Looking at many of the blog and forum posts it would seem that one thing we all have in common is the consistent need to upgrade our systems to accommodate the newest games. No sooner than a game comes out developers are already working on the next release. The issue becomes our ability to run the newer games with our older PC's. For example, Crysis - I have the 2 gig of required ram but my son only has 1 gig
so if we want to play together it's more $$$, or it looks like we might even need Vista to play, or some other upgrade and on and on? This seems to be a continuos process where either the game causes changes to the PC, or the PC causes changes to the game. In any case the end result is the need to upgrade at least once every year, or in some cases with every new game. Seems the question is where are we headed, what is the future of gaming?
It's easy to say that we will always be required to upgrade our systems if we wish to play the latest games, but let's look further down the road. At what point is enough enough, and where will the industry lead us? Will it take us where WE want to go, or where IT wants us to go? With this in mind I was thinking that it would be interesting to see what everyone else thinks about the future of gaming. Not just about where it's headed, but more important what direction do we want gaming to take. As technology expands exponentially into a wide range of areas where does gaming fit in. How will this diversity affect our ability to play and the levels of enjoyment we seek when we play. I suspect we all can predict the short term, but what about looking a bit further down the road? Most of us have seen documentaries or read articles about how there are new micro chips being developed for everything from hearing, to vision, to electronic devices for the disabled allowing them think about it and to take steps and walk or grasp objects with a prosthetic arms and legs. Implants in the eyes or nerve endings in the limbs that enable artificial functions that simulate normal activity. For those who're disabled this is remarkable technology bringing hope and happiness. All this is good but what if this technology was applied to gaming?
As technology improves and new abilities and functions are created for our devices what changes will be made to enhance the interface between our minds and our machines. We currently use input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, but when looking at the development of new ways to communicate the fields of medicine and the military are breaking new ground and examining never before considered input devices seen only in science fiction. Have a seat Neo in your comfortable chair and plug your head into the latest FPS. Perhaps that fictional Matrix scenario is not too far from reality for us all. We already have under development devices such as Bio chip implants for cashless transactions, and in August of 1998 Professor Kevin Warwich, Director of Cybernetics at the University of Reading, U.K., became the first human to host a microchip. During a 20 minute procedure Dr. George Boulos inserted into
The implication of this new technology is startling. Even more so when applied by the military, as the games we play today have already been dramatically affected and improved by government applications. More to the point is the development of something referred to as the "Cyber Situation" where the implanted chips are under the control of commanders, decision makers, and analysts. Supporting components include all-source information collectors and archival databases where the Information Integration Center (IIC), uses a microscopic chip implanted in the user's brain to control a wide range of lethal and non lethal weapons. This is not science fiction, it is real and it is happening now. Chip implants it would seem are just the beginning as the development of direct input neural devices are on the horizon.
I've only scratched the surface of this subject and I could go on forever so here's the question. Where do you stand on this future gaming potential, how far would you go to take advantage of a new technology in gaming where YOU are the input device. Where you place your mind in the hands of technology and enter a virtual world where your thoughts translate into action. You feel without harm the heat, the sweat, the pain, and the kill. Is this where we're headed, is this where we want to go - are you ready, or do you need more time?
teh-pwnzer @ 2007-10-03 07:08:23
I need more time...and another cup of coffee!
Scro @ 2007-10-05 10:41:02
I just added 2GB of RAM to my gaming rig just to reduce the horrible load times with BF2!!! And.. it helped.
As the line between television, internet, and other communications converge there is no telling what will come next! I for one cant wait to be taking to a far away place to endulge in virtuall shootemups and social events without the clunky screens and keyboards of today.
JACK ME IN BABY!
weaver @ 2007-10-05 11:33:08
Just buy a new PC every 6 months - good to go.. right?
alpha69 @ 2007-10-05 13:03:42
I cant keep up .. i'm heading for the the bottom drawer :-(
Great article atrus!
weaver @ 2007-10-05 13:29:43
That is what credit cards are made for.
Don't forget to DIGG this story. (look up - Digg This!)
Sneakybadger @ 2007-10-05 13:46:23
Excellent article
Consider it Dugg
I have constantly upgraded my pc
might have 2 upgrade the CPU :S we shall see how it goes
AMD AM2 x2 4600 2GB 800Mhz ram 8800GTX OC
Logitech G25 Wheel
Logitech Z5500
AH im a sucker for shiny things
oh and a 27" monitor
Mr-Me-II @ 2007-10-05 17:36:07
Awesome article.
Workin on upgrades myself at the moment..when done my comp will be the most expensive thing I own...and considering I own a Mercedes Benz...you get the idea ;)
Helloooooo 500FPS in Crysis....
Bullet @ 2007-10-06 12:39:32
Very good article. I am impressed. I for one remember when I got to see first hand my former local Telco who happened to own a major regional ISP, of which I was an Authorized Reseller for, build new infrastructure as well as adding to old infrastructure so that they could add television services via telephone line. Makes me remember the movie 'Back to the Future II' where Micheal J. Fox is watching TV and is notified through his TV of an incoming phone call, complete with Caller ID. AT&T has or had a similar service, but if memory serves correct, they were using Cable TV lines instead of telephone lines.
Oh, and currently, the service my former Telco is going to offer is in a test market phase....amazing that a Telco Co-Op in a town of less than 3,000 is that advanced....then again, their network and infrastructure is far better than Qwest's in that region.
RPD--Bush-LeagueCH0K3 @ 2007-10-15 18:45:07
I haven't upgraded anything in my computer, except the video card (6800le -> 7600GT), in 2 years and it's still playing everything just fine! Bioshock, CoD4, and i imagine crysis will also be DX9 compatible, so it will play that too! However if crysis is better than bioshock then i might have to turn the details down :(
Specs:
Athlon 3500+ Winchester
1GB DDR
eVga 7600GT
Windows XP
So I think that if you get a GOOD system from the start, it WILL last... Im running bioshock 1024x768 @ max settings.. I guess that might be "low"... "1024x768".. but i am running a 17" LCD which is a good size, it won't be until I get a new monitor that's like 22" wide that I will need to upgrade, but if im buying that monitor then ill be in the middle of upgrading anyways ;).
Anyways, my advice is to ALWAYS read, read, and read some more before you purchase anything! Always try and find the best bang for your buck, dont go drop $500 on a card, and definately dont buy the cheapest just cause it "supports" the latest technology.
My system is however, starting to show it's age, but it is handling the latest games, still, in high res :)
RPD--Bush-LeagueCH0K3 @ 2007-10-15 20:59:51
Forgot that Bioshock is on the Unreal engine, and Crysis is on it's own, the "CryEngine2" or something? So that might make my system sweat ;)
