gaming. Sure, I love it, but it is so much easier to pick up a copy of Final Fantasy 10 for the PS2 and complete that than it is to, say, play and finish Baldur's Gate. Not because FF10 is more linear and shorter than BG, but because Baldur's Gate is theoretically never finished. I despise the endless patches, add-ons and extras being released, often at a price, throughout the years. What I hate even more, is the whole compatability issue, be it with add-ons, online play - heck, even with versions of Windows.
Patches and add-on's are a PC given. I know that the PC is infinitely more versatile (in terms of achievement) than a console, and with this comes the variation in system design and consequent abilities to run various games. What annoys me about this, is that because PC's are renowned for unfinished games, as they should be termed, developers just don't finish games. Either that, or they undergo minimal beta testing resulting in a finished product reminiscent of a car taken off a factory production line with no seats or doors. It doesn't work, but if every car was like it, people would accept it. This is the same with the PC gaming front.
I can accept this situation though. For all the annoying compatability options, it still does allow for extra levels, missions and add-ons, through both official and unofficial mods. With all the countless add-ons for The Sims, it is just as easy to search the web and download the equivalent number of extra costumes and items, without the price. Also, expansion packs can prolong a game's lifespan, and are a godsend for those who just can't get enough.
So while I don't mind this, what I'm slightly worried and annoyed about, is how console manufacturers want consoles to become PC's. I though that the sole reason consoles were around was to play games hassle-free, not to have massive hard drives loaded with bits and bobs. This strive to allow downloadable add-ons can only lead to trouble.
The situation with console gaming today is that developers release a game, and that's it. Done. Finished. No extras, no add-ons, no patches. Very, very rarely is this seen. In fact, only two instances come to mind, being in the form of GTA London and MGS VR missions. Console gaming is good for two things now - hassle free gaming, and complete gaming.
So what will happen? I predict that when our consoles get massive storage capabilities, can be plugged into the net and can download at broadband speeds, developers will think like they did with the PC. "Lets ship the product now, and complete it later as an 'add-on' pack and earn miiiiillions". I bet it will happen though. Everybody in this world wants something for nothing, and if it means not completing development of a game, so be it. An extra month's development may be nothing to us, but to deadline-driven code-crazed insomniacs spending 20+ hours at a PC it is the equivalent of a lot, yes, a LOT of work.
In my opinion, hard drives and internet is giving developers and easy route out. Console gaming will soon suffer from the travesty of incompatible versions of games, 2 hour required downloads turning out to not work, and of course the obligatory system upgrades. In fact, both the GameCube and the Xbox cater for these options - be it the DoA 3 add-on for the Xbox, or the memory expansion for the GameCube.
Tarn sorn it all, I love gaming, and what I particularly like is finishing a game. More is brilliant, but I also want online gaming to remain simple. If we're going to need upgraded versions every three weeks, I'll go ballistic. Why, Oh why, must console gaming be cursed with the crap which the PC is littered with. No doubt we'll be able to download 'naked' patches, hardcore porn and dodgy items for our games. Why bother, I ask you? The internet experience is going to be great, however if developers exploit its allowances rather than enhance its abilities, console gaming will turn into the turgid mess that is the PC front.
All gaming is fun, great and immersive, but I hate unfinished games, man do I hate it. I want console games to remain fun, un-upgraded and compatible with all. Developers take heed: Always finish what y
I buy games to play them. I want to play them for a long time, enjoy them and usually finish them. What I do not want, is a glitch half way through preventing this, or perhaps 'unfinished levels' being cut from the release. This is why I tend to shy away from PC gaming. Sure, I love it, but it is so much easier to pick up a copy of Final Fantasy 10 for the PS2 and complete that than it is to, say, play and finish Baldur's Gate. Not because FF10 is more linear and shorter than BG, but because Baldur's Gate is theoretically never finished. I despise the endless patches, add-ons and extras being released, often at a price, throughout the years. What I hate even more, is the whole compatability issue, be it with add-ons, online play - heck, even with versions of Windows.
