PC hardware needs standardization

In my opinion, PCs need a hardware standard to which the devs will clinge onto.

The problem with today's PCs is that there's too much different hardware configurations out there which makes the optimization job hard for the devs.

I think a fessible solution to this problem would be a kinda hardware standard.

For example there would be a "Level 1 hardware" industry standard, which would be the required configuration to run the games.

Then there would be "Level 2 hardware" which would be the "premium", equaling to "high detail" settings for modern gaming computers.

And finaly the "Level 3 hardware" which would be reserved for the strongest possible machines only.

The devs would then decide for which hardware standard(s) they would develop the games.

The question is who could make these standards but I think MS, Intel, AMD and nvidia could team-up and make something like that.

It would greatly benefit the optimization of PC games.

Yes, so hardware companies stop actually creating better hardware and conform to standards so we only get new hardware ever 5-6 years.

Sounds great.

Hardware companies teaming up = no competition = no improvements. It's bad thing. A bad bad thing.

Yes, so hardware companies stop actually creating better hardware and conform to standards so we only get new hardware ever 5-6 years.

Sounds great.

Hardware companies teaming up = no competition = no improvements. It's bad thing. A bad bad thing.

Wasdie

Those standards could change with time. For example the required "Level 1 hardware" standard could change in 4 to 5 years, but the "Level 2" and especially the "Level 3" standard could change much more regularly.

Having standard "levels" of hardware, is just going to help stagnate the need to produce faster and more efficient hardware.

Terrible idea. Crippling two of the biggest advantages of PC gaming: freedom and rapid tech advancement driven by competition between companies.

And all that for what? Most new PCs can run pretty much any game you throw at them.

For example a few years back 3dfx Glide was the standard and the games could make great usage of the then prevalent 3dfx Voodoo 3D accelerators. Of course that ment that the competitors (like ATi, nvidia and Matrox) suffered, but the Voodoo owners had a great time.

No thanks.

Terrible idea. Crippling two of the biggest advantages of PC gaming: freedom and rapid tech advancement driven by competition between companies.

And all that for what? Most new PCs can run pretty much any game you throw at them.

AdrianWerner

But the hardware would me much better used if there were these standards. It would mean the devs wouldn't need to develop for a million of different hardware configurations and people would know what exactly they should buy (unlike today when the PC hardware market is pretty loose).

Yes, so hardware companies stop actually creating better hardware and conform to standards so we only get new hardware ever 5-6 years.

Sounds great.

Hardware companies teaming up = no competition = no improvements. It's bad thing. A bad bad thing.

Wasdie

I knew you were going to be in the first 5 posts lol

I'll get a console if I want that, thanksSW__Troll

God no.

[QUOTE="AdrianWerner"]

Terrible idea. Crippling two of the biggest advantages of PC gaming: freedom and rapid tech advancement driven by competition between companies.

And all that for what? Most new PCs can run pretty much any game you throw at them.

nameless12345

But the hardware would me much better used if there were these standards. It would mean the devs wouldn't need to develop for a million of different hardware configurations and people would know what exactly they should buy (unlike today when the PC hardware market is pretty loose).

Intel tried to do that with Larabee.

Ignore what the troll/mod said, the topic is true. PC needs standards so it can be finally taken seriously and become a good gaming platform. No one likes upgrading every month followed by hours of bug patching.EvanTheGamer

Nom PC does not need "standardized hardware".

What we do need is better, more rigid, more complete and more consistent support for exsting abstraction API's.

The devs already know the type fo hardware out ther ein the wild, and they already break down the PC into: 2d/casual only, low end Pc (with discreet graphics), mid-range Pc and high end PC.

The issues in optimization arise from Nvidia's and AMD's poor quality control and poor implementaiton of their drivers in regards to DX and OpenGL.

Did you know that there are STILL parts of DX 11 not supported by their drivers? And many that are poorly supported?

There already is alot of standardization. It's company specific parts and motherboard sockets that are not standard (or at least to the level they need to be). You have standards such as PCI-E and PCI expansion slots, cabling types, desktop motherboard layouts, and of course all the software standarization when using Windows such as Direct X. This crosses into the notebook space too.

PCs are pretty well standardized. Apple Computers are a pretty good example of taking such standards and building software that completely revolves around a specific hardware specification, though that pushes the cost of the total package because you're also paying a software premium.

Ignore what the troll/mod said, the topic is true. PC needs standards so it can be finally taken seriously and become a good gaming platform. No one likes upgrading every month followed by hours of bug patching.EvanTheGamer

Nobody likes lying, which explains why nobody likes... Annnnnyway :D

but locking it down like a console? a really really bad idea. just get a console.osan0

I didn't mean that. I just ment that there could be suggested hardware specs around which the games could be designed. That would reduce a lot of work that testing requires and could get great results of the suggested hardware.

Wouldnt that be like consoles? :P

Wouldnt that be like consoles? :P

razgriz_101

In my opinion, PCs need a hardware standard to which the devs will clinge onto.

The problem with today's PCs is that there's too much different hardware configurations out there which makes the optimization job hard for the devs.

I think a fessible solution to this problem would be a kinda hardware standard.

For example there would be a "Level 1 hardware" industry standard, which would be the required configuration to run the games.

Then there would be "Level 2 hardware" which would be the "premium", equaling to "high detail" settings for modern gaming computers.

And finaly the "Level 3 hardware" which would be reserved for the strongest possible machines only.

The devs would then decide for which hardware standard(s) they would develop the games.

The question is who could make these standards but I think MS, Intel, AMD and nvidia could team-up and make something like that.

It would greatly benefit the optimization of PC games.

nameless12345

So let me guess, you picked up all this drivel from Kotaku right?

I'm a console gamer and I oppose of this idea ... for reasons already mentioned.

Ignore what the troll/mod said, the topic is true. PC needs standards so it can be finally taken seriously and become a good gaming platform. No one likes upgrading every month followed by hours of bug patching.EvanTheGamer

LOL? and your sig. Gosh why so ignorant.

[QUOTE="osan0"]but locking it down like a console? a really really bad idea. just get a console.nameless12345

I didn't mean that. I just ment that there could be suggested hardware specs around which the games could be designed. That would reduce a lot of work that testing requires and could get great results of the suggested hardware.

In my opinion, PCs need a hardware standard to which the devs will clinge onto.

The problem with today's PCs is that there's too much different hardware configurations out there which makes the optimization job hard for the devs.

I think a fessible solution to this problem would be a kinda hardware standard.

For example there would be a "Level 1 hardware" industry standard, which would be the required configuration to run the games.

Then there would be "Level 2 hardware" which would be the "premium", equaling to "high detail" settings for modern gaming computers.

And finaly the "Level 3 hardware" which would be reserved for the strongest possible machines only.

The devs would then decide for which hardware standard(s) they would develop the games.

The question is who could make these standards but I think MS, Intel,AMD and nvidia could team-up and make something like that.

It would greatly benefit the optimization of PC games.

nameless12345

that would not happen in a million years. They are the biggest rivals in the PC hardware industry.