Oblivion: Xbox 360 vs. PC
So how do the two versions of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion stack up? CVG recently put the question to the game's producer, Gavin Carter:
CVG: Will there be different features or limitations in the Xbox 360 version?
Carter: We are working to make the two versions as close to identical as possible. The Xbox 360 version should be visually identical to a PC running with all the visual options turned to maximum. PC users will have more options to turn down certain visuals to better accommodate older hardware setups. The only thing the Xbox 360 version will lack is the Elder Scrolls Construction Set for modding. It simply isn't possible to offer on a console.
Elsewhere, Xbox.com spoke with Oblivion's executive producer, Todd Howard:
Xbox.com: Anything you'll be able to do with the game on Xbox 360 that just wouldn't be possible anywhere else?
Howard: Hmmm, I guess it's more about the fact that we can do it all and not really have to cut corners. So for instance, in the PC version, depending on your PC, there's a part of it you won't be seeing in all its glory, but on the Xbox 360, you get it all. Please, everyone, buy an HD set ... just please.
Xbox.com: ...just how much more glorious an adventure can owners expect from the title than their PC-loving counterparts?
Howard: Again, it depends on their setup. If they have the absolute latest PC with a video card that is fully shader model 3.0 compatible and a giant HD monitor, they're about the same. The question is, can they get all of that for $399? And does it let them play Geometry Wars? That game rules.
[Thanks, Jerome; via Gaming 360]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
funkonaut @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:10PM
"If they have the absolute latest PC with a video card that is fully shader model 3.0 compatible and a giant HD monitor, they're about the same. The question is, can they get all of that for $399?"
Last I checked the 360 didn't come with a free "giant HD monitor"...
Jesse @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:18PM
They seem to think that PC gamers have 15 inch monitors with a default of 640x480.
Xbox fanboys...
Daggre @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:19PM
Funny point, but you know what he meant... You can't even get a high-end video card and sound card for that price. My 360's been hungry for this game since Nov. 22nd. Bring it on!
pennywise969 @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:19PM
#1 okay, can you get the rest of that stuff for $399?
cubbiechris @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:20PM
"Last I checked the 360 didn't come with a free "giant HD monitor"
Neither does a PC? What's your point?
Vik @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:24PM
I just wonder why soft shadows were removed for itemized objects in Oblivion, for both PC AND XBOX versions. Why do they claim that the XBOX is a huge source of untapped power? Is it the way the game is written to code?
Any clues?
portorikan @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:25PM
@ #1
Mine did.
Stephen @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:32PM
Thats true, i just verified that.
Pickypants @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:37PM
His point is it's not "only $399" like the developer is saying. I don't care if people like their Xboxes or not, but this guy is f'ing LOBBYING here.
And yeah, most of our PCs will handle this game juuuust fine thankyouverymuch.
Oblivion looks like the bee's knees, but how about something really exclusive?
techburp @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:37PM
"They seem to think that PC gamers have 15 inch monitors with a default of 640x480."
The average PC gamer does not have a monitor the size of the average TV.
Then again, the average PC gamer won't be able to run this game on their hardware. At least, not at nearly the optimal quality settings. 640x480 may be their only option if they can't afford an upgrade or a 360.
Every Xbox 360 owner will be able to run this and it will look darn good on an average TV and will only look better in HD.
That being said, I can't wait for my copy to come in so I can enjoy it on my 360 displaying on my PC monitor (19"), at least until I get a projector. :P
MeatPopSci @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:37PM
#2 point being?
Pickypants @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:44PM
Rabid Xboxers... BACK! (shakes can of nickles)
I think the only "dissent" here is that some people can play this without buying a 360, we don't need one.
I am so happy that you love your 360 so much, but the developer is (imo) underestimating the computer power of the mean gaming customer (that's mean as in average, not as in spiteful)
So put down the Kool-Aid, and play your 360.
Sean @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:44PM
oh yea the games are free for pc, not xbox 360, at least not yet, so count that too.
my monitor was $150 off pricewatch for 19inch 1600x1200
I bet you could get a pc for 400 with a decient videocard thats capable of running newer games at the "stunning" resolution of 1024p aka 1024x768
you wouldn't have to dish out $50 for wires to hook it to your TV and it would play DVDs out of the box
SuicideNinja @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:52PM
#2 - What's wrong with being a fan of the best console out there at the moment? Same goes for the PSP being the best portable (as far as hardware goes).
