The Glade 4.0

I came across an article about Remedy's upcoming A-list title Quantum Break, and how it appears the final code runs at 720p, while still being unable to stick with a solid 30fps.

I've recently realized I'm old enough to have matured past "mature" games (that is, games that like to tout their own "mature" status like a kid who's snuck into an R-rated movie rather than do something interesting with it), and have circled back around to Nintendo. I've used my 3DS and Wii U over the past three weeks more than any of the other current-gen consoles combined. I'm firmly of the opinion that tech is far less relevant for great-looking gaming than sterling design and execution, and Nintendo excels at this (it doesn't hurt that they're just plain better at making games than pretty much anyone else).

Presentation is, of course, not just important, but utterly crucial (these are called video games, after all). It's just not reliant on technology. And to be fair, I've enjoyed both my Xbone (mainly Halo) and my PS4 (mainly Diablo 3). Games can be dark, gritty and mature, but constantly trying to fill in the gaping chasms of the uncanny valley will fail almost 100% of the time in the short-term, and god help your eventual "HD" re-release. And neither console feels like they've earned my investment yet, to be honest. Part of this is a move away from exclusives, I think; one console not really offering "signature" titles means that they're just interchangeable (yeah, Microsoft has Halo, and Sony has Uncharted, but they're not exactly near-and-dear).

That's all to say that while I don't think chasing the latest and greatest specs are productive or important (another reason I stepped away from PC gaming), it seems to be the standard the industry is setting for itself, but can't even seem to match. In an era where 4K television is becoming the new standard, this is an absolutely true statement (from the original linked article):

Honestly, this is a major reason for the PC gaming resurgence that has happened over the last few years. PC components have gotten cheap and powerful enough that you can build a PC that will out-game a PS4 or xbone for effectively the same price, and if you're willing to put a little more into it, will blow it out of the water. (This article at the top of my google search has 4 builds under 400$ - http://www.toptengamer.com/top-400-gaming-computer/)

Combine that with the fact that with steam sales, humble bundles, and a thousand other discount/indie models saving you a ridiculous amount on games, and from a financial standpoint PC blows consoles (and their locked ecosystems and pay-for-multiplayer) away.

Some of the most popular games (minecraft, etc) are pure gameplay mechanics with "8-bit" style retro graphics that a 10 year old PC can run without issue. I'm personally very excited that a lot of developers seem to be moving in the direction of "more artistic" instead of chasing the uncanny valley, like you've said. (That being said, Star Citizen's realistic graphics even at this early alpha point in the game make my jaw drop.)

There are a lot of gamers out there that buy a series. I work next to a guy who I'm pretty sure hasn't ever bought a game that wasn't Call of Duty. He buys Call of duty, and when one comes out that requires a new console, he buys a new console to play call of duty. That's fine, it's his money, he can do what he likes with it. However, for people that like a little more diversity in their gaming, I can't imagine being tied to one console. I personally think Nintendo+PC is probably the best of all possible worlds, because after all these years, no one does nintendo games like nintendo. However, with Nintendo's last couple consoles (Wii/Wii U), you're essentially buying a system for the 10 exclusive games by Nintendo, and nothing else. The nostalgia has to be strong!

Though, yes. I applaud Nintendo for realizing that gameplay and design is king.

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

I built my PC specifically for 1080p gaming because I don't own any monitors and don't plan on getting better TV's anytime soon. It runs games very well.

That said, my desktop sits collecting dust because it loses the convenience battle to my PS4.

but who am I kidding, 90% of my gaming is EQ on a mac laptop.