It never fails, when a new console comes out the inevitable happens; people start speculating about the death of PC Gaming. Just ask the guys at PC Gamer magazine – they get it all the time, yet their magazine continues to grow.
CNET published an article about the XBOX 360. Somewhere in there they posed the question “With the ultimate combination of gaming, digital media hub, and online communications, will new gaming consoles such as the Xbox 360 put PC gaming in the grave?”
Let me preface my article by stating that the day PC Gaming ends up “in the grave” is the day that gaming in general dies.
This day will never happen – at least not until we lose interest in playing video games. If gaming in general dies, then we might as well go back to the 1970's because the computing industry as we know it will die and CNET and everyone else in this space will be out of business.
There are too many reasons to list, the long and the short of it is PC gaming drives multiple industries in more ways than one.
If not for PC Gaming Microsoft would not be dumping a ton of resources into their next generation operating system. Microsoft did not create the XBOX 360 in order to kill their future operating system sales, in fact they did this to fill a large void in the living room. Microsoft is focusing a ton of resources into Windows Vista in order to make it clear that Vista is the ultimate operating system for gaming, entertainment, amongst other things. Microsoft Vista is going to raise the bar for gamers, and it’s going to allow developers to wring out all of their creative juices in order to conjure up the ultimate experience on the big screen.
If not for PC Gaming ATi and Nvidia would have no reason to compete to create the best 3D Graphics chipsets. There is certainly little doubt that the PC industry drives much of the hardware that goes into consoles – and without the extreme bleeding edge being developed for PCs companies like ATi and Nvidia wouldn’t be able to generate the resources to compete at the console level. The fact of the matter is the graphics companies do their best to lead in the PC space in order to generate sales in other vertical markets. You also must consider that the graphics technologies in the latest Gaming PC are far superior to those in a gaming console (albeit more expensive).
If not for the PC Gaming industry you wouldn’t be able to play real 3D games on your cellular phones or PDA devices. ATi and Nvidia wouldn’t be anywhere near as far as they are now in the development of such mobile technologies.
If not for PC Gaming there would be very little reason to create faster/better processors. AMD and Intel would be making commodity chips and innovation would be put on the backburner in order to cut costs and continue to develop commodity silicon.
If not for PC Gaming we wouldn’t have games like Age of Empires III, World of Warcraft, Everquest, Doom III, FEAR, the list goes on and on. Even though many games are played well on a console, you just will not get the same level of experience that you do from the PC. There are certain games that play better on console (like sports games) and certain games that play better on the PC. They both compliment each other in various ways.
If not for PC Gaming the major game developers would be bound by mind barriers that may prevent them from creating the ultimate gaming experience. PC Gaming allows them to take advantage of all types of hardware tools such as AMD 64-bit technology, Nvidia SLI, ATi Crossfire, Creative Labs X-FI audio, and much more. Many of these developers are trained to develop games with no mind barriers whatsoever, and the details are then cut down to match the hardware in the platform.
I don’t care what console you have, you just cannot play a game at 1920x1200 with maximum detail enabled, maximum audio settings, maximum “experience” enabled on a console. It’s just not possible – because the console doesn’t allow you to adjust such settings, they are already pre-configured. Although the XBOX 360 has raised the bar for all previous consoles, it certainly hasn’t eliminated the need for a PC.
The beauty of a console is the “plug and play”. Being able to slide a game into the device, turn it on, and play is the sell. With PCs it requires installation, setup, configuration, perhaps a driver update – the list goes on. Then again, being able to patch your PC games is actually a plus – it ensures you have the latest, most stable version, and also gives you added features for free. The fact of the matter is, if you don’t mind working with the PC you’ll have a much more rewarding experience.
PC Gaming has been growing at a faster rate than console gaming for a number of years now. This could be attributed to the fact that no new consoles have been released in awhile, and perhaps the tides will change slightly with the launch of the XBOX 360 (once we get through the buggy launch situation).
There is no way PC Gaming is dead, that’s the bottom line. I still own an XBOX 360, but there's no way I would replace it with my PC - that's just ridiculous. Comments? Flames? Additions?
For those of you who don’t like searching for patches for your PC games check out www.voodoogamedoctor.com. It’s an indispensable utility that keeps your PC up to date and allows you to download game demos on the fly.
