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AusGAF (2016)

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Quasar

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Not feeling X1X for day one personally...and I'm a huge xbox/Halo fan.

Yeah. The hardware seems nice, and I was looking for something that supported UHD BluRays, just that it turns out actual exclusives are playing more into my decisions than I thought I would.

That and I've come to realise that 4k just isn't enough for me to spend 600$ to play the same games I'd play on my PS4. If either of those consoles (PS4Pro or X) offered 1080p60 on at least some titles I would have jumped. Maybe.

So I'll save that money for probably a Vega GPU or a Switch.

Part of it is I'm not really ready (financially) to move to 4k. I mean that would mean a new TV (and I'm kind of wanting to wait till HDMI 2.1 sets are out there) and a new 4k compatible AVR.
 
Even if I said I wanted to do all my console gaming on X1X, there aren't enough games that don't make to PC in general to make it an obvious purchase. I sold my PS4 because I was barely using it, and I only kept my XB1 because it's my designated media centre (like using Kinect for that sort of thing). Injustice 2 was the first game I couldn't get on PC when I wanted to play it in a fairly long time.

X1S or X1S would both be nice upgrades for HDR support and 4k bluray playback, but the X is a bit pricey for just that. I think the deciding factor for me will be if there's a really good trade in deal and if I end up getting a 4k HDR TV soon.
 

Quasar

Member
Even if I said I wanted to do all my console gaming on X1X, there aren't enough games that don't make to PC in general to make it an obvious purchase. I sold my PS4 because I was barely using it, and I only kept my XB1 because it's my designated media centre (like using Kinect for that sort of thing). Injustice 2 was the first game I couldn't get on PC when I wanted to play it in a fairly long time.

I'm surprisingly using my PS4 more than I expected and a lot of is games I could play on my mid-range PC. Couch and controller is just more comfortable. So my PC is mostly used for strategy and rpgs. That might be partially due to me dragging my feet on PC upgrades (I mean its still a Intel 2500k and a Radeon 7870).

But Microsofts (excellent IMO) decision to support Windows makes it easier for me to not buy an Xbox.
 
The decision to support PC this heavily (even if it is in the form of the Win10 store, which is shall we say... suboptimal) is sort of mixed. It's good overall, but I also understand how some people feel when they say it takes the lustre out of the Xbox platform. Most people aren't PC gamers, so it doesn't impact average people for the most part, but for the core of ultra hardcore gamers who play on every platform, it does seem to strike a blow against their ability to generate hype and diminishes the attractiveness of the Xbox hardware for that subset.

In terms of platform convergence, just as I'd like to see the Xbox hardware gain the ability to stream from PC and stuff like that, I'd also like to see Windows become a much better place to play media. Blu ray support on Windows is fucking shocking. In an ideal world, I'd be able to also put an Xbox disc into my PC and play a game just as I can on XBO. But that's... a pretty unlikely vision for the near future.

My PC is currently set up in my loungeroom so I can comfy couch with a controller in most games there. But even using a keyboard is surprisingly convenient from the couch!
 
Yeah. The hardware seems nice, and I was looking for something that supported UHD BluRays, just that it turns out actual exclusives are playing more into my decisions than I thought I would.

That and I've come to realise that 4k just isn't enough for me to spend 600$ to play the same games I'd play on my PS4. If either of those consoles (PS4Pro or X) offered 1080p60 on at least some titles I would have jumped. Maybe.

So I'll save that money for probably a Vega GPU or a Switch.

Part of it is I'm not really ready (financially) to move to 4k. I mean that would mean a new TV (and I'm kind of wanting to wait till HDMI 2.1 sets are out there) and a new 4k compatible AVR.

That's my case as well, in the middle of house knock down and rebuild, don't really want to fork out for 4K TVs, X1X and still not have NBN for solid 4K streaming either. Seems like a future upgrade for home gaming for me too.
 
Switch is a must have for gamers who grew up and now have jobs in capital cities where they spend half their day travelling. Eases the pain of missing all that time with family. If I was in that boat again I'd be all over it like the Vita (which I never spent enough time with).
Fingers crossed Prime 4 turns out well, that will be my tipping point to grab a Switch!

