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ATI Talks Game Support, Future Of Graphics Cards
Sergio writes "Slo-Tech have posted an interview with ATI's representative in game developer support, Richard Huddy. He touched on many subjects, including the evolution of DirectX and OpenGL, why ATI doesn't provide much information to Linux driver developers, and the most common mistakes of game developers ('Nine out of ten games under-use the graphics card. That's amazing, and it's been true for the last three or four years.')"
I can buy an Xbox or PS2 already, and they provide better gaming experiences.
Really? That depends on what experience you're looking for. I play both PC and console games and I generally prefer PC games to consoles for the exact reason you cited: Better gaming experiences.
I like the available titles better. I like the graphics better. I even like the controls better. For example, playing an FPS with an Xbox or PS2 controller doesn't come close to the keyboard/mouse or keyboard/controller-of-choice combination on a PC.
What if I want to play a strategy game or a deep RPG? There are far more PC titles out there than consoles in both of those genres. Consoles are good for certain types of games, but PCs can offer the complete range. The fact is that most games aren't developed for consoles. That may change, but it's not the case right now.
I've played Halo. For a console game it's amazing. It understandably blew the minds of console-first gamers but I wasn't impressed. Halo was originally supposed to be a PC game with Internet online teamplay, then Microsoft bought Bungie. Now Xboxers have to wait for Halo 2 on Xbox Live to get the online experience, and PC gamers will get Halo as it was originally intended later this year, with all the online play they want and much better graphics (that's the plan anyway).
Why should I view my visuals on a TV that has fuzzy 320x240 resolution (or 640x480 for "high-definition") when I can view better visuals at a crisp 1024x768 or higher on my monitor?
Until recently, the only way you could have a reasonable online gaming experience at midnight was with a PC and the Internet (LAN doesn't do it unless you live in a dorm with dozens of other people, or head out to a LAN gaming center). I don't have to pay an extra subscription fee (Xbox Live) just so I can play online games. I just connect to servers or set up my own through my high-speed line which I needed for work anyway.
If I want to play some of EA's great sports titles, I can't get them on a console and I definitely can't play them online with a console - EA said no dice.
As for Windows not using 3D on the desktop, a 3D card makes for faster 2D renders, probably because the chip-makers put their latest technology (both 2D and 3D) into them. If you view or edit video or images, if you use spreadsheets or a word processor, if you browse the Web (there are of heavy sites out there), having a better graphics card will make a discernable difference.
So you really have to be careful and clear about what you mean when you say that consoles offer "better gaming experiences." Different? Yes. Better? Not necessarily.
"ATI gives Linux drivers quite a high priority"
Can you say bullshit?