Not to disappoint, but it was reported that Blizzard didn't intend on having as much graphical noise in SC2 as in WC3. Apparently there were numerous complaints from Korea about WC3 being a less "sport" friendly game than StarCraft, and that was one of the reasons mentioned.
It'll still be fun to look at, just don't expect to see any beautiful effects obscuring your view of what's happening.
Actually, they have a tendency to sneak minor graphics updates into patches. I forget when it was, but they updated a number of spells somewhere before patch 1.9. Moonfire stopped being a beam that came from absolutely nowhere, and instead had a fullmoon like energyball at the top of the beam. I remember being very happy about the change.
As for a full blown graphics update, I have my doubts. It's possible they might revamp the character models a tad (in line with adding the "hairdresser" function that's been asked for, and maybe do something about the poor UD female dance animation), but barring a huge graphics disparity between the old content and new expansions, I don't see any major graphics updates coming.
Re:You love it... You should buy it.
on
Protoss For a Day
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· Score: 1
Firstly, your mileage may vary. I don't know your computer, but mine was roughly analogous the last time I played WarCraft III and it didn't experience the kind of slowdown you're talking about except in games where the host's computer was having trouble. That's something very important to remember, in a custom map in WarCraft III the host's computer can be as much a limiting factor as your own (especially in games with a lot of AI/pathing like tower defense).
Secondly, you're confusing requirements with something else.
There are "requirements", that which is required to run the game at a level where it can be played, and there are "requirements", that which is required for a game to have crystal clarity.
The requirements that Blizzard posts are that which is required to play the game. The settings may all be off, the resolution might suck and any number of other aestetic issues, but it's fully capable of playing the game under normal conditions.
The requirements you are thinking of are that which is required to make the game look good. For WarCraft III, those were significantly more than the requirements you quoted. Roughly twice the Recommended, three times if you were routinely in 6v6 massive BGH style slugfests.
Blizzard's requirements for StarCraft II are going to be much lower than one might expect. However, what is required to make the game as pretty as what we saw in the trailers is going to be greater.
I honestly don't expect it to be $499, but then again it's hard to predict console prices these days.
I'm not sure it matters either. Anywhere between $499-$599 dollars is still too much. So long as the bar for entry remains that high the PS3 will remain where it is. Even when the exclusive titles hit, it's going to be hard to keep momentum rolling at that price point.
As it stands, the PS3 is gaining slightly on the 360 (according to vgcharts.org). From approximately April to present, the PS3 sold 1.261m consoles vs 1.183m for the 360. At that rate (approx..1m per 3-4 months) it will take the PS3 another 16-21 years to catch the 360. At the same time, the Wii sold 3.892m consoles during the same period (2.467m more than the 360 per 3-4 months). Within 1-2 months there will be more Wiis sold worldwide than 360s.
Obviously this doesn't account for spikes from AAA titles or the machinations of any of the three companies. That said, Microsoft and Sony both need to set plans in motion, or concede this console generation to Nintendo. Unless Halo 3/GoW3/Other-AAA-Title are feats worthy of angelic praise they aren't going to turn around a 3 to 1 ratio of console sales, and I don't think praying the Wii will become the 'gimmick' many people claim it to be is a viable corporate strategy.
This generation can still go many different ways, but nothing will change without action.
How fucking pathetic do you have to be to sit around on Slashdot typing out damage control for the worst console hardware ever designed that has already had enough cash, 1.1 billion, set aside from the manufacturer themselves to fix ever single 360 ever manufactured?
About as pathetic as one has to be to sit around on slashdot replying to such comments.
Rockstar doesn't care about being popular, they like doing things for the express reason of it being unheard of, crazy, shocking and otherwise from left field. Manhunt 2 on the Wii, for example, wouldn't be something you'd expect on a console often assumed to be family friendly. Table Tennis isn't what you'd expect a developer with Rockstar's history to develop as their first offering this generation.
They're the Monty Python of video games, constantly shocking and surprising.
Having programmed a rudimentary, networkable Space War clone as my senior project for college, I'm not unfamiliar with the challenges presented by networking things even over an actual LAN.
I am NOT in any way, shape or form suggesting that simulating a LAN over the internet is going to allow for easy, bug/lag-free play of Halo 3 co-op. I semi-sarcastically (an internet mistake I know) alluded to the probable bug and lag issues within the concept in my post. Hence, "bugged out glory" and "pray you don't lag like crazy".
What I am is surprised that there wasn't a more technical discussion of any of this before I posted, some 40 comments in.
Beyond the point of the sibling post, Nintendo has consistantly reported the units they sell rather than the units they ship for years. The "shipped" numbers are only cited by them in as far as they inform the public of what kind of volume to expect (i.e. Announcing there will be 4 million Wiis shipped to stores by March '07, later announcing the actual sales come March).
