PC has no AAAA Game in the History of Gaming

[QUOTE="NerubianWeaver"]Even on Metacritic the console version got higher than the PC version. Metacritic uses dozens and puts weight on more credible sitesdevious742

Sorry for wall of text. Also, had I reviewed Half-Life 2, I probably would have submitted it with a 10.Kevin-V

Interesting... ;)

[QUOTE="devious742"]

[QUOTE="NerubianWeaver"]Even on Metacritic the console version got higher than the PC version. Metacritic uses dozens and puts weight on more credible sitesKevin-V

Publishers rarely send us copies of the PC versions of their multiplatform games, and when they do, they generally come after release--maybe day of. If Tom is on a new assignment, it isn't necessarily sensible to take time away from his schedule. This may shock you, but we have to prioritize and schedule. Justin is on vacation, leaving three reviewers in the office, and I am doing both my job as well as tasks that Justin would normally do. While I would like to create 40 new hours in a day out of thin air, I'm not magical.

-SNIP-

I realize it is disheartening when you don't see reviews of games on your favorite platform, but in real life, as opposed to a dreamworld in which we can create time and people out of thin air, we have to work with a very small staff, 24 hours in a day and a lot of games. I work 60- and 70-hour weeks. I wish we could review all games on all platforms and have those reviews up all on or before the day of release. Reality is much much different, however. There is no conspiracy, no conscious effort to downplay the PC, no bias, no *insert fictional story here.* This is the real world, and in it, things are much more complicated than a reduction by a guy in a forum who does not witness, or care about, the many complex factors that go into obtaining games and producing reviews for them.

Kevin-V

Here's what I hear: We only review games we get for free and management won't hire enough people.

Hey, I've ran a business myself, I know how thin margins are. But come on, when I put games on display in my store whose pocket book do you think paid for those games? Mine. Why? Because if I could spend $60 to get someone interested in purchasing a PC that was well worth it to me. Even the Stalwart PC Gamer mag will purchase their own games if the dev doesn't get it to them. The review may be late, but at least they get it out there.

If you're working 60-70 hours a week and still not getting everything done? Well, that's what new hires are for. I understand the need to keep payroll in check, but it's those reviews and the resulting ad hits that feed the payroll.

[QUOTE="Kevin-V"]Sorry for wall of text. Also, had I reviewed Half-Life 2, I probably would have submitted it with a 10.DragonfireXZ95

Interesting... ;)

this changes everything :lol:

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="ducati101"] Why ignore his whole post and just focus on one bit?ducati101

Sorry for wall of text. Also, had I reviewed Half-Life 2, I probably would have submitted it with a 10. Kevin-V

NerubianWeaver: but it didnt score AAAA did it kev

Here's what I hear: We only review games we get for free and management won't hire enough people.

Hey, I've ran a business myself, I know how thin margins are. But come on, when I put games on display in my store whose pocket book do you think paid for those games? Mine. Why? Because if I could spend $60 to get someone interested in purchasing a PC that was well worth it to me. Even the Stalwart PC Gamer mag will purchase their own games if the dev doesn't get it to them. The review may be late, but at least they get it out there.

If you're working 60-70 hours a week and still not getting everything done? Well, that's what new hires are for. I understand the need to keep payroll in check, but it's those reviews and the resulting ad hits that feed the payroll.

br0kenrabbit

It's easy to say "you'd make the effort if you cared" - it's a lot harder to say "adding this many FTEs to PC gaming coverage would result in this many hits and this much additional advertising spend".

I work 60- and 70-hour weeks.Kevin-V

Except for one thing: PC gamer has a vested interest in promoting the PC. Why is it in Gamespot's interest to make a special effort for any single platform? If anything, it's in their best interests to prioritize whatever platform drives the most traffic to the site, and to remain flexible as that changes.

It's easy to say "you'd make the effort if you cared" - it's a lot harder to say "adding this many FTEs to PC gaming coverage would result in this many hits and this much additional advertising spend".

lowe0

PC gaming is a bigger demographic than any console. Gamespots competition is a click away. If Competition X has the review and GS does not, where is that entire demographic going to go for the review? Not Gamespot.

[QUOTE="Kevin-V"]Sorry for wall of text. Also, had I reviewed Half-Life 2, I probably would have submitted it with a 10. devious742

NerubianWeaver: but it didnt score AAAA did it kev

[QUOTE="lowe0"] Except for one thing: PC gamer has a vested interest in promoting the PC. Why is it in Gamespot's interest to make a special effort for any single platform? If anything, it's in their best interests to prioritize whatever platform drives the most traffic to the site, and to remain flexible as that changes.

