No Zombie love? (Left 4 Dead)

[SenorBeef]

It wasn’t my intention to kick off a flame war, but the assumption that PC gamers were second class citizens and he essentially said “hey, go get your own thread” when the current thread hasn’t at all indicated a dominance by console players was insulting.

@Least_Original_User_Name_Ever

Well, we’re both going to need our own threads. Furthermore, we’re going to need a third for Playstation 3 folks.

There’s not a need for multiple threads. If you want to specifically schedule play time with fellow SDMBers just specify which system you mean.

Of course, it’ll get crazy with three threads all about the same game. There’s already a community Gamertag with the Xbox folks. Not so much for the PC people.

SDMB Steam Community

Our SDMB steam group is 46 members strong and growing.

@Justin_Bailey

Because PC gaming is a small niche nowadays?

“Small niche” is ridiculous. Consoles have overtaken PC in sales, but the PC gaming industry still drives the development of hardware. It’s pretty substantial. The relative ease of pirating on the PC also has driven down the sales numbers - but with a primarily online game like this the sales will be stronger because you can’t pirate it. Did you know the PC orange box substantially outsold all the console versions combined?

@Justin_Bailey

I don’t give a shit about higher resolution, I’d rather sit on my comfortable couch than in my uncomfortable computer chair.

My computer chair is more comfortable than my couch. Your argument is completely refuted! Besides, you can play on your TV using a computer.

“I don’t give a shit about higher resolution” - it’d make no difference to you if you had to play at 640x480 SDTV or a 1920x1080 monitor?

More accurate and responsive controls are a joke. Have you ever tried to play a fighting game with a keyboard? It’s hell.

Here’s the thing - you want a different type of controller on a PC? Plug it in. Using a $15 wireless receiver I can use my xbox controller to play my PC games if I want to. Can I plug a keyboard and mouse into a console?

You already said higher quality graphics, does including it twice prove that PC gamers are obsessed with graphics over gameplay?

No, this notion is ridiculous. Most games are released for consoles and PC now, so the game play is the same. The PC graphics are just better. The consoles are stuck in 2004/2005 technology which is 3 generations behind now.

Besides, traditionally PC games have had deeper and more complex gameplay. Games have suffered in recent years being developed for consoles and PCs simultaneously - they’re often dumbed down for the console market.

I’ll give you the modding community. It’d be neat to share tweaks like that for some good games.

But basically, it boils to me being an idiot because I like different types of games than you like (which of course makes you come across as an idiot). That doesn’t change the fact that console gaming is 10x more popular than PC gaming.

Cite on 10x? Especially accounting for the difference in sales due to piracy?

@Least_Original_User_Name_Ever

I’ll still happily throw down for the keyboard-controller throwdown if it ever happens.

Seriously? The technology is there to let PC and xbox 360 games crossplay. They won’t do it because they know the PC gamers would absolutely destroy their counterparts and it wouldn’t even be close.

@Justin_Bailey

Who’s being antagonistic? I was responding to SenorBeef getting mad that PC players were being pushed out, even though most of this thread has been discussion amongst Xbox 360 players and the fact that there’s already a thread for Steam matchmaking.

Give me a list of players you know to be xbox-exclusive players and pc-exclusive players, if you’re so certain this thread has been dominated by console players.

And that other thread isn’t about this game, it’s about our SDMB steam community. This is not entirely a matchmaking thread - it’s also a game review/discussion thread. Should people start posting their reviews of L4D over in our steam group thread just because they happen to be playing it on the pc?

It wasn’t my intent to hijack my thread, but I didn’t throw the first punch here.

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

The Gamertag is 45 members strong, yourself included.

In any case, the game releases soon. I returned a few games today and paid $19.83 for Call of Duty 5 including the preorder for Left 4 Dead.

[Justin_Bailey]

@SenorBeef

Cite on 10x? Especially accounting for the difference in sales due to piracy?

The retail game industry racked up $18.85 billion in sales last year. Only $900 million came from PC games.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50939

Obviously, downloadable games account for a huge chunk of the PC market, but I highly doubt that it makes up more than half.

[fluiddruid]

Folks, this is the Left 4 Dead thread. This is not the PC vs Console thread. Start your own thread if you’d like to continue this vein of discussion.

Besides, everyone knows that PC gamers are smarter and–

(aside) Anyway, if anyone wants to play in the evening US time on PC, let me know. I’m really digging the demo and I think I’ll buy the game too. I’m in the Steam group.

[Kinthalis]

I’m in for a game session any time in the evening easter time tomorrow or Sunday. And would definitely be up for an evening game when the game releases on Tuesday! Also on Steam - PC

[fluiddruid]

Is anyone else having trouble connecting to games? I have to imagine it’s just a shortage of game servers - I had no trouble earlier tonight, but now I can wait ten minutes and not find an available game to get into. I wish the UI were a bit more communicative about the delay - e.g. putting you in a queue, or letting you see progress. I feel out of control after having played Team Fortress 2 so much, and being able to see the servers myself.

[Kinthalis]

There was a patch today for Steam which fixed some connection/lobby problems. If you haven’t updated, you might want to try.

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

Ironically enough, Xbox Live was kicking everyone off. First time I’ve ever seen it do that repeatedly.

