Console Gaming

[deanbo]

I was thinking about console gaming as an alternative to gaming on my Mac.
Here are the benefits that I came up with.

1. No upgrading graphics cards.
2. Cheaper than buying a PC or (Mac).

But heres the negatives.

1. Graphics performance lags behind PC or Mac (Now several generations behind current graphics cards).

2. I don't like console controllers.

Having said that, does anyone know if you can plug a keyboard and mouse into a console?

Also, does anyone know if you can place a graphics chip onto a PGA? (Pin grid array). Quite frankly, if you can keep churning out better CPU's on the same PGA why could you not do the same with a GPU?

 

[varmit]

PS2 I believe has USB ports, but I don't think they are ment to use a keyboard and mouse instead of the regular contoller. I don't play first person shooters on the consoles, easier on PC with keyboard and mouse, but I do play stuff like GTA and Burn Out 3, those are not that complicated to play with controlers.

 

[skubish]

I think the Xbox Live games are awesome. Being able to have voice on everygame and an integrated friends list that can send invites to friends even if they are playing another game.

 

[Devie]

I'm personally a console gamer, whome plays a few games on the computer (mainly RTS'). This has allowed me the ability to have a Mac and not be left out.
As for graphics, so fricken what!
I really love my Cube, enjoy playing Live on my Xbox and the PS2 hasnt had that much attention recently...

 

[Artful Dodger]

I like my Xbox because of the live play and a big screen to play my games on. What I like to play on my Mac might not play, well look good on a big screen is SimCity4, Quake II.
Over all I like my console best which frees up my Mac for other things

 

[Sol]

Less graphic features but better graphics engines

Graphics performance lags behind PC or Mac (Now several generations behind current graphics cards).

You are comparing apples to oranges. Console graphics systems are purpose built for standard definition television animation. PC graphics cards are add-ons to general purpose systems.

Graphically consoles have advantages over PCs regardless of what exciting new graphics cards become available. Console developers can make the most of the hardware in one console by writing optimised code that gets better every year. The original Gran Tourismo for the PlayStation is the best example of this; the on-screen detail, smooth frame-rates and physics featured in the game were thought to be imposible at the introduction of the console. Compare that to Doom 3, which is compromised graphically depending on what operating system you play it on and how recent your computer is.

 

[deanbo]

Console for games

Having read all this, does anyone think that consoles are the future for gaming?
I mean, will PC's be phased out for gaming as gaming consoles become more and more capable?

 

[Capt Underpants]

I think the Xbox Live games are awesome. Being able to have voice on everygame and an integrated friends list that can send invites to friends even if they are playing another game.

PC equivalent: xFire

 

[Capt Underpants]

Having read all this, does anyone think that consoles are the future for gaming?
I mean, will PC's be phased out for gaming as gaming consoles become more and more capable?

If I could get a $300 console that could be hooked up to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, I'd buy it... Until then, though, I think I'll stick with PC gaming. I tried the whole console thing after switching, but it just wasn't enough.

 

[applekid]

The X-Box has a keyboard adapter, but I hear it isn't great.

I'm personally more used to a mouse and keyboard for shooters, but you do get used to it. And most games do have a decent amount of auto-targeting (not too much, but enough for people getting used to controllers).

 

[Sol]

Dreamcast VGA

If I could get a $300 console that could be hooked up to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, I'd buy it... Until then, though, I think I'll stick with PC gaming.

You should buy a Dreamcast with a VGA adaptor. This console had true VGA support (not composite video converted to VGA) and it also had an official keyboard and mouse for applications like internet browsing. Games like Ecco The Dolpin, House Of The Dead 2 and Daytona USA looked amazing on a VGA monitor.