It's stated explicitly that LAN Co-op will be in the game. Given programs such as Warp Pipe for the Gamecube, how hard is it really going to be to simulate a LAN over the internet and enjoy online co-op in all of it's potentially bugged out glory?
I guarantee you someone's going to program and finish such an application, possibly before the game even comes out. It's just a matter of convincing two Xbox 360s that they're on a LAN together, and praying you don't lag like crazy.
It depends. Any given PC setup, or console, is a balance of a number of limiting factors. Usually each one crops up in rare or specific circumstances, with GPU issues being the most common. However, similarly common are memory and CPU issues.
For example, my PC is perfectly capable of running WoW in Outland at 30+ fps. However, if I also run Ventrilo and Skype, my framerate can drop (depending on how active the conversations are, or the number of Skype participants) to as low as 10FPS. Skype and Ventrilo are not major resource hogs on the GPU by any stretch of the imagination, leaving my memory and CPU as the more likely culprits. Chances are it isn't as simple as replacing/upgrading one or the other, and there could also be motherboard considerations.
I'm not a expert on these matters, but it doesn't take a novice to realize that there is more than one point of potential slowdown.
You can thank my college roommate for his sleep deprivation/work exhaustion induced slip-up when attempting to be the commentator on a Guilty Gear session.
For the record, I didn't say that the PS3 could be counted out. I simply stated Microsoft is in the best position they ever have been in this industry, and have a lot of opportunities moving forward. Both the PS3 and the 360 are selling at about the same rate globally, though one beats the other depending on where you look.
The last numbers reported on Japanese hardware sales: July 2nd - 8th
That would mean in the past 10 days, at least 24,129 PS3s were sold. That is approximately 16,890 PS3s last week, and 7,239 so far this week.
For comparison, the Wii was at 2,949,774 units sold the week before last. Given that they've been consistantly selled 70k+ per week, the Wii probably surpassed 3 million consoles last week. The Xbox 360 has yet to break 400k units.
For all the controversy, Rockstar are one of the few development houses actively pushing video games to achieve the same status as other media.
They've called the whole situation for what it is, ridiculous. Without such controversies, video games will never break out of the "juvenille" image so many people have of them.
Problem 1: Microsoft doesn't "Throw in the towel". To outright admit defeat is something that Microsoft has never, and will never do. If they're convinced the Xbox can't and won't make them money, they'll finish out this generation and then release a console that can't succeed but won't lose them any significant cash, and just fade away.
Problem 2: Everyone's E3 was rather lackluster. Microsoft is not special in this regard.
Problem 3: The Xbox is in the strongest position it ever has been to date, including the recalls and warranty extensions. It's maintaining a lead on the competition (the PS3) that was supposed to beat them from day 1. Pulling out now would be passing up the best opportunity Microsoft has had thus far, while simultaneously giving Sony a free ticket to success.
Problem 4: Microsoft has Halo 3 on the way in about 2 months. Shareholders might be mad now, but September is bound to show some pretty numbers that will supplicate them.
We'll see if Microsoft does, but I find it highly unlikely that they'll fold at this point.
I hate to break it to you, but it's too late. In some places, the term "Gameboy" is irreperably tied to the DS.
When I bought my DS while overseas in Japan, my japanese friends were impressed with my "Gameboy DS". I've seen my fair share of mothers referring to their child's DS as their "Gameboy", and also a number of store clerks called it the "New Gameboy" when it first appeared on shelves.
Maybe the next iteration will leave behind the name, but much like how many parents called the Sega Genesis the "Nintendo" we will continue to see most handhelds referred to as "Gameboy" for years yet.
Another reason to avoid upgrading to Windows Vista I guess.
Seriously, I understand that there's a certain amount of information that needs to be passed to Microsoft from Windows in order to fascilitate auto-updates, and maintain their (somewhat silly) protection against the "ship of Thesius" computer upgrade. That's all well and good, and understandably within the jurisdiction of the OS.
Scanning my harddrive for its contents in order to advertise to me is NOT something that is within the bounds of an OS's MO. This is an invasion of privacy.
Even then, we didn't learn a whole lot. We got a few release dates, some promises, and a little video footage. Most of that, however, was either from the big 3 or major developers like Konami and Capcom. Even that was scaled back from what was typical, and there was little from smaller developers.
The E3 information bonanza isn't what it used to be.
Slashdot Mirror
Not to disappoint, but it was reported that Blizzard didn't intend on having as much graphical noise in SC2 as in WC3. Apparently there were numerous complaints from Korea about WC3 being a less "sport" friendly game than StarCraft, and that was one of the reasons mentioned.