43 blogger comments:
Yeah, you pretty muched summed it up. I have to agree with you on everything you said, and there would be A LOT of jobless people out there if Gaming didn't exist..
Bravo, I couldn't have said it better.
BOOM.. HEADSHOT!
Rahul you not only know the one or two about Pc system's but you also Know VERY much about the mind of a gamer
Damn i'am so happy that you founded voodoopc Rahul
Best of it's kind no doubt
and yes Microsodt is really working hard to get bosth the Desktop and Console Center in the Room
like me i will try to do that also !
dark grey red room voodoo RAge Nice black LCD 66cm and Full DTS 5.1 sound with Windows Vista home entertainment
good for me for you and my mom and dad :)
Yhea i got a Weak spot for my parent's :P
but it just like Rahul said having many DVD/CD's it a mess getiing them Neat and ored so why not Digitilze them :-D
you got me in ti anywat :P
greez
-Claymore
"PC Gaming has been growing at a faster rate than console gaming for a number of years now."
Wrong. PC game sales and titles have been declining steadily.
A PC is tool. A console is a toy.
Which is meant for fun?
PC gamers care more about hardware than games. Which costs more a gaming PC or the games?
NVIDIA and ATI don't make games,
Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo do. Who knows more about gameplay?
Nice try.
Who in there right mind could seriously think that PC gaming could ever die. Anyone that thinks that will every happen should be shot. But Even with the XBox 360 having 3 PowerPC cores, which is more than any gaming pc, PC's still can have much better graphics. Its also much more fun, in my opinion to build an awesome gaming pc than fighting over an XBox 360 or having to pay $1500 to $4000 on ebay for one. PC Gaming Rules. Rock on gamers
What complete and utter nonsense, that fact that someone whose livelihood is based on PC sales has to write an article in defence speaks volumes.
PC gaming is pretty much dead not through lack of power, but through lack of games being fun or innovative, just look at the upcoming PC releases for an example of what I mean - if you can find any.
Don’t be taken in by this charlatans views, think for yourself.
XBOX 360 (version 2) is just a console which is why can't replace the PC. But PS3 are not just a console ! Don't forget this.
FreeQ
You seem to have a good grasp of what's going on as do i. This fear of losing PC gaming was said during the last console launch - sure the consoles "briefly" have mass appeal for what they can do, and might very briefly pass up PC spec, but that window closes extremely fast. By the time the xbox360 is out in numbers the PC will have already very much passed up that tech (actually it's in the process now). With consoles you can't adjust AA/AF or anything else. The PC drives console tech anyway. PC has always lead the way, and always will.
If I didn't play MMOG's there wouldn't be much reason to maintain a computer capable of gaming. The few class A titles developed primarily for the computer hardly justify it. The point is made in the article, that hardware manufacturers need gaming to justify their existence, but the costs compared to consoles are absurd. Look at what they are pushing, TWO video cards, $250 "Gamer" sound cards, multi core cpu's and what's this new thing - A physics card? All this to play, increasingly, ports of console games? No, PC Gaming isn't going to die but the software developers will continue to drive it to the margins. There is no questioning the superiority of the PC as a gaming platform but consoles are where the money is. Unless the hardware developers realize this and find a solution, they will be pandering to an ever shrinking market.
Now back to the task at hand, getting F.E.A.R. to run without spending another $500. What to do, what to do.
Hey "Anonymous", Nice try back at you;
Wrong. PC game sales and titles have been declining steadily.
Wrong. PC Gaming revenue has been growing faster than console game revenue. You have no arguement here. Part of the reason for the increase in sales is because of games like WoW and Everquest.
A PC is tool. A console is a toy. Which is meant for fun?
Hmm, I don't want to touch this.
PC gamers care more about hardware than games. Which costs more a gaming PC or the games?
Um, is this not an obvious question? Why are you asking this question should be my question.
NVIDIA and ATI don't make games,
Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo do. Who knows more about gameplay?
Hmmm... Whoever you are, you really didn't take the time to think before you posted. No big deal. First I never said Nvidia and ATi make games. I said without Nvidia and ATi you'd be playing on something like your Intellivision. Nvidia and ATi design the tools to develop games. Nvidia is designing the PS3 platform from the ground up. ATi was asked to design both Nintendo and XBOX 360 graphics. What planet are you from?
