Replace warcraft with starcraft on that last sentence.
Hmmm. I don’t understand how it could be considered a “PC port to the console” if they’ve been developing both simultaneously… sure, they could design it for PC first, but AFAIK the plan from the beginning was to have it for both platforms, so I’m sure they didn’t make any design decisions that would make the crossover difficult, so if they’re designing with consoles in mind, that’s not really a PC-based design, is it?
And yeah, for the modding community, it probably is smarter to get the PC version. For me personally, I can barely be bothered to finish a game as it’s designed originally, even if I love it to pieces, so I’m certainly not concerned about mods.
It’s a good point about the party-based RPG, though. Having never played the PC version of ME, I don’t know what I’m missing there, but I can’t imagine trying to direct an entire 6-person party using a console controller. I’ll have to wait and see what reviews say about that. If they can somehow make the controls work well on the 360, I’ll go with that version every time.
You’re probably right about this. It is likely that even though the PC version was started first, some design decisions probably took console limitations into account. That vexes me. I’m still confident at least, that the GUI on the PC will reflect that platform’s best features. I don’t know how it will turn up on the consoles though. And I don’t really care.
I think this (just like the Mass Effect experience you mentioned below) is jut another case of not knowing what you are missing. Oblivion is just simply a better game thanks to community mods. Period.
It’s your loss in some ways, but if the xbox is what you prefer, then more power to you.
As for Mass effect there were a number of differences that really made the game a much more enjoyable and customizable experience on the PC. In the console version you could not give individual commands to your squad mates. In the PC version you could, allowing for a much more tactical and interesting (and less frustrating) approach to battle. Also, you didn’t have to enter the powers screen (as you did in the xbox version) every time you needed to use one of your abilities. This allows you the possibility for true run and gun gameplay. Toss in the much improved and easier to navigate equipment GUI and you’ve already got a game that is simply better on the PC. Need I also mention that the xbox 360 suffered from fps drops and terrible texture pop in and only rendered the game at 720p? I played the game at better than 1080p resolution and there was no texture pop in even with higher resolution textures than the console version sported, fps were rock solid as well (all things which contribute to a more immersive experience, IMHO). More details here: Mass Effect: PC vs. Xbox 360 - VideoGamer.com
I have no doubt Dragon Age will be a similar situation.
It’s not just the modding community that benefits. I don’t remember the last time I created a mod myself but I use them all the time. Most often it’s just a matter of downloading and unzipping. Morrowind, Oblivion and Fallout 3 were considerably improved with mods installed. The games were designed with them in mind, as are most Bioware games.
It’s one of the most obvious benefits that PC games still have over consoles. Mods allow you to play the game as you want it, it also allows you to install improved graphic packs over time.
When people say a game ‘was designed for a PC first’ they tend to refer to the interface. Console interfaces are designed to be clear from 6’ away, which makes them much too large and cumbersome to someone sitting 2’ from a PC monitor. Take for example the inventory system in Oblivion this is an example of the orignial interface, this one is modded. Console games only have a certain number of available ‘hotkeys’ and sometimes the PC ports don’t allow PC users to map actions to different buttons.
Personally I don’t care about multi-player, so I’m glad Dragon Age: Origins will focus on single-player only.
I’m looking forward to Alpha Protocol. It sounds a lot like Deus Ex which is one of the few FPS games I actually finished. I’m not typically a fan of the genre.
Also:
Starcraft II
Diablo III (oh… this year?)
SoaSE expansions.
Star Trek Online (I have to at least try a ST MMORPG even if it ends up sucking).
Bioshock 2 (the only other FPS I’ve completed was Bioshock).
Ghostbusters.
A few high profile PC exclusives have been released this year already. My favourite was Drakensang (RPG).
There are going to be more SoaSE expansions?! pray tell!
They always planned for 3 micro expansions. The next one will focus on improving diplomacy and I think the last one will be fleshing out the technology trees. There are no release dates yet AFAIK.
Fuel was finally released for PC on 23 June but appears to be only sold via online retailers. Steam put it in their store on 23 July and I got a copy from them. Nice arcade-style racing game; there’s even multiplayer capability and a course plotter for designing your own races. Haven’t tried either of them yet.
My friend is really excited about Borderland, I’m not entirely sold on its awesomeness, but I’ll probably be getting it. It seems to be a futuristic FPS/RPG that relies on random level and weapon generation (the former being described as akin to Diablo).
Dragon Age of course is a must. SCII, if Blizzard gets it out that fast, I’m certainly looking forward to.
That sounds painfully like Hellgate: London, if you ask me. wince
I’ve seen the gameplay trailer for it; I’m putting my $0.02 on :flopflopflop:
I’m looking forward to Deathspank by Ron Gilbert, the Mount & Blade Multiplayer Expansion, getting my hands on ARMA2, the Monkey Island expansions, Dragon Age, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Just Cause 2, The Saboteur, Splinter Cell 5: Conviction, Risen, Arcania: A Gothic Tale, Huxley, Dead Rising 2, Bad Company 2, Battlefield 1943 and Assassin’s Creed 2.
I don’t think Blizzard would release SC2 and D3 the same year. I think we’ll see D3 next Xmas.
So is there any word on Madden 10 for PC? I heard it’s coming back this year then I heard it’s not. I haven’t seen anything official since EA said that they would indeed bring it to the PC.