Anyway, at least the "next gen" systems will be able to pull off PC ports quite well for a year or two. That's good, because I hate playing games on my PC (I work with them all day at work, it's the last thing I want to touch when I get home). Keyboard controls are for sooth anyway.
KilgoreTrout XL @ Feb 2nd 2006 12:57PM
I love how PC owners try to explain how their setups cost less than a gaming console. You guys are the best!
I don't understand why you give a sh*t though. Does console gaming impugn your honor or something? Does the 360 make you feel inferior? Bizarre.
Thomas Crymes @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:01PM
If I had to play games on a 19" monitor I would just die!
Ok, I'm sorta kidding, but when your options are playing on a 19" monitor or a 47" HDTV, there isn't much of a contest.
The reason the HDTV is not a price factor is because the TV's main use is not video games in most cases. So my cash output is only $399 for my XBox. Put together a system to optimally play Obivian on a PC (without the montior) and tell me how close you get to $399.
I'm guessing the average PC user will be playing Oblivian on a 17" to 19" monitor on a PC that will yield decent 800x600 or 1024x768 performance.
If you think the average PC gamer has a 3ghz processor, 1 gig of ram, and a vid card with 3.0 shader support, you are delirious. Oh, and without the 3.0 shader support, the PC version will look inferior.
jordan @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:01PM
give me break! since when did companies even worry about making it work for everyone on PC??? FEAR?? HL2 when it first came out, all kinds of stuff that a lot of people cannot run at optimal specs, but come on, he is definitely lobbying the xbox360 version, at least valve didn't do that w/ half life 2 for xbox! why wouldn't you exploit the power of newer pcs??? you can always turn down the resolution, poly counts, etc. if it doesn't run stable on the highest settings, this isn't even a good argument! it's called being lazy! put out the best product you can! they could do SOFT SHADOWS on the first xbox 360 build shown, WHY??? CAUSE IT WAS RUNNING ON A PC!
Pickypants @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:03PM
Kilgore, only one person in this thread seems to think a PC built to play Oblivion would cost less than a 360.
Which is silly.
My gaming rig was more expensive than 4 Xbox 360's. I ain't proud of that, but I don't need a 360 to play Ob. which was my point.
kk, thanks.
Ignignokt @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:12PM
In response to 16. Why could the demo run it but it can't on the 360? Because there were like two objects in the demo. Do you think there might be scenes with more than two objects in Oblivion? Do you think that graphics demo also had to contend with processing the AI, physics, etc? No, probably not. So, what a surprise, there's a bit of difference between being able to do something in a graphics demo and being able to do something in a full game.
Don @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:22PM
well, considering that this game runs on a core system so that is not 399, it's 299 to run the game at full speed. there is no way you are running full settings on a pc for 300 dollars, impossible.
One_noc @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:25PM
I have serious problems thinking the 360 version will look just as good as a high end gaming PC. The producers were ranting like fanboys on crack.
"The question is, can they get all of that for $399? And does it let them play Geometry Wars? That game rules."
Last time I checked. I CAN'T get a 360 for 400 bucks. Last time I checked, its still gonna cost me like 800 to buy one because Microsoft can't ramp up production worth a damn.
I have a rude gaming set up (amd 64 3500+, 2 GB RAM, nvidia 7800 GT) and the total cost was less than a grand. The cost for me to get a 360 would be 700-800 for the console, 50 bucks for a controller or two, 100 bucks for the wireless adapter, 50 for cables, blah blah blah.
So really... the costs are about the same. Oh, except the 360 version of the game is going to cost 10 dollars more. Just because.
But do you know the real reason why I, and everybody else with a half decent PC will be playing this on the PC and not the 360?
Keyboard and mouse.
worai @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:28PM
So there is no way to boot up the graphic on PC version? They are capped at 360 quality?
Timmi Tommi @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:29PM
""And does it let them play Geometry Wars? That game rules.""
Funny how they have to mention GW every time ;)
Vik @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:35PM
SIGH
Can anyone speculate why XBOX 360 and PC won't be seeing soft shadows for item-objects? No ribcages with their own realtime shadows people! Why not? Why not make it a slider for PC? And why not make it a standard for the 360 if it supposedly is so god-damn next gen?
arg! @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:37PM
"The reason the HDTV is not a price factor is because the TV's main use is not video games in most cases. So my cash output is only $399 for my XBox."
Using that logic, the main use of my pc isn't for games, so my cash output is only a video card or just the game.
copa @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:43PM
"it's 299 to run the game at full speed."
