Topic: Half Life 2 on the N5!!

[RABicle]

It's only possible on Xbox cos carmack only knows how to make a PC run the game, Gamecube and PS2 could both probably run it he just doens't know how to.

[KDR_11k]

HL2 is technically worse than Doom 3. D3 uses normalmaps which I'm not sure the GC can handle but HL2 uses plain bumpmaps. Those are definitely possible on GC. Also they said HL2 should be scalable to run on even the worst comps, of course with serious cut backs in the graphics. Seeing how the XB barely reaches the minimum requirements it'll probably have those cut backs. There's just no way in hell any current console runs an FPS with characters with as many polies as your average fighting game char (of which there are only two at once on screen).

I might get HL2 for the mods but not for the game itself. I didn't like HLs SP and I didn't see much of a story in there. Either way I'll ignore it on consoles.

[BrianSLA]

>> I want the hardcore technical explanation of exactly why Doom 3 is possible only on the XBox and no other console. <<


Ok I had to do some searching. But here are some quotes from various sources.
>> "...John Carmack said that the Xbox is the only console platform that id is "completely committed" to releasing Doom III on. Carmack further commented that the Xbox version will have the "full graphics fidelity" of the PC version, which made a major debut at this year's E3, where it won a number of awards." <<

>> While commenting on the Xbox port of Doom 3, Carmack stated that PS2 would not be able to handle Doom 3 graphics without "sacrifices", while Xbox port will look just as good as the PC counterpart. <<

>> John Carmack, id's lead programmer, commented that out of the current generation of console's, the game's graphics engine would be best adapted to the Xbox <<

Also Doom 3 REQUIRES a GeForce 3 card minimum. Basically of all the articles I've read, the Xbox version will be comparable to the PC version, thus it is the only version. If they want to dumb down the graphics to PS2 level, yeah there might be PS2 & Gamecube ports. The Xbox port will look like the PC version of Doom3, just like the Xbox version of Half Life 2 will look like the PC version ( except on high end 3 Ghz plus  ultra maxed out high levels ). It is kind of funny in that alot of Gamecube fanboys comment that the Xbox is a stripped down PC and then don't want to believe it will get the cutting edge PC games.

As for power. The Xbox IS the most powerful of all three consoles. Gamecube fans want to say they are close to Xbox BUT if you look at muliplatform games specifically ported to each console, the Xbox version ALWAYS looks better. It isn't the significant and MASSIVE difference between Xbox and PS2, but the Xbox version does definitely look better.

[KDR_11k]

1. That multiplatform excuse is void. I won't go into more detail as that's off-topic, but it often involves money.
2. The XB will NOT be able to run D3 on full detail. It cannot even run UT2003 on full detail. Why? Well, UT2003 sometimes overfills my Radeon 8500's 64MB of vid mem. Considering that's the TOTAL amount of RAM in the XBox... Do I need to say more?
3. All of these quotes refer back to Carmack himself. But, JC never built a game for the GC or PS2. While it's out of question that the PS2 cannot handle D3 (no shaders, insufficient tex mem), it's not said it wouldn't work on GC.
4. HL2 uses no technology that can't be done by the GC. The polygon counts are definitely too high for any console to handle, but I assume the XB will use less polies/heavy LODing as well.

[Qbric]

If HL2 can play on Xbox, the GCN can handle it too. Hell, maybe even throw in a mapmaker for dl into the GBA for while you're out, or a character builder.

We haven't seen the GCN maxed out yet. It's proposturous to consider playing the game on the N5. Maybe an enhanced version, sure, but the n5 is years off. Too long a period for a vanilla release of HL2.

Oh about the post contesting mouse superiority for FPS controls: Thats not true. Sony has already shown working prototypes of a wand that mirrors your arm movement on screen, vis a vis like a laser pointer. Gyration has a made a mouse thats on the market right now that does the same thing. In fact, I'm surfing the net right now with it with my feet on the desk. Well it just so happens that Nintendo invested like 10 million in that very company, concievably as a good faith gesture for a future joint venture. Console FPS control could be as accurate, but no one has stepped up with a product yet. Maybe Nintendo is waiting until the next console to release this? The gyro-mouse is bound to get a release next console cycle. Maybe it'll even be compatible with GCN.

Also, no one said the GCN is dead once N5 comes out. It's a little short sighted to assume this.
L8, y'all.

[Grey Ninja]

Christ sakes.

Doom III isn't possible on GameCube because it would be akin to porting Doom III to an Apple G4.  Nobody wants to do that much work on a game intended for a PC.  END OF FREAKING STORY.

The only reason it's so easy to port to Xbox is (surprise), Xbox FEATURES EXACTLY THE SAME ARCHITECTURE AS THE INTENDED PLATFORM FOR DOOM III.

Now I am right positive that everyone has already made up their mind that Xbox is more powerful because it has more me-ga-hu-rt-s, but whatever.  I will tell you once again, that the difference in power between an Xbox and a GameCube is truly negligable.

[KDR_11k]

Hehe, neither D3 nor HL2 will run on the XB with full detail. Why? Look at the nVidia results with HL2. According to Gabe Newell HL2 is unplayable on a GFFX5800 with full details.

[thecubedcanuck]

Quote
But the way keyboards and mouse accessories are becoming needed more on consoles, I wouldn't be suprised if they're standard on N5 and PS3.

I will NEVER play a game that requires a mouse and keyboard. I hate PC games for that reason and that reason alone.

[Qbric]

I agree, Canuck. Keyboards are a useful interface because the number of buttons allows for a great many configuration schemes, but its far from ideal. Keyboards were designed for typing words. If a controller were designed from the ground up for intuitive control in fast paced environments, well it might look a lot like the GCN controller.

Mice suck for computing IMO. Can you imagine driving a car with drop down menus? This is very similar to todays popular GUIs. They work swell for POV (point of view) rotation, ala FPS, but its a limited mind set that believes this is an optimal controller. How great can it be if you require a table for it to work?

Fortunatley this is a recognized problem and there are many on the case. The P5 comes to mind, also I saw this touch sensitive keyboard that doubled as a mouse that promises to hit my pocketbook at some point.

If you could design your ideal input, for computers and consoles alike (versatility is a sign of good design, remember), what would you make?

I personally would like a small (10") 640x480 touchscreen to launch apps and display command prompts on, and then have my main hi-res monitor (or 2) up on the desk. I would then mesh the touchscreen with voice recognition and a gesture pad mounted on my arm rest. It would look akin to a captains command post.

[Sonic69]

Nintendo will have to convince all of those who chose other consoles over there Gamecube and N64. They will have to work hard too change public opinion with the N5.

It's looking remarkably like Sega's problems with the Dreamcast

[PIAC]

....i don't like you.

those people who have a sencere dislike for PC games (ie cubed) aside, pc and console users would be silly to pick up half life 2 for console, for the fact that once you have played HL2 to death you then have the abundance of mods to play, ie cs2 tf2 dod2 etc, unless ofcourse your PC isn't strong enough to run it, but then i would suggest saving to upgrade

[KDR_11k]

Mice require a table and space, yes. That's why the trackball was invented.