Traitor to the Cause

Dragon Age: Origins just may make Susan Arendt turn her back on her console gaming ways.

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Yeaaaah... your heads going on a pike. Heritec!

Beleive it or not, I never get any shit from pc gamer elitest. They just insist on not buying any consoles.

Fallen to the ways of the PC have you? Very well, we were prepared for this day.

*Intercom static* "Launch the strike team."

It's sad that this is how things must end.

I agree, Dragon Age will probably be better on PC, no question.

However the quality of my PC decrees that I purchase it on console, maybe when I'm a rich bastard and/or can actually afford a new PC I'll pick up Dragon Age for it in the bargain bin.

KarumaK:
Fallen to the ways of the PC have you? Very well, we were prepared for this day.

*Intercom static* "Launch the strike team."

It's sad that this is how things must end.

Order acknowledged and confirmed. Platoon A - D of the Frat Boys units, drunk and ready.

In all seriousness though, I find this a tad disappointing. No, not Susan. I don't give a fuck as I agree with her stance that it is irrelevant what she plays it on. I am simply disappointed that apparently the game is going to be annoying to play on my Xbox 360. That said, I hope I have one of those Savant Epiphanies and am able to intuit the game like some pathetic version of Neo, thus sparing me the desire to lament my lack of desire for PC gaming.

because I find playing on PC to be claustrophobic and overly complicated. I've never managed to persuade my fingers to master mouse/keyboard controls,

First John and now you Susan, is there something about the Escapist team that has never pulled the guts out of a machine just because?

It just puzzles me as from my first outing on the ZX81 - way before we had fancy things like colours, graphics and sound - I was hacking at the system, trying to make it do what I wanted it to do.

Consoles, to me at least, seem so sterile that I really can't get used to them. If I've not got Firefox getting me Escapist updates, Thunderbird/Skype and Steam bringing me messages, Yedit/Ywrite poking me to write something there instead of the forums and Winamp tootling away while I play - it just doesn't seem like it's working.

And talk about confusing...two joysticks, 7 buttons, two shoulders and a tilt monitor? I used to get confused with Defender or Asteroids; what's so hard about mouselook with cursors and twin-fire?

Maybe that's the sticking point between PC and Console? PC's like to have lots of things going - but concentrating on one thing at a time, while consoles throw the entire spree into the controls?

And redefinable controls. C'mon consoles, we had that down before you lot were even in the SNES stage.

But I'm wandering, as usual, it's the PC in me.

The thing that nailed consoles to the floor, for me, was Red Alert. My PC was still working on coal fires when the PS1 version came out, and out of curiosity I took a look.

I've never laughed so much at a game before. It simply couldn't compete. Fair enough, for platform games and fighting games, consoles still rule and yes, Goldeneye still kicks in 99% of PC FPSs; BUT...I can emulate all of them.

My little rig here, which I can play anything up to Crysis on, cost me £400. (about $650)

The only thing I can't do at the moment - which I want to - is play LBP, and even the moist tones of Stephen Fry can't persuade me that far.

I'm really stuck on this one. I have been a PC gamer for a long time (even longer if you consider the C64 "PC-like") but I broke down and bought my first console since I owned an Intellivision. But Dragon Age... This thing is torturing me. My PC is oldish for games (quad core, 4GB, but only an 8800GTS) but I'm betting it would handle it ok. When I heard there was no tactical view on the PS3 version I was crestfallen. "But, but, but BG2 is my favourite game EVER!" and I need that tactical overhead view, man. NEED IT.

I hate choices like this, but I have to admit I like *articles* like this. I figured I was being wishy-washy, but if a hard-core console person is saying what I'm thinking, well, I guess I'm right to be confused.

The_root_of_all_evil:

because I find playing on PC to be claustrophobic and overly complicated. I've never managed to persuade my fingers to master mouse/keyboard controls,

First John and now you Susan, is there something about the Escapist team that has never pulled the guts out of a machine just because?

