[PCWorld]

Post your comments for How Windows 8 rewrites the rules of PC gaming here

[Xach]

I like it. It will be nice to see what kind of games get developed in the near future.

[TechConc]

PCWorld, on 05 December 2012 - 03:30 AM, said:

Post your comments for How Windows 8 rewrites the rules of PC gaming here

The rules of gaming have already been rewritten. Windows 8 is essentially playing catchup with what's happening in the "post PC era".

Quote

"Although Apple iOS fans will no doubt snort, suggesting that such features have always been available on iOS, relatively few cross-platform titles exist between iOS and Mac OS.

As the author acknowledges, none of this is new. It all came about in iOS through the smartphone / tablet gaming market. Exposing accelerometers, gyroscopes and touch are nothing new for game developers. Adding cloud technology and second screen displays have been done before as well through iCloud and AirPlay, etc. This is all great stuff, but lets be honest and acknowledge that Windows 8 is simply bringing this technology to the Windows gaming platform, not rewriting the rules of gaming. That ship has already sailed.

To the author's point though, there is a fundamental difference in philosophy between Apple and Microsoft. Apple believes Desktops and Tablets should be true to themselves in design and not be hindered by limitations of one another. Microsoft believes in a utopia where these two devices are seamlessly combined. To date, they've delivered a jack of all trades but master of none. The jury is probably still out on which approach is better, but these devices are different. For example, some types of games like first person shooters (FPS) can be written for both types of devices. However, games like this will always be better with keyboard and mouse. Other types of games like driving games do quite well on tablets. The point being, just because the same type of game can be written for different types of devices, doesn't make the experience will be as good. I really enjoy my iPad, but it's not a replacement for my PC for gaming. There is place for both and Window 8 doesn't solve that problem.

[Xach]

Doesn't it seem like you could do new things like lets say have your tablet act as an overhead map on some FPS games you play keyboard and mouse on PC. That's what it seems like Nintendo is always trying to do.

To me it just seems like there is some opportunity to do things different with the new direction Windows is taking.

I can say enough about windows 8 though. I just installed it on a computer that had windows vista and it fixed a known HP problem that made the wireless adapter in the computer unworkable. Now it surfs the internet just as well as any other. I can't say windows 7 would not have fix it as well, as I never tried it on this computer.

[djnforce9]

To me, this really only affects "casual games" which have very low system requirements and can run seamlessly on mobile devices and PC's alike. I just cannot imagine any tablet running the more demanding titles that generally appear on consoles or are geared towards high end "gaming PC's" (and therefor cannot be "unified" between all platforms). In essences, there is still a division so just saying it "rewrites the rules of PC gaming" cannot possibly apply to "all games".

[BrandonRinebold]

Quote

To me, this really only affects "casual games" which have very low system requirements and can run seamlessly on mobile devices and PC's alike. I just cannot imagine any tablet running the more demanding titles that generally appear on consoles or are geared towards high end "gaming PC's" (and therefor cannot be "unified" between all platforms). In essences, there is still a division so just saying it "rewrites the rules of PC gaming" cannot possibly apply to "all games".

Actually, current gen console games are doable on a tablet-sized device as long as you're willing to put up with some extra thickness to allow for cooling and poor battery life while gaming. Your console, believe it or not, is still made using hardware from 2003 and mobile hardware has already surpassed it.

Basically cost, battery usage, and customer expectations are the reason you aren't seeing open-gl based games that beat out your xbox, not any physical limitations. Most people don't want a 10-inch xbox360, they want a 10-inch web/email device that doesn't go through battery charge like a crack addict. The hardware is there if there were demands for a 10-inch (diagonal) 360 about 3/4 to 1 inch thick

[gwlaw99]

PC gamers playing against tablet gamers in fps is a disaster. It's already hard enough for console gamers vs pc gamers.

[groberts116]

