Curse

Loki The Deceiver · Jun 11, 2007, 02:43 PM // 14:43

I'm new here...I looked through the forums but didn't see anything in the vein of the thread I'm making (though, admittedly, I do sometimes overlook things that are right in front of my face

). At any rate, I'm sure I will get flamed for this, but I'm going to explain myself anyway. I'm not looking to start a system war or talk about which system is better as GW is a PC game. Also, it's worth noting that although I didn't intend any bias, if there is any present, at the very least, know that I have a 360 and a wii as well. Okay on with the post.

First, why expand from just the PC? Well, there are a lot of gamers that only play games that are on consoles. They feel that dealing with PC upgrades and stats and drivers are too much of a hassle. Thus they stick with consoles for games and use computers for movies or music. Typically, these people also don't have very powerful computers as they don't use it for much beyond music, movies, documents, and internet. I think that, because GW is free, it certainly will never be able to generate the revenue of lets say, WoW (and I have played it...I personally like GW better). Thus, the only way to really increase revenue is through expansions of the game and expansions of the available platforms. Why not do both? Secondly...as far as MMO-esque games go, GW is really casual (hence why I like it better than WoW, which in itself is fairly casual for an MMO). Console games are typically more casual than PC games. Thus, GW would probably find a comfortable home on a console. So you look at the Wii...well honestly, however one feels about the controller, I'm not sure it would translate well to GW...there might be cool things that ANet could implement but...just seems impractical and the dev time necessary to design (not the actual coding) cool but balanced ideas with the wiimote might counter the intended revenue boost and even if not, I'm just skeptical that it would mesh...call me pessimistic. Secondly, the Wii has no hdd...just 512MB internal flash (I believe)...not great for installing a game. Third...not sure what the Wii can do graphically, so I'm not sold that it could run GW full spec. Then you have the 360. Well, I don't doubt the 360 is powerful enough to run GW full spec. And you can get a HDD for the 360 if you bought one without. And because not all 360s have a hdd, there may be a potential hurdle, as that is an expensive add on to buy, just to play GW. Additionally, Xbox Live has a subscription fee. While most people with a 360 are subscribed already, it just seems counter to the GW philosophy. I do think that it would make sense on the PS3, however. The PS3's online is free. So is GW. So there is no conflict there. And as the PS3 allows for a game company to use their own servers, it wouldn't even take control the least bit out of ANet's hands and would be just as stable as on any PC. There's no question of the PS3 being able to run GW full spec. Additionally, all PS3s have hdds. If GW runs on linux (I don't know) then I suppose the PS3 may already be able to play it. You can use keyboards and mice with the PS3, or a controller. And possibly one of the biggest benefits, ANet could put GW, Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North all on one disc, which would help keep production costs down, while making a very compelling package for any potential PS3 adopters (priced however ANet saw fit). At any rate...I think it makes a lot of sense from a practical and financial standpoint. Also, if ANet were to establish a user base on the PS3 with GW, Fac, Night, EoN, then they've already expanded their market for GW 2...I don't know if the PS3 will run GW 2 full spec, but I'm sure it would run it well at least. At the moment I only have GW...but, with a compelling enough price, I would be willing to pay for GW again and get Fac, Night, and EoN on my PS3...probably run better than on my laptop. Anyway, that's my thought...I hope some people like it. I hope I don't get flamed too bad for it. I hope that this doesn't spark a system war as I tried to present fact not bias (tried

). And most importantly, I hope someone at ANet Reads this and thinks, "That IS a great idea."

Jaythen Tyradel · Jun 11, 2007, 02:52 PM // 14:52

Since Anet has yet to make a Mac version of GW, I do not see GW being made into a port for a console. I would agree that it COULD have potential on the 360 or the PS3, but I don't see it happening though.

JeniM · Jun 11, 2007, 03:31 PM // 15:31

I have a PS2 pad adapter for PC and can't even bind GW keys to it so i doubt this
Wish i could bind keys to it though

i'd have square as Target closest, X as attack and O as pickup item then i could kickback AND farm silk at same time

Loki The Deceiver · Jun 11, 2007, 04:42 PM // 16:42

Jeni M said
"I have a PS2 pad adapter for PC and can't even bind GW keys to it so i doubt this
Wish i could bind keys to it though
i'd have square as Target closest, X as attack and O as pickup item then i could kickback AND farm silk at same time"

I use a controller to play GW. It's a Logitech Dual Action controller...which looks exactly like a ps2/ps3 controller. I use it because if I use a keyboard and mouse for too long...a muscle in my right shoulder locks up. Thus necessitating the ability to sit back. Anyway, again, I use a (more or less) ps2 controller for GW. R3 is my target nearest enemy. Right analog stick is my mouse. L1 is left click, R1 is right click. D-Pad is abilities 1-4, ^,o,[],X are abilities 5-8. Start = Quest Log. Select = Inventory. L3 Autorun (because I'm lazy, though the left stick is fine as WADS). And L2 varies in function depending on the class. Usually I use it to cycle weapons but if I only have one weapon set on a character then I generally make it something else. The controller is about 19.99 and the software is really easy to use.

