Ken Levine: The Future of Gaming Is In the PC

[Danish rage]

Actually my money is on the PC is on it´s way out.

People want simple stuff.

 

[Motiv_]

Oh for fuck sakes...

Both the PC and the Console market benefit the industry in different ways, neither are the "one true future for the medium as a whole"

Get the fuck off your high your high horses, just because you happen to play on a PC or a Console doesn't mean you are the last hope for the industry.

The argument that you can't have both is ludicrous. Not everybody needs mods to have fun.

This, right here.

I'm so sick and fucking tired of this constant war with fanboys trying to prove each other wrong. Why I even read these threads is beyond me, I guess I'm a sort of machosist or something.

I personally hate the Wii, but other then that, I own a PS3, 360, and PC, and enjoy playing on all of them.

Yes, PC gaming is expensive. Yes, PC's have mods and consoles don't. Everything has pros and cons, which is pre-fucking-cisely why you try them all, and don't just plug your ears and go "Lalalalalala" until everyone stops listening to you.

/rant

 

[Arcanist]

"If you want to know the future of gaming, buy a PC. And pay attention," he wrote. "Because above all, that thing on your desk is a crystal ball."

Levine, you've just won my coveted 'Awesomest Quote of the Week' Award.

 

[Arec Balrin]

Ok? Well done him, for having an opinion. Innovation comes in many forms, and the PC might be spearheading some innovation, it's had little of the mainstream innovation in the past few years. Both motion technology and 3D, the apparent current focus of the industry, are bypassing the computer. And while they may or may not be a fad or a trend period, they are innovation. And while the PC pushes things in every range of graphics, most of the graphical styles are remarkably the same; design innovation happens more on the consoles than anything else. And is it just me, or does anyone else see an inconsistency here:

"As a gamer, I'm a PC. I like the kind of games you can play on it. I like that designers know they have your full attention, so they feel comfortable EXPECTING your full attention," he wrote. "I like the ergonomics of the thing, the mouse and keyboard, the effortless transition from gaming to browsing to typing. I'm an alt-tab kind of guy."

If they have your full attention, why are you constantly switching back and forth, apparently too separate from the game to be immersed? If they require your full attention, why is your attention wavering back in forth in an "alt-tab" manner? There is a distinction between multi-tasking and doing things just because you can. Doesn't seem that it requires your full attention after all.

But, this isn't an anti-PC post. This is just me picking apart an opinion I don't necessarily agree with. Personally, I prefer consoles. PC has it's merits, but I prefer the ability to sit back in a couch, elbows at my sides, rather than on a desk. But hey, takes all types.

Err, every new Nvidia graphics card supports 3D gaming. Motion-control gaming, on the other hand, is just a less accurate attempt at copying the mouse. So yea, advantage PC there.

Advantage none. The mouse is no better than the analog stick. Same tracking system, same two dimensional means of vision/targeting direction over a three dimensional perspective image. Motion controls do the exact same thing, merely changing the way the user moves and changes the graphics being observed. The only difference between the mouse, analog stick, and motion controls is hand position and associated movement--the analog is the simplest, requiring only the thumb to move. Next is the mouse, moving only the wrist or elbow, then comes motion controls, moving wrist, thumb, elbow, and occasionally even shoulder.

Winner of the 'worst mouse ever' you're describing there. What's the DPI on it?

 

[Cocamaster]

You can always just connect a real Wiimote to your PC anyway.

How exactly does this relate to your claim of "the mouse being able to emulate the Wii-mote"?

Although why you would want to is beyond me. I have yet to be given an example of a game that has made innovative use of motion controls.

Be honest with yourself. The games exist, but you will not accept them as such. "Innovation" is, next to "hardcore", one of the most missused terms in the games fandom today.

And even ignoring that completelly, the sheer influence the Wii has had in the industry in the last 4 years, both good AND bad, makes it an important innovation. Make no mistake, the next round of consoles WILL feature motion controls as a standard, all thanks to the Wii.

 

[big_shaq12]

Ahahahahahahahaha... good stuff.

What about Nintendo, Capcom, Square Enix, Sony Santa Monica, Naughty Dog, Rockstar, Insomniac, Atlus and Sega? Console developers first. But I guess they don't count because they don't fit into his argument.

This guy is talking out of his ass.

Well Nintendo, Capcom, and Sega all got there start in video games in the arcade's. the Enix in Square Enix and Naughty Dog started in PC gaming. Rockstars first game was multi-platform and included PC. and Sony Santa Monica is owned by sony so they don't even have a choice and that leaves just insomniac and atlus.

Who was speaking out there ass again?

Edit: and both Nintendo and Sega started out games before video games existed

 

[gmf1]

I am happy to know that Fallout New Vegas will run as smoothly now, as it will next month. My Xbox always has the proper specs.

Well Actually they just turn the graphics down for console, they need to reach a 30fps minimum and just tune it all down.

In some cases a console version will have lower settings than the lowest setting on pc, but most of the time if you just turn the graphics down you should be able to play any game that has a console port and it should look just as good if not better.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Ahahahahahahahaha... good stuff.

What about Nintendo, Capcom, Square Enix, Sony Santa Monica, Naughty Dog, Rockstar, Insomniac, Atlus and Sega? Console developers first. But I guess they don't count because they don't fit into his argument.

This guy is talking out of his ass.

Where do they make all of their games? On PCs. So yes while they were obviously not PC devs the main point he is making here is that everything is made on the PC. Also he didn't say the only great or all great console devs are born on PC he just said great ones are which is not a bad statement to make but should of said some great as to avoid confusion.

What's the only platform that you can sit on the couch and play..... Consoles.