It just puzzles me as from my first outing on the ZX81 - way before we had fancy things like colours, graphics and sound - I was hacking at the system, trying to make it do what I wanted it to do.

Consoles, to me at least, seem so sterile that I really can't get used to them. If I've not got Firefox getting me Escapist updates, Thunderbird/Skype and Steam bringing me messages, Yedit/Ywrite poking me to write something there instead of the forums and Winamp tootling away while I play - it just doesn't seem like it's working.

And talk about confusing...two joysticks, 7 buttons, two shoulders and a tilt monitor? I used to get confused with Defender or Asteroids; what's so hard about mouselook with cursors and twin-fire?

Maybe that's the sticking point between PC and Console? PC's like to have lots of things going - but concentrating on one thing at a time, while consoles throw the entire spree into the controls?

And redefinable controls. C'mon consoles, we had that down before you lot were even in the SNES stage.

But I'm wandering, as usual, it's the PC in me.

The thing that nailed consoles to the floor, for me, was Red Alert. My PC was still working on coal fires when the PS1 version came out, and out of curiosity I took a look.

I've never laughed so much at a game before. It simply couldn't compete. Fair enough, for platform games and fighting games, consoles still rule and yes, Goldeneye still kicks in 99% of PC FPSs; BUT...I can emulate all of them.

My little rig here, which I can play anything up to Crysis on, cost me £400. (about $650)

The only thing I can't do at the moment - which I want to - is play LBP, and even the moist tones of Stephen Fry can't persuade me that far.

I couldn't possibly care less about fiddling around with a PC's innards. If you enjoy it, great, rock on with your bad self, but I simply have no interest. Never have. If you don't like consoles, fine, don't play on them, but kindly don't look down your nose at me simply because I do.

I would like to play it on a pc, but no pc in my house can run it, and my parents are not willing to buy a new computer(although they should because my laptop runs better than their desktop by A LOT). And my laptop can barely run Age of Empires 3. Also when I see pc gameplay of console games, there seems to be less lag, much less in fact. Oh well I'm still getting Dragon Age Origins for my 360, Bioware is infalible.

Welcome to the dork side.

Susan Arendt:

If you don't like consoles, fine, don't play on them, but kindly don't look down your nose at me simply because I do.

...

I don't believe I've ever looked down on someone because of what they play a game on. I just don't, or can't, see why the perception of PCs is overpriced and complex to use.

That's not an attack in any way, it's just that I cannot see it, though I've tried. Maybe because I've been hacking for so long.

Seriously, if that appeared to be an attack, it really wasn't.

"admitting that the "best" platform is far from an irrefutable fact, but rather a condition that shifts based on the player and the game. "

I wish more people would understand this, really.

Like, really.

Some things feel better with a gamepad; sometimes I don't wanna bother spending the precursor hour or so to make sure the game actually -works- on my computer after tweaking graphics settings and looking up command line options...

But for most of the games I prefer, most of them would feel better on a PC, eh? I guess I'll get DA:O for my PC, and then run it at 800x600 since that's probably the best I can do.

I find her "Sorry my dear, but frankly I don't give a damn." attitude should be commended.

The_root_of_all_evil:

First John and now you Susan, is there something about the Escapist team that has never pulled the guts out of a machine just because?

Hey, hey! I built my computer! :P

Buuuut I also tend to be a bit less than coordinated when it comes to fine motor skills, so I'd rather not do things "just because" and break 'em :P

The_root_of_all_evil:

because I find playing on PC to be claustrophobic and overly complicated. I've never managed to persuade my fingers to master mouse/keyboard controls,

First John and now you Susan, is there something about the Escapist team that has never pulled the guts out of a machine just because?

Besides the IT guys obviously being able to, there are several of us that can put together a PC from scratch. I used to work for a guy that sold pretty-much-the-same-machine to his clients and I had to build them; I won a bet that I could build one of those computers blindfolded and it would work. Of course, it was the repetitiveness of it that allowed that to happen...

