why is there such a lack of releases for pc games

[Aguiluz]

Re: why is there such a lack of releases for pc games

To be honest do you think along with the contracts that they don't like releasing super hit games to the PC because of all the downloading?

Probably, but maybe not. You see, Game Consoles seem to have easier programmability than a PC. And since you know what hardware you're dealing with, you can code games fit for the console and use the hardware to the max, but with PCs you have to estimate since the hardware the consumer uses varies very, very widely.

However, Game Consoles can't play all hit games, and PCs - giving the right hardware - can pump graphics at a much higher def.

If only game makers make highly optimized games for weaker systems, I would stick to a PC.

[Nza]

Re: why is there such a lack of releases for pc games

Probably, but maybe not. You see, Game Consoles seem to have easier programmability than a PC. And since you know what hardware you're dealing with, you can code games fit for the console and use the hardware to the max, but with PCs you have to estimate since the hardware the consumer uses varies very, very widely.

However, Game Consoles can't play all hit games, and PCs - giving the right hardware - can pump graphics at a much higher def.

If only game makers make highly optimized games for weaker systems, I would stick to a PC.

It's not as big a deal as it used to be. Via chipsets causing issues, three different sound card players, drivers for specific vendor chipsets (not just 3DFX drivers, but Voodoo 3 drivers, Voodoo 4 drivers etc). PC gaming *used* to be a mess.

Now days, we have one or two major chipset players, one or two major sound card players, two video card producers with unified drivers, and Direct X standards (particularly with 10) are getting tighter, meaning game developers can now, more than ever, just adhere to DirectX standards and expect Nvidia and ATi to as well.

All the while, we have a console built on unique processor architecture and it gets mainstream attention, so the PC really isn't that hard to make games for. Plus, with the 360 being Windows based, now days it is easier than ever (in theory) to port games to the PC.

Microsoft need to really hit their next OS out of the ball park. I want to see them bridge the gap between PC and Console gaming by making it almost seamless. Maybe not 'one disc for both' quite yet, but if they can make it almost economically silly *not* to port 360 games to the PC (as in, it's so easy and cost effective even NCAA Football PC would make a profit), then PC gaming could reach a new age. Perhaps a "port" age, but a new age nonetheless. The ball is in their court - are they really serious about PC gaming, or would they prefer domination by their console?