Quote

PCWorld said
Post your comments for http://www.pcworld.com/a/2014338 here The rules of gaming have already been rewritten. Windows 8 is essentially playing catchup with what's happening in the "post PC era". "Although Apple iOS fans will no doubt snort, suggesting that such features have always been available on iOS, relatively few cross-platform titles exist between iOS and Mac OS. As the author acknowledges, none of this is new. It all came about in iOS through the smartphone / tablet gaming market. Exposing accelerometers, gyroscopes and touch are nothing new for game developers. Adding cloud technology and second screen displays have been done before as well through iCloud and AirPlay, etc. This is all great stuff, but lets be honest and acknowledge that Windows 8 is simply bringing this technology to the Windows gaming platform, not rewriting the rules of gaming. That ship has already sailed. To the author's point though, there is a fundamental difference in philosophy between Apple and Microsoft. Apple believes Desktops and Tablets should be true to themselves in design and not be hindered by limitations of one another. Microsoft believes in a utopia where these two devices are seamlessly combined. To date, they've delivered a jack of all trades but master of none. The jury is probably still out on which approach is better, but these devices are different. For example, some types of games like first person shooters (FPS) can be written for both types of devices. However, games like this will always be better with keyboard and mouse. Other types of games like driving games do quite well on tablets. The point being, just because the same type of game can be written for different types of devices, doesn't make the experience will be as good. I really enjoy my iPad, but it's not a replacement for my PC for gaming. There is place for both and Window 8 doesn't solve that problem.

[groberts116]

Quote

PCWorld said
Post your comments for http://www.pcworld.com/a/2014338 here The rules of gaming have already been rewritten. Windows 8 is essentially playing catchup with what's happening in the "post PC era". "Although Apple iOS fans will no doubt snort, suggesting that such features have always been available on iOS, relatively few cross-platform titles exist between iOS and Mac OS. As the author acknowledges, none of this is new. It all came about in iOS through the smartphone / tablet gaming market. Exposing accelerometers, gyroscopes and touch are nothing new for game developers. Adding cloud technology and second screen displays have been done before as well through iCloud and AirPlay, etc. This is all great stuff, but lets be honest and acknowledge that Windows 8 is simply bringing this technology to the Windows gaming platform, not rewriting the rules of gaming. That ship has already sailed. To the author's point though, there is a fundamental difference in philosophy between Apple and Microsoft. Apple believes Desktops and Tablets should be true to themselves in design and not be hindered by limitations of one another. Microsoft believes in a utopia where these two devices are seamlessly combined. To date, they've delivered a jack of all trades but master of none. The jury is probably still out on which approach is better, but these devices are different. For example, some types of games like first person shooters (FPS) can be written for both types of devices. However, games like this will always be better with keyboard and mouse. Other types of games like driving games do quite well on tablets. The point being, just because the same type of game can be written for different types of devices, doesn't make the experience will be as good. I really enjoy my iPad, but it's not a replacement for my PC for gaming. There is place for both and Window 8 doesn't solve that problem.

[groberts116]

Quote

PCWorld said Post your comments for http://www.pcworld.com/a/2014338 here The rules of gaming have already been rewritten. Windows 8 is essentially playing catchup with what's happening in the "post PC era". "Although Apple iOS fans will no doubt snort, suggesting that such features have always been available on iOS, relatively few cross-platform titles exist between iOS and Mac OS. As the author acknowledges, none of this is new. It all came about in iOS through the smartphone / tablet gaming market. Exposing accelerometers, gyroscopes and touch are nothing new for game developers. Adding cloud technology and second screen displays have been done before as well through iCloud and AirPlay, etc. This is all great stuff, but lets be honest and acknowledge that Windows 8 is simply bringing this technology to the Windows gaming platform, not rewriting the rules of gaming. That ship has already sailed. To the author's point though, there is a fundamental difference in philosophy between Apple and Microsoft. Apple believes Desktops and Tablets should be true to themselves in design and not be hindered by limitations of one another. Microsoft believes in a utopia where these two devices are seamlessly combined. To date, they've delivered a jack of all trades but master of none. The jury is probably still out on which approach is better, but these devices are different. For example, some types of games like first person shooters (FPS) can be written for both types of devices. However, games like this will always be better with keyboard and mouse. Other types of games like driving games do quite well on tablets. The point being, just because the same type of game can be written for different types of devices, doesn't make the experience will be as good. I really enjoy my iPad, but it's not a replacement for my PC for gaming. There is place for both and Window 8 doesn't solve that problem.

You don't get it. What Microsoft has done is merge all systems together in a manner that Apple has not.

[TommyONeilln4z]

I'll design my own games the way I want, thank you very much.

[RenzoLazarte]

So they want to push towards the hated gfwl store 2.0 this time focusing on touch? Didnt they dismiss indies from smartglass? If it's gonna be that easy with the new xbox api, then why dont they port forza, halo and gow to windows 8, you know scalling them up...

