PC gaming… Not quite dead yet.
by Steve Parsons 
{ Jul 25th 2005 at 12:30PM }
Reports of the PC being dead as a gaming platform have been greatly exaggerated. The doom 
sayers have often said it's the end. Usually around when a new console
generation is set to appear, and yet here we are. We're still gaming on our PC's.
Gamerdad has a good look at the PC as a gaming platform, and concludes that it's not dead. In fact, it's doing rather
well. It is ironic, however, the article cites Battlefield 2 as a shining example of PC gaming, when it's been a joke
of a release, really, highlighting a lot of what stinks with PC gaming. The PC has some great games, for sure. Gaming
on the PC also causes a lot more headaches.
PC release: Install the game. Download the already released patch which, if on dialup, could take more than an hour.
Run the title, find it won't run due to the copy protection not liking your particular hardware setup. Hunt down a
no-cd crack. Run the game. Watch it crash, Update your graphics drivers. Watch it run, only to realise it won't
recognise any of your controllers, despite the documentation clearly saying your controller is supported. Give up and
use keyboard controls. Try and connect to online server, only to be told it can't validate your game files, because
you've had to use a no-cd crack to get the game running in the first place. Quit in disgust, only to find out two other
programs are now broken due to the graphics driver update, and you can no longer play AVI's without the bottom third of
the picture being blurred and unwatchable.
Console release: Put disk in system. Play.
I wish I was making that PC information up, but sadly, I'm not. It's an amalgam of problems I've had with two games on
the PC recently.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zero2dash @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
I've never had problems installing or getting PC games to run. (This is 10+ years of experience.)
Some of these mentioned "problems" are a joke. Dialup, get with the program. Most gamers (especially PC ones at that) have broadband. Copy protection doesn't (AFAIK) blacklist itself and/or not run due to PC hardware discrepancies. Controllers? What PC gamers out there use controllers? I don't use controllers unless I'm playing emulators and that's another story altogether.
What is this writer using...Windows 95b on a 486? No wonder you're having problems.
nondual @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Those problems are exactly the kind of things that turned me off completely about PC games.
Now I game with consoles...and I use a Mac.
bill @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
zero2dash, a lot of people bought half-life 2 when it came out and couldn't get it to run. I had a new system with a new DVD-ROM and DVD Burner and the copy protection thought my collector's edition was an illegal copy. So, just so you know, it happens, even to us techgeeks. I've been proclaiming the death of the PC gaming platform for a while, which is why my next computer will be a Mac. The only reason I needed a PC was for games (well, the only reason I didn't have a Mac, I should say).
Mike Willard @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Sure PC Games have some headaches, but once you learn how to get past them it really isn't a big deal. If you're still using dialup and don't keep your drivers up to date, then maybe PC Gaming isn't for you, but as long as you use your computer for things other than gaming, you probably have a broadband connection and up to date drivers anyways. As far as your AVI file not working... if it took you an hour to download an 8mb patch how are you going to download an 800mb movie? Also imagine how smart you'll seem when your next-door neighboor has trouble with their AVI video and you go over and fix it for them. I'd like to see an X-Box teach you that. I'll take the "headaches" of PC Gaming any day if it means I can play games that are more fun, have better graphics, and don't require me to buy a $300 console every other year. And if I get to learn how to fix computer problems in the process, all the better for me.
elmer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Yesterday i watched my dad reinstall half-life 2 after it had been uninstalled. Took us at least a minute to figure out it had been uninstalled in the first place because the valve folder was already taking a good deal of memory and every old link on the desktop and on the programs list was still in place (AFAIK the links are supposed to be removed upon uninstallation). Installed the game which seemed to take a good 20~30 minutes. Connecting to Steam...connenction failed. Seems like the Wifi decided to go AWOL. Restart - wifi works fine. Steam updates...15 minutes later it recommends we get the latest ATI driver... or else. Download the driver (thankfully takes 2 minutes). Install driver and reboot (rebooting btw seems to get slower week). System crashes upon startup. Desktop is there, but half the icons aren't and the mousue won't move (don't even mention ctrl alt del). Restart again. Runs fine; try HL2 again. Attempts to connect to Steam for authentication, but now all network devices (wifi, ethernet and IEEE 1394) are completely gone. MIA. Dead. nothing. Restart again, they're back, completely restored, and inexplicably. Finally get into the game and it's beautiful.