Not really. Bethseda has already confirmed that they will be using the hard drive, and load times will be significantly faster on the Premium than the core.
me @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:45PM
Its COMPLETELY BS that they aren't including the construction kit for the 360. completely bs. that was my only real way of getting to play this game and get "the better deal" of playing all the player created mods. and there were plenty of them created by average joes for morrowind (there are 89 listed on download.com). now I will not be playing this game (my pc wont run it, its too outdated and i dont want to upgrade and spend a million dollars to play one game).
Pip @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:46PM
Since the best part about these Elder Scroll games has been the modding, why would anyone even bother buying the 360 version?
It's awesome mods or nothing for me! PC version hooooray!
Spiza @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:48PM
The PC vs console debate is stupid. PCs can do so much more than a console can, therefore the extra costs are warranted if you are going to use those extra functions. I'm sure the xbox isn't going to be used for picture editing, movie editing, burning cds/dvds, 3d modeling, any mathematical analysis, printing, scanning, etc.
bill baker @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:56PM
I love how most PC gamers sound just like NRA lobbyists. Calm down, you crazy hi-tech luddites, you still get invited to the dance, you may have to take sloppy seconds on the homecoming queen, but at least you've made it this far. It'll run like a dream on both my laptop and my 360, and I consider my 27" HDTV to be free, since I was technologically savvy enough to purchase mine over a year ago. I know it's hip to blame MS for whatever angst PC diehards feel the need to transfer towards them, but if you live in a cave, purchasing a house is not something that you can tack on as part of the purchase price just because it helps lend weight to a thin and whiny argument. If you're going to act superior, then either BE superior or shut up.
me @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:56PM
oh god here's the min specs just released for pc. im screwed for sure.
Recommended:
* 3 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
* 1 GB System RAM
* ATI X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 series, or higher video card
Minimum System Requirements:
* Windows XP
* 512MB System RAM
* 2 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
* 128MB Direct3D compatible video card
* and DirectX 9.0 compatible driver;
* 8x DVD-ROM drive
* 4.6 GB free hard disk space
* DirectX 9.0c (included)
* DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card
* Keyboard, Mouse
Supported Video Card Chipsets:
* ATI X1800 series
* ATI X1300 series
* ATI X850 series
* ATI x800 series
* ATI x700 series
* ATI x600 series
* ATI Radeon 9800 series
* ATI Radeon 9700 series
* ATI Radeon 9600 series
* ATI Radeon 9500 series
* ATI Radeon 9000 series
* NVIDIA Geforce 7800 series
* NVIDIA GeForce 6800 series
* NVIDIA GeForce FX series
Nick Spcek @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:00PM
Haha, well, besides everyone arguing over whether it's better to have a 360 or a PC...
What the heck, what happened to the construction kit? Am I the only one who remembers them saying how they were going to make it available somehow to Xbox owners as well? Maybe I'm completely wrong there. I was pretty sure. Maybe what they said was that they were trying.
Well, whatever. Maybe it had to be cut back because of time. *sigh* I think that would've been one of the best things for the 360. Sharing mods and stuff over the Live marketplace. Arg.
Nick
Himmm @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:07PM
Good freaking question. Why is it that so many Xbox 360 games (And gamers) are so dim, even though this thing is supposed to be out of the "Next generation"? Honestly. Look at the sreenshots on Bethesda's Website. You can't tell me that those low-res textures in the Xbox 360 Screenie section look better than those of the PC version... And oh yeah - Each shader pipeline in the Xbox 360's GPU is three times less powerful than that of the average modern PC GPU. Plus it shares video RAM with the rest of the thing, kind of like a nVidia TurboCache or ATi HyperMemory card... By the way, did I say those suck yet?
Abe @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:12PM
"I have a rude gaming set up (amd 64 3500+, 2 GB RAM, nvidia 7800 GT) and the total cost was less than a grand. The cost for me to get a 360 would be 700-800 for the console, 50 bucks for a controller or two, 100 bucks for the wireless adapter, 50 for cables, blah blah blah.
So really... the costs are about the same."
Worst. Argument. Ever.
DocRoland @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:15PM
Almost 2 weeks ago, I walked into a local gaming store and walked out with a 360, $433, no $800, no waiting in the cold for 20 hours.
