Inside the Games Machines of the Future 180
UtahSaint writes "Electronic design, the guys who nicely opened up the
iPod a couple of weeks back take a look into the future of gaming - covering everything from the PC to the Gizmondo to
the upcoming Xbox 2 and Playstation 3 next-generation units. If you want to get more of an understanding as to where we're heading, this is
not a bad place to
start."
starting the betting (Score:5, Insightful)
It's funny how many people I know don't even think about using XBoxes for actual gaming.
Using better physics engines (Score:3, Insightful)
Future of gaming and the gamers (Score:3, Insightful)
My Future Console (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I was always taught... (Score:3, Insightful)
So, in essense, it boils down to the fact that having more hardware capability will not guarantee better games. It will probably guarantee better looking games, but the rest is up to creativity and execution and a good balance between revenue plans and creative risk.
What the hell? (Score:3, Insightful)
But come on, PCs don't trail behind consoles. It's the other way around. Resolution for starts, 480p vs 1024x768 (native of my front projector) makes a world of difference. I bought the XBox for HDTV but the hardware can't do it apparently, because there are very few games that will output more than 480p.
Re:My Future Console (Score:5, Insightful)
Whereas Sony are the paragon of free thinking, copyleft supporting anti-materialism?
How do people manage to delude themselves to this extent? Is there some drug you can take that surpresses all critical thinking abilities?
Re:Future of gaming and the gamers (Score:2, Insightful)
The problem is that there is no real breakthrough in gameplay anymore, and the question is are we gonna see something really innovative in the future ? I think the problems are indeed with the software and not the hardware:
Problem one is the increasing conglomerates of software houses. Making games more of business then an art, obvious example is ofcourse EA games. With it's main franchise existing of "recycling" games (especially with it's sports games).
Problems two, is the increased costs of making something really innovative. Only an idea is not enough, in the early days people would be satisfied with EGA graphics, but nowadays people want eye candy and pixel shaders, otherwise they won't even consider it.
Problem three is the increased shift of balance towards game consoles. The console world is in control of software houses, and there is in general a steep barrier for new game developers. Not to mention that the console lacks several input methods which make several games impossible (RTS, FPS).
But most importantly, for most of the gamers who have witnessed alot of games since the early days like doom, keen, etc, it's important to know that the level of expectancy has been raised also. I think the game industry is going the same way as the movie industry: Alot of average material, and once or twice a year something worthy.
Re:future consoles? (Score:2, Insightful)
I have no intention of (re)starting the PC vs Console debate, each platform has their ups and downs... Since you asked, for most games I play (racing, action/adventure, shoot-them-ups) the console is obviously a better choice. But as you say, for first-person shooters (HL2, Doom3, etc) the PC is clearly superior, if only because of the dual mouse/keyboard inputs.
I may be biased since most PC ports of console games I've seen completely sucked (*cough* RalliSport Challenge *cough* - it was unplayable on a beefed-up PC but flies at 60fps on a lowly Xbox).
I guess my point is that in general the best way to fully enjoy a game is to play it on its original platform (much like movies are generally better in their native language).
Re:starting the betting (Score:3, Insightful)
2) The Xbox has pretty good video output, an acceptably fast CPU and enough memory to get things done, a dvd-rom and a hard disk, 10/100 ethernet, and takes up fairly little space. It costs $150 brand spanking new and about $120 used. It has an nVidia video card (only useful when using the XDK, admittedly) and pretty good sound hardware. Show me another PC with all that for the same price. Remember, it has to take up the same amount of space as the Xbox, or less, and have Composite, S-Video, and Component-video output hardware.
Re:My Future Console (Score:1, Insightful)
Now, Sony ain't no angels, sure... and their media companies are as bad as any. But SCE isn't going to try to shut you down. Remember when Ken Kutaragi admitted [news.com.au] that Sony had made a mistake in allowing its media division to stifle its computer division, and promised to correct it? Honestly, I think SCE really gets it. I am sure that Microsoft will never ever EVER get it.