whats everybody think about Street Fighter 4 coming out for the PC?

[walls83]

Im having a real hard time deciding between PC for my Mame cab or xbox360 version.

[HaRuMaN]

Well, I guess it depends on your PC.  Will your PC have the stats required to run it?

[Grasshopper]

You can't really beat a PC for flexibility, and with the Xbox 360 you've got a lot of DRM nonsense to deal with. That's what really puts me off consoles.

It it were possible to hack the 360 to the same degree that the original Xboxes could be hacked then that might swing things in favour of the 360. But until (if?) that becomes possible them I'd go with a PC.

[massive88]

I will probably get both eventually.

The Xbox one to play with friends online.  The PC for when I see people in person.

[mh12]

i haven't bought new PC parts in years

surely i'll need a better videocard than the ArcadeVGA. i have the AGP version of that. is there a board that has a PCI-E slot AND an AGP slot? that would let me use the power of a new card through the AVGA?

can't wait for SF4.. just hope i don't have to mess around switching cables to play it

[retrometro]

I'll be getting one for the PC since that's what's in my cab.

[BORIStheBLADE]

I want to gt it for my cab. I just hope that its pretty flexible with the controls so it works out in a mame cab.

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

Just my opinion, of course, but; it seems to me that SF4 is intended for an HD, console-based, online-gaming experience. 

I mean, who would want to run *Street Fighter 4* in a MAME/pc-based cab anyway, at least in terms of graphics?  I guess my question is: if you were to put it in a cab; what resolution do you plan on running it at?  It would look HORRIBLE at traditional arcade monitor resolutions, so that counts out arcade monitors.  The picture on most SD televisions is going to look better from the consoles than just about any method of attaching a PC.  Maybe you've got a PC monitor in your cab that can handle it in a high-res output, but I'd guess you're probably going to need to upgrade your PC (admittedly, I'm just assuming this based on what most folks are running in their cabs.)

I guess I'm thinking in terms of how SF4 seems to be presented in the (Japanese) arcades; just like Tekken 6, on an HD, widescreen LCD.  I'd rather get a solid fighting stick, have a seat in front of my living room 1080p LCD, and enjoy the (hopefully) streamlined online play that the consoles offer.  I love my cab, but I love my consoles too-- and the "authentic" cab experience doesn't seem to fit this game...

Don't get me wrong, get it in whatever way works for you!  This is just my 2 cents. 

[Todd H]

Just my opinion, of course, but; it seems to me that SF4 is intended for an HD, console-based, online-gaming experience. 

I mean, who would want to run *Street Fighter 4* in a MAME/pc-based cab anyway, at least in terms of graphics?  I guess my question is: if you were to put it in a cab; what resolution do you plan on running it at?  It would look HORRIBLE at traditional arcade monitor resolutions, so that counts out arcade monitors.  The picture on most SD televisions is going to look better from the consoles than just about any method of attaching a PC.  Maybe you've got a PC monitor in your cab that can handle it in a high-res output, but I'd guess you're probably going to need to upgrade your PC (admittedly, I'm just assuming this based on what most folks are running in their cabs.)

I guess I'm thinking in terms of how SF4 seems to be presented in the (Japanese) arcades; just like Tekken 6, on an HD, widescreen LCD.  I'd rather get a solid fighting stick, have a seat in front of my living room 1080p LCD, and enjoy the (hopefully) streamlined online play that the consoles offer.  I love my cab, but I love my consoles too-- and the "authentic" cab experience doesn't seem to fit this game...

Don't get me wrong, get it in whatever way works for you!  This is just my 2 cents. 

Since my cab will have a 26" 1920x1200 widescreen Samsung LCD monitor and a pretty high end PC and video card, I think I'm all set.  Throw in some good arcade sticks and buttons and a few friends and you've got a gaming party.

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

Since my cab will have a 26" 1600x1200 widescreen Samsung LCD monitor and a pretty high end PC and video card, I think I'm all set.  Throw in some good arcade sticks and buttons and a few friends and you've got a gaming party.