Nice try.
Um, yeah. Thanks.
Anonymous #2:
What complete and utter nonsense, that fact that someone whose livelihood is based on PC sales has to write an article in defence speaks volumes.
The fact that you posted anonymously speaks volumes.
PC gaming is pretty much dead not through lack of power, but through lack of games being fun or innovative, just look at the upcoming PC releases for an example of what I mean - if you can find any.
Yeah I know what you mean. World of Warcraft, FEAR, Age of Empires III, Everquest II, Call of Duty 2 (which is much better on the PC than a console), rFACTOR, Star Wars Galaxies.... The were just some of the games released this year. The upcoming list of titles is actually more impressive than the above - but you have to keep in mind the release of the XBOX will actually spur more development.
Don’t be taken in by this charlatans views, think for yourself.
Thanks for the advice, you're certainly thinking for yourself no question about that. :)
Is PC gaming Dieing? No. It is hurting though.
I can't see Computer gaming dieing as long as there are new, and inovative mods being released for the computer.
Computer gaming is not as expensive as one may think. Really ignorance is what is killing PC gaming. People have no problem spending $700 on a 360 bundle, but find it stupid to spend that money on a well equiped gaming computer. Double standard much?
And did you see those deals on Black Friday? $300 for a A64 rig. Add $200 for a 6800GS, and you computer > 360
My favorite part about the 1900x1200 resolution was just the icing on the cake. With Athlon FX-57 and dual 7800GTX w/ 512 RAM .. a PC is way superior than anything. When Xbox 360 specs were announced it sounded amazing. It's awesome, I've played it but .. PC Gamer for life!
I am a gamer on both PC's and Consoles and I can say that the XBox 360 is a much more enjoyable device to play games on.
Some of your arguments do not hold ground, such as the ability to patch games on a PC. You CAN do that on the XBox 360. You could do it on the original XBox. All you need is XBox live, which is now free (Silver).
Resolution and graphics power are also now comparible, with 1080i (1080p with PS3) coming in at 1920x1080. Also remember that that PC video card costs more than an XBox 360.
Another point was that Microsoft is using PC gaming to sell OS's. Also no longer true. Windows Vista (higher versions) will have Media Center built into them. The XBox 360 can stream from media center PC's. THIS is what will drive PC sales. playing games on the 360 and streaming media on your 360 from your Media Center (Vista) PC.
PC Gaming is not dead. I totally agree, but I don't think it is for all the reasons you gave above. It has been dealt a serious blow by the next gen consoles though.
AND FOR THIS COMMENT... "With Athlon FX-57 and dual 7800GTX w/ 512 RAM .. "
How much did that cost?
I have a PC, PS2, 360, and a gamecube. some games they have are
1) fun (Mario Party)
2) really couldn't play on a console/pc (sports/rpg and rts)
3) only on a console/pc (Halo 2/CS:S)
Pretty much, I play what I like. I don't care if it is on PC, 360, NES, or Atari 2600, if it's fun, I'll play it. And some people just can't understand that concept.
Having to defend PC gaming is a tell-all sign that PC gaming is dying. You don't hear console makers saying that the consoles are winning do you? Everyone knows it is happening and thats the way it is.
Xbox 360 costs $400, equivalent PC costs $3500+. Hmm how many console games can you get with that price difference? PC gaming may be more technologically advanced, but common users can't see the resolution difference, and the price of updating the PC, at least $1000 every 2 years to run the "latest" game is just plain stupid. PC gaming is on the way out save for only two types of games: MMORPG and FPS(as good on conlsole too)... Xbox 360 has superior hardware, and a better game pipeline coming out that you can easily purchase instead of a PC and one game.
Absolutely, man, well said. It was pointed out to me a while back that yeah, sure, these new consoles are super ultra mega powerful and can do everything from play DVDs to making coffee and giving you a backrub, but all the best games are on PC. And I just stopped and laughed, because that's so true. All my angst about the 'death of PC gaming' disappeared, because I realised that however great these consoles are, all the games that I want to play are on PC. There is not one single game coming out for the 360 or PS3 that make me wish I had one. On the flipside, though, my bank account is in severe pain because of all the awesome PC games coming out right now. FEAR, Quake 4, The Movies, X3, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion... So many great games, not one of them on a console!
