Amd Game!

[_____V_____]

There's good news for fans of gaming, especially PC gaming. They will now get the same predictability, simplicity, and affordability in finding a PC for gaming like they do in consoles.

AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) has today announced AMD GAME!, a program designed to help consumers select PCs perfectly-suited for high-definition gaming.

AMD GAME! is intended to ensure that a computer system has been optimized for gaming with the right graphics and processor components. PC components and hardware carrying the AMD GAME! logo are meant to assure PC buyers and do-it-yourself gamers that they can expect a customized and really cool gaming experience.

AMD GAME! will be a combination of multi-core processors, HD digital media, and Gen-Next graphics, the company said. The platform will marry Phenom processors, upcoming Turion Ultra processors, Athlon processors, ATI Radeon HD 3000 series graphics, and AMD chipsets to deliver an enhanced and simplified mainstream PC gaming experience.

Supporting AMD in this initiative are manufacturers such as Acer, Alienware, Logitech, and Microsoft who will help customers identify those PCs capable of delivering a high-definition gaming and entertainment experience.

AMD GAME! is immediately available from system builders such as Alienware, Cyberpower, iBuypower, Maingear, and Velocity Micro.

The platform is expected to ship to retail in the second half of 2008.

[newb]

fuck computers for gaming.......I'm really sick of upgrading only to have it obsolete in a couple of months. Last year I bought a new computer and I can't even run Crysis, unless I want to throw another $200 into it for a new graphics card.


but I will keep an eye out on this "AMD GAME"

just to see if its worth it....because truth be told...I'd much rather play games on a computer.

[_____V_____]

fuck computers for gaming.......I'm really sick of upgrading only to have it obsolete in a couple of months. Last year I bought a new computer and I can't even run Crysis, unless I want to throw another $200 into it for a new graphics card.

but I will keep an eye out on this "AMD GAME"

just to see if its worth it....because truth be told...I'd much rather play games on a computer.

I completely agree.

Although, this could be a novel prospect by AMD, at least for Direct X 10-compliant games and graphic cards. A decent gaming rig of one of these should go at least 3-4 years before the next upgrade.

[Despare]

because truth be told...I'd much rather play games on a computer.

Used to be the case for me but every other game is pushing technology to limits that are impossible to achieve. Games are being released that, to use at the highest settings, require graphics cards and processors that aren't even available yet. PC gaming has went downhill anyhow with too many console ports and RTS games, it doesn't help that this generations consoles are providing such fun experiences without the hassle of settings reconfiguration for each game. I think that Bioshock, the Orange Box for the 360, and believe it or not the upcoming Little Big Planet (a PC like game if I've ever seen one) are titles that really lead me to believe that PC gaming is less "fun" now. This AMD game sounds interesting but I'm unsure as to how it will help somebody decide which PC to get. Will these games be something played in kiosks at PC retailers or is this just to get you to upgrade AGAIN? I guess I'm bitter because my graphics card is burnt (last time I checked the temp it was 129C under load and idles at 89C) and is fairly new. I'm also wary of my PSU and should change that soon...

[_____V_____]

I think they will have a range of Game! machines to suit everyone's needs and costs, depending on what kind of a gamer they are.

Yeah it might not be everybody's cup of tea, but with gaming rigs becoming obsolete so soon these times...its the best PC choice one can get.

[Despare]

I think they will have a range of Game! machines to suit everyone's needs and costs, depending on what kind of a gamer they are.

Yeah it might not be everybody's cup of tea, but with gaming rigs becoming obsolete so soon these times...its the best PC choice one can get.

Yeah, I've bought gaming machines for as long as I can remember but now I think the next machine I'll build myself. I never wanted to take the time before but now it's becoming necessary to get a reliable machine.

[_____V_____]

Yeah, I've bought gaming machines for as long as I can remember but now I think the next machine I'll build myself. I never wanted to take the time before but now it's becoming necessary to get a reliable machine.

It has always been THE BEST option...to build your own machine. Have had 3 machines till now, all made by myself...and all are still in pristine shape.

I trust the guys at AMD though. They will certainly know what the mild, average and die-hard gamers want, and design the specifications accordingly.

[urgeok2]

i used to swear by computers for playing games - not now ...

i'd much rather seperate tis function out to a wii or xbox.
no more worrying about compatibility, the power of your PC, how much space you have left - how well is it running at the time.
Plus the couch in front of the TV is more comfy than the chair in my office.


(and i can play on the projector-screen if i want - with way better sound)

as far as building your own machine goes - thats all i ever did in the past ... but thee days i think i'd rather buy a package from Dell .. it's nearly as cheap now.

[Phalanx]

If they made a "pc" type thing that was upgradeable through system software, and say "future proof" (as they call it) for around 5 years, I'd give it a go.
I guess if all the components are made by amd, they could afford to knock it together cheaply enough.
I'll check it out.

[see_no_evil]

I never hardly play PC games anymore

[Vodstok]

heathens the lot of you! play your silly console games.

PCs are still my system of choice. i have a 17" widescreen laptop, it plays games beautifully, and when i feel like upgrading the video card(s) (and have the money), it will kick the crap out of any consoles on the market right now. already does in most respects.

I can play anywhere (literally, i have a car adapter for the power supply), and can play titles unavailable for console, or seriously dumbed down (half-life, bioshock) for the console.

i alos like that i can drop out of a game, do some work or email, or surf the web, thenpop right back in. Some games i can even run windowed so i play, do some other things, watch a movie or show int he same window, play some more.


Ludites.

[newb]

heathens the lot of you! play your silly console games.

