Why not forget ps2?

[MrMan6187]

From what i know most people are going to play ffxi on the pc, And i have a good idea square-enix knows that too. Also the pc will take less time ship out considering they dont have to worry about hdd and all. So why not just say screw ps2 and bring it onto pc only?

[Talis]

Why don't we forget PC and put it on PS2 Only...

Seriously why in the heck would square, oh excuse me ^_^ Square-Enix, Make a game and just put it on the Computer... its a Console Game, and plus they are selling the HDD and with the PS2 to get big bucks off of that..

PLUS! Not everyone is rich like you where they can Jack Out there PC and add all this Video etc for 500.00, so i prefer to the PS2 for the PSO Feel..

We can go around all day asking Why this and why that.. but face it, its a Console Game..

Plus not to mention its already on Console in Japan, so there doing it here also.

[penpen]

im sure square has some contract with sony

[MrMan6187]

i undsertand what u mean talis, but why wouldnt they just release it for pc first?

[Fox Excalibur]

Yeah they probably do. I remember them saying they would release the game for PC in america even if they cant get the HDD for the PS2 though, but maybe new contracts could have changed that.

I gotta agree, that i believe it would be more fun to play it on the console, and alot cheaper to max out your PS2 then to max out your PC. But for most people you can get the minimum requirements for FFXI cheaper then the PS2 requirements. Ill be getting it for the computer if at least for the graphics upgrade it has (and it would be about just as expensive either way for me, i need a new processor/motherboard but thats it).

[MrMan6187]

O O MAYBE them merging to become square-enix got rid of that contract. lOl

[Zirus]

I dont know about you guys, but I sure as hell wouldnt want to sit in front of my comp for as long as I play this game. Ill prolly play for hours at a time, and would like to just sit in my nice couch, not this crappy chair im sittin in now:( Comfort means a lot to me while playing games.

I guess if it never came out on the PS2 in America I would get it for PC....

[Fox Excalibur]

lmao good point, yeah that was another reason i wanted it on PS2 myself, you can just relaxe while you play. And like if a friend comes over you can like make them play easier as well, its just a more relaxed enviroment for the game. But either way, its the same game, and Ill get it one way or another (i just want to play it at its absolute best)...ill probably get a controller for my computer that looks like a PS2 controller, and position a more comfortable chair near the computer, or hook up to a TV monitor display.

[technic]

Having seen both versions in action, on a decent PC the PC version seriously blows away the PS2 when it comes to graphics. There is no comparison... I have a PS2 and a PC and I knew immediately I wanted it for the PC after seeing both running. I can think of some pro's/con's for the different versions:


[PS2]

Pros-
TV's are bigger than monitors usually, nice big image.
Can use the couch. :p
Controllers are nice.

Cons-
Have to buy a harddrive.
Have to buy a broad band adapter.
Have to buy a keyboard, or worse - struggle with in game soft keyboard.
Graphics are worse than the PC.

[PC]

Pros-
Much better graphics.
I already have a PC as I assume anyone posting on this board does as well, i.e. no extra cost.
Already have a keyboard.
Much easier to import (the whole language switching).

Cons-
Environment may not be as nice depending on your setup.

Well from what I just typed up I can see why I got the PC version. Anyone else have any input?

-Triton

[Eltarren]

PC Con:

If your computer is crap, it's expensive as hell to upgrade it to run FFXI decently.

That's why I'll probably be going PS2.

[Janus Zeal]

My computer is 2 years old, I seriously think about upgrading it but it'll surely end up costing me over 1000$ for that...

My PC specs for now:

Pentium III - 933 Mhz
20+40 GB Hard drives
256 MB Ram
50x CD-ROM (no DVD-ROM yet)
Keyboard/Mouse functioning perfectly
19 inch screen
16 or 32 bit sound card (I'm not sure)
TNT2 nVidia Aladdin video card (32 MB with 3D effects)

I know I might hit 1500 on the benchmark (I never succeeded in running the program for some reason, must have downloaded incorrectly)...but that's still crap to me, my PS2 would beat the graphics and reaction time of my PC into pieces right now...

I would aim to something like that (because I'm not so rich):

Pentium 4 - 2.0 Ghz
transfer my hard drives (so 20+40 GB again)
1024 MB Ram (1 GB)
52x CD-ROM and 24x DVD-ROM
same keyboard and mouse
same monitor
64 bit sound card
GeForce 3 or 4, or ATI Radeon's latest

...even selling my old one for 500$ (canadian dollars), I think I'd end up spending more than 1000$ on the new one.