Well, there you go then!    Perhaps I should've said "classic cab experience," because what it sounds like you're building is certainly not "old school" by any stretch of the imagination.  Sounds pretty awesome, though.

... it does make me wonder just how many people are building cabs with widescreen lcds and high-end PCs and such.  That's another topic, I suppose...

[nickynooch]

To me Street Fighter is MEANT for an arcade cab no matter what system it is best run on.  I still want that arcade experience!  So I am looking forward to the PC version.

That said, I am in the market for a new video card on my upcoming arcade cab (I have a really old card and need a new one).  Anyone know the specs required to run it? Keep it simple as I am dumb when it comes to video cards.  I need S-video out of course.

Being that my cab has a TV in it anyway, it pretty much would be like me running it on my xbox anyway.

I'm very much looking forward to it!

[Malenko]

Im gonna buy it on the 360, but Im gonna get it for the PC

[kagaden]

I'm going with the PC version. 

This coming week a buddy and I are maming my Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Hanaho Showcase that I'm sharing at work.



Video:
Before: 33" 4:3 Sharp Image Arcade Monitor with geometry + massive ghosting issues
After: 32" 16:9 Samsung 720p LCD TV


Audio:
Keeping the Jamma audio that's installed.

Computer:
Before: SF3:3S USA complete kit w/ cage
After: J-PAC, ASUS P5QL-E LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard, q6600 cpu, Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU heatsink, nVidia 9800GT, 2gigs of ram, 500gig HDD, Antec 300 case (Probably overkill but it better be one cold mother in the cab)

Software:
- XP Pro
- Mala w/ SF4 screensaver
- Final Burn Alpha (Jan's Filters, 3d tube + scanlines) running SF3:3S and potentially a couple other games for boards the guys at work have.
- Daphne (hidden easter egg for me, accessible via mouse only)
- Street Fighter 4 (Coming Soon on PC!  )

[kagaden]

Since my cab will have a 26" 1600x1200 widescreen Samsung LCD monitor and a pretty high end PC and video card, I think I'm all set.  Throw in some good arcade sticks and buttons and a few friends and you've got a gaming party.

Well, there you go then!    Perhaps I should've said "classic cab experience," because what it sounds like you're building is certainly not "old school" by any stretch of the imagination.  Sounds pretty awesome, though.

... it does make me wonder just how many people are building cabs with widescreen lcds and high-end PCs and such.  That's another topic, I suppose...

I didn't see your post earlier, but as you can tell from my previous post, Street Fighter 4 was a large catalyst for "upgrading" my cab. That, and the competition and bonding that happens at work during breaks playing rounds of Street Fighter in person beats down any experience you find online.

[kagaden]

To me Street Fighter is MEANT for an arcade cab no matter what system it is best run on.  I still want that arcade experience!  So I am looking forward to the PC version.

That said, I am in the market for a new video card on my upcoming arcade cab (I have a really old card and need a new one).  Anyone know the specs required to run it? Keep it simple as I am dumb when it comes to video cards.  I need S-video out of course.

Being that my cab has a TV in it anyway, it pretty much would be like me running it on my xbox anyway.

I'm very much looking forward to it!

Taito X2 Specs (what arcade Street Fighter IV runs on)... cheap and easy to slaughter with todays hardware (especially the graphics card):

Taito Type X2

    * OS: Microsoft Windows XP Embedded SP2 [2]
    * CPU: Conroe-based Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
    * Chipset: Intel Q965 + ICH8
    * Video output: 680x480, or 1280x720
    * RAM: 2GB DDR2 800MHz
    * GPU: PCI Express x16 nVIDIA GeForce 7900GS
    * Sound: Onboard Realtek HD 7.1 channel Sound (supports add-in sound cards)
    * LAN: 10/100 BASE-T
    * I/O ports: 1x JVS, 4x USB 2.0, 1x serial (max 2), 1x parallel port, 2x PS/2, 2x SATA
    * Audio inputs: AKG C535EB Stage Microphone, line-in (Surround 7.1)
    * Audio outputs: 7.1, SPDI/FX
    * Expansion Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 (used by video card), 1x PCI Express x4, 2x PCI
    * Storage: SATA2 Hard Drives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taito_Type_X

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

Im gonna buy it on the 360, but Im gonna get it for the PC

(Emphasis mine.) "Get" it?  Interesting...   

