[aldo_14]

I've heard DX9.0c is designed to be non-backwards compatible with earlier versions, so it's probably part of a trend.

So in other words, I may want to avoid that update in order to play games that use previous versions of DirectX?

Um, I'm not entirely sure -  I am 99.9% sure developers can't compile older code with a 9.0c SDK, though; I remember reading a post from a developer somewhere about how they'd installed the 9.0c devkit on one machine and as a result needed to shift compilation to another machine.

[Shade]

Are you on crack? I think the have gotten much better.

They have gotten much prettier, yes, but that does not equal better. I don't have half as much fun with Halo 2 or Doom 3 as I do if I fire up Duke Nukem 3D.

There's an initial wow factor with these newer games, I'll grant that, but once that passes there's just something lacking in many of them (not all, of course, but Halo 2 was one for me and there are many others). Essentially, I miss that thing that in old game reviews was represented by the 'gameplay' rating. Graphics, sound, cool weapons, it's all for nothing without that. Plot helps, but even that can't save it on its own.

It's one of the things that keeps FS2 retail on my list of the best games even today, and all the SCP enhancements really would be for nothing if the original game didn't already have that something that kept you thrilled for hours on end. Of course, noone would've bothered spending all that time making those enhancements if it didn't have that, either.

So basically, modern advances can improve a game that already has good gameplay (as the SCP has done very well indeed for FS2), but it can't really do anything for one that lacks it no matter how much bling you cram in.

[Deepblue]

I for one, have never tired of Halo 2's multiplayer OR singleplayer. Not having heavily scripted events means that enemies react and act differently every time you engage in combat providing a fresh experience every time you play.

[aldo_14]

I for one, have never tired of Halo 2's multiplayer OR singleplayer. Not having heavily scripted events means that enemies react and act differently every time you engage in combat providing a fresh experience every time you play.

I think we all know your opinion on Halo by now..........

[WeatherOp]

I for one, have never tired of Halo 2's multiplayer OR singleplayer. Not having heavily scripted events means that enemies react and act differently every time you engage in combat providing a fresh experience every time you play.

Hmm, seams pretty heavily scripted to me.

[Unknown Target]

Er, yea. The only thing unscripted about Halo and Halo 2's single player was the enemy AI; and that's nowhere near new. Check Doom 1 for the exact same thing.

[supernova]

Someone Nix Bungie before they make another horrible game...I'll just keep on playing Unreal Tournament...

Everytime I go into Electronics Botique, or any other game store...I here the ranting of idiodic retards pretending to know something about HARDWARE.   
"My Xbox360 is so way better than your computer...it's got like a Gigabyte..."   
my response: "do you even realize that a Gigabyte is a term used to define an amount of storage space on media you retard..."   
their comeback: "people are gonna like take the processor out and put it in their computers cause it's so much fater..."
my response: "Hey dufus, Xbox 360 uses PowerPC architecture...not compatible in any way with current x86 processors...windows wouldn't recognize it, and oh by the way stupid, you couldn't put it in a motherboard if you wanted to."

I like people who think that Consoles rule...

Not one of these XBOX goof balls even realizes that every single game and piece of software ever written for their pathetic consoles, was written on either a PC, Mac, or Unix box...

[CP5670]

My Xbox360 is so way better than your computer...it's got like a Gigabyte..."   

I must have that gig!!

[Ghostavo]

Everytime I go into Electronics Botique, or any other game store...I here the ranting of idiodic retards pretending to know something about HARDWARE.   
"My Xbox360 is so way better than your computer...it's got like a Gigabyte..."   
my response: "do you even realize that a Gigabyte is a term used to define an amount of storage space on media you retard..."   
their comeback: "people are gonna like take the processor out and put it in their computers cause it's so much fater..."
my response: "Hey dufus, Xbox 360 uses PowerPC architecture...not compatible in any way with current x86 processors...windows wouldn't recognize it, and oh by the way stupid, you couldn't put it in a motherboard if you wanted to."

Tell them you have one of these:
http://www.dell.com/html/us/products/ces/

[IceFire]

I've heard DX9.0c is designed to be non-backwards compatible with earlier versions, so it's probably part of a trend.

So in other words, I may want to avoid that update in order to play games that use previous versions of DirectX?

Um, I'm not entirely sure -  I am 99.9% sure developers can't compile older code with a 9.0c SDK, though; I remember reading a post from a developer somewhere about how they'd installed the 9.0c devkit on one machine and as a result needed to shift compilation to another machine.

I have the very latest DX9.0c update installed with no issues on older games that I'm aware of.  I should recheck but no problems so far....

I think this is probably true of only the devkit and not the standard install.

Halo is a great FPS in terms of its scope, scale, and style.  of FPS's come off as very generic.  Halo does to a certain extent with the space marine thing but it does it in style.  The Covenant are a really solid adversary because they have a great deal of diversity and a unique culture that is rarely explored in a FPS game. Usually its just "They are the bad guys, shoot, kill destroy."  Of course, if thats all your interested in playing a FPS then you probably loose all of that and then it does become a rather generic FPS game at that point. 

Some good and bad points to be sure.  I play Halo 2 on my X-Box when I'm bored/stressed and need a game that is mindless enough without being too mindless to be annoying.