It's easy to say "you'd make the effort if you cared" - it's a lot harder to say "adding this many FTEs to PC gaming coverage would result in this many hits and this much additional advertising spend".

br0kenrabbit

PC gaming is a bigger demographic than any console. Gamespots competition is a click away. If Competition X has the review and GS does not, where is that entire demographic going to go for the review? Not Gamespot.

[QUOTE="devious742"]

[QUOTE="Kevin-V"]Sorry for wall of text. Also, had I reviewed Half-Life 2, I probably would have submitted it with a 10. lawlessx

NerubianWeaver: but it didnt score AAAA did it kev

Uhh... So? It was bound to happen. Half-Life 2 is still AAA :|

Here's what I hear: We only review games we get for free and management won't hire enough people.

Hey, I've ran a business myself, I know how thin margins are. But come on, when I put games on display in my store whose pocket book do you think paid for those games? Mine. Why? Because if I could spend $60 to get someone interested in purchasing a PC that was well worth it to me. Even the Stalwart PC Gamer mag will purchase their own games if the dev doesn't get it to them. The review may be late, but at least they get it out there.

If you're working 60-70 hours a week and still not getting everything done? Well, that's what new hires are for. I understand the need to keep payroll in check, but it's those reviews and the resulting ad hits that feed the payroll.br0kenrabbit

You sound like a smart guy--so you therefore understand that what you heard isn't what I said ;) We buy games all the time. In the last few weeks, we in the office bought: APB, Mass Effect 2 DLC, Tournament of Legends, Lego Harry Potter on the PC, and a few others. Freelancers bought Sniper: Ghost Warrior, 99 Nights 2, the ARMA expansion, Deathsmiles, and more, so we could get reviews of them. I am not sure why you made your assumption. However, to get reviews up on or around the release date, we clearly need advance copies. And if someone is in the process of reviewing something we received advanced copies of, only under extraordinary circumstances is he going to drop what he is doing and play something else.

I don't have control over budgetary concerns--I only work with the tools I am given. But don't assume we aren't buying games for review, because that's just silly. My explanation was only to give context.

We've had an interesting few months, not just with E3, but because Chris was gone for a week (he got married! Whoo!), and Justin is in England for 2 1/2 weeks. My concern was more that people don't think any platform is intentionally getting some kind of short shrift, but that the reviews that go up on the site come from a process far more complex than "hey that game is coming out, there should be a review RIGHT NAOOOOO! MOAR REVIEWS!" And with Justin out, I am more conscious than ever at how complicated the process is.

OK, signing out. You want proof we care about the PC? I'll be having a marathon session of Disciples III all weekend!

[QUOTE="lawlessx"]

[QUOTE="devious742"] INB4

NerubianWeaver: but it didnt score AAAA did it kev

NerubianWeaver

Uhh... So? It was bound to happen. Half-Life 2 is still AAA :|

[QUOTE="NerubianWeaver"]

[QUOTE="lawlessx"] right on the money with that one lol

Uhh... So? It was bound to happen. Half-Life 2 is still AAA :|

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"]Here's what I hear: We only review games we get for free and management won't hire enough people.

Hey, I've ran a business myself, I know how thin margins are. But come on, when I put games on display in my store whose pocket book do you think paid for those games? Mine. Why? Because if I could spend $60 to get someone interested in purchasing a PC that was well worth it to me. Even the Stalwart PC Gamer mag will purchase their own games if the dev doesn't get it to them. The review may be late, but at least they get it out there.

If you're working 60-70 hours a week and still not getting everything done? Well, that's what new hires are for. I understand the need to keep payroll in check, but it's those reviews and the resulting ad hits that feed the payroll.Kevin-V

You sound like a smart guy--so you therefore understand that what you heard isn't what I said ;) We buy games all the time. In the last few weeks, we in the office bought: APB, Mass Effect 2 DLC, Tournament of Legends, Lego Harry Potter on the PC, and a few others. Freelancers bought Sniper: Ghost Warrior, 99 Nights 2, the ARMA expansion, Deathsmiles, and more, so we could get reviews of them. I am not sure why you made your assumption. However, to get reviews up on or around the release date, we clearly need advance copies. And if someone is in the process of reviewing something we received advanced copies of, only under extraordinary circumstances is he going to drop what he is doing and play something else.

I don't have control over budgetary concerns--I only work with the tools I am given. But don't assume we aren't buying games for review, because that's just silly. My explanation was only to give context.

We've had an interesting few months, not just with E3, but because Chris was gone for a week (he got married! Whoo!), and Justin is in England for 2 1/2 weeks. My concern was more that people don't think any platform is intentionally getting some kind of short shrift, but that the reviews that go up on the site come from a process far more complex than "hey that game is coming out, there should be a review RIGHT NAOOOOO! MOAR REVIEWS!" And with Justin out, I am more conscious than ever at how complicated the process is.

