Epic: Unreal Engine 3 uses deferred shading to speed up the calculation of dynamical lighting and shadows. Integrating this feature together with multi-sampling requires control of the edge-smoothing at a much deeper level than the DX9 interface can provide. So, on the PC, multi-sampling will only be supported under DX10.
I suppose you can still blame them on some level; since they rushed out Vista they didn't finish DX10, DX10.1 is what was originally intended to be included but didn't make the cut because of the accelerated release date.
How is this related? DX10.1 includes MSBRW (multi-sample buffer reads and writes) which gets around the deferred shading + AA problem in all DX10.1 compatible games. If they included this with the original release the likes of Bioshock could use AA properly without unstable tweaks. I don't know what they did in GOW to get AA and deferred shaders working together, but if Microsoft didn't rush Vista out early we wouldn't be having any of these problems.
It is highly unfortunate that Microsoft continues to tarnish its reputation amongst gamers, by using dishonest tactics. For starters, you can't save the game without creating a Windows Live ID.WTF kind of shit is that?!?!?!
Word of warning to those who plan on buying this for PC: make sure you sign up for an online LIVE account before starting. I lost my saves using the offline one, which is a bit of a bitch but I really don't mind playing through the first hour again.That's some major bullshit for a SP game.
Well, that's not really true. I played through the first hour or so, saving, logging out and coming back, without signing up for windows live. You can't save the game unless you create a profile, which can be an online profile (your windows live ID), or an offline one (like the profile for any other game that saves to a profile).Got cha.
The thing is that if you start with an offline profile, and then go and make that same profile an online one, you lose your saves up until that point for whatever reason (I'd imagine it'd have something to do with stopping people from 'stacking achievements'. Also, to be perfectly fair, you are warned about this, I just misunderstood what they were saying.Ahhhhh...I get it.
WTF kind of shit is that?!?!?!
The MP portion should be the only thing caring if I create a Windows Live ID.
That's some major bullshit for a SP game.
At least for The Witcher, REGISTRATION is Optional.
While you can create an offline ID, which can be used for singleplayer or LAN, split screen gaming is mysteriously missing.
I lost my saves using the offline one, which is a bit of a bitch but I really don't mind playing through the first hour again.
So, if you wanted, you can have a separate offline profile for SP and a WinID profile for just MP?
I'm fairly certain you can have more than one profile on one machine. I'll check on that right now.
EDIT: Yes, you can have multiple profiles on one game. I have an offline one and a LIVE one as of right now.
My only issue is with the controls. With a little tweaking they would have been perfect. At times they aren't responsive. Plus there should be a cover lock.Yeah, I kinda expected a toggle option, but it doesn't bother me much. I just had to readjust myself from the R6 Vegas controls. Otherwise all is great with the controls.
That is very true. I'd like to play more co-op. Sadly, the whole system sucks and there's either no one else ever on, or the browser is broken. I managed to play co-op once and it was pretty fun.I think Pug does hold it down :D It's a R6 Vegas thing. I used to hold it down when I first started too :P
As for the cover lock, doesn't hitting SPACE actually toggle the cover lock? It's not like I'm holding the bar down when I"m in cover.
That is very true. I'd like to play more co-op. Sadly, the whole system sucks and there's either no one else ever on, or the browser is broken. I managed to play co-op once and it was pretty fun.Yeah, it's a toggle. What's your Live name? I'll add you. I play almost every night.
As for the cover lock, doesn't hitting SPACE actually toggle the cover lock? It's not like I'm holding the bar down when I"m in cover.
No I don't hold it down. I hit space and he goes into cover, and when I move sideways or something he inexplicably goes out of it.If you push Back (move back) he'll go out of cover (this happens whether you're standing or crouching).
I figured it out. Apparently double tapping a direction key acts as hitting the space bar once.
Can you turn that double-tapping feature off...?Yeah it's in the options. I remember switching it on :D I like double-taps :P Got used to them from old games on my Sega Megadrive (Genesis) and dodging in Unreal Tournament.
I hate double taps with a passion. Hate them, hate them. No amount of smarts can tell the difference between quick corrections, hesitant moves and a double tap. I almost put Dead Rising away for good because of it, although I'm glad I stuck with it.
Yeah it's in the options. I remember switching it on :D I like double-taps :P Got used to them from old games on my Sega Megadrive (Genesis) and dodging in Unreal Tournament.
I've still never had a problem with double-taps. Games seem to be more commonly using them, too, so I think anybody who doesn't like them may need to get used to them in a hurry.
Didn't you just post something about beating your face with a hammer being better than stabbing it? I'll check for Sears sales on Craftsman tools . . .
Edit: That made sense to me, but looking at it now, I realize it probably won't make sense to anyone else. Option 1, beat my face with a hammer: Play the games with what I consider to be an egregious control flaw. Curse the world every time I leap to my death when all I wanted to do was move, stop, then move again. Option 2, stab myself in the face: Don't play the games at all.
Is there built-in support for headsets and mics so you can use a mic???I know there's a key you can bind to "Voice chat" and I think it uses G4WL to connect.
I'm not sure. I haven't heard anyone talk, but I haven't been on PvP multiplayer at all really except for about 5 min. before I decided it was pretty lame.
Well I came back to Gears of War after finishing Crysis, Episode 2 and Portal. The first thing I was struck with was its beauty, which is something to be expected after spending time with the Source engine.Hahaha oh yeah that was annoying :P Great game though ;D
Anyway I just wanted to say fuck off to the part where I can either drive my vehicle or use that light beam thing. Really stupid.
edit:
Thankfully that part was extremely short.
The Tumbler has only enough power to move or use its ultraviolet light.Haha good analogy though :P Ever sneezed and farted at the same time?
That's kinda like how you can either urinate or sneeze, but not at the same time. OK, not really.
Double taps killed me so much playing UT. I'd be trying to step up to a ledge to look down and shoot at someone but it took it as a doupletap and I'd launch myself off the cliff. Gah.
Yeah, that whole concept was really stupid. It's a bit more endurable in co-op, but probably even more stupid from a gameplay perspective.
Epic Calls Bullsh*t on Lower Gears of War (PC) Review scoresI think pretty much Voodoo Extreme put the nail in the coffin.
Aug 08, 2008 at 1:03 PM - Robert "Apache" Howarth - 42 Comments
Epic President Mike Capps was a little frustrated at the lack of love the PC version of Gears of Wars got:
“I think it’s bullshit,” he told MundoRare. “Because what we did was take a great game, Gears of War 1 for Xbox 360, made it run at higher resolutions and added three new hours of really good gameplay and it got lower reviews. I think that’s bullshit, and I don’t understand it. I can’t figure out what it is.
“Like, ‘It’s an old game.’ Well, yeah, but it’s new on that platform, so I was really surprised to see lower reviews for what I think a much better game. It had new multiplayer modes, new levels, three hours of gameplay you never saw on 360 that the 360 guys are still upset we haven’t given them, right? So to get lower reviews for more game that’s good? It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Here was the problem(s):
1) It used Windows Live for multiplayer -- However you want to spin it, unless you were a paying member, GFWL made for an ass-sucking experience trying to set up matches and finding games. Windows Live is now free, so assuming all of the "Gold" crap is now unlocked for everyone to use, might be decent now.
2) Bugs & Crashes - I don't know how well they eventually patched Gears of War on the PC, but at the time of its release, you were lucky to even be able to load the game much less play the new chapters.
If the matchmaking stuff has been unlocked and the game is all patched up, GoW PC might be worth another look. It's pretty cheap now as well -- check your local bargin bin -- so that's a plus too.
Yep, the stutter is still a common, unpatched issue.