[vyper]

Everytime I go into Electronics Botique, or any other game store...I here the ranting of idiodic retards pretending to know something about HARDWARE.   
"My Xbox360 is so way better than your computer...it's got like a Gigabyte..."   
my response: "do you even realize that a Gigabyte is a term used to define an amount of storage space on media you retard..."   
their comeback: "people are gonna like take the processor out and put it in their computers cause it's so much fater..."
my response: "Hey dufus, Xbox 360 uses PowerPC architecture...not compatible in any way with current x86 processors...windows wouldn't recognize it, and oh by the way stupid, you couldn't put it in a motherboard if you wanted to."

Tell them you have one of these:
http://www.dell.com/html/us/products/ces/

I'd like to see Adobe Encore or NeroVision try and screw me over on a system like that. Mwahaha!

[aldo_14]

Someone Nix Bungie before they make another horrible game...I'll just keep on playing Unreal Tournament...

Everytime I go into Electronics Botique, or any other game store...I here the ranting of idiodic retards pretending to know something about HARDWARE.   
"My Xbox360 is so way better than your computer...it's got like a Gigabyte..."   
my response: "do you even realize that a Gigabyte is a term used to define an amount of storage space on media you retard..."   
their comeback: "people are gonna like take the processor out and put it in their computers cause it's so much fater..."
my response: "Hey dufus, Xbox 360 uses PowerPC architecture...not compatible in any way with current x86 processors...windows wouldn't recognize it, and oh by the way stupid, you couldn't put it in a motherboard if you wanted to."

I like people who think that Consoles rule...

Not one of these XBOX goof balls even realizes that every single game and piece of software ever written for their pathetic consoles, was written on either a PC, Mac, or Unix box...

I used to have a CompArch lecturer who'd go into Dixons/Pc World purely to eviscarate the sales pitch of their stuff ("look, HT technology is so mucy faster....because....er....magic!").

[Unknown Target]

Actually, funny thing is, I think what MS is doing is saying that it won't run on anything but Vista, so that the majority of people who know nothing about computers will believe them and buy both anyway.
Dead serious.

[Grug]

I havn't had a game draw me in fully for a long time, with the exception being perhaps FEAR.

But I think to some extent, it's because I've changed. I've grown older, matured and have nearly lost my original sense of being able to look at a handfull of pixels and imagine an entire universe. I miss those days.

I enjoyed both Halo's because I grew warm to the storyline and universe. That's not to say I don't have any qualms. Halo2 increased in graphics but I think it lost some of its story telling ability. Cortana feels like a tag along rather than a partner, Chief feels like he's weakened somewhat, punches in legendary being practically futile. Something just feels off.
The networking code angers me to no end at times. Yet I am somewhat proud I can achieve good results vs arrogant teenages with often 100 - 300+ms lag.

Not to rant too much though, but yeah. Bungie is a bit of a sell out, but I guess one has to be to survive in todays **** eating world of corporate crap.

[aldo_14]

I dunno.  Last SNES game I played (on an emulator) was Yoshis Island, and it was excellent.  Ditto Ocarina of Time on the N64.  I think games have lost their fun aspect for the most part, in favour of flashier graphics.

[Grug]

Those were the top of the pile though, but yeah. It doesn't help when you have the larger companies (such as EA) take over the smaller ones and just pump out the most popular gaming genre with constant remakes of old marginally successfull games.

I love Ocarina of Time.
I really should try and dig it up again.
*considers harassing Raa*

[Turnsky]

Someone Nix Bungie before they make another horrible game...I'll just keep on playing Unreal Tournament...

Everytime I go into Electronics Botique, or any other game store...I here the ranting of idiodic retards pretending to know something about HARDWARE.   
"My Xbox360 is so way better than your computer...it's got like a Gigabyte..."   
my response: "do you even realize that a Gigabyte is a term used to define an amount of storage space on media you retard..."   
their comeback: "people are gonna like take the processor out and put it in their computers cause it's so much fater..."
my response: "Hey dufus, Xbox 360 uses PowerPC architecture...not compatible in any way with current x86 processors...windows wouldn't recognize it, and oh by the way stupid, you couldn't put it in a motherboard if you wanted to."

I like people who think that Consoles rule...

Not one of these XBOX goof balls even realizes that every single game and piece of software ever written for their pathetic consoles, was written on either a PC, Mac, or Unix box...

just ask them if it can run photoshop then watch the look on their faces. or tell them it's a mac at heart.

[StratComm]

I love Ocarina of Time.
I really should try and dig it up again.

I believe OoT is considered one of the best games ever, if not the best.  Graphics and sound were excellent for it's age, it's got a story, and most importantly gameplay that can compete with any rival.

You can keep your shiny graphics, but give me a gaming legend any day.

[Grug]

I love Ocarina of Time.
I really should try and dig it up again.

I believe OoT is considered one of the best games ever, if not the best. Graphics and sound were excellent for it's age, it's got a story, and most importantly gameplay that can compete with any rival.

You can keep your shiny graphics, but give me a gaming legend any day.

Here Here!
*whack's hammer*

[Goober5000]

You mean whack.