Wow ... I don't think I've seen a developer be quite so forthright in his willingness to admit that one version of a game is better than another, but Gearbox's Randy Pitchford has laid his cards on the table, stating that the PC version of Borderlands "destroys" console versions, at least with the right hardware.
"The PC version destroys all the console versions in terms of the image fidelity -- assuming you have the hardware for it," explains Pitchford.
The Gearbox boss then tried to choose between PCs and consoles: "It’s tough. It’s very tough, I’ll tell ya. On one level I do like sitting on my couch with the surround sound and the wireless controller, on the other level I mean you will not get a better-looking image than in the PC version of the game.
"And when you’re playing a first-person shooter, the mouse and keyboard interface is still the best way to go. It’s a tough thing."
I still disagree that mouse and keyboard makes for a superior control scheme. Maybe it makes games accurate to the point of mollycoddling, but I've been playing Left 4 Dead and a copy of AvP2 that Technophile gave me, and it's just not comfortable for me to use keyboards. Still, in terms of image quality, there's no contest, and this is a game being sold on its looks.
Still, my rubbish old laptop couldn't even dream of running something like this, so I know which version I'll have to get. In the meantime, PC fans can now preen their feathers and get all smug.
Contest:
10:00 AM on 08.05.2009
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Then I would buy the PC version over the Console one.
Sure when you upgraded your master System to a Mega drive it was all like "Wow, look at the graphics!" Or when you traded in the N64 to buy a Playstation it was the same, but these days? Sure the jump from PS2 to PS3 was awesome, but all games look really good now, sure the odd one looks better than others and if it looks too bad it's just not acceptable.
But Graphics are old tat - Awesome graphics are a given now, I don't care if it "looks" even better on the PC, as long as i PLAYS well and meets the standard looks wise I'm happy.
Maybe i'm just jealous as my laptop is shit too.
I bought Crysis, and it was beautiful, but trying to play with a keyboard was a terrible experience.
That's just the way it is for some people. I suspect it has something to do with using a controller far more often throughout my life, and also because I started with a controller. I didn't play a PC game for a few years after I first played my NES.
1440 X 900 doesn't translate well to a 32 inch. At all. It looks fucking ugly.
Screw this HDMI output bullshit.
"Oh wow"
I love keyboard&mouse, and the fact it's more accurate is a fact, but that doesn't make it "better". Seeing as how, y'know, games are made with the control methods in mind.
Well I think there's a distinction there between "better" and "more accurate". K&M is obviously more accurate as far as aiming but I think a controller is a lot more natural for movement. I personally prefer to have more control when it comes to actually moving my guy around so I'll sacrifice accuracy for that and I'd rather use a controller.
@D-Nez, that's bs, there's exactly the same amount of skill involved, you can just do it 10 times faster with a mouse.
Also Read: Gamers who don't have good PCs will deny, deny, deny.
Essentially all console-PC multiplatform games give you access to higher AA/AF/texture resolution, but so many of them are ported for shit. I want my PC games to run well!
I'm almost 99% sure I'll be getting the PC version of Borderlands.
Was gaming online in console games with a mouse and keyboard really banned? How can a developer track what type of controller you're using?
And wow, can't believe someone actually had the balls to go out and say if one version was better than another. Thing is it's different with consoles, picking one over the over in that situation would be developer suicide.
"Also, people arguing that a controller>mouse and keyboard for FPS aiming (lol).
Who's arguing that?
Easier than you'd think, motion is a lot more linear with a joystick (jam the stick into a side and keep it there, mouse has a lot more up/down movement at the same time). Nothing infallible, but it's not impossible.
The keyboard is A LOT more comfortable if you don't have it slapping against your engorged and misshapen cock. Put it on the desk and keep it out of your pants.
The last 3 blog posts that I've made comments in regarding FPS controls, I was utterly berated about how much better consoles were. I suppose the front page crowd is a bit more educated?
If anything it's the controller which mollycoddles the player, what with the lock-on targeting, auto-aim and cursor nudging.
Those are the sort of crutches you find in almost all console FPS, and it's why real gamers look down our noses at console FPS.
Ahh OK. I'll still argue that movement is better with a stick but yeah, a mouse is a lot more accurate then a stick will ever be.
