Oblivion on XBOX360. . . . why?

[Kyrvias]

Originally posted by Lucern: The real dumbing down in the conversion from PC to console is the aspect we used to expect from the Elder Scrolls: pixelated nude people ES 1: Check. ES 2: Check and double check. The temple of Dibella is creepy. ES 3: Nope. Though there was one truly disturbing bar with dancing mannequins hehe. ES 4: Doubt it. No big loss hehe. In ES 2 that was the creepiest thing because they were 2D and so were always looking at you. And yeah, one of the devs was saying that they noticed a lot of console players being confused that they couldn't operate the shield in MW. It's all about expectations rather than limitations.

Don't you worry, the next six months afer Oblivions release will be filled with Modders making nude mods...

[Lucern]

LOL...whew. Close one Kyrvias!

What Stratos said I think will affect a lot of the games we'll enjoy (or not) in the coming years. The console market is HUGE. So much bigger than the PC market. On the plus side, consoles are becoming more and more like PC's...at some point I'm sure they'll just ask you whether or not you want MS Office with your xbox 5

Originally posted by cav_again: I had something longer typed up, covering my bases so I don't get flamed by any console fAnBoIz, but considering IW has entire forums dedicated to games consolers only wish they knew about, I get the feeling they're a minority here. I'll get to the point. I haven't researched the game a lot (it's ES4. I'm buying it. Period.), but I do know it's being released on Xbox360 also. Should I be worried? Is the entire game design going to be dumbed down so it can be played on console (i don't mean just graphically of course, I mean the engine and other aspects of the game)? Or, will only the unfortunate souls getting it on Xbox be the only ones missing out? Seems fairly obvious that with what they're trying to do with this game, the devs wouldn't limit themselves to what the Xbox can do, but I just want to be sure. thanks

The devs have stated over and over again that there is no difference between the PC version and Xbox 360 version. However what the 360 has to offer for Oblivion is a game that can be run at maxed out settings. Some people can't afford $1000+ for a new gaming computer. They want their fanbase to truly enjoy the game, and that is what the 360 allows for.

So I don't think there should be a problem between PC and 360. And last time I checked, the Xbox version of Morrowind sold more copies than the PC.

[Kyrvias]

Yes, the 360 is more available for the casual gamer. For those who don't want to pay 1000+ for a pc, its right there for the taking. or cheaper taking.

I personally, anm going to get it on the 360, because I don't have enough for a PC quite frankly...

[NobleNick]

Originally posted by SecretMaster: quote: Originally posted by cav_again: Is the entire game design going to be dumbed down so it can be played on console (i don't mean just graphically of course, I mean the engine and other aspects of the game)?

The devs have stated over and over again that there is no difference between the PC version and Xbox 360 version.

So I don't think there should be a problem between PC and 360. And last time I checked, the Xbox version of Morrowind sold more copies than the PC. [/QUOTE]I would agree with the sentiments that most have expressed; about the PC version not suffering because of the XBox, for various reasons. But something that I haven't seen brought up is the likely POSITIVE impact of the economics of X-Box on ES4 quality. With that hugh console market out there, the developers can afford to spend the money to make the game BETTER than it would be for the CPU-only market. Now, I am not saying that the extra market actually resulted in a better game for ES4; but I would expect that as console and PC capabilities look more and more alike, the economics are there to allow a general trend towards a better product for both: Everybody wins.

[Lucern]

Good points Noble Nick about the positives. It's good to see there's an actual market for deep nonlinear RPGs for consoles.

I am worried that some kinds of games simply don't appeal to console markets to benefit though. With less of a share of the market, these could, in theory, even become fewer and of less quality with such greater rewards in console markets. Now, I could easily be wrong as I rarely pay attention, but have the consoles had a decent strategy game? Turn based strategy or tactics? Tactical shooters (not counting half-hearted (heh) attempts at porting Rainbow Six games)? Simulation (as in IL-2 Sturmovik or Silent Hunter series)? The console-playing population is changing and diversifying though, so I can only hope. And yes, I do like the relatively unpopular genres lol, aside from the least popular and accessible genre yet conceived: war.

[NobleNick]

...Now, I could easily be wrong as I rarely pay attention, but have the consoles had a decent strategy game? I don't pay attention either. Virtually all of the games out there have no appeal for me; but I zero in on strategy games. And are they out there? Not that I've seen. I have a "Feudal Japan Military" strategy; for which I had high hopes, but it's not that good. And I don't play chess on my X-box.

Turn based strategy or tactics? Good ones: Like Alpha Centuari? Nope.

Tactical shooters? Lots of awesome FPS; but I take it you mean squad-level tactics. Don't know: Not my type of game.

Simulation (as in IL-2 Sturmovik or Silent Hunter series)? Can't think of any.

Heh, heh, heh, I think you've made your point.

[Lignoba]

I think the designers would prefer you play it on Xbox 360. It is far more advanced than most top of the line computers.

Originally posted by Lignoba: I think the designers would prefer you play it on Xbox 360. It is far more advanced than most top of the line computers.

The devs would only prefer you play Oblivion on 360 if you cannot afford to buy a new, teched out gaming rig. The fact of the matter is, a lot of people won't be willing to shell out $1000+ for one game when they can spend $300+ game cost. And I wouldn't say its far more advanced than most top of line computers, since its technology is pretty much the same with what computers have now.

BTW, two new graphics cards came out which top the 360's card (GeForce7800GTX I believe). The Radeon X1800XT and GeForce 7800GTX 512 are true beasts, both being 512mb video RAM. Of course, the Radeon is nearly $550 while the GTX 512 is around $700...

[NobleNick]

Originally posted by SecretMaster: quote: Originally posted by Lignoba: I think the designers would prefer you play it on Xbox 360. It is far more advanced than most top of the line computers.

The devs would only prefer you play Oblivion on 360 if you cannot afford to buy a new, teched out gaming rig. The fact of the matter is, a lot of people won't be willing to shell out $1000+ for one game when they can spend $300+ game cost. And I wouldn't say its far more advanced than most top of line computers, since its technology is pretty much the same with what computers have now.[/QUOTE]But I thought I heard that Bethesda was trying hard to make sure you didn't need bleeding edge technology to have an excellent gameplay experience.

Regardless, time and technology march on. I agree with Secret Master's statement that the Xbox 360 is not THAT far ahead of PCs. And graphics cards that were considered bleeding edge consumer technology at the START of ES4 Alpha testing should (unfortunately) be affordable by the time the game releases. I think a $200 investment in graphics hardware would be all that would be needed to upgrade a Pentium- or Athlon-based gaming computer that is 4 years old or younger.

I am hoping (and expecting) that my ATI 9800Pro will handle the load. If not, I think that most who are awaiting Oblivion are likewise screwed. In that case, I'll be playing my newfound Morrowind for another 6 months, until the ES4 hysteria cools a bit and hardware (and SW?) prices drop.

[ 12-12-2005, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]