PC Gaming Going the way of the Dodo?

[W1nTry]

ACtually Laetes there was a keyboard and mouse made for the PS2, sure it came with the linux development kit, but as I recall, Sony is branding the PS3 as a PC and not a console as its supposedly so powerful that to JUST play games on it would be a waste. Its also supposed to come with Linux preinstalled on the PS3... so what was that about console developers not wanting a keyboard and mouse? I doh know bout you but if meh console comes with linux and say I can browse, check email, post on gatt, don't you think a keypad would be the WORST thing to use?

[TriniXaeno]

chakra iymc!

[TinyGrasshopper]

Many developers complained about the ps2 at the start. It was insanely hard to code for and sony did not provide development tools.

I heard rumours that the PS3 is gonna be the same way, from the difficulty to code standpoint. Plus I also heard Xbox 360's gonna be the same way for awhile simply because programmers have been coding for a single processor for 20 years and learning how to code for two cores will take time and as such most games will only be using one core.

ACtually Laetes there was a keyboard and mouse made for the PS2, sure it came with the linux development kit, but as I recall, Sony is branding the PS3 as a PC and not a console as its supposedly so powerful that to JUST play games on it would be a waste. Its also supposed to come with Linux preinstalled on the PS3... so what was that about console developers not wanting a keyboard and mouse? I doh know bout you but if meh console comes with linux and say I can browse, check email, post on gatt, don't you think a keypad would be the WORST thing to use?

Does this mean, that linux porting will be easier? (Sorry if I keep asking silly questions, I'm just an idealist about the having choice apart from Windows)

[W1nTry]

Optimisation perhaps but compared to my good ole mouse and keyboard THEY SUCK @$$ adn will always SUCK @$$. Its just too awkward and slow imho compared. Hence I didn't like playing metroid prime, just too un-natural to me...

[TriniXaeno]

agreed

I've tried halo with those pads and ouch, it just can't compare to the good old mouse and keyboard.

I won't deny that someone can become very proficient in an "awkward" system but don't let that fact distract you from the truth.

For FPS:
mouse and keyboard > gamepad
For everything else, there's mastercard.

[Beomagi]

I heard rumours that the PS3 is gonna be the same way, from the difficulty to code standpoint. Plus I also heard Xbox 360's gonna be the same way for awhile simply because programmers have been coding for a single processor for 20 years and learning how to code for two cores will take time and as such most games will only be using one core.

It's no rumor
it's not 2, it's SEVEN! (for the ps3)
xbox is using 3 seperate chips with 2 spus apiece. So, there's the multithreaded aspect, and then some completely new manner of programming for the cell spus themselves.

given that they are already using linux testbeds, i'm guessing we'll see linux on the xbox and ps3 soon after launch.


and mastercard  >> discover    ☺

[Exar_Kun]

You lot may find this strange but I am a LOT more proficient playing with the XBox pad than with mouse and keyboard.

I'm playing Republic Commando and how I wish I had my trusty XBox Controller type S with me.

[TriniXaeno]

proficiency with a less than ideal controller is just that...proficiency

If you had invested similar time in learning the Keyboard/Mouse combo at FPS, you would easily see it's superiority.

This is as plain to see as Janet Jackson's right nipple.

Even the console creators know it. They have auto aim features in most console FPS games to "assist" gamers in hitting the mark. Such things are frowned upon in the PC shooter world and with good reason. No decent gamer with a mouse and keyboard should need 'em!

Precision weapons iwmc!

That said, we could settle it with Halo.

I have a converter for the XBOX controller to work on the PC and also one for the keyboard and mouse to work on the XBOX.

The PC's keyboard and mouse vs the Console's gamepad.

Willing to accept?

[Kaizen]

lol @ janets nipple
wise cracks iwmc XD
Keyboard on mouse ....lets say we have a lil match or yall do it in the gl....the gampads vs the key+mouse  .....WTFPWNGE   anyone?

[ProtoJoe]

See, it really depends. My mind is already set to when I'm playing Halo, im using a gamepad....so I becomeone with the gamepad...When games like SOF2 or COD etc, I am automatically reaching for the mouse and my fingere line up with the keys "w,a,s,d"

IMO, its all a particular mindset.

[Kaizen]

that makes sense after all halo was a console fps in the first place.  yeah i agree with your theory even though i do suffer a lil bit with the gamepad in certain fps"ps2 gamepad that is"  mindset .

[W1nTry]

Whateva, the key/mouse gonna pwnz all ur bases, so will someone accept the challenge, or are u 'gamepad' folks all talk and no game?

[TrinireturnofGamez]

that makes sense after all halo was a console fps in the first place. yeah i agree with your theory even though i do suffer a lil bit with the gamepad in certain fps"ps2 gamepad that is" mindset .