OK, signing out. You want proof we care about the PC? I'll be having a marathon session of Disciples III all weekend!

I apologize if I misunderstood you, but it sounded to me like you were giving reasons why some PC games are never reviewed. I guess I just assumed.

But the point still stands that if GS doesn't do it, someone will. I don't care that it's late, but I do care if it never goes up. Rise of Flight has been out a year, already. :?

It just sounds to me like you need a bigger staff.

Kevin-V

Have you guys ever considered doing review pods? Gametrailers introduced them not too long ago as a way to get a review out for some of the more obscure/lesser known titles it seems. I'm sure they had the same complaints as here that soooooo many games go without review (of course you guys also miss out on a lot of Wii ones as well).

Basically as far as I can tell the review pods are just short 2-3 minute video clips that give you the basics of what you need to know. The pros, cons, and of course a score. There's a little added detail of course so you can convey the message of whether or not the game is good despite flaws, or bad despite some good aspects.

Of course I'm not sure how much of your 60-70 hours of work involves gaming, so perhaps you guys just can't fit in an extra game even if the review was skimpy. Just thought I'd bring it up though.

PC will never have an AAAA/E game. You can quote me on thatNerubianWeaver

[QUOTE="ducati101"][QUOTE="mitu123"] Because he could be right?

lowe0

There is nothing wrong with that. If you read the original post then you would understand what my post is about.

[QUOTE="NerubianWeaver"]

Uhh... So? It was bound to happen. Half-Life 2 is still AAA :|

As can be witnessed in this thread...PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.killab2oo5

As can be witnessed in this thread...PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.killab2oo5

[QUOTE="killab2oo5"]As can be witnessed in this thread...PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.ferret-gamer

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="killab2oo5"]As can be witnessed in this thread...PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.killab2oo5

[QUOTE="naval"][QUOTE="killab2oo5"]The thread title says it all, and then various posters just further confirm what I've said. That's how I came to my conclusion.killab2oo5

No you dont get out of it so easily. You stating that pc gamers caring more about what people think was defiantly NOT on topic. Yet you decide to skirt around answering a question when your own logic is thrown at you saying it is Off topic. ferret-gamer

What Naval is asking should be PMed and I'll respond with an appropriate answer, and what do you mean by my own logic being thrown at me?

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]No you dont get out of it so easily. You stating that pc gamers caring more about what people think was defiantly NOT on topic. Yet you decide to skirt around answering a question when your own logic is thrown at you saying it is Off topic. killab2oo5

What Naval is asking should be PMed and I'll respond with an appropriate answer, and what do you mean by my own logic being thrown at me?

Says you who have 12 406 posts? The irony..............ocstew

On topic so I don't get moderated again...The reason the PC doesn't have an AAAA title may be because there are no worthy candidates. I'm just sayin'.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] So let me get this straight, you go into a thread about PC game ratings and simply because of the reason that is related to PC gaming you find it perfectly acceptable to insult pc gamers by essentially saying that they dont enjoy games? How is that relevant to the discussion at all? And as for your own logic being used against you by Naval, you were basing your insult off of the fact that PC gamers were defending their game. So he in turn noted that console gamers do the exact same thing. Yet when that happens you choose to avoid an answer because it was "off topic" and you "didnt want to get modded" when he was responding to your post that was: A.) Not on topic, B.) insulting and probably qualifies as trolling.killab2oo5

well, i think i won this argument.:P

[QUOTE="devious742"]

[QUOTE="NerubianWeaver"] Lack of dedicated servers :|NerubianWeaver

if you bothered to actually read the PC review.. you will know that the reason MW2 PC scored lower than the console versions is because it was being judge against other pc games... for example :

MW2 PC REVIEW

The Bad

• Costs more, has fewer multiplayer features than other PC shooters
• Campaign is short
• Plot is muddled and inelegant.

again incase you didnt see

The Bad

• Costs more, has fewer multiplayer features than other PC shooters
• Campaign is short
• Plot is muddled and inelegant.

not only that but evidence of pc having different standards or higher standards..call it what you will.. is apparent

"If you compare Modern Warfare 2 on the PC to its console counterparts, the game is every bit as awesome and enjoyable. Yet when compared to other online shooters on the PC, the multiplayer component is decidedly limited."