It'll still be fun to look at, just don't expect to see any beautiful effects obscuring your view of what's happening.
Actually, they have a tendency to sneak minor graphics updates into patches. I forget when it was, but they updated a number of spells somewhere before patch 1.9. Moonfire stopped being a beam that came from absolutely nowhere, and instead had a fullmoon like energyball at the top of the beam. I remember being very happy about the change.
As for a full blown graphics update, I have my doubts. It's possible they might revamp the character models a tad (in line with adding the "hairdresser" function that's been asked for, and maybe do something about the poor UD female dance animation), but barring a huge graphics disparity between the old content and new expansions, I don't see any major graphics updates coming.
Firstly, your mileage may vary. I don't know your computer, but mine was roughly analogous the last time I played WarCraft III and it didn't experience the kind of slowdown you're talking about except in games where the host's computer was having trouble. That's something very important to remember, in a custom map in WarCraft III the host's computer can be as much a limiting factor as your own (especially in games with a lot of AI/pathing like tower defense).
Secondly, you're confusing requirements with something else.
There are "requirements", that which is required to run the game at a level where it can be played, and there are "requirements", that which is required for a game to have crystal clarity.
The requirements that Blizzard posts are that which is required to play the game. The settings may all be off, the resolution might suck and any number of other aestetic issues, but it's fully capable of playing the game under normal conditions.
The requirements you are thinking of are that which is required to make the game look good. For WarCraft III, those were significantly more than the requirements you quoted. Roughly twice the Recommended, three times if you were routinely in 6v6 massive BGH style slugfests.
Blizzard's requirements for StarCraft II are going to be much lower than one might expect. However, what is required to make the game as pretty as what we saw in the trailers is going to be greater.
I honestly don't expect it to be $499, but then again it's hard to predict console prices these days.
.1m per 3-4 months) it will take the PS3 another 16-21 years to catch the 360. At the same time, the Wii sold 3.892m consoles during the same period (2.467m more than the 360 per 3-4 months). Within 1-2 months there will be more Wiis sold worldwide than 360s.
I'm not sure it matters either. Anywhere between $499-$599 dollars is still too much. So long as the bar for entry remains that high the PS3 will remain where it is. Even when the exclusive titles hit, it's going to be hard to keep momentum rolling at that price point.
As it stands, the PS3 is gaining slightly on the 360 (according to vgcharts.org). From approximately April to present, the PS3 sold 1.261m consoles vs 1.183m for the 360. At that rate (approx.
Obviously this doesn't account for spikes from AAA titles or the machinations of any of the three companies. That said, Microsoft and Sony both need to set plans in motion, or concede this console generation to Nintendo. Unless Halo 3/GoW3/Other-AAA-Title are feats worthy of angelic praise they aren't going to turn around a 3 to 1 ratio of console sales, and I don't think praying the Wii will become the 'gimmick' many people claim it to be is a viable corporate strategy.
This generation can still go many different ways, but nothing will change without action.
About as pathetic as one has to be to sit around on slashdot replying to such comments.
At least he's not AC.
Actually, the controversy was over the buffing up of BE males. They were extremely slender and skinny before, and after they actually had some muscle.
It's arguable which model looks better, but it wasn't to uglify them by any stretch of the imagination.
Rockstar doesn't care about being popular, they like doing things for the express reason of it being unheard of, crazy, shocking and otherwise from left field. Manhunt 2 on the Wii, for example, wouldn't be something you'd expect on a console often assumed to be family friendly. Table Tennis isn't what you'd expect a developer with Rockstar's history to develop as their first offering this generation.
They're the Monty Python of video games, constantly shocking and surprising.
Having programmed a rudimentary, networkable Space War clone as my senior project for college, I'm not unfamiliar with the challenges presented by networking things even over an actual LAN.
I am NOT in any way, shape or form suggesting that simulating a LAN over the internet is going to allow for easy, bug/lag-free play of Halo 3 co-op. I semi-sarcastically (an internet mistake I know) alluded to the probable bug and lag issues within the concept in my post. Hence, "bugged out glory" and "pray you don't lag like crazy".
What I am is surprised that there wasn't a more technical discussion of any of this before I posted, some 40 comments in.
Beyond the point of the sibling post, Nintendo has consistantly reported the units they sell rather than the units they ship for years. The "shipped" numbers are only cited by them in as far as they inform the public of what kind of volume to expect (i.e. Announcing there will be 4 million Wiis shipped to stores by March '07, later announcing the actual sales come March).
Seriously, where have the computer nerds gone?
It's stated explicitly that LAN Co-op will be in the game. Given programs such as Warp Pipe for the Gamecube, how hard is it really going to be to simulate a LAN over the internet and enjoy online co-op in all of it's potentially bugged out glory?
