Pointless features

PS3 system can:

"Support HD up to 1080p (mostly this is where everyone stops)."

Also adds terribly to the price, and considering millions upon millions of Americans cant even afford HDTV this is superfluous

"Provide fully immersive surround sound rendered in real time."

Um, I could be mistaken, but couldnt Gamecube do surround? And besides, same argument as HDTV only slightly less so, how many people REALLY have a surround home theater system?

"More AI decisions due to a more complex processor."

I'll give you that one, however just because it can be done doesn't mean most developers will do it, Xbox had enough power to do some good AI but DOOM 3 didn't touch it.

"More forms of physics engines working together."

Again I'll give you that one too because entire puzzle games could center around physics, though I doubt the difference would be that much that it creates an entirely new game such as Wetrix or Mercury did.

"More complex forms of engines can be used."

This one's pretty vague.

"More immersive environments with each object having its own physics."

Immersion is good, but the question is, how do you quantify the "extra fun" that is gained from such improvements?

"Memory of environmental damage (bullet holes stay in a level once put there)."

I fail to see how bullet holes staying in a wall makes a game more enjoyable to play. Sure it's cool, but the novelty would wear off pretty quickly.

"More realistic character animation (Yes it takes a strong GPU for this)."

I'll give you this one too, though to be honest, does the fact that someone's body reacts more realistically to punches and whatnot improve the gameplay?

"More layers of sounds and effects. (All the calling out in call of duty 2 was because of this)."

I'll give you this one as well.

But my real question, is one I've posed several times now. How many of these improvements actually serve to refresh tired old gameplay ideas and make them more fun? More immersive is one thing, but it doesnt neccesarily quantify into fun. What it does quantify into is a $150-350 dollar price increase for gameplay that follows pretty much the same tired formulas as you can find on every system before it.

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Posted by Crystal W. Unregistered

Views: 307     Votes: 6

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