After taking what was ostensibly a PC-centric genre and bringing it to the Xbox 360 and the PS3, you could say that Bethesda Softworks has a pretty solid grasp on developing for this console generation. What you might not know is that the developer, who has the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim rolling out this year, finds working with consoles easier.
That isn’t to say they are claiming the PS3 or Xbox 360 are superior to the PC, they acknowledge that recent developments with hard drive speed have made ripping data faster than ever, but it’s what the consoles can do with the data that makes the difference. What does this mean for Skyrim on the console versus PC? Pretty much nothing, but it’s interesting to hear a developer once again sing the praises of this console generation?
Even more surprising than the news of the PC’s areas of inferiority is the fact that Bethesda prefers to demo the game using the 360. (Our E3 demo actually crashed on the console and needed to be switched over to the PC version) According to Bethesda, the Xbox 360 version of Skyrim is actually “much easier” to demo.
This tidbit on the development of Skyrim comes to us courtesy of Bethesda’s Todd Howard who does admit that the PC version of Skyrim will “look better,” (even though he previously said they would look the same) and, with the promise of launch day mod tools, will be the superior option. So if there was any question in your mind over which copy will provide the most bangs for you buck, stick with the trusted mouse and keyboard.
On the other hand, though, know that as developers reap the benefits of this protracted development cycle they will begin to find ways to give us a PC-comparable experience. After all, Skyrim boasts not only tons and tons of randomized dungeons, but the chance to take down dragons with only a sword and shield.
Which platform are you planning on picking Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for? Do you think that we will ever see the day where developers choose not to develop for the PC because it is “too far behind?”
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim releases November 11, 2011 for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Source: CVG
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Um, of course it’s easier to develop for a console. Not completely true for the PS3 since it has a lot of proprietary hardware, but the Xbox 360 is basically a PC with 5-6 year-old outdated hardware… So basically you’re just making a game with less graphical complexity than if you were to make it for current PC hardware. Then you can turn around and charge more for that game… And people wonder why developers love making console games?? Invest less, earn more, lol. Thanks people who are willing to pay for that…
Umm, they don’t earn more, as far as I’m aware the reason console games cost more is because developers have to pay a licence fee to Microsoft/Sony to release on that platform, this cost is then passed on to the customer.
he meant. that if the game were to be a PC only thing, they would try and tap out all current PC capability, meaning, it would take more time and more of a investment on a game they could have made around consoles, who are inferior graphics wise. and make much more of a profit because they spent less time.
I personally prefer my 360. Not all of us can afford a computer every year with the most up-to-date stuff. Besides, there is nothing wrong with the 360′s graphics. And it’s a lot easier to play. I’d happily spend the $60 on Skyrim for my 360. And I will once it comes out.
Well to be honest, I buy one every 5-7 years. And to play with skyrim you wont even need close to up-to-date. Like I expect you could play skyrim with HD 4800 card, which should be dirt cheap now. A lot of PC gamers prefer the mouse/Keyboard, it’s fast and and more accurate then a controller. But people have to play with what they are comfortable. When Skyrim comes out. I’ll be playing it on PC.
A mouse might be more accurate than a controller, but I will stick with my loyal trustworthy Xbox 360 controller, because I think that a controller is much more steady than a mouse, maybe not as fast, but much more steady.
Well, I take it you have Parkinsons, then I guess a controller is better for you. For the rest of us who doesn’t have Parkinsons, the mouse is pretty steady…
Another nice thing is my mouse’s (motion) doesn’t wear out. where as the sticks get worn and rough.
I’m actually finally upgrading my PC after 4 years. And at $370 to be safe for another 4-5 years at least, that’s not bad considering I’m paying much less for every game. Not to mention I can sell my current hardware for at least $100-$150 so actually my upgrade is only costing me around $200, which is far more than how much I’ve saved compared to buying console games, paying for DLC’s and paying for Live to play online. Plus I got better graphics and gameplay all of these years.
But continue believing that myth if it makes you feel better dude. Don’t let me rain on your parade…
I already pre-ordered it for my 360, so I’m not gonna buy it for any other console or pc…
One of the few things Microsoft was smart about with the 360, it’s easier to code for. Makes developers’ job a hell of a lot easier and more accessable to consumers which puts their console on the frontlines. I have a bad history with Xbox and I’m about to sell mine.