What's the only platform that can be operated by a monkey...... Consoles.

OP: Wasn't BioShock only on 360?

No it was on both and it is more than possible to PC game on the couch you don't need a desk to game PC. Also Bioshock was also on PC.

The mouse is no better than the analog stick.

Em can any controller out there switch between 800, 1600, 2400 and 3200 DPI with a simple flick while at the same time having two different sensitivity setting preset on it for only 20euro? No they can't. Mice are better at aiming than controllers the only thing that is on par or better for aiming is Wiimote. Standard analog does not even come close I should know I game both PC and console. The 360 controller does not even come close to my Saitek GM 3200 mouse and was cheaper or at least equal to in price of even used controllers I can find in Gamestop.

OT: While I would agree that PC gaming is better it is better for me personally not overall. While I don't PCs will ever go away as a platform people will choose what is best for them and for me best for me is PC although I do like having a console for the occasional game it runs better ie DMC, Ninja Gaiden or exclusives.

 

[Arec Balrin]

I thought the debate on thumb-sticks VS mouse was settled years ago when the first few games to have cross-platform multiplayer had a change of policy because the PC players were simple able to aim faster and more accurately?

 

[Alyssacubi]

In a way I kind of agree, but I also think that consoles will always be a part of gaming, I mean, the problem is the console is always behind on the technology is what makes the PC come out infront (Disreguard the whole keyboard & mouse vs joystick argument). But I do still think consoles are big hitters in the gaming industry, and in some cases even OUTSELL the PC versions of games, in the long run though? I honestly don't care, so long as both give great experiences whilst gaming and in the end, isn't that what matters?

 

[Cocamaster]

Oh, I am being completely honest with myself. Motion controls are a gimmick. Think about it, what are the Wii's best games? Super Mario Galaxy...Wii remote is used to waggle and point, neither a necessity. Super Smash Brothers Brawl...better with a Gamecube pad. Metroid Prime Trilogy...Wii remote is used to aim, can be done better with a mouse. Kirby's Epic Yarn...uses about as many buttons as the original NES controller, very rarely uses Wii remote.

I don't deny that the Wii has had a big influence on the industry, but that's not a good thing. It just means that consoles will become increasingly casual, and have more shovelware than ever.

So, basically, only the games you like on the Wii are the "best" and therefore their use of the Wii remote defines it's "level" of innovation?

Let's me see if you notice a pattern here:

You call motion controls a gimmic, and the games you like most make minimal use of them.

Then there is the whole "casual = shoveware". I've got some news for you my friend: shovelware has always existed, and it's main home is the PC, but that is not to say that all systems from the NES onward didn't have more than 2/3rds of their releases being garbage.

The Wii is an easy target because their bad games actually sell, like Carnival Games. But these games do not really form any bigger bulk they do for other systems INCLUDING the PC.

That's just a myth, the other being that gaming has always been "hardcore". If sports games are "hardcore", I live in the Batcave and my bed is next to the Batmite's.

 

[dragonburner]

*facepalm* smh

 

[Towowo2]

Even as consoles modernize more. The benefit of not needing to run a massive OS in the backround goes a long way.

Metroid Prime Trilogy...Wii remote is used to aim, can be done better with a mouse

Yeah the mouse is better but thats moot for a console. The Wii Remote actually has potential to be really good for a console FPS's once you can easily move the camera without pointing at the edge of the screen.

 

[t_rexaur]

Oh, I am being completely honest with myself. Motion controls are a gimmick. Think about it, what are the Wii's best games? Super Mario Galaxy...Wii remote is used to waggle and point, neither a necessity. Super Smash Brothers Brawl...better with a Gamecube pad. Metroid Prime Trilogy...Wii remote is used to aim, can be done better with a mouse. Kirby's Epic Yarn...uses about as many buttons as the original NES controller, very rarely uses Wii remote as a motion controller.

I don't deny that the Wii has had a big influence on the industry, but that's not a good thing. It just means that consoles will become increasingly casual, and have more shovelware than ever.

1. The mouse is a motion controller too, deal with it.
2. The PS2 had almost as much shovelware as the Wii. None of it impacted on enjoyment of consoles, why would shovelware today be different?.
3. Games come in waves, with a good (read: popular) one every few weeks. Does it make any difference if what is sold in between is shovelware or just a poor man's FPS?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

What's the only platform that you can sit on the couch and play..... Consoles.
What's the only platform that can be operated by a monkey...... Consoles.

Really not helping your argument, you know.

 

[Chesterfield Snapdragon McFisticuffs]

God damn it escapist. The title of this article is just so f**king misleading. After reading the ACTUAL article on Kotaku first that wasn't the vibe I got from it, but now it's just like posting flamebait.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

I expected the reasoning behind this to be that there is no real cycle of consoles, only short bursts of hardware upgrades. I got no such thing.

I still don't see the point in buying a computer that only serves entertainment purposes. When I buy a PC, I get a tool that I can game, work, and do almost anything with. I've never owned a console and probably never will. In fact, I hate consoles for making gaming ever more simplified, dumb and down-toned so that every 9 year old kid with a controller can play them.

Riiight, because more people playing games is a bad thing.

Don't be an elitist, nobody wins.

Actually, it is. The Wii emerged as a great device to attract the "casual" crowd. And by that, I mean non-gamers. You know what else it attracted? A whole lot of shovelware.

So did the PS2.

 

[The Austin]

What's the only platform that you can sit on the couch and play..... Consoles.
What's the only platform that can be operated by a monkey...... Consoles.

Really not helping your argument, you know.

It actually is. Consoles are far simpler and more convenient for the average dumbass like me.