Electronic Arts to Sell Crysis-branded PCs
Perhaps taking a page from the console world, massive game publisher Electronic Arts is exploring the possibility of selling machines that are purpose built to run a specific game title, and to run it well.
One of the biggest barriers of PC gaming is the link between the hardware and software. Usually the latest games require recent hardware, but whenever it comes time to upgrade, even savvy users may have a hard time making sense of system requirements.
EA is looking to knock down this barrier by providing the consumer with an instant hardware solution that should get gamers up and running in the easiest possible way yet. According to comments made by EA representatives at Comic-Con, recorded by Chris Remo, the game publisher is planning to market pre-built PCs purpose built for running Crysis Warhead – the follow-up to last year’s graphical showcase shooter.
The systems will likely range from $600 to $800, and will be differentiated by at which level of detail and special effects each will be able to run Crysis Warhead.
Such purpose-built computers will likely be overlooked by those who take the time to build their own machines – like those who frequent Tom’s Hardware – but for the mass market, a seemingly dedicated Crysis machine will hopefully make top-tier PC gaming as simple as it is on today’s consoles.
At $600 to $800, it’s twice as much as a modern games console – but imagine the owner’s delight when he or she discovers that any machine that can run Crysis at a respectable clip will also run every other PC game in history.
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giovanni86 Good luck 2 them on that. I rather build my own machine. Even for around 600 to 800 i doubt crysis will even run at low settings. my 2 cents.Reply -
1971Rhino I don't like the bloatware garbage that EA uses when you install a game......I can only imagine how much bloatware a PC from EA would have.Reply
They'd probably sell more if they based one off of Madden it would be huge! -
emp If they can pull this off, I can definitely see it helping PC gaming overall. Streamlining for the masses PC gaming (a la console) while keeping the customizing aspect of PCs for us enthusiasts seems like a big step in the right direction for PC gaming.Reply -
LoboBrancoTimido Its a cool idea. People that build gaming rigs tend to forget that most people can't build them. These computers are not for us the enthusiasts but they will help the gaming community a lot IMO.Reply -
neodude007 As long as it has something like an E8400 and 8800GT or above in both fields it will help PC gaming but...LOL at running that stupid game quickly as respectable settings. The game is not even worth it but EA thinks it has the next Halo on its hand so they are making 2 more sequels, ha.Reply -
kman7607 empIf they can pull this off, I can definitely see it helping PC gaming overall. Streamlining for the masses PC gaming (a la console) while keeping the customizing aspect of PCs for us enthusiasts seems like a big step in the right direction for PC gaming.Reply
I agree completely. If anyone can make this happen it would be EA. They have the money to do it. The only problem would be with the cost of the PC when compared to consoles, like it said in the article. This is still a huge step for PC gaming. Kudos to EA even if we all don't agree with their other principles. -
anonymous x I can see this happening easily. I have a mere pentium D and a 7950 GT, but I can run Crysis @ medium settings with no lag. Crysis warhead should be more optimized, so something like 9800 GTX ($200) and OC'd intel e8200 with 2 GB ram should hit the price mark and run on pretty high settingsReply -
ovaltineplease Honestly, Crysis has a pretty sizeable following of players worldwide - its surely not as big as an MMO or perhaps games like CoD4, but they have a pretty big player base and mod community nonetheless.Reply
Anyways, I think its a great idea; but only if they stick to a good quality standard in //modern// components (NOT X STOCK), and ensure that expandability is available in the build. -
Indubstylo They better have a laptop released at launch as well. Today's cards already handle the cry engine 2. While the engine for warhead is revamped so that it's not so demanding and can play on next gen consoles. This might be too little too late. But if they get a laptop that can play Crysis out then they would get directly into dell's top end machines. I'm surprised that it wasn't thought of sooner.Reply