I want to borrow the game from my dad but i've heard all about the problems of 'trading' HL2 around, the fact that you now sign up to the EULA inside the box by ripping the packet open (or some such other legal backwatery) and Steam's complete non-mention in that agreement. I tried downloading the demo, but it said i needed something like another 3 GB free on top of the 2GB i had open. This from a 700MB or so download.
ringo_rinfret @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
it's sad but true, PC gaming is the less reliable of all gaming options. And it's worst if you actuallu use your PC for other stuff then game like work cuz you need a reliable machine.
I stay away from PC games as much as i can. I only hope that in the nextgen consoles the keyboard and mouse will get supported.
obligatory @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Something that I think is attracting people to Xbox for games (or at least online) is of course the buddies and how you can join their games and all.
two words. USE XFIRE. =D It's just like Xbox Live, but for computer. I just got it a couple days ago and have all my friends on it now, it works great. Supports tons of games and tells you how long you've played.
Lost_Canadian @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
"Controllers? What PC gamers out there use controllers?"
I want to play racing games, fighting games, etc - it sucks playing those on a PC because controller support is minimal. The keyboard and mouse combination is the best for FPS and RTS games, but can't nearly compare with a controller for many other genres.
One gripe that I have is that a lot of the PC versions of games are only single-player (except over the Internet), while the console version is multiplayer. I have my computer hooked up to my HDTV, but can't invite friends over to play Need for Speed because the PC version doesn't support that. :P
"...and don't require me to buy a $300 console every other year"
A half-decent graphics card to play the current games will set you back that much or more ALONE.
Steam is the worst implementation of an idea in PC gaming history. It sucks that to play Half-Life 2, which is otherwise a truly amazing game, you have to jump through so many hurdles.
I love gaming on the PC - but after dealing with driver updates, tweaks, etc. in all my years of PC gaming, it'll be a relief to get a console again (Xbox 360).
Shagi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Yes PC games take more time to configure for your specific machine. Yes PCs due to the very nature of being multiple purposes have configuration problems and conflicts. Yes there are hardware breakdowns (which happens alot on first gen consoles as well). The big thing that keeps the PC gaming scene going though is that you get PC games.
Consoles are simple and it follows suit that console games are simple...The console is designed for ease of use so anything remotely different doesn't work well with a console...Inovation always takes place on the PC. The only innovative console game I can think of in the last 3 years are the crappy music/rythm games. I wouldn't be too proud of that pedigree.
Usually consoles come out and they look better than PCs for 6 months or so...this time around however it doesn't look like its gonna be that way at all. PC graphics still look better than the 360 and by the time the PS3 comes out I dont see there being many differences.
Oh well I enjoy sitting at my computer more than I do on my couch, it feels like Im more involved (and the games play more involved) , COnsole games are nice for light entertainment but the best gaming experience is still to be had at the computer desk.
People keep touting the end of PC gaming but I'm happy to be the one to tell you that Consoles will die long before PC gaming goes away...how many of you console companies are starting to call their systems (supercomputers/entertainment centers) oh yes be afraid, be very afraid.
dmf @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
dont forget...you try to return the game since it doesnt work on your system but the store as no refund policy on open games, however you could exchange for the exact same game. but by that point you hate game and never want to play it
Icelawn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
well then its good news for you pc gamers that the 360 WILL support keyboard and mouse play. However, (and thats a big however) it will be up to the game developers to program for it. But the 360 will definately support it. I forgot where I read it but it was off one of these types of sites a month or so ago.
l0tus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
the reason that it has a little more weight this time around is because, for the first time ever, you'll be able to buy a console gaming system with more power than your PC. for years now, the console developers have been feeding us dumbed down versions of our own PCs, except they're usually packing about 1/2 the power of even the most modern PC. the new microsoft system, due out this year, will be able to process several TERABYTES of data per second, far exceeding some of the most powerful processors currently available to PC consumers. while i doubt very seriously this is any way signals the end of PC gaming, it DOES mean that you should finally be able to play a PC-to-console game without having it stripped down to essentials so that your console can play it...
