10 ways to improve your gaming experience

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Author Topic:   10 ways to improve your gaming experience

Travathian posted 03-17-99 11:47 PM ET
10) Don't set your expectations too high. There's no such thing as a perfect game. Things might not go as planned, don't get frustrated, just slow down, and take a deep breath.
9) Do the full install. You should do this for any game. Don't say you don't have enough HDD space. Cut and trim, or buy a new one, they are cheap as can be right now.
8) Maintenence. Do a thorough scandisk defrag, and virus check weekly. Your Windows swap file will love you for it.
9) Don't be fooled by the minimum requirements. I have played games just fine on the minimum, yet on a totally different computer which met the recommended, it ran like crap.
8) Then again, this is 1999, if you're trying to play on a 1995 technology, upgrading is worth it and cheap.
7) Clean that computer! When was the last time you opened the case? Open it up and clean it out, especially the processor, motherboard, and power supply.
6) Keep your software updated. I don't just mean DirectX either. Check for BIOS, Windows, video/sound card drivers, virus software updates, etc. That, and double check you have the right ones installed. Some pieces of hardware come with disks which have drivers for multiple devices made by the same company.
5) Keep system resources high. Before you start any game, don't settle for less than 90%. Restart the computer then close everything down in the background, but video/sound programs. You don't need your virus program scanning while you're playing, nor your little ICQ net detect, or AOL tray, etc.
4) Upgrading, this merits mentioning twice. Memory is dirt cheap, dont have less than 32 megs, and 64 is preferred, with 128 or more getting nice. Newer video cards are nice too, and can take some stress off your processor. Speaking of processors, Celerons and K-6's in the 300-400 mhz are under $100.
3) Patches happen, get them. Don't complain that the game needed one, rejoice over the fact that the company gave a damn to even make one.
2) Provide constructive criticism after you've overcome your ignorance of the game.
Game companies don't know how to improve without input. But please play the game and read the manual thoroughly before commenting.
If there was something you liked, point it out, if there was something you hated, think of something better and let them know.
1) Have fun. If you find youself no longer having fun, put that game aside and move on. Try back in a couple weeks. If you think the game is too easy, take advantage of settings to increase the difficulty, even if it means the computer has an unfair advantage. Keep in mind, you have an unfair advantage, you learn from your mistakes, the computer doesn't, it plays by the same rules every game.
Bark posted 03-18-99 01:49 AM ET
Uh, did, Firaxis pay you to say that?!? I dont expect every game to run perfect, BUT I expect to see some sort of interest from the company I bought the game from to fix that game. Firaxis is showing some, but NOT enough........
mic posted 03-18-99 04:48 AM ET
Firaxis is doing its best. Better than most other companies.
How do you compare the size of Microsoft and the quality of their support to Firaxis'?
That's what I thought. Given their resources, Firaxis is doing a hell of a job!
(I don't get paid by Firaxis either )
Verminlord posted 03-18-99 09:13 AM ET
Nicely said, Travathian.
Ron
Travathian posted 03-18-99 05:07 PM ET
No they didn't pay me to say it. It wasn't necesarily about SMAC, or CivII, but about any game you get.
And yeah, I do think Firaxis is doing a good job given their resources.
Thanks Ron
ihegerty posted 03-18-99 06:23 PM ET
You forgot:
11. Be born in the US.
Thue posted 03-27-99 05:55 PM ET
ad 7) how do you de-dust without toasting your electronics with static electricity?
ad 11) I have just the thread for you. It's named "Why do things happen first in America???". cut and past the following to get there:
http://alpha.owo.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000053.html
ad 9), 9), 8) and 8)
NuWav posted 03-27-99 07:19 PM ET
ihegerty:
And should I be upset b/c so many high technologies are released in Asia years before they appear in the U.S.? Should I be up in arms b/c I had to wait so long to get a computer with a DVD-ROM while DVD has long since moved in on CDs in China and Japan. It happens.
Evk posted 03-28-99 02:26 AM ET
In response to number five, "5) (...) You don't need your virus program scanning while you're playing, nor your little ICQ net detect, or AOL tray, etc.".... how DO you get that freaking Net Detect thing out of there? All I can do is disable it. (whines)
yin26 posted 03-28-99 03:01 AM ET
Travathian,
Good ideas, and we should all take note. However, every point you list places the responsibility for problems squarely on the consumer.