Rumours of PC gaming's death have been greatly exagerated.
Yeah, theres so little innovation at the PC camp... Nintendo with all there genius should show us how to make great games like mario party 8 and tennis 4 and metroid 5....
I think the fact console players are impressed with Xbox live is testament to how much they've missed out on over the years. OMG i can pay microsoft to play games online! this is the best feature ever for only $20 a month.
If lack of monthly game releases are a problem then im glad PC gamers don't have to put up with hundreds of sequels.
PC gaming will die when a controller is invented for consoles that allows for precision control like a mouse/KB in a FPS. The current control system for FPS on consoles is terrible.
PC Gaming won't die, but I disagree about your reasons. This is going to sound silly, but it won't die for two simple reasons: because PCs are a platform capable of running games, and because they are extremely cheap to develop for.
Virtually every electronic computing platform in history has had games developed for it, whether it be a graphing calculator or a latest-gen x86 CPU. Companies have found ways of making enjoyable, sellable games on cell phones for f**ks sake.
Game development on a PC is also extremely cheap compared to consoles - there are free compilers, IDEs, and graphics SDKs that allow anyone with a PC to become a game developer. If you want to develop for a ps2, you need a $20k dev kit. But a PC is its own dev kit. When corporations stop producing PC games (but why should they, when porting console games to PC costs little), smaller, independant developers unable to compete in the console market will take their place.
All this to say that the day personal computers cease to exist is the day PC gaming will die, and no sooner.
What gets me is companys like voodoo and alienware are way over priced. I can build the same PC that they sell for 4000 for almost 1/2 the price if not at least saving 1000 bucks. Its such BS what these so called PC gamming companys charge you for a PC. There are good games on PC and for consoles so I hope that they both stick around for a while.
If you could build the exact same PC as Voodoo or Alienware for $2000 less you should start your own company, seems to make sense to me.
Bad Pool, very valid points, thanks for your comments...
people who say consoles are cheaper forget that in order to get the full experience from xbox 360 and ps3 you're gunna have to shell out $$ for an HDTV.
Honestly, I wonder how some of you can be so stupid. Rahul you should know this, and I think you do.
People have gone "OH WOW, THE XBOX 360 HAS A PPC CORE CHIP WITH TRI-3.2GHZ COREZ!!! PMGZ BLOWZ PC AMD 64 FX-57/4800+ DC OUT OF WATER!!!"
Yet the funny thing is, is its the same shit as it was before. Back before, it was clockspeed that made the difference, and now its starting to be core number. But the one thing that people don't know, is how long the pipeline is. How long is the pipeline per core on the chip you ask?
2. Yeah 2 stage pipeline. While a shorter pipe is good for things that are random, something so short means that you can only do so much. You gotta find a good balance between long pipe (Intel) Short pipe (The xbox 360 chip) and the center (AMD).
Some other things is, you people are idiots. LOMG XBOX 360 COSTS $400!!!
Oh it does does it? After you add on the cost for Xbox Gold (Yeah, you have to pay them for permission to use their service, or did you guys forget this? Silver dosen't do much, other then let you update), Add on the cost for additional controllers, how about that nice 1080i TV you are playing it on (Oh, didn't think of that did you?), and all the rest of the crap you are using to play with it, it comes out to be a pretty decent chunk of cash too dosen't it?
Most people just don't think that that nice 1080i TV costs a few thousand, but of course it doubles as TV too dosen't it? I personally watch my TV on my computer with a TV tuner. I get tivo like service for free.
Like some guy said above, there were $300 A64 PCs based on a Venice 3000 on black Friday, and come Cyber Monday, you can probably buy a 6800GS or an X800GTO2 for quite a bit less then expected too. To think that just because the new consoles are being released that PCs are going to die is just something stupid.
Hell, the current GPU on the Xbox 360 can be considered less than a X800XT, which a 7800GT or the X800GTO2 can outclass easily. The problem is, is people don't think about every little thing. Sure that PC will cost a bit, but the thing is, is you can do anything with it. Anything you so please. You can make a PC do anything, and it can be useful for a much longer time then a console can be.
