Blacks Ops - PC vs. Consoles (Digital Foundry)

According to Digital Foundry:

The Black Ops single-player campaign looks decent on console, but on PC, the extra resolution, the more solid frame-rate and the increase in artwork quality all combine to create an experience that knocks the console versions for six.

...

The Call of Duty games are all about providing a certain type of gameplay experience, and in the case of the console versions this is delivered through compromise. By and large the cut-back elements are handled skilfully and the games are still very satisfying to play, but the ability to power past the limitations of the console games transforms the quality of the game campaign. Even if you've completed it on console, it's a highly worthwhile experience to do so again on a high-power PC. You can't help but feel that this is the way the game should be played.

...

the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops delivers what we really want - the ability to enjoy the game to its fullest extent without being held back by the technical constraints of five-year-old console technology.

Read the full article, and make sure to check the comparision videos.

Now, I may be stating the obvious here, but isn't it interesting how such an arguably console-centric game is so much better on PC - the disparity between the platforms is growing wider and wider, it seems.

Yeah,it´s not surprising at all,if one has a decent PC that´s the way to go with BO.

You forgot to make a link to the article :?ferret-gamer

You forgot to make a link to the article :?ferret-gamer

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]You forgot to make a link to the article :?Arach666

Well so far...I don't care. The PC version can barly run on my system. I haven't been able to play the PC version at all really. Treyarch really F'ed up the coding on this game...

Games like this should only be on the PC imo. Think about how much better the game could be if the devs didn't have to waste time messing with 5 year old hardware for the console versions.

Both WaW and MW2 look way better on the PC, in fact WaW was actually a good looking game.GulliversTravel

Black Ops is too. It doesn't have W@W's textures, but everything else is better.

[QUOTE="GulliversTravel"]Both WaW and MW2 look way better on the PC, in fact WaW was actually a good looking game.psn8214

Black Ops is too. It doesn't have W@W's textures, but everything else is better.

Havent got round to Black Ops, but for somebody who loved CoD 2 and hated MW and MW2, WaW was surprisingly good. The art direction was fantastic, and campaign captured the intensity that the older PC CoD games had but with even better pacing. Yes its short and the levels are a lot smaller than CoD2s, but its arguably more enjoyable. For this reason, im looking to play the Black Ops SP.

GulliversTravel

If you liked W@W you'll LOVE Black Ops - it draws more from this game than either Modern Warfare title.

Too bad the PC version is buggy as ****.KHAndAnime

Call of Duty: Black Ops PS3 owners asking for full refund

Despite selling like gangbusters across all platforms, some Playstation 3 owners aren't happy with their version of Call of Duty: Black Ops and have started an online petition demanding a full refund.

PS3 owners complain of sub-par graphics and online play with Black Ops. Demand money back.

Thread

To be fair, lot's of people across ALL of the platforms had issues with this game, although I think the PC had it the worst initially, our issues are fixed now (except for poor Jango's :( ), and the PS3 version is the most problem ridden. My brother has that version and we've had problems getting it to sign into the online at times, and at others, it lags.

When did they start comparing PC to console? We all know the winner there.

Isn't it much more fun when we see the PS3 lose in all the multiplat graphics threads?

I just don't know if there's much entertainment to be found in PC vs Console graphics comparisons

I could choose a week ago of getting a console since it ran crap on my E5200 dual core. But common sense told me a different thing. I ordered an AMD phenom 955 quadcore for 125 bucks coupled with 4 GB DDR3 ram for 60 bucks. It runs awesome. reach 100 fps most of the time with 16x AA. Game looks magnificent. Im so happy with my PC, no regret at all.

To be fair, lot's of people across ALL of the platforms had issues with this game, although I think the PC had it the worst initially, our issues are fixed now (except for poor Jango's :( ), and the PS3 version is the most problem ridden. My brother has that version and we've had problems getting it to sign into the online at times, and at others, it lags.

psn8214

Way to state the obvious?

Threads like these seem a little pointless. It's (for the most part, I'm sure there a re a few examples of the opposite) already an established fact that generally, the PC graphics of a given game are going to run smoother, at higher resolutions, and just be more impressive than on a console. This is no exception and not surprising.

Way to state the obvious?

Threads like these seem a little pointless. It's (for the most part, I'm sure there a re a few examples of the opposite) already an established fact that generally, the PC graphics of a given game are going to run smoother, at higher resolutions, and just be more impressive than on a console. This is no exception and not surprising.

DarkSynDrom

Well, people like to talk about how consolized Call of Duty is, which is odd, considering that there is so much difference between the two.

"the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops delivers what we really want - the ability to enjoy the game to its fullest extent without being held back by the technical constraints of five-year-old console technology."

It's only a matter of time before more and more developers come to the same conclusion. That in order to create what they actually want they'll have to return to the ever evolving PC-platform. And since we won't see any new consoles during the next three years the gap will only get larger.

although I think the PC had it the worst initially, our issues are fixed now

psn8214

nah the first patch fixed the problems then the second patch un-fixed them. At least for me, and if you look at the steam forums for many, many others. Spent ages trying different fixes after the first patch, finally got the game running flawlessly, two days later patch #2 comes out and all hope is lost. I think the game is more broken now than it was on release.

increase in artwork quality

psn8214

how does this have anything to do with the version of the game? I'd like to see a return of the high res shadows and textures from CoD 2. In a lot of ways its still the best looking Call of Duty game (apart from physics and lighting).

the pc version is truely superior in this game, just play a zombies game, you actually feel the atmosphere and get scared by the details, on my friends console, a lot of the effects and textures are very low

In other news, humans need oxygen to live.