However, as far as feasibility on a console, all sorts of specialized macros can be created (Oblivion, for example) where a button is more or less context sensitive depending on the menu. More importantly though, they could just stick to only supporting the keyboard and mouse setup on the PS3 (though then I personally might be sad...bum shoulder and all).

Curse You · Jun 11, 2007, 04:55 PM // 16:55

In order to make a version for PS3 or Xbox 360, they would have to:

Recode it for the systems
Make servers to support them
Get a player base

Now it's not exactly cheap to do any of that. The thing is, it's much better to just ignore the game systems and stick to PC (game consoles are virtually PCs anyways).

Lucifer PVP · Jun 11, 2007, 05:13 PM // 17:13

Installing linux and using Wine will not work on PS3. Wine only works on x86 compatible processors. PS3 is a cell processor which is a sort of PowerPC processor on steriods. You would have better luck with a an old Xbox with linux.

Loki The Deceiver · Jun 11, 2007, 05:13 PM // 17:13

True that it's not cheap. I entirely agree with that statement. However, it wasn't cheap to code GW in the first place. That's why I'm pointing out the possible benefits/returns on the investment of bringing it to a new platform. It will cost money to develop, but it's hard to argue that the console market doesn't have more buyers. The coding may or may not be difficult. I can't say...I quit CPS before I reached 400 level, so modern games are way beyond me. As far as the servers, yeah they'd have to get more, but assuming the game was cross platform (ffxi, for example) then I'm not sure that it wouldn't be *relatively* cheap. As far as getting a player base, I think that would be the smallest risk. Moving to a new platform would broaden their market, so there would be increased revenue merely from that fact. More importantly, as successful as GW is, and it really is successful, believe me when I say retailers would push it. I worked at a game store for several years...and it's sad to say but to an extent, companies like Gamestop/EB or Gamecrazy or whatever, have a say in what games are popular. They would take one look at how GW has sold in the past and ramp up marketing and promotions for it. Because those companies love games that sell well. That's why they have huge Madden displays each year. EA barely has to lift a finger for marketing. The retailers want the money so bad they'll push it on their own. Thus, I think that they'd push GW heavily. All in all, I think that financially speaking, this would be a good move...as far as it not being on macs...I'm not too up to date on my Mac knowledge, but most of the people I know that have Macs, don't own them for games. With the exception of WoW and a few others, I was under the impression that this was an understood convention. Consoles, however, are expressly bought, for games...99% of the time anyway

icymanipulator · Jun 11, 2007, 05:16 PM // 17:16

Maybe you hadn't heard, but PS3 is essentially a dead system. Sony's major marketing tactic was the Blueray disc capability...with slumping sales they now have a Blueray player that costs less than the PS3 does.

If you think chat problems are bad on GW now could you imagine what they would be like on Xbox 360? You must not play live much, either that or you enjoy hearing racial slurs 24/7.

I think I can sum up generation 2.5 consoles with a quote from Blazing Star "poor player, you fail it!"

Loki The Deceiver · Jun 11, 2007, 05:17 PM // 17:17

Lucifer PVP...okay. I wasn't sure what workarounds Linux users had for running windows games. I knew about WINE but I didn't know if there were other options available...sadly I'm only marginally familiar with Linux, though that will change when I get back home (In Japan at the moment) in a month. Then it's Beryl Ubuntu on my desktop (laptop is the GW machine). I guess I'll be getting more familiar real soon

Loki The Deceiver · Jun 11, 2007, 05:43 PM // 17:43

Icymanipulator said:

"Maybe you hadn't heard, but PS3 is essentially a dead system. Sony's major marketing tactic was the Blueray disc capability...with slumping sales they now have a Blueray player that costs less than the PS3 does."

I heard about the cheaper Blu Ray Players....which is nice. Fortunately I use my PS3 (when not in Japan) for more than just watching Blu Rays. You know, like games and stuff (someone can say "what games?" but just because nothing appeals to them doesn't mean nothing appeals to me...I have four at the moment for the ps3 but there are 3 more I want that are out currently)

As far as it being dead...no I didn't hear that. When did Sony announce that? I must not have seen that announcement between this
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6172233... stop;title;3
And this
http://kotaku.com/gaming/round_up/sc...far-261481.php

Well...I guess that's sad that it's a dead system..but I do appreciate that Sony's still going to bring out a ton of games for it even though it's dead.