And one other thing that some of you idiots forgot, you say that PC games need so much additional money to be invested in order to play games. While this is true, to a degree, it is infact, full of crap. Who said that you had to run it at completely maxed settings? Heck I know people who play FEAR on a 2500+ Barton w/ 1GB of RAM and a 5900U, and it works fine. Sure it won't be on the highest settings, but then again, lets see how FEAR runs on a console. Oh wait..
Think about stuff before you speak.
Honestly, I wonder how some of you can be so stupid. Rahul you should know this, and I think you do.
People have gone "OH WOW, THE XBOX 360 HAS A PPC CORE CHIP WITH TRI-3.2GHZ COREZ!!! PMGZ BLOWZ PC AMD 64 FX-57/4800+ DC OUT OF WATER!!!"
Yet the funny thing is, is its the same shit as it was before. Back before, it was clockspeed that made the difference, and now its starting to be core number. But the one thing that people don't know, is how long the pipeline is. How long is the pipeline per core on the chip you ask?
2. Yeah 2 stage pipeline. While a shorter pipe is good for things that are random, something so short means that you can only do so much. You gotta find a good balance between long pipe (Intel) Short pipe (The xbox 360 chip) and the center (AMD).
Some other things is, you people are idiots. LOMG XBOX 360 COSTS $400!!!
Oh it does does it? After you add on the cost for Xbox Gold (Yeah, you have to pay them for permission to use their service, or did you guys forget this? Silver dosen't do much, other then let you update), Add on the cost for additional controllers, how about that nice 1080i TV you are playing it on (Oh, didn't think of that did you?), and all the rest of the crap you are using to play with it, it comes out to be a pretty decent chunk of cash too dosen't it?
Most people just don't think that that nice 1080i TV costs a few thousand, but of course it doubles as TV too dosen't it? I personally watch my TV on my computer with a TV tuner. I get tivo like service for free.
Like some guy said above, there were $300 A64 PCs based on a Venice 3000 on black Friday, and come Cyber Monday, you can probably buy a 6800GS or an X800GTO2 for quite a bit less then expected too. To think that just because the new consoles are being released that PCs are going to die is just something stupid.
Hell, the current GPU on the Xbox 360 can be considered less than a X800XT, which a 7800GT or the X800GTO2 can outclass easily. The problem is, is people don't think about every little thing. Sure that PC will cost a bit, but the thing is, is you can do anything with it. Anything you so please. You can make a PC do anything, and it can be useful for a much longer time then a console can be.
And one other thing that some of you idiots forgot, you say that PC games need so much additional money to be invested in order to play games. While this is true, to a degree, it is infact, full of crap. Who said that you had to run it at completely maxed settings? Heck I know people who play FEAR on a 2500+ Barton w/ 1GB of RAM and a 5900U, and it works fine. Sure it won't be on the highest settings, but then again, lets see how FEAR runs on a console. Oh wait..
Think about stuff before you speak.
I've defended the same position about consoles for years and years. Console gaming doesn't kill, hurt, or destroy PC gaming. The two are fairly independant markets.
Some games are better on the PC, perhaps because of the keyboard and mouse, among other things; perhaps more flexibility when it comes to choices in hardware. Sometimes it's more comfortable to sit at a desk for 4 hours while playing the game instead of holding a keyboard on your lap.
Nitche games with little replayability don't generally do too well on the PC, whereas they do well on consoles. Perhaps it's because you can grab a few friends and sit in the livingroom in front of the TV?
PC's will always be more expensive then a console, but I fail to see why this makes any difference. As long as people continue to pay, how is this even an arguing point? Yup, we know the Xbox 360 is $400. Yup, we know a top end gaming rig could cost $2000. Of course, you can do a lot more with the PC, and the consoles don't actually cost $400 - if Microsoft and Sony tried to make equivelant profit from these systems as with a PC, they'd cost over $1000.
If anything, the PC is in a better position to take over the console market then the other way around. While there's been none, zero, zip effort to get game systems on your desk, there's been a lot of progress getting the PC under your TV.
In the end, I see the current generation of game systems as a fight to keep consoles relevant. With the continued drops in prices for workable PC hardware, and the pushes to get your PC connected to the TV, we have companies like Microsoft and Sony taking losses on the game systems to keep you focused on the systems they control, versus systems they don't.
It's something to think about.
