Why is PC gaming "dead"?

[The Funslinger]

the people who say that are trolls. Trolls can make any comment about anything. Reality is secondary to them.

For instance, trolls say console games are dumbed down. Trolls say PCs are no good for anything besides RTS games. Both sides had disproved this before the "argument" was even made. To be honest, in terms of online, PC gaming is doing far better than consoles. More console games have had servers taken down (original xbox games) but PC versions can be left up (although many are unmaintained, and get destroyed with modded games by the irritating masses.) Also, in things like L4D, on computer: Custom Campaigns, biatch.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

We have no indication that consoles will go 'motion only' (we spent ages refining the controllers to be the way they are so I can't see it being worthwhile for us to ditch them completely).

From where I'm sitting the problem with Motion Controls isn't shovelware or do odd things to the console market per se... the problem is that they represent a drive to go 'family friendly' by all the console manufacturers because Nintendo had their little market coup with that exact focus. There's nothing essentially wrong with that but there is the potential there to start undoing all the shit we've spent the past 10-15+ years fighting against and fighting for. Does gaming really need to be wedged firmly back into the general public's mind as a 'thing for kids' and consoles sold as both something to keep the kids quiet and as an exercise aid?

 

[Delusibeta]

-snip-

One word: Shovelware.

More words: I fear that consoles going motion-controls only will result in an industry crash. My argument is thus: as the Wii has demonstrated, it is easy to get lots of shovelware produced for motion control based systems. With the Kinect and Move, that stuff is getting ported. In the next generation of consoles, there will be no refuge from the shovelware, since they had gone motion control only. Hence, shovelware increases, market decreases when people realise that they're buying crap.

Bottom line: Consoles having no non-shovelware games at all, PCs having all of the "proper" games (from indies admittedly, but still).

Granted, shovelware can be a problem but we've had crap third party games on every console in every 'generation' (even the PC isn't immune to this, and the indy market isn't much better either to be honest, how many indy versions of DOOM, tetris and tower defense must there be out there?).

And I think you may be exaggerating the shovelware issue somewhat, it will never get to the point where every game on consoles will be crap cash-ins (and the PC has never been immune to this for the reasons previously stated).

We have no indication that consoles will go 'motion only' (we spent ages refining the controllers to be the way they are so I can't see it being worthwhile for us to ditch them completely).

Your 'fears' sound like a PC elitists raving in response to the fact that, yes, your time in the spotlight is mostly over (you still haven't defined what you mean exactly by 'proper games', that's a very vague term).

Essentially, "Proper" games = Not Shovelware. The reason why I used quotation marks was because it's a very vague term.

The problem with your argument is that, essentually, it has happened [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_video_game_crash_of_1983], and I think it's going to happen again, and I think motion controls will be the catalyst for it. I realise that the PC games market will be affected should there be another market crash, but it won't stop bedroom coders.

Also, I'm pretty damn sure that Sony and Microsoft will have another go at the Wii market regardless of the success or otherwise of their current motion controllers, and I'm pretty sure Nintendo won't ignore the segment of the userbase which knows only motion controls (most of the people introduced to gaming by the Wii).

 

[Aur0ra145]

It has to do with marketing and the changing ideas of people. Now people don't want to work for anything, they just want to throw a disk in a box and it give them hours of fun. Consoles make this easy for people.

Though, @ "is PC gaming dead."

Look at this. The stats for unlocking Hastings for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam. This event started on the same day for all three platforms.

http://www.battlefieldbadcompany2.com/vietnam/battleforhastings

Xbox: 28.2 Million
PS3: 21.3 Million
PC: 53.9 Million

This is based off of point acquired by team benefiting actions (healing, resupply, spotting, assists, etc.)

The PC has more than the Xbox and PS3 COMBINED!

What does this say about console gamers? Does it say that they are selfish children who only care about themselves? Why yes, the stats can very easily be read that way. Is that really what it is about? Who knows.

