Dark Souls Port Brings Console Problems to PC

[StriderShinryu]

So basically, the PC user base gets the same excellent game as on the consoles but with slightly smoothed out frame rate issues plus extra content. Hmmm... well, that actually sounds like more than was being asked for. As I understand it anyway, the request/demand was for the game to come to the PC as opposed to being console exclusive and now it has.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

I saw the game's graphics on the consoles so even if they are low fidelity compared to what a PC can put out,I will still get the game to try it out.

 

[IamLEAM1983]

This just in - Japanese Studio Cannot Approach Porting to PC Easily.

Why is this news? Every single time someone from Capcom to From Software try their hand at porting a big seller to the PC market, a slew of problems crop up. There's this cultural tendency in Japanese devs to code their own engines - which is admittedly changing nowadays, but still does happen - and then scratch their heads when their home-made engine turns out to be next-to-impossible to transfer to PC without some elements being thrown out the window.

I really can't wait for the days when the industry as a whole will have embraced one or two very specific engine solutions; preferrably Epic Games' efforts on the subject. I remember Resident Evil 4's PC port and how laughably bad it was.

Capcom: "Shaders? What shaders? PC gamers don't need no shaders, hater! FLAT, EVEN LIGHTNING EVERYWHERE LIKE A BAWS!"

 

[cerebus23]

Except for Games for Windows Live the PC version of Dark Souls is pretty much unrolling as id expect from a... 'rushed' PC port from a developer making its first foray into PC games with a publisher almost wholly unfamiliar to PC games.

My only personal issue is getting a controller, meaning i have to download that thing that lets me use a PS3 controller as a PC gamepad.

Pfft, might as well not release it on PC at all then. Given the fact the game is locked at 720p and 30FPS since they can't take the time to fix that, I doubt the bug testing is going to be that great either. The port is probably going to be a buggy mess that crashes every 5 minutes.

Hell, we might even have a contender for a worse port than GTA IV here.

If the game was a fetid mess i doubt that Eurogamer would have been able to provide us with the heads up about the FPS.

google motionjoy offline, most of the time i just run my ds3 in xbox 360 mode since 90% of games are solely designed to recognize the xbox pads, but you can run it as ds3 or tm or we custom profile you want with mj. just make sure you find the offline one since the online one sucks when your net goes out.

 

[Korten12]

Snip

A great change for the industry is coming. Its called PC gamers now see why you dont petition a developer who explicitly states, 'Hey, we suck at PC ports', and hope for freaking Crysis on their computer.

Oh my, you get EXACTLY the same as console gamers, as well as FREE, let me say again, -FREE- content that consoles have to pay for.

Man, they suck so much. Its all their fault and they should tank so every developer knows not to listen to the PC crowd about porting console games.

To everyone else, I support porting, but I mean cmon, if you dont support this developer, alot of developers wont bother. From Software seriously took a chance because of the PC petition, and im glad about that.

PC Gamers also get the game $20 cheaper then us that bought the game for consoles got. :/

 

[sneakypenguin]

1024x 720. DO they even make monitors that low res anymore... and a 30fps cap... well thats a non purchase. I wasn't expecting tessellation or dx11 features or anything but surely they would at least support an HD resolution with a decent framerate.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

You guys wanted Dark Souls, you're getting it, warts and all.


The game isn't going to be worse on PC, it's going to be exactly the same as the console version, the version you petitioned so hard to get.

And you get free DLC.

 

[fwiffo]

The frame rate issues are my biggest concern, so I'll be picking this up, when it goes on sale of course . Damn steam giving me cheap games, so I don't have time for this.

 

[Rabid Toilet]

This whole Dark Souls port thing is being blown way out of proportion.

News sites are making it out to be garbage that no one should buy, that the developers are rushing out a crappy port to make money, that the result is an unplayable mess. The reality is that PC gamers get the exact same game that consoles have. The exact same, perfectly playable, perfectly fine looking game we've been playing for so long.

But because the port isn't superior to the original, this is apparently unacceptable. Now, the game will likely not sell very well because of everyone being led to believe the port is crap. Say goodbye to getting PC ports of future titles. Apparently the same as everyone else just isn't good enough.

 

[Zipa]

Not being able to change the resolution is terrible especially for people with multi monitor setups , because generally if the game is not set to the correct resolution for the monitors then it will try to shove itself across the middle of both which looks just shitty.

 

[Carnagath]

Snip

A great change for the industry is coming. Its called PC gamers now see why you dont petition a developer who explicitly states, 'Hey, we suck at PC ports', and hope for freaking Crysis on their computer.

Oh my, you get EXACTLY the same as console gamers, as well as FREE, let me say again, -FREE- content that consoles have to pay for.

