Thank You Stardock/GPG

from Demigod Forums

Just wanted to make a post thanking Brad Wardell and all employees of Stardock and GPG for staying by the PCs side and still strongly supporting the PC even while the the platform is rather unstable.

 

What with THE John Carmack stating that ID is moving to be more console centric and BioWare/EA delaying Dragon Age: Origins an entire half of a year so that the PC and console release can be simultanious, it's just nice to see companies like Stardock, GPG, and Valve (among others) not treating PC gamers like the red headed step child.

 

It's nice to have games to look forward to that aren't just going to be dumbed down, sloppy console ports.

 

So thank you Stardock/GPG. It means a lot.

42,963 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from Demigod Forums Top

Gir92 hits Dawn of War II for 43212 FLAME damage *CRITICAL*

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Heavenfall, reply 1
Gir92 hits Dawn of War II for 43212 FLAME damage *CRITICAL*
End of Heavenfall's quote

 

???

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

uh...   I thank them for being awesome developers in general.    The bill-o-gamin' rights is such a great standard to set.

Reply #4 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting landisaurus, reply 3
uh...   I thank them for being awesome developers in general.    The bill-o-gamin' rights is such a great standard to set.
End of landisaurus's quote

 

I agree.

Reply #5 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Thrawn2787, reply 2

Gir92 hits Dawn of War II for 43212 FLAME damage *CRITICAL*
 

???
End of Thrawn2787's quote
End of quote

One of the upcoming games that suffers greatly from being dumbed down so it can be ported to console later on.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Heavenfall, reply 5



Quoting Thrawn2787,
reply 2

Gir92 hits Dawn of War II for 43212 FLAME damage *CRITICAL*
 


???


One of the upcoming games that suffers greatly from being dumbed down so it can be ported to console later on.
End of Heavenfall's quote

BOO HISS!!!!   

I don't mind trying to multi-platform.   Hearing that the design has suffered as a result pains me though.

(how are they going to port an RTS without a controls overhaul?  I've played the beta, and I still think that is going to suck.  Analog stick =/= pointing device )

(I think it would have been funnier if it were "BURN" damage rather than "flame" damage)

-If more companies follow stardock's bill-o-gamer rights, then PC games will probebly pick up.  AS it stands, it suffers from few titles that you can expect to work on your PC (like even my high-end beast of a machine can't run some games unless I patch them).   Its things like the 'wait until first patch' rule that hurts PC games.

Reply #7 from Demigod Forums Top

Some rts games use one stick for camera and another for pointer. Units are easily selectable through the dropdown they stole from SINS (probably 1 button to flip through the units for "speed"). Another button to select HQ. A third button to select upgrades/build orders. A fourth button to make selections. A fifth button to go through special abilities.

Then you can access the special orders by holding a button down while pressing go (one button+go =attackmove, another button+go=melee attack only). Just holding down action move when moving units would give you the "where should we aim" feature.

Game isn't more complicated than that.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

   

It's nice to have games to look forward to that aren't just going to be dumbed down, sloppy console ports.

 

So thank you Stardock/GPG. It means a lot.
End of quote

This is very true... anytime a game is made compatible with a console game it's overall development options become more limited.  This includes important features such as rendering of graphics, game editors, patch updates, game content and less QA testing.  So anytime a company releases a game for more than one type of gaming system the overall value is suffering.

It's like buying safety gear for your career...  now as a firefighter would you rather purchase a safety gear outfit which was made specifically for firefighters OR would you rather purchase a safety gear outfit which was made for policemen, marines and firefighters.  The one specific for firefighters will have everything you need whereas the other one will have stuff you don't need and might be missing a few minor things.

I just wanted to say thanks to Stardock for not sacrificing on quality.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Heavenfall, reply 5



Quoting Thrawn2787,
reply 2

Gir92 hits Dawn of War II for 43212 FLAME damage *CRITICAL*
 


???


One of the upcoming games that suffers greatly from being dumbed down so it can be ported to console later on.
End of Heavenfall's quote

They have stated that they won't port it. Not saying that they couldn't change their minds but i don't see why they should do that.

Dumbed down is nothing but an opinion that isn't shared by everybody (just stating a fact, not trying to argue).

Reply #10 from Demigod Forums Top

You're right, it is an opinion. And I also hope you are right that they won't port it. Although with the current game, it wouldn't really be noticeable.

But right now, a lot speaks for it. They send mixed messages to the public regarding whether or not it will be ported. They use GFWL. Graphics are so bad they can run on an xbox360 (hello sprites!). Menus are typical console-design.

Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

This includes important features such as rendering of graphics, game editors, patch updates, game content and less QA testing.
End of quote

Console games get more Q&A than PC games. Console games have to be tested for basic functioning by the hardware manufacturer before the game is allowed to be released.

And I don't know how console game development affects game content.

Graphics are so bad they can run on an xbox360
End of quote

I'm sorry; did you just say that DoWII's graphics were bad?

I'm not quite sure what to say to that. I mean, if D0WII is your standard for bad, I can't imagine what your standard for good is...

Reply #12 from Demigod Forums Top

I didn't say they were my standard for bad, I said they were so bad they could run on xbox360. Lots of stuff has been released that could run on older consoles. Dow 2 is merely as bad as other games such as halo 3 or left4dead. It may be fine if you're sitting on a console, but it's really not fine if you're sitting on a computer and wanting to push the boundaries.

I think what bothers me by far the most is the sprites they use for way too many things (auras, missiles, bullets).

My standard for good graphics would be something like demigod.

Edit: For bringing this topic... off-topic, I will say I am sorry.

Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

And I don't know how console game development affects game content.
End of quote

 

A) Limits the options for mods

B) Ruins the UI -- Look at Oblivion, it's UI was designed to be console capable and is horribly clunky as a result.

C) When you design for console + PC, you have to spend resources to make sure you fit the console, as well as the PC.  More importantly, you can't make use of the advantages of the PC (higher hardware, for example).  Used to be you can't patch console games, but that's a wash these days.