My Lesson in Buying a Console System [Archive]

scrapser

06-29-10, 10:20 AM

Arclight

06-29-10, 10:32 AM

I think it's because it's more likely for a console to be available to a kid than a gaming PC. In comparison, consoles are a lot cheaper than a "specialised" PC with the proper hardware. As a result, most kids grow up with consoles to play games on, never experiencing gaming on a PC firsthand.

I guess sitting 2m away from a TV helps hide the comparatively poor graphics as well, but then it should be said that graphics don't make the game in the first place.

Given the average Xbox user's intelligence, as presented (or stereotyped) in YT videos, it's probably for the best they stick to consoles anyway. :DL

ajrimmer42

06-29-10, 10:50 AM

Gran Turismo 5. That's all I'm saying :yep:

Spike88

06-29-10, 10:55 AM

Gran Turismo 5. That's all I'm saying :yep:

I concur. You should of gone with a Ps3 for Gran Turismo 5, free multiplayer, and built in blu-ray player.

TheBrauerHour

06-29-10, 11:45 AM

I have owned an Xbox, Playstation, PS2 and currently my children have a Wii. I want a PS3 for the sports Games (Baseball, Football and Soccer), but all these game systems cost so much.

If they ever drop the price of a PS3 to $199, I will buy, but until then, I will just let the kids play.

Task Force

06-29-10, 11:53 AM

Yea, I dont understand some of the people who I know with consoles...

The main thing I hear them say is "Oah, how great the graphics are" I look at them and think... "what world do you live on..."

Also most games Ive seen for the Xbox are mainstream, stupid games taylored to a kid with the attetion span of a fly. Who dosent knotice how fugly the graphics are because there is a explosion going off every other second.

Most of the people I know who are console gamers would go crazy playing a PC game, If I was to give them DCS Blackshark there head would probably explode...

Castout

06-29-10, 10:58 PM

I just want to say I WILL NEVER buy a console. In fact I HATE console.

All the games I'm interested in playing are in PC anyway. Well except that fabulous racing game that I forgot the name.

FIREWALL

06-29-10, 11:14 PM

After getting some good info from member danlisa I almost bought a PS3.

Forget now why I didn't.

kiwi_2005

06-30-10, 02:08 AM

Console FPS games with auto aim = :har::har:

Put a pc gamer v console player playing say battlefield and the PC gamer will win hands down. Why, cause hes far more skilled, you don't need any skill with auto-aim.

danlisa

06-30-10, 02:52 AM

:haha: I lol'd

Let's do the facts.

Xbox Games: Not a single game on this console can do 1080p natively to a 1:1 pixel ratio. Xbots will have you believe that it can but its been proven to be a 1:4 pixel ratio upscaled.

PS3 Games: The current 1080p vs 720p ratio stands at about 30 vs 70%. True, the majority of retail disc games are 720p, dependent on whether the dev studios want to fix FPS to 30 or 60. Most PSN games are 1080p @ 60 FPS. The PS3 is the only market console that can do 1080p 1:1 natively.

Displays/TV: I'll say this, mainstream TVs are maxed to 1920 x 1080 resolution. Why does a console need to be capable of anymore?

All mainstream studios know where the money is. They are all shifting their resources to consoles because of the higher monetary return, larger adoption of new titles at retail price, 0% piracy (except a small xbox percentage) and the knowledge that they don't need to account for differing unknown variables in the PC market in terms of hardware.

Yes, most games on a console won't be as in depth as a PC RTS or simulations, for example, but it's only a matter or time.

I welcome the trend switch from PC to Console, not because of the touted game genres but because it ensures continued existence for the game studios as well as stamping out piracy.

As for Console vs PC gaming. You'll get your chance, Steam is coming to the PS3 ;) starting with Portal 2, and as the PS3 supports Keyboard and Mouse input I expect to be kicking PC players asses very soon.:D

Anyway, I respect the OPs initial intent. Xbox Sucks, PS3 rules.:arrgh!:

kiwi_2005

06-30-10, 03:26 AM

:haha:

As for Console vs PC gaming. You'll get your chance, Steam is coming to the PS3 ;) starting with Portal 2, and as the PS3 supports Keyboard and Mouse input I expect to be kicking PC players asses very soon.:D

:arrgh!:

A friend of mine who turned console lover was playing Bad Company 2 on the xbox with 'sticky aim' on. I was disgusted at him, dude what are you doing! Sticky aim I mean come on! :nope: :)

PS3 supports kb/mouse at least sony got that right.

stabiz

06-30-10, 03:42 AM

Consoles are silly. That might change at some point, but right now there is no reason to own one.

onelifecrisis

06-30-10, 06:11 AM

Yes, most games on a console won't be as in depth as a PC RTS or simulations, for example, but it's only a matter or time.