Yeah definitely getting a Switch in September.

Although I still can't believe there's no VC yet. I'm starting to think it's never coming.

They smashed heap of ROM sites with DMCA threats about 7 days ago so I bet we will get a VC announcement by the end of the week.


End of an era! I wonder if someone will swoop in and start something up.
 
That surprises me. Is it the price or perceived support that is staying your hand?

I'm interested in Anthem, future Halo, Wolfenstein II, Destiny 2 and continue to play H5 but yes the price of an X1X plus a 4K TV (dare I go Dobly Atmos equipment) adds up and I'm not seeing an immediacy to buying day one for those. It's likely 343 will announce 4K support for H5 post E3 and then I'll impulsively buy in day one anyhow :) It's what I play regularly.
 
Switch is a must have for gamers who grew up and now have jobs in capital cities where they spend half their day travelling. Eases the pain of missing all that time with family. If I was in that boat again I'd be all over it like the Vita (which I never spent enough time with).
Fingers crossed Prime 4 turns out well, that will be my tipping point to grab a Switch!



They smashed heap of ROM sites with DMCA threats about 7 days ago so I bet we will get a VC announcement by the end of the week.



End of an era! I wonder if someone will swoop in and start something up.

hopefully not ruport .......


so the xbone is looking attractive as far as older titles go just wish MS would port all the Halos over ......

wouldnt mind finding out just how bad too human is !
 
Interested in:
Crackdown
Spider-Man
cod WWII
AC creed origins
Anthem (unless it's unplayable single like Destiny)
Super Mario Odyssey
Battlefront II
Skyrim switch
Beyond Good and Evil 2
Wolfenstein Ii

Depending on reviews/May get when cheaper:
Days Gone
State of Decay
metro exodus
Splatoon 2
Lucky's Tale
 
I will be getting a XXX (hopefully at launch) so most multis for m will be on that from november ;)
If the xbix has really good quality UHD Blu-ray playback then I could be tempted. I currently have a Pro though and I'm in a big Australian social gaming clan on the PS4, so it would be hard to justify otherwise. None of the MS exclusives really speak to me, so I'd be getting the xbix for UHD playback and only incrementally better multiplat SP games.
 

Jintor

Member
i need to check out and budget a gaming calender.

only thing i know for sure i'm getting atm is splatoon, but i have a lot of 'might gets' on the horizon
 

Quasar

Member
i need to check out and budget a gaming calender.

only thing i know for sure i'm getting atm is splatoon, but i have a lot of 'might gets' on the horizon

I'm only part way through horizon and I'm pretty sure I'll buy that DLC. And the Uncharted game.

I also have to budget in a Switch + Zelda and Mario and the Mario/Rabids game somehow.

Still have to decide whether the coolness of wandering around ancient egypt is worth buying the AC game. So wish I could just have wandering around in VR games using AC assets. That's all I really want.

Not sure what other games have a 2017 release. 2018 is going to be a bloodbath though, and we still haven't had Gamescom, TGS and PSX announcements yet.
 
Yeah hope that Horizon DLC is soon, fiending for it. I think about that game quite often! Incredible on the Pro on a 4K/HDR TV.

So many amazing new games around, I have minimal interest in 360/PS3 games unless they are remakes.
 
Yeah hope that Horizon DLC is soon, fiending for it. I think about that game quite often! Incredible on the Pro on a 4K/HDR TV.

So many amazing new games around, I have minimal interest in 360/PS3 games unless they are remakes.

It's interesting I have a 14 day trial for game pass and I've just not downloaded any games yet, scrolled the list twice too.
 

Fredescu

Member
That's my case as well, in the middle of house knock down and rebuild

How's that going for you? I've been considering it. And by considering I mean obsessing over for years. Right now I'm building plans in software to see what they look like in 3D. I'm at the stage where I could afford it, but maybe not afford exactly what I want. Working to narrow the gap a bit. There are not enough project builder plans that have the kind of design I want (wide and shallow).
 
