Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!emory!mephisto!prism!gt5784a
From: gt5784a@prism.gatech.EDU (Walter G. Reynolds (JJ))
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Amiga joysticks
Summary: game machine
Keywords: game machine vs computer
Message-ID: <9036@hydra.gatech.EDU>
Date: 7 May 90 23:11:52 GMT
References: <18775@snow-white.udel.EDU>
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Lines: 87

In article <18775@snow-white.udel.EDU> AXTBF%ALASKA.BITNET@cornellc.cit.cornell.edu (Tim Friest - Programmer/Analyst) writes:

The stuff in >> was written by me.
(I accedentally deleted my own name)

>>   Whatever commodore does, I *HOPE* that they don't start making joysticks..
>> With the advent of the 3000, a joystick would only verify most people's
>> suspicions that the Amiga is only a game machine...
>
>I remember reading an article that talked about the game machine image of a
>computer and how stupid it was.

Although it may be stupid (I agree with you on this), it is hard to have
people take a computer seriously if thus labeled(sp?).

>That computer is just a game machine...   What makes a good game machine?
>
>Game machines must have good graphics (lots of colors, fast animation, etc).
>Real computers don't need this because all people use real computers for is
>word processing, databases, and spread sheets.

This is not necessarily true anymore, many computers need good graphics
for desktop publishing, CAD, drawing graphs, and, of course, multimedia.
The amiga does most of these quite well.  So, once again I state, the amiga
should not be relabeled a "game machine".  The implication is that no
serious software is written for it.
 
>Games machines must have good sound.  Real computers don't need good sound
>because of the above.

Again, not true.  Many people use the Mac, Atari ST, and the Amiga for
professional sound.  A standard atari ST is the best of the three 
because it comes with a built-in midi port.  Ever hear of a musician
using a Sega Genesis with his band?  Me neither.. but I *HAVE* heard
of a Mac being used as such.

>Games machines must be fast and powerful, so the action is responsive and
>exciting.  Real computers spend most of their time waiting for the user to type
>the next key in the word processor, so they don't need to be fast.

I find it hard to believe that you even used this argument.  The
386 machines are not game machines, but they leave the Amiga (stock
A1000, A500, A2000) standing in the dust.  Computers these days need
to be fast so that a user will not spend all day waiting for intensive
database operations.  I used to work for a company where we billed
over 10000 accounts monthly on AT's and 386's.  Speed was important
to us.  I agree that at one time game machines were more powerful,
but now, "real computers" are so fast that game authors need to put delays
in their code.

>Game machines must have large memory and disk space because of the large
>graphics and extensive maps etc.   Real computers don't need so much memory
>because they don't have to store hundreds of pictures etc.

   Again, I disagree.  REAL computers (used in business) need massive
amounts of storage.  Game machines need storage, but not as much.  Also,
in game machines, the needed storage usually doesn't change.  In business,
data files have the tendency to expand, and 40 users on a network can
take up space very quickly.  Also, if this is so true, why does IBM
have 1.44 meg floppy drives while the amiga is still behind at 880k?


>Game machines must be inexpensive so the masses can afford them.  The masses
>don't use real computers so they don't have to be inexpensive.

  I concede that game machines must be inexpensive.  However, this is
not necessarily true of "real computers".  I can pick up an XT for
400$ easy; and that's overpriced.

>Well, I'll take a game machine over a real computer any day!!!!

Okay.

>disclaimer: My opinions are just that.

Mine too.

  Once again I state, although I love to play games on my amiga, that
is not my primary purpose for owning it.  I hope that the Amiga 3000
does not get stuck with the image of a game machine.  (BUT, if it did,
can you imagine a game written for the 68030 running at 25 MHZ?  Tetris 
would be a nightmare.  Hope I don't have to delete it.. :)
(here's stating that Commodore shouldn't make joysticks)
-- 
Disclaimer:  None needed... my lawyer makes more money than yours.
uucp: ...!{allegra,amd,hplabs,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!prism!gt5784a
ARPA: gt5784a@prism.gatech.edu