"Furthermore, there is no support for user-created content, so rather than enjoying free mods and community maps, PC users will have to pay for downloadable content. And the money issues don't stop there: Modern Warfare 2 costs $10 more than most full-price PC games."

now the following describes MW2 as a PC FPS compared to other PC FPS games *this was written only on the MW2 PC review*

"Though it features a robust variety of playlists in which to ply your deadly trade, Modern Warfare 2's competitive multiplayer is still limited compared to modern standards and will likely disappoint many hardcore shooter fans"

now when talking about the console version the reviewer said this*console review*

"With a robust variety of playlists in which to ply your deadly trade, Modern Warfare 2's competitive multiplayer is the best in the series and one of the best available on consoles"

and with that I leave you with evidence that the PC version was indeed knocked down in score because it was being compared to other PC fps games.. thus pc having higher standards or different.. whatever you call it.... seacrest out

COD4 was better than MW2 (PC Version). Why do you think MW2 Costs more and has fewer multiplayer features? :|

Update** still waiting for your response:|

I'm sure many will come with the silly "higher standards" argument, but this thread is really only made to try and prove a point that is nonexistent. So what if there's no AAAA game. That isn't a gauge to a system's overall quality. It goes by the aggregate amount of great games overall, and there are many that like the PC for just that.

The quality of a game nowadays tends to be overestimated/underestimated to a certain degree depending on how popular it is and how well-polished. Traits such as creativity or depth are not as easily detected, and hence the mainstream public and therefore the majority of reviewing websites do not consider them as being nearly as important. PC games tend to be less polished but deeper compared to console games (a result of the developers on the PC tending to have much riskier financial situations than developers on consoles), so they get the shorter end of the rating stick.

[QUOTE="killab2oo5"]

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] A.) Not on topic, B.) insulting and probably qualifies as trolling.ferret-gamer

well, i think i won this argument.:P

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="killab2oo5"]As can be witnessed in this thread...PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.killab2oo5

Yes, clearly x amount of people entering this thread is proof that all of the people associated with them care more about their reputation on this forum than the games they play. :|

Well, by that same token you care more about making irrational insinuations about groups of people numbering in the hundreds of millions on the same forum rather than enjoying your games. This is probably true, but just like your statement (which used the exact same logic), the conclusion does not follow from the premises.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]

[QUOTE="killab2oo5"] tl;dr

killab2oo5

well, i think i won this argument.:P

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]

[QUOTE="killab2oo5"]

well, i think i won this argument.:P

killab2oo5

Here you go

PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselveskillab2oo5

How can that at be anything other than A.)Intending solely to annoy and/or offend other users B.)Disruptive Posting.

And also as pointed out before the console gamers also make massive threads to talk about flops or how x game is overrated or how y game is better. But you will probably choose to ignore this argument again.

[QUOTE="killab2oo5"][QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]

well, i think i won this argument.:P

Danm_999

Absolutely true. The basis of System Wars is people complaining about someone disagreeing with their opinion and trying to prove that theirs is true. This thread isn't some sort of exception to this, one could go to any and say the same thing.

Yes, clearly x amount of people entering this thread is proof that all of the people associated with them care more about their reputation on this forum than the games they play. :|

Well, by that same token you care more about making irrational insinuations about groups of people numbering in the hundreds of millions on the same forum rather than enjoying your games. This is probably true, but just like your statement (which used the exact same logic), the conclusion does not follow from the premises.

Barbariser

"As can be witnessed in this thread...PC ***System Warriors*** would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.

There.

That's not unique to PC gamers though, that's System Wars in general. That's human beings in general. To pick one thread amongst thousands, one of the irrelevant grains of sand on the beach of banality, and to say that it proves the gamers in it don't care about games, is shortsighted beyond belief. Danm_999

Well do allow me to edit my initial statement.

"As can be witnessed in this thread...PC ***System Warriors*** would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.

killab2oo5

Your logic still produces the same conclusion upon yourself and console gamers, once you apply it to all of the *other* threads on this board including this one. You might want to rethink it.

PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves

How can that at be anything other than A.)Intending solely to annoy and/or offend other users B.)Disruptive Posting.

And also as pointed out before the console gamers also make massive threads to talk about flops or how x game is overrated or how y game is better. But you will probably choose to ignore this argument again.

ferret-gamer

On your 2nd input, see above where I say that I had to make a choice of all the threads on page 1. This just so happened to be my pick...it's nothing personal d00d.

[QUOTE="killab2oo5"]Well do allow me to edit my initial statement.

"As can be witnessed in this thread...PC ***System Warriors*** would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves.

Barbariser

Your logic still produces the same conclusion upon yourself and console gamers, once you apply it to all of the *other* threads on this board including this one. You might want to rethink it.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]

PC gamers would rather care more about what others think of their games rather than have fun with the games themselves

How can that at be anything other than A.)Intending solely to annoy and/or offend other users B.)Disruptive Posting.

And also as pointed out before the console gamers also make massive threads to talk about flops or how x game is overrated or how y game is better. But you will probably choose to ignore this argument again.

killab2oo5

Answer me honestly now, if you made a new thread using your exact statements, and reasoning for those statements, How long do you think it would last before moderation.