How's that going for you? I've been considering it. And by considering I mean obsessing over for years. Right now I'm building plans in software to see what they look like in 3D. I'm at the stage where I could afford it, but maybe not afford exactly what I want. Working to narrow the gap a bit. There are not enough project builder plans that have the kind of design I want (wide and shallow).

Nice idea on the 3D rendering, doing that though would likely push you into a custom plan/drafting/engineering instead of off the shelf house plans. Agreed on most of the designs we looked at were narrow and long or double storey basically so they pass council regulations for sight/shadow lines e.g. we had to be 1.8m off our side boundaries and got special approval for the street frontage depth to go from 9m to only 6m where the house starts from the sidewalk.

We went double storey and a pool in the end. We'd been looking at options of sub-divide, sell/move, renovate to all hell or knock down and rebuild. In the end we decided a full knock down was the best option, saved approx 50K in real estate/stamp fees and moving or buying back in at high prices. We didn't want to move the kids from their school/kindy, lifelong friends/families live around the corner and our suburb just keeps going up in value. The option of renovating would have been cheaper, approx. 50-70% of our final rebuild costs but our old house on the block was 70-odd years old so we would've still had shit connections to the street, old wiring, on stumps instead of slab etc etc. The new build options ensures everything is under warranty, nice and straight/pretty etc.

As for picking a builder or house design we chose to customise an existing house plan from Dennis Family Homes, we really didn't change walls/layout but controlled everything in the plan iterations for power points, networking, pantry, added kitchen windows, different kitchen bench/lighting, added stair case windows, higher ceilings upstairs and downstairs, made the garage a 2.5 car size instead of 2, altered the driveway, changed the ensuite, changed windows to sliding doors etc. So we added about 20% to the advertised "off the shelf" plan cost. We also then did all the design studio decisions which is the other big thing to watch out for, they charge for just about every upgrade of paint, carpet, tap fittings, door types and even things like material textures etc. Think we added another $23K there. We held somethings off from their design options and supported warranty/installation e.g. kitchen taps or special lights we sourced ourselves. Getting this right in your first couple of iterations for plans saves a ton of time for permits, variations and costs as well. It's great to research and really think about what you want structurally and for each room.

The other factors of cost are various street connections may need to be redone and site costs post the demolition/landscaping (we had to upgrade our power pit at the sidewalk for another $2K our of pocket). Also enquire about site costs for a sloping property/lot. Those can vary once your house actually comes down too e.g. a second soil test is done for what lies under the house and how good your demo guys are. I would budget 30-50% more time than the sales people tell you and factor a 10-20% cost above what you think given the last 9-12 months of experience. I've done an owner builder custom project before so I sort of know the process and make it a massive point to call all contractors/companies/councils involved almost weekly, otherwise you're just a low priority. The other recommendation is make sure you keep a payment schedule/work progress balance, never pay builders huge amounts up front, better yet let the bank control that for you as they don't get fucked around basically.

Overall we're looking at September of last year we signed the contracts/deposit and should be complete and moved in by XMAS this year. I would say 15-16 months is pretty typical but we'll have the pool going in after XMAS and that should be ready late JAN/FEB. If you're thinking of a pool you need to check the distance from the house and the pillars for the house slab being correct, it can add a big cost to the slab/stumps portion of your project or move your pool further away from your house to avoid those extra costs. Oh you also need to get a check on your house for heritage listings, worthwhile getting out of the way early or having your demo company do it.
 

Fredescu

Member
Nice idea on the 3D rendering, doing that though would likely push you into a custom plan/drafting/engineering instead of off the shelf house plans. Agreed on most of the designs we looked at were narrow and long or double storey basically so they pass council regulations for sight/shadow lines e.g. we had to be 1.8m off our side boundaries and got special approval for the street frontage depth to go from 9m to only 6m where the house starts from the sidewalk.