I welcome the trend switch from PC to Console, not because of the touted game genres but because it ensures continued existence for the game studios as well as stamping out piracy.

I would like to agree with you but I've been waiting for the bold bit for about 10 years and so far there's little sign of it. Several PC game development companies have moved away from PC and toward consoles and the result has been a noticable "dumbing down" (sorry) of their games. That said, the console games of these ex-PC developers do tend to have a bit more "je ne sais quoi" to them than the garbage that gets churned out by your typical console development company. And they've certainly enjoyed success!

What I see is the games market heading to a middle ground. A blend of fun and depth that's somewhere between the old stereotypes of "console games" and "PC games". I seriously doubt that we will ever see extremely deep simulation/strategy games for consoles, not least of all because console games are played on the sofa! If the player is sat several metres away from the screen then you can't cram that screen full of the kind of information typically needed in a "deep" simulation/strategy game, no matter what the resolution is. Imagine trying to read your SH3 dials and map, or your Civilization screen, from 2 or 3 metres away! It's not going to work. That said, I think the aforementioned ex-PC game developers have raised the bar in console games and shaken up the market a bit. Their success will not have gone unnoticed by other game developers.

:know:

Spike88

06-30-10, 09:11 PM

So I bought Forza 3 today for my 360. The last time it was turned on was about a week ago and that was because the on button was turned on accident. Although I have been meaning to turn it on to play ME some more. I put the second disc in (which has 1.9 gigs of extra content on it) to see whats on it. I ask my girlfriend to plug my ethernet cable into the back of the system so I can get online.

So she tilts the system forward(while the disc was running). I'm screaming "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Meanwhile 360 is letting out a god awful noise and my brand new game is being destroyed. :wah:
Whoever the screwball in Microsoft that decided to not cushion the discs should be shot. Another reason I love my Ps3, I can move it perfectly without the disc being scratched. :stare:

FIREWALL

06-30-10, 11:10 PM

Consoles are the future and will if, not already be a main part of a complete Home Entertainment system.

The past was P-4,AGP,DDR, and IDE. Those of us who could, moved on. Multi-Core,PCI-E,DDR2or3, and Sata.

I for one will move on again in near future with a Highend console PS3 or Better. :)

onelifecrisis

06-30-10, 11:46 PM

<snip>

Wait... you can't tilt an Xbox 360 while the disc is in or it will scratch the disc? OMG, that's ridiculous. :nope:

Spike88

07-01-10, 01:53 PM

Yeah, the discs aren't cushioned into place so tilting to any direction causes the disc to come in contact with what I believe is probably the disc reader scratching a circle into your discs.

Here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQN_pz1KfMo

Hartmann

07-01-10, 02:23 PM

PC games are is a lot better but there are a campaign against open systems like Pc marquet.

they want only put the disk on the player and play, no mods, no instalation and other things, and of course , no piracy

Dowly

07-01-10, 02:32 PM

Haha, aaaw, ain't Xbox360 just lovely? :haha:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ0Tbxl2tWs

Ducimus

07-01-10, 03:28 PM

I stopped messing around with consoles sometime around the Sega Genesis.
The graphics were always sh*tty, the controls tend to be lame, the games tended to be shovelware, the port's even worse, and you always seem to have to buy a new console system every couple years when the one you were using went obsolete. You can't upgrade those things, and then you'd have to buy all new games for the new system. Phhhttt.

I stopped using consoles at around that time (sega genesis). So, PS (insert number here), Xbox (insert another number here), whatever. I've never had a reason to even to want to investigate the latest limited hardware POS called a console. As long as i can buy games for the PC, i have no reason to.

