Funny how people state that MS is being hypocritical being on this consortium as they're a promoter of a major console, yet how can any PC based gaming initiative succeed without the backing of the manufacturer of the OS that 90%+ of the games will be running on (be it XP or Vista)?

Like it or not, you have to have backing from MS to be successful in the PC gaming arena. Sorry Mac/Linux lovers, but you're still a niche market, and virtually nonexistant from the gaming scene.

PZ
------------
Reading: Nothing yet, planning on reading Isaac Asimov's "The Robots of Dawn" shortly

I absolutely agree. Really, 100%. And I think that this alliance can only be a good thing, as in a step in the right direction, merely because of the fact our love-machine's getting in the spotlight.

I know that my English isn't bad at all, and I sincerely thank you for mentioning, but the fact that it isn't my mother-language kicks in when I really try to express myself. I sometimes just fail to make my true point because of it. Not in this case, I think.

Anyway, allot of things need to be fixed in order to get the PC's just reputation back and cussing sucks. Nice to see we eventually managed to agree on most parts, mate.

Cheers,
Vince

Nah - you're doing fine. Your English is better than that of a lot of Americans I know...

Most everyone here (including myself) would love nothing more than to see PC Gaming get the attention from developers it deserves. My feeling is if they really wanted to help PC Gaming, they should start by debunking the myth of the ever-shrinking PC gaming market that the NPD helps propagate with their incomplete and erroneous data. The way the numbers are calculated, the very numbers that seem to weigh so heavily in the decision-making processes of publishers and developers, are not at all complete. Most of the games I buy are direct downloads nowadays. And according the NPD, none of those sales count. Nor did MMO dollars until very recently. This isn't figured into the dollar amount PC gaming brings in. Tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars are just being ignored, and PC gaming is made out to be much weaker than it is as a result.

Want to see PC Gaming get its due? THIS is what needs to be fixed. That, and Microsoft needs to stop alienating PC Gamers and splintering the fan base with nonsensical software limitations.

I admit that you're right about the fact that there's nothing wrong with remaining civil. But this or that, we all know that using that language these days ain't no crime and right about nobody's gonna sweat about it, so I think using a comment about this level of profanity is nothing but provoking - however paradoxic that might sound. Instead, give some real arguments.

You've given your arguments and it's really nice to read what you think about this alliance although I've already read it before. My whole point in posting in this topic is because I'm getting a little bit sick and tired of people bitching right about everything. The PC is getting in the spotlight and I wonder why the hell I'm right about the only one, apparantly, that was happy to read that. Ofcourse there would be better ways (like Microsoft excluded from the list perhaps), but there aren't, are there? Atleast I don't see squad!

The PC is getting promoted, and that's good, and we all agree on that part. I just don't understand why everyone seems to have this need to bitch about everything.

And right now I wished I could say this all in Dutch so I could express myself better... lol.

Cheers,
Vince

I made no assumptions. I said I found this alliance of dubious value, given that one of the major players (MS) has severely damaged PC gaming with its recent initiatives. Simply put, I believe Microsoft has no business being part of any PC Gaming initiative until they correct the wrongs they have committed first.

I am no saint - I just like to avoid the low-brow comments and profanity, regardless of who I am speaking to. Is that so terrible? Is trying to remain civil now considered "soft"?

Ah ok so now we've all gone soft, is that it. Let's just imagine that I'm rephrasing my comment, then. I will not swear and I'll add an occasional "IMO". That ok for you, saint Prez?

Now, I've made my point, which is a point you cannot deny obviously because I was really looking forward to another argument on why you're all honored skeptics and no whiners. Instead I face another, rather empty comment with that same cheap taste of sarcasm.

I think it's best for you and I to wait and see what this alliance will bring, instead of making those pathetic assumptions on how terribly it's gonna fail because Microsoft plays a part in it.

Cheers,
Vince

Oh, I'm sorry. I guess that you calling people "fucking whiners" and "blues crybabies" was perfectly mature. My bad. Silly me - I thought there was room for disenting opinion without such nonsense.

"grow up" a little? Concidering the cheap use of sarcasm in your first line, I think I retaliate with the exact same comment, Prez.

We've got one big bunch of big names here that are willing to team up with only one cause, which is to put the PC in the spotlight. That some people are being skeptical because of their growing distrust towards Microsoft, that's fine. It's understandable. But this time it's Microsoft among other great companies who choose to work in alliance for a just freckin' cause.

So stop looking at the ass only. This alliance is one sexy lady, I think!

How mature of you old wise and mystical Eldaron!

Why is it that people being skeptical that this is of any value whatsoever, especially given Microsoft's recent history of disastrous decisions, is "whining"? No one disagrees that PC Gaming needs a shot in the arm, but there is some serious doubt by a lot of people that this group is the one to do it.

How about growing up a little?

I don't care what all o' ye whiners say, I'm just happy that the PC is getting in the spotlight again. It was going bad for that love-machine. For a meager example: You guys ever check gametrailers.com? The PC section is my startpage, but since 2008 there's hardly been any real updates. Bad omen <- fact.

