A question about the differences between PC and PS3 versions

[MutonMuncher]

Hello all. I've been lurking on here for far too long. I actually said to myself that I wasn't going to come on here anymore because I still wanted to get surprised when the game comes out but I'm too addicted! This is not helped by the fact that I'm travelling around South America (researching where exactly to place my base for the best autopsies ) and so I have far too much time on my hands.

Just a quick spiel about me, played the game when it first came out when I was about 11/12. Absolutely loved it and I was one of those players who started again every other day becuase I wanted to try it a different way. It got me into strategy games now I play a lot of the Total War series.

Anyways, before I blather on too much, my post -

Is anyone able to tell me how the PC and PS3 versions will differ? I know that it may be easier with a mouse etc (I assuming the hex grid system will be the same for all) but will it have an affect on grafics and more importantly will I not be able to do something (i.e. in the ant farm, on missions) on one format and not the other (I'm thinking less on console). I don't think my current laptop will be able to handle it and my old PS3 broke just before I left. I need to get a new PS3 (as I play COD online with my mates alot) and so I am wondering if I will be missing out on anything if I buy the game for the PS3.

This is not meant to be a console/format war. I just need some accurate info on how it may differ or how games had differed when they are on different systems so that I can come to a decision (weather to get more in debt by buying a PS3 and a decent gaming PC/laptop).

Gracias amigos.

[Inkidu]

I don't think PS3 has its own special thingies, but the differences so far between console and PC (which will be easier for me if I just tell you what the PC has):

PC

A different interface.
A grid for precision pointing and clicking.
Some kind of German mode interface. (Supposed to be a throwback).

Though, other than that they're all UI things. There's no inherent difference in the way the game will play. None at all.

The console interface is the one you see in all the screens and videos.

It has no grid. Technically neither does the PC, it just lays one down so people can click with confidence.

[MutonMuncher]

Cheers for that. Just the kind of info I was looking for. I read about the grid for PC on another post but am I correct in thinking the consoles use that grid too you just won't me able to see it?

[Inkidu]

It doesn't really use a grid because it already measures out the move. It lays out a ring to show you when you're going into double move territory but other than that it doesn't really have a grid. Grid being in this instance something used to measure distance of movement. Even the PCs is just there for pinpoint clicking.

[MutonMuncher]

Yeah I see what you are saying. I thought the game uses an hexagonal "grid" to measure out distances (for everything - moving, shooting etc) but you don't see this as you did in the orginal.

Anyways, if it's just a mainly a UI issue and doesn't impact on the gameplay then I'll have to go for the PS3 format just for value (and I have a better TV than monitor). Will keep an eye on this forum after release as I saw some of the guys mention they were getting it on PC and console.

Thanks for the info.

Roll on October!

[SectoidSquisher]

The PC version's also likely to look better than the consoles' - provided it has AA/AF options and so on.

[katscan]

The PC version's also likely to look better than the consoles' - provided it has AA/AF options and so on.

Exactly.. and if the experience with Skyrim or F1 2011 is any indication, the attempt to eek out the max performance out of the PS3 may result in frame drops/stuttering, and possibly game freezes. Not to say that this will occur, but the implication is that the PC will be able to handle far higher degrees of graphical complexity making for a visually more appealing platform. What happens with many games, is that when they are ported over to the console, the developer tries hard to not have any degradation in graphical quality.. Which can potentially lead to disasters such as the Skyrim PS3 zoo. Even if your laptop doesn't have the horsepower to muster super high quality, it might still be a safer option since the graphical settings will be customizable, so you can tune it to what you have. The problem with the PS3, potentially, is if the developer makes a mistake in balancing the graphics, you might be stuck with it: low FPS, stuttering, freezes.

As you can tell, both Skyrim and F1 2011 have colored my experience, but that seems to be a not so uncommon issue these days.

[ste-V]

additionally, on the PS3 you'd take yourself the option of mods.
not as I'm planning on playing alot of mods, but if you do, you should maybe consider the PC version.

or are console games moddable?! have no clue...

[Ixnatifual]

What about patches? XCOM: EU is going to be a very complicated game with potentially lots of little bugs here and there. I heard it's not as easy for the developers to patch their console versions as it is for the PC versions. Not because of the platform itself but because of how Microsoft for example have decided to handle things.

[ste-V]

What about patches? XCOM: EU is going to be a very complicated game with potentially lots of little bugs here and there. I heard it's not as easy for the developers to patch their console versions as it is for the PC versions.

good point, forgot about that!

[katscan]

Yea, the PC patches for Skyrim were rolling out very quickly vs the console versions. PC also had the option of 'beta testing' the new patches, which worked really well.

[ste-V]

...
A different interface.
A grid for precision pointing and clicking.
Some kind of German mode interface. (Supposed to be a throwback).

can someone explain to me what "German mode interface" is supposed to mean? also why german? whats the meaning of this?
I dont feel offended or anything (come from german speaking country) but I found myself wondering why anyone would name a UI "german UI" ?!

[Inkidu]

It's supposed to be a kind of throwback. Why German, I have no clue.

[heniv]

Some kind of German mode interface. (Supposed to be a throwback).

I believe this was a joke by Jake in an interview.

[Roladin]

... come from german speaking country ...

Normally I would now make some lame joke about Austria and speaking German, but since all my german uncut versions are from your beautiful country, I will refrain from it.

[ste-V]

Normally I would now make some lame joke about Austria and speaking German, but since all my german uncut versions are from your beautiful country, I will refrain from it.

haha dont you dare!!! just because you folks can kick a ball around doesnt mean you are elligable to make jokes about your south-eastern cousins also: I was wondering already: are you planning on getting a dubbed version? in german? personally i find dubbing (english speaking) films in german is freaky already, but dubbing games is just terrifying! never was able to go through german dubbed games, it always killed something inside of me. english only for me!!! but hey, each for their own.

as for the OP: i think, IF they'll include a coop option, it might be much easier played out on a console than a pc. so thats why i (personally) think why firaxis will just not speak about that topic at all. so multiplayer might be more fun on consoles. personally though, i just know that i will play this game on my own and therefore consoles are just no option for me.