Is The Computer Gaming Industry Finished?

[atari_eric]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
I think you might be able to sell a fw copies if you could port it to work on a PDA or something.

I would love a PDA Version of Space Empires! I've even been tempted to program a moddable 4x game on the Palm myself...

[atari_eric]

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Feh... A few years from now there will be very little distinction between a home PC and a
console anyway.

Funny you mention this; in the late 70's/early 80's there was not much of a distinction between a home PC and a gaming system, mostly because they were the same thing. Rememeber the Ataris? The Commodores? Sometimes, I wonder, with talks of integrating Internet functions and Digital Video Recording (aka RePlay/TiVo), if it is time for the resurgence of the Home Console Comupter. Hopefully, as a side effect it will engender a resurgence of self-taught programmers - I know I would not be the man I am today without my Atari 800 and my Inside Atari BASIC book...

[PvK]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

quote:

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Consoles offer concepts that attract suits, like built-in obsolescence and difficulty to pirate.

Modern console games are not that hard to pirate...

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I was mainly talking about what suits think. Maybe I should also have said, "frequency of pirating", since younger kids into console games may be less likely to also have a DVD burner.

PvK

[deccan]

Originally posted by Katchoo:

Why exactly are console games cheaper to produce than on PCs?

Development costs are obviously cheaper because you have a standard, predictable platform. PCs can be outfitted with all sorts of devices, video cards, CPUs, sound cards, screen sizes, etc. and run all sorts of different OSs and other programs in the background, which makes it hard to accomodate all of the variety of different configurations possible.

Also, technical support costs for this reason is probably very much more expensive for PCs than for consoles.

[deccan]

Originally posted by PvK:
BTW, Myst is a puzzle, not a game. It only seems like a game for as long as the player doesn't notice he's just watching a bunch of QuickTime animations linked with hot-spots to click on.

I agree, which was why I ws puzzled by Atrocities' ravings about Myst. Sure, the animations look nice, but it's not much of a game.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

yeah, but if you like puzzles, it's great.

[Atrocities]

I have to be honest with you all, I really see no need in my life for a console game system. I am sure that something might change my mind in time, but right now I prefer my PC. I will admit that I have had great fun with console games before, especially games like Zelda and stuff, but that would be the limit. I like games that are far more challenging and have a purpose and not just some midway game designed to rewrite history over the battle of middway. (Old NES game that you could not win)

Consoles are moving away from the two dementional Duke Nukem 2 side scrollers into the PC era of 3d high quality 3d graphics. (Been coming for year now.)

Console games are a family gaming system, baby siter, and after school kiddy toy more then they are for adults. Adults prefer the privacy of a computer. (And the internet)

One day I am sure both systems will completely merge into one system and your Console PC gaming Internet platform will be all you will want or need.