My point being it would be cheaper to buy the stuff for PS2, it was originally made for PS2 also so it won't be crappy to play on it...it depends on my available cash but I'll buy the PS2 version for sure, and then maybe buy the PC version also.

[Cloud784]

just so you know, all this stuff about PS2 graphics being alot worse isnt true, the only major diffence between the two is brightness (PS2 is darker). I think that the PS2 graphics w/ the HDD will be about the same as an average comp. But who knows?:confused:

[CrimsonDeath]

I dunno bout you guys, but I will definantly get the PS2 version. It is alot cheaper, for me to just buy like $300 wortha stuff for my PS2 and deal with the lack of graphics ( Not sure how big the difference, I dun care though, as long as I get to play. LoL ) and enjoy my confortable couch. So I guess in the end, it comes to what you value more. Graphics and enjoyment, or Confort and Expense. Take your pick, I still like the PS2 version much more. Just because it seems like it would be easier to play with a controller. :: shrug ::

[Balgas]

I'm going with the PS2 version, I made a thread asking if there was a major difference between PC and PS2 version, people said the graphics on the PC were better, but not enough to go and pay extra to get your PC all tricked out. My PC really sucks, I can run UT2 at 2 frames per second, also, I sit here way too much and would rather lie down on my bed while I am playing FFXI on my PS2. =D

If my PC was a power house I would probably get it for that, but it's not, also, have you looked at the control set up for the PC??? It's incredibly complex! I'm sure with the PS2 with the less amount of buttons it's more linear.

So bottom line, I'm getting it for PS2.:spin:

[technic]

Well I guess if your PC is old that makes sense. As an avid PC gamer as well I guess I take having a decent PC for granted...

To Cloud784: if you haven't seen a good PC running the game then you don't have a basis of comparison. It really is a lot better, I'm not just making that up for some kind of personal vendetta to get people to get the PC version or something. The PS2 having a hard drive does absolutely nothing for its ability to push polygons onto the screen, i.e. it does nothing to make the graphics better, it's just storage space (and allows FFXI to patch). The resolutions supported on a monitor are much higher than a standard TV. I could go on, but I wont bore you.

I never said it was bad on the PS2, I've played it as well and its fine, but it just looks better on a nice PC. I have a PS2 as well, but coming from playing PC MMORPG's it just feels weird playing one on a console. As for the price difference, again it's understandable if you don't have a good PC!

-Triton

[Stryker]

ah I going with ps2 but um... on the pc you know you could run a s-vid to your tv and get something along the lines of a kinkyjoy to use your ps2 controller, right? That being zed I would defanitly get the pc ver. if I had a half decent pc.

[Dwimordene]

My PC sucks. If I built a new tower, minus getting a new monitor and other such things.. it would run me about 500 bucks (that's with getting discounts from a friend). That's with a 2.0 Gig AMD and a Nvidia ti4200. I'd also have to get a new CDROM drive and buy new RAM for the new motherboard. Pretty costly.

I already have a Network Adaptor and keyboard, so all I need is the HDD and game. :thumbsup:

You don't have to buy an expensive USB keyboard to play, just buy a Sharkboard.. they're only 20 bucks. I don't think you need the mouse either, so I think it's about 5 times less expensive than me upgrading my comp. I was going to upgrade my comp anyway.. but my monitor is smaller (like 15 inch) than my HUGE TV (30 inch) :biggrin: . I don't really care if the graphics are slightly better on the comp. Big whoop. I'd rather sit in my super comfortable nintendo chair in front of the HUGE TV and play with my controller and a keyboard in my lap. My comp chair is super-uncomfortable and I've never been a PC gamer much to begin with. :spin:

[Black Heart]

I have to agree with MrMan. I really couldn't give a crap about the PS2 version now. I recently spent $1300 buying a new PC. I have a great setup now. With a good card, the graphics are much smoother and cleaner than on PS2. No added polys or effects or anything, but it makes a huge difference for me. My PC is right in front of my couch, next to my TV.

Also, any of you people ever heard of TV out with a USB Gamepad? Just connect your television to your PC, and get a Playstation to USB pad converter, and BAM, comfy FFXI with smoother graphics.

