The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Figured it was about time to get a PC Gaming Thread started in here. Discussion of games, online gaming, system building, configurations, benchmarks, etc; Plus I think we're finally past that slump where PC gaming meant World of Warcraft.

PC Gaming seems positioned to make a little bit of a comeback, especially now that:

1) TVs are basically giant 1920x1080 monitors
2) Graphics cards come with HDMI-out and PCs overall seem more set for HTPC setups than ever before.
3) Developers are starting to include game controller mappings again (love the 360 pad use)
4) Digital Distribution ( Steam, Direct2Drive, GOG, etc; )
5) A solid gaming rig can be built for reasonable prices
6) Dragon Age is way better on PC. Just sayin.

and above all else, I rebuilt my PC not that long ago :)

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

You know what's great about PC gaming? Services like this that let you go back and play awesome shit like Gabriel Knight.

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/gabri...of_the_fathers

:D

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I also enjoy not having to wait for new features to be added, like Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Slacker, etc; :D Though I guess that files better under HTPC.

I miss the GK series, wish they'd make a new one at some point, fantastic games.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Thanks for the link! I'll be downloading a few of those tonight for sure.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Heck yeah it is. I have watched some people play the PS3 version, and it is almost a completely different game compared to the PC version in both gameplay and graphics.

Gameplay-wise the console version has smaller groups of enemies and it isn't as difficult. AoE spells like Fireball are party-friendly by default on the console whereas they are not party-friendly by default on the PC. The PC has much larger groups of enemies so you have to be a lot more tactical. You can do the overhead isometric viewpoint in the PC to get a better view of the battlefield, and you can't do this in the console version. Plus you can of course hotkey spells and skills instead of having to fumble through menus like you do on the console.

Graphics-wise the console is on lowish medium settings compared to a maxed out PC. Maxed out, the graphics are not bad at all.

Plus... mods. There are already a lot of great user-made mods for the PC version. Consoles are missing out on this completely. I saw one potentially epic mod that some people are currently working on that is going to remake Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn using the Dragon Age engine.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Games on my PC list:

In current rotation:

KOTOR
Company of Heroes
Plants vs. Zombies
Torchlight

Up coming:

Starcraft II
Diablo III

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I'm currently playing Borderlands and Mirror's Edge (both bought on sale, ME was $5), enjoying both a good deal. Mirror's Edge is a cool ass game.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I've been playing a lot of Torchlight lately.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

romance of the three kingdoms II

:D

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

As big of a fan I am of PC games, I'm not completely sold that this is the case. What's changed in the last few years that would lead you to believe there's a shift away from WoW or MMO's?

I think there's still a lack of attention on PC versions of games, what with the new movement where games are no longer having dedicated servers or just mediocre ports. Dragon Age is kind of it's own story, as I believe it was originally developed with the intention of being PC only.

Starcraft 2 is awesome, but I don't think PC gaming can depend on waiting on for a Blizzard game every couple years, as much as I hate to say it. :)

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I moved away from my college town home of 5 years :lol: Plus general chatter on the game from the places I normally visit online seem to be way down. I honestly didn't see the big deal on the P2P servers, they're free and still work fine for me so I wasn't terribly concerned.

The main thing though is videocards are back at a price point where they are affordable and can play the latest and greatest just fine -- maybe not maxed out at 2560x1600 but are still more than playable at at least 720p (1366x768). Computers are also becoming super powerful for super low prices these days. But again, it's just my state of mind right now. For some, PC gaming didn't die and/or PC gaming is still flatlining.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

It was. Being a huge D&D and Baldur's Gate fan, I followed the development of Dragon Age from the beginning. It started development in 2004 right around the time Jade Empire was released. It was meant to be PC only.

Then in 2008, EA acquired Bioware and it was basically EA that wanted to port it to consoles. So the console development didn't actually begin until 2008.

It is actually kind of funny too because it shows just how little most people care about PC gaming. Most people never even heard of Dragon Age before 2008. After it was announced for consoles though, everyone starts getting excited.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Figured I'd add this little bit:

The Netbook gaming guide.