To me Street Fighter is MEANT for an arcade cab no matter what system it is best run on.  I still want that arcade experience!  So I am looking forward to the PC version...

I didn't see your post earlier, but as you can tell from my previous post, Street Fighter 4 was a large catalyst for "upgrading" my cab. That, and the competition and bonding that happens at work during breaks playing rounds of Street Fighter in person beats down any experience you find online.

I totally get and appreciate what you guys are doing; you're both basically saying that SF is meant to be played one-on-one, side by side, standing together -- definitely!    I am mostly just lamenting the long-since-death of the arcade era of my youth.  Sorry, but SF4 is NOT an arcade game, it isn't meant for a traditional cab -- the arcades are long gone (no, that last remaining little hole in the wall down in Chinatown here in Manhattan does not count.)  The arcade version, ridiculously rare as it is to begin with, is really just an advertising tool aimed at the console/PC game buyer.  Tournament players notwithstanding; the money is made at home on the consoles/PC now.  Where the money goes, so go the companies producing the content...

Of course, shoe-horning SF4 into a cab isn't going to bring that era back, and my guess is you'll find it's not quite going to ring true as an arcade experience for you... but more importantly, I certainly don't fault you for taking control of how you want to experience the game!  I mean, ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, it's just a game, have fun with it!

[Gatsu]

Getting it on both PC and 360 for sure. PC for my mame cab (WIP) and on the 360 for achievements. Hopefully the PC version will have an online feature....or LAN feature.

[kagaden]

There were some major snags doing this thing... at one point I thought there was no way we'd be able to mount the LCD until we busted out the jigsaw It took me 28 straight hours of work on the cabinet, but it's done... and it's beautiful 

My SFIV PC showcase cabinet pictures coming sometime today. 

[kagaden]

I totally get and appreciate what you guys are doing; you're both basically saying that SF is meant to be played one-on-one, side by side, standing together -- definitely!    I am mostly just lamenting the long-since-death of the arcade era of my youth.  Sorry, but SF4 is NOT an arcade game, it isn't meant for a traditional cab -- the arcades are long gone (no, that last remaining little hole in the wall down in Chinatown here in Manhattan does not count.)  The arcade version, ridiculously rare as it is to begin with, is really just an advertising tool aimed at the console/PC game buyer.  Tournament players notwithstanding; the money is made at home on the consoles/PC now.  Where the money goes, so go the companies producing the content...

Of course, shoe-horning SF4 into a cab isn't going to bring that era back, and my guess is you'll find it's not quite going to ring true as an arcade experience for you... but more importantly, I certainly don't fault you for taking control of how you want to experience the game!  I mean, ---Cleveland steamer---, it's just a game, have fun with it!

I can understand the sadness that comes with most arcades downfall. However, playing the Arcade Street Fighter 4 at arcades here in southern california sure feel to me that it's an arcade game. It's set up side by side in a traditional cab setup running 720p LCD's.

For the console experience, using the default controllers for xbox or ps3 is a joke, you'll need an arcade stick. Current internet technology is good but latency still will never allow you to the play the game as it's meant to be played side by side 100% of the time. In addition to the fun face to face you get. It seems to me like the complete opposite, consoles are shoe-horning the arcade experience into something consumable for home consoles.

Besides the fact that SFIV for the PC probably won't accept coins like a proper arcade game (not that I'll need em). I fail to see how it's not a genuine arcade game when put in a cab.

[Todd H]

What kagaden said.

Fighters were meant to be played with arcade joysticks and buttons against an opponent playing on the same cabinet. Playing online against someone using a gamepad just doesn't cut it for me. I guess I'm just an old timer.