AVGWarhawk

07-01-10, 04:01 PM

Meh....I got my girls a PS3. Plays games obviously. Also has internet access which is quite good (can get a small keyboard) and plays blueray/older DVD. I like the unit myself. Right now I'm playing Red Dead Redemption and I have Assasin Creed. Both very fun. I do prefer the PC though.

Falkirion

07-01-10, 10:52 PM

I've got a Wii and 360. Haven't touched my Wii in over a year. The only reason I'm going to touch it again is when I get my hands on the new Zelda and Trauma Center games.

My Xbox is continually expanding because I enjoy its ability to provide me with a dvd player and games machine rolled into one. The downside. Its my 4th 360. No. 1 had a busted harddrive out of the gate, No. 2's dvd drive broke after a week of play. No. 3 lasted me 2 years, and I got another 3 months use out of her after she put up her first RROD, I was sad to see that one go. It was a loyal machine. Now no 4. so far hasn't turned up any problems, but i'm going to trade it in and hopefully get my hands on a 250gig model. If the trade in drops the price by enough, if not then I'll stick with no 4.

But my PC gaming hasn't died since I started playing way back on my dads really old monochrome Toshiba. Been in love with the PC platform ever since. Now I just need to find a decent PSX e**, so I can play Harvest Moon Back to Nature again.

Sonarman

07-02-10, 02:03 AM

Must admit I'm thinking about a little DS for train commuting etc mainly because it now has quite a lot of nice little strategy titles eg Civ Revolutions, Advance Wars, Endwar etc and even a naval game Steel Horizons. The touch pad makes things much more flexible in terms of the kind of software that can be offered on the platform although graphically it's getting a bit long in the tooth, the forthcoming 3DS looks quite a bit better apparently it will be close to the Wii in terms of graphics & in 3d to boot.

Spyguy101

07-20-10, 12:25 AM

Wolfehunter

07-21-10, 03:05 PM

A couple weeks ago I bought the new Xbox 360. I have been keeping an eye on the console industry over the years but not really paying attention at a level one would if they owned a system. I wish I had.

Consoles (any console system) are years behind PC hardware and High Definition television in terms of graphics. This was my biggest shock.

You see lots of ads on TV for FPS games on consoles and yet the controllers they use suck for FPS compared to keyboard and mouse control. You would think they'd at least offer an optional controller tailored for FPS games using a thumb trackball. This was my second biggest shock.

Ninety-nine percent of all console games can only manage 720P screen resolution which makes them look like cartoons compared to widescreen monitors using 1920x1200. The new Xbox upconverts to 1080P but it still looks like crap.

And yet with all this, the market for console systems and games is huge. Retail stores barely support PC games.

The world is truly a strange place.
Console system is a scam. But it sells. More and more fall for its gimics. I got my PS3 for free while buying a laptop for my wife. I only use the PS3 for blue-ray movies. works great for that.

Also needing online activation of you account to play some games. Jezz.. :nope:

my brother still plays his PS2 and won't get any newer console. Doen't like the idea of monitoring and having to sign up to stuff for a stupid game. not worth the headaches and I agree with him.

I'll stick to PC games. ;)

Lionclaw

07-22-10, 03:02 PM

My 360 is behaving oddly, pausing a movie DVD for a few minutes locks it up and won't respond. Red ring of death if I restart it.

Once it froze on the start-up sequence.

I wonder if it's dying or if it's the power supply cable, since it's at an awkward angle just after the plug that's connected to the console. Basically a U shape.

If it's indeed dying, it only lasted 2 years and 2 months.

EDIT: According to Xbox support it could be power supply issue. Perhaps there's some damage to the wiring inside the part of the cable that's bent like a U.

danlisa

07-23-10, 02:54 AM

Also needing online activation of you account to play some games. Jezz.. :nope:

my brother still plays his PS2 and won't get any newer console. Doen't like the idea of monitoring and having to sign up to stuff for a stupid game. not worth the headaches and I agree with him.

There isn't one single disc based game for the PS3 that needs you to be online with an activated PSN account, not one, unless you want to engage in online MP.

The only games that require accounts/activation and a net connection are those bought from the PSN store but you/your brother won't even know about them if the console is not online with a PSN account.

The PS3 can be used just like the PS2, completely offline, with no net connection and if a game requires newer firmware then it's included on the disc.