PCs are still my system of choice. i have a 17" widescreen laptop, it plays games beautifully, and when i feel like upgrading the video card(s) (and have the money), it will kick the crap out of any consoles on the market right now. already does in most respects.

I can play anywhere (literally, i have a car adapter for the power supply), and can play titles unavailable for console, or seriously dumbed down (half-life, bioshock) for the console.

i alos like that i can drop out of a game, do some work or email, or surf the web, thenpop right back in. Some games i can even run windowed so i play, do some other things, watch a movie or show int he same window, play some more.


Ludites.

I've played Half-Life on the PC and am playing now on the 360.....I see NO difference.

[ManchestrMorgue]

I smell marketing.

Sort of like the "vista ready" computers that were put out before Vista was released. Sure, they ran Vista... but some of them ran it like a dog.

The point is, that the goal posts are forever changing with computers, not least in the arena of gaming.

Game makers push the hardware, hardware manufacturers respond by bringing out more powerful hardware, and the cycle continues.

So what is a "certified gaming PC" today is a Solitaire box in a few years' time. That is both the beauty of, and problem with, PC gaming. Continuously improving and stretching the boundaries is an expensive hobby.

And as for the debate re: console vs PC gaming - this isn't the first forum I have seen that war waged, and it won't be the last.

As one who partakes in both console and PC gaming, I really think they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Consoles are great for sports games, "social" games like Buzz, Singstar etc, multiplayer games (eg. split screen etc), and driving games.

PC's are great for RTS, RPG, MMORPG, FPS, driving games, and modded games. I would much rather play an FPS with a keyboard and mouse than a gamepad. Much more precise.

But hey, that's just me. Do whatever your own preference is - it's all good. Personally, I enjoy both.

[urgeok2]

Game makers push the hardware, hardware manufacturers respond by bringing out more powerful hardware, and the cycle continues.

So what is a "certified gaming PC" today is a Solitaire box in a few years' time. That is both the beauty of, and problem with, PC gaming. Continuously improving and stretching the boundaries is an expensive hobby.

.

thats it exactly.

i used to be a champion of PC gaming over consoles - until i got tired of the bullshit.

consoles are definately maintenance free.

[Vodstok]

thats it exactly.

i used to be a champion of PC gaming over consoles - until i got tired of the bullshit.

consoles are definately maintenance free.

its funny, the very thing that draws console fans to consoles is the thing that keeps most pc fans away: upgrades. I want to be able to improve my machine over time, not just to play newer games, but to be able to revisit the old ones and play them with more bells and whistles turned on.

[Despare]

its funny, the very thing that draws console fans to consoles is the thing that keeps most pc fans away: upgrades. I want to be able to improve my machine over time, not just to play newer games, but to be able to revisit the old ones and play them with more bells and whistles turned on.

That used to be fine, I loved it in fact. Unfortunately games seem to be requiring us to upgrade more and more and within less time. Not only that but there are more problems with drivers, theft protection, and patches than ever before. Last time I wanted to play HL2 on my PC I had to wait forever for the Steam platform to update, then the game... I didn't even play it.

[newb]

I love the FPS.....computers are much better to play them on than consoles. It just a matter of cost for me. I simply can't afford to keep up with the technology.

damnit I got kids to feed....and a beer habit thats a bitch:D

[ManchestrMorgue]

its funny, the very thing that draws console fans to consoles is the thing that keeps most pc fans away: upgrades. I want to be able to improve my machine over time, not just to play newer games, but to be able to revisit the old ones and play them with more bells and whistles turned on.

I do enjoy building/upgrading my PC, it's nice to be able to give it a bit of a "boost" every now and then when you feel it is a bit lacking. Hell, it's nice to give it a boost even when it isn't lacking... :) And mods can add a whole extra dimension to a game (eg Half Life ---> Counterstrike).

But I still feel consoles do some types of games better.

And as Despare mentioned, security/anti-piracy "features" can become a pain in the ass. Eg Starforce, Bioshock authentication.

[Vodstok]

I do enjoy building/upgrading my PC, it's nice to be able to give it a bit of a "boost" every now and then when you feel it is a bit lacking. Hell, it's nice to give it a boost even when it isn't lacking... :) And mods can add a whole extra dimension to a game (eg Half Life ---> Counterstrike).

But I still feel consoles do some types of games better.

And as Despare mentioned, security/anti-piracy "features" can become a pain in the ass. Eg Starforce, Bioshock authentication.

i know, but if you know where to look, they can be bypassed or done away with.

I have learned to live happily with steam, the updates suck, but i consider it a small price to pay to not have to re-install from cds every time my pc needs to be rebuilt (which isnt a commentary on their ability to be a gaming platform, i am a programmer who uses his pc for work and play)

[ManchestrMorgue]

i know, but if you know where to look, they can be bypassed or done away with.


Sure, I know that. But the average game buyer that goes into EB or similar probably doesn't. Or if they know noCD cracks etc exist, they don't know how to apply them properly or download them from dodgey sites that give them trojans.

So people that are set on pirating will get around these systems.

The average honest consumer will be inconvenienced.

The only people that will be stopped from pirating are the opportunistic pirates who would copy their friend's or family's disc if there was no absticle.

And if protection gets too inconvenient, more people are either going to abandon PC gaming for consoles, or expend the energy to learn how to crack games. Then they start thinking "if it's that easy to crack, why bother paying" and everyone loses.

A while ago I felt like revisiting Unreal Tournament. It was fun in its day. I still had the install CD, but don't know where the manual got to. So it appears the CD key is on the manual.

Really wasn't that desperate to play it to go looking for a crack. But it does seem inconvenient having to keep documentation etc for old games just to be able to play them in the future.