Full custom is definitely out of the budget. The software lets you import floor plans, scale them properly, and draw the rooms over the top. So you can make your adjustments to off the shelf designs and get a feel for them from a first person perspective. I know builders vary greatly when it comes to flexibility for changes, so I'm not bothering with those that already know aren't interested. One place said I don't even have to stick to their design footprint and would just have to pay a $6000 fee for proper drafting of my edited designs. Frankly I don't believe them, but I'm not at the stage to test them on that yet. My first priority is to find an off the shelf design that needs the least amount of modification, and work from there.
 
Full custom is definitely out of the budget. The software lets you import floor plans, scale them properly, and draw the rooms over the top. So you can make your adjustments to off the shelf designs and get a feel for them from a first person perspective. I know builders vary greatly when it comes to flexibility for changes, so I'm not bothering with those that already know aren't interested. One place said I don't even have to stick to their design footprint and would just have to pay a $6000 fee for proper drafting of my edited designs. Frankly I don't believe them, but I'm not at the stage to test them on that yet. My first priority is to find an off the shelf design that needs the least amount of modification, and work from there.

I like the sound of that software, I toyed with the idea of doing an autocad/MAX extraction from the drawings or importing a file from builders draft but alas they wouldn't provide a digital file as it would let us completely take it to a private builder, which we thought was fair enough. The less modifications the better, it also makes a ton of sense to stick with the builder from the initial plan as they're contractors/in house staff are used to building those specifications, better quality and faster work IMO.

We were able to get the full plans in A3 from two builders when deciding so we could review everything and pencil in our changes with the provision they'd update the plans to get our sale etc. It worked out very well and we avoided later iterations/variations and costs/permits by just withholding our signup/deposit, make them work for their money :). I reckon that saved $5-15K and months of time. When I did the owner builder project I just hired a local drafting company with decades of experience with that council, it was less than $3.5K and included two major revisions with one iteration council forced. If it's off plan you should find that $6K price pretty reasonable if you can avoid custom engineering and tons of iterating.
 

hamchan

Member
With channel 10 now looking dead, I'm kinda bummed that channel 9 will most likely get the Big Bash and now I have to listen to their commentary.
 

Quasar

Member
With channel 10 now looking dead, I'm kinda bummed that channel 9 will most likely get the Big Bash and now I have to listen to their commentary.

Oh I expect it will continue to be a going concern. I think though that things not big ratings/well advertised hits are going to get cut back big time. And Big Bash is one of their big successes.
 

Fredescu

Member
I like the sound of that software

It's free too: http://www.situhome.co/

I was ready to drop some cash on decent software after getting annoyed by the limitations of some house design software I got on Steam, but this is good enough so far. It has items from Australian manufacturers in it, and it's cloud based, so I assume the freeness is from advertising and such. It's a little buggy but it's tolerable. The roof design is too simple to be useful, but the rest of it is pretty good. It lets you set a marker for north and will map the light from the sun and at different times of the day. You can walk through your house like an FPS, with head bob and all. Maybe after I've built enough houses in that it will be enough to scratch the actual building itch.


When I did the owner builder project I just hired a local drafting company with decades of experience with that council, it was less than $3.5K and included two major revisions with one iteration council forced. If it's off plan you should find that $6K price pretty reasonable if you can avoid custom engineering and tons of iterating.

$3.5k sounds pretty good. I think $6k sounds a bit too reasonable. If they can do off the shelf pricing + 6k for something that is heavily customised I'll be shocked.

Did you have to do any hydraulic work for your KDR? Detention pits and such? It sounds like something that can vary greatly, depends heavily on your council, and it's not that easy to figure out on your own what you'd be up for. I've had estimates between $10k and $40k.
 
With channel 10 now looking dead, I'm kinda bummed that channel 9 will most likely get the Big Bash and now I have to listen to their commentary.

I think last summer was the last year in Channel 10's deal anyway. No way they can compete with Nine's or Foxtel's soon to come massive offers. Channel 10 got the BBL cheap when no one though anyone would care.

Ten will be fine in the long term, will probably have to cut back on sport/motoracing and will probably outsource news to Sky.
 