Console just because the better people are on them. Like diamonds in the rough compared to the many maniacal losers that plague every online service. I like XBOX360 because of thIs fact. Want cool people to play with? Easier & more likely to find em on xbox live. If I could I’d have well over a million people on my friend list. Sadly deletion & separation must happen eventually as not all taste in games are the same. I say screw price, pay for the better experience all around.
November 1st? I think you mean November 11th. Hm…I think the best gaming experience derived from someone is their own personal preferences.
Can’t resell PC games. Nuff said.
And you plan on selling this game? This is one that I plan on keeping till the end of days.
umm, you can resell PC games, or do you think Steam is the only service in existence. i for one will be pirating for a test drive before i throw money on it. and if its good I’ll get a legit copy. i wasn’t too impressed with oblivion. but hey I’m old school.
I personally prefer my PC. it allows more freedom. if there’s anything I don”t like in the game I can mod it out. and why pay for xbox live when I already pay for my internet connection.
Where do you sell used pc games?
oh, you mean to like a shop. well i wouldn’t know, i usually sell games too friends, keep them circulating around. but yeah shops won’t really take PC games. I’m sure somewhere will.
How does that work with the codes?
Gamestop, Spaceworld and Game. They don’t pay well, but then again… Does anyone?
serial keys can be reused except for drm ripoffs. but if you enter the key without registering online its no problem.
you think i’m going to follow someone elses rules, with my own property?
I can understand that the PC is the original platform and that makes it good.
I can also understand that the PC is so versatile and flexible that you can mod it to be far greater than any console out there and that makes it good.
I can even understand that, due to the versatility of a PC, you can play high powered games on lower settings thus giving the PC a higher range of game “quality” if you will.
What you need to understand is that a lot of people aren’t hardware savvy when it comes to PCs. You’ll need to edit your PC hardware to play the right thing. You have to really get into its files and change things around to optimize a game experience. The console highly simplifies this.
It’s like getting steak. Some people are far better at cooking one at home. I prefer to have a professional make one for me.
if someones too dumb to click, install, then OK. than there to dumb for life period.
PCs aren’t complicated, unless you make it so. if you can read, you can use a PC. hell it does everything for you.
Don’t be a dick
There’s more to PC gaming than just clicking “install then OK”. There are a multitude of reason why the PC gaming is more complicated, at least with consoles you don’t have to worry about system requirement and you know for sure that it’s going to work on your system. Oh yeah, we don’t deal with DRM either
oh sorry you have to click the application first… :p
Running MS-Dos still???
ummm, last i checked thinks like MS-Dos are harder to use. in the ms dos days you had to navigate by typing
cd c:/folder/folder
Aplication.exe
compared to nowadays click run.
things have gotten significantly easier, do you actually think windows 7 is harder than MS-DOS?
Hi hi. I liked that comment. Even though I’m all for PC. [and xbox]
I’ll be getting it for xbox because I don’t think my PC can handle it. When PC games get complicated its from mods. I love Oblivion on PC with all the mods but its so easy to come across two REALLY good ones that either conflict with each other or “break” something in the game. When it comes out I’ll look at it in the store and see if my system can play it or not.
I’m going to pirate it first. Then if I still like it, I’ll buy the finished product/GOTY edition when it comes out. I’m not going to fall for the “beta test our game for 60$” BS like the sheep. I’ll start buying games on day one again like I used to when they start delivering a product that:
A)Works on day one
B)Doesn’t have chunks of the game missing with “long awaited” DLC coming out the day or week after it’s released. (yes, that’s a fable 3 black dye reference. So much BS.)
C)Is developed with the platform I’m going to play it on in mind. Another console port? You think I have any bad feelings whatsoever when I pirate a console port? Make a real PC game like you used to or just GTFO Bethesda.
We all know these companies are out to make money, but that doesn’t excuse the underhanded ways they do it. The day the companies stop screwing their customers is the day I stop pirating.
completely agree…
Of course, just because something is easier does not make it better. It’s a huge fallacious mistake to think otherwise that people have been making recently in video games and what may destroy the entire market in the long run so long as it continues.
I will buy this for the PC, but the inventory system and menu in general looks easier to handle with a controler. So I will probably connect my xbox controller to my PC and play it like that. If it works good on PC I will ofcourse use my mouse and keyboard, but it looks rather hard.
hey Bethesda….beta test your damn games before you release them!!!!