Maybe these guys are 360 fanboys, but the fact remains that a 360 which costs $433 is gonna run this game full tilt, and there's no PC at that price point that can claim the same.
portnoy @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:29PM
"Using that logic, the main use of my pc isn't for games, so my cash output is only a video card or just the game."
Exactly right. Which is why this whole, I can play a game cheaper than you can is a silly debate to begin with. PC's and console are very different beasts and comparisons don't really do either item justice.
However, I'm sure both versions will look very good. I really want the construction set so I'll go with the PC version for that reason alone.
Pretty Obvious @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:32PM
Damn I never knew PC gamers were so spiteful. A console better then my beloved PC, say it aint so!!!
By the way I love those comments about the devlopers being lazy and only making the game as good as the 360 version. Listen, you guys are lucky this game runs on your PC's as good as the 360 version and thats if you have a 1,000 dollar rig.
This is a never ending cycle, a new console comes out the games are better looking for the first year and half. Afterwards PC hardware leaps and you gotta buy another $600 3d card and upgrade ram. This is why PC gaming sucks and will never become as mainstream as some of you wish to believe.
Charch @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:35PM
re: 26 & 27, I'd like to believe that Bethesda will release many of the best mods from the PC version on 360 via Live. They'd be crazy not to. It's pretty much free to them, and it builds a heck of a lot of goodwill.
Jay @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:36PM
HAHAHahaha. oh boy that made me laugh!
So... The PC can't play Geometry Wars?... you mean there are no free flash alternatives? There is the back catalogue of 2 decades of games? the possibility of emulating the most popular consoles ever?
Jesus. jesus christ I thought fanboys were funny on forums. but wow. he's embarrassed himself and he probably can't even see it.
I'll go back to my 12" PowerBook or my little 14" CRT PC downstairs... yea. lets forget my killer gaming setup which, did cost more than a 360 but they're costing MS more anyways (selling for a loss and that). with a rather smashing 20" HDTV Monitor. have it MS!
Jojo @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:38PM
Yeah, I have PC with ShaderModel3 card, I'll pick this up for PC. Just like I did with CoD2.
And just like I will with Battle for Middle Earth II, and just like I will for the big 360 'killer app' "Gears of War."
I want something different from a console, not just PC games with a bad controller. C'mon!
Hopefully PS3 and Revo won't disappoint.
One_noc @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:40PM
"Worst. Argument. Ever."
Why? The point was just to say that a)a powerful gaming machine isn't that expensive and b)the xbox 360 is not 'just 400'. To get in on one right now, its gonna cost you an arm and a leg.
But I guess there is no point in actually understanding a post when you can instead just use a played out Simpsons quote and feel happy with yourself.
Tim @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:41PM
I'm not the only person in the world who has their PC and Xbox 360 hooked up to the same HDTV am I?
Yes tons of computer will play this game. But they wont look as good. The % of 360s that will play this game in HD is significantly higher than the % of PCs that can. And I don't know how many people own recent 700$ video cards, but I have to assume that Xbox will have sold more units in time for Oblivion.
Moogle @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:00PM
Well, I hit the recommended specs and I've spent less than $300 on my PC in the last year. I didn't have to buy a new monitor, or case, or hard drives. I bought a video card a year ago for < $300 for job-related reasons (writng shaders). Other than that card, it's been no upgrades in 2-3 years.
People tend to forget the whole 'upgrade' feature of PCs. Also, HD is happily approaching the screen res I've been using for years, so whenever I buy an HD screen I can ready tiny text from the HTPC I'm planning as well. I know I trashed HD in another story, but there are definite benefits that I acknowledge. I just don't think videogames are the most relevent ones.
Sergio @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:02PM
I'll eventually get an Xbox 360 when there are more must have titles for it. Knowing that Oblivion is fine on a PC only extends my wait, since my PC is more than capable of handling it.
