rec.autos.simulators

by **Neil Rain** » Sat, 24 Jul 1999 04:00:00

> [SNIP]....

> > What you have to ask yourself is whether it's such a good idea for a
> > console to run Windows CE, which will open the door to the same kinds
> > of bug-ridden games that exist on the PC!

> Most of the 'bugs' in PC games are down to compatibility problems with
> software and hardware, it's not the OS which is at fault! This is
> because NO two PCs are the same! However, such problems do not occur
> with consoles since all N64s are the same, all Playstations are the
> same, all Dreamcasts are the same,... etc.

> Therefore Dreamcast games will have no more bug problems than that of
> any other console (and the title's released so far have confirmed
> this!).

I agree totally - the real issue is how much control they'll have over
the games and controllers that become available for the console.

If they allow a free-for-all as on the PC it will probably lead to a
similar situation - loads of games but loads of bugs.

Of course, that won't happen because they'll want to have control over
it so they can make money out of the games, so in short you are probably
correct!

On the other hand, that also removes some of the advantages of using a
"standard" OS like Windows CE...

by **Randy Magrud** » Sat, 24 Jul 1999 04:00:00

>What you have to ask yourself is whether it's such a good idea for a
>console to run Windows CE, which will open the door to the same kinds of
>bug-ridden games that exist on the PC!

I think this will always be more in the hands of the developer than
the OS.

Randy

Randy Magruder
http://members.home.com/rmagruder

by **Kirk Lan** » Sat, 24 Jul 1999 04:00:00

I just mentioned the whole CE thing because it makes it very possible to
port them, and 3rd party developers, not having to eat the costs of the
platform (which is friggin liquid cooled, so Sega has to be losin cash) but
only licensing, will be able to port games.

Really, it sounds like their only real course of action to prevent PC ports
would be to make that a clause in the licensing. But then again, we could
end up with those 'black cartridges' from the old NES - I think it was SNK
or whoever that reverse-engineered it to get around licensing.

They take a major hit on the consoles. Especially once the prices drop
down to the $150 range where most of them are now. Though, like I said,
companies have gotten around licensing. SNK actually won over Nintendo in
court. And Sony isn't suing all those PSX emulators like Bleem 'cause they
know it isn't worth the loss.

But the disadvantage lies in the additional costs to the consumer. Don't
try and BS me that a N64 cartridge costs that much more than a PSX CD. It
may cost $10 compared to 5 cents, but the rest is ALL LICENSING.

It also allows developers to go the other way. Imagine N3 (if it uses
DirectX) on both PC and Dreamcast...and provisions built in to allow
Dreamcast and PC players to race each other online.

--
Kirk Lane
Tempe, AZ

ICQ: 28171652
BRT #187

"I read dead Russian authors volumes at a time
I write everything down except what's on my mind
'Cause my greatest fear is the sucking sound
And then I know I'll never get back out"
-'Narcolepsy', Third Eye Blind

by **Randy Magrud** » Sat, 24 Jul 1999 04:00:00

>I just mentioned the whole CE thing because it makes it very possible to
>port them, and 3rd party developers, not having to eat the costs of the
>platform (which is friggin liquid cooled, so Sega has to be losin cash) but
>only licensing, will be able to port games.

Obviously there are some DC games which are also out on the PC and for
that matter, the PSX. Official Formula 1 Racing and Monaco Grand Prix
are now out for everything, and I played OF1R and MGP at E3 on the
Dreamcast. But if it's a license that SEGA paid for, they will
obviously determine how it's used. The CART game is a Sega 1st party
game, and they will decide whether its in the best interests of the DC
to port it.

I think Sony's attempts to sue Bleem are ridiculous because the PSX is
well past its prime in terms of selling hardware. It's all about
software right now and there's no issue with having PC owners being
able to buy and play PSX games. It only means more money in Sony's
pockets. I bet they are more worried about increased game piracy than
that legitimate software buyers will start buying PSX games for their
PC's.

Randy
Randy Magruder
http://members.home.com/rmagruder

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