I have a question involving EQ II. When it came out they had all these quality settings that were not supposed to run on current gen video cards. At the time that was 6800 class. Not that we have 7800 GTX 512 SLI and you STILL cannot run it on the top two or three quality settings. Is this bad programming on the part of Sony or what? Will we ever be able to run this before EQ III comes out?
The expectation is that PCs will always provide a gaming experience significantly better than consoles. That simply isn't true. Sooner or later, the lines will be blurred enough so that people will not be able to justify the expense of gaming rigs. I've seen the Xbox 360 and it is easily competitive with high-end PC gaming, on top of that being a ridiculously simpler overall experience. PCs are just very versatile machines and PC graphics are getting to the point that even modest systems have enough horsepower to run sophisticated games. That leaves the user experience as the defining factor and I don't think anyone would disagree that consoles have PCs beat on that front. Without a significant presence in the console gaming space, it makes perfect sense for MS to continue to offer gaming capabilities in its OS... it's more than a value-adding feature, it's the gift that keeps on giving. But MS has long benefitted from the commoditized nature of PCs and the fact that people purchase them to do many other things. Throw in Sony's failure to create developer friendly tools and Nintendo's refusal to put in value-adding features in its gaming systems (c'mon no DVD in the GameCube? Ridiculous) and you have an ecosystem that is favorable to PC gaming. But what happens when Sony or Nintendo wake up and realize that the software is the system and create consoles built almost entirely on PC technology, but scaled-down with limited upgradability? It's already happening somewhat in this iteration of consoles. Imagine an ecology with PlayStationOS or NintendoOS on cool, industrially designed boxes that are cheaply customizable? Many of you are probably thinking "You could just put those operating systems on PCs." Not so. It's easier to build a relatively closed system... less issues with device drivers and variation. Apple has been doing this for years. Once console makers start thinking like MS and start making developer friendly operating systems with media-specific value-adding features that make sense such as satellite radio, DVR features, on-demand video, and so forth along with gaming, PC gaming would be finished. The capabilities, price point, and relative simplicity of the console would slowly but surely kill PC gaming.
I used to think consoles would kill PC gaming but I underestimated the stupidity of the players in the console space. Sony is horrible at software (and failing miserably in hardware now) and Nintendo refuses to commit to being a "multimedia" platform, sticking with a games only strategy. Sony will continue to eat Microsoft's lunch in the console space (check out my posts on OSNews' "Xbox 360: Is the Honeymoon Over?" article for more on this) but will fail to wrestle gaming away from the PC. Until consoles co-opt the PCs multimedia capabilities completely, the PC will remain in a position of strength. It would take dedication and competence that both Sony and Nintendo lack to extend their platforms effectively.
Well something you haven't all been talking is about life value... you seem all to be comparing $$$$$ of the initial investment value...
If Consoles are lots cheaper, except if you ad the hdtv set, the life expectancy of the consoles are alot longer... This is good? Well... It depends... PS3 is expected to last 10 years in a living room... in 10 years time the upgrade cicle of Computers will have run for 2,5 times for the average computer owners (enterprises also, meaning 4 years with a computer, and this is very high for gaming folks)
What does this mean? in two years time the specs of the console will be the low end of the computer industry (if they even exist) and will be available for 300€ less in a wallmart near you, so, is a console really this cheap? the impossibility of upgrading to keep up with computers... doesn't it have an added value cost? or am I looking in the wrong direction and this "upgrading" cycle is a bad thing for computer users as they are "forced" to do it to keep competitive with pc games?
What about the developers?
they port computer games from consoles because it is easyer to port them this way than the other way around... Its just a development thing, it's not because they want to... It is easier to create a game on a controled hardware environment as well as Intellectual property controled (harder to pirate), launch it and start to be payed to port it to a more universal hardware, with every quality (un) control existing, than the oposite.
About the death of computers as a gaming rig... you got to be kidding... Computers will always establish gaming limits... not the other way around... just ask the flight/driving sim comunity! It is my take that this kind of gaming shows the way for gaming that any console will ever attend to, and the spending limits too!
hey, would just like 2 say thnx 4 being a guest appereance in pure pwnage as its such a kool show (boom headshot) :P
As far as pc gaming goes, once developers start making their games multithreaded (which they just released a patch for the popular titles of COD2 and Quake 4) pc games will surpass both consoles as Intel and AMD are turning up the manufacturing on multi-core processors. SlI and Crossfire already prove a solution to be more powerful than the consoles and the joint venture between CPU(AMD/Intel)and GPU(ATI/Nvidia)puts the pc gaming world full fledge. Don't worry PC gamers, buy the summer 06, pc's will be on par!