That's a dangerous trend, believe me.
Listen, one of the main reasons we have to put up with so much crap in this industry is precisely because we DO put up with it.
Most gamers have an amazing ability to forgive their programs. Perhaps this is as a result of having to deal with Windows for so long. We pretty much give up hoping for things to work they way they should.
But that is clearly the wrong attitude to take.
I give absolutely no points to a company that gives me a patch just so the game works the way it should. That kind of patch is not a gift, people. Companies should apologize for such patches instead of being glorified for them.
The other kind of patch, one that makes the game better than advertised, is truly a wonder and a hopeful sign of the best possibilities of the consumer-Internet link. Those kinds of patches help create well-deserved customer loyalty.
The SMAC patches have done a bit of both, so I can criticize AND praise them. Which I often do.
True, Firaxis is responsive (for the most part) to its gamers. True, they have done an awful lot with very few people.
But this is a business, pure and simple. If we allow the weak and often just irresponsible parts of this industry to go unchecked as we buy every game as soon as it can possibly be released, we are as much a part of the problem as any line of code or hardware conflict. We are, in essence, funding our own headaches.
It seems to me that only the customers, only we can put the right kind of pressure on this industry to not let "progress" leave usability and stability behind.
Anybody interested in organizing an on-line consumer advocacy group? I don't see what else is going to stop all this incessant bending over and shoddy craftsmanship.
I have a lot of ideas. I'm sure others here do too. It would certainly do us all a lot of good to give our rightful criticisms some focus and power.
If such a group already exists, could somebody please point it out to me?
Thanks.
ddandb posted 03-28-99 02:25 PM ET
Let me add three more to the list.
11. Try to deal only with stores or companies that let you return your games.
12. If it dosen't work or needs patches, return the game (see above). You can always buy it again if you find out it's been fixed.
13. If you can't find a store that does returns..... Wait... Give the dust a chance to settle and see what people are saying about the game. Remember you can't always trust magazine reviews.
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Author	Topic: 10 ways to improve your gaming experience
Travathian	posted 03-17-99 11:47 PM ET 10) Don't set your expectations too high. There's no such thing as a perfect game. Things might not go as planned, don't get frustrated, just slow down, and take a deep breath. 9) Do the full install. You should do this for any game. Don't say you don't have enough HDD space. Cut and trim, or buy a new one, they are cheap as can be right now. 8) Maintenence. Do a thorough scandisk defrag, and virus check weekly. Your Windows swap file will love you for it. 9) Don't be fooled by the minimum requirements. I have played games just fine on the minimum, yet on a totally different computer which met the recommended, it ran like crap. 8) Then again, this is 1999, if you're trying to play on a 1995 technology, upgrading is worth it and cheap. 7) Clean that computer! When was the last time you opened the case? Open it up and clean it out, especially the processor, motherboard, and power supply. 6) Keep your software updated. I don't just mean DirectX either. Check for BIOS, Windows, video/sound card drivers, virus software updates, etc. That, and double check you have the right ones installed. Some pieces of hardware come with disks which have drivers for multiple devices made by the same company. 5) Keep system resources high. Before you start any game, don't settle for less than 90%. Restart the computer then close everything down in the background, but video/sound programs. You don't need your virus program scanning while you're playing, nor your little ICQ net detect, or AOL tray, etc. 4) Upgrading, this merits mentioning twice. Memory is dirt cheap, dont have less than 32 megs, and 64 is preferred, with 128 or more getting nice. Newer video cards are nice too, and can take some stress off your processor. Speaking of processors, Celerons and K-6's in the 300-400 mhz are under $100. 3) Patches happen, get them. Don't complain that the game needed one, rejoice over the fact that the company gave a damn to even make one. 2) Provide constructive criticism after you've overcome your ignorance of the game. Game companies don't know how to improve without input. But please play the game and read the manual thoroughly before commenting. If there was something you liked, point it out, if there was something you hated, think of something better and let them know. 1) Have fun. If you find youself no longer having fun, put that game aside and move on. Try back in a couple weeks. If you think the game is too easy, take advantage of settings to increase the difficulty, even if it means the computer has an unfair advantage. Keep in mind, you have an unfair advantage, you learn from your mistakes, the computer doesn't, it plays by the same rules every game.
