PC or Console?

[Kitten Mittons]

Graphics are not an issue for me. Whatever graphics the console offers will be fine, and the benefit of PC graphics is just that, a bonus.

Friends aren't an issue either - none of my friends are interesting in the Defiance game. I myself am sort of on edge about it.

What I've been asking is: is it more of an MMO or online shooter? Will I be gimped by going console as far as finding a good online community and group, or is this not an issue in this game?

As an answer to this last question, strictly, I would say it's got more emphasis on shooter than MMO. This could change in the future, though, as they have made it clear that they're working on the broken chat system.

However, like a few people have pointed out, the community is more likely to be stronger/last longer on the PC for several reasons. Additionally, since PS3 and XBOX controllers can be used with a PC, I don't see the real benefit in going otherwise unless it's a performance issue.

[Dandrielas]

Graphics are not an issue for me. Whatever graphics the console offers will be fine, and the benefit of PC graphics is just that, a bonus.

Friends aren't an issue either - none of my friends are interesting in the Defiance game. I myself am sort of on edge about it.

What I've been asking is: is it more of an MMO or online shooter? Will I be gimped by going console as far as finding a good online community and group, or is this not an issue in this game?

It is more of an online shooter. If you look at it as a traditional MMORPG, you will be disappointed because it is far from it which is a good thing in my opinion.

[Kettlewell]

It is more of an online shooter. If you look at it as a traditional MMORPG, you will be disappointed because it is far from it which is a good thing in my opinion.

It's more of a mmotps than a mmorpg but still being a shooter first, mmo second as a Defiance staff member stated.

[Sen Guyfawkes]

As an answer to this last question, strictly, I would say it's got more emphasis on shooter than MMO. This could change in the future, though, as they have made it clear that they're working on the broken chat system.

However, like a few people have pointed out, the community is more likely to be stronger/last longer on the PC for several reasons. Additionally, since PS3 and XBOX controllers can be used with a PC, I don't see the real benefit in going otherwise unless it's a performance issue.

Thank you much for this. I heard that they will be re-releasing the episode quests between seasons for people to catch up on.. can you confirm this? If so, I think I will wait a while to see how the game progresses and see if I really get into the series before making a final decision.

I say again that their choice not to release a demo was foolish.

[Dandrielas]

It's more of a mmotps than a mmorpg but still being a shooter first, mmo second as a Defiance staff member stated.

Exactly. A shooter with people just running around you basically.

[Kitten Mittons]

No idea about the re-releasing thing, but either way if you aren't sure it's always best to wait a while. You probably wouldn't miss too many of the episodic missions, and even then they likely aren't anything major that a quick wiki read couldn't catch you up on.

[OmegaDelta]

I'm having a rather tough time deciding which to go with. There simply isn't enough explanation of the game out there to convince me one way or the other, and the lack of a demo or free-to-play option was a poor choice in a considerably unexplored area of gaming.

The conundrum I am in: I always pick consoles for action games, especially First/Third Person Shooters, including action RPGs. However, this is also an MMO. And for that, I'd easily pick the PC. First, it seems to me more experienced MMO players would be on the PC, as it has existed there for much longer. Second, it seems communication would be much easier on the PC than a console, and more people would be willing (or able to) communicate on the PC.

However, I'm not sure I'd enjoy a shooter as much on the PC. I guess what really matters is, is it more of an online shooter (Halo or Mass Effect) with some RPG elements or is it more of an MMO with shooter elements (Like Tera)? The focus of the game and how vital being able to use those MMO elements would probably be the deciding factor for me.

Also, is there any information on the player bases of both the PC and Xbox, their size, and the community progress (number of clans and their complexity) available?

I can tell you this much...

I play on the PC but rented the PS3 version for the weekend just to see the differences.

The game was obviously made with consoles in mind because of the way the menus and controls getting through those menus work...but they work just fine on the PC too. No issues.

What I did notice...is that on my PC...when I'm at an Arkfall event...I get great video and audio. Everything is crisp and smooth and sounds fantastic.

On the game console...the video has the occasional digital artifact issue show up or the vertical sync would get a weird delay for a few seconds making the screen jumpy. But the biggest negative is that the console version was HORRIBLE at an Arkfall with the audio. When I was at one solo...it was fine. Two or three other people join in...still fine. Then when there was 5+ people there...the audio degraded SO badly that you didn't even get to hear the sound of your own weapon firing anymore.

