From:	pf_mc@*****.ca (shadows within)
Subject:	Consoles in Shadowrun
Date:	Thu, 22 May 2003 05:49:43 -0700 (PDT)

> Yes, but gamers aren't people ;)

I'm a gamer. I'm not people? :(

> We're talking about games and gamers here, not your
> average joe :)

I agree that die-hards would have datajacks, and other
wiz gear to feed their addictions. Seen to much of
that in real life to say it won't happen in SR. But, I
think it's a stretch to say that gamers, no matter how
hooked, will get/use cyberdecks to play.

No one would spend that kind of money on an illegal
system when it's not at all necessary - a simple
datajack or trode set will give them all that the game
is geared to provide. A 'hot' cyberdeck is sending a
signal to the user's brain that's akin to a BTL. If
the game isn't putting out BTL level signals then
having a deck is just a waste. And spending the money
on a cold deck is just plain stupid if your just using
it as a Matrix game console, there's no point to that.

Most people have simsense for this stuff. Whether they
use a datakack, mastoid implant, or trode net, a
cyberdeck is waaaaaaaaaaaaay more than they need or
probably want to pay for. A far cheaper telecom, set
up as a gaming station, can conceivably outperform a
deck in that regard, and is far cheaper. The advantage
of a deck isn't its computing power or ability to play
games, its the fact that it doesn't leave a Matrix
trail after the decker performs a graceful logoff (and
only on a deck does a decker have that option). Decks
are for being an SR hacker, not a gamer.

The only reason you'd need a deck to play a game is if
you want to deck into an online Matrix game host and
rig the game. This is done, but the thrill isn't the
game, it's the rush of beating the system. The game is
completely secondary.

OK, enough ranting. Soapbox mode off.

I play a decker (surprise), so I kinda get peeved by
this stuff.

====Shadow

The future is painted on a canvas of infinite reach.

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