"Tech" Thread: Blu Ray, HD-DVD, Video Games, HDTV

[AndyDursin]

Here's a dumb question: If I don't have one of these newer, high end HDTV's...does that frame rate really mean anything?

It's not a dumb question because I can hardly understand it either, but yeah, from what I gather it does mean something, because it has to do with what's on screen and how the game moves along as a result of its speed and the processing power -- it doesn't have to do with how many fps your TV can output.

In other words, it's not like this 1080p/24 fps deal -- which so few sets have. I was reading the thing about the Toshiba HD-DVD players being upgraded to 24 fps, and then I was like, who cares, DLP's can't do 24 fps to begin with and my LCD can't either. lol

Here's more from that article:

Aside from the simple fact that this puts the PS3 at a disadvantage (again), this situation (and Sony's response to it) raises all kinds of questions: is Sony's console really that much more difficult to develop for? What is Sony doing to educate its third parties on PS3 development? And after Karraker's comment, do they even care to help? A few weeks ago, Karraker tackled the subject on Sony's PlayStation blog:

"If your game starts on Xbox 360 you will have to re-engineer aspects of the game to run properly on PS3. This means additional effort. Some developers have been complaining about this but I don't believe we can solve that. Xbox 360 is a different machine with good, but lower powered hardware in a different architecture. Developers have to view them as two different machines not as a common platform."

It's worth pointing out that EA's been working on Xbox 360 hardware a full year longer than PS3. With Madden, it's almost understandable, but 2K is having the same issues with All-Pro Football 2K8, a game built from the ground up to be released on both platforms.

If that's the case these publishers probably don't feel it's worth the effort to spend additional $$$ on the PS3 version development at this point in time. Who knows.

[Eric W.]

Here's a dumb question: If I don't have one of these newer, high end HDTV's...does that frame rate really mean anything?

It's not a dumb question because I can hardly understand it either, but yeah, from what I gather it does mean something, because it has to do with what's on screen and how the game moves along as a result of its speed and the processing power -- it doesn't have to do with how many fps your TV can output.

In other words, it's not like this 1080p/24 fps deal -- which so few sets have. I was reading the thing about the Toshiba HD-DVD players being upgraded to 24 fps, and then I was like, who cares, DLP's can't do 24 fps to begin with and my LCD can't either. lol

Long/short: It matters to anyone. I just doublechecked that with a few people I know.

The biggest thing that could potentially show up out of that is control response/tightness of controls.

In theory, at least, one would think the higher frames would lend themselves to better controls, but who knows?

I'm just annoyed at this clear trend of laziness on part of the developers of these games.

It IS easier to develop games for the 360 and PC.

Sony has a responsibility, unlike what you read in that article, to do whatever it takes to get the third parties to make the games optimized for their platform as well. Hel them learn your hardware and get it down pat.

That "We've done it, why can't you?" attitude isn't going to cut it, and it's something that might cost them some sale since football is so huge and popular.

Maybe the end results will be fine on both systems, but this is a potentially growing trend and issue that Sony themselves needs to become very proactive in putting a halt to.

[AndyDursin]

Sony has a responsibility, unlike what you read in that article, to do whatever it takes to get the third parties to make the games optimized for their platform as well. That "We've done it, why can't you?" attitude isn't going to cut it, and it's something that might cost them some sale since football is so huge and popular.

Maybe the end results will be fine on both systems, but this is a potentially growing trend and issue that Sony themselves needs to become very proactive in putting a halt to.

Yes, the controls in theory ought to be better. I believe the first NCAA on the 360 was only 30 fps or the first Madden was -- can't recall, but I remember people knocking it for that reason.

And I agree too, Sony needs to be proactive, they've gotten off to enough of a bad start already and this won't help. If they knew their system was going to be the most difficult to program/develop for (which everyone did before the new systems were released), they ought to have been prepared for something like this.

[Eric W.]

Yes, the controls in theory ought to be better. I believe the first NCAA on the 360 was only 30 fps or the first Madden was -- can't recall, but I remember people knocking it for that reason.

In the end: More fps = better for all concerned.

And I agree too, Sony needs to be proactive, they've gotten off to enough of a bad start already and this won't help. If they knew their system was going to be the most difficult to program/develop for (which everyone did before the new systems were released), they ought to have been prepared for something like this.

Indeed.

[AndyDursin]

NCAA 08 demo is on Xbox Live!! sweet!!