Razoric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Wow way to completely and utterly over-exaggerate the "difficulties" of PC Gaming. Anyone with an IQ over ten could overcome those problems within 5-10 minutes if they even have any to begin with.
Battlefield 2 a joke of a release? Sure it had some patch problems (which I never encountered) but beyond that I've put over 50 hours into that game with minimal lag and/or problems.
But yeah, you go ahead and enjoy that watered down Xbox version of Half Life 2 when it comes out. ;)
Kirtan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
You guys are a bunch of console pussies. I love how you exaggerate the all the problems users have with PC Gaming. This post was PATHETIC. You know it - I know it - your mom you regularly plays PC Mahjong knows it.
Cry me a river.
Lampbane @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
In defense of this post, while I don't have AS many problems with PC games, I think it's friggin' ridiculous the amount of patches I have to install whenever I want to play a game. Or how long I have to wait for installation. Screw that shit, console games are ready out of the box. I don't care about superior graphics or sound - I want to be entertained, already.
Ladyfox @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Let me first say, up front, that I am both a console and PC gamer. I think everyone knows that gaming on a PC is'nt always a simple experience as well as being a pain sometimes. However, that being said, my main question to those that have issues with PC gaming and it's associated issues is why do you have a PC to begin with? Honestly, if your only need is to have email contact, web access, and a word processor why not get something like a MSNTV box like this:
http://msntv.com/pc/get/
It will do everything you require, will cost less than a PC, will work with dial-up or broadband, and have a service fee no more than what you most likely pay now.
And this hits upon the one irritation I've always had with anyone who has an issue with a PC; no desire to learn and/or maintain what they own. It is for this main reason that we have this idea that we should be entitled for something to work without any effort on our part. Look at cars nowadays compared to what they were a mere 30 years ago and some have enough bling-bling in them to launch a shuttle into orbit. o_O
Personally, I got one due to the following:
1. I've had a PC, of one kind or another beginning with the Commodore 64, pretty much since I was about 6 and enjoyed playing with them; faults and all. (Those who programmed their own games into their PC out of Compute magazine will remember what that was like).
2. That, much like a dollhouse or a car, I can decorate and/or modify it however I wish only limited by my imagination and funds available.
3. That I can do multiple things on a PC that just is not possible with a console system.
4. Owning a PC not only helped me learn how to maintain it but provided me with the skills I have to get the job I now enjoy.
I enjoy learning about the equipment I use and look at each problem as a test to my skills and an opportunity to learn. Granted, I do get irritated sometimes but do I just say "Oh, I give up. PC gaming is too hard. No wonder it's dying."? Not at all. I'm in this not only for the games but for the other things I can do as well.
LockdowN @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
The gap in visual quality between PC and console games has gotten smaller, yes; this doesn't mean PC gaming is going away anytime soon.
If anything, console's are becoming more 'PC-like' in terms of connectivity, community building, hardware, etc. I have no doubt that the next-gen will also have kb/m capabilities (except maybe revolution..?)
I don't see how one can so easily scratch off pc gaming; which after all is the main driving force behind hardware evolution and innovation. Without the PC game industry, what need would there have been to create such powerful cpus and vidcards?
If nothing else, the pc game industry will be a testing ground for creating the blueprint and/or hardware technology that would inevitably power the next-gen consoles.
PiratePete @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Look, I love PC gaming ok, AND really love BF2. BUT the game really has some issues. I have a 3.0Ghz Intel proc, 2 GIGs of DDR 400 RAM, 3x120GB SATA Drives, two of them in RAID 0 config and BF2 killed my OS. I'm soo pissed off with that game. That was my video editing pc it screwed up. I don't know when the next time I'll ever play that game again....mabe later tonight. After I reslam all the apps that are no longer working on it. *sniff*
Codejoy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
There was an article in I think it was may's game informer about pc gaming and how its the last bastion of indie development. Which I tend to agree with, development is mostly free and easy to do on a PC. But I have to agree, I have a pretty high end rig (still) and update my drivers usually, and built the machine my self, and I still fret buying a new pc game wondering if it will work out of the box. I mean even if it doesnt work and the fix was easy, still it didnt work out of the box like a console game. Id say I was one of the most hardcore PC gamers out there, opting to buy any game on the PC before a console...that has been changing lately. Im tired of dealing with stupid issues on the PC games, the patching, and the knowledge that the quality of game suffers for the fact that any game is created for the lowest common denominator.