I for one am a PC gamer. I console gamed for a bit, but it's not for me. It seems to mindless, lacks teamwork and doesn't make you feel accomplished when you win.

In Truth, computers are NOT that hard to build. To run current games of decent settings you will be out less than $1,000 dollars (assuming you have nothing, not even a monitor and keyboard.)

I really can't grasp why people ***** about how hard it is to get into PC gaming.

 

[Nouw]

PC Gaming isn't dead. Fuck I play on the PC more than my beloved Xbox 360, PSP and NDS!

News like Space Marine on the PC instead of being a console exclusive helps that fact. *Hi Fives Relic.

 

[omicron1]

It has to do with marketing and the changing ideas of people. Now people don't want to work for anything, they just want to throw a disk in a box and it give them hours of fun. Consoles make this easy for people.

Though, @ "is PC gaming dead."

Look at this. The stats for unlocking Hastings for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam. This event started on the same day for all three platforms.

http://www.battlefieldbadcompany2.com/vietnam/battleforhastings

Xbox: 28.2 Million
PS3: 21.3 Million
PC: 53.9 Million

This is based off of point acquired by team benefiting actions (healing, resupply, spotting, assists, etc.)

The PC has more than the Xbox and PS3 COMBINED!

What does this say about console gamers? Does it say that they are selfish children who only care about themselves? Why yes, the stats can very easily be read that way. Is that really what it is about? Who knows.

I for one am a PC gamer. I console gamed for a bit, but it's not for me. It seems to mindless, lacks teamwork and doesn't make you feel accomplished when you win.

In Truth, computers are NOT that hard to build. To run current games of decent settings you will be out less than $1,000 dollars (assuming you have nothing, not even a monitor and keyboard.)

I really can't grasp why people ***** about how hard it is to get into PC gaming.

About Vietnam: Also telling is that it's not really an option to pirate Vietnam (digital download expansion pack, lots of registration and online verification involved). These are all registered, unpirated copies!
Edit: Thought this was copies sold. Still impressive, but not nearly as impressive as I'd thought.

 

[Delusibeta]

So for the cost of an Xbox, a Playstation, and a Wii COMBINED (maybe even a nintendo DS!) I can build one PC...

...

...

Not trying to be offensive, but I think THAT is a major reason why PC gaming isn't so popular, to be able to play most modern games, you'll have to spend more then you would to get at least TWO consoles (that's not even counting games or DLCs.)

Counter argument: for the price of one Off-The-Shelf PC and one console COMBINED, you could build a gaming PC that does both what the console does and what the PC does.

Since you've posted on this forum, I'm going to assume that you used a PC of some description to do so. How much did it cost, all included? $500? $600? Add in the cost of a console ($200?) and we're into the ballpark for constructing gaming PCs. While I'm not going to refute the rest of your post, most of that website is concerned with choosing your components, where there's forums which could help with that, or websites such as Tom's Hardware.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

News like Space Marine on the PC instead of being a console exclusive helps that fact. *Hi Fives Relic.

You know I have a theory that Relic always wanted to have Space Marine on the PC as well but had a little bit of a problem convincing THQ that an action title rather than a new DoW installment would fly with PC gamers, hence them getting word out early that it was console exclusive to stir up enough of a shitstorm from existing Relic fans that THQ had to take notice... and right or wrong, it's still a good theory.

The other cool thing about Space Marine coming to PC is that maybe having that IP to scratch their 'action' itch, future DoW installments will go back to their proper RTS roots.

 

[Aur0ra145]

snip

So for the cost of an Xbox, a Playstation, and a Wii COMBINED (maybe even a nintendo DS!) I can build one PC...

...

...

Not trying to be offensive, but I think THAT is a major reason why PC gaming isn't so popular, to be able to play most modern games, you'll have to spend more then you would to get at least TWO consoles (that's not even counting games or DLCs.)