[RenzoLazarte]

Quote

To me, this really only affects "casual games" which have very low system requirements and can run seamlessly on mobile devices and PC's alike. I just cannot imagine any tablet running the more demanding titles that generally appear on consoles or are geared towards high end "gaming PC's" (and therefor cannot be "unified" between all platforms). In essences, there is still a division so just saying it "rewrites the rules of PC gaming" cannot possibly apply to "all games". Actually, current gen console games are doable on a tablet-sized device as long as you're willing to put up with some extra thickness to allow for cooling and poor battery life while gaming. Your console, believe it or not, is still made using hardware from 2003 and mobile hardware has already surpassed it. Basically cost, battery usage, and customer expectations are the reason you aren't seeing open-gl based games that beat out your xbox, not any physical limitations. Most people don't want a 10-inch xbox360, they want a 10-inch web/email device that doesn't go through battery charge like a crack addict. The hardware is there if there were demands for a 10-inch (diagonal) 360 about 3/4 to 1 inch thick

The vita has the power of a ps3 just scalled down.

[RenzoLazarte]

Quote

I like it. It will be nice to see what kind of games get developed in the near future.

Farmville 3?

[waldojim]

While this could easily affect how PC gamers play, unfortunately, I see this as resulting in a huge step backwards for gaming. What will happen, is manufacturers will start writing games for tablet based Windows, and won't include a high quality version for PC's with powerful graphics cards.

I hope I am wrong, but I just don't see why manufacturers would bother designing for both high end desktops AND tablets at the same time.

[TsarNikky]

It comes as no surprise, since it is obvious that a (or maybe the) major design consideration for Windows-8 and its touch-centric UI was for gaming and, as an adjunct, for e-mailing and surfing the Internet.

[TechConc]

djnforce9, on 05 December 2012 - 07:35 AM, said:

To me, this really only affects "casual games" which have very low system requirements and can run seamlessly on mobile devices and PC's alike. I just cannot imagine any tablet running the more demanding titles that generally appear on consoles or are geared towards high end "gaming PC's" (and therefor cannot be "unified" between all platforms). In essences, there is still a division so just saying it "rewrites the rules of PC gaming" cannot possibly apply to "all games".

I think you'd be surprised. Take the iPad 4 for example. The CPU/GPU performance is console quality already and the pace in which performance has increased on mobile devices over the past 5 years has been astonishing. I don't see performance as the issue as much as controls. The example of how the device is controlled for first person shooters is the example I'm having a hard time reconciling. Sure, the tablet has brought new types of games as a result of the new types of controls. The issue is that these new controls don't necessarily translate well to all gaming genres.

[TechConc]

groberts116, on 05 December 2012 - 09:16 AM, said:

You don't get it. What Microsoft has done is merge all systems together in a manner that Apple has not.

Seriously, it took you three posts just to write a response like this? Also, what don't I get? I've acknowledged what Microsoft has done. Hence the comment, jack of all trades, but master of none. Take the Surface for example. It's supposed to be a desktop and a tablet replacement. Yet, it's neither the best desktop nor the best tablet. It's a compromise. As for Windows 8, yes, it can do the traditional desktop and it can do "Metro", but the combination isn't exactly seamless. In fact, the two interfaces are quite jarring. So, to your point, they've implemented something in a manner Apple has not. Apple of all companies would be ridiculed endlessly for doing something as sloppy as that.

[KLanD]

Quote

While this could easily affect how PC gamers play, unfortunately, I see this as resulting in a huge step backwards for gaming. What will happen, is manufacturers will start writing games for tablet based Windows, and won't include a high quality version for PC's with powerful graphics cards. I hope I am wrong, but I just don't see why manufacturers would bother designing for both high end desktops AND tablets at the same time.

I see it differently.. I see developers using the tablet/smartphone as an extension of the current gaming experience.

Imagine playing an FPS and having a touch sensitive map or playing an MMORPG and having your inventory/spells a touch away.

Or even more AR, like Ingress.

[waldojim]

KLanD, on 05 December 2012 - 12:04 PM, said:

Quote

While this could easily affect how PC gamers play, unfortunately, I see this as resulting in a huge step backwards for gaming. What will happen, is manufacturers will start writing games for tablet based Windows, and won't include a high quality version for PC's with powerful graphics cards. I hope I am wrong, but I just don't see why manufacturers would bother designing for both high end desktops AND tablets at the same time.

I see it differently.. I see developers using the tablet/smartphone as an extension of the current gaming experience.

Imagine playing an FPS and having a touch sensitive map or playing an MMORPG and having your inventory/spells a touch away.

Or even more AR, like Ingress.

Are you referring to gamers using both the PC and their tablet? If so, think about the number of users that DON'T have a Windows tablet to compliment their Windows 8 PC.