I take my 80% from attending shitloads of lans and paying attention. apparently you've never been to a large-scale lan...games are handed out like they were sticks of gum. if a large-scale lan had servers that CHECKED CD keys, most of the people there would be outta luck.

I do find it especially amusing that people are willing to drop $400 on a video card to make their games run smoother, but wouldn't THINK of paying $40 for the games they plan on playing on said card.

maybe my 80% is a high estimate. maybe not. but speaking of making up eye-bleeding bullshit, 10x the theft rate on PS2? most PS2 owners don't even know that you CAN copy the games, much less have the hardware to do so. most people buy consoles to play games on because the entry fee is MUCH cheaper than a PC.

as per the screenshots looking worse than NOLF...yeah, those were some godawful pics, but they weren't of the PC version. you don't remember seeing those SAME IMAGES in the Halo promo vid that came out a couple years ago (before it was moved to the PC)? I mean, TECHNICALLY, yeah, they're from the PC...but they're also over 2 years old. if they were supposed to be from the version Gearbox is working on, someone got their files mixed up.

FFS, I usually just shrug at some of the blatant fabrications that are made up on this forum, but this one just made my eyes bleed.

"Honestly, I'm surprised ANYONE bothers to make games for the PC anymore. not ONLY are they guaranteed that 80% of the people who play their game have stolen it"

80%?? Where did you get that figure from? Would be really interested to know your sources on this.

"the hardware is consistant, the warez rate is far, far lower (nearly nonexistant on the GameCube)"

You ARE aware of the fact that the PSX2 suffers from approximately 10 times the warez'ing than the PC does, right?

And then in reply to # 57:

a) Better graphics. Keep in mind, the PC still does better graphics than any console (that is, resolution, etc.)


Hello, did you even LOOK at these frigging screenshots?? NOLF ONE looked better than the shite they put up.

Gearbox indeed. I can't wait for Randy Pitchford to start yapping about how "this game is going to blow all the others out of the water" again. After all, once a Rebel Boat Rocker, always a Rebel Boat Rocker, eh Randy?

Creston

I own and play both XBOX live and alot of PC games.
Even though i am sure devleopment for PCgames is alot harder to do for support reasons, I still think playability is alot better for FPS games.
I still think I can WAY out manuver a person with a gamepad when i am on a mouse, I can turn faster when i want to be be dead precise when i want to also.
Playing unreal tourny on my XBOX live makes me want to grab a mouse so bad.
Halo was a great game, but things like AI and stuff will or should be that same on the PC, and the PC definitly still has alot better graphics resolution, wich is a HUGE DEAL.
Not to mention once you get online I do like to type in chat windows personaly, some games I would prefer to just talk on a microphone but some it if better to have a chat window, especialy once you get into games like everquest or something on a console, how you going to play that with no keyboard and text is still a BIG problem for NTSC televisions.
As awsome as halo was it left me wanting to play it with my buddies online and even though there are some ways to do that, it sucks.
PC are for now still the leader in my book, but that my optionion, that may have to do alot with personal preference so flame way if you like, Some game just play better on a console (sport games etc...) but I tend to like fantacy role play or action combat FPS myself and i am hooked right now on BF1942 online multiplayer.

". the online playability of the system DEMANDS that everyone has the same setup, or those with the keyboard/mouse will rule all, even if they have minimal skills. it's a balance issue, and only those who think it's ok to cheat in multiplayer would think it's ok for a mouse to show up on the Xbox."

That's not a problem - you can have "keyboard/mouse" and "joystick" only rooms. The Dreamcast dealt with it just fine.

" I shure hope you're right #57 and it's gonna be great, but I'm still warez'ing that outdated crap. "

And you wonder why so many computer games are expensive and buggy. Burn in hell, Pirate.

Nefilm, I am an XBOX fan, no f**king way am I getting it, well, at least not buying it. This is going to be a download IF and ONLY IF its worth it, which it will NOT be.

I shure hope you're right #57 and it's gonna be great, but I'm still warez'ing that outdated crap.

Honestly, I'm surprised ANYONE bothers to make games for the PC anymore. not ONLY are they guaranteed that 80% of the people who play their game have stolen it, but they have to deal with supporting Billy Bob's ass-tacular computer setup.

consoles are, hands-down, the smartest move for developers. the hardware is consistant, the warez rate is far, far lower (nearly nonexistant on the GameCube), and the games hold a high price for longer than PC games do.

don't get me wrong, I love my PC games. Battlefield 1942 is fantastic use of the system...it might not be the prettiest game out there, but show me a console game that supports more than 16 players (so far...Halo2 just might support more).

if you were offered more money, a higher profile for your game (it was one of 3 good launch titles), lower warez rate, top-dollar price for your game even a year after it came out, and only having to develop for one hardware configuration instead of 100s...wouldn't YOU take it? you're lying or dead stupid if you say you wouldn't. for all their fans on the PC they lost, they gained on the Xbox.

