Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming

When is a Game Console Not a Game Console?

By

When is a game console not a game console? When it can run linux.

Recently Sony announced it will sell online, a linux kit for the PS2 . The kit includes a linuxdistribution on DVD, plus some additional software, documentation, a 40GB hard drive, an Ethernet adapter, a USB mouse, a USB keyboard, and a computer monitor cable. The package will cost $200. So,for ~$500 you can have a full fledged machine that can surf the net, serve as an email/web/file server, play original Playstation and Playstation 2 games, AND play DVDs. But what does that mean? Wellthe article mentions that now, game developers and kernel hackers can now write games for the PS2 without having to purchase the very expensive SDK. This, combined with Sun’s new java game initiative , means that a single device can function as many different things. Imagine taking a CD out of the wrapper,dropping it in to your Windows PC, PS/2 or Linux box and the game will run on all three.

Recommended Videos

With the economy in a crunch, the consumer has very little pocket change to throw around. Gone are the days when we can drop $2000 down on a decent gaming computer. Now we buy sub $500 boxes, drop in a decent video card and cross our fingers. The consumer is moving away from specialized configurations. For example, people are no longer buying just a DVD player, game console, stripped down machine that can only run office apps and configurations of the sort. They want a cheap wonderbox that can do it all. Many companies have different technologies and strategies to accomplish just that.

Related

Take, for example, Nvidia’s Personal Cinema and the new nForce chipset With the Personal Cinema devices you can turn your computer into a Tivo basically. It also has the abililty to play DVDs, capture video, and comes with a remote control. With the new nForce chipset, the nVidia motherboards have on-board graphics and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding, which means you can integrate it right into your current home entertainment system.

When is a Linux Box not a Linux Box? Want to run Windows apps but not have to pay for XP every time your computer reboots? Enter Lindows .

This OS aims to bridge the gap between Linux and Windows. It allows the stability and functionality of Linux but also the compatibility with those Windows apps that you just can’t live without.

Can all this be a little confusing and daunting for the average gamer, home computer user, and home entertainment shopper? Of course. Is it good for them and the public in general? Yes. I think that convergence of devices is not only inevitable but has been going on for quite a while. A lot of companies are even leading the charge. I am excited about the future and hope that these guys can fulfill their promises…

If anyone has had a hands on experience with any of these, please drop me a line or post in the forums…

Editors' Recommendations

9 best processors for PC gaming: tested and reviewed
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D installed in a motherboard.

It's tough to find the right gaming CPU for your next PC. We've benchmarked dozens of processors to find the best CPU for gaming, and there's a clear winner right now: AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Although the latest chip from Team Red claims the crown, there are still several other great options on the market.

Whatever your needs and budgets, though, we have options from AMD and Intel that will be great performers. We're focused on gaming here, but if you want a processor that can game and get work done, make sure to check out our list of the best processors.

Read more
The best cozy games
Riding in a boat with Kapp'n in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

In a world where so many games send you on missions with tense action and high stakes, sometimes it's nice to just sit back and relax a bit. That's where the cozy genre comes in with calming exploration, crafting, and decorating that give you a sense of purpose without all of the stress that comes from more action-oriented games. If that's what you're after, look no further, as we've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best cozy games you can play right now.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Read more
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes could be one of 2024’s best and boldest games
A character stands in front of a cracked mirror in Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.

If you’ve been following indie publisher Annapurna Interactive over the last two years, you might be familiar with Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. The new project from Sayonara Wild Hearts developer Simogo has gotten a spotlight at a handful of live-stream showcases since 2022, with trailers teasing its eerie tone and puzzling world. While we’ve known those details for a while, there’s still one burning question that remains: What the hell is it?

After a long wait, I finally have the answer to that question. Annapurna Interactive lifted the lid on the mysterious game, giving me unrestricted access to a full PC build of it. Though I’m still making my way through its puzzle-filled haunted hotel, I’ve played enough to get a good sense of what Simogo is delivering. I’ve also played enough to say, with confidence, that Lorelei and the Laser Eyes might just be one of 2024’s boldest and best games.
Puzzle-box horror
Though Lorelei and the Laser Eyes seems totally foreign when first glancing at its striking black-and-white art style, it's actually fairly easy to explain. It’s essentially a 1990s horror game with all the combat removed. My journey begins when I arrive at a creepy hotel where I’ll be helping an eccentric Italian auteur film his latest avant-garde masterpiece. There’s a lot of story there, doled out through scattered writing and occasional cutscene breaks, but the bulk of my time is spent solving the hotel.

Read more