Patches and add-on's are a PC given. I know that the PC is infinitely more versatile (in terms of achievement) than a console, and with this comes the variation in system design and consequent abilities to run various games. What annoys me about this, is that because PC's are renowned for unfinished games, as they should be termed, developers just don't finish games. Either that, or they undergo minimal beta testing resulting in a finished product reminiscent of a car taken off a factory production line with no seats or doors. It doesn't work, but if every car was like it, people would accept it. This is the same with the PC gaming front.
I can accept this situation though. For all the annoying compatability options, it still does allow for extra levels, missions and add-ons, through both official and unofficial mods. With all the countless add-ons for The Sims, it is just as easy to search the web and download the equivalent number of extra costumes and items, without the price. Also, expansion packs can prolong a game's lifespan, and are a godsend for those who just can't get enough.
So while I don't mind this, what I'm slightly worried and annoyed about, is how console manufacturers want consoles to become PC's. I though that the sole reason consoles were around was to play games hassle-free, not to have massive hard drives loaded with bits and bobs. This strive to allow downloadable add-ons can only lead to trouble.
The situation with console gaming today is that developers release a game, and that's it. Done. Finished. No extras, no add-ons, no patches. Very, very rarely is this seen. In fact, only two instances come to mind, being in the form of GTA London and MGS VR missions. Console gaming is good for two things now - hassle free gaming, and complete gaming.
So what will happen? I predict that when our consoles get massive storage capabilities, can be plugged into the net and can download at broadband speeds, developers will think like they did with the PC. "Lets ship the product now, and complete it later as an 'add-on' pack and earn miiiiillions". I bet it will happen though. Everybody in this world wants something for nothing, and if it means not completing development of a game, so be it. An extra month's development may be nothing to us, but to deadline-driven code-crazed insomniacs spending 20+ hours at a PC it is the equivalent of a lot, yes, a LOT of work.
In my opinion, hard drives and internet is giving developers and easy route out. Console gaming will soon suffer from the travesty of incompatible versions of games, 2 hour required downloads turning out to not work, and of course the obligatory system upgrades. In fact, both the GameCube and the Xbox cater for these options - be it the DoA 3 add-on for the Xbox, or the memory expansion for the GameCube.
Tarn sorn it all, I love gaming, and what I particularly like is finishing a game. More is brilliant, but I also want online gaming to remain simple. If we're going to need upgraded versions every three weeks, I'll go ballistic. Why, Oh why, must console gaming be cursed with the crap which the PC is littered with. No doubt we'll be able to download 'naked' patches, hardcore porn and dodgy items for our games. Why bother, I ask you? The internet experience is going to be great, however if developers exploit its allowances rather than enhance its abilities, console gaming will turn into the turgid mess that is the PC front.
All gaming is fun, great and immersive, but I hate unfinished games, man do I hate it. I want console games to remain fun, un-upgraded and compatible with all. Developers take heed: Always finish what y
Ronaldinho_da_2nd wrote:
> DAMN STRAIGHT!
Misuse of the 'reply quoting' button, I think.
Oh well. As long as somebody agrees with me :)
> DAMN STRAIGHT!
Misuse of the 'reply quoting' button, I think.
Oh well. As long as somebody agrees with me :)
½pint wrote:
> The PC gaming situation is dire at the moment. Games are great,
> that's a given. Graphics are brilliant, speed isn't much of an issue
> any more and the sheer volume of titles being released is refreshingly
> large. However, what is so dire about gaming today is the patching
> business.
>
> I buy games to play them. I want to play them for a long time, enjoy
> them and usually finish them. What I do not want, is a glitch half
> way through preventing this, or perhaps 'unfinished levels' being cut
> from the release. This is why I tend to shy away from PC gaming.