Man, they suck so much. Its all their fault and they should tank so every developer knows not to listen to the PC crowd about porting console games.

To everyone else, I support porting, but I mean cmon, if you dont support this developer, alot of developers wont bother. From Software seriously took a chance because of the PC petition, and im glad about that.

Your post is devoid of meaning and full of unnecessary exaggeration. Asking for a port that isn't capped at 30 FPS and where you can actually change the resolution is not "asking for Crysis". Also, "free" DLC (which serves as a promotional incentive for the game's release and seeks to draw in mainly people who have already played the game) does not make a bad port suddenly good. And yes, every developer should know that PC gamers have certain expectations out of a full-price game, such as for it to support some customization that allows you to utilize your hardware to a degree. If you fail to satisfy those expectations, then people will not pay full price for your game. It's pretty simple really.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

This whole Dark Souls port thing is being blown way out of proportion.

News sites are making it out to be garbage that no one should buy, that the developers are rushing out a crappy port to make money, that the result is an unplayable mess. The reality is that PC gamers get the exact same game that consoles have. The exact same, perfectly playable, perfectly fine looking game we've been playing for so long.

But because the port isn't superior to the original, this is apparently unacceptable. Now, the game will likely not sell very well because of everyone being led to believe the port is crap. Say goodbye to getting PC ports of future titles. Apparently the same as everyone else just isn't good enough.

Indeed.

I don't want to toss around the term ungrateful, but...

Look, at best, it's going to have a lightly smoother framerate, with free DLC. While at it's worst, it's going to be exactly the same as the console version.

I don't see the issue here.

 

[Ickorus]

This whole Dark Souls port thing is being blown way out of proportion.

News sites are making it out to be garbage that no one should buy, that the developers are rushing out a crappy port to make money, that the result is an unplayable mess. The reality is that PC gamers get the exact same game that consoles have. The exact same, perfectly playable, perfectly fine looking game we've been playing for so long.

But because the port isn't superior to the original, this is apparently unacceptable. Now, the game will likely not sell very well because of everyone being led to believe the port is crap. Say goodbye to getting PC ports of future titles. Apparently the same as everyone else just isn't good enough.

Indeed.

I don't want to toss around the term ungrateful, but...

Look, at best, it's going to have a lightly smoother framerate, with free DLC. While at it's worst, it's going to be exactly the same as the console version.

I don't see the issue here.

Ungrateful? At least you didn't say ..entitled. *GASP* [http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7qtdetHGF1r9og92o4_250.gif]

Yeah, pretty much the same as what you guys said. I enjoyed the game on the console so if it's basically the same thing but on PC I'm sure I'll manage to find a way to enjoy it.

Maybe this experience will help them improve any future ports they make.

 

[thethird0611]

Snip

A great change for the industry is coming. Its called PC gamers now see why you dont petition a developer who explicitly states, 'Hey, we suck at PC ports', and hope for freaking Crysis on their computer.

Oh my, you get EXACTLY the same as console gamers, as well as FREE, let me say again, -FREE- content that consoles have to pay for.

Man, they suck so much. Its all their fault and they should tank so every developer knows not to listen to the PC crowd about porting console games.

To everyone else, I support porting, but I mean cmon, if you dont support this developer, alot of developers wont bother. From Software seriously took a chance because of the PC petition, and im glad about that.

Your post is devoid of meaning and full of unnecessary exaggeration. Asking for a port that isn't capped at 30 FPS and where you can actually change the resolution is not "asking for Crysis". Also, "free" DLC (which serves as a promotional incentive for the game's release and seeks to draw in mainly people who have already played the game) does not make a bad port suddenly good. And yes, every developer should know that PC gamers have certain expectations out of a full-price game, such as for it to support some customization that allows you to utilize your hardware to a degree. If you fail to satisfy those expectations, then people will not pay full price for your game. It's pretty simple really.

Wow, so I dont know why I keep talking, probably because you started your rebuttal with "What you said is useless because im so much better than you".

No, you sir, are full of exaggeration and elitism. You think that you deserve something better just because you can. You dont take into account that the developer specifically said they are not good at ports.

You are saying this game is crap just because its the SAME SAME SAME SAME SAME game as the console version. PLUS, it has FREE content, ability to MOD, and 20 dollars LESS than when we first got it.

No, you have a false sense of entitlement (im sure this is apply-able here) just because you play on a PC. The world of gaming does not revolve around the PC area, and just because you cant have EVERYTHING you want from a freaking AWESOME game, then you decide "Oh, I want this developer to tank because they went OUT OF THEIR WAY for PC gamers in the first place.

Yeah, exaggerated my ass.

 

[alj]

Hmm it would not be too bad if you could set the resolution. Dont forget kids you can override a games defaults by creating a profile in the nvidia control panel. Not sure what you stinkin reds do but i am sure that AMD/ATI would have something the same.

