More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

[pietasterp]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

Gonna disagree here. If his machine is 10 years old and is struggling with 7-8 year old games, there is no video card that will be compatible with his ancient motherboard that can run the game. If you could even get it to load, it would be a slideshow. Save your money and get a more modern computer.....

Yeah, I agree...appreciate the info, though MERACE. I could probably get the game to technically "run", but it would likely be a slideshow as Divot said. And playing a game that looks that good (from the shots I've seen anyway) on the lowest possible settings would just depress me. Probably time to get a new rig anyway.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

I found this blurb on Radeon's website concerning DX11 compatibility:

"every game out there using DirectX 11 is either demanding or very demanding."

I have a feeling that my system will be running The Golf Club at low res settings (provided I get selected for the closed beta), even though my Radeon HD7350 is DX11 compatible. I don't mind the low res though; I'm more interested in "feeling" the swing interface and the ball physics, even if I have to view the action at low res.

[pietasterp]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

I found this blurb on Radeon's website concerning DX11 compatibility:

"every game out there using DirectX 11 is either demanding or very demanding."

I have a feeling that my system will be running The Golf Club at low res settings (provided I get selected for the closed beta), even though my Radeon HD7350 is DX11 compatible. I don't mind the low res though; I'm more interested in "feeling" the swing interface and the ball physics, even if I have to view the action at low res.

Agree, but the only thing is that the animation is crucial for a game like this, because of timing for the swing, etc. As animation/frame rate is a part of graphic performance, it may become an issue. But hopefully, maybe not for you.

[IowaAJ]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

This might be an obvious answer but every video I saw the golfer was right handed. We can play Left Handed too right?

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

This might be an obvious answer but every video I saw the golfer was right handed. We can play Left Handed too right?

Yes, that has been comfirmed.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

Update on mouse control on the PC version: HBS is now saying that they will have analog mouse control added at some point during the closed beta. They haven't "100% ruled out 3-click control", but seeing that they presented its status as quoted, it sounds like it's much closer to being ruled out than not.

In the Riding the Pines podcast interview with Executive Producer, Peter Garcin, they didn't want meters and gauges in their HUD, as part of the core design. I can understand why a 3-click meter wouldn't be there for that reason. Could they implement 3-click just by watching the golfer animation? I have my doubts there. I'm not a three clicker myself, but I think HBS may be underestimating the share of the PC market who would ONLY use this option.

[ThomasP]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

Update on mouse control on the PC version: HBS is now saying that they will have analog mouse control added at some point during the closed beta. They haven't "100% ruled out 3-click control", but seeing that they presented its status as quoted, it sounds like it's much closer to being ruled out than not.

In the Riding the Pines podcast interview with Executive Producer, Peter Garcin, they didn't want meters and gauges in their HUD, as part of the core design. I can understand why a 3-click meter wouldn't be there for that reason. Could they implement 3-click just by watching the golfer animation? I have my doubts there. I'm not a three clicker myself, but I think HBS may be underestimating the share of the PC market who would ONLY use this option.

No 3-click no purchase for me.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

No 3-click no purchase for me.

I'd like to see what the results of a scientific survey would show about this? I only see a small, yet vocal portion of the PC golf gamer market and based on that, I would say that 3-clickers are the majority. I'd just like to know how the PC golf gamers break down between analog and 3-click?

Just curious ThomasP, if the animation in this game is smooth enough, do you think you could use the golfer animation as a 'gauge' for 3-clicking? This is purely a hypothetical question because of HB Studios' stated position on gauges and meters. If 3-click happens in TGC, it *may* be that this is the only way it would happen.

[ThomasP]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

I'd like to see what the results of a scientific survey would show about this? I only see a small, yet vocal portion of the PC golf gamer market and based on that, I would say that 3-clickers are the majority. I'd just like to know how the PC golf gamers break down between analog and 3-click?

Just curious ThomasP, if the animation in this game is smooth enough, do you think you could use the golfer animation as a 'gauge' for 3-clicking? This is purely a hypothetical question because of HB Studios' stated position on gauges and meters. If 3-click happens in TGC, it *may* be that this is the only way it would happen.

Sounds interesting but that would be something I'd have to try out first. I've always used the 3 click in Tiger Woods PC games.

[Zinger]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

This game looks to be lacking a lot of basic stuff that you expect in a sports game that keeps your interest. Not sure why everyone is so ramped up for this. There's alot more to a good golf game than just a course creator.

As usual, Seymour nails it. I too find the excitement for this game way over the top. I was worried as soon as I saw that the devs have come from working on TW games. Then I read that there is to be only one difficulty level and that had me scratching my head in the same sad, disbelieving way that I used to do when reading about the decisions of the TW devs. Only one difficulty level? How can that possibly work to the satisfaction of all. The different degrees of difficulty of the courses won't make any difference to the fact that some people will find it all way too easy and others too hard. Throw in all the other things we know about the game, like no career mode, no stat tracking offline, no adherence to the proper rules of golf (eg ball drops) and it looks a very incomplete product. Fair enough they say it will receive upgrades but I am well and truly on the sidelines at the moment. The Perfect Golf devs are the only ones in whom I sense the commitment to an authentic golf game such as the Links team of fond memory had and unfortunately they are such a small team that a published product still looks a long way off.

