Gaming Signal: Decisions, decisions...

Decisions, decisions...

While, I would love to throw some more mud at those folks we mentioned in our previous posts. I have been trying to figure out what I should do about upgrades. Do I upgrade my PC to something that has PCI-express and SLI? Or do I simply ignore those darned bastages who make games that keep raising the PC hardware stakes and get an Xbox 360. I pretty much have a good idea that it will be a 360 (thats tree-sitty just to keep my street cred) since I really like some of the console only titles that are coming (Assasin's Creed, Mass Effect, Gears of War, Dead Rising, and Castle Crashers - just to drop a few names). But if you could only pick one new upgrade this coming year, what would it be? And then tell me why you chose that particular upgrade? Keep in mind, you are not limited to the two I mentioned. Any of the next gen consoles or handhelds or computer products are open, I just want to find out what folks are waiting on. Or maybe you are just all very happy with your fine gear, and for those folks, I h8 you .

You know I'd prefer to upgrade my PC than get a console. Given the changes in technology (SATA300, PCI-Express, dual-core, etc.) I believe that an upgrade today makes a lot of sense. Those faster, high capacity drives are great, PCI-Express x16 is just the thing for new graphics cards, and those dual-core processors make a real difference (even if games aren't multi-threaded yet - the OS certainly is.) Assuming you have the money to spend, I think that's a better choice than a console.

I'm not sure there is a need for SLI right now. Unless you're dead-set on playing all games at 1280x1024 with 4xAA, I'm not so sure you gotta have it. I can play most games at 1280x1024 with no AA without issue today and I don't have SLI. I did get an SLI-enabled mobo in case I wanted to upgrade to it - I just haven't had to yet.

I'm also convinced $500 gets you a pretty great PC upgrade - with more legs than a 360. However, I too am drooling over Mess Effect. Of course, I fear it won't live up to the hype despite the fantastic track record of Bioware.

Posted by Scott on Thursday October 05, 2006 at 9:39 AM

I'm not sure I agree with the 'legs' comment. Both the Xbox and PS2 have been out for around 5 years and the PS2, at least, is still going strong. It's been argued before that it takes a year or so into a consoles lifespan before the really great games come out, when the developers have learned the ins and outs of programming for it.

I see the same thing with the 360 and PS3. In fact, I think Sony said somewhere they were expecting the PS3 to have a 10 year life cycle? In any case, I'm expecting these next-gen consoles to last at least 5 years. How many PC upgrades will last 5 years? How many times will you need to upgrade your PC in that same time frame?

The other question hinges on the developers. Will console gaming become the primary focus for game development? I'm guessing it will. Developers have a known hardware environment to program in and they won't have to worry about some guy running a no name mobo from China with pieces parts tossed in and all using last years drivers.

PCs will still play a part, especially in the MMO space, but as soon as someone comes up with a keyboard/mouse controller for the consoles, that will be a shot across the bow of PC gaming.

Posted by jp on Friday October 06, 2006 at 1:15 PM

Even the best PS2 games today - like God of War - are notably behind in terms of graphics and AI than a PC game of today (say, Company of Heroes). That's the problem with consoles - they get obsolete and can't be upgraded (the 360's attempt with HD-DVD not withstanding.) I highly doubt a console can last 10 years because of that, but I give Sony a lot of credit for trying with HD and BluRay gaming. We'll just have to see if those DMCA-loving, root-kit creating, DRM-jockies can do it.

Personally, I don't think they will - I think the 360 has the upper hand for the next generation because of XBox Live Arcade (and that sweet SDK!)

That said, I'm currently avoiding either of them until the content pulls me in. Right now, nothing seems like it is worth playing on the 360 and the launch titles for the PS3 have me saying 'meh.'

Posted by Scott on Friday October 13, 2006 at 10:11 PM

Well, I bought a 360 this weekend, and I am not too unhappy about my choice. The fact of the matter is that upgrading my PC would cost me more than the cost of the 360 and I believe the PC will be able to play most of the games I want for another 6 to 8 months (which I hope will allow some prices to drop.)

I also want to counter what Scott says regarding AI and graphics. Those items are not necessarily lumped together. AI can be done on today's consoles and older PCs if the developer chooses to spend time on it. Relic and the folks working on Bioshock spend time and effort in that arena. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry believes AI is best handled by adding multiplayer to the game and calling it quits (which is weak in my opinion but that is for another discussion.)

As to the graphics statement, since when do high end graphics make a game. I hate to say that is another fallacy of the industry that you have to have top notch graphics to make a good game. Some of the greatest games of our time were not pushing the graphical envelope and were good due to other factors.

I will point out that the PS2 has been around for almost 6 years and I doubt that there is another gaming platform that can claim that type of success and longevity. I even say in the PC gaming space that has the most flexibility that there are all sorts of problems trying to run games from six years ago. This is not a claim that console gaming is superior to PC gaming, but there is something about having a static platform to develop for. Furthermore, the standardization makes it much more appealing to a broader audience.

Finally, at the end of it all, I will play on all platforms and I think that is a good thing. I understand that this does not appeal to everyone, and at the end of the day - the decision to buy a given video card upgrade or console is a personal thing. I don't regret my decisions since I think there is enough there to keep me occupied well beyond the time I have available for gaming.

Posted by Tim on Monday October 16, 2006 at 10:07 AM

Well, I have a weakness for button mashers and I got Ninety Nine Nights since I like the concept - and I know it did not get the greatest ratings. I am also picking up Dead Rising (even though I know Trent did not like it) since there is something about bashing zombies with a skateboard has something appealing.

Those two should keep me busy until Gears of War comes out - which I am very much looking forward to.

Posted by Tim on Monday October 16, 2006 at 10:37 AM