Bark	posted 03-18-99 01:49 AM ET Uh, did, Firaxis pay you to say that?!? I dont expect every game to run perfect, BUT I expect to see some sort of interest from the company I bought the game from to fix that game. Firaxis is showing some, but NOT enough........
mic	posted 03-18-99 04:48 AM ET Firaxis is doing its best. Better than most other companies. How do you compare the size of Microsoft and the quality of their support to Firaxis'? That's what I thought. Given their resources, Firaxis is doing a hell of a job! (I don't get paid by Firaxis either )
Verminlord	posted 03-18-99 09:13 AM ET Nicely said, Travathian. Ron
Travathian	posted 03-18-99 05:07 PM ET No they didn't pay me to say it. It wasn't necesarily about SMAC, or CivII, but about any game you get. And yeah, I do think Firaxis is doing a good job given their resources. Thanks Ron
ihegerty	posted 03-18-99 06:23 PM ET You forgot: 11. Be born in the US.
Thue	posted 03-27-99 05:55 PM ET ad 7) how do you de-dust without toasting your electronics with static electricity? ad 11) I have just the thread for you. It's named "Why do things happen first in America???". cut and past the following to get there: http://alpha.owo.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000053.html ad 9), 9), 8) and 8)
NuWav	posted 03-27-99 07:19 PM ET ihegerty: And should I be upset b/c so many high technologies are released in Asia years before they appear in the U.S.? Should I be up in arms b/c I had to wait so long to get a computer with a DVD-ROM while DVD has long since moved in on CDs in China and Japan. It happens.
Evk	posted 03-28-99 02:26 AM ET In response to number five, "5) (...) You don't need your virus program scanning while you're playing, nor your little ICQ net detect, or AOL tray, etc.".... how DO you get that freaking Net Detect thing out of there? All I can do is disable it. (whines)
yin26	posted 03-28-99 03:01 AM ET Travathian, Good ideas, and we should all take note. However, every point you list places the responsibility for problems squarely on the consumer. That's a dangerous trend, believe me. Listen, one of the main reasons we have to put up with so much crap in this industry is precisely because we DO put up with it. Most gamers have an amazing ability to forgive their programs. Perhaps this is as a result of having to deal with Windows for so long. We pretty much give up hoping for things to work they way they should. But that is clearly the wrong attitude to take. I give absolutely no points to a company that gives me a patch just so the game works the way it should. That kind of patch is not a gift, people. Companies should apologize for such patches instead of being glorified for them. The other kind of patch, one that makes the game better than advertised, is truly a wonder and a hopeful sign of the best possibilities of the consumer-Internet link. Those kinds of patches help create well-deserved customer loyalty. The SMAC patches have done a bit of both, so I can criticize AND praise them. Which I often do. True, Firaxis is responsive (for the most part) to its gamers. True, they have done an awful lot with very few people. But this is a business, pure and simple. If we allow the weak and often just irresponsible parts of this industry to go unchecked as we buy every game as soon as it can possibly be released, we are as much a part of the problem as any line of code or hardware conflict. We are, in essence, funding our own headaches. It seems to me that only the customers, only we can put the right kind of pressure on this industry to not let "progress" leave usability and stability behind. Anybody interested in organizing an on-line consumer advocacy group? I don't see what else is going to stop all this incessant bending over and shoddy craftsmanship. I have a lot of ideas. I'm sure others here do too. It would certainly do us all a lot of good to give our rightful criticisms some focus and power. If such a group already exists, could somebody please point it out to me? Thanks.
ddandb	posted 03-28-99 02:25 PM ET Let me add three more to the list. 11. Try to deal only with stores or companies that let you return your games. 12. If it dosen't work or needs patches, return the game (see above). You can always buy it again if you find out it's been fixed. 13. If you can't find a store that does returns..... Wait... Give the dust a chance to settle and see what people are saying about the game. Remember you can't always trust magazine reviews.