Spartacus @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:02PM
Everytime. I swear. PC gamers defend their expensive platform as vehemently as Ninty fans. Lets take a quick look at numbers:
Xbox 360: $400 (I own one)
PS3: $500? (I may own one)
Cutting Edge PC: $1500+ (I've built several)
Let's say Oblivion came out for all 3 platforms and just like Bethesda said, it looks the same on each system. Most consumers would look at the 360 as the best buy of the lot, the rest would be fanboys. I agree that PC's can justify their price due to the huge variety of tasks they are able to perform, but let's face it, a gaming rig was built for one thing and one thing alone. You don't need a 3.8GHz overclocked CPU running liquid cooling, 2GB of low latency RAM, a 300GB HDD and a $500 GPU to check your email, so comparing the functions of the home consoles to those of a GAMING PC aren't really justifiable. The fact is a fully loaded, state of the art PC won't make Oblivion look any better than the 360 version, as is common with ports. Overall are PC graphics better? Usually. Overall are PC contol inputs better? Some may think so (the mouse is a tough input device to beat, the keyboard is debatable). But let's not kid ourselves, the average consumer doesn't have the patience or technical know-how to set up and operate a gaming PC. It is set aside for the uber gaming nerds. Is the PC the best gaming platform on the planet? That depends on what is important to you. A non-uniform development system, a plethora of setup options and a huge variety of controller configurations can be daunting and optimum performance on a PC can be tricky at times to achieve. Patches, bugs, crashes, freeze-ups and lag are trademarks of PC gaming. While some may see these issues as a small price to pay for "ultimate gaming", others see this as a huge turnoff. Of course consoles now have started to go down this road a little as well, but overall a gaming comsole is a "plug and play" device while a PC needs drivers, software updates, configuration utilities and sometimes a good amount of luck just to run a game on the first load. This, along with the price to performance ratio of PC's tends to leave a bad taste in a lot of people's mouth. This is no disrespect to PC's, they are a good platform, but they are NOT the future of gaming. They are a dying breed. I would know, I used to be one...
Kajex @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:09PM
FNUCKING YES!!!!!! It WILL have a construction set to it! RETURN OF THE MOOGLE MOD!!!!!
Although, you can get a 360 for $399... you can't get a 360 and a HD screen for th same price, I'm afraid. I won't be troubled. Besides, it seems like everyone is graphically obsessed, as if it were the only thing that mattered.
her zorkness @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:17PM
Geometry Wars is far more complex and better-designed than any free flash title. It's truly a superior gaming experience. Y'all Sony/Nintendo fanboys just don't want to admit it.
Kajex @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:22PM
I'd also like to say that the prospect of modding and all kind've adds to the replayability factor of PC's. Alot of good games did originate from the PC.
Like Wolfenstien series.
Doom series.
Half Life series and mods and conversions.
Sim-city series.
The Sims series.
Starcraft.
Warcraft.
Civilization series.
Elder Scrolls Series.
Fallout series.
Prince of Persia.
Call of Duty.
Command and Conquer.
Mechwarrior/Battletech.
X-wing/TIE-fighter
Unreal.
Quake.
I could keep going. O.o Besides, what do you think they use to create the games you love for your beloved consoles? I'm definitely not talking back to consoles, lord knows my PC gaming rig, while outdoing alot of consoles out there, is outdone in a few ways by the 360, but I don't think PC gaming is anywhere NEAR a dying breed.
Thomas Crymes @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:28PM
"Using that logic, the main use of my pc isn't for games, so my cash output is only a video card or just the game."
If you insist that your main use for the PC isn't games, I'll give you that, but acknowledge that most people spend more time playing games (espcially if they play MMOGs) then everything else combined. But assuming you are right, when you bought your hardware it was with Gaming solely in mind. If not you would have bought something a little less expensive because games tax a system more than anything else.
And PC people should understand that developers could have made a version of Oblivion that is optomized for their highest tech system, but they can't because they have to code for something that will run on multiple configuration. That is why a console like 360 will look as good as games made for high end PCs (for now), because the developers can use every ounce of the 360s power, they can seemingly get more out of less.
I'm not arguing consoles over PCs. I'm just bewildered why people even care. You play from a computer desk. I play from my couch. You upgrade every 6 to 12 months. I upgrade every 4 or 5 years.
I bought a PC about a year and a half ago. My processor is 2.8 and I'm sure my vid card doesn't have the 3.0 shader support. I couldn't play Oblivion or many other games at their reccommended levels.
Frowelishnu @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:29PM
Why PC fanboys are mad at XBox fanboys:
They're upset that TES3: Morrowind sold more units on the XBox. They view it as mainstream gaming "stealing" what used to be their franchise.
Why XBox fanboys are mad at PC fanboys:
They're upset that they won't get the construction set and that they usually have to wait longer for crappy ports of PC games.
Why I'm not upset at anyone:
I own both, both connected to my 46" DLP (720p native). But will buy the 360 version because my PC won't be able to play with all the settings maxed. I'll wait for Bethesda to release the mods and expansions on Live (I'll have more than 200 hours to kill before then anyway.)