The lack of keyboard/mouse for the Xbox isn't just because Microsoft wants to keep it from appearing to be a little PC. the online playability of the system DEMANDS that everyone has the same setup, or those with the keyboard/mouse will rule all, even if they have minimal skills. it's a balance issue, and only those who think it's ok to cheat in multiplayer would think it's ok for a mouse to show up on the Xbox.

All that said, I AM still a little disappointed that Halo was yanked from the PC. I don't blame Bungie for their decision, it was the best move for them. If Halo2 (which WILL be Xbox exclusive) really turns out even half as cool as Bungie is claiming, it'll be worth the cost of an Xbox, flat-out. Halo for the PC will, most likely, be far too little, too late.

Some of these posts are so laughable, it's sad and pathetic. I own a PC and an XBox. I've been playing first person shooters since the original Castle Wolfenstein and I can say this right now FROM EXPERIENCE:

Halo is the best FPS ever. Period.

The AI is miles ahead of most FPSs. Anyone who has played Halo seriously knows this. From your grunt mates to the Covenant AI.

For example, if you try to hide from the enemy - and they know you're there - they'll send scouts (usually the cute little grunts) to seek out. Once they find you, the grunts will run away (screaming just things as "He's here!"). They'll lob grenades to flush you out. The little grunts will distract you while the bigger guys take pot shots at you.

Hell, there's no better moment in FPS when a grunt flees, screaming, "He's unstoppable!" or "We're all gonna die!" or when you lob a grenade in their midst, and they all scream "GRENADE!!!!!!!!" When you lob a plasma grenade (that sticks to the enemy), the little grunts will scream around in circles, while the bigger boys will scream into the air a la Predator in frustration - and sometimes run directly at you in a last act of vengeance.

Or how about the little moments like when a grunt will kill and enemy, and then proceed to fire into the corpse, yelling, "YEAH! You think you're so tough?!"

I don't know how come so many high school students are posting here, but coming from this 30-something, trust me - Halo is/was still the best, and has been since Half-Life.

Am I going to get the PC version? Hell, yes - even if I am not assigned to review it. Why?

a) Better graphics. Keep in mind, the PC still does better graphics than any console (that is, resolution, etc.)

b) Multiplayer. 'Nuff said. You ain't played til you're in the back of a Warthog on a CTF map making cover fire for your mates as you whiz along at 60mph.

c) The Story. Sorry, but I still love the story. The music is THE best I've heard in any computer game - yes, better than Half-Life's - especially when the percussion starts up when you enter a particularly tough area.

By the way, the Dreamcast had a keyboard/mouse setup, too. It's not strange. The only reason the XBox doesn't have one (yet) is that Microsoft is afraid of it being called a "PC console" (which it is not - ask any developer.)

For you PC owners who haven't played Halo - you're in for a treat. And trust me, the last, final map may not be all that challenging, but it IS a great climax, full of chaos and a great build up, as the fighting goes on all around you.

For that matter, I just can't wait for Halo 2. Halo 2 + Live! ... (drool...)

"so wtf is the rest of the 75 percent doing? sticking thumbs up asses?"

You shouldn't ask questions you already know the answers to...

just noticed this:

"Just shortly thereafter, in June or July, Gearbox received Halo's code and content and started working on Halo for the PC. That was also just around the time Gearbox stopped working on Counter-Strike: Condition Zero."

"He mentioned that only 25 percent of Gearbox's staff is working on Halo."

so wtf is the rest of the 75 percent doing? sticking thumbs up asses?

There's always emulation...give it a few years...

Way off topic, but speaking of Metroid Prime: that's certainly one I'd like to see a port of so we PC users could get a chance at it. Don't think that's going to happen, though.

m19

Yo, BlueF, have you tried Time Splitters 2? I play it on the cube and like it. Granted, there's a bit of a learning curve at first, but after awhile it becomes second nature (then the controls in Metroid Prime REALLY suck).

Yikes. I do see your point. Some folks do prefer gamepads... wierdos! : ) But seriously, that's fine. The problem still remains, and I think this is horribly overlooked by console manufactures, there are those of use who would gladly setup a mouse and KB for our consoles so that we could actually enjoy the many otherwise fantastic console FPS. As is, I don't think we'll ever get the chance.

