Gaming Mobile RPG's

[Kamuro]

[SIZE=1]Lately I've seen more emphasis on RPG's for GBA/DS and PSP more then the stationary consoles lol. Perhaps part of the industry has been investing it's time in games for the new consoles (PS3, XBOX 360, etc.) but it seems to be lacking in the RPG area as of late.

Games such as "Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones" have become increasingly popular and everything I've read about it has been good for the most part. It's gotten better reveiws then most of the PS2 games I've seen out as of late so it gets me wondering whether the future of gaming is geared more towards stationary consoles or mobile ones? Sure there's a lot of advantages to the PS2, but there's just as many to the PSP. I've seen lots of threads comparing the DS and PSP, but maybe there should be one comparing the PS2 and the PSP? Graphics on mobile systems are a big issue, but if you own a PSP then you know that this problem is becoming an increasingly mute issue. Technology is advancing and some of the games we've only known as PS2 or XBOX are being transformed into a smaller version offering just as much playability and entertainment.

Even online games are becoming disputable. With new mobile internet capabilities even large scale online games can be played on a hand-held console. The possibilities are endless and I'm starting to think to much is being invested into stationary systems. What do you guys think?[/SIZE]

[Retribution]

[QUOTE=Kamuro][SIZE=1]Lately I've seen more emphasis on RPG's for GBA/DS and PSP more then the stationary consoles lol. Perhaps part of the industry has been investing it's time in games for the new consoles (PS3, XBOX 360, etc.) but it seems to be lacking in the RPG area as of late.

Even online games are becoming disputable. With new mobile internet capabilities even large scale online games can be played on a hand-held console. The possibilities are endless and I'm starting to think to much is being invested into stationary systems. What do you guys think?[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
[SIZE=1]You have good points, but think about it. Why hold up a small screen, when you can sit on a comfortable couch without craning your neck over a backlit screen? Let's face it -- stationary graphics will probably [i]always[/i] be better than that of portable ones. It may not be a huge difference, but it will be there. You can make a stationary thing weigh much more, and give it more hardware to soup up graphics and processing power, whereas with a portable system, you're having to find middle ground between weight and graphics.

Online gaming for handhelds? If so, it will be in a relatively small area compared to that of stationaries, or you'll have to pay for air time, and on top of it all, crane your tired neck over a small screen, trying to soak in the action through such a small medium.

Besides, consoles pwn those dinky mobile things.[/SIZE]

[SilentSecurity]

They mobile systems are the future. Eventually graphics on mobile systems will be so good people won't waste their time on big clunky systems that aren't portable. As soon as battery life stops becoming an issue for mobile systems like the PSP people will be on the PSP RPGs like a dog on a turd (bad analogy, I know). Right now big systems offer more than mobile systems, but in a few years your cell phone's graphics will far surpass the Playstations or even the PS2s.

The thing that will keep system (XBOX PS2) RPGs alive will be virtual reality. You've got to admit, it's coming, it's just a matter of when. When virtual reality does come into the RPG world you won't be using a mobile for it. You'll need a headset and all the other cool things that come with the interactive 3D environment. Until then mobile RPGs will become increasingly popular, especially no that they have internet function.

[Gavin]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting.

I have to admit I'm slightly split on the issue, on the one hand consoles as Retri pointed out have the "comfort" factor over handhelds in that you do often have the sit uncomfortably in order to play them. And as Retri pointed out for the foreseeable future consoles will have the advantage over handhelds in terms of graphics power because simply the can fit more in them that the handhelds, though for the same reason PCs often have the advantage for long periods of time over consoles. I mean seriously who wouldn't love an excellent RPG with beautiful graphics ?

In consoles favour though you do have whole mobility bonus going on, you're not stuck sitting in the one place for hours on end because when you walk around you're taking the game with you. The graphics argument is a slightly double-edged sword as many RPG fans aren't really put off by low-spec graphics, it's the gameplay mechanics that matter and once people are hooked by that the graphics become a mute point. With the new battery systems on the GBA SP line, the extra cost of buying batteries has also become a mute issue.

There are merits for both systems, but bringing it down to it's fundamentals I'd prefer a case of a dead-*** from sitting down to much and looking at beautiful graphics than I would squinting and rubbing my neck in order to play a very good RPG on a handheld. I'm not going to comment on MMORPGs because I don't have the opportunity to play them.[/SIZE]

[Semjaza]

[quote name='SilentSecurity']They mobile systems are the future. Eventually graphics on mobile systems will be so good people won't waste their time on big clunky systems that aren't portable. As soon as battery life stops becoming an issue for mobile systems like the PSP people will be on the PSP RPGs like a dog on a turd (bad analogy, I know). Right now big systems offer more than mobile systems, but in a few years your cell phone's graphics will far surpass the Playstations or even the PS2s[/quote]

I think that's rather short sighted. Good graphics are one thing and people like portability, but nothing will ever take over the fact that consoles allow you to sit in your home comfortably and enjoy a screen and sound quality that handhelds will never, ever be able to match... if only for size reasons. And let's face it, there's no portable on the earth that is able to keep up with larger systems. They're always behind by their nature. RPGs are one of those games, which while they work portably, require such an investment that I honestly cannot see anyone wanting to play them exclusively on a small device.