I'm taking a cross country flight on Monday and decided to start compiling a list of "games playable" on a netbook for the trip. That sets us back more than 10 years in graphic card advancement :lol:

I'm running on an Asus Eee Pc 1000 which features an Atom N270, 2gb RAM, 40gb SSD (sooo slllooowww), WinXP and Intel GMA945/950.

So far, working without a hitch:

Anything not 3D from before 1999 (Oddworld games, The Dig, Space Quest games.)
PopCap games (Plants vs. Zombies, Peggle)
Half-Life (640x480, runs mostly smoothly)
Torchlight (1024x600, Low, in Netbook mode. Runs smooth but scrolling is a tad choppy, even in lower Res)

Any notable additions? I'm assuming both Diablo games will run but can't prove that.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Something Awful has a pretty big thread devoted to netbook gaming, and one member was kind enough to put together a Google spreadsheet--it's was made back in 2008, but there's still a lot of good info there:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...CF0NzPi1oOvVOw

Just about everything from Good Old Games, which fumanstan mentioned, should run flawlessly on a netbook.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Well, after years of sitting out on the sidelines, I guess I'm back in the PC Gaming realm now. My cousin just made me a monster computer -- a i5 2.66 Ghz Quad Core Pentium processor with 4GB of RAM, a Radeon Vapor X 5770 video card with 1 GB of memory and a 1 TB HDD.
I'm going from playing Pop Cap games to being able to run anything. Of course I have nothing to play. What's the first thing I buy to try it out? Far Cry 2 off Steam since it's on sale for $10, completely forgetting that I already have it for the PS3 and that I don't like it :doh: The fact that it has nothing whatsoever to do with Far Cry is probably the reason I forgot. Anyway, I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for some good sales on recent Eye Candy games to really try this beast out. Perhaps I'll find Crysis cheap. I know that's a graphics-card workout game. Is it supposed to be good?
One thing I'm finding is that after five years of playing FPS on consoles, it's a little hard going back to keyboard -- not for movement and aiming, but for other stuff. Are the buttons you use for maps and inventories and reloading and such pretty standard across all PC FPSs? And I still hate the driving in Far Cry 2.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Yeah, Crysis is the graphics benchmark game. No other game (yet) is nearly as demanding as that game is. You should be able to run it nearly maxed at a somewhat constant 30 fps. Every other game should be easily maxed at 60 fps.

If you liked the original Far Cry (not the console games developed by Ubisoft but the original Far Cry developed by Crytek) then you will probably like Crysis since it is practically the same game only with a new gimmick power suit that gives you a bunch of cool abilities.

As for controls, you can always customize your controls to your own liking. I always do since I would rather have the most important keys clustered around WASD rather than spread out across the keyboard.

Also, try out Dragon Age on PC. It is a very different and much better game compared to the console version.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I think Shattered Horizon took over the role of "Benchmark" title for graphical processing from Crysis: Warhead. Though admittingly, it is less of a game than Crysis.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Is Crysis : Warhead a sequel to Crysis or like a Gold edition? Anywhere to get it cheap?

Never got Dragon Age for the 360 or PS3, so that's something to think about once I find it on sale. Thanks.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Crysis Warhead is more a standalone expansion pack / side story than a full blown new game.

It was available in a 2 pack with Crysis on Steam for $13.xx a little over a month ago, but that deal has long past.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Warhead isn't as great of a benchmark test as the main game because the developers toned down some of the stuff and made it easier to max out on less powerful systems.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

mass effect 2 looks amazing on the PC.
does anyone know if it is possible to get your framerate in ME2?

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I little game called Bioshock 2 is out this week.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Bioshock 2 looks good! Between BS2 & ME2 I may not have anytime for sleep.

Waiting for Duke Nukem Forever to come out!! (oh and it WILL come out..) <sigh>one day<sigh>

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

You do know that DNF was officially canceled last year, right? 3D Realms was downsized, the game got the boot, and an insider came out and said it was all an elaborate joke that they had been pulling for all those years (which I had long suspected anyway).