  Halo was initially a PC game set to release in 1999/2000  but microsoft bought out bungie and forced them to make it a box title ... you can see its age in the blockiness of the models and simplicity of the textures , only thing that makes it look good is extensive bump mapping/ shading thanks to the Xbox's gpu .     
   Truly a Pcs controls is far superior to a gamepad for FPS or RTS games , even some MMOs need a whole pile of keys to work smoothly , next gen consoles aught to bundle keyboard/ mouse my default, both for gaming and for linux controls .

[TinyGrasshopper]

I like keyboard and mouse better, and they are just plain better for FPSes. Keyboards also have lots of buttons so they'll always have that. I also personally prefer resting my hands on a desk. But since gamepads are dedicated to just gaming, there are things that you can do that you just can't do with keyboards. Like force feedback. The only thing we have is airflow, and gamepads have that too. and between funky gyroscopes and stuff, gamepads have lots of general possiblities.

[TriniXaeno]

gyroscopes are nothing new

the pc world has had that in the form of the "tilt" pad from microsoft ages now.

It has since been discontinued I think. Played with one. While it sounds cool it didn't generally translate into a great gaming experience. More of a gimmick feature. Same happened with VR Headsets years ago.

That said, you never know if some genious will come up with a "right" way of implementing either of those technologies.

The bottom line is that right now, console gamepads are less suited for FPS games than the mouse and keyboard combo. It is a strong statement and I am certain the halo test will prove that.

I ask again, any takers?

You make another fine point Laertes. Pressing keys on keyboard just aren't "cool". As a big gamer, I'll be the first to confess that their is nothing suave about WASD.

Gets the job done but damn, 0% sex appeal.

The "gamer" keyboards look to change that. I've seen some pretty slick looking ones on the market. Some with skins, so you can change the look to match the current big titles.

Facelift for our weapon of choice!

A lot of snazzy looking mice out there already so that doesn't need any attention.

[TinyGrasshopper]

I may be the only one to say this but keyboard are nice for quick-reaction mashing. When playing gta minigames that require mashing i'd rest the gamepad down and pong it like a keyboard and do much better.

[Beomagi]

If you dont like the tilt there's the dvorak keyboards Still my main problem with the pad is this. If i wanna turn around and point to something with a mouse, it's just done. looking at any GOOD frag video on quake - like annihilation. if i want to turn around with a pad, i pull to the left, and either wait till i'm all the way around, then fine tune the position, then fire, or use really high sensitivity sticks and spend less time turning and more time fine tuning the shot. With the mouse, points on the pad correspond to a specific direction of view. just move the mouse there and you're done.

If joysticks had a chance to compete with the mouse, consoles would never see the word "auto-aim" in options for any game.

The most accurate of gyroscopes i've used is the gyration "mouse", it's cool, but coolness wont give you frags. Wasd may not be sexy - but fatal1ty (and his wallet) does not seem to mind.

btw - anyone here using a razor?

[Trinitus]

Hmmm..... Though i have not heard any one say it...... what if there was a console built like your pc with all the adapter ports and mouse and all you need is a desk monitor and other peripherals or something of the sort. now this would heavily affect PC gaming. Think about it.... Peripherals like PC hardware like console and interactive components to a PC..... that may be the future.

[W1nTry]

PC games didn't sell like hot cakes in 2005

WoW leaves its mark at retailers

By Stuart Gorman: Wednesday 18 January 2006, 21:17
DESPITE RECORD console sales last year PC gaming sales figures seemed to take a hit.

According to an ign article, 2004 saw around $1.1 billion in PC game sales, whereas 2005 closed with a comparatively meager $954 million. That's about a 14% drop.

The numbers come from the NPD group, and only represent sales of PC games sold on CD-ROM. That doesn't include the moolah that gamers are spending on MMORPG subscriptions, or on downloading software directly from distributors like Steam. Both of those vectors saw an upswing last year, and the NPD group says they provide an explanation for the declining box sales at retailers.

Keeping in mind that World of Warcraft was the best selling PC game in 2005, this seems to make sense. Millions of gamers paying something like $12 a month on WoW alone would more than make up for the $150 million dollar discrepancy between 2004 and 2005.

So despite the sadistics... I mean statistics... 2005 can be counted as a record year for video games whether on PC or console. µ

Hmmm so does this mean PC gaming is going GREAT or not great?? without those steam and WOW stats... we really can't say....

[ZUSE]

Optimisation perhaps but compared to my good ole mouse and keyboard THEY SUCK @$$ adn will always SUCK @$$. Its just too awkward and slow imho compared. Hence I didn't like playing metroid prime, just too un-natural to me...

AMEN to that !!!! b4 i had my pc i was i console gamer and while i played fps on my consle its was where close to what i do now wihe a keyboard and a mouse. I've argued that a console gamer can never be as accurate as a pc gamer when it comes to fps, sure there is always the exception but in general, on the large scale of things keyboard and mouse own a controller any day.

For FPS:
mouse and keyboard > gamepad
For everything else, there's mastercard.

i only use my console for fighting games and third person games. PC rules FPS