CompuServe Messages

I agree with most of what you're saying, but game development for PC systems is really moving back quite quickly to development on the PC itself.. (Graphics wise) Just ask Ian! <g> Sure, you can get the $5500 SGI, but then how much is your software going to add to that? Does that make up the rest of the $20k? (I know Alias is a ton o' cash, and I've been through demos from SGI/Alias.) Then again, the machines are faster, you have some nice options for video in/out, etc, etc.. All I'm saying here is that you probably have a new door opening for more and more people to develop high-class games, because now they can actually afford it. You no longer need a "movie budget" to make a game, and in some cases, by keeping the team small (one person, or very few anyway), you *might* get stuff out quicker.. (Overhead, etc..) PC's aren't at the level that the SGI's are at for real-time graphics, but with the infusion of these new 3D based, double-buffering video cards (sub-systems), dual (or more) CPU machines, and even alternative (RISC) processors, they're moving in the proper direction.. Plus, the software is at the right price.. (Now that you don't have to drop $4k for a descent 3D package.. <g>) Just my $0.02