New breed of video games require superfast computers

  • By Matt Slagle / Associated Press
  • Saturday, May 22, 2004 9:00pm
  • Business

LOS ANGELES – Video game manufacturers often resort to techno-lingo to explain what they’ve done to make “Half-Life 2” more lifelike and “EverQuest 2” graphically stunning.

Techniques such as “normal maps,” “pixel shaders” and “dynamic lighting” basically mean the newest game graphics are inching ever closer to the computer-animated movie “Shrek 2.”

But there’s another pricey reason for these good looks: gobs of computer horsepower.

Every year, new games push the envelope and require faster processors, more memory and better graphics cards. The games previewed at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo continued that trend as they dazzled gamers with unprecedented visual splendor.

Armor worn by a sword-wielding fighter in “EverQuest 2,” for example, is more than a simple collection of silvery pixels. It has real depth, reflects sunlight and is curved and embossed with intricate detail that becomes more elaborate the closer you look.

At large industry trade shows like E3, companies often show games using advanced prototype computers from manufacturers seeking to boost their image with hardcore gamers.

These top-of-the-line machines from Alienware Corp., Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and others are stuffed with super-fast processors, video cards and gigabytes of zippy memory. One of these monsters can easily fetch $3,000 or more.

Owners of consoles from Nintendo Co., Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp., of course, don’t have to bother getting better systems because they all have the same parts and can’t be upgraded.

For PC gamers like Richard Ellis of Dallas, however, hot new games often mean costly trips to the computer store.

“I’ve seen previews for ‘Halo 2’ and ‘Half-Life 2,’ and seeing how wonderful they looked, for me personally, all I could think is ‘Oh, man, I’m going to have to spend another $2,000,’” Ellis said.

Ellis, 38, recently found performance drop for the massively multiplayer online game “Dark Age of Camelot” after he installed the “Trials of Atlantis” expansion pack. He ended up having to wait until he could afford a better graphics card.

Shawn Carnes, a Blizzard Entertainment designer who is working on the online role-playing game “World of Warcraft,” said the temptation to design games that push the computing envelope often means those with older systems are out of luck.

Developers often get “carried away with the power of the technology that they’ve been given,” Carnes said, acknowledging that developers must be mindful of older systems to appeal to the largest audience possible.

As a professional gamer, 16-year-old Landon Ingrammson of Dallas gets his computer systems for free from the local computer shop that sponsors his equipment.

Good thing, too. Ingrammson guesses he’d have to spend a couple thousand dollars a year to keep up with always-rising demands.

Tweaks can be easily made so new games can work on wimpy computers, but they won’t look the way they were meant to, he said.

Ingrammson agreed with Carnes that the problem could be avoided if game makers developed on slightly older computers. But games on middle-of-the-road computers usually aren’t very impressive.

“They’re trying to make the ‘wow’ effect of their games last longer,” Ingrammson said. “It’s the ‘Oh my God, they did that?!’ kind of thing.”

Associated Press

Richard Ellis, co-owner of the Frag Shack game center in Dallas, plays the “Battlefield Vietnam” video game, which features graphics that only computers with enough power and memory can handle.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.