I don't actually own a console, never have. I've played on friend's consoles enough, but from all the years of PCing, I have the console skills of a blind man with grease on his hands.

I still have a crush on you, even if you are a console gamer. I accept you as you are.

CantFaketheFunk:

The_root_of_all_evil:

First John and now you Susan, is there something about the Escapist team that has never pulled the guts out of a machine just because?

Hey, hey! I built my computer! :P

Buuuut I also tend to be a bit less than coordinated when it comes to fine motor skills, so I'd rather not do things "just because" and break 'em :P

I just remember you saying that you and your friend were having difficulty setting up a TF2 match and I was trying to get to grips with how something like that was complex.

(And I have at least 3 PCs that might be slightly broke :))

Kuliani:

I don't actually own a console, never have. I've played on friend's consoles enough, but from all the years of PCing, I have the console skills of a blind man with grease on his hands.

Man, when I catch a nerve...

It was just interesting to see how the article appeared to say that people who turn from consoles to PCs were being traitors and there is this growing resentment against the "pure" PC owners. As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

We all make jokes about Apple's i-everything, Nintendos sequel obsession, Sonys atrocious advertising and Microsofts pay to play attitude, but because the PC is often a scratchbuilt system, there's a level of complexity that just goes with the system. And people seem to see this as an elitist thing when it really isn't.

What does get our ire though, is when console ports deliberately ignore the system differences. That's why the whole L4D2 and Modern shoot-people-in-the-face causes such huge disputes.

The_root_of_all_evil:

CantFaketheFunk:

The_root_of_all_evil:

First John and now you Susan, is there something about the Escapist team that has never pulled the guts out of a machine just because?

Hey, hey! I built my computer! :P

Buuuut I also tend to be a bit less than coordinated when it comes to fine motor skills, so I'd rather not do things "just because" and break 'em :P

I just remember you saying that you and your friend were having difficulty setting up a TF2 match and I was trying to get to grips with how something like that was complex.

(And I have at least 3 PCs that might be slightly broke :))

My friend was trying to get it to work on a laptop over a wireless network while on the other end of the country. It's mighty hard to explain something in that scenario.

I really dont see why people think PC's are better.
As a once-PC gamer, I have to say, I enjoy my Xbox more than I ever enjoyed my PC.

edit: Another great story Susan,
Almost as good as "How Not to Get a Job as a Games Journalist" :P

Damn - I just can't think how hard a PC can be to someone. I find it so easy to use, that I never considered having a console myself. And yes - PC games should be played on a PC.

We all have our moments. My 360 breaking no less than twice has me thinking it may be time for a change.

I honestly don't get that whole PC gamer vs. Console gamer bullshit. I have both, I play both. If I don't feel like upgrading my computer I'll get the console version, if it only comes out on PC I'll suck it up and buy more shit for the computer. I don't think PC gaming is superior or inferior to console gaming and I am baffled that anyone else would.

The_root_of_all_evil:

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

Some people (like me) can't afford to buy all the equipment needed, as well as the high-powered computer, needed to run computer gaming. Sure, console gaming isn't exactly cheap either, but prices go down, and one model of console last for a long, long time. I didn't get my Xbox 360 until around the time Oblivion was released, and I'm still happy with it. I've heard nothing about a new Xbox being developed (but I've been out of the loop for a while, so I may be mistaken), and it still supports the graphics.

PCs, from what I can gather, need updating much more regularly than consoles, and are much more fiddly. I'm clueless when it comes to technology, so consoles are much easier for me.

But if it's easier for you, then you're not a traitor. Your console is betraying you for not being as good as the PC. XD

I beckon the gamers to come to the darkside of the mouse and keyboard.

A more elegant control scheme there is not.

Take the cost of the console, add it to the minimalist cost of your computer (which you likely own and are typing on) and you have a computer capable of playing new games. Sure, you can't necessarily run antialiasing at the highest value, but the consoles don't do that either

Don't feel sad, i prefer some games on my consoles even though i'm primarily a PC gamer.

