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Geek Culture / Xbox 360 and hardcore gaming

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Darth Vader
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 15:50
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Hello everyone. I have a Wii it doubles (Or triples or more...) as a Gamecube, N64, SNES, NES, Sega, Turbo Grafix and something else I think? Now as everybody knows (I think I will be flamed for saying this but hey I'm shouting out "Me ignorant!") the Wii is moe for casual gamers and parties. So for hardcore gamers a PC is the option, but I could only buy a laptop and I really don't have the money for that, so I thought of the 360. It looks good it plays quite a few hardcore games and it's backwards capability is rising it's cheaper then the PS3 and alot more cheaper then a laptop plus when I buy a game to play, it will just work! I won't have to worry about looking at the specs and worrying if my integrated graphics chip can handle it even though I don't have pixel shader 2.0 (let alone 1.0!) or enough actual memory to run the game! So it seems like a good option since I also want to get into the gaming industry I think it's time I started actually playing games more often. But then I thought of the problems I might have with the TV I don't think it supports 480p and I don't know if the 360 will handle 480i, theres always my PC screen (I have a TV tuner card that supports AV input) but I just don't know.

So as usual I come to this forum were everyone helps out alot.
But I please ask if you want to argue about the 360 vs the PS3 please do it someplace else!
Thank you!


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Richard Davey
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:15
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You mean your TV isn't HD, right? I've never tried my 360 on a non-HD TV, but I'd imagine it doesn't look half as good. Some games just really need the extra resolution imho (one with lots of text or icons especially).

However you can connect a 360 to your PC monitor with a 360 VGA cable, which you can pick-up just about anywhere. Don't even think about arsing around putting your 360 into a TV tuner card, it'll look hideous. Just do a direct VGA connection.

If your monitor is high res enough, it'll display in full HD and look lovely.

I've been totally loving Space Giraffe, Solitaire (amazingly absorbing), and wow Bioshock was a real stunner. But of course only a few days to go until Halo 3. Ohh yeah Party time.

Never trust a computer you can't throw out of a window
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Darth Vader
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:31
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Quote: "only a few days to go until Halo 3. Ohh yeah Party time."

Thats also what is triggered me off. I'm just about to finish Halo 1 on my PC (Everything on low) and I can't wait to get into Halo 2 which is Backwards Compatible and then Halo 3!
But any more suggestions are welcome!


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GatorHex
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:40 Edited at: 19th Sep 2007 16:43
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I have 360 on HD and non HD and monitor all work fine. 360 rocks for price/performance. Yes TV Tuner is yuk!

DinoHunter (still no nVidia compo voucher!), CPU/GPU Benchmark, DarkFish Encryption DLL, War MMOG (WIP), 3D Model Viewer
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Chris K
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:42
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I am still managing to hold out on buying a 360, though I think Mass Effect will break me.

I bought a wired controller for the PC (and 360 when I get one) and it is awesome, definitely the best gamepad for PC. I just got a second hand wired controller and downloaded the drivers from MS's website, was about £15. Don't buy the specially branded Windows Controller it costs about £40 and it just comes with a CD with the drivers on.

They are renaming the Core pack to the Arcade pack, and it's coming with a memory stick, preloaded with 5 Live! games (£170 if Play.com hold their price), so I think I will go for that because then I'll have another wired controller for two player Marvel vs. Capcom on the PC, then I'll pick up a second hand HD off eBay when I need it, they go pretty cheap. I'm not bothered about the gold membership.

Christmas should clear the remaining Zephyr (90nm) chips out as well.

Then obviously I'll write that killer XBLA game with XNA and become a gazillionaire. That's the plan anyway.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
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Darth Vader
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:50
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So a VGA cable will plug into were? And how do I know if my screen is interlaced or progressive scanning? And I will get great quality because of the high resolution?
Thanks!


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Chris K
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:58
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I guess the cable has a socket on it that your monitor cable plugs into.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
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GatorHex
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 16:59 Edited at: 19th Sep 2007 17:02
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You have to buy a special XBOX 360 VGA cable I don't think it has a standard socket, search ebay for a bargain. You might need an adapter of some kind if you monitor cable is built in at one end(many are)



DinoHunter (still no nVidia compo voucher!), CPU/GPU Benchmark, DarkFish Encryption DLL, War MMOG (WIP), 3D Model Viewer
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Chris K
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 17:01
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OK just checked, and the cable comes with a gender changer block (female -> female) so you can plug the cable from your monitor into it.

You might want to invest in some kind of switcher so you can have your PC and 360 both wired up.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
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Libervurto
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 17:04 Edited at: 19th Sep 2007 17:14
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XBox Elite is now available, not really sure what is so special about it (apart from 120GB HDD!) maybe worth looking at.