> Sure, I love it, but it is so much easier to pick up a copy of Final
> Fantasy 10 for the PS2 and complete that than it is to, say, play and
> finish Baldur's Gate. Not because FF10 is more linear and shorter
> than BG, but because Baldur's Gate is theoretically never finished. I
> despise the endless patches, add-ons and extras being released, often
> at a price, throughout the years. What I hate even more, is the whole
> compatability issue, be it with add-ons, online play - heck, even with
> versions of Windows.
>
> Patches and add-on's are a PC given. I know that the PC is infinitely
> more versatile (in terms of achievement) than a console, and with this
> comes the variation in system design and consequent abilities to run
> various games. What annoys me about this, is that because PC's are
> renowned for unfinished games, as they should be termed, developers
> just don't finish games. Either that, or they undergo minimal beta
> testing resulting in a finished product reminiscent of a car taken off
> a factory production line with no seats or doors. It doesn't work,
> but if every car was like it, people would accept it. This is the
> same with the PC gaming front.
>
> I can accept this situation though. For all the annoying
> compatability options, it still does allow for extra levels, missions
> and add-ons, through both official and unofficial mods. With all the
> countless add-ons for The Sims, it is just as easy to search the web
> and download the equivalent number of extra costumes and items,
> without the price. Also, expansion packs can prolong a game's
> lifespan, and are a godsend for those who just can't get enough.
>
> So while I don't mind this, what I'm slightly worried and annoyed
> about, is how console manufacturers want consoles to become PC's. I
> though that the sole reason consoles were around was to play games
> hassle-free, not to have massive hard drives loaded with bits and
> bobs. This strive to allow downloadable add-ons can only lead to
> trouble.
>
> The situation with console gaming today is that developers release a
> game, and that's it. Done. Finished. No extras, no add-ons, no
> patches. Very, very rarely is this seen. In fact, only two instances
> come to mind, being in the form of GTA London and MGS VR missions.
> Console gaming is good for two things now - hassle free gaming, and
> complete gaming.
>
> So what will happen? I predict that when our consoles get massive
> storage capabilities, can be plugged into the net and can download at
> broadband speeds, developers will think like they did with the PC.
> "Lets ship the product now, and complete it later as an 'add-on'
> pack and earn miiiiillions". I bet it will happen though.
> Everybody in this world wants something for nothing, and if it means
> not completing development of a game, so be it. An extra month's
> development may be nothing to us, but to deadline-driven code-crazed
> insomniacs spending 20+ hours at a PC it is the equivalent of a lot,
> yes, a LOT of work.
>
> In my opinion, hard drives and internet is giving developers and easy
> route out. Console gaming will soon suffer from the travesty of
> incompatible versions of games, 2 hour required downloads turning out
> to not work, and of course the obligatory system upgrades. In fact,
> both the GameCube and the Xbox cater for these options - be it the DoA
> 3 add-on for the Xbox, or the memory expansion for the GameCube.
>
> Tarn sorn it all, I love gaming, and what I particularly like is
> finishing a game. More is brilliant, but I also want online gaming to
> remain simple. If we're going to need upgraded versions every three
> weeks, I'll go ballistic. Why, Oh why, must console gaming be cursed
> with the crap which the PC is littered with. No doubt we'll be able
> to download 'naked' patches, hardcore porn and dodgy items for our
> games. Why bother, I ask you? The internet experience is going to be
> great, however if developers exploit its allowances rather than
> enhance its abilities, console gaming will turn into the turgid mess
> that is the PC front.
>
> All gaming is fun, great and immersive, but I hate unfinished games,
> man do I hate it. I want console games to remain fun, un-upgraded and
> compatible with all. Developers take heed: Always finish what y
DAMN STRAIGHT!
> The PC gaming situation is dire at the moment. Games are great,
> that's a given. Graphics are brilliant, speed isn't much of an issue
> any more and the sheer volume of titles being released is refreshingly
> large. However, what is so dire about gaming today is the patching
> business.
>
> I buy games to play them. I want to play them for a long time, enjoy
> them and usually finish them. What I do not want, is a glitch half
> way through preventing this, or perhaps 'unfinished levels' being cut
> from the release. This is why I tend to shy away from PC gaming.