(read: i'm so awesome full of myself Megalomanic that i assume you'll be fine with "betraying" your prefered platform as long as i'm doing it as well

nilcypher:

The_root_of_all_evil:

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

Hey c'mon, what I was saying was "I find this easy and because of that, I can't see why people find it difficult, can you tell me?". There's quite a difference in how it was put.

Susan Arendt:
This is about as exciting a revelation as the fact that I had soup for lunch...

I gotta say, Susan--that is exciting, and no joke. It might be that I'm absolutely ravishly hungry, or maybe it's that I'm a soup aficionado, it might even be that I'm sitting here trying to figure out which type of soup that you had, but it is definitely exciting.

And even if you did wander off to the PC, we don't think less of you! You're still a console gamer by heart and by hand, so we know you'll come back. Everyone's allowed to branch out now and again, experience their own taste of the computer, get their fill of exotic, international flavor, but we console gamers know that they'll still want the delicious hamburgers and tacos that is the console. The gaming PC for us is like trying to make a meal you've only ever heard of when you're an inexperienced cook, to continue this metaphor that's making me want to eat my own mouse, in that you have to supply everything, mix and match components, and hope that they work well enough together to not catch fire in the pan, whereas console gaming is more akin to going out to eat--it's just as tasty (if done right), but someone else had to worry about the whole exploding-and-dying-painfully bit--it comes prepared when you ask for it, and even with some mashed potatoes on the side.

And I'm gonna go get something to eat before I fantasize myself to famine.

Been in Edmonton for years and had conversions with their developers in some the events around town for developers etc. Each one I have talked to so far have been higher up in the ranks and on the personal level definitely a great group of people.

Back on topic been waiting for this game with quite a bit of excitement kind of figured the controls would be easier for a PC however. Something to keep in mind however if you wish to keep still to your console roots is that this generation does accept mouse and keyboard input for some games quite well. That may be the route a few people take if the console controls are that difficult, assuming the console version accepts it.

Edit: Wireless keyboard/mouse plopped down on the couch doesn't work quite as well as just a controller but ti does work.

Looking at a game and on which platform it will be most enjoyable is very logical, and acutally, the smartest option. I'm a PC gamer trough and through, but I still choose to play Halo games, driving games and some others, like Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 on a console. Why? Because it's more fun that way. Of course, I'm absolute rubbish with a controller, but the gaming experience is much more enjoyable that way.

No one is going to hold making a smart decision against you. I think.

Susan, you mentioned the difference in graphics and a vague hint at control differences. Was there a dramatic difference between one and the other? Or is your decision strictly because you believe it is best to experience the game from the platform it was originally designed for?

If the former, I'd like to hear more. If the latter, I can understand and respect that. Thanks for discussing this game though. I didn't know they were making another and was recently wondering where the title had gone. Thank you!

The_root_of_all_evil:

nilcypher:

The_root_of_all_evil:

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

Hey c'mon, what I was saying was "I find this easy and because of that, I can't see why people find it difficult, can you tell me?". There's quite a difference in how it was put.

Not really; my version is just shorter.

i know how you feel susan, or well, i feel the opposite.

i have been playing (gaming is beginning to sound elitist to me,psh, we don't play we game) on a pc since forever, and the xbox joystick feels as unnatural in my hands as a hat does on my foot, but sometimes a game comes out for both consoles and the pc where the console version is superior to the pc version, and admitting that i wished i had a ps3 (i just really cant handle the xbox joystick) makes me feel like a traitor.

Dammit! Why did I read this article? I knew it would tell me something I didn't need to hear. That it would reveal horrid terrors against which I could avail nothing, and yet still I read it! Why do I torture myself so?

I agree, but my agreement extends to just about any game. Everything's better with a mouse and keyboard. 'Cept Street Fighter and racing games. Both of which, to me, have the lasting appeal of a mayfly.