[Palooka]

I was getting that from Steam after this patch. :\

[Cowboy8467]

@fluiddruid

Is anyone else having trouble connecting to games? I have to imagine it’s just a shortage of game servers - I had no trouble earlier tonight, but now I can wait ten minutes and not find an available game to get into. I wish the UI were a bit more communicative about the delay - e.g. putting you in a queue, or letting you see progress. I feel out of control after having played Team Fortress 2 so much, and being able to see the servers myself.

I’ve been having some issues too, I’m just assuming it’s because so many people are trying to play the demo at the same time. I’m hoping that we’ll get the ability to actually see servers once the full game comes out.

I’m down for playing this weekend, I should be online several times, and I think I’ve already made friends with a couple of you guys on Steam, Hi Fluid!

[Darkhold]

As fluiddruid has shut down the PC vs console conversation I’d just like to point out if you go and read the article that Justin_Bailey posted and read the part about units sold of console vs PC it’s far less dire then the 14% of total sales makes it seem. More like 1 in 5 vs consoles. That’s not even including downloaded content.

The notion that PC gaming is some crippled cast off market nobody cares about is a weird myth that never seems to go away. Not trying to debate the merits of anything BTW I think both platforms are great and have strengths and weaknesses.

As for zombie killing I’d really love to give this game a try with my fellow dopers but alas I have no Mic and I get the feeling this game is too frantic for not having verbal communication. I lost my mic when I moved to England and haven’t ever bothered to pick a new one up as I don’t play online much. This is the one game that’s gotten me thinking of going to the store.

[Kinthalis]

Right, those figures are strictly retail based revenue. This does not take into account downloadable content of the PC, online subscriptions to MMO’s (so it doesn’t take into account the 11+ million WOW players) and while it takes into account console hardware, it neglects to take into account the huge PC gaming hardware sales (GPU’s, high end CPU’s and mobos).

Take that into account, and no way is the PC market a “niche”. Specially since the comparison against the total is unfair anyway. That other retail total includes hand held games, cell phone games, and ALL the console platforms put together.

Stack the PC next to any ONE of the next gen consoles and the myth is busted.

[fluiddruid]

Folks. You read my message. Start a new thread.

[Unauthorized_Cinnamon]

Hey everyone! I’m thinking of joining the SDMB Steam group and playing with y’all, but I’m wondering if some people might be willing to play at lowly normal difficulty and help me figure out what I’m doing. I’ve never been much for FPS, and as a result haven’t honed my skills. Full disclosure: I still also tend to shoot my teammates quite a bit. But I’m getting better, and I’d love to really get into this game. I’m just terrified of going on a server with a bunch of hyper-skilled strangers who will want to frag me for being too slow and getting hurt a lot.

Why am I playing if I’m so bad? Well, I love all things zombie. Plus, as I was practicing in single-player mode, there was a moment when I had only one bullet left in my pistols, and a smoker grabbed me. I took him out with a single headshot. That was so freakin sweet, I just have to keep playing.

Also, since I keep playing over again at the same difficulty, I can confirm that the Director is great. It keeps the game fresh even replaying two small maps. It also adjusts to give you some breathing room when you need it, but never lets things get boring.

[Cowboy8467]

@Unauthorized_Cinnamon

Hey everyone! I’m thinking of joining the SDMB Steam group and playing with y’all, but I’m wondering if some people might be willing to play at lowly normal difficulty and help me figure out what I’m doing. I’ve never been much for FPS, and as a result haven’t honed my skills. Full disclosure: I still also tend to shoot my teammates quite a bit. But I’m getting better, and I’d love to really get into this game. I’m just terrified of going on a server with a bunch of hyper-skilled strangers who will want to frag me for being too slow and getting hurt a lot.

Why am I playing if I’m so bad? Well, I love all things zombie. Plus, as I was practicing in single-player mode, there was a moment when I had only one bullet left in my pistols, and a smoker grabbed me. I took him out with a single headshot. That was so freakin sweet, I just have to keep playing.

Also, since I keep playing over again at the same difficulty, I can confirm that the Director is great. It keeps the game fresh even replaying two small maps. It also adjusts to give you some breathing room when you need it, but never lets things get boring.

Hey Cinnamon, I’d be more than happy to play through a few levels on normal with you. I don’t think it will take that long to get into the swing of things, although you do have to be careful about that friendly fire. I looked for you in the Steam group to try and add you but I didn’t see your name. If you do join it then add me to your friends list and I’ll try to hop on at the same time as you.

[Unauthorized_Cinnamon]

Thanks! I will try to sign up (and also get myself a headset) today or tomorrow. I will probably be playing in the evenings - while it is relatively easy for me to take the laptop into the playroom and post on the Dope while I watch the kids, mass zombie slaughter kind of requires all minors in the house to be in bed.

[Kinthalis]

Same here, I’ll be happy to join you guys too. I’ll be on tonight from around 7 and on (EDT).

[ToeJam]

My computer system can’t play the game I think. I d/l the demo and the screen was pretty much all black and pixelated- with oddly shaped triangles and no sound. It looked like games I used to play in like the late 80s on computers…

Bummer. I really liked this game too.

[Kinthalis]

If you don’t know your system specs you can go here to see if your hardware meets the minimum/required specs: http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/bonus/t/sysinfo_intro.tmpl?registration_option_id=7927&submit2.x=67&submit2.y=20&submit2=Go

If it does meet requirements, you might just be running an outdated driver for your video card.

[Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes]

So, it just released on Steam.

See you guys in three weeks.