icemann on 6/10/2009 at 14:41
Quote Posted by EvaUnit02
AFAIK, the hackers have yet to crack it.
Only since Sony learned their lesson majorly with how piracy saturated the psp became (and still is) after a few mistakes led to hackers gaining full access, and have since (the hackers) extended it out to the extent that a hacked psp has alot of benefits over a proper non hacked one (better res movie playback, playback of backups, support for extra file types, ability to install and use emulators etc). Hacked psp`s can also play any game without the need to update firmwares.
So with all those lessons learned, I`m sure Sony would be especially careful in not letting hackers find backdoors into the ps3.
Taffer36 on 6/10/2009 at 17:39
Quote Posted by Ostriig
Look, I'm really not a console hater, I don't have some kind of a principle-based bone to pick with the type of platform. In fact, I kind of want a second hand PS3. But the first and foremost HURR DURR I've got with consoles is the promoted control scheme.
What? I'm responding to this:
Quote Posted by poroshin
I can't imagine playing FPS games with the controller though.
If someone is holding out on playing console FPS games, which is quite a monstrous set of games, then I don't think it can be classified as HURR DURR to say that it's worth really giving controllers a chance if it's going to allow you to enjoy a whole slew of games that you would otherwise completely miss.
Ostriig on 6/10/2009 at 17:55
No, I didn't mean you were HURRDURRing, that was describing my relationship with console controllers. I'm just surprised that you say you prefer playings FPS games with a controller over mouse & keyboard. I'd probably put up with the controller for the sake of a really good console FPS if one came my way, but I'm having a hard time picturing myself actively preferring it like that.
I just wish the whole couch & controller mentality would start phasing out a bit from the console market. I'd like to see more console games ship with native support for mouse & keyboard, like UT3 did.
Taffer36 on 7/10/2009 at 00:30
Quote Posted by Ostriig
No, I didn't mean you were HURRDURRing, that was describing my relationship with console controllers. I'm just surprised that you say you prefer playings FPS games with a controller over mouse & keyboard. I'd probably put up with the controller for the sake of a really good console FPS if one came my way, but I'm having a hard time picturing myself actively preferring it like that.
I just wish the whole couch & controller mentality would start phasing out a bit from the console market. I'd like to see more console games ship with native support for mouse & keyboard, like UT3 did.
Well, I would NEVER EVER try to argue that the controller is superior to the mouse & keyboard, but I don't necessarily buy that precision somewhat equates to which is preferable for use. I just like how comfortable controllers are. The layout and design of them as well I just feel are much better than a sea of similar keys on a keyboard, and I like how condensed and close everything is on the controller. I would say that pulling the triggers feels a lot better than clicking the mouse buttons. I also prefer how with a joystick, you release it and it centers back. With a mouse, your hand can stray and, occasionally, you have to reset the mouse position.
Sure, the controller is less precise but it's hardly an issue if the playing field is leveled. If you put me in a cross-platform multiplayer game and tell me to choose between the mouse + keyboard or the controller, of course I'll have to choose the mouse control. But it doesn't feel so much like a hindrance when everyone has the same turn and aim limitations.
I'm not sure if I'm a fan of too many console games supporting mouse + keyboard. I assume that UT3 had some sort of system where they had servers specifically for one control scheme or the other, which is absolutely necessary when you bring in a control scheme that isn't necessarily everyone's choice but is unanimously more precise. It creates a sort of a rift in the multiplayer population, and I'm not sure if I'm all for that. Singleplayer and LAN play, obviously, I have no qualms with.
Ostriig on 7/10/2009 at 01:46
Well, I don't really see the comfort shortcomings you list with the mouse & keyboard scheme as actual shortcomings, but I guess it's a matter of personal preference. For me, that extra precision and speed isn't so much a matter of competitive play, since, as you mentioned, everyone's under the same rules, but those elements actually translate to comfortable control in my case. There also seems to be the concept that controller usage will require (
http://news.softpedia.com/news/PS3-Version-of-Unreal-Tournament-3-is-Slower-73076.shtml) overall slower gameplay, but that may or may not matter much to people, and I'm guessing the effect can be minimised.
Regarding UT3, I confess I don't know, though I definitely see your point about the possible need to split servers based on controls. When I'm asking for more m&k support on consoles, however, you have to admit that it would result in more than just speed and precision. The controller scheme, at least in what it's been like so far, seems to have had some limiting effects on game design and interaction modelling. I'm primarily referring to the limited number of buttons here, resulting in either a heavy reliance on contextual actions (like Fallout 3 using hold Reload to Holster, or hold Inventory for the Flashlight) or the full exclusion of others (for instance, see the folk tale of Bioshock and the golden leaning). Or, if I'm allowed a little hair splitting, imagine stuff like using the analogue stick instead of the numpad or the mouse to punch in a keycode or, respectively, for managing a real-time no-pause inventory with a Bloodsucker bearing down on you. I really believe that design stands to benefit more from m&k than just quicker, more precise targetting.
Taffer36 on 7/10/2009 at 02:57
Yeah, perhaps I could have spaced it out better in my original post. I meant for "giving controllers a chance" to be separate from my anecdotal fact that I happen to enjoy them more than a mouse and keyboard.
I know that RPG's tend to traditionally require more controls, but honestly I feel like a game's design should never really necessitate THAT many controls. Hell, even when I'm playing on PC with all of those extra keys it bothers me quite a bit when I have to move into the T, Y, H, V territory.
Situations such as interactive number pads I agree with you in, because they are small yet nice options. But the use of keyboards for consoles will ultimately have to be cut short due to the fact that console games will have to, and should, entirely support the minimalistic controller scheme. Yes, I support allowing players to map controls onto a keyboard in console games (for singleplayer at least), but I don't see it somehow controlling the design of games or breaking down control barriers as I feel that you are implying.
The Alchemist on 7/10/2009 at 07:33
Fuck, I don't remember writing that. I must have been very much not sober. I was like "fuck, look at this huge post, some guy ran...oh shi that was me?"
Drugs + ttlg am i rite. Sorry guys.
Fragony on 7/10/2009 at 09:18
great now I have agreed with a post you don't remember writing because you were intoxicated, where does that leave me.
The Alchemist on 7/10/2009 at 18:01
Doesn't mean my point was invalid! I probably just didn't deliver it as best as I could have. :erm:
poroshin on 12/10/2009 at 12:58
Been playing a little of Resistance and just tried the Bioshock demo, to get the hang of FPS gaming on a console. It's not too bad, though definitely not as natural as on the PC with the mouse. In Bioshock it was better, because in the demo you're mostly dealing with enemies one on one. In Resistance I was killed often while trying to center the reticle on the shooting enemies, and then also being shot at from the back. It's tough. But pretty fun.
