Hardcore gaming and the tablet PC.

[Vindekarr]

Unless like me, you live under a rock, then you've probably at some point run into Tablet PCs such as Ipads, and smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy and Iphone. You're also probably aware that filthy casuals use these devices to play "games" or something like games that filthy casuals enjoy. Now, you're probably wondering; how does this concern us, the glorious PC gaming master race? Since time immemorial we have looked down from our great case towers and laughed as the filthy casuals build their little consoles, like ants, so why should we even notice?

 

Well I for one spend about half an hour a day on public transport, riding a train into Melbourne then riding it back home, and riding said train is highly unpleasent, and I can't even use it productively. I would play games on my smartphone, but desperate as I am, I will never relinquish the mantle of glorious hardcore PC deity, never become a... filthy casual, just to alleviate the boredum of my daily train commute.

 

But now a couple of brands seem to be trying to allow we, the glorious hardcores, to maintain our dignity without resorting to staring at a wall when on the train. I've been seeing a lot of news stories about probably 5 different brands, Nvidia and MOGA being the biggest, trying to make mobile gaming hardcore. Nvidia's Xbox derived Shield, and MOGA's Android based MOGA(imaginative!) are two attempts; they both have aspects of a full controller, and the MOGA is even collapsible down to the size of a previous gen Iphone, but m question is; do you think we could ever see a third face of hardcore gaming? In your view, you Nexus types, can mobile gaming, given the increased power and a full gamepad, join PC and Console as a viable form of hardcore gaming, or will it inevitably remain, the domain of casuals?

 

NOTE: All refferences contained within to "filthy casuals" are intended as both humour, and parody, and are not meant to be offensive in any way. I don't actually have any prejudice against casual gamers; I was one once, without them we wouldn't have an industry.

[hoofhearted4]

I think they are trying lol. I myself just can't get into it. Had a PSP and barely touched it. Have a 3DS and dont use it. But I'm never in a situation like riding a train or having downtime outside of my house lol. If I did though I'd probably get a Vita yea. Handheld gaming has been around for awhile. And has been trying to hit that hardcore market. But I think it's been unsuccessful. I don't see it being hardcore any time soon.

[JimboUK]

I think for keeping yourself occupied on short commutes phones and tablets are fine, the games are free or cheap and you don't have to carry an extra device about.

[Rennn]

The Vita seems to be DOA. unfortunately. I suspect the MOGA and the Shield will also fail, as it's impossible to compete with smartphones in the casual gaming market right now.