Many moons ago, panasonic (if my memory serves me correct) released a PCI expansion card for the PIII's years ago that added hardware support for 3DO games. The principle was to offer PC users a cost-friendly solution to be able to run 3DO games and application natively, but on a PC-Compatible. It didn't work so well in practice as they couldn't nail down variables such as the type and speed of RAM for example, how much low memory could be dedicated to the add-in hardware among stability issues. It's a good idea in theory, and wouldn't it be nice if your pc could play every type of game under the sun? Current custom all-in-one systems are no more than a smattering of each console pushed together inside a single box and cost in excess of $10k or higher relegating them to the customary elite and still (usually) require independent hookups for each component. The PC will only maintain its integrity as a platform of its own as long as 'someone' is willing to utilize it to its potential to deliver a unique user experience. We'll always have the indies and offshoots publishing some of the best games that are available on the PC and on the PC exclusively (Depths of Peril comes to mind if you're looking for a modern example of what I'm referring to). We should celebrate our independence. It doesn't mean that we won't own consoles or we won't play games on them. It's just the important games and the ones really 'worth' playing will keep us coming back to our desks as we fondly dive into what has kept each and every gamer so fundamentally enthusiastic over the last four decades. Well, the real gamers will at least.
You're absolutely correct. Having worked for Sony for a couple of years, getting an idea of their scope is almost breathtaking. Sure Sony cares (significantly) about the PlayStation brand, but their focus is on the Home Entertainment market as a whole (publication house notwithstanding). The initial push for the PS3 specifically was to establish the Blu-Ray format and Sony as the leading supporter. Now that the format war is over, the major push from the company seems to be on accessible home theater. Personally, I have a soft spot for the Playstation brand, and I would love to see it do well. The reason I hope that Sony would reduce the price of the console is so that everyone else can share my enjoyment in a little box I love so much. Nothing against the 360 (I own one as well), but the Playstation as a whole just seems like a more well rounded, better engineered system (referring to the aesthetic style of the console itself, the interface, built in capabilities etc). On a second note, I don't really understand fanbois (in any camp). Enjoy the games you've got, regardless of the system. The system really doesn't do much at the end of the day. It's the content developers that make it enjoyable for us.
It's all in the games. I'm fickle when it comes to consoles (much like the Japanese seem to be). I don't concern myself with the unit itself rather than what the software developers have to offer. If a game is released on multiple platforms, my choice typically goes to Sony, simply because they have the most comfortable controller and for no other reason than that. Thanks to a phenomenal previous two years for each of the consoles, my tv stand is now stuffed with black and white boxes of joy.
Network now...
Sid57's Comments
probably mistaken, but I think it was a profile for the fragdolls.
You know there *are* better things to do with women than play Gears 2....
Many moons ago, panasonic (if my memory serves me correct) released a PCI expansion card for the PIII's years ago that added hardware support for 3DO games. The principle was to offer PC users a cost-friendly solution to be able to run 3DO games and application natively, but on a PC-Compatible. It didn't work so well in practice as they couldn't nail down variables such as the type and speed of RAM for example, how much low memory could be dedicated to the add-in hardware among stability issues. It's a good idea in theory, and wouldn't it be nice if your pc could play every type of game under the sun? Current custom all-in-one systems are no more than a smattering of each console pushed together inside a single box and cost in excess of $10k or higher relegating them to the customary elite and still (usually) require independent hookups for each component. The PC will only maintain its integrity as a platform of its own as long as 'someone' is willing to utilize it to its potential to deliver a unique user experience. We'll always have the indies and offshoots publishing some of the best games that are available on the PC and on the PC exclusively (Depths of Peril comes to mind if you're looking for a modern example of what I'm referring to). We should celebrate our independence. It doesn't mean that we won't own consoles or we won't play games on them. It's just the important games and the ones really 'worth' playing will keep us coming back to our desks as we fondly dive into what has kept each and every gamer so fundamentally enthusiastic over the last four decades. Well, the real gamers will at least.
You're absolutely correct. Having worked for Sony for a couple of years, getting an idea of their scope is almost breathtaking. Sure Sony cares (significantly) about the PlayStation brand, but their focus is on the Home Entertainment market as a whole (publication house notwithstanding). The initial push for the PS3 specifically was to establish the Blu-Ray format and Sony as the leading supporter. Now that the format war is over, the major push from the company seems to be on accessible home theater. Personally, I have a soft spot for the Playstation brand, and I would love to see it do well. The reason I hope that Sony would reduce the price of the console is so that everyone else can share my enjoyment in a little box I love so much. Nothing against the 360 (I own one as well), but the Playstation as a whole just seems like a more well rounded, better engineered system (referring to the aesthetic style of the console itself, the interface, built in capabilities etc). On a second note, I don't really understand fanbois (in any camp). Enjoy the games you've got, regardless of the system. The system really doesn't do much at the end of the day. It's the content developers that make it enjoyable for us.
It's all in the games. I'm fickle when it comes to consoles (much like the Japanese seem to be). I don't concern myself with the unit itself rather than what the software developers have to offer. If a game is released on multiple platforms, my choice typically goes to Sony, simply because they have the most comfortable controller and for no other reason than that. Thanks to a phenomenal previous two years for each of the consoles, my tv stand is now stuffed with black and white boxes of joy.
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