[AndyDursin]

After playing it you can most definitely tell the difference between this and last year's game. Much smoother (probably due to the 60 fps) but it feels more comfortable too. Can't wait to play the real thing!

[Eric W.]

After playing it you can most definitely tell the difference between this and last year's game. Much smoother (probably due to the 60 fps) but it feels more comfortable too. Can't wait to play the real thing!

Me, too! I'm practically counting the seconds down!

[AndyDursin]

I've also read from numerous outlets that EA really got their "game on" with MADDEN this year. Totally overhauled, great, responsive controls, new animations...I guess hearing about the competition from 2k's ALL-PRO game really got them motivated.

I can't wait to try that too, as it's been a long time since I've really liked playing MADDEN. Apparently it smokes the new 2K game out of the water.

(Ditto on NHL, which they said is fantastic this year as well).

[Eric W.]

I've also read from numerous outlets that EA really got their "game on" with MADDEN this year. Totally overhauled, great, responsive controls, new animations...I guess hearing about the competition from 2k's ALL-PRO game really got them motivated.

I can't wait to try that too, as it's been a long time since I've really liked playing MADDEN. Apparently it smokes the new 2K game out of the water.

(Ditto on NHL, which they said is fantastic this year as well).

I know. It's kind of funny how that works out isn't it? Somehow EA wakes up from cruise control anytime there's a semblance of competition out there.

It's about time. EA has been cruise controlling on pretty much all of their sports titles for the last few years.

I know NCAA is going to own this year. I think Madden will be pretty good this year and I'm hoping this 2k8 game is something special as well.

[AndyDursin]

I know NCAA is going to own this year. I think Madden will be pretty good this year and I'm hoping this 2k8 game is something special as well.

Madden is supposed to be the really special one, amazingly -- everything I've read about All Pro is that it is severely lacking in single player (no franchise mode!), is overpriced, is decent but not great, and just can't hold a candle to how much Madden has improved. Sounds like a rental first, which is no problem with NCAA on the way

[Eric W.]

I know NCAA is going to own this year. I think Madden will be pretty good this year and I'm hoping this 2k8 game is something special as well.

Madden is supposed to be the really special one, amazingly -- everything I've read about All Pro is that it is severely lacking in single player (no franchise mode!), is overpriced, is decent but not great, and just can't hold a candle to how much Madden has improved. Sounds like a rental first, which is no problem with NCAA on the way

I'll rent All Pro first. NCAA is going to be in the middle of the spotlight for me all the way as well.

[mkaroly]

I finally bought an X-Box 360 and have been slowly playing ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION....outstanding game. The graphics are absolutely amazing....next up, HALO 3....

[AndyDursin]

I finally bought an X-Box 360 and have been slowly playing ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION....outstanding game. The graphics are absolutely amazing....next up, HALO 3....

Michael are you on XBOX LIVE? What is your gamertag ID?

You made the right call my friend.

BTW Sony's hyped PS3 "price drop" is nothing but an inventory firesale to dump the models they have. As soon as that unsold stock is depleted the price goes back up again. What an E3 showing they had!

[Eric W.]

The only place I feel like I don't see either bad news and/or stupidity from continues to be Nintendo.

[AndyDursin]

The only place I feel like I don't see either bad news and/or stupidity from continues to be Nintendo.

Nintendo is definitely going in the right direction for the Wii -- as I wrote before they have third-party developers backing up the Wii as they never did for the 64 and Gamecube, though as one Ubisoft exec I saw interviewed noted, most of those 3rd party games won't really be seen until next year. They're aiming at casual gamers (hey it's something my family can play!), netting die-hards with the usual franchises. They hedged their bets on not aiming for the high-end HD tech market as Sony did and right now they've come up huge with that decision.

The MS presser was stupid but, to be fair, they are not in the same boat at all as Sony. The 360's fall line up is exceptional and they certainly didn't have any surprises -- but right now they don't need to. Their roster of games is probably second to none at this point.

Sony is the one that has ground (and a lot of it) to make up, and judging from the reaction of the mainstream press, it seems like all they're going to continue to do is take on water. Even that one game I kind of wanted to check out (LAIR) got a load of mixed reviews.

This is going to be a pivotal Christmas for Sony to try and get back in the race, but two straight years of falling behind Nintendo & MS is basically going to end their dominance in this console generation -- if it hasn't happened to a fairly large degree already. And apparently the PS3 isn't selling even in Japan, which is just adding insult to injury right now.