> Sure, I love it, but it is so much easier to pick up a copy of Final
> Fantasy 10 for the PS2 and complete that than it is to, say, play and
> finish Baldur's Gate. Not because FF10 is more linear and shorter
> than BG, but because Baldur's Gate is theoretically never finished. I
> despise the endless patches, add-ons and extras being released, often
> at a price, throughout the years. What I hate even more, is the whole
> compatability issue, be it with add-ons, online play - heck, even with
> versions of Windows.
>
> Patches and add-on's are a PC given. I know that the PC is infinitely
> more versatile (in terms of achievement) than a console, and with this
> comes the variation in system design and consequent abilities to run
> various games. What annoys me about this, is that because PC's are
> renowned for unfinished games, as they should be termed, developers
> just don't finish games. Either that, or they undergo minimal beta
> testing resulting in a finished product reminiscent of a car taken off
> a factory production line with no seats or doors. It doesn't work,
> but if every car was like it, people would accept it. This is the
> same with the PC gaming front.
>
> I can accept this situation though. For all the annoying
> compatability options, it still does allow for extra levels, missions
> and add-ons, through both official and unofficial mods. With all the
> countless add-ons for The Sims, it is just as easy to search the web
> and download the equivalent number of extra costumes and items,
> without the price. Also, expansion packs can prolong a game's
> lifespan, and are a godsend for those who just can't get enough.
>
> So while I don't mind this, what I'm slightly worried and annoyed
> about, is how console manufacturers want consoles to become PC's. I
> though that the sole reason consoles were around was to play games
> hassle-free, not to have massive hard drives loaded with bits and
> bobs. This strive to allow downloadable add-ons can only lead to
> trouble.
>
> The situation with console gaming today is that developers release a
> game, and that's it. Done. Finished. No extras, no add-ons, no
> patches. Very, very rarely is this seen. In fact, only two instances
> come to mind, being in the form of GTA London and MGS VR missions.
> Console gaming is good for two things now - hassle free gaming, and
> complete gaming.
>
> So what will happen? I predict that when our consoles get massive
> storage capabilities, can be plugged into the net and can download at
> broadband speeds, developers will think like they did with the PC.
> "Lets ship the product now, and complete it later as an 'add-on'
> pack and earn miiiiillions". I bet it will happen though.
> Everybody in this world wants something for nothing, and if it means
> not completing development of a game, so be it. An extra month's
> development may be nothing to us, but to deadline-driven code-crazed
> insomniacs spending 20+ hours at a PC it is the equivalent of a lot,
> yes, a LOT of work.
>
> In my opinion, hard drives and internet is giving developers and easy
> route out. Console gaming will soon suffer from the travesty of
> incompatible versions of games, 2 hour required downloads turning out
> to not work, and of course the obligatory system upgrades. In fact,
> both the GameCube and the Xbox cater for these options - be it the DoA
> 3 add-on for the Xbox, or the memory expansion for the GameCube.
>
> Tarn sorn it all, I love gaming, and what I particularly like is
> finishing a game. More is brilliant, but I also want online gaming to
> remain simple. If we're going to need upgraded versions every three
> weeks, I'll go ballistic. Why, Oh why, must console gaming be cursed
> with the crap which the PC is littered with. No doubt we'll be able
> to download 'naked' patches, hardcore porn and dodgy items for our
> games. Why bother, I ask you? The internet experience is going to be
> great, however if developers exploit its allowances rather than
> enhance its abilities, console gaming will turn into the turgid mess
> that is the PC front.
>
> All gaming is fun, great and immersive, but I hate unfinished games,
> man do I hate it. I want console games to remain fun, un-upgraded and
> compatible with all. Developers take heed: Always finish what y
DAMN STRAIGHT!
I never seem to bother with completing PC games. Well, I complete them but not properly. For example, in GTA3 on the PS2 I searched for every single hidden package. However, I didn't even bother picking up the ones I could see on the screen in GTA2 on the PC. Dunno why I just didn't.
