Upgrading is adictable for the PC Gamer.

I Know it was a promis. And I vowed to keep that promis. But I have to play Neverwinter Nights 2. And in order to do that I'm going to,,,,,,,, upgrade. I know this seem weak, vial and horrid. But I'ts only a video card. Just one card. Just this time. Because I'll have to buy a brand new computer to play games released in 2008.

By the way I am waiting for Half-Life 2: Chapter1 to be released on the XBox. There, I'm coming back around already.

UpDate11/07/2006: I may have to break down and purchase the PC version of Chapter1. Valve released this only for the Xbox 360. And it will be in the very distant, unforseeable future that I own a 360. So break down I must in order to help the Freeman.

Dr SciFi

The Consoles Have Won the War of the Games:

Editorial by Dr SciFi

The big name game manufactures have been pushing in this direction for several years now. And why not? With the thousands of variations that the PC presents (hardware, operating system, software conflicts). Compared to 3 platforms Xbox, PS and Game Cube and old and new variants (all with known hardware and software requirements). You do the math. The big names are forcing restrictions to drive PC games off the market. Some with high end hardware requirements, some with software protection, some with both.  I'm tired of the PC upgrade game. I want to buy a game to play the game with full quality audio and video not have to worry about upgrading. I'm tired of Hack and Slash/Run and Gun mentality. In my mind games like that belong in the console world. PC gamers want story driven games with with so many hours of play it takes 6 months to finish the game. I'm sure this and more is part of a future business model in that big name game makers  will have nothing to do with making PC games. in order to herd the masses toward Console Country. And it's working. I myself bought a Xbox console.

In the end Indy developers will be the only PC game makers. This in turn will probably bring a new era of games that will be fun, interesting, worthwhile story line and long in game time (most likely through segments or chapters). That's what I want.

Dr SciFi

Editorial: Fast action, slick graphics but no BIG WoW!

Editorial by Dr SciFi

Have you noticed the great line up of games for the coming year?

But are you like me? Are they just games you want to play? No ping. No lust. No, gotta prebuy before anyone else does. Does the fact that graphics, skeletal construction and small leaps and bounds in game physics are the only advancements that come along with the new game really not making an impression anymore. Are all the games that stir these feelings years away before release or in phantom development? Do you compare games you might buy with names like Quake IV, Unreal 2007, Dragon Age or any names that might be stuck in your head?

In the frontal lobe of our collective game mind we know that these games will be innovative, surprising and groundbreaking because things change over time. In the back of our collective game mind we know that these expectations could be turn out to be trashed by lack of imagination input they need to truly become the next big stepping stone in the gaming world.

Not that there is any lack of imagination in game development. Quite the contrary, it is the business model of "what works and what sells units". Whether enforced at the development level to "get it out the door". Or at the distributor level to "not stray to far from the standard sales model".

This model is seen through out the game world. And in every game type, be it action, strategy or whatever. The game formats of the last 5 years had been set down in the late 90's. Back then these new formats were innovative, surprising and groundbreaking. Present day these same formats from yesterday are still used , they are well worn and comfortable, they are the proven sales model.

What can we do? Nothing. Proven sales model will always take out imagination and innovation. We can only hope these next gen games will slip by sales model scrutiny and become the groundbreaking games we are all waiting for.

Dr SciFi

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