I would think that creating a title for a AAA game on the PC requires way more effor than it does on the consoles...and I think thats why we see so many patches for it. The combination of configurations on pc's is mindboggling to juggle for even the best coder, so it just makes sense that they will miss testing some configurations, not test others adaquately enough, etc.. and thus: patch city.
What IS unforgivable? Games that make it to the console chaulk full of bugs, like Prince of Persia warrior within, that was the buggiest xbox game Ive ever played and I was astonished as to how it could be so buggy on a console with limited configurations (and they were grevious bugs like save game issues etc..)
oh well needless to say, the games i pine for to play on PC is dwindling fast...though I do miss a good flight sim, bring back janes ;(
Shagi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
I buy way too many games for my own good...Almost all of them are for the PC. I have to say that out of the 5 - 10 games I buy a month I never EVER fret if they will run or not. I have never had this experience since DOS4gw came along...that was pretty much the end of games not working...
The only way I can see having problems on the PC is if you borked your OS or maybe if your running an Nvidia card...those things are crap.
Tyler J. Smith @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
it all comes down to preference. me, i prefer my good ol` pc compared to a console.
but, just some related research, i read an article recently in one of the magazines i get (computer gaming world or, more likely, pc gamer, can't be buggered to squander through the magazines to look it up) that had a rather interesting article about a technology that microsoft is working on: no install gaming. rather than having to take hours upon hours of installing a games files, they're developing a technology that will allow you to drop a dvd into the drive, and viola, instant gaming.
installation is still possible for us hardcore geeks, but not required to play the game. it's still in beta testing (so i read), but should be available soon. that'd be sweet.
but, i'll take a pc over console any day. pcs have the best setup for fps, rts, rpgs and simulations, which are the only genres i play. i *am* tired of seeing articles proclaiming the death of pc gaming on joystiq, though. maybe i'll start posting "zomg console gaming = lame, pcs are teh suck" on my blog every day, see how much of an audience i acquire. i don't think it will be much :)
said above, i too have a common routine in the gaming world. i'll start out playing pc games (spending completely insane amounts of money, i might add), let the supposed next 'generation' consoles work out their quirks and shortcomings say.... over the next three years, buy said console in time for the best games of generation, switch back to pc games when the new 'console generation' is just around the corner, rinse, repeat. just a case in point: i bought an xbox a year ago (probably at less than half of what *you* gamers paid) and am now going back and playing the hit titles for the console while not suffering through the rest of the crap the consoles put out.
but, again, it comes down to preference. i'm an inbetweener. i love pc gaming, but i also recognize that consoles have decent games to play and shouldn't be overlooked. console fanboys might want to recognize the same.
elmer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
you know, one of the ironies of the next generation of consoles is that their power pc cpu's would have meant easier porting between consoles and you guessed it; the humble mac. now that plan is scuppored, but it would have been interesting to see the same relationship develope between ps3/rev/360/mac as has happened this gen with xbox/pc.
i suppose the whole pc/console argument is akin to the one between manual and automatic transmission. ease and simplicity vs control and power. i'm a convert to automatic myself. i suppose there aren't too many hitches that you run into when playing the pc. it's just that when you play a console game (better yet a cartridge based console game) you realise how brains free getting to the game itself can be. then you say to yourself, sure i can get the games to work on the pc, but why should i have to do anything? i guess it's laziness
Jerrick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
i'm disgusted. this clearly comes from a person who does not know what the average person's experiance on a computer is like. no cd crack? never had to use it. not being able to run a game because of outdated drivers? that's never happened to me. what about being unable to connect to an online server? i live in china man and there's absolutely no problem. and don't tell me console gamers have it completely easy when it comes to playing games online coz i know you do.
i've been a gamer since i was 8 and even on ms-dos there was nothing i could not figure my way out of. i myself own a ps2 but nothing beats a good old round of rise of nations on my pc. this writer need to get his facts right or risk being pelted with cd-rom drives and computer cases the next time he walks to his local best buy for his ps2/xbox/gc fix.