"If you think chat problems are bad on GW now could you imagine what they would be like on Xbox 360? You must not play live much, either that or you enjoy hearing racial slurs 24/7."

I didn't realize stupid and offensive was exclusive to xbox live. I guess I just assumed that when I connect to the internet, I can't possibly be safe from the inane and the profane. Huh. At any rate, they don't really need VOIP since GW doesn't have that and implementing it might mess things up. Granted xbox live requires VOIP but if you recall, my original supposition was that we weren't using 360s. Either way. There's always that ignore function.

"I think I can sum up generation 2.5 consoles with a quote from Blazing Star "poor player, you fail it!""

I like them.

Lucifer PVP · Jun 11, 2007, 05:52 PM // 17:52

if it is your 1st time installing video drivers for linux i would recommend a application called envy to auto install your video drivers. if you have a newer ATI card (my notebook x1600) be prepared for some fun, ATI offers little support for linux

http://albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html Envy auto install for ati nvidia
http://wiki.beryl-project.org/wiki/I...eisty_with_XGL beryl directions for Newer ATI
If you have a Nvida card, it is pretty easy setup if you follow directions on their site.

using WINE with guild wars is sort of hit or miss with each update Anet releases (wished they used opengl), so i have to boot back into windows to play.

Loki The Deceiver · Jun 11, 2007, 05:58 PM // 17:58

Lucifer, thanks for the tips. I have a guide for ubuntu install bookmarked. It says I should use 'automatix.' Don't know if that's a good driver program or not. GeForce 5600 (ouch...I know) is the card. But seriously, thank you for the links. I will be looking at them when I get back

I'm excited...Beryl looks sweet.

balthazars hero · Jun 11, 2007, 07:53 PM // 19:53

that'd be kind of...can't say weird because that would be cool...i guess...i dont know..

icymanipulator · Jun 11, 2007, 07:57 PM // 19:57

Sony's American branch president explicitly blamed the internet's "word of mouth" for slumping sales. The truth is no one in their right mind believes that shelling out $600 for a console is a wise idea. The company is so incredibly arrogant they absolutely refuse to believe that the American consumer has a mind of their own and won't buy everything just because they said so...do I have to remind you of the abysmal failure the PSP was along with their failed proprietary format the UMD? Gameboy Advance and the DS absolutely annihilated the PSP. This will be the third exclusive media format Sony has attempted in so many years, nevermind betamax which would be 4.

The PS3 may be an improvement over its predecessor but fanboydom is only going to carry it for so long. If Sony was smart they would have taken that blueray player out and stuck to the tried and true PS1 and PS2 formula, simpler but viable technology easier to program for and LOADS of games at release with developers lining up for more.

I have just as many gripes with 360 and I actually own one of those. The difference is MS didn't ram HD-DVD down the consumers throat to try a product tie in. Ignore is nice, but when I hop online I don't expect to be bombarded with the N-word and trust me, there is no shortage of it. I never see this in Guildwars.

As early June 2007:

Sold:
Xbox 360 - ~5.4 million (The foreign market particularly Japan has virtually collapsed, this is just North America the only figures I could find)

PS3 - ~3.6 million (The company has shipped ~5.5 million so the supply issues they keep referencing are complete BS)

Wii - ~7.4 million (worldwide sales, has strong sales in both US and Japan supply does seem to be an issue but sales are amazing)

The Wii is going to carry generation 2.5, simpler more easily programmable system. Tons of in house content from a franchise over 20 years old. For the price it can't be touched and what was thought to be a gimmick in the wii-mote actually turned out to be a brilliant marketing ploy on Nintendo's part.

Alex the Great · Jun 11, 2007, 07:59 PM // 19:59

OMG GW ON THE WII

/drowns in sarcasm

it would'nt work because that has to be much harder than auction houses but we ain't getting one of those lol

/catches life preserver

icymanipulator · Jun 11, 2007, 08:02 PM // 20:02

Just think, you could actually wand and stab/hack/slash/swing at enemies hahaha.

Silly Warrior · Jun 11, 2007, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Loki, despite you believing this is possible, Anet has no plans to ever currently extend their wings to Console. Now, your ideas are great and are in fact logical, but Arena-Net is a very small company, and could never create a game for PC, Mac, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii or any other Consoles. They don't have the manpower, and would have to hire 3rd parties to convert the data over.

Needless to say, Guild Wars is becoming an older game already, its been around since 2005, and its not getting younger. It would NOT look good on any new console systems.

Good debate, but until Anet announces creating games on the Mac operating system, I highly HIGHLY doubt they will go for Sony.

I close this topic for debate, as it is simply a waste of time.

Closed.