|
Read More
|
This is just a quick update. As you know, I used to be a big fan of gaming consoles, owning practically every console released since the Nintendo Entertain System. I retire them after the new ones comes out, and at the moment, I do own an XBox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. I have always had some sort of gaming PC as well, but with my ownership of my iBuyPower Fallout PC… I have practically given up all console gaming.
Why? There are many reasons why the PC is superior … first, it is because of the loading time is very fast on my PC, thanks to the ultrafast NVME storage. You don’t realize how much time you waste on a console when you’re launching a game or loading up a save file. On my PC, it’s almost instant when games launch or loading up game saves. Plus, depending on the graphic cards, my games looks a million times better on the PC than on any current console.
The other main reason is that games on the PC are much cheaper than on Xbox, PS4, and especially the Switch. In fact, Epic Games consistently gives out free games on the PC (this week it’s ARK: Survival Evolved and Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection).
Finally, in order to play online games, such as Fallout 76, you have to pay MicroSoft, Sony, or Nintendo, a monthly or annual fee. Sure, you get access to “free games”, but you don’t keep the games if you stop paying them the membership fee. I guess I’m just a cheapskate, but I just don’t want to pay for something that should be free.
Still, you know I’m still somewhat interested in seeing the next generation of gaming consoles… and today, Sony showed up what the upcoming PS5 will look like. And holy crap, it is so ugly. Particularly the optical disc drive looking like a belly bump. To me, it’s clear that Sony originally designed this “sleek” looking system without the disc drive and it looks uniform and centered. Then they added that drive and it just looks awful.
Anyway, I’m probably not going to buy one at launch. It really depends on pricing. If the rumors of it costing $600, it’s a hard pass for me - especially given how ugly it looks. Obviously, the disc-less version will be cheaper… but if we’re talking around $500 for that version, I still wouldn’t want it. Without the disc-drive, it means that you can’t play UHD or Blurays or DVDs or CDs! The only reason why I started collecting gaming consoles was that they also serve as a great media center, as it’s a powerful machine to play my discs.
I guess we’ll wait and see how well the PS5 performs, according to The Verge, the system will be powered by an eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and a custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU. Based on Sony’s proprietary SSD, it should boost load times for games.
Even though I have no desire to buy the PS5, the main reason why I’m interested is for the new gaming technology. The PC can eventually adapt to it or offer their version of it… and that’s exciting.
Why? There are many reasons why the PC is superior … first, it is because of the loading time is very fast on my PC, thanks to the ultrafast NVME storage. You don’t realize how much time you waste on a console when you’re launching a game or loading up a save file. On my PC, it’s almost instant when games launch or loading up game saves. Plus, depending on the graphic cards, my games looks a million times better on the PC than on any current console.
The other main reason is that games on the PC are much cheaper than on Xbox, PS4, and especially the Switch. In fact, Epic Games consistently gives out free games on the PC (this week it’s ARK: Survival Evolved and Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection).
Finally, in order to play online games, such as Fallout 76, you have to pay MicroSoft, Sony, or Nintendo, a monthly or annual fee. Sure, you get access to “free games”, but you don’t keep the games if you stop paying them the membership fee. I guess I’m just a cheapskate, but I just don’t want to pay for something that should be free.
Still, you know I’m still somewhat interested in seeing the next generation of gaming consoles… and today, Sony showed up what the upcoming PS5 will look like. And holy crap, it is so ugly. Particularly the optical disc drive looking like a belly bump. To me, it’s clear that Sony originally designed this “sleek” looking system without the disc drive and it looks uniform and centered. Then they added that drive and it just looks awful.
Anyway, I’m probably not going to buy one at launch. It really depends on pricing. If the rumors of it costing $600, it’s a hard pass for me - especially given how ugly it looks. Obviously, the disc-less version will be cheaper… but if we’re talking around $500 for that version, I still wouldn’t want it. Without the disc-drive, it means that you can’t play UHD or Blurays or DVDs or CDs! The only reason why I started collecting gaming consoles was that they also serve as a great media center, as it’s a powerful machine to play my discs.
I guess we’ll wait and see how well the PS5 performs, according to The Verge, the system will be powered by an eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and a custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU. Based on Sony’s proprietary SSD, it should boost load times for games.
Even though I have no desire to buy the PS5, the main reason why I’m interested is for the new gaming technology. The PC can eventually adapt to it or offer their version of it… and that’s exciting.
| vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic |
)
The 360 Fail Rate is actually closer to 60% Which is why before going to EA Peter Moore instituted the 3yr RROD warranty.
The PS3 isn't flawless either. I have several friends that had the launch ones, who had to replace them because Sony didn't adequately provide cooling, and they too overheated, and crashed out.
The main problem (If you've ever taken one apart) with these consoles (Especially the 360) is that they used ALUMINUM heatsinks on their motherboards, when they should have used COPPER. Copper would displace the heat a lot more evenly. Which you need when you use a processor that draws a lot of current, and is going to be on for long periods of time.
I also know my local PnT store repairs the RROD, and essentially they replace the heatsink, CPU, and fans 9 times out of 10 on the mobo.
Personally I play mostly PC versions. They cost less, play better, look better, and 90% of the time land on Windows anyhow. I have yet to buy either HD console because of this fact, the fact that the HD twins seem to die on a constant basis (2 360's would get you an awesome PC. I rebuilt mine with a Quad Core, 4GB of DDR3, and a pretty nice Asus mobo for only $310 in January), and of course the fact that Live is another bill I could do without.
The cost of entry isn't high at all anymore (A decent branded oem that can play these games is between $400-$600), and you can use it for important work related things, social networking, blogging, hobbies, etc. etc.
That said I do have the Wii too. It also has a lot of great games that would indeed appeal to the Action or RPG gamer who is probably on their 73rd 360.
It's just a shame these games aren't covered the way everyone drools over big budget 360/pc/ps3 stuff.
No More Heroes, it's sequel, Madworld, House of the dead overkill, Ghost Squad, Sin And Punishment II, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Guilty Gear, The Conduit, Call of Duty World At War, Cod 4 Modern Reflex, Obviously almost anything by Nintendo. All great games. Even some of those "Casual" games (A total misnomer if you ask me) are an awful lot of freaking fun. I've enjoyed the Rock Bands, the lego one, Press Your Luck, Mario Sonic Olympics, and such.
It's just too bad Nintendo stopped caring what was put out by 3rd parties because there are a shitload of terrible rush job shovelware titles too. And I think the average person sees so many of those on the shelf they don't see the really awesome stuff. But seriously, it's a great system.
It isn't perfect though. There is ONE technical problem that happens with launch Wii's, and that is it develops this loud buzzing hum. I mean real loud. Crank the TV to drown it out loud. I looked a few things up on it, and there are a few theories about what causes it, but it doesn't seem to affect games. They all play fine. But it is annoying, and I may have to send the damned thing in.