I suppose PC gaming is better in that respect, I mean having a UBI account, EA account, R* account etc etc.......compared to my single PSN account......

Dowly

07-23-10, 03:03 AM

Dan, you REALLY should consider applying to some PR job for Sony. :DL

danlisa

07-23-10, 04:35 AM

Dan, you REALLY should consider applying to some PR job for Sony. :DL

LOL, tell me about it.:D

I want commission too. Last week I got them 2 Vaio and 3 PS3 sales. Where's my kickback?

Wolfehunter

07-23-10, 02:12 PM

There isn't one single disc based game for the PS3 that needs you to be online with an activated PSN account, not one, unless you want to engage in online MP.

The only games that require accounts/activation and a net connection are those bought from the PSN store but you/your brother won't even know about them if the console is not online with a PSN account.

The PS3 can be used just like the PS2, completely offline, with no net connection and if a game requires newer firmware then it's included on the disc.

I suppose PC gaming is better in that respect, I mean having a UBI account, EA account, R* account etc etc.......compared to my single PSN account......Sure your right. If you don't want updates or patch fixes for games. If you don't connect it to the net it act like the old PS2 system. Newer games will require PSN accounts. Has nothing to do with multiplayer. Thats there new policies changes that came out a year or two ago.. When does sony plan to enforce this? I have no idea. its just written there for now. :06:

i have the email somewhere.. to lazy to bring it out. Anyhow I don't play console games nor do I play PC games that have uber DRMs like ubisoft.

Those few DRM games I do buy I fix them so there not intrusive. :03:

Highbury

07-23-10, 02:54 PM

I have a console, but only use it for games that are just not available on the PC. Which basically means EA Sports games lol. Of those I really only play the NHL games, which is why my Xbox is usually referred to as my hockey box. :woot:

danlisa

07-23-10, 03:04 PM

Sure your right. If you don't want updates or patch fixes for games. If you don't connect it to the net it act like the old PS2 system. Newer games will require PSN accounts. Has nothing to do with multiplayer. Thats there new policies changes that came out a year or two ago.. When does sony plan to enforce this? I have no idea. its just written there for now.

I know exactly what you're referencing. I have all the revisions of the Terms of Service for the Playstation Network (PSN) and the Terms and Conditions for the Firmware Updates released so far for the PS3....Long story but I was pi$$ed at them for removing my Linux option....anyway.....

The parts they amended in both T&Cs was to do with trend data collection for all existing and future PSN accounts. Much the same as Google do in Chrome, M$ in IE etc.......basically, like it or not, if you have a PS3 + PSN account Sony can collect any data (not private) they like without prior permission. They also added the fixed requirement that some/future digital content (obtained from the PS Store) may require the owner to be signed in to even start the game. Heck, I have 2 of these games already. Not signed in = no play, but again if you're PS3 is not online you can't get this content anyway.

However, there has never been (or will there be in this generation) the forced requirement to create a PSN account and to have the PS3 connected to the internet as a requirement for any future disc based games. Perhaps the PS4 but not this time around.

Which games does your brother think he is being forced to create an account for?

CaptHawkeye

07-23-10, 07:30 PM

Consoles are silly. That might change at some point, but right now there is no reason to own one.

Says you right? Look, we can sit here on this forum and butt-hurt all we want about the industry shifting to business-convenient console development. That's not going to stop reality from...well...being reality. Millions of people own consoles because, *gasp*, it turns out Joe Average does not actually care about random hardware specs and CPU clocks. He wants to play an instant gratification game with his bros online. Who can blame him either? I'll be damned if games like Gears of War, Warhawk, Bad Company, and even Halo aren't fun. Simple as they are.

PC users will sit around complaining that the industry is ignoring them. Frankly, it's probably good that's happening. Mainstream developers have shown they have little interest in developing for a market prone to insecure sale, critical of slow progress in development, and constantly eager for more and more developer support for little more reason than nostalgia. Most PC games released over the past 3 years have basically been developed for consoles and just ported to the PC. PC gamers are not a priority for mainstream developers, yet their continued precense in the market continues to stifle indie development. (Not that indie developers are perfect either.)

Consoles are just a really attractive market for developer and consumer alike. That's the reality of having a simple, robust, versatile technology that anyone can afford.

