You see a much larger gap between low end and high end gaming systems. Yes and no. The issues is more that older hardware is still being sold, whereas in the past it was just the current-gen low and high end. The "modern" low/high end gap is about the same as it's always been (C2D E2xxx versus 8xxx, GeForce 8800/Radeon HD3570 versus their low-end models).
So in order to keep up with the latest, you have to spend a lot more than you once did. I mean $500 for a video card is pretty routine these days when a few years ago, you'd not be spending that much unless you worked for a graphics firm. Now that card may be wonderful, but the problem is that studios end up designing games for such systems and those sub $100 video cards will no longer cut it. Ok, two problems. ONE, I remember, when it came out, the GeForce 4 retailed for $500. And that was a long, long time ago. Guess what, even NOT adjusted for inflation, graphic cards are the cheapest they've ever been. $200 is all it takes to reach the high-end (8800GT, HD3570).
As for the sub-$100 video cards... they can actually play modern games (other than Crysis) on lower settings/resolutions just fine. Even stuff like UT3, BioShock, SupCom, and their ilk. Hell, my girlfriend's got a 7600GS (about a $50 card now), and she can play Portal, TF2, and the like at 1440x900 and never, ever drop below 60FPS, with every setting cranked up ALL THE WAY.
As far as hardware costs, PC gaming gets you more bang for your buck than it ever has.
I played Goldeneye on the N64 for ten horrifying minutes, all the while complaining at the horrible controls. Try using the 1.2 control scheme. You use the c-buttons to move and the analog stick to aim. Works great, assuming your N64 joystick hasn't died yet.
But the fact remains that a console is neither the environment for competitive gaming nor does it have the input methods for it. While in most genres I'd agree with you, you're forgetting one of the staples of competitive gaming, fighting games. Ever tried playing Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, and the like on a keyboard? It's not fun. At all.
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It says they're using P2P. What for? All I know of is them releasing clips on Youtube...
Love the irony. And does it surprise ANYONE that lawyers are advising against trusting Microsoft's pledge?
I meant that it's already been posted this year. I haven't been at Slashdot long enough to know last year's.
Guess I was right. Oh well, FRIST PSOT! :P
hasn't this been posted before?
GOD, do I hope you're being sarcastic. Trackballs are terrible input devices for everything except for Missle Command.