Thats just my setup.

[Faylore]

Yeah, im agreeing with black heart, about agreeing. PS2 sucks now, cuz i just spent 12,80 on a new computer ( :biggrin: you beat me), and my comp is absolutely amazing, so screw my PS2 version now, I'm getting for comp when it comes out in Na.

[Macht]

Alright if you guys are wondering why they don't just release for the PC and screw PS2 is because, like any buisiness they want it out on more then one channel. That's the whole trick for a company to make money, is channels channels channels. Of course they have to make sure the channels they choose are going to remain strong in order for there products to sell. They have already established a good protion of there sales on the PS2, so the PS2 is like there big customer if that's one way you can look at it and you don't just dump your biggest customer out of the blue.

[Faylore]

Yeah, im not saying PS2 is going to do poor. And ur right, even more than u think. Because in order for people to buy the PS2 version, they have to buy the rest of the stuff to RUN the PS2 version, and thats a fiar amount of money right there as well. So they're making twice as much money as they would expect.

[Janus Zeal]

I don't disagree about them making more money over for the stuff to run the PS2 version...but I just want to tell you, the money for the HDD and broadband unit won't go to Square-Enix...it would go to the one making it (which should be Sony if it goes like in Japan). PS2 players howevere are the largest audience for Final Fantasy players...they only got FF7-8 port versions on PC later, but they really are a console-gaming company as opposed to Blizzard and Electronic Arts and the likes.

[MrMan6187]

Also i would like to make the point that if u upgrade or get a new pc theres alot more u can do with it. considering the hdd is only going to be used with ffxi as of know it seems like a waste. u guys are on a computer typing these messages, because theres alot mroe u can do with a computer then ur pc. most of the games that come out on ps2 come out on pc enventually now also. dont get me wrong i love my ps2, but in the since of ffxi it sucks. i would rather get a new pc enjoy better media qualitty, programs, enjoying my ipod, and the other many things u can do on a pc.

[Macht]

Ok, maybe I need elaborate on what I said earlier. See if this makes more sense.

Square-Enix, before console games starting comming out on PC, was purelly as Console Game Company just like Janus Zeal said. Since they are mainly a Console Game Company there skill and abilities are first and foremost with creating console games. Also to add since they are a CGC that means they have a better chance that people with a game console know them, much better then just purelly PC gamers anyway.

Just more recently they started expanding there channels (Sources to make a sale of their product) and PC was choosen. Now PC is NOT thier main source because going back to what Janus Zeal said they "are a console-gaming company as opposed to Blizzard and Electronic Arts and the likes". So since the console is there main winning ticket, there is no way they would just abandon it. If at all they were deciding to go to just selling only PC games they would most likely do it on a very slow trend to make sure they are going to be better off. I kind of doubt it though they already got themselves well know on the game consoles (If they hadn't most likely there wouldn't be these thousand and some websites talking about their games).

[Huck]

My PC Owns. I scored a 4455 on my FFXI Video benchmark. I have a 21" moniter (by 21" i mean 21" VIEWABLE, massive.)
I'm thinking I will upgrade my video card from a GeForce4 Ti4400 to a Radeon 9700 Pro. Hot damn I can't wait.

Now all i need to do... is get a more comfortable chair...

I hope they DO NOT release the PC version before the PS2 one.
They should be out at the Same time, to give everyone a fair start.

[Macht]

They will most likely try to release the PC and PS2 version at the same time. However, if it becomes to much of a hassle or some complication occurs then I'm very sure they'll end up releasing PS2 first and then the PC's just got to cross your fingers and hope everything goes well.

[Black Heart]

I think it would be the other way around Macht. Square could release the PC version right now really. The PS2 version still needs the HDD. Sounds to me like if they can't get the PS2 version out, then they will at least throw the PC version to America.

[Macht]

Nah, they can't do that simply going back to my previous generalization of who their customers are. If you sum it up to two big classes then it's the PC customer and there PS2 customer. Now there PS2 customer has been their biggest and best customer, and like I've experienced with many customers I work with. A customer will get pissed if they know they are giving you their business and that they are one of your best customers and you go and give a lower customer a better deal.

Same is true the other way around, so really the only reason of not releasing PC is because they don't want to chance loosing sales from their biggest customer. Remember as I'll stress again they are mainly a console game company just like Janus Zeal had said a few messages ago.

