Ideas, ideas...
PC gamers seem to have the tendency to protect their hobby like the family jewels -- so when a site like BigDownload (BD) comes along and tells them how it can be better, you get something like five page-long forum threads flaming said suggestions like mad. Which is where we come in to introduce a little diplomacy to the matter.
BD's list is summarized as follows:
- Eliminate On-Board Video Cards
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- Launch Windows 7 NOW
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- More pre-release PC game demos
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- Stop charging for skimpy DLC
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- PC gamers want same DLC as consoles
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- Use real money for Games For Windows
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- More real PC sports games
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- More music games on the PC
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- Little to no DRM
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- Improve more than just graphics
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- Cut prices for game downloads
Some of the suggestions are, admittedly, pretty ridiculous -- releasing Windows 7 now based on the logic it is superior to Vista and XP (the latter in some ways), is not sound, for the same reason that Sims 3 delay is largely a good thing: more time in development equals a better product in the end; if it was ready to be released now, it would be. And the points about downloadable content (DLC) are contradictory -- if you want the same content as console owners, why should they have to pay but not you? Especially when PC games are often cheaper than their console counterparts these days..
But there are some great ones, like eliminating on-board video cards (this would bring the overall price of decent dedicated cards down) more pre-release demos (this would cut down on a lot of the piracy myths, too), and minimal digital rights (restrictions) management (DRM).
In fact this is all reminiscient of the Gamers' Bill of Rights, but hey, the more exposure these demands get, the better, hm?
What would you change about PC gaming, if anything?
forums
Lower price on steam and full choice of games world wide instead of just the US.
Not bothered about DRM except install limits.
Cheaper hardware, ie not paying thousands to play crysis.
Also, the integrated GeForce 9300M/9400M GPUs from nVidia, and the Radeon HD 3100/3200/3300 GPUs from AMD/ATI really aren't that bad. Sure, they might not play a lot of games, but it is definitely more than integrated GPUs used to be able to. Besides, they're good for saving power with stuff like Hybrid SLI/CrossfireX
The rest of it is completely true though. I mean, I like how Steam has The Orange Box for $30, but why is Call of Duty 4 STILL $50? It's the same price as the newest one, even though it's been out for over a year.
Has some potential. While it might screw over people who just want a cheap computer that can do internet and e-mail, it would be better for people who want to actually play some games, even if they are somewhat dated games. The same problem will persist, after all, it wouldn't be like every new PC would release with a top of the line graphics processor, just that there will be more entry level gaming rigs. On the flip side, if this happened, developers might start pushing graphics even more (ignoring the whole point of this change), since they know more people would have computers capable of playing proper games. Essentially, we'd be stuck where we are now.
* Launch Windows 7 NOW
Dumb.....Just dumb. Wait for software to go through it's testing phase and cleanup, and you'll get to buy an OS that is much less likely to leave you screaming bloody murder.
* More pre-release PC game demos
YES! MOAR DEMOS! There just aren't enough PC game demos >_>
* Stop charging for skimpy DLC
That's a good idea. I am thinking of that creatures pack for Spore ATM.
* PC gamers want same DLC as consoles
That would be good for both companies and consoles, though I imagine 'exclusive DLC' would still apply, though 360 exclusive would be likely to mean "MS exclusive, so expect it on PC version too".
* Use real money for Games For Windows
I have to disagree. At least in part. At the very least, those currently buying point cards, would have to be able to access prepaid cards just as easily. Essentially just replacing LIVE point cards with prepaid cards that they buy in the same manner.
* More real PC sports games
I don't care about this, but I would imagine that a lot of people do.
* More music games on the PC
Ummmm sure. At least, more good games neh? A PC version of Rock Band or Guitar hero, complete with all you get on the console versions, and a bit of software so one can create their own tracks, would be awesome, yes?
* Little to no DRM
That would be great, less headaches for both users and tech support. After all, if people are going to hack/pirate your copies, they'll do it with or without DRM. DRM just slows them down a bit, and pisses off users.
* Improve more than just graphics
That is a general desire in gaming, not just on PC.
* Cut prices for game downloads
That makes sense, assuming that they can afford to release downloads cheaper, which would generally be the case. Lower price = more people buying = potentially greater profit in the end.
At the time, the highest end cards were the 8800 range yeh? i heard 2 OC'd water-cooled 8800gtxs in SLI could play it on ultra just without any AA, or high with 4xAA lol so not maxed out. and just them alone would set you back like £400 each
I pretty much agree with the list except Windows 7...I am pretty damn fine with my XP thank you very much...hell I still don't get why they need to bring a new one out except piss off the punters.
However like Miller said, gaming is just fine. I am quite happy with Steam, there are demos on there that I have not seen anywhere else, their prices are cheap, their deals are amazing and so far it's the only thing to force EA to stop using DRM (yes Steam's version of Spore has no DRM, neither does any of the EA titles...unfortunately Europe hasn't got access to the EA games as of yet)
Not only that but if you have to reinstall or reformat for whatever reason then the only thing you have to do is redownload the game, no catches
INTERNET CONNECTION, ONLINE AUTHENTICATION, END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY. TO ACCESS ONLINE FEATURES, YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE. ONLY ONE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE PER GAME. EA TERMS & CONDITIONS AND FEATURE UPDATES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EA.COM. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER ONLINE. EA MAY RETIRE ONLINE FEATURES AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON www.ea.com.
Some of the others still have SecuROM on top of Steam's own DRM. What the *bleep* is the point of that?
There are catches, the big one being if you don't have Internet, you may be screwed (link is censored here for some reason, but search Steam's KB for 'Offline Mode'). Yes, most of us have Internet most of the time, but there are bound to be situations where we can't be online to update and play a game. Even so, why should I have to be online to play single player? Bullshit.