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I don't know about showing it in game but you can use Fraps to show it.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Actually DNF is not cancelled its tied up in legal battles between 2K Games suing 3D relams over the length & $$$ given to which they were taking to put out DNF. 2K Games wants the developers code of the game so that they can finish it and put it out to recoup some profit to the franchise.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Playing:

Borderlands (2nd playthrough and looking forward to the DLC)
Dragon Age (Waiting to get th DLC)
Torchlight (Finished it once)
Trackmania United Forever

Looking forward to:

STALKER: Call of Pripyat
DLC for GTA IV
Bioshock 2
Fallout 3: New Vegas
Max Payne 3
Crysis 2

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Specific/ General question at the same time : I bought the Complete Civ IV set from steam. For this game specifically and these sorts of games in general, are you supposed to load the game and all the expensions on at once or are you supposed to play the game through, then add the expansions later. I never know and it's hard to find advice in the install instructions.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Good 2k has been putting out some damn good stuff recently. Borderlands, Bioshock 2. etc.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

That's pretty much just semantics at this point though. It's cancelled/on hold/postponed indefinitely whatever. I'd say the chances of the current game resuming development is pretty slim.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

You should generally install everything, including expansions, before playing. Expansions tend to act like patches, fixing things in the main game while also adding a bunch of new stuff as well. This is definitely the case with Civ 4.



Pretty much. Yeah sure 2K still owns the rights to the Duke Nukem properties, but DNF is nowhere near close to finished. The 3D Realms guys were extremely lazy and did very little work at all during the last 12 years. It would still take a lot of time and costs to finish DNF and given all the costs already spent, it would be very unlikely that this game would make a profit at all. Sometimes it is better to cut your losses rather than to continue on and rack up more costs.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I gotta say, I'm loving the Games For Windows instant support for 360 control pads. So damn convenient.

The THQ Game Pack is on sale for $50 this week on Steam, it includes:

Company of Heroes
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor
Frontlines: Fuel of War
Full Spectrum Warrior
Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
Red Faction
Red Faction II
Red Faction Guerrilla
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Saints Row 2
Titan Quest
Titan Quest: Immortal Throne
Warhammer: Dawn of War Dark Crusade
Warhammer: Dawn of War Gold Edition
Warhammer: Dawn of War II

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Those steam sales have been killing me lately. Luckily, it hasn't been killing my wallet, just my backlog and my need for more free time.

I got Psychonauts a few weeks ago for next to nothing (and loved it), just got Mount & Blade for $5. They had Titan Quest Gold for $5 about a week ago. I didn't get that one, as I still had TQ installed from 2 years ago- but it did prompt me to finally get around to playing it (I'm in Act 3 now).

I got in on their Bioshock2 4-pack deal, so only paid $35 for it. I got the two previous Stalker games for $7 combined during the Christmas sale, and now I got a "loyalty promo" price of the new one for $20 (that's half off the store price).

And that's the tip of the iceberg. Now all I need is time to finish them all.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Do you like Mount & Blade? I can't decide if it's worth the $5 or not.

And why oh why can't they drop their Crysis package again? I want some eye candy for my new computer and Tropico 3 and Civ IV ain't cutting it.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

The Freedom Force deal from steam with both of the games for $5 or something was just too good to pass up. I own the original, but Steam makes everything so easy. Going to finally play through Third Reich, after I play through the original again.

I also really want to finally install and play the second RTS Lord of the Rings game and Rise of Nations. I've only owned them both, for probably 2 to 4 years.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

I haven't put too much time into yet, but it's interesting. Hitting stuff from a horse is going to take a bit to get used to, and I'd like a little more story in my game- this is basically a sandbox with no ultimate goal other than to make your character and army as powerful as you can.

But, I'll get $5 worth out of it for sure. Besides, it's about the same price as a fast food lunch- and probably just as nutritious.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

It sounds like an early Oblivion game?

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Just install them all at once.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Ya install them all. Colonization is a bit different than the rest, but I usually launch Beyond the Sword which includes the base CivIV and the Warlords expansions as well.

Re: The not-so-official PC Gaming Thread - 2010 Edition
 

Thanks for the advice. I still think there should be a little more guidance and instructions regarding how to approach these expansions within the context of playing through the regular game.