Kuyu @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
while i've never had any really bad experiences installing pc games (except battlefield vietnam), the whole thing just seems dated. tech is supposed to make things easier, but for some reason only consoles seem to do this for the end user. sure us geeks can quickly update the drivers and reinstall, but ask your uncle to do it and he'll call you 5 times.
pc gaming will never die. however, it will dwindle slowly. console gaming is booming and will grow by leaps and bounds this generation. i know old women and little girls who want a 360/ps3/rev. i don't know any non-geeks who are excited about oc'ing a 7800 so they can push hl2 at 120fps @1600x1200.
i always feel drained after playing pc games because i'm usually alone for hours. with consoles i play with a room full of people. we shout, laugh, shove, etc. it's just more fun to have that interaction. plus pc gamers are 70% elitists who think that their knowledge of a computers innerworkings makes them a god online.
note to such people: you're not helping new people come to the table. and you all sound like the comic book guy from the simpsons.
Icelawn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
well then its good news for you pc gamers that the 360 will support keyboard and mouse play. however, (and thats a big however) it will be up to the game developers to program for it. but the 360 will definately support it. i forgot where i read it but it was off one of these types of sites a month or so ago.
nondual @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
i'm not exaggerating my problems with pc gaming at all. i simply will not buy any more pc games, with the possible exception of the civ games.
oddly, the few games i've gotten for my mac run fine, but anything on my windows pc required hours of fixing to even get it close to working correctly.
nondual @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
i'm not exaggerating my problems with pc gaming at all. i simply will not buy any more pc games, with the possible exception of the civ games.
oddly, the few games i've gotten for my mac run fine, but anything on my windows pc required hours of fixing to even get it close to working correctly.
indolene @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
call of duty and call of duty: united offensive.... rule!
wolfenstein: enemy territory(which is free to download)... rules!
...o'doyle rules!
Jordash @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
I have experienced those similar problems (made me laugh in going through some of the same processes) but not to the extreme you make it seem. If you have a highend PC you'll not really encounter those problems, thus comparing the cost of a high end PC to the new Consoles, as far as gaming goes anyway.
entica @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
I'm surprised nobody has really raised the issue of game genres. Consoles do NOT support all game genres. And some they do support I would only consider barely. Civ/City building games are my personal favorites and they're PC only. I realize it's a minority genre but still, good luck finding a city building game on a console. Another genre worth mentioning is simulation. Decent flight sim on a console? Yeah right. Decent WWII/medieval/whatever sim? Yeah right. While I agree that consoles are much easier to use and PC gaming can be a huge pain, there just isn't the breadth of genre support on consoles to make me want to switch. For the most pat I find console games repetative, boring and requiring very little intelligence. How much derivative racer/arcade shooter/generic console games can one person take? ugh.
CDTM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM
Console games only good for light entertainment?
Humph.. Maybe if you just button mash your way through Soul Calibur 2 or Virtua Fighter 4 evo, instead of, you know, learning some skills. And Doom 3 or Half Life 2 has so much more going for it then, say, Metroid Prime or Resident Evil 4...
Personally, I get a big thrill out of online gaming on my PC, so I can't knock it. I wouldn't say it's a better experience overall though, because the games tend to be somewhat different.. Like, Zelda Windwaker or Tales of Symponia really don't have an equivilant on the PC. By the same token, Ground Control, Homeworld 2, or Planescape: Torment aren't exactly something you'll find on the console systems.
IMO, where the PC shines is with online gaming, 3d shooters, RTS's, and certain RPG's. The consoles pull their weight with the fabulous Nintendo in house games like Metroid/Zelda/Mario, all very fun games, and some of the Eastern style RPG's, some of which are quite fun, fighting games like the amazing Capcom vs SNK 2 series, a good amount of giant mecha games like Armored Core...
Really, it depends on what I'm in the mood for. It's kind of asinine to call one system lacking in variety or quality, when each has it's own set of jewels and turds...
Btw, for the record, Civ II did in fact make it to the Playstation, and I'd imagine there's other types out there for consoles.