There's always been good portable RPGs. I'm not sure that there's more, however, particularly now with this last rather large wave of PS2 ones coming up.

[DeadSeraphim]

[COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial][quote name='Retribution][SIZE=1']Online gaming for handhelds? If so, it will be in a relatively small area compared to that of stationaries, or you'll have to pay for air time, and on top of it all, crane your tired neck over a small screen, trying to soak in the action through such a small medium./SIZE][/quote]
Nintendo DS has wireless capacity, and the ability to use your wireless router to go on the net to find opponents or friends to play games which support it. Animal Crossing DS is supposed to be implementing it, and I think the next Pokemon is too. From what I recall, all this will be free (I could be wrong, though).

Granted, these games aren't up to the level of MMORPGs, but online play has and is being realised in the handheld market. lol[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Retribution]

[QUOTE=Aiyisha][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial]
Nintendo DS has wireless capacity, and the ability to use your wireless router to go on the net to find opponents or friends to play games which support it. Animal Crossing DS is supposed to be implementing it, and I think the next Pokemon is too. From what I recall, all this will be free (I could be wrong, though).

Granted, these games aren't up to the level of MMORPGs, but online play has and is being realised in the handheld market. lol[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
[SIZE=1]Yes, but my main point was that MMORPGs really aren't going to exist on portable systems without significant lag. You're beaming a portable signal to a satellite, and other people are doing the same, so delays could be either really short or really long. Overall, people aren't going to use portables over consoles ever as far as MMORPGs are concerned. The Nintendo DS's wireless capability, even with the router, won't be able to match a console.[/SIZE]

[Semjaza]

[quote name='Retribution][SIZE=1']Yes, but my main point was that MMORPGs really aren't going to exist on portable systems without significant lag. You're beaming a portable signal to a satellite, and other people are doing the same, so delays could be either really short or really long. Overall, people aren't going to use portables over consoles ever as far as MMORPGs are concerned. The Nintendo DS's wireless capability, even with the router, won't be able to match a console.[/SIZE][/quote]

I don't understand why... if there's a decent amount of RAM and a good connection, there's nothing stopping that from happening. People use wireless routers and connections to play MMORPGs today. Obviously servers would have to be dedicated to it in some fashion like with console/PC online RPGs... But the main issue is figuring out a way to display all those characters on screen at a time, I don't really see how any connection/internet technology would be an issue. The wireless capability in the DS and PSP really isn't anything less complex or powerful than what you'd see in anything else.

I don't know where you're getting this satellite idea either... most wireless connections reach a router that's connected through a ground line. Everyone who I know has it set up like that and so does any hot spot place I know of. The only people worrying about satellites are the few that actually have satellite internet connections to begin with and they're rather rare.

[Kamuro]

[SIZE=1]Everyone has stated that stationary consoles are far superior, even myself. However so many advances have already been made in the portable gaming world, could you imagine those responsible for stationary games dedicating some, if not all of their time to creating their games in a smaller format? RPG's are a perfect example since graphics aren't always the most important point to consider. CG scenes are being added, drawn "anime-like" movies are accompanying the solid gameplay, and endeavors such as "Generation of Chaos" for the PSP rival some of the less advanced RPG's on the PS2 (Ys: The Ark of Naphistim, for example).

I really don't see the problem with "squinting at a screen," as some might put it. The DS and PSP, being the more advanced hand-held systems, offer crisp and clear gaming. The screens are LCD and earlier problems concerning them are basically mute as of now. Sure, it's of a smaller variety, but none of you can say you havn't gotten a headache from playing PS2 for an extended amount of time. It's just the same with the hand-held, playing a lot will be a burden on the eyes, it's nothing new. Sound is a minor issue in my opinion. Aside from voice-overs I doubt the repetative techno beats found in an overwhelming amount of PS2 games is necessary.

And there are so many advantages to the mobile consoles. I remember being in the car for hours and wishing I had something truly entertaining, and now with all these hand-held advancements I can invest myself just as much in a DS as I could in a PS2. Batteries aren't even a concern anymore, the DS, for example, offers at least 6 hours of play per charge, and if you exceed that, then it's time to take a break anyway lol.

Sure, MMORPGs are on a much smaller scale, but can you play them anywhere you like? No, you're confined to a computer and a certain place to sit and play endlessly. Trust me, even the most comfortable chairs take a toll on the back after awhile. Maybe mobile systems will never reach the same level as stationary one's, but I really do believe they could come close. With all these advances in technology, mobile MMORPGs are only a matter of time. And on the subject of lag, it's just as present within a computer or any other system used for online gaming. Unless your equipment is the best out there a large scale MMORPG is bound to lag, it happens.

And on the point of a PSP, it not only offers gaming, but also music, pictures, movies, gaming, anything you desire, not only making gaming mobile, but anything you want. Compare it to an XBOX, graphics wise it's nowhere near, but it makes up the ground in the tons of other things it does. So I think to myself, which would I prefer?

By the way, here are some "Generation of Chaos" screenshots, try not to let your jaw hit the floor to hard ;) .
[URL]http://media.psp.ign.com/media/696/696072/imgs_1.html[/URL][/SIZE]