[Skyboxer]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

Update on mouse control on the PC version: HBS is now saying that they will have analog mouse control added at some point during the closed beta. They haven't "100% ruled out 3-click control", but seeing that they presented its status as quoted, it sounds like it's much closer to being ruled out than not.

In the Riding the Pines podcast interview with Executive Producer, Peter Garcin, they didn't want meters and gauges in their HUD, as part of the core design. I can understand why a 3-click meter wouldn't be there for that reason. Could they implement 3-click just by watching the golfer animation? I have my doubts there. I'm not a three clicker myself, but I think HBS may be underestimating the share of the PC market who would ONLY use this option.

IMO even though I don't like the 3 click method we need to end up with more options as options are always better.
I've always been for the mouse method.
As we move forward and give the dev's input and suggestions hopefully over time we can get a great game built.

[rolltide1017]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

As usual, Seymour nails it. I too find the excitement for this game way over the top. I was worried as soon as I saw that the devs have come from working on TW games. Then I read that there is to be only one difficulty level and that had me scratching my head in the same sad, disbelieving way that I used to do when reading about the decisions of the TW devs. Only one difficulty level? How can that possibly work to the satisfaction of all. The different degrees of difficulty of the courses won't make any difference to the fact that some people will find it all way too easy and others too hard. Throw in all the other things we know about the game, like no career mode, no stat tracking offline, no adherence to the proper rules of golf (eg ball drops) and it looks a very incomplete product. Fair enough they say it will receive upgrades but I am well and truly on the sidelines at the moment. The Perfect Golf devs are the only ones in whom I sense the commitment to an authentic golf game such as the Links team of fond memory had and unfortunately they are such a small team that a published product still looks a long way off.

Yep, I'm starting to feel more like you and Seymour, I think the excitement over having a new player on the golf game scene was just overwhelming. Not including drops is really bugging me, that just changes the game of golf so much. Even the "other" series had drops, yes they were automatic and put you in odd spots sometimes but, at least they were there.

Forcing re-hits essentially penalizes you 2 strokes in many situations. For example, you hit a drive 270 yds down the fairway only to watch it bounce into the water. Instead of dropping near the water and hitting your 3rd shot from there, you have to tee off again, 270 yds in the wrong direction. Now your 3rd shot is from the tee box, and 270 yds later, your 4th shot will finally be were your 3rd should have been. This fundamentally changes the way the sport is played, it would be like not including extra points and 2-pt conversions in a football game IMO.

I don't mean to rant but, no drops really bugs me and I hope we don't have to wait years for them to get added.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

The drops are definitely an area for major concern. One of the devs has indicated they'd be working on it in the months after the release. I think they're interested in getting what they consider to be a playable game out the door to start generating some ROI. If I start seeing the promised frequent updates in short order after release, I'll have more confidence that they'll actually be able to fix the drops.

[MERACE]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

Not including drops is really bugging me, that just changes the game of golf so much. Even the "other" series had drops, yes they were automatic and put you in odd spots sometimes but, at least they were there.

I despised the automatic drops that were in TW14. After re-hitting my ball in the rough on a down hill lie from the edge of the water and seeing it go back in the water after several attempts almost made me throw my controller against the wall. I would rather have just teed off again.

This fundamentally changes the way the sport is played, it would be like not including extra points and 2-pt conversions in a football game IMO.

I thing your analogy goes a little too far (especially with the NFL considering eliminating the PAT) but I do agree with you that a proper drop is a fundamental element in the game of golf and should be added to the game ASAP (along with moving the ball in the tee box).


-MERACE

[Seymour Scagnetti]

Re: More Details Emerge About The Golf Club

The drops and the one difficulty level are a big thing but also one type of green speed (and the lack of talk from the devs about the physics is troubling) and you can't move your golfer within the tee box which always bugged the hell out of me with TW. And we have no idea what kind of mess online will be with servers with a brand new game but it usually is a mess. The devs are banking on the online facet for this game to succeed so they better ensure everything is buttery smooth. No one has patience for that and they will lose the fanbase quickly if they have to work out bugs. And they want this game to appeal to the masses so with one difficulty level, it will most likely lean toward the easy side rather than the difficult side.

I know these are new devs and you have to give them a chance but if they are claiming this is a sim game then you should have basic sim attributes right from the get go. In all honesty I think this is a one off. They saw the opportunity to have a golf game in a year unopposed by EA and just wanted to cannabalize some of those sales from starving golf fans and hope they strike lightening in a bottle and they may get it from an arcade perspective but there is nothing about this game that excites me as a sim gamer in any way except for the nicer graphics. Unless this game takes off immediately then I can't see them making a game next year with EA's game back on the market and hoarding the market share. Updates are easy to promise but cost money to do.

And I've complained about the TW series ad nauseum over the years but I actually thought TW14 was thier best game ever by a comfortable margin from a sim perspective. I loved the the swing method and the difficulty of it and the physics were a great improvement. They still have a ways to go in making a top notch sports game but I am looking forward to what they can do for next gen. Yeah there were bugs that remained unresolved but unfortunately every sports game is like that these days.