I guarantee you someone's going to program and finish such an application, possibly before the game even comes out. It's just a matter of convincing two Xbox 360s that they're on a LAN together, and praying you don't lag like crazy.
It depends. Any given PC setup, or console, is a balance of a number of limiting factors. Usually each one crops up in rare or specific circumstances, with GPU issues being the most common. However, similarly common are memory and CPU issues.
For example, my PC is perfectly capable of running WoW in Outland at 30+ fps. However, if I also run Ventrilo and Skype, my framerate can drop (depending on how active the conversations are, or the number of Skype participants) to as low as 10FPS. Skype and Ventrilo are not major resource hogs on the GPU by any stretch of the imagination, leaving my memory and CPU as the more likely culprits. Chances are it isn't as simple as replacing/upgrading one or the other, and there could also be motherboard considerations.
I'm not a expert on these matters, but it doesn't take a novice to realize that there is more than one point of potential slowdown.
Wisdom Tree was a company that made questionably legal religious NES games, and later a few PC titles and ports.
Some of their work includes:
Bible Buffet
Spiritual Warfare
Bible Adventures
You can read more about Wisdom Tree here or straight from the horse's mouth.
You can thank my college roommate for his sleep deprivation/work exhaustion induced slip-up when attempting to be the commentator on a Guilty Gear session.
For the record, I didn't say that the PS3 could be counted out. I simply stated Microsoft is in the best position they ever have been in this industry, and have a lot of opportunities moving forward. Both the PS3 and the 360 are selling at about the same rate globally, though one beats the other depending on where you look.
This guy obviously never heard of Wisdom Tree.
The last numbers reported on Japanese hardware sales: July 2nd - 8th
That would mean in the past 10 days, at least 24,129 PS3s were sold. That is approximately 16,890 PS3s last week, and 7,239 so far this week.
For comparison, the Wii was at 2,949,774 units sold the week before last. Given that they've been consistantly selled 70k+ per week, the Wii probably surpassed 3 million consoles last week. The Xbox 360 has yet to break 400k units.
For all the controversy, Rockstar are one of the few development houses actively pushing video games to achieve the same status as other media.
They've called the whole situation for what it is, ridiculous. Without such controversies, video games will never break out of the "juvenille" image so many people have of them.
Problem 1: Microsoft doesn't "Throw in the towel". To outright admit defeat is something that Microsoft has never, and will never do. If they're convinced the Xbox can't and won't make them money, they'll finish out this generation and then release a console that can't succeed but won't lose them any significant cash, and just fade away.
Problem 2: Everyone's E3 was rather lackluster. Microsoft is not special in this regard.
Problem 3: The Xbox is in the strongest position it ever has been to date, including the recalls and warranty extensions. It's maintaining a lead on the competition (the PS3) that was supposed to beat them from day 1. Pulling out now would be passing up the best opportunity Microsoft has had thus far, while simultaneously giving Sony a free ticket to success.
Problem 4: Microsoft has Halo 3 on the way in about 2 months. Shareholders might be mad now, but September is bound to show some pretty numbers that will supplicate them.
We'll see if Microsoft does, but I find it highly unlikely that they'll fold at this point.
At first I was going to say, "He's the marketer, why would they fire him for a hardware issue?"
Then I realized, this is Microsoft.
The PS2.
Seriously.
I hate to break it to you, but it's too late. In some places, the term "Gameboy" is irreperably tied to the DS.
When I bought my DS while overseas in Japan, my japanese friends were impressed with my "Gameboy DS". I've seen my fair share of mothers referring to their child's DS as their "Gameboy", and also a number of store clerks called it the "New Gameboy" when it first appeared on shelves.
Maybe the next iteration will leave behind the name, but much like how many parents called the Sega Genesis the "Nintendo" we will continue to see most handhelds referred to as "Gameboy" for years yet.
"Theseus", not Thesius. 6/7 isn't too bad.
Another reason to avoid upgrading to Windows Vista I guess.
Seriously, I understand that there's a certain amount of information that needs to be passed to Microsoft from Windows in order to fascilitate auto-updates, and maintain their (somewhat silly) protection against the "ship of Thesius" computer upgrade. That's all well and good, and understandably within the jurisdiction of the OS.
Scanning my harddrive for its contents in order to advertise to me is NOT something that is within the bounds of an OS's MO. This is an invasion of privacy.
I'm impressed. That's an uncommon admission for an AC.
Kudos.
Even then, we didn't learn a whole lot. We got a few release dates, some promises, and a little video footage. Most of that, however, was either from the big 3 or major developers like Konami and Capcom. Even that was scaled back from what was typical, and there was little from smaller developers.
The E3 information bonanza isn't what it used to be.