A Short Console Tech Inquiry

RebelRising

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For the past year or so, I've pretty much gone into 360 territory. The simple reason(s) being that my computer can barely run anything, and that the console is more fun to play with other people IN the room. Nevertheless, good old Blizzard games, some of the older Bioware games and such are still fond memories.

With the recent announcement of The Witcher going over to the 360 (and other systems-I don't know), I have to know. What prevents more games that would do quite well on consoles from moving over? I realize that consoles, unlike the vast majority of PCs are built from the ground up to facilitate games only. Writing tools, modding software and the like are impossible (right?) with game-specific processors and a limited hard-drive. But why hasn't there been keyboards and mice designed for the 360 and PS3? It seems that the logical solution to the difficulty of playing traditional RPGs and RTS's without the keyboard and mouse that comes with computers would be to just freakin' build keyboards and mice for consoles.

Am I just blind here? Is there some reason I've missed that such hardware wouldn't be feasible? It just seems like an oversight to me. Maybe I'm just technologically disinclined, but I've asked my mom's boyfriend (who knows a lot a bout computers), and he doesn't really know why they couldn't do that. Help?
 

joystickjunki3

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Microsoft as of current will not allow a keyboard and mouse to be released as far as I know. There are alternatives such as adapters for keyboards and mice, though; but the reliability of such products is shoddy at best normally.

PS3 does have a mouse setup, the FRAGFX. Although I do not know how well that particular product functions. As for alternatives on the PS3, I'm almost positive the PS3 supports normal USB input devices.

If you're going to replace your computer, either the PS3 or 360 is a great option, seeing as how the PS3 can function as a PC basically anyways and the 360 has many crossover games from the PC-realm. But the 360 functions only as a game system and media extender, as opposed to the PS3's media hub basis.
 

joystickjunki3

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Eggo said:
Besides, most console users seem to really detest the idea of using a far superior control method for first person shooters and other popular genres of games.
Do we really need to start a war here? Everyone has their preferences, and I'm not convinced that either way is superior.
 

joystickjunki3

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Eggo said:
joystickjunki3 said:
Eggo said:
Besides, most console users seem to really detest the idea of using a far superior control method for first person shooters and other popular genres of games.
Do we really need to start a war here? Everyone has their preferences, and I'm not convinced that either way is superior.
How can there be a war if there's not even a contest? :p
Indeed. But I still really like my Saturn pad.
 

RebelRising

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Eggo said:
joystickjunki3 said:
Eggo said:
Besides, most console users seem to really detest the idea of using a far superior control method for first person shooters and other popular genres of games.
Do we really need to start a war here? Everyone has their preferences, and I'm not convinced that either way is superior.
How can there be a war if there's not even a contest? :p

joystickjunki3 said:
Microsoft as of current will not allow a keyboard and mouse to be released as far as I know. There are alternatives such as adapters for keyboards and mice, though; but the reliability of such products is shoddy at best normally.

PS3 does have a mouse setup, the FRAGFX. Although I do not know how well that particular product functions. As for alternatives on the PS3, I'm almost positive the PS3 supports normal USB input devices.

If you're going to replace your computer, either the PS3 or 360 is a great option, seeing as how the PS3 can function as a PC basically anyways and the 360 has many crossover games from the PC-realm. But the 360 functions only as a game system and media extender, as opposed to the PS3's media hub basis.
Yeah, the PS3 is such a great computer replacement. Look at how well it supports Adobe CS4 and Office 2007!
Oy, never mind. Forget I asked.
 

Jamash

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I don't really know, apart from it would be a fad & not viable or profitable to produce.

There isn't really enough demand or enough applications to warrant a keyboard for a console. I know there's messaging on Xbox Live, for which you can buy a mini-keypad, but there aren't really any applications which need a keyboard.

Even on PC games which use a keyboard, you don't really use many of the keys to play, maybe W,S,A,D, space, enter, F1, F5, F8, tab, ctrl, alt, esc. Apart from the old text based adventures, I can't think of many PC games which make full use of a keyboard.

What would be the point in making a 13 button keyboard & mouse for a console, when a controller has more buttons and the functionality?

If you did release a keyboard for a console, apart from writing messages, most of the keys would be redundant.

Also if keyboards & mice were an optional extra, then not many games would be released which required you to use them, as that would alienate the majority of console gamers who didn't have them.

Another thing, keyboards & mice traditionally need to be placed on a desk to be used comfortably, and probably most console gamers have their set up in the front room, sitting in a easy chair or on the floor with the controller in their hand.

One of the points or 'gimmicks' of consoles using wireless controllers is to give the user more freedom in where and how they position themselves to enjoy their game, but a mouse & keyboard would severely limit this freedom, It would be a step backwards.
 

Dr Spaceman

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Even more so then the argument for mice/keyboards to be made for consoles for FPS and RTS, (Believe it or not, I actually know people who have tried both and prefer controllers for FPS games. Ridiculous? I think so, but that's just me.) I think the presence of internet browsing provides an even stronger reason. I only own a Wii, but I assume that the 360 and PS3 have some kind of Internet functionality. Don't tell me that running an on-screen keyboard with a controller (even the Wiimote) is easier than using a real-life keyboard. That's one argument I think no one can argue with.

I think the OP is right. It just doesn't make sense as to why there isn't a good mouse/keyboard setup on consoles. As mentioned above, I prefer my mouse for FPS games. Therefore, it seemed reasonable to me to be a primarily PC gamer. If Microsoft (or Sony, for that matter) released a good mouse/keyboard, I may be persuaded to jump ship.
 

Aardvark

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Eggo said:
Yeah, the PS3 is such a great computer replacement. Look at how well it supports Adobe CS4 and Office 2007!
You could have just videotaped you shooting yourself in the foot. It would have been a much better argument in favour of PCs.

The moral of this story: Never use yourself or a Microsoft product as an example.

With the possible exception of Active Directory.
 

dukethepcdr

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Actually, any keyboard with a USB connection can be plugged into a 360 right into the same port as where the play and charge cables go and will work. It will work just fine when typing messages to your buddies on Xbox Live. All the publishers of RTS games for the 360 need to do is enable you to map controlls for the game to keys on your keyboard. I haven't had the same luck with a mouse yet, but I don't see why it shouldn't work as long as the game was programmed for it. All the connectors for the "play and charge" cables for the controllers really are are USB connectors anyway.

The real hurdle right now for RTS games on consoles is making the 3-D RTS games work with the video cards and processors in the consoles. So far, 3-D RTS games play terrible on the 360 due to low framerates. They really should scale back the graphics settings for the 3-D RTS games before they publish them for the 360 and PS3. I don't see why they don't make 2-D RTS games for consoles (port some of the classics like Command and Conquer, Age of Empires, Civilization, Diablo etc.) instead of trying to make consoles play 3-D RTS games.