PC hardware has always been and will always be more powerful. But it's meaningless because:
Few, if any, PC games actually push new PC hardware to it's limits. And even fewer are any good. WOW, EQ2, Sims 2, all target low-mid range hardware (i.e. console quality), and rake in the cash for doing so.
After spending a couple years making an engine most developers want to milk it for all it's worth. They choose to use the older technology over the newer. It's easier and cheaper.
By the time "bleeding edge" PC hardware becomes mainstream a new console is already or about to be released.
Most PC games are CPU bound, making powerful GPUs sit idle.
Short term PC hardware advances are small bumps in areas like AA/AF and fillrates. Significant technologies like SM 4.0, DX10, HDR, PRT, take years to develop and implement, not months.
Also, because a PC is an inherently less efficient machine than a dedicated machine, the actual differences in graphics, etc. are not huge, but moderate at best. Look at D3 on the XBox or Q4 on XBox 360 and there's not enough to justify the expense of PC gaming hardware.
PCs cleary are potentially better. There just isn't any incentive to reach that potential.
That's what's killing PC gaming.
The biggger threat to PC gaming is not the consoles but small PCs with integrated GPUs, such as notebooks and mini-pcs. The bulky, ugly, CRT died when thin, sleek LCDs took over. Bulky, ugly PCs will die when small, stylish PCs take over.
Yeah, it's funny. My friends go on and on about Xbox Live and VOip. And i laugh and say...uhh yeah i've been playing games online since 1997, and they had voice chat in counterstrike in 99...and you pay for that?
As a die hard PC gamer for quite sometime, I personally am moving away from them. A gaming rig can really cost you a lot of cash. I spent a pile of cash upgrading my rig last year on a decent mid-ranged (at the time) 6600GT and 1GB of ram. I could by an Xbox360 now for the same price, and that would blow my current PC out of the water.
At the end of the day it is down to what type of games you prefer. I no longer have the time needed to be good at RTS games or waste hours playing MMORPGs. FPS games are completely boring for me now, and CS Source is just about the only PC game I can see myself playing.
Console games are more attractive to me now for their simple pick up and play nature and deceptive simplicity but hugely challenging and rewarding gameplay and the fact that they are begining to break into online capabilities. Playing fighting games, and the likes online is potentially huge!
Games like Shinobi for PS2, House of the dead 3 for Xbox, Mario 64 and Mario sunshine, Zelda series, Ninja Gaiden on Xbox, Soul Calibur etc. These are all games that you don't see on the PC and even if you do the experience is greatly inferior. The sign that PC games are losing ground to consoles is that you will see a high percentage of 'PC gamers with consoles' than 'console gamers with gaming PC's'.
Pc gaming can never die because PC's are better at somethings. I don't have the money to invest heavily in both so I decided to go with console predominately and do pc gaming on the side, the opposite of what i have done up until now.
I think it's outrageously idiotic to input that pc gaming is going 'extinct'. A computer is not just a gaming system, although many people make it one. One who does build should already be intelligent enough to know that there ARE high performance gaming consoles, and yet they still prefer to game on a PC (Just because, gaming experience for them is better on PC). For those who prefer consoles, it's the easy way around to find gaming entertainment. Think about it, how rare is it to find parents who are willing to make the time in investing on a 2000$ computer just so their children can play great games? They'd go for the 360 or the upcoming PS3 to make it easy and efficient. But efficient to what extent? That's a big reason why the sales rate of consoles are raising.
PC gaming will never die though, because that's just what keeps gaming alive. Also note the fact that once you already have a high end system, every future upgrade does not cost another 2000$. It's just dependent on how hardcore you are as a gamer. Some games just seem more right on PC, and more efficient. FPS, MMO, it's a whole different experience on PC than it is on console.
Consoles will never die either, because it's the easiest and most efficient way to purchase gaming entertainment. Any big store carries consoles. (Well, except when they're out of stock and the price suddenly jumps to 800$ on ebay.)
PC gaming cannot possibly die out, simply because people preferably take the gaming experience to the max.
