Play.tm/Weekly Blend interview Pete Hines

[Brother None]

Well then you have to argue on if the TV was for gaming or was there from the start. For instance I have a HDTV, but no console...All I was saying is that $450 of PC is not comparable to $450 of console when it comes to current gaming.

Yeah it is. You're "supposed to" buy a HDTV to get full enjoyment from your console. You could argue that it's a separate purchase, but then you're equally going to have to argue that the PC is not primarily a purchase for gaming for most people.

 

[ArmorB]

I still think that for under $1000 a console will beat a PC hands down for performace and quality of graphics on the newest titles. And I'm talking about the entire PC for under $1000, including OS, mouse/keyboard, monitor, case power supply, CPU, MB, RAM, vid card, HDD, opticle drive...I just don't see $1000 going very far in a gaming PC, where as you can get a console and nice-ish HDTV for $1000.

 

[PaladinHeart]

The PC is a better tool for versatility. You can't play 1 million and 1 games on your x-bob. You also can't modify them.

Of course, I've heard you can lobotomize your x-bobkin to turn it into a pc-ish like thingy.

I get consoles to play console games though. I have a computer for everything else.

 

[Flick]

You can take back console games for money at Gamestop but you cannot take back pc games. That's the only reason I have a X-box so I do not spend too much money on games.

 

[ookami]

Either that or all the original Fallout players need to buy ten copies each!

If Bethesda would make a Fallout game worthy of the title, we just might do that. Why not? One for you, one for a friend, and eight to roam the streets with, throwing them at random people.

 

[ArmorB]

The PC is a better tool for versatility. You can't play 1 million and 1 games on your x-bob. You also can't modify them.

Of course, I've heard you can lobotomize your x-bobkin to turn it into a pc-ish like thingy.

I get consoles to play console games though. I have a computer for everything else.

And I am a 100% PC person, but I do give credit where credit is due.

 

[Phil the Nuka-Cola Dude]

Digital download is fine to a point, but when you buy something new from Steam and you have to wait 3 days for the server load to die down enough to get that last 3%...or if you wipe your system and want to reinstall your games and have to wait a day and a half for Steam to download ALL of your games, instead of spending 90 minutes to install from CD/DVD...

lolwut?

Downloaded HL2 the SECOND it was released @ 1mb/ps. No server delays, nothing.

Downloaded Episode 1 the SECOND it was released. No server delays.

Downloaded The Orange Box the SECOND it was released. No server delays.

Perhaps your internet is shit.



FYI it took me less than 8 hours to download all of these steam games. Started it up, went to work... and when I came home, it was all done and defragged. That's a hell of a lot easier than scrounging around for hours looking for cds/cdkeys.

Half Life
Half Life: Source
Half Life: Opposing Force
Half Life: Blue Shift
Counter-Strike
Team Fortress Classic
Half Life 2
Half Life 2: Deathmatch
Half Life 2: Episode 1
Half Life 2: Episode 2
Half Life 2: Lost Coast
!!PEGGLE EXTREME!!
Counter-Strike: Source
Day of Defeat: Source
Team Fortress 2
Portal
Garry's Mod

 

[ArmorB]

Guess you are more blessed than me. I've had a number of occasions where I wanted to play HL2 again and went to DL it...3 hours later it finished...Bioshock a couple months ago took several hours...not saying that it happens every time but it happens enough that it is not my preferred mode of instalation. And I'm running either a 4 or 6 meg line so it's not on my end.

But I think this is one of those "experiences may vary" type of thing.

 

[beverageleverage]

I just don't see $1000 going very far in a gaming PC, where as you can get a console and nice-ish HDTV for $1000.

$1000? Easily done, for $1000 you will have a vastly superior gaming machine than any console. Try building a pc for under $500 and it might be somewhat of a contest, but even at $500 the pc will be better.

 

[PaladinHeart]

... x-bob. You also can't modify them.

Of course, I've heard you can lobotomize your x-bobkin to turn it into a pc-ish like thingy...

And I am a 100% PC person, but I do give credit where credit is due.

What do you mean? If you're referring to the "poking fun at the x-box name" then I basically made a typo like x-bobx at first, started to change it, and thought X-Bob sounded quite funny. =P

I did quite enjoy the original X-Box, but I must admit I have yet to have one single positive experience with the X-Box 360. Then again, Resistance: The Fall of Man and GTA4 have been the only two next gen titles that I thought had any merit.

Action action action.. I used to think that someday there would be games you could call a masterpiece. They just slop on new graphics to old gameplay systems. Where are the games I envisioned?

I see no games where you can take sticks and leaves and a few tools and build your own trap, which functions based on actual physics. Where is the fantasy with properties so realistic, that you could virtually make gunpowder if you so wished, even though nobody else in that game world has any clue what it is or does?