For me, and I’ve been gaming for longer than I care to mention (Atari 800 anyone?) so I’m no stranger to a gamepad, the gamepad KILLS any hope of me enjoying a console FPS. I know that sounds harsh/unrealistic, but that’s the way I feel. And, believe me, it’s not from a lack of trying!!! I’ve tried to get used to gamepad FPS controls (GoldenEye, Halo, Metroid (sob!). But, to me, trying to use a controller for FPS controls is like watching a Lord of the Rings on a wristwatch, all the while thinking of the IMAX theater you have in your “computer room”. Follow the silly but true analogy? This is what it’s like trying to use a controller on a FPS.

One more time, I couldn’t be happier (or more jealous) for those who enjoy/appreciate the controller. I am so terribly sad that I can’t enjoy so many of the brilliant console games like Metroid, Halo, and many others, simply because I can’t hack the (as I see it) inferior controls.

/Edited for clarity/spelling (Doh!)
This comment was edited on Dec 23, 11:55.

Much of the allure of console gaming is the fact that you can leave the keyboard and mouse on the computer desk and relax with a Xbox/PS2/Gamecube controller in your lazy boy recliner.

The mouse is more accurate, but modern game controllers are great once you get used to them. The force feedback really immerses you in the game. Halo for the XBOX has great controller implementation, I'm not missing my mouse at all when playing it.

Well, it's not fair to put Metroid in that class of "Games that Frickin Need a MnK" since the developers, get this, actually planned the game around the controller. Something that cannot be said for most console FPS'. Dang, they even had Myamoto come in to work on the controls to get them right.

I'd actually play that game with a controller, but for Halo and Timesplitters 2, a PC/Mouse is needed to even enjoy 1/10th of what they have to offer. In the meanwhile, I'll stick with NOLF2.

Yup, Halo, Bungie, and especially M$ still suck.

Its remains a sad, sad fact that mouse and keyboard support will probably never make it to console gaming.

Why you ask? I racked my brain for this. As best as I can figure, the keyboard-mouse control is so vastly superior that most console games would end up far too easy, for mouse-kb users, if made with gamepads in mind. Conversely (most) console games would likely be far too difficult for the average gamepad monkey when designed with kb-mouse control in mind.*

Sad, but true. It really breaks my heart when I see games like Metroid, Halo, Nightfire (gcn)… the list goes on. : (

In the end, all the gamepad vs. mouse-KB debate aside, what I’d really love to see, and what I would page HUGE sums of money for, is if someone came up with a hack for my GameCube, PS2, and Xbox that allowed a KB-mouse to emulate gamepad controls! How bloody easy would that be to do (for folks who can hack mod chips)! How incredibly awesome that would be! Here’s hoping.

*Of course, there is the side concern that consoles are living room entertainment, and as such mostly wouldn't be well suited to mouse and keyboard. To this, I say BLAH!!!
This comment was edited on Dec 23, 11:12.

"Sure, my boycott is only a drop in the bucket but if more of us actually acted on our own beliefs and convictions, instead of caving in, maybe we wouldn't get screwed quite so often by companies like Microshaft."

From reading this board, and many others... you are definitly not alone in this one. They alienated 99% of their PC fanbase by selling out to M$... I dont expect to see this title do very well at all. I will probably warez it, if only to legitimize my claim that the game will indeed suck a fat cock.

..in the bargain bin.

I was one of those people who liked what I saw when PC Gamer first touted Halo. I looked forward to playing it on my PC. I was disappointed when Halo got dragged onto the Xbox but held out for the PC version. It never came because Microshaft decided to make it XBox exclusive in order to sell more XBoxes.

I even considered buying an XBox so I could play Halo but you know what? NO WAY! I won't buy an XBox unless I find it for $20 and then I might just buy it and run over it with my car. (I know it cost more than that to make and that MS is banking on people buying games for it.)

A friend of mine was hinting that he might give me an XBox and Halo for Christmas. If he does, I think I will return it to the store and use the money to buy something else.

Halo PC? Nope, won't touch that either let alone Halo 2 which is probably another 'XBox only'. MS, Bungie and anyone involved with Halo won't get squat from me for anything Halo or XBox related.

I'm the guy who won't eat at Applebee's (even when everyone else decides to go there for lunch) because one of their commercials on TV really annoyed him.

Sure, my boycott is only a drop in the bucket but if more of us actually acted on our own beliefs and convictions, instead of caving in, maybe we wouldn't get screwed quite so often by companies like Microshaft.

This comment was edited on Dec 23, 10:17.