I would high suggest the PC version!!

[Otaku]

Good point on the patches.. but this isn't certain. At times, and particularly with Microsoft, the company is encouraged to sign some sort of contract that, if the product is distributed for their machine, updates have to be postponed until they are released on that console as well or even after.. this happens a lot with DLC. But since nothing like that has been said, I'd assume DLC will release on the same time and patches close to the same time, since the point of the game is to update it in real time to keep it close to the show.

How is communication in the game? Is co-operation vital? Are there instanced raids that you cannot complete on your own? Is communicating with someone else important, or is the focus of the game on solo and PVP? Is there an RP community? Do people try to communicate on the PC?

Also, how well does the game work with a 360 controller? Are the controls significantly different that it is frustrating, or is it seamless?

When I played Final Fantasy 11 I picked up the 360 version so I could play on my TV when I wanted to and use the same character, I got updates just the same as my computer because on the 360 FF11 ran XBL in the background just as a connection to the internet so 360/PS2/PC all same servers. Here it's different, 360/PS3/PC are all on their own separate server structure so they will all get separate patches/updates depending what kind of bugs each encounters, but don't think that will be a big deal.
As for your questions.
1) communication is weak ATM, chat is bugged out but there is a VOIP in game which is nice, works on proximity or when in a co-op mission
2) with the content we have now (from what I've seen) cooperation is more like having a party of 4 DPS if you know what I mean, kill stuff/don't die basically, hopefully future content will have more varied objectives
3) yes there are "raids", they are called co-op missions and require 4 people, you can make a party or just join a lobby for one
4) most of the main story is solo, you and a friend can do it but you will have no trouble completing it solo, as for PVP I haven't gotten into it, if I wanted to play PVP I would go play Gears
5) every MMO has a RP community, if you're into that then I would highly suggest the PC version as I feel it will have the larger RP community, personally I haven't really seen the traditional MMO community here but that maybe because the chat is weak and I haven't found what you would call the centralized location that everyone will hang out in game
6) like I said, when they fix chat it should open up communication alot more in game
7) I didn't mind the M/KB for most games but just the way this is set up I tried the 360 controller and realized that was the way the dev's intended the game to be played

Hope this helps, GLHF

[PookLove]

I'd go console to avoid cheaters/mods/bots/aimbots... But that's me.

[Sen Guyfawkes]

When I played Final Fantasy 11 I picked up the 360 version so I could play on my TV when I wanted to and use the same character, I got updates just the same as my computer because on the 360 FF11 ran XBL in the background just as a connection to the internet so 360/PS2/PC all same servers. Here it's different, 360/PS3/PC are all on their own separate server structure so they will all get separate patches/updates depending what kind of bugs each encounters, but don't think that will be a big deal.
As for your questions.
1) communication is weak ATM, chat is bugged out but there is a VOIP in game which is nice, works on proximity or when in a co-op mission
2) with the content we have now (from what I've seen) cooperation is more like having a party of 4 DPS if you know what I mean, kill stuff/don't die basically, hopefully future content will have more varied objectives
3) yes there are "raids", they are called co-op missions and require 4 people, you can make a party or just join a lobby for one
4) most of the main story is solo, you and a friend can do it but you will have no trouble completing it solo, as for PVP I haven't gotten into it, if I wanted to play PVP I would go play Gears
5) every MMO has a RP community, if you're into that then I would highly suggest the PC version as I feel it will have the larger RP community, personally I haven't really seen the traditional MMO community here but that maybe because the chat is weak and I haven't found what you would call the centralized location that everyone will hang out in game
6) like I said, when they fix chat it should open up communication alot more in game
7) I didn't mind the M/KB for most games but just the way this is set up I tried the 360 controller and realized that was the way the dev's intended the game to be played

Hope this helps, GLHF

Alright. This helped a lot. And with this, I'm going to go console. I know graphics are always better on the computer (and my computer is beefed up enough to give spectacular show), but they don't concern me a whole lot (I play MineCraft. Graphics can't get worse.) The community would probably be stronger on PC.. but it seems to me it is more of a competitive shooter.. and I feel like that'd come out most on console. It's tempting to do the PC setup with a 360 controller.. so I may give it more thought, but these are the answers i wanted.

Thank you much.