» Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:18 pm There's one thing in all these dedicated server for consoles threads that no-one ever mentions. Who's going to pay for them?
In PC-land most servers are run and maintained by players/clans/gaming websites/whatever. MS/Sony aren't going to pay potentially millions of dollars to create multiple servers in every geographical location - which is another thing few people seem to realise. Dedicated servers are only any good if there's enough of them in enough areas for people to connect to. If the only server available is transatlantic, then you're still going to get nasty lag. With P2P, every game runs through the same system, whereas with dedis, multiple servers would be required in multiple locations for potentially every different game. Who's going to foot the bill for all that? Sony? MS? Publishers? Dream on...
Also, BFBC2 may run on dedicated servers, however, these are outside the control of MS/Sony, which is why you have to sign an EA Online license agreement, meaning EA can deactivate the servers at any time they see fit, thus rendering 50%+ of the game unusable (like they did for BF2:MC on 360). Obviously the console manufacturers would rather this didn't happen.
In short, it's a logistical nightmare for the manufacturers to deal with and not going to happen - at least this generation. Hopefully for the Xbox 720 or whatever, they'll have the infrastructure in place for dedi servers. Personally, I'm not going to hold my breath...
In PC-land most servers are run and maintained by players/clans/gaming websites/whatever. MS/Sony aren't going to pay potentially millions of dollars to create multiple servers in every geographical location - which is another thing few people seem to realise. Dedicated servers are only any good if there's enough of them in enough areas for people to connect to. If the only server available is transatlantic, then you're still going to get nasty lag. With P2P, every game runs through the same system, whereas with dedis, multiple servers would be required in multiple locations for potentially every different game. Who's going to foot the bill for all that? Sony? MS? Publishers? Dream on...
Also, BFBC2 may run on dedicated servers, however, these are outside the control of MS/Sony, which is why you have to sign an EA Online license agreement, meaning EA can deactivate the servers at any time they see fit, thus rendering 50%+ of the game unusable (like they did for BF2:MC on 360). Obviously the console manufacturers would rather this didn't happen.
In short, it's a logistical nightmare for the manufacturers to deal with and not going to happen - at least this generation. Hopefully for the Xbox 720 or whatever, they'll have the infrastructure in place for dedi servers. Personally, I'm not going to hold my breath...
More evidence of PC FPS > Console FPS.