Sometimes they make a step in the right direction, only to take 10 steps back when something seems "imbalanced". Compare Morrowind and Oblivion's enchantment system. In Morrowind you could put several enchantments on one item, limited only by the item's total enchantment capacity (you could even cheat the system a little by placing several enchantments before improving them). Then in Oblivion you can only put one type of enchantment... because obviously the player should be limited in what they can do, right?... Right?

Radiant AI?... Yeah, sure, whatever. All game makers seem capable of doing is scripting everything.

Let's face it. These last next gen systems are crap. Oooh! More shiny! Let's see someone actually put the properties of elements into a game and how they react with one another. That's the day I will actually be impressed with the "next gen" of gaming. Of course, a game where you could ultimately do anything, be anything, and build anything that you could in real life will probably put a lot of people out of business.

Edit: Sorry, went off on a bit of a rant there but the last game that actually impressed me was Starcraft.

(on graphics) You expect something to visually impress you and then you're like, "Oh, they don't even have toes..". It's like leaving the back side of your house unpainted because "nobody is going to see it". Lazy. Yes, you, Mr. Next Gen Game Industry, I'm pointing my finger at you. L A Z Y!!

Edit 2: They can't even make a realistic grappling hook. Only ones I've seen attach to a pre-scripted point (Hey look! I wonder if I can get up there?... nope, must just be for looks) or only attatch to certain types of objects (like wooden textures in the case of rope arrows).

 

[junkevil]

Steam is going the right way, too. Want to play online and have fun? Buy a original copy. Then you can have all the fun you want. Fast, cheap and non-physical is the way for the game industry.

i couldn't agree with you any more about steam. it's great for games you buy because you never again need to worry about the cd or keys or anything. it's just there and you can download it to whatever pc you have whenever and play online. can't really beat that.

 

[aronsearle]

Steam has on several occasions refused to load for me without a re-start (in offline mode as well).

I don't know why, and i don't particulary care either, steam can go fuck itself.

 

[zioburosky13]

The main culprit of digital distribution now is the connection of the payer/buyer/user. Not every country is outfitted with T3 connection and most ISP never made the promise of offering a full speed (or 70% of total download speed).

Therefore, hard box copy is still prefer the way of getting a game.

Steam needs a competitor. A strong one.

 

[Ar.Pi]

I still think that for under $1000 a console will beat a PC hands down for performace and quality of graphics on the newest titles. And I'm talking about the entire PC for under $1000, including OS, mouse/keyboard, monitor, case power supply, CPU, MB, RAM, vid card, HDD, opticle drive...I just don't see $1000 going very far in a gaming PC, where as you can get a console and nice-ish HDTV for $1000.

Have you been checking the recent prices?

I'll make it simple for you:

E2180 = 70$
4850 = 140$
PSU & Case = 70$
HD (640GB) = 80$
MB = 100$
2GB (1066) = 40$
Keyboard & Mouse = 50$
Burner = 20$

Total = 570$

These are all quality components. I'm sure with a bit more search i can slash this price for another 70$ (that you can use to buy OS or something, i don't).

Add a Hanspree 28" 3ms monitor for 460$ and there you have it!
1080P resolution that beats the crap out of every console for less than a 1000$. Oh, with this rig, you can also browse this nice forum besides playing games

 

[pkt-zer0]

They can't even make a realistic grappling hook. Only ones I've seen attach to a pre-scripted point (Hey look! I wonder if I can get up there?... nope, must just be for looks) or only attatch to certain types of objects (like wooden textures in the case of rope arrows).

The new Bionic Commando game sets out to do just that. Hanging off of items not meant to support your weight (billboards, boxes) means they'll break and/or fall down. It's done by a bunch of Swedes, who were mainly PC developers, but is going to be a PC/X360/PS3 game, so I wonder just how far the interactivity will go.

 

[Moester]

I just don't see $1000 going very far in a gaming PC, where as you can get a console and nice-ish HDTV for $1000.

$1000? Easily done, for $1000 you will have a vastly superior gaming machine than any console. Try building a pc for under $500 and it might be somewhat of a contest, but even at $500 the pc will be better.

At $500, even with used parts you can't build a decent gaming PC. Now, $500 in upgrades on a basic PC...maybe. That and you have to put the thing together yourself. Forget buying an HP or IBM that won't be a slug for less than $1000.

So consider buying all the parts yourself, assembly, programing, getting a decent PC would take about 4 hours to put together and get running, configured and optimised...could be more depending on what operating system you load unto it.

On the other hand, you go to the store, get an XBOX, a couple of games, a basic HDTV and you've got cash left over for some snacks with your $1000.00. Your PC might be superior, but you had to build the thing, program it, and you're using used parts...And you're probably over budget, and will have to upgrade next year.