How easy is it to use this memory? Will consoles get as disorganised as people's PCs?
Can you use an XBox/PS3 as a PC?

I am put off by XBox because I keep hearing about them breaking all the time, maybe this is different with the Elite.
My advice would be that money shouldn't really come into it, you are already spending a few hundred pounds so try to get the best you can afford, if you end up buying some "cheapy" version that burnt a whole in your pocket but still sucks you'll regret it.
Remember, unless you are rich you will be stuck with the same system for about 5 years.

Be careful with XBox, there are lots of add-ons that are built into the PS3
Quote: "To play HD movies on the Xbox 360, you must purchase a $199 optional external tray load HD-DVD player that can only be used for DVD or HD-DVD movie playback."

I'm not having a dig at XBox, it's good to have the choice of a cheaper console if you're not going to use the extra functions. Just make sure you wont have to pay as much as for a PS3 to get what you want.

In programming, nothing exists
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Richard Davey
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 17:36
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I'm tempted to swap my 360 for an Elite version purely for the HDMI port, although the 120GB drive would be a definite bonus now that game demos are getting larger and larger.

You can store media files on the HDD too (music, video downloads, game trailers, etc) which is great. I love having a few choice CDs on the HDD which I can shuffle and play via the media player before launching a game (so the CD music plays instead of the in-game music.. utterly superb idea imho).

I can't think of a single add-on for the 360 I've had to buy. I admit that wireless ought to be built-in as standard, but wifi is crap anyway ethernet ftw! Mine came with a wireless controller which is great. Oh I had to buy a 2nd controller, but that's the same on the PS3. and I don't care for HD-DVD films, so won't buy that (same as I don't care for Bluray films either, I'm not a film buff, get bored too quickly!)

PS3 is getting really cheap here now, I'm tempted to get one for Super Stardust alone just a shame there's no other good looking games for it yet. Maybe give it another 6 months ...

Never trust a computer you can't throw out of a window
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Libervurto
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 17:41
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Quote: "I can't think of a single add-on for the 360 I've had to buy."

Yeah, I'm not saying it won't work without add-ons, just explaining that PS3s price is higher because its stuff is built in already.

In programming, nothing exists
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Chris K
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 19:29
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...which is why it is outsold some months by the GBA.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
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tha_rami
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Posted: 19th Sep 2007 21:41
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Alan Wake...


Your mod has been erased by a signature because it was larger than 600x120.
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Jeku
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 03:34
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Quote: "Solitaire (amazingly absorbing)"


Surprised somebody bought that--- the controls were hideous if I remember correct.

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Darth Vader
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 05:10
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Okay so how does the 360 go for Hardcore gaming? I mean like I've seen quite a few titles for it. Maybe I'm not defining 'Hardcore' properly? Maybe I have to play games that are classics like Half Life and so!
I don't know! lol


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tha_rami
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 05:37
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I saíd: Alan Wake...

Assassins Creed...


Your mod has been erased by a signature because it was larger than 600x120.
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Van B
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 11:17
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The 360 is THE hardcore gamer console, Wii is for casual gamers, PS3 is for poser gamers with too much money .

In October the 360 is getting Orange Box, that's HL2, ep1, ep2, Portal, and the awesome looking Team Fortress 2 - if that's not hardcore then I don't know what is . Also consider Halo3, and all the other 360 exclusives, like Dead Rising.

We're going down... in a spiral to the ground...
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Zombie 20
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 11:46
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We have the 360 and wii, though the wii kicks ass and will have a lot of old hardcore titles on it the best i've played so far is paper mario and zelda..I hate to say it too but Big N is going more casual, not that its truly terrible..they're being innovative just like they know they can be..I've supported them for 13+ years and I don't intend to stop now.

Anyway about the 360, damn fine system..damn fine..many great games on it. Here are the ones I have gotten a chance to enjoy,

Lost Planet-Check this out bigtime
Dead Rising-Capcom has made the greatest zomb game ever Viva Frank West and his knee drop!

Gears of War-Absolute meh on the story but the shooting was top-notch.

Halo 1&2-Love the backwards compatibility..gearing up for three, but I didn't preorder .

Have to play bioshock yet but I hear great things..the point is that where big n used to be the hardcore market its broadening our playing field and Microsoft has been passed the torch to deliver us more of our adreanline filled action packed asskickery challenges that we all crave so much.

Quote: "PS3 is for poser gamers with too much money .

"


ZING! Hahahaha...sorry but I have no love for sony in this race..they barely hooked me with ps2.

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Darth Vader
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 12:05
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I don't have a HDTV, and it would look crap without one, I would at least want to go for 720p and since my parents aren't going to buy a new TV soon or let me have one in my room I could get an LCD (Preferably 19" because of my small desk) and say that I want to plug it into my laptop. So does anyone know if thats possible and if using an LCD I can plug the 360 directly into the screen without my lappie?