Trust me, it IS hard to get into PC gaming, especially since the average person doesn't know diddly about graphic cards or even a slight thing about it. If you're really determined and try to look up how to build one, you're greeted with something like this...

http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/

While I'll admit that site does look helpful, it's practically a BOOK of info, most people really don't have enough patience to read through all of that, each page is linked to a sub-page practically, and suddenly building a PC sounds more like a summer project instead of some easy thing to do when you have the time.

If you like PCs, that's fine with me, you clearly have more patience and funds, but for me, even building a PC sounds too hard, especially while trying to balance school and a social life. I guess I'll just be stuck as one of those sad little children pressing their nose up against the shop window of Steam and sadly fantasizing of all those amazing PC exclusives.

I understand that. My dad just the other day said he wanted to build his own PC (after me talking endlessly about how easy/cheap it is to do it versus buying one from a vendor.) It took him a while. A very long while. A very very long while to put it together (I gave him most of my old gaming stuff (which is now a bit above average office computers) and held his hand when picking out the extra things he needed.) Then I stood over his should as I made him put it all together. Then I made him install the OS on the new HDD. Then I made him get drivers for the computer. So on and so forth.

I can see where it would be very difficult for a computer illiterate person to get into computers. But we're from a generation raised with computers. We should know something about them and how/why they work.

When considering PC's for gaming, all everyone talks about is the CURRENT GEN, CURRENT GEN, CURRENT GEN stuff and how you must have a monolith to play them, speaking strictly PC Gaming. Though, no one ever talks about how even a decent computer from today's "Standards" can blow through games made a year or two ago.

I love going back and playing old games, Then if I feel like it, I can hop on Black Ops and run a few rounds, then revert back to Star Wars: Rebel Assault II, because let's face it, that game was AWESOME!

And yes, a Gaming PC is expensive. But, it doesn't only solely play games like consoles (netflix aside.) I use my "Gaming PC" for school reports, work, classes, gaming, finances, web surfing, posting on the escapist, editing pictures, sending e-mail, watching movies, listening to music, etc.

I like getting the most bang for my buck, that's why I think a Gaming PC was the right choice for me. This baby has written hundreds of term papers, helped me pass my first 3 1/2 years of college. Made me money. Allowed me to play games. And cured boredom.

Any ways, good discussion, I think we are both correct in our own ways.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

suddenly building a PC sounds more like a summer project instead of some easy thing to do when you have the time.

You know what the most time consuming part of building your own PC is? Taking the time to shop around for good deals on the right components. Once you've got all the parts in front of you it can take between 10-90 minutes to put it together, depending on the number and type of components and your confidence in putting them together.

The entry barrier to PC gaming isn't as high as it used to be and it definitely isn't as high as a lot of people seem to think it is. In the end, it all comes down to a matter of if you can be arsed doing it or not.

 

[bloodychimp]

There are more big name games coming out for consoles, but most of them are shovelware and rehashes. Between Blizzard, Valve, and the indie developers releasing really good games on Steam, I've put more time into PC games than any console games this year (actually, I don't think I've played my Xbox for more than Reach and Bioshock 2).

 

[Foxbat Flyer]

PC Gaming will never die... consols are only taking over because they are cheaper...

 

[ServebotFrank]

No its not dead.

The notion comes from its evolution.

Someone can argue its dead based on exclusivity.

If you look at PC gaming and remove all MMO titles and titles that are ports of console titles you can see your left with only a handful of top shelf releases per year and a shit ton of smaller more indie titles and casual gaming efforts. Now with PSN & XBL breaking more and more into the indie/casual realm its taking a huge chunk out of what little was left on the PC plate.

This year what did PCs get as exclusive titles? Starcraft 2, Civ 5 and arguably the leader of the pack in Indie/casual was Amnesia the dark descent. Beyond that name 10 other non MMO exclusive and notable titles this year. If you cant then you see why people think PC gaming is dying, when you compare to any console and see how many games are released per console per year.