It's also mainly dependent amongst the user, as I could easily build a computer with equal gaming performance (or even better) as the 360 for just a little over a grand. With that, I have over 250GB of storage, plus a multitasking monster in which gaming, downloading, uploading, listening to music, burning dvd's or just cd's, and more, all at the same time.
Now if you could do that with the 360 for just 400$ then I'd hand it to you.
PC Gaming comes a long way, so it will continue a long way. Besides, I don't think someone builds a PC only because they game, even if they're hardcore gamers. It's like an extra. If you didn't game, well that's minus 400$ (GFX card equivalent (or even better) to that of a 360) from your computer. It'll be just a regular computer for 600$ (pertaining to a customized computer).
When you say PC gaming is going to die, you're pretty much saying the whole computer industry is going to die. AND THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
The strengths and weaknesses between console and PC, as well as pricing, is academic in this space. Everyone here is some kind of gamer, PC, console or both. The perception that "PC gaming is dying" doesn't come from the rank and file, but from the focus of the industry and adaptation by non-gamers and casual gamers.
I didn't really catch ANY strong PC news reports by ANY gaming media site. It was all about Nintendo's rise and Sony's fall. If E3 is the hajj of the gaming industry, it could easily be said that PC titles were a no-show. Check out any non-gamer media when they mention "video games" and they are most assuridly talking ONLY about consoles. The perception is being perpetuated that consoles are video games. PC games are something you play when you're taking a break from editing your digital photos or sending email (which is how a lot of PCs are being marketed...as email and phot organization stations). Finally, check out your shelf space at your local Games/Electronics Retailer. PC software has been either marginalized or removed almost entirely in favor of console titles. This isn't a decision made by the consumer, but by those who decide what to stock the store with. It's psychological more then marketing.
The low numbers on PC sales comes from the fact that they were only being tracked at the store shelf, and not by digital distribution. Also, subscription games weren't being taken into account (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=11602).
The strengths and weaknesses between console and PC, as well as pricing, is academic in this space. Everyone here is some kind of gamer, PC, console or both. The perception that "PC gaming is dying" doesn't come from the rank and file, but from the focus of the industry and adaptation by non-gamers and casual gamers.
I didn't really catch ANY strong PC news reports by ANY gaming media site. It was all about Nintendo's rise and Sony's fall. If E3 is the hajj of the gaming industry, it could easily be said that PC titles were a no-show. Check out any non-gamer media when they mention "video games" and they are most assuridly talking ONLY about consoles. The perception is being perpetuated that consoles are video games. PC games are something you play when you're taking a break from editing your digital photos or sending email (which is how a lot of PCs are being marketed...as email and phot organization stations). Finally, check out your shelf space at your local Games/Electronics Retailer. PC software has been either marginalized or removed almost entirely in favor of console titles. This isn't a decision made by the consumer, but by those who decide what to stock the store with. It's psychological more then marketing.
The low numbers on PC sales comes from the fact that they were only being tracked at the store shelf, and not by digital distribution. Also, subscription games weren't being taken into account (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=11602).
I've been trying to tell everyone that PC's are better than consoles ever since the first playstation!
To date I have still not owned a single console. I prefer the complex and immersive PC Game environment.
Excellent article.. you said what I have been trying to say for many many years now.
Kaji
One thing I havent heard in any of this is any pc gamers school these idiots on game prices for pc versus console.I am going to explain it like this (and I know at least one person here knows what I am saying),Can you get your games for free on console? (ala torrents/p2p??) dident think so lol.No you go to your local gamestop etc etc and shell out 20 - 60 bucks for games when all we have to do to check out our latest digs for pc is go to the local piratebay and download a copy then apply the fixes and magically we have a brand new pc game release without paying jack sh*t for it.And for established reasons already said I am going to say that PC gaming is what seperates the smart gamers from the dumb ones.Because theres NOWAY you can tell me the online gameplay in BF2 on PC is the same as the bullsh*t on the XBOX 360!Or any online gameplay on pc is the same as any bullsh*t console gamers play online.PC gaming is what seperates the men from the boys plain and simple.
Wait, so Anonymous thinks the way to save PC Gaming is by killing it? By means of stealing from game creators over P2P Networks? Hmmm . . . No - That's not very smart!
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