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Richard Davey
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 12:56
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Quote: "Surprised somebody bought that--- the controls were hideous if I remember correct."


Nah the controls are brilliant once you learn all the short-cuts! You barely need to even use the stick, most things can be done with 3 buttons. I've nearly finished Voyage mode, and the 2 player face-off challenge is great fun.

I was as surprised as anyone to enjoy it, but it has sucked up more of my time than most other games recently! I also tried the demo of the new MoH game, and was less than impressed - but all the reviews reckon it's one of the best MoH games in years and the demo doesn't do it justice.. so I may risk it and buy it anyway. But not before Halo 3

Oh and Alan Wake is the best reason to get a PS3? Get me out of here. I refuse to buy a console so I can play a game where the main character has worse dress sense than my Grandad (scarfs ffs!), and Assassins Creed is on the 360.

Never trust a computer you can't throw out of a window
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Van B
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 13:07
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Darth, it's all very straightforward, you just need the cable that plugs into a VGA port, so it would go right into your monitor - and sound is a case of getting phono to earphone jacks and using external speakers - or if the monitor has built in speakers then you can use them.

I kinda lost interest in the MOH games, I mean the last one I played was on the XBox, played it in co-op mode and compared to other FPS games it was just lacking - even practically unknown shooters on the XBox are more fun. COD4 looks great, I think that'll be a massive spanner in MOH's works.

Stranglehold looks like a very decent game as well, haven't played it because I thought it looked far too 'Max Payne', but my son plays the demo constantly, despite all the cool games I've bought recently.

We're going down... in a spiral to the ground...
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Chris K
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Posted: 20th Sep 2007 16:22
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Quote: "Oh and Alan Wake is the best reason to get a PS3? Get me out of here. I refuse to buy a console so I can play a game where the main character has worse dress sense than my Grandad (scarfs ffs!), and Assassins Creed is on the 360."


Alan Wake is a 360 exclusive isn't it? Best reason to NOT buy a PS3!

Pretty sure it's a Vista exclusive too, seem to remember MS bought out Remedy (best buy out for a long time if you ask me). I guess that means Max Payne 3 or whatever will also be MS's.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
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Jeku
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 03:50
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@VanB - The PS3 is getting the Orange Box too.

I just wish my freaking 360 was repaired. I'm not kidding when I say I've been waiting since July 30 for MS to ship me out a prepaid box, so I can send in my borked 360. This is literally going to take over 3 months to get fixed

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Darth Vader
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 06:46
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Maybe I should get a PC? Maybe thats better for gaming since I will be able to upgrade it when I need it to play the latest generation of games?


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Krilik
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 07:43
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I wouldn't buy a 360 right now. I would wait a few months until the red ring problem is confirmed to have been fixed.

Besides, the Wii is going to have a bunch of good hardcore titles soon, that should hold you over until the 360 is "safe" to buy. Metroid Prime 3 is a good game, and I hated the first two. Zack and Wiki, Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles, Fire Emblem, Soul Calibur Legends, NiGHTS Journey of Dreams, if you don't own Lego Star Wars already Saga comes out soon, Ghost Squad, Trauma Center, Harvest Moon, Battalion Wars 2, Dragon Blade, Smash Bros, Mario Galaxy. All come out by the end of this year.
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Jeku
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 08:54
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Those are hardly hardcore games, in my opinion. But yes, I agree that the Wii has a lot of potential.

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Krilik
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 20:19
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I've always considered a hardcore game to be something that takes large amounts of time and energy invested. Most of those games I think do, but you can say they are casual games just because you can pick and play.

Like some people consider Super Smash Bros to be casual... But I never understood this because I've easily invested dozens of hours trying to unlock all the trophies, stages, characters, etc. And its a pick up and play type game.
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Jess T
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 21:07
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Quote: "I've easily invested dozens of hours trying to unlock all the trophies, stages, characters, etc. And its a pick up and play type game."


And that right there, my friend, is why Nintendo make such fantastic games time and time again!

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Libervurto
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Posted: 21st Sep 2007 21:11 Edited at: 21st Sep 2007 21:12
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Can't remember who said it but I liked the definition of the difference between hard/soft core games being that soft games can be picked up by anyone and played almost instantly; whereas hard games need an understanding of how computer games work before you can play them.
I tried to get my brother to play Scarface, he only ever plays PES, he was pretty crap at it and took a while to work out what was going on, and still didn't like all the shooting lol
I've noticed that people who don't play computer games take a lot longer to respond to stuff on-screen. Or in the worst case have to look down at the controller to check which button they're pressing
I was doing that a lot when playing XBox 360 lol

In programming, nothing exists
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