Sorry if this has nothing to do with the topic. I didn't read the post. My eyes are sore, I'm tired and I just watched a dismal Bond film. Goddammit that script was poor.
Sorry if this has nothing to do with the topic. I didn't read the post. My eyes are sore, I'm tired and I just watched a dismal Bond film. Goddammit that script was poor.
I always find it annoying when a game just drags on, when I feel as though I've completed it. It just feels as though, unless the game is compltely amazing, that it wasn't good because it had all them add-ons.
Good post.
Good post.
The PC gaming situation is dire at the moment. Games are great, that's a given. Graphics are brilliant, speed isn't much of an issue any more and the sheer volume of titles being released is refreshingly large. However, what is so dire about gaming today is the patching business.
I buy games to play them. I want to play them for a long time, enjoy them and usually finish them. What I do not want, is a glitch half way through preventing this, or perhaps 'unfinished levels' being cut from the release. This is why I tend to shy away from PC gaming. Sure, I love it, but it is so much easier to pick up a copy of Final Fantasy 10 for the PS2 and complete that than it is to, say, play and finish Baldur's Gate. Not because FF10 is more linear and shorter than BG, but because Baldur's Gate is theoretically never finished. I despise the endless patches, add-ons and extras being released, often at a price, throughout the years. What I hate even more, is the whole compatability issue, be it with add-ons, online play - heck, even with versions of Windows.
Patches and add-on's are a PC given. I know that the PC is infinitely more versatile (in terms of achievement) than a console, and with this comes the variation in system design and consequent abilities to run various games. What annoys me about this, is that because PC's are renowned for unfinished games, as they should be termed, developers just don't finish games. Either that, or they undergo minimal beta testing resulting in a finished product reminiscent of a car taken off a factory production line with no seats or doors. It doesn't work, but if every car was like it, people would accept it. This is the same with the PC gaming front.
I can accept this situation though. For all the annoying compatability options, it still does allow for extra levels, missions and add-ons, through both official and unofficial mods. With all the countless add-ons for The Sims, it is just as easy to search the web and download the equivalent number of extra costumes and items, without the price. Also, expansion packs can prolong a game's lifespan, and are a godsend for those who just can't get enough.
So while I don't mind this, what I'm slightly worried and annoyed about, is how console manufacturers want consoles to become PC's. I though that the sole reason consoles were around was to play games hassle-free, not to have massive hard drives loaded with bits and bobs. This strive to allow downloadable add-ons can only lead to trouble.
The situation with console gaming today is that developers release a game, and that's it. Done. Finished. No extras, no add-ons, no patches. Very, very rarely is this seen. In fact, only two instances come to mind, being in the form of GTA London and MGS VR missions. Console gaming is good for two things now - hassle free gaming, and complete gaming.
So what will happen? I predict that when our consoles get massive storage capabilities, can be plugged into the net and can download at broadband speeds, developers will think like they did with the PC. "Lets ship the product now, and complete it later as an 'add-on' pack and earn miiiiillions". I bet it will happen though. Everybody in this world wants something for nothing, and if it means not completing development of a game, so be it. An extra month's development may be nothing to us, but to deadline-driven code-crazed insomniacs spending 20+ hours at a PC it is the equivalent of a lot, yes, a LOT of work.
In my opinion, hard drives and internet is giving developers and easy route out. Console gaming will soon suffer from the travesty of incompatible versions of games, 2 hour required downloads turning out to not work, and of course the obligatory system upgrades. In fact, both the GameCube and the Xbox cater for these options - be it the DoA 3 add-on for the Xbox, or the memory expansion for the GameCube.
Tarn sorn it all, I love gaming, and what I particularly like is finishing a game. More is brilliant, but I also want online gaming to remain simple. If we're going to need upgraded versions every three weeks, I'll go ballistic. Why, Oh why, must console gaming be cursed with the crap which the PC is littered with. No doubt we'll be able to download 'naked' patches, hardcore porn and dodgy items for our games. Why bother, I ask you? The internet experience is going to be great, however if developers exploit its allowances rather than enhance its abilities, console gaming will turn into the turgid mess that is the PC front.
