Yeah, it is surprising the lack of true innovation in hardware in desktop computing it seems. Maybe everyone is too hung up on mobile devices these days?

My mobo and cpu are aging. Since Intel launched the dual core range of processors I haven't even looked at AMD and that's a shame as I just can't get my head round it all anymore. I used to love my old Barton core AMD CPU too.

My current CPU is a quad core Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.67GHz according to Speccy (as I'd forgotten exactly what it was). And my mobo is ASUS P6TD DELUXE (socket LGA1366) which is meant to be good for overclocking tho there's so many options it really is mind-boggling and I haven't attempted to adjust voltages which probably explains why I'm still using it today!

I've had 6 gigs of triple channel DDR3 ram for quite a while too and the only major performance update carried out is the graphics card, a Nvidia GTX 770, which is, as you say, pretty much a rebranded 6 series card. I'm getting a consistent frame limited 60FPS in Bioshock with all the goodies on ultra and it would be nice to test this setup a bit more.

Yeah, I think you've got something about semicondutor companies re-branding things - they're reusing their former tech and really penny pinching it seems. Of course AMD had been hemorrhaging cash before and I have no idea how they're doing today but hopefully they'll remain healthy and we'll continue to have some limited competition in the computer chip industry. We could use a new market entrant to really shake things up - massive power cheaper price. Looking at the camera market as an example, it's easy to see how the big companies get complacent and have very conservative roadmaps outlined for slowly introducing new tech whereby some smaller companies have given much more much sooner: I'm thinking of Blackmagic vs Canon/Nikon here really. We need these massive companies to get wake up calls more often so they then sit up and give consumers a better deal today.

Anyway, cheers. Back to 'gaming'.

So I've heard. You should post some vids of your antics up to Youtube. I'm still a little nervous about going online in GTA. Reckon I will be bullied mercilessly.

Too true. I will definitely be giving TLOU a go and soon. I've got a copy now that the vendor said was part of a bundle deal but exactly the same product you'd get normally. Haven't noticed anything unusual about the packaging though I haven't opened it yet.

Busy playing the latest Bioshock at the minute. It's a good enough game but it feels very predictable in its pacing: too much emphasis on rummaging around looking for cash and health items and then going into a new environment and triggering the next multiple NPC fight. Then it's quiet again so you go and grab your snacks and cash and ammo for the next time. The formula worked ok for the first game but now it's getting tedious.

I hope they really push the envelope (weird expression) when it comes to developing better graphics for the latest games. I'm sure the likes of Watch Dogs and The Division will set new heights but I still feel we should be further on than this. I just want to be wowed more I suppose.

When was the last time you saw something in a game and went 'wow'? I think it was seeing the trailers for ESO for me but I've now seen a fair bit of in-game footage and feel cheated in many respects. You can tell you're playing a game with restrictive textures and unrealistic animation and everything. It doesn't look good though the overall game mechanics might still make it enjoyable. I'm not convinced though and don't like the way games are headed. Online = more control, more ways to make money out of gamers. It would be nice to see some honesty in the games industry when it comes down to pricing games and their profits.

They can't bully you in the missions or races. Only freemode but then you can just [censored] off to another area like I do.

Or we could just join a closed server. You me and Blue

Edited by deleted (Wed 05-Feb-14 23:28:08)

In reply to a post by SPOOKish:

but the actual gameplay graphics look barely improved from Oblivion (March 2006). I know tech progress in games has included things like improved physics and destructible objects and terrain as well as optical effects like blur, dof, and other lighting effects but how about some improved textures? I'm fed up with playing cartoons.

Come on Bethesda you can do better than nice glossy marketing trailers. And they want people to pay £8 a month too? Must be mad.

The graphics in ESO are stunning. I would show you some screenshots but I'm not allowed to.

Ah, come on now. Don't let a little NDA get in the way.

Actually, I've spent more time on Youtube searching for ESO stuff. Whilst there are certainly good graphics and detailed textures to be had I'm thinking a lot of the gameplay stuff (fighting) looks a bit ropey. I don't doubt it'll be a good game by general standards set by games out today but I still feel games should be aiming for higher graphical fidelity but I shall await more footage and possibly an open beta.

Sounds like you're enjoying it anyway. Gameplay wise it looks to have all the good ingredients of single player ES titles which has to be an accomplishment in itself.