It's free too: http://www.situhome.co/

I was ready to drop some cash on decent software after getting annoyed by the limitations of some house design software I got on Steam, but this is good enough so far. It has items from Australian manufacturers in it, and it's cloud based, so I assume the freeness is from advertising and such. It's a little buggy but it's tolerable. The roof design is too simple to be useful, but the rest of it is pretty good. It lets you set a marker for north and will map the light from the sun and at different times of the day. You can walk through your house like an FPS, with head bob and all. Maybe after I've built enough houses in that it will be enough to scratch the actual building itch.




$3.5k sounds pretty good. I think $6k sounds a bit too reasonable. If they can do off the shelf pricing + 6k for something that is heavily customised I'll be shocked.

Did you have to do any hydraulic work for your KDR? Detention pits and such? It sounds like something that can vary greatly, depends heavily on your council, and it's not that easy to figure out on your own what you'd be up for. I've had estimates between $10k and $40k.

Minimal as we have an easement on our back boundary line and a unit built 4.5 years ago back there with drainage already present throughout the unit, carport and driveway (my home office building that isn't being knocked down). The new house connects to that setup.

We're on a slight slope, I think 2.3 degrees from memory and have some backfill going in to level for the new house slab. We had $22k of site costs within our builder's project price. Demo was a tad over $15K. That covers all demo, new connections, drainage, sand pods/pillars and backfill etc. There is a 1m levelling and mild drainage run-off around the new house for all sides too. We will also add in our own landscaping and Agi pipes etc on top of that. A mate had a water bladder installed under his house when he built new, which is a nice idea but was too costly for us.

Your first soil test will help your builder estimate site costs to a more manageable and tighter range. We negotiated a no more than $26K clause for site costs and got away with only $22K in the end.

Edit: wish I had that software last year, sounds great! We had go frosted glass on two windows due to neighbour sightlines so it's a good thing to understand thoroughly and again speeds up council approvals and plan variations.
 

Quasar

Member
So I've decided to buy a Switch, and its not like they will get any cheaper this year (if anything they will get dearer/harder to find during the Christmas period) so I might as well buy now.

Anyway I have a few questions that folks will clearly be able to answer for me.

Now keep in mind expect to use the switch as a dedicated handheld.

Here we go..

1. So the plan is to go digital only so I dont have to deal with carrying around multiple carts and so on. Thus I'm looking at the best memory card options I can afford. I had been looking at a 128GB Sandisk Ultra SDXC. Now various online pc stores (like say Computer Alliance) have them in the 65-75$ range. Any better options? Are local pc retailers reliable enough to have genuine cards and not lower quality clones?

2. As I assume a ac power charger is extra cost, just how fast does it charge over USB? fast for continuous play?

3. The same question for those USB power banks. Any recommendations for power banks?
 

jambo

Member
1. That price seems good for an SDXC of that size.

2. The Switch comes with an AC adaptor

3W9N70T.jpg


3. Best to go big, anything over 7,000 mA - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/gadget/best-power-banks-for-nintendo-switch-2017-3655422/
 

Rahk

Member
I've got an Anker PowerCore 10000 and it's pretty good I guess (nothing to compare it to). I haven't used it on my Switch yet though.
 

Quasar

Member
1. That price seems good for an SDXC of that size.

2. The Switch comes with an AC adaptor

3W9N70T.jpg


3. Best to go big, anything over 7,000 mA - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/gadget/best-power-banks-for-nintendo-switch-2017-3655422/

Right. I was looking at the Anker 20,000mA one. And with USB-c it could do double duty with my phone.

So are there some excellent carry cases? and are screen protectors really needed? who carry their switch in their bag a lot to use on commutes?
 

Recreat3

Member
Right. I was looking at the Anker 20,000mA one. And with USB-c it could do double duty with my phone.

So are there some excellent carry cases? and are screen protectors really needed? who carry their switch in their bag a lot to use on commutes?

I have the official nintendo one. It seems fine and comes with a screen protector. Basocally just use it when i take it in my car somewhere or to just store it when it isnt docked.
 
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