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The Problems With Porting Games
mr_sifter writes "There's a large lexicon of monosyllabic, four-letter words for describing something you don't like — but only PC gamers use the word 'port' with such a fervent degree of repulsion. Common complaints about console ports include meager graphics options, dodgy third-person camera angles, poorly-thought-out controls and sparsely distributed save points. In this feature, Bit-tech talks to developers of games such as Dead Space, Red Faction and Tales of Monkey Island to find out why porting games between the three major consoles and the PC is so difficult. Radically different CPU, graphics and memory architectures play their part, as do the differences in control methods and the rules Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo set about how games should work on their systems."
Would as soon see 10 great pc games a year as another 100 ports with absolutely SHITTY controls. I can live with poor graphics. occasional bad camera. Controls MUST be designed well and with ALL options for a PC.
For example. I believe Devil May Cry "or a similar port" Had a GAMES FOR WINDOWS logo on it. I attempted to play it with Keyboard/mouse and it was horrid "unable to play game breaking." So I got my PS3 controller and plugged it in. The Assholes who developed it only allowed a Xbox Controller scheme not a PS3 or another Standard Game Controller. So rather than being able to at least try playing the game I was immediately turned off it.
Good thing I didn't pay for it. If you want to design for Consoles then by all means do so. Unless you have prior experience making PC games with great controls. Then please stay the fuck away.
Inane Comments are Generously Disregarded
Oh good, I'm glad someone actually took that as an opportunity to inform us for the hundredth time as to the benefits of PC gaming. ~
Why exactly are PC gamers so intent on informing us of how much better in every way PCs are to consoles? I don't care, none of us console gamers do.