Actually most of those "console ports" were exclusively intended for the PC alone but something would come up like people bitching about it not being for 360. Left 4 Dead was announced to be PC only but changed to be multi-platform and even on that game you can clearly see that it was meant to be played on the PC (What with User Generated content.) As for games for this year you have me there. Controls are simpler since you don't have to cram a bunch of options onto what, 9 buttons? Graphics can be stunningly pretty and you don't have to update constantly I built this PC in 2007 and it still works like a charm in terms of games. Multi-player mods are just a blast to play. Speaking of which tons of people make mods on the internet; most of those are fun. PC gaming is not dead, nor is it dying if you think not go look at Steam. If they're hard up for cash do you think they would be selling games for like five dollars?

 

[fluffy chicken 2]

It's not dead, but it is dying. It's becuase it is a whole lot easier to pirate games than on a home console. If you go into a store, all their PC games are a lot cheaper than their console counterparts.

 

[tikalal]

I've always kind of hoped Microsoft would release a solution that breaks the barrier between the 360 and a PC. Say you buy a game for your 360 and pop it in the drive. It registers to your Xbox Live account and you can now download it for the PC if you want, and vice versa. Your achievements and saves cross over regardless of which platform you happen to be playing it on. See what I'm getting at here? DLC is no longer Xbox specific, but Xbox Live specific, etc, etc.

Microsoft's current Games for Windows effort is not appealing at all, and I think they could really capitalise on the PC market and get a leg up over their competitors if they did this.

The only reasons I can think of why they can't/won't do it are:

1. People might no longer want to pay for an Xbox Live subscription. It's a grossly unfair payment and one they get away with just because it's so precedented if you get what I mean.

2. They're a huge gelatinous blob who couldn't possibly organise themselves enough to achieve something like this.

What do you guys think? This would pretty much mean that the only barrier between console and PC gaming is the hardware itself, and segregation in multiplayer when it would be unfair to have mouse/keyboard vs a controller.

 

[EBHughsThe1st]

It's not dead. Hell, the Mac gaming is doing better than ever. Valve is keeping it going. As is Blizzard. I'm still new to the PC/MAC (I can say that. Steam on Mac. STEAM ON MAC.) Gaming scene, but I say it's fine. Just overshadowed by the consoles.

 

[That Greek Guy]

i used to be a console gamer
i have all the newer consoles since launch and used to only play those. Pc was there just for its exclusives. And then i discovered steam.
Holy *** was i suprised when i found just cause 2 for 7$ instead of 60$.
i have yet to buy anything for a console ever since. Its just so much more expensive

 

[Nouw]

News like Space Marine on the PC instead of being a console exclusive helps that fact. *Hi Fives Relic.

You know I have a theory that Relic always wanted to have Space Marine on the PC as well but had a little bit of a problem convincing THQ that an action title rather than a new DoW installment would fly with PC gamers, hence them getting word out early that it was console exclusive to stir up enough of a shitstorm from existing Relic fans that THQ had to take notice... and right or wrong, it's still a good theory.

The other cool thing about Space Marine coming to PC is that maybe having that IP to scratch their 'action' itch, future DoW installments will go back to their proper RTS roots.

I just hope it's a good game, so it can spawn a few sequels, multiplayer and DLC. After all, we all want to play as one of the most original and badass Space Marines right?

I also can see truth in that theory. It isn't like Relic to ditch their entire existing fanbase.
I swear in the really early days of Dawn of War 2 production (was in their community forum) they said 'We're going to revisit the original Dawn of War games later' or something similar.

More proof that PC gaming isn't dead, it's quite alive and kicking.
[sub]7007th post, yay![/sub]

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

(What with User Generated content.)

Small correction...

User Generated Content is content made by the user with in-game editting tools.
User Created Content is content made by users with tools not supplied in-game (1st and 3rd party mod tools)

Small but significant difference... well, significant if you've ever been into the game modding scene.

 

[IamQ]

Someone get the picture!

Yessir!

I wonder when someone will make an upgraded version of that picture, since that picture is about 3 years old.