Developers are gamers, but they're businessmen first. In order to run a business, they have to go where the revenue is. Without it they'll be unable to develop at all.

We. Are. Not. That. Revenue. Sorry guys, that's all their is to it.

Wolfehunter

07-24-10, 05:24 PM

I know exactly what you're referencing. I have all the revisions of the Terms of Service for the Playstation Network (PSN) and the Terms and Conditions for the Firmware Updates released so far for the PS3....Long story but I was pi$$ed at them for removing my Linux option....anyway.....

The parts they amended in both T&Cs was to do with trend data collection for all existing and future PSN accounts. Much the same as Google do in Chrome, M$ in IE etc.......basically, like it or not, if you have a PS3 + PSN account Sony can collect any data (not private) they like without prior permission. They also added the fixed requirement that some/future digital content (obtained from the PS Store) may require the owner to be signed in to even start the game. Heck, I have 2 of these games already. Not signed in = no play, but again if you're PS3 is not online you can't get this content anyway.

However, there has never been (or will there be in this generation) the forced requirement to create a PSN account and to have the PS3 connected to the internet as a requirement for any future disc based games. Perhaps the PS4 but not this time around.

Which games does your brother think he is being forced to create an account for?He doesn't care. He's not even going there. Regardless of the possible future changes. He has enough games for his PS2 to last him many years.. And then borrow my PC games on top.. ;)

He's not a hardcore gamer like me. He doesn't burn through games like I do. :03:

Wolfehunter

07-24-10, 05:36 PM

Says you right? Look, we can sit here on this forum and butt-hurt all we want about the industry shifting to business-convenient console development. That's not going to stop reality from...well...being reality. Millions of people own consoles because, *gasp*, it turns out Joe Average does not actually care about random hardware specs and CPU clocks. He wants to play an instant gratification game with his bros online. Who can blame him either? I'll be damned if games like Gears of War, Warhawk, Bad Company, and even Halo aren't fun. Simple as they are.

PC users will sit around complaining that the industry is ignoring them. Frankly, it's probably good that's happening. Mainstream developers have shown they have little interest in developing for a market prone to insecure sale, critical of slow progress in development, and constantly eager for more and more developer support for little more reason than nostalgia. Most PC games released over the past 3 years have basically been developed for consoles and just ported to the PC. PC gamers are not a priority for mainstream developers, yet their continued precense in the market continues to stifle indie development. (Not that indie developers are perfect either.)

Consoles are just a really attractive market for developer and consumer alike. That's the reality of having a simple, robust, versatile technology that anyone can afford.

Developers are gamers, but they're businessmen first. In order to run a business, they have to go where the revenue is. Without it they'll be unable to develop at all.

We. Are. Not. That. Revenue. Sorry guys, that's all their is to it.Most hard core PC gamers want the big names to leave the PC market. New names will come and bring new games. PC games have always been the underdog's in the entrainment world. Been like that since its start. Old Dev's leave and new blood comes in. Sure we may not have the amazing graphics like the console "cough cough" :haha: But hey your right to most people buy consoles. Makes me happy consoles are for them anyhow... I'm a PC gamer forever.. Let them get there money's. Sure..

So EA, Ubisoft, THQ, Stardock, etc.. good riddance. :salute:

CaptHawkeye

07-24-10, 06:41 PM

That's what i'm saying. Big name developers have clearly shown they have no interest in developing for the PC market. So let em' leave. Otherwise they're just going to keep treating the market like an ignored bastard child they can make a little money off of every now and then.

Unfortunately, that leaves the market to crazy indie developers. Indie developers are nice in that they have little in the way of market obligations, they they're more free to develop in whatever direction they want.

The problem they're also usually ignorant of good gameplay design, are massively paranoid about pirates, have scant resources etc.

As always it comes down to choosing your poison.

Lionclaw

08-09-10, 06:45 AM

Getting a new power supply thingy for the Xbox 360 didn't help, it's a hardware problem in the console it seems.

And the Xbox online support for getting a repair request has an error in it... Yay, Micro&%¤*! :shifty:

3 Red rings.. Still have 1 year on the warranty. I've had it for a bit over 2 years, not really impressive reliability. :shifty:

My PS2 is at least 5 years old and still runs perfectly.
Heck, my Nintendo 64 is over 10 years old and it still works.