[Macht]

Of course though, all this debait so far is being simplified to only consider the customer end. Also got to remember the development end, Square-Enix has much more experience developing games for a console then a PC.

So because of that factor they probably started on a console version first so they'dmore comfortable of the games success.

Like gambling, you don't want to chance loosing money on a bet your not certain on how much you'll get back when you can bet on something that you are certain will give back a lot.

[Black Heart]

I doubt Square would pass up a chance to make money. Its not like people are going to simply stop buying Square games just because they release FFXI on PC before PS2. People are going to keep buying their games because they make good games not because they consumer feels like Square "cares about them". A corporation provides a service, and consumer pays to utilize that service.

If Square Enix has a chance to make money, they are going to take it.


(Edit:) There really isn't much development that has to be done at all. The only real things that are holding up Square are servers, distribution or hardware, and customer support. The translation is done I'm sure on both versions, they don't have to translate 2 different games. Both versions will either come out simultaneously, or one soon after the other simply because they are the same game just on different platforms.

[Etra]

I would never want it on my PS2. I just dont like playing consol games as much as playing something on the pc ^^;
And I have a nice reclining leather chair so I think I have the seating issue covered. Also a brand new pc that I bought just for the U.S. release of FFXI. But if I had to I would get it for PC...

[Macht]

I'm certain Square Enix won't pass up a chance to make money. Yes hardware, servers, and all may delay them from releasing it but last I recall that kind of all fell under development.

The thing is I'm not saying they are trying to make the consumer feel like they "Care about them". What I am saying is they are mostly doing what they see will get them the most money they can. Now I know you guys have to be pretty good on the computer and are part of the smart group that'll pay attention to what the computer requirements are in order for the game to work properly.

Unfortunatly I can guarentee you that there is a bigger group of people that arn't that bright, they'll buy the game not paying attention to the requriements try to load it when there computer can't handle it and have a hugh problem with it. Now then that person is most likely going to think there is something wrong with the game and not even consider that it's thier system (I guarentee that to, because I see it happen everyday at my work.)

Now then if Square Enix were to release it on PC first and just screw PS2, in that particular situation they'd of lost a customer. Now consider the fact that nearly 80% of the people who have computer end up doing that and only us 20% get it right. That's 80% of possible sales they'd loose. Now that doesn't sound to good to me.

Sorry if I were to make a game I'd feel much safer doing it on a console, that way I can be pretty sure that the consumer will have a less chance of screwing that up and more likely of getting a greater return in sales. Especially if I'm getting new customers I'd hate to have their first experience with my service to be bad. (Reminds me of an event that happened to me not to long ago at a Panda Express, rude people refused to refund me and on top insulted me. In the end I got my money back and they just lossed 150 possible customers :) )

[Chipmunk777]

Originally posted by technic
[PS2]Cons-
Have to buy a harddrive.
Have to buy a broad band adapter.
Have to buy a keyboard
Graphics are worse than the PC.


::already has everything except harddrive:: and, i must say, the graphics really arent as bad as everyone makes them out to be.. its just that if you have an uber-good card and comp, the graphics are phreaking out of this world :spin: and, graphics really couldnt effect me less :spin: plus, i usually have trouble getting into PC games, because... i dunno, it just feels awkward to me. plus, loungin on my couch, eatin stuff, drinkin stuff, doin stuff, is a lot more comfortable than sittin in my chair :spin:

[Janus Zeal]

Originally posted by Chipmunk777


::already has everything except harddrive:: and, i must say, the graphics really arent as bad as everyone makes them out to be.. its just that if you have an uber-good card and comp, the graphics are phreaking out of this world :spin: and, graphics really couldnt effect me less :spin: plus, i usually have trouble getting into PC games, because... i dunno, it just feels awkward to me. plus, loungin on my couch, eatin stuff, drinkin stuff, doin stuff, is a lot more comfortable than sittin in my chair :spin:

Well said and I couldn't agree more, I couldn't care less about less than peak graphics, they still are great! The only reason I would buy the PC version is if I already have the PS2 version and want to play using both or something

[Walu]

My PC spec

Pentium 3 933 mhz
256 SD-RAM
GF4 MX 440
40 cd-rom/cd-burner

I think that I would just need a Geforce 4 TI 4200 only for upgrading and more rams.What do you think???