Well, people like to talk about how consolized Call of Duty is, which is odd, considering that there is so much difference between the two.psn8214

A PC game looking better than a console game? Why am I not surprised? :roll:

When did they start comparing PC to console? We all know the winner there.

Isn't it much more fun when we see the PS3 lose in all the multiplat graphics threads?

I just don't know if there's much entertainment to be found in PC vs Console graphics comparisons

Raymundo_Manuel

Too bad the PC version is buggy as ****.KHAndAnime

Every version is buggy as ***, so that's a wash. Actually, haven't heard anything bad about the Wii version.

Not suprising to be honest, though both versions look nice.

Some what off-topic, but a friend told me on the PC version of BO that if you raise the AA up you'll get better FPS. Can we call BS on that?

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Too bad the PC version is buggy as ****.Pug-Nasty

Every version is buggy as ***, so that's a wash. Actually, haven't heard anything bad about the Wii version.

[QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Too bad the PC version is buggy as ****.Messiahbolical-

Every version is buggy as ***, so that's a wash. Actually, haven't heard anything bad about the Wii version.

[QUOTE="Messiahbolical-"][QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]

Every version is buggy as ***, so that's a wash. Actually, haven't heard anything bad about the Wii version.

Devil-Itachi

care to explain

Funny how the main point of this is how the gap is widening between PC and the consoles. You are really happy or supprised that the only difference between the 2 comparisons is the PC runs at a higher Res, a more stable framerate and if we are honest textures between the 360 version and the PC are only very slightly different. PC has better looking textures far away purely because they will have AF turned up.

My view on this is that you can have the most amazing PC setup... scratch that a medium set up that is like an old E6600 or was it Q6600 crossed with a 4870 and 3Gbs of RAM with a 32bit OS and still with much more power than a console you are only playing a console game that looks slightly nicer.

Games like crysis, Total war etc, games that use epic scale and tech behind them show the difference and we all know the graphics king still remains a 2007 title. So yeah... its nothing to be proud of for a platform that is "years in front".

[QUOTE="Devil-Itachi"][QUOTE="Messiahbolical-"] That's because nobody in their right mind would buy it. /vomitSandvichman

care to explain

i really don't see the point in this. 360 is 5 years old now no duh a new pc will pwn it .

[QUOTE="Messiahbolical-"][QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]

Every version is buggy as ***, so that's a wash. Actually, haven't heard anything bad about the Wii version.

Devil-Itachi

[QUOTE="Sandvichman"]

[QUOTE="Devil-Itachi"] Don't see the problem. The Wii version is the only one, I am even considering buying.Devil-Itachi

care to explain

[QUOTE="Devil-Itachi"]

[QUOTE="Sandvichman"]

care to explain

Messiahbolical-

I have always hated DA for shooting games, I find using the Wii-mote so much better. There are others who think so too, get used to it.

I don't have to try to keep my wrist steady either, I just lay it on my lap/knee/couch arm rest and point. Simple as that.

Of course it's more natural and reliable. You're pointing at the screen to shoot. Do people use dual analogs in real life to shoot guns? or do they point the gun and press the trigger?

on top of other things, i hear that once again the wii version is missing quite a few features that the other versions have.antifanboyftw

Of course it's more natural and reliable. You're pointing at the screen to shoot. Do people use dual analogs in real life to shoot guns? or do they point them?

Wii4Fun

[QUOTE="Wii4Fun"]

Of course it's more natural and reliable. You're pointing at the screen to shoot. Do people use dual analogs in real life to shoot guns? or do they point them?

Messiahbolical-

You said DA is more natural. I just stated that motion controls are the more natural of the two. DA is not more comparable to shooting a gun in real life.

I can sit and relax and play a shooter with a motion controller just fine. I don't have to wave my hands around in the air like people who want to disregard motion controls always say.

The Wii doesn't get many FPS games because it lacks third party support.

I don't know if the majority of people prefer DA (probably) but that's because motion controls are relatively new in gaming. DA has been around for a while now.

[QUOTE="Messiahbolical-"][QUOTE="Devil-Itachi"] Sure. Mainly the controls, it feels more natural to me on the Wii. Also already got Call of duty 4 for the 360 and figured this is probably nearly the same with new coat of paint. My PC is pretty out of date but even if it wasn't fps's on pc bother my wrists after awhile.

Wii4Fun

I have always hated DA for shooting games, I find using the Wii-mote so much better. There are others who think so too, get used to it.

I don't have to try to keep my wrist steady either, I just lay it on my lap/knee/couch arm rest and point. Simple as that.

Of course it's more natural and reliable. You're pointing at the screen to shoot. Do people use dual analogs in real life to shoot guns? or do they point the gun and press the trigger?

This. In my opinion DA is an archaic form of control for FPS games and needs to be elimenated :P. M/KB is best but motion is pretty nice too.

I'm ok with DA, it's the Wii remote that I need to get used to, turning is a pain with it.

More reasons for me to play COD only on PC.