[massive88]

What kagaden said.

Fighters were meant to be played with arcade joysticks and buttons against an opponent playing on the same cabinet. Playing online against someone using a gamepad just doesn't cut it for me. I guess I'm just an old timer.

Ditto on the gamepad, though around here that shouldnt be much of a hurdle to overcome.  However the online thing, if the netcode is good the latency is not there.  I have several friends from college that now live in different cities from me, and I cannot play them face to face, yet we have had hours of fun on XBL playing fighting games with each other.

Face to face is great if you can get it, but most of my gaming friends arent within 100 miles of my house, so XBL is a great alternative.

[Gatsu]

gamestops website has the PC version listed to drop in June....

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product_ID=72486(GameStopBase)

[kagaden]

What kagaden said.

Fighters were meant to be played with arcade joysticks and buttons against an opponent playing on the same cabinet. Playing online against someone using a gamepad just doesn't cut it for me. I guess I'm just an old timer.

Ditto on the gamepad, though around here that shouldnt be much of a hurdle to overcome.  However the online thing, if the netcode is good the latency is not there.  I have several friends from college that now live in different cities from me, and I cannot play them face to face, yet we have had hours of fun on XBL playing fighting games with each other.

Face to face is great if you can get it, but most of my gaming friends arent within 100 miles of my house, so XBL is a great alternative.

When people are buying arcade controllers for their PC or console, I'm going to go back to the primary reason a lot of us have built or modified arcade cabinets to begin with... to get that genuine arcade experience. I own an X-Arcade and Hanaho Hotrod both for many years, it's different than the full size showcase cab I have now in terms of feel.

Netplay is a great and convenient alternative when local people to play are hard to find. I'll be picking SFIV up for the PS3 to get a head start on the game before the PC version comes out for my cab. Playing GGPO, HDRemix, and Freeplay online are great compared to kallera and previous tech, but current net architecture does not provide for a perfect vs. experience for fighters. Street Fighter IV online will be plagued with dropped games, misconfigured players (firewall or otherwise), net "smoothing" which buffers moves and hits with a fairly unnoticable delay, and bouts of periodic latency.

My main point is this, it's not for everyone to build/mod an arcade cabinet for SFIV, but I can't help but feel that something is lost when it's played on a console. For 99% of people, this loss in gameplay experience probably won't matter... but being the Street Fighter nut I've been since 12 years old... well... I'm ready to go. 

Introducing my SFIV (PC version) cabinet... still running SFIII:3S for now cause I own that board:

[Singapura]

You can't really beat a PC for flexibility, and with the Xbox 360 you've got a lot of DRM nonsense to deal with. That's what really puts me off consoles.

It it were possible to hack the 360 to the same degree that the original Xboxes could be hacked then that might swing things in favour of the 360. But until (if?) that becomes possible them I'd go with a PC.

Wait a minute, you're going for the PC version because of DRM? I would think that the console version doesn't have DRM "nonsense" because it's platform specific. It's the console that is protected so the software doesn't have to be. The PC versions always have the Macrovision and other DRM protections so I can't see your point.  If you mean that you won't go for the Xbox version because you can't use a copied version, I don't think the Capcom people will loose any sleep over it.

[Grasshopper]

Wait a minute, you're going for the PC version because of DRM? I would think that the console version doesn't have DRM "nonsense" because it's platform specific. It's the console that is protected so the software doesn't have to be. The PC versions always have the Macrovision and other DRM protections so I can't see your point.  If you mean that you won't go for the Xbox version because you can't use a copied version, I don't think the Capcom people will loose any sleep over it.

No you’re misunderstanding me. I was making a general point about the desirability of PCs vs consoles.

The reason why I described a PC as being more flexible is because the PC is an open hardware platform. I can fit any component I want into my PC and I can run any software I want (including a lot of free stuff). I even have a choice of operating systems.