Thanks Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, AMD and the others. Don't listen to the bluesnews cry-babies. You're doing a good thing by making this alliance <- fact.

thanks & bye,
Vince

I've been curious for a little while if a standardized video card for the PC would help gaming and it's no surprise that Nvidia is involved.

If they can get ATI involved and have some sort of partnership to develop video cards together and sell them at a set price then developers will have a more stable base to start from. The selections of video cards on the market has always been a hurdle for PC game developers in my opinion, making software that runs on so many different cards has got to be a challenge, even with the Direct X standards.

There has got to be a catch though, I'm guessing this is going to be linked to games working in Vista or some future OS. Like your game won't run on the latest windows platform unless you pay us $10 for each copy.

Yeah none of them are exclusive to PC at all.
Evidently your too simple to do any research on your own, so no more links for you.
Good try tough guy, you amuse me. :O
This comment was edited on Feb 13, 11:21.

What a weak response, you dumbass. Did you even bother to check the link you posted, Mr. HardCore Retard? Those games are only X360 exclusive in so far as there will be no other console versions (PS3, Wii) for those games but they will all be coming to the PC sooner or later. Puuuhleazze. Get a fucking clue.

How can Microsoft sign exclusive deals with game developers to purposefully "not" make a PC version, and yet somehow they are going to help PC gaming. Cut me a break.

Exactly how many of those "exclusive" deals did Microsoft sign in your opinion? I count zero. Even games like Halo, Halo 2 and Mass Effect ended up on the PC eventually. So before you make any more dumbfuck accusations let's start listing all of the (without a doubt numerous) games that MS paid money for to not come to the PC. Weeeelll? I'm listening...

Do you really think I would go out there and count them up and list them for someone acting like a dumbfuck like yourself? Kidding right?

Before you accuse anyone of being a dumbfuck make sure you aren't the one next time.
This will get you started in your search, I can't waste much more text on you than that - fool!
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/01/microsoft-sever.html
Maybe you should go convince Microsoft that they don't really make exclusive deals.
This comment was edited on Feb 13, 09:34.

I only play games on a PC but my gaming time is diminishing for a number of reasons. I don't really need an alliance to tell me that my PC can play games [as well as all the other stuff I do on it] and certainly don't want said alliance to 'solve' the problem by getting devs to increase the number of console ports. Nor do I want the likes of Crysis which will only be playable at it's highest presentation level in a couple of years time. I'd sooner they [and others] concentrate of good gameplay, a good UI and solid bug free [as much as possible] gaming experiences.

A recent set of screenshots showed Codemaster's Grid game under development... not one wheel in sight but pretty much every desk had a 360 controller on it Sad fact that the situation for the PC will only get worse!

How can Microsoft sign exclusive deals with game developers to purposefully "not" make a PC version, and yet somehow they are going to help PC gaming. Cut me a break.

Exactly how many of those "exclusive" deals did Microsoft sign in your opinion? I count zero. Even games like Halo, Halo 2 and Mass Effect ended up on the PC eventually. So before you make any more dumbfuck accusations let's start listing all of the (without a doubt numerous) games that MS paid money for to not come to the PC. Weeeelll? I'm listening...

Not bad advice, but I am more of an incremental upgrader. I don't mind spending 150 to 200 bucks every 18 months on a new card. I just put the older ones into systems I build for other people.

Well best bang for you buck today, may be wasted money in 6 months for the PC.

While buying a video card may be great for medium graphics in Crysis now, the issue is PC Graphics are still getting better and developers are pushing for more polys and textures.

From my understanding CPU/MB/RAM is slowing down generation wise compaired to GPU's. If your gonna spend money on a graphics card, spend quality money on it so when the next Crysis comes out your not sitting there wishing you could play it at higher then medium settings.

Look, rocketPCguy, my goal was to debunk your statement about cost. I did that. Whether or not you or someone else wants to delve into the guts of their machine is a separate issue. A valid one when talking feasability for the non tech-saavy people of the world, but therein lies another myth - that building a PC on your own is rocket science.

If you can buy a gas grill from sears and assemble it, you can build a PC. Easily. You may not want to, and that's fine. In that case, check any barebones system manufacturer for prices. I myslef bought a barebones PC for my son that is well above mid level in performance for $300. All I had to add was the video card (A HD2600 for $80 is what I put in there but he's not much of a gamer). If you can install a sim card or battery in your cell phone, you can install a new video card in a PCI express slot.

To me, the graphics question isn't really up for debate - PC trumps consoles on every level, and does it for comparable cost.

EDIT: BTW, weren't you the one who was suggesting a $100 8800-level Video card should be made? You do know that you would have to **shudder** open your PC case to install that, right? What's the big deal?


This comment was edited on Feb 13, 06:14.

What a terrible comparison. Far Cry came out for the PC in 2004. Far Cry Instincts came out for the 360 in 2006.

yes, i know. i just wanted to highlight the quality of the rendering of an xbox 360 by itself. as a comparison, its stupid, but i couldn't find a high quality video of the xbox game easily.
This comment was edited on Feb 13, 04:35.