@Grimspoon
it's why real gamers look down our noses at console FPS.
Really? I'd like you to define a "real" gamer please because it sounds like you would consider them to be someone who values competition and hardcore tournament play over just having fun.
Everyone has their personal preferences, but claiming the mouse and keyboard makes the game easier is inane. Unsurprising comment coming from a professional troll, however.
OUTRIGHT, NOT HOLDING BACK, ATTACKS ON PC. FILTHY PC.
Hey guys, games are for fun! STFUAJPG perhaps?
could've sworn it was for the whole co-op fps/rpg thing, but that's cool.
also: wasd>analog sticks
also: good for guy for saying thing.
Well there we have a bit of honesty. A keyboard certainly requires finesse that is hard to force from a ham hock.
My PS3 has 4 USB ports and supports Mouse and Keyboard. And although I can play Unreal Tournament III with said peripherals I still prefer a controller. When saying mouse + keyboard is better you have to take in mind that it's all about personal taste.
@Grimspoon
Real gamers? I'm just going to let you keep dreaming with your nonsensical assumptions. I don't care who decides what a real gamer is but it's certainly not you.
Also, why do you oppose competition/tournaments and fun? All the people I know who play competitively have fun doing that.
Can developers keep track of what controller you're using is what I meant. It was in response to a comment made earlier that keyboard + mouse had been banned on consoles, and I was wondering how a developer can see what type of controller you're using while you play. Thanks, though.
"Wow. Uh. I’m gonna go with Cliffy on that. Cliffy would chainsaw him in half. Gabe’s gibs would be awesome, though."
Because sticks are analog and WASD is digital. For me, it's like trying to play a racer with the d-pad. Quake probably plays better with WASD since (a) it was made for the PC and (b) that's not a game where you slow down a whole lot and sit in one place running from cover to cover (ie Call of Duty). That's also why I didn't like FPSs until Halo came out. I prefer the slowed down, more realistic pace of games like that or Call of Duty.
"Also, why do you oppose competition/tournaments and fun? All the people I know who play competitively have fun doing that."
I don't mean to say that tournament play can't be fun (I know it probably came out that way). I'm just saying it's ridiculous to look down on people who play JUST for the fun of it and don't care that their aiming is being assisted in some way.
We're all real gamers here (because we play games and enjoy them).
Keyboard+Mouse has higher/more precise fidelity, accuracy, and control.
Controller is more accessible, casual, comfortable. Also you can sit on the couch.
PC has no hardware limitations (other than what an individual owns/what exists)
Consoles do (therefore may suffer graphically for the sake of standardization, which helps developers in making tech specs)
So yeah, I'm getting the PC version.
I've found that for people new to gaming, pointing and clicking with a mouse feels much more natural than wiggling a joystick, and a keyboard is much more familiar than buttons on a controller. It's why the Wii doesn't come with a normal controller but one designed after a remote control, to be more familiar seeming to new players.
It is more comfortable though, when I'm in the mood, to sit on the floor in front of my TV like a small child instead of at a desk like a big person.
Myself, I have a Mac laptop (with Windows duel booting), so I usually get games on the Xbox instead simply for ease of use. Though I still think FPS games are far superior on PC (which is why I got Left 4 Dead and Orange Box on PC instead), I think third-person shooters work better on Xbox.
I agree that a controller isn't more "casual." It's WAY tougher to play FPSs with console controls vs the simplicity of a keyboard and mouse. Why do think we've had FPSs for years on the PC, when it took up until Goldeneye 64 (and later Halo with duel sticks) for FPSs to work on controllers? It's just more natural keyboard and mouse.
Still, I'll probably get this for 360, simply because I don't think my hardware "destroys" much of anything. :P
Maybe it's just my old age, but I'd much rather play with a controller at this point. It's more comfortable and I don't have to dual boot Windows alongside my Linux to play new releases. Plus, there's something about console games that has a certain "weight" to the controls that you don't see with kb+mouse. Particularly the original Killzone 2 controls, there's something that's just heavy and organic about it in a way that would only feel sluggish if you were using a mouse.
Oh, and PC hardware needs a fucking price cut!!! People bitch about the PS3 which will run $100 or less a year over the lifecycle but then turn around and pay hundreds of dollars a year to keep their gaming PC current? Get the fuck out!