You just can’t do that with a console. You’re only supposed to run officially sanctioned (i.e. overpriced and often limited) software. The same applies to console hardware. In the case of the 360, even the controllers have encryption built in to prevent third party manufacturers from building cheaper (and possibly better) clones. That irritates the hell out of me. And furthermore it's anti-competitive. If I buy a 360 then it’s no business of Microsoft what brand of controllers I choose to attach to it.

Over the past decade or so we’ve seen an insidious trend where large corporations like Sony and Microsoft attempt to deny people their basic rights as consumers. And what’s worse is that our elected representatives, who are supposed to be there to represent our interests, are facilitating this process by passing draconian laws such as the DMCA. I don’t think people are generally as concerned about this issue as they ought to be.

If I buy something then, as far as I’m concerned, it is my property and I should be able to do anything I want with it, apart from copying it. Just imagine if you bought a car and the manufacturer said you’d be in breach of contract (and could potentially be prosecuted) if you fitted alloy wheels? Or supposing they said you could only drive on certain roads? Or they welded the bonnet shut to prevent you accessing the engine, and said that only authorised garages could carry our repairs? It would be totally unacceptable. But that is precisely what is happening in the world of computer software, and now increasingly computer hardware as well.

[Loafmeister]

I understand your problems with the big corporations and agree things certainly could be better, but as well I don't think things are as black/white as you portray.  For example, the issue of a controller lock out may prevent cheaper/better 3rd party controllers but they also help ensure a certain level of quality and compatibility which is one of the big advantages a closed system like today's consoles have over the PC gaming infrastructure.  Typically, you know your game will work with whatever you plug in which is certainly not the case with PC games and frankly is what pushed me away from gaming on my desktop.

You provided a good example with the automobile industry but allow me to spin it to a different perspective. Imagine how it would be like if you bought a set of tires for your car, they look real nice and saved you some money and then uh oh, they won't run on the road you use.  That's what happens too often in the pc world and the price to ensure full compatibility is imho worth what they are charging.

The idea that console manufacturers don't make a lot of money off the hardware, so they scoop up extra dough on the games and add-ons; that seems very capitalistic to me.   I'd of course prefer if things were a bit cheaper .

[kagaden]

I understand your problems with the big corporations and agree things certainly could be better, but as well I don't think things are as black/white as you portray.  For example, the issue of a controller lock out may prevent cheaper/better 3rd party controllers but they also help ensure a certain level of quality and compatibility which is one of the big advantages a closed system like today's consoles have over the PC gaming infrastructure.  Typically, you know your game will work with whatever you plug in which is certainly not the case with PC games and frankly is what pushed me away from gaming on my desktop.

You provided a good example with the automobile industry but allow me to spin it to a different perspective. Imagine how it would be like if you bought a set of tires for your car, they look real nice and saved you some money and then uh oh, they won't run on the road you use.  That's what happens too often in the pc world and the price to ensure full compatibility is imho worth what they are charging.

The idea that console manufacturers don't make a lot of money off the hardware, so they scoop up extra dough on the games and add-ons; that seems very capitalistic to me.   I'd of course prefer if things were a bit cheaper .

To each their own. You both have made good points. I game on both PC and Consoles and for the most part am okay with console standards. But I absolutely cannot stand the Xbox360's controller "standards". The fact that they don't allow keyboard/mouse for superior FPS on their machine because people may mistake it for a PC makes me want to punch them in the gut. When a company starts making calls like that, it's far from "quality" and more towards "censorship" of the experience. Much like China or North Korean governments moderate their people to protect their "culture" from outside influences.

[Loafmeister]

I agree they should allow mouse/keyboard but I don't think it's not supported because if identity issues vis-a-vis the PC.  Rather, I think they are not supporting them to ensure an even level playing field. I'm not saying it's the right call, but from their POV, I understand why they'd want to do that.  IE: it's either everyone can be accurate by using the mouse/kb or none at all and all have to make do with the controller.  Some think there's a lot of whiny ---daisies--- on Live. If that's what they think, imagine the "cry foul" because some think others are cheating by using a mouse!

