Video Games

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/4/5063760/we-try-the-steam-machine-valves-video-game-console-of-the-future

I am seriously underwhelmed by the next gen consoles. From what we've seen the graphics are no where near the jump from ps2/xbox to 360/ps3.

I am tempted by a steam box once I see some prices.

The games with underwhelming graphics seem to be the multi-platform ones which have been developed alongside current gen versions. I think devs had simply had their work cut out trying to get them all finished, particularly with new hardware thrown into the mix.

Killzone 3 looks like a much better prospect (visually at least, the gameplay will probably still be pretty average) and stuff like The Division which is next gen/PC only should be a much better indicator or what they're capable of.

It's gonna take a very compelling exclusive (possibly Gran Turismo) before I buy another console, but I'm definitely keeping my eye on the Steambox.

In the meantime, my PC runs BF4 at 2560x1440, and it looks fabulous.

first wave of next-gen graphics are always a little bit shoddy - I downloaded GRAW from the xbox store the other day, as I remember it being a rather good near-launch title. Looks fucking awful compared to what they're squeezing out of the console end-of-gen. Even comparing GTA 4 and 5 shows a surprising leap (I remembered GTA4 being excellent, but now I'm used to 5 it looks so flat and crude).

I am toying with the idea of a xbone; depends how well my december goes, work wise. But not really in a hurry as have plenty of playing left to do with my 360 so will probably wait until the dust settles.

(mk1 360's didn't even have hdmi – what are you going to be missing, straight-out-of-the-box, this time around?)

dunno about Xbone, but PS3 had everything out of the box (hdmi inc).

I've been playing on a PS4 test console and another production console. Solid piece of kit. Yes, I have the same concern as everyone else, why rush to buy one ? There's not a single game at launch I want.

You can do this in online??

Nope.

Soul is correct, i forgot i had switched from online to Franklin

Thinking about it, do I really need an apartment? Should I trade it in for a 10 car garage?

Right, just had a proper go on Ghosts. The campaign is fun, nothing really new, but that is kind of expected after 8 releases or whatever. Its still fun if you like shooting the shit out of baddies. The multiplayer looks pretty but the maps are a bit big and the teams are too small - no Ground War, wtf? I end up wasting half the round running round not seeing anyone. Disappointed. Will complete the campaign and then trade it in for something else

6/10

I don't get why it's so hard to add in some backwards compatibility.

It the architecture of the NG consoles is actually a step back in terms of technology. Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 had very custom processors running the whole show. The 360 uses a chip from IBM which resembles the G5 that used to be in the Mac Towers. Likewise the PS3 has a very complex set of chips with the 'Cell' which is a true multicore processor, again designed by IBM for Sony. Both companies at the time wanted to build a console that was not a PC.

So it is kind of ironic that the Xbox One and PS4 are basically PCs. Which actually is going to make things even easier for developers. Technically the PS3 is way ahead of the 360. But the way companies develop games is for the lowest common denominator, which is the 360 (or the PC). It is a shame because actually the PS3 can still do a lot more, but the effort is far greater. You just have to look at GTA5 over GTA4 on the same hardware to see how much better things have got over 3 years.

One way that some old games might be available is via game streaming, but that becomes difficult at scale. Plus there are issues 'How to pick which titles are available like this?' etc

A few other people have also mentioned that actually the PC going to get big again because of many people being underwhelmed by the Xbox One and PS4. Personally I am going to wait, right now I think the PS4 might have an edge, but because I prefex Xbox Live over PSN I might be compelled to go Xbox One. But I am going to wait till at least next summer. The one console I am considering for now is actually the 2DS, since there is a new Zelda out, and it is cheap. Plus there are some real bargains for 3DS and DS games on Amazon.

Interesting. Thanks.

Don't forget to get Mariokart for the DS.

I'm just really underwhelmed by the new games too. COD bores me now, I enjoy it but not enough to warrant paying full price.

BF is good, really good but again EA are milking it.

It's funny the games I'm enjoying are GTA V, CS GO and DOTA 2 at the moment. All of which I have and don't need a new console for.

I'm looking forward to new KZ, I know a lot of people aren't huge fans of KZ but it's the one FPS I have always excelled at. I was pretty good at Halo, mediocre at best at COD and down right dire at BF, but I was ranked in the top 5% worldwide for one week on KZ2 online. I got a PSN medal for it and everything.

There's a standalone remote-play device (basically a vita sans screen with hdmi out which connects to new controllers, then links to PS4 through network/internet) coming out for next year that definitely has PS1 titles available to download (can't remember if it has PS2/3 titles), so I'm assuming the normal PS4 will too...

It the architecture of the NG consoles is actually a step back in terms of technology. Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 had very custom processors running the whole show. The 360 uses a chip from IBM which resembles the G5 that used to be in the Mac Towers. Likewise the PS3 has a very complex set of chips with the 'Cell' which is a true multicore processor, again designed by IBM for Sony. Both companies at the time wanted to build a console that was not a PC.

So it is kind of ironic that the Xbox One and PS4 are basically PCs. Which actually is going to make things even easier for developers. Technically the PS3 is way ahead of the 360. But the way companies develop games is for the lowest common denominator, which is the 360 (or the PC). It is a shame because actually the PS3 can still do a lot more, but the effort is far greater. You just have to look at GTA5 over GTA4 on the same hardware to see how much better things have got over 3 years.

One way that some old games might be available is via game streaming, but that becomes difficult at scale. Plus there are issues 'How to pick which titles are available like this?' etc

A few other people have also mentioned that actually the PC going to get big again because of many people being underwhelmed by the Xbox One and PS4. Personally I am going to wait, right now I think the PS4 might have an edge, but because I prefex Xbox Live over PSN I might be compelled to go Xbox One. But I am going to wait till at least next summer. The one console I am considering for now is actually the 2DS, since there is a new Zelda out, and it is cheap. Plus there are some real bargains for 3DS and DS games on Amazon.

Very interesting read, especially like the last para. I remember when people bought consoles because it would cost four times as much to make a gaming pc.
I'm pretty sure I can make a gaming pc for the same price as the xbone, it's a bit like politics, the different choices are not really that different any more... I recon most people's choices aren't based on which is actually better, but on the choices they made ten years ago.

Just had a go on Assassin's Creed on PS4, pretty decent! They've got a bunch of PS4s set up in ULU just inside the door if anyone's interested.

I recon most people's choices aren't based on which is actually better, but on the choices they made ten years ago.

Yes I think that is what both camps are counting on, they are hoping brand loyalty will influence people's decision.

Just had a go on Assassin's Creed on PS4, pretty decent! They've got a bunch of PS4s set up in ULU just inside the door if anyone's interested.

Nice, might drop by tomorrow to have a play.

Not sure how long they're set up for, might have just been today, I didn't ask! Also, it's just Assassin's Creed they've got.

Thinking about it, do I really need an apartment? Should I trade it in for a 10 car garage?

When heists come out you will need a $200k+ apartment to plan them in

Wife is away. Rain predicted. If anyone is online on GTA over the weekend, I'll be there...

Will be on Sunday.

Met my opposite in Guild Wars 2

Sorry fox - it was an accident.

Strangely you spawned inside my garage while I was picking a car, then you got ran over.

Just bought an apartment with my free money and am now sat watching GTA tv and some guy getting chased my the police on the news.

When heists come out you will need a $200k+ apartment to plan them in

I went for the cheap pad near the skate park. On the basis that I would get a separate garage, now I want to sell that and buy another pad. But I can't doh!

If you buy somewhere else, it swaps your property over. If its cheaper, you get money back, if its more you pay the difference. I believe