I can also just get it on steam and you know have it work rather than having to install the game to a slow ass hardrive and then update my firmware, i also dont have to fat finger in a huge code with a controller

I think i know who wins

 

[cynicalsaint1]

Wow, After reading some of the comments here I am ashammed to call my self a PC gamer.

You are getting the same freaking game plus new added content for FREE. I can't count how many times I replayed Dark Souls on my PS3 and still enjoy the hell out of it despite some of it flaws. Like the framedrop rate in Blighttown, Fuck that place. So it won't run perfectly fine in 1900x1200 resolution or higher the 30 fps, So what? It is still a great game.

And here I thought the whole PC gamer elitist was a exaggeration or what the "extreme" ones where called. But apperently not.

Pretty much mirrors my thoughts.
Dark Souls looks damned good as is.
It may not have top of the line textures and resolutions, but the area design is awesome. I'll remember arriving for the first time in Ash Lake long after I've forgotten whatever environments the last Crysis game had.

I mean really - as someone who has a heavy duty gaming rig, I'm really not too concerned. 60 FPS is nice to have, but 30 FPS doesn't ruin a game. Top of the end graphics are nice too, but they don't make the game.

I mean are people seriously whining that the only improvement is they're getting is a substantial chunk of extra content for free?

Oh well I'm definitely planning on picking it up. The Souls series is one of my favorites, and I definitely want to support it as much as I can - and even better everything I've heard about the new stuff sounds awesome - it will be interesting to see how it answers some of our lore questions about the game. I'm already trying to figure out how to put together a good Artorias build in honor of the new stuff.

Can't wait for it!

 

[Weaver]

I, frankly, do see this as a problem. Time for a bunch of random thoughts.

1) The DLC is not "free". I have to pay $40 for the game (some stores in Canada are even selling it for $60 for some reason). This is not free. When you re-buy a game's GOTY edition with all the DLC do you claim you're getting all the DLC for free? No, because you aren't. It's also worth noting you can get the console version brand-spankin' new for $20 around my parts.

2) PC games have certain sets of features that are just flat-line basic in every single game. Rebindable controls, framerates that match the system's monitor and a set of graphics options that at least let you set the screen resolution. Isn't it a bit embarrassing that the fucking Quake engine from 1996 can run at virtually any resolution without any modification to the source code, and From can't uncap their framerate? I could boot up quake and put it in 1920x1080 just fine, and it would run in sync with my 120hz monitor as well.

3) They should honestly just release the game as it is with some debugging tools and just let the community fix all the issues. We're going to try to do it anyways, you may as well just make it easier.

4) Personally, I already own the PS3 version. I don't want that version again. Honestly, I had to stop playing in Blighttown. Props to whoever powered through that, but the game was essentially unplayable to me at that point. My criteria for buying this was a full 1080p game (though the textures can still be standard resolution, that's fine) with a framerate that was uncapped. I was fine playing with a controller, I was fine with no graphics options, I was fine if the game said "press start" at the beginning. These are just two things they needed to do (unlocked framerate and 1080p resolution) but they couldn't even manage that.

 

[Tastum]

Eh as long as it's not a buggy mess I'll still buy it.

I mean lately I've been playing through the BIT.TRIP games and have been having a great time. Great graphics are certainly nice, but not necessary.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

Hell, we might even have a contender for a worse port than GTA IV here.

...and Saints Row 2 was what, exactly?

 

[Siegreich]

This whole Dark Souls port thing is being blown way out of proportion.

News sites are making it out to be garbage that no one should buy, that the developers are rushing out a crappy port to make money, that the result is an unplayable mess. The reality is that PC gamers get the exact same game that consoles have. The exact same, perfectly playable, perfectly fine looking game we've been playing for so long.

But because the port isn't superior to the original, this is apparently unacceptable. Now, the game will likely not sell very well because of everyone being led to believe the port is crap. Say goodbye to getting PC ports of future titles. Apparently the same as everyone else just isn't good enough.

Indeed.

I don't want to toss around the term ungrateful, but...

Look, at best, it's going to have a lightly smoother framerate, with free DLC. While at it's worst, it's going to be exactly the same as the console version.

I don't see the issue here.

Ungrateful? At least you didn't say ..entitled. *GASP* [http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7qtdetHGF1r9og92o4_250.gif]

Yeah, pretty much the same as what you guys said. I enjoyed the game on the console so if it's basically the same thing but on PC I'm sure I'll manage to find a way to enjoy it.

Maybe this experience will help them improve any future ports they make.

No after this they're probably just not going to make any ports no matter how hard you petition, good job pc gamers, having the same game just isn't enough for you.