All gaming is fun, great and immersive, but I hate unfinished games, man do I hate it. I want console games to remain fun, un-upgraded and compatible with all. Developers take heed: Always finish what y
I buy games to play them. I want to play them for a long time, enjoy them and usually finish them. What I do not want, is a glitch half way through preventing this, or perhaps 'unfinished levels' being cut from the release. This is why I tend to shy away from PC gaming. Sure, I love it, but it is so much easier to pick up a copy of Final Fantasy 10 for the PS2 and complete that than it is to, say, play and finish Baldur's Gate. Not because FF10 is more linear and shorter than BG, but because Baldur's Gate is theoretically never finished. I despise the endless patches, add-ons and extras being released, often at a price, throughout the years. What I hate even more, is the whole compatability issue, be it with add-ons, online play - heck, even with versions of Windows.
Patches and add-on's are a PC given. I know that the PC is infinitely more versatile (in terms of achievement) than a console, and with this comes the variation in system design and consequent abilities to run various games. What annoys me about this, is that because PC's are renowned for unfinished games, as they should be termed, developers just don't finish games. Either that, or they undergo minimal beta testing resulting in a finished product reminiscent of a car taken off a factory production line with no seats or doors. It doesn't work, but if every car was like it, people would accept it. This is the same with the PC gaming front.
I can accept this situation though. For all the annoying compatability options, it still does allow for extra levels, missions and add-ons, through both official and unofficial mods. With all the countless add-ons for The Sims, it is just as easy to search the web and download the equivalent number of extra costumes and items, without the price. Also, expansion packs can prolong a game's lifespan, and are a godsend for those who just can't get enough.
So while I don't mind this, what I'm slightly worried and annoyed about, is how console manufacturers want consoles to become PC's. I though that the sole reason consoles were around was to play games hassle-free, not to have massive hard drives loaded with bits and bobs. This strive to allow downloadable add-ons can only lead to trouble.
The situation with console gaming today is that developers release a game, and that's it. Done. Finished. No extras, no add-ons, no patches. Very, very rarely is this seen. In fact, only two instances come to mind, being in the form of GTA London and MGS VR missions. Console gaming is good for two things now - hassle free gaming, and complete gaming.
So what will happen? I predict that when our consoles get massive storage capabilities, can be plugged into the net and can download at broadband speeds, developers will think like they did with the PC. "Lets ship the product now, and complete it later as an 'add-on' pack and earn miiiiillions". I bet it will happen though. Everybody in this world wants something for nothing, and if it means not completing development of a game, so be it. An extra month's development may be nothing to us, but to deadline-driven code-crazed insomniacs spending 20+ hours at a PC it is the equivalent of a lot, yes, a LOT of work.
In my opinion, hard drives and internet is giving developers and easy route out. Console gaming will soon suffer from the travesty of incompatible versions of games, 2 hour required downloads turning out to not work, and of course the obligatory system upgrades. In fact, both the GameCube and the Xbox cater for these options - be it the DoA 3 add-on for the Xbox, or the memory expansion for the GameCube.
Tarn sorn it all, I love gaming, and what I particularly like is finishing a game. More is brilliant, but I also want online gaming to remain simple. If we're going to need upgraded versions every three weeks, I'll go ballistic. Why, Oh why, must console gaming be cursed with the crap which the PC is littered with. No doubt we'll be able to download 'naked' patches, hardcore porn and dodgy items for our games. Why bother, I ask you? The internet experience is going to be great, however if developers exploit its allowances rather than enhance its abilities, console gaming will turn into the turgid mess that is the PC front.
All gaming is fun, great and immersive, but I hate unfinished games, man do I hate it. I want console games to remain fun, un-upgraded and compatible with all. Developers take heed: Always finish what y