Gaming technology

[Mara]

I started a post in the console forum about buying older technology to play games. So I started wondering. What do our forum members do about keeping up with the latest gaming machines. Is it really important to have the latest toys and gadgets or do you upgrade your favorite gaming device (pc, xbox, playstation, etc.) only when necessary to enable you to play todays games.

:read:

[RHooks]

Generally, I only update my main computer when it no longer meets the recommended specs to play new games that I'm interested in. It doesn't take much computer to surf the Net and do word processing.

I sometimes wish I had and old computer for older games. It can get interesting trying to play an old DOS or Win95 based game on a modern computer. Usually more trouble than it's worth.

[Rob]

There are very few gaming products I buy on day 1. I bought Jade Empire recently but beyond that, I couldn't even tell you the last product I did not buy at a reduced rate.

Personally, I am fine with waiting and still enjoy my SNES from time to time. I do own and enjoy my Xbox and will probably go the route of XBox 2 when it arrives. However, thinking ahead when all the new systems will be out, I wouldn't be surpised if I go out and buy a Cube and PS2 for cheap since there are still many games on those respective systems that I would like to play. The graphical Wow factor wears off fairly quickly for me so what would get me to buy a new system right away is a jump forward in how a game is played. For example, when the Nintendo 64 was released with Mario 64; to me the first Mario game in 3D was such a leap forward in gameplay it compelled me to buy the system on day 1. XBox brought me into their camp because of XBox Live. Online gaming to me is a huge leap forward over AI.

I am not rich, so money definitely plays a factor in future purchases. I do have enough money to drop on a new system with a few games, but why not buy last years technology at a huge discount, many games and then sit back and enjoy. One day the new stuff drops in price and I jump forward. I may be one step behind in many ways, but I never suffer from not having any good games to play.

[Rafal Dudek]

Well, every 2-3 years I change my mobo and processor and ram. But I usually try to stay below $1000 mark when that happens. The over the course I might add a bit more ram and change a video card if the need be. This way I keep up to date with games at low cost =]


However I do plan on a mega huge upgrade towards the end of this year. Mainly my entertainment center. I need to get me one of those Samsung DLP's when I get the xbox 2 and ps3. I'm also planning on upgrading my system once the dual-core processors arrive. I'm also looking at SLI options but right now I'm undecided about it yet. Will have to wait for some comparisons between ATi and nVidia options.

[DanTheManPR]

I still have a Nintendo 64 which I play a awful lot with my friends (We used to play only Goldeneye and Perfect Dark, but for the last year and a half it's been Super Smash Bros, all the time). I suspect that I play N64 even more than PC.

As for the PC... I upgrade whenever I get the chance, but money is a big limitation.

[Donshyoku]

I usually upgrade whenever the time comes and I can. I am never ahead of the game, I am always trying to catch up. Then I can run my games on highest settings for a few months, then I find myself moving those sliders down.

I play PC exclusivly except for fighting games on console, so I have no desire to buy a console though they are getting more and more inticing and cost-effecient.

[Jaffa]

So far it seems I get a new pc every three years. But this time I built my own so I can change to the upgrading path from now on.