[kagaden]

I agree they should allow mouse/keyboard but I don't think it's not supported because if identity issues vis-a-vis the PC.  Rather, I think they are not supporting them to ensure an even level playing field. I'm not saying it's the right call, but from their POV, I understand why they'd want to do that.  IE: it's either everyone can be accurate by using the mouse/kb or none at all and all have to make do with the controller.  Some think there's a lot of whiny ---daisies--- on Live. If that's what they think, imagine the "cry foul" because some think others are cheating by using a mouse!

So you'd be okay hypothetically if Microsoft decided for you that you don't need an arcade stick to play Street Fighter IV on the Xbox 360 to "keep an even playing field", no? That'd most likely make me ban their console for life, but some most people seem fine with what their force fed. It's an outrage to me though and I'll vote with my wallet.

And just to make it clear, there's an xbox 360, PS3, PS2, DC, Wii, and PC hooked up to my home theater right now. Certain games I'll never buy on the 360 purely due to Microsoft's draconian policies and inferior gameplay experiences. My game library reflects that when compared to my other systems. I'll wait months for it to release on PC or PS3 before I ever play another FPS on the 360, live is nice but not enough of a boon to make up for it. At the core, the best thing I think Microsoft really did properly for their mainstream success is achievements. That'll keep people renting/buying games like Avatar just for their 1000 point high score and keep people from buying games on other consoles in itself. Absolutely brilliant psychological carrot on a stick there... but it doesn't work on me. I'm in it for the gaming experience, not e-peen waving.

These days I think the masses are just complacent and lazy and care little for their liberty or freedom. Just look at what we, the American people, are allowing our government to do nowadays.  Back on point, I'll be purchasing on the PS3 (in feb) and for the PC (whenever) for my cab. Xbox gets no money from me once again on this game, even though Mad Catz has "the blessing" to bring their arcade controller to the Xbox.

[Gatsu]

And here I thought we were talking about what we thought about Street Fighter IV coming to the PC. 

[Loafmeister]

No I would not be "ok" with your example, though you are hardly providing a similar comparison. One is a joystick versus mouse, the other is a joystick versus a joystick.  

Personally, I think you're trying too hard to find conspiracies. My point on the mouse support, which I'll remind you I wouldn't be against but it's fair to point out, is that it's not just Microsoft that wants the even playing field, but the masses as well.  Not everyone is set up to have a mouse/keyboard scheme running from their living room couches so they won't see that option.

If you don't get any enjoyment out of a FPS on the 360, I don't blame you for not supporting them, you shouldn't.  But calling out "limitation of freedom" argument on a freakin' gaming issue is pretty out there.

back on topic: I want SFIV on my PC, for the sake of playing it on my cab .

[kagaden]

No I would not be "ok" with your example, though you are hardly providing a similar comparison. One is a joystick versus mouse, the other is a joystick versus a joystick. 

[snip]

back on topic: I want SFIV on my PC, for the sake of playing it on my cab .

It's a perfect comparison, Microsoft approves what it wants for input devices. If they deemed they didn't want you to have an arcade controller for SFIV, you wouldn't... simple. Do you really feel comfortable with Microsoft making those choices for you? I don't. If anything, the developers should be able to mandate what control possibilities are in their game.

Secondly, I'm not looking for conspiracies. At my employer from '99 - '06 we developed games for the Xbox360 (think along the MMO lines), and I've been a participant in those discussions with Microsoft directly about the keyboard/mouse issue. Using them for controls was completely against their TRC, we settled with messaging. Any window dressing they put on it otherwise to the public is PR spin. I'm with Grasshopper, people should be more concerned with their basic rights because we won't be very successful individually.

I totally agree with your PC sentiment and think Gatsu should buy it on the PC for the best experience in a cab... unless you can't wait like most of us and will pick it up on a console as well since it releases months earlier.

[Firebaall]

Just a heads up....

Steam is having SFIV on for a weekend special.  $19.99!