XBOX 360 is a clear winner for the budget gamer. Go from $1000.00 to $2,000.00 and the PC wins out because of versatility.

Now I'm sure you'll say that everyone has a PC to begin with, I will rebut and say that everyone has a TV anyways...So I can't consider that as part of my calculations.

 

[Ar.Pi]

People just astound me how much they live in the past.

Moester, didn't you see what i write 2 posts before yours?

I just proved that you can build a PC that is better (much better) than console. RETAIL! not used!

Yes you need to build it yourself. But i saw some deals from cyberpower or other OEM's that offer similar budget GAMING PC's for approximately the same price you can build it yourself.

and wtf is "programing" you refer to? It takes me to install windows and optimize everything the way i want in 1.5 hours and it's ready to do my bidding! So it takes about a day to get the build and next day its all ready (one of the favorite things for me about getting a new comp is building it, so i dunno what is the problem if it takes "so long" to start playing, wow big deal).

And no you don't have to upgrade it next year! It will last you good 2-3 years with maximum FPS (aside from games like Crysis).

we didn't start talking about that nasty problem that X-Box been having that could last you several weeks of waiting to get a new box. (dunno if the problem is still there, not into consoles).

 

[Moester]

I still think that for under $1000 a console will beat a PC hands down for performace and quality of graphics on the newest titles. And I'm talking about the entire PC for under $1000, including OS, mouse/keyboard, monitor, case power supply, CPU, MB, RAM, vid card, HDD, opticle drive...I just don't see $1000 going very far in a gaming PC, where as you can get a console and nice-ish HDTV for $1000.

Have you been checking the recent prices?

I'll make it simple for you:

E2180 = 70$
4850 = 140$
PSU & Case = 70$
HD (640GB) = 80$
MB = 100$
2GB (1066) = 40$
Keyboard & Mouse = 50$
Burner = 20$

Total = 570$

These are all quality components. I'm sure with a bit more search i can slash this price for another 70$ (that you can use to buy OS or something, i don't).

Add a Hanspree 28" 3ms monitor for 460$ and there you have it!
1080P resolution that beats the crap out of every console for less than a 1000$. Oh, with this rig, you can also browse this nice forum besides playing games

Ok let me put this back on you...You forgot to add tax and shipping costs, you need to assemble it all yourself and you're still over budget not to mention that you rounded down all those prices you're probably underestimating the before tax and shipping costs by at least $40. Then you've got the shipping of all that stuff which will cost about $60 and then you figure the 7% tax minimum. While the guy who bought an XBOX and TV at the store is playing his stuff the same day and probably has cash left over to buy a game; you are still waiting for the parts and will later have to assemble and configure the thing. And there what you will have won't be necessarilly be able to play top end games well. And you won't be able to for sure by next year.

We all know that PCs are superior and more flexible dollar for dollar, but consoles are better for gaming on a budget. And they're also much more user and upgrade friendly.

 

[Moester]

People just astound me how much they live in the past.

Moester, didn't you see what i write 2 posts before yours?

I just proved that you can build a PC that is better (much better) than console. RETAIL! not used!

Yes you need to build it yourself. But i saw some deals from cyberpower or other OEM's that offer similar budget GAMING PC's for approximately the same price you can build it yourself.

and wtf is "programing" you refer to? It takes me to install windows and optimize everything the way i want in 1.5 hours and it's ready to do my bidding! So it takes about a day to get the build and next day its all ready (one of the favorite things for me about getting a new comp is building it, so i dunno what is the problem if it takes "so long" to start playing, wow big deal).

And no you don't have to upgrade it next year! It will last you good 2-3 years with maximum FPS (aside from games like Crysis).

we didn't start talking about that nasty problem that X-Box been having that could last you several weeks of waiting to get a new box. (dunno if the problem is still there, not into consoles).

What are you talking about live in the past? Dude, I've build PCs too, and while you might enjoy it, there is a significant portion of the world that doesn't...and those people represent about 95% of the budget gamers.

You're saying that the machine you're talking about would be good for shooters for 2-3 years...sure as long as you turn half of the graphics off...No problem, you can run max FPS. Show me a three year old PC that was built using budget pieces that will play a game like Mass Effect with graphics and resolutions comparable to the XBOX 360. Because that's what you're saying can happen. In 3 years, spending the same money, your PC will still be better than the 360 and will be able to play the same game at the same speed and resolutions.

 

[Beelzebud]

And now we're left with a "debate" about "what system is better".

Is this all console gamers know how to do is argue in favor their favorite massive international corporation?

To my PC gamers: Don't tell them about how cheap it is to build a good gaming rig, it might mean they'll be playing PC games online instead of over Xbox Live where they belong.