Who's winning: consoles or PCs?
When talking games, consoles always take the forefront of the conversation. However, this wasn't always true. PC games did have their own heyday. However, console games seem to be pushing PC gaming into obscurity.
After hitting a high point in 1999 of $1.9 billion in sales, the PC market has been steadily declining. During this time, the overall gaming industry has grown considerably. One could conclude that the console market -- which is slowly pushing itself to match the PC in terms of variety and graphics -- is making the PC an obsolete machine for entertainment.
The data is showing the console as the favored platform for our gaming desires. However, we may not actually see the death of the PC, but the death of the console. With the PS3, Xbox 360, and even the Nintendo Wii on the market, we're finding the console is quickly becoming a multi-purpose machine; quite PC-like. If anything, console manufacturers are beginning to produce proprietary computers ala Apple. Does the future of gaming hold the current PC and console differentiation, one winning over the other, or some strange hybrid?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
EihBeir @ Nov 26th 2006 9:50PM
Why does it matter?
The Origin Of Species @ Nov 26th 2006 10:00PM
"Why does it matter?"
Why does it matter!?! And you call yourself a gamer! It matters because this will determine the fate of all mankind, you apathetic piece of crud! EXCLAIMATION!!!
ChrisL @ Nov 26th 2006 10:04PM
Sales are going down because all PC gamers are either glued to their monitor in front of WoW or GW.
Avinash_Tyagi @ Nov 26th 2006 10:05PM
I think one thing that contributes to the decline in PC game sales is the rise of high speed internet connections, and with it game downloads
buttlover @ Nov 26th 2006 10:07PM
pc games are a pain in the butt thats why. computers are more likely to get viruses,crash and then the install sucks, the small monitors instead of a 55 inch hdtv sucks. come on the list goes on an on and not to mention the fact that you need a $500 graphics card also.
iEnigma @ Nov 26th 2006 10:08PM
"...we're finding the console is quickly becoming a multi-purpose machine; quite PC-like."
No, that's just the PS3, and we all know how well that endeavor is going!
davarino @ Nov 26th 2006 10:08PM
nothing will replace my pc when it comes to fps. i find it too awkward and impractical on my 360 especially when it comes to online gaming i prefer to point an click compared too fiddling with the thumbpads... but then again i will always choose my 360 when it comes to a racing game or an rpg of somesort. so i guess it balances out
Geoffrey M. @ Nov 26th 2006 10:10PM
uh this is a simple answer......Console games market and advertise while PC/Mac games don not.
LiNK @ Nov 26th 2006 10:20PM
Sales are down due to excessive pirating, and nothing more. Nothing will ever replace my PC, though
Will @ Nov 26th 2006 10:23PM
I find it hard to follow the newest PC games. I cannot afford to constantly replace my graphics card, where on the other hand my Wii will play ANY Wii game ever made, and I will not have to pay to upgrade just to play more games (until Wii-2).
But no matter what, FPS + PC = Thumbs up!
aldo @ Nov 26th 2006 10:23PM
lol nothing can replace a PC, how can there be a hybrid of a console and a pc? PC can do it all bud i dunno its just personal choice but PCs will never become obsolete because of a huge industry (programs)
socrates @ Nov 26th 2006 10:26PM
Enigma -
As much as it seems website hype has more or less determined the war well in advance, but you can't really start talking about "how well" (or not well) the PS3 has fared...not until large numbers of consoles are left gathering dust on the shelves!
Dirtyboy @ Nov 26th 2006 10:27PM
PC = Formula 1 (tech driven, higher performance)
Consoles = NASCAR (standardized, larger audience)
TheH2s @ Nov 26th 2006 10:28PM
As long as there is "The Sims" there will be PC gaming.
nick @ Nov 26th 2006 10:34PM
This topic never seems to end. It appears from time to time and we rehash the same arguments.
Bottomline, the number of PCs in use greatly outnumber game consoles in use. A percentage of those with PCs will inevitably want to play games on their PCs.
The advantage of consoles is mass marketing, consumer friendly, pricing, standardization, and third party support.
The advantage of PC games is adaptability, more complex gameplay, perhaps the best supported multiplayer online capability, and the ability to evolve and upgrade more quickly than consoles.
I think they compliment one another, and also inter-relate.
Most console game development begins life on the PC
Subcon @ Nov 26th 2006 10:39PM
i know why i dont like comp games. i just bought the holiday half-life 2 pack, and i was all excited on playing it on my laptop and/or desktop, and then i realize i dont have the hardware for it (god damn graphics cards!!!!).
i know i know i shouldve check, but i just thought at least i could run it without having it jitter around in god awful speeds or not even run at all (like in my laptop).
know i either have to buy a new, game capable laptop (which i dont have money for) or update the laptop i have right now (which would probably be more costly than buying a new one).
damn pc games and all their restrictions. thats why im happy with consoles, sure they might be outdated tech wise about a year after, but at least i can play games on them without having to update constantly.
Izzy-B @ Nov 26th 2006 10:42PM
Some people are really stupid. You know I think PCs should just stay for use such as email, chating, checking news and a bunch of other stuff. PCs aren't the best when it comes to games. Basicly my point is that leave gaming consoles for gaming and PCs and computers for daily needs or other use that's not availible on gaming consoles.
kcetyks @ Nov 26th 2006 10:43PM
I tell you why pc games sales is declining. for the simple reason that in order to play a game at its full potential you need to have a $2.000+ pc which of course not every body has. take for examle crysis and many more to come.....
PenguinDragon @ Nov 26th 2006 10:47PM
One could conclude that the console market -- which is slowly pushing itself to match the PC in terms of variety and graphics -- is making the PC an obsolete machine for entertainment.
The PS3's hardware is already surpassed my PC. A Geforce 8800 GT, Intel Quad Core, and Direct X10 basically out do the PS3, and Xbox 360 became obsolete a month after it came out. PC's have always and will always have the better hardware, oh and these things called MODS extend the life of a game, but I'm sure if you ask a console gamer he/she would have no idea what a mod is. Mods are why CSS, HL2, BF2, and many other games are still played years after release.
F8X @ Nov 26th 2006 10:48PM
"It matters because this will determine the fate of all mankind"
lol
"PC = Formula 1 (tech driven, higher performance)
Consoles = NASCAR (standardized, larger audience)"
This is actually on of the best descriptions of the video gaming industry I have read yet...
The bottom line is that the hardcore gamers do not control the industry. It is the average consumer. I was just in a best buy yesterday and five kids walk up to an attendant saying that they wanted GTA4, Motorstorm, and a ps3. The picture I'm trying to pant is that eventually consoles will take over the gaming industry, heck they already have. The only reason why is the constant updating of hardware that needs to be done in order for your pc to run a game on the monitor you have with the intended affects on. The console requires little or no updating and most of he games will look great on any TV. PC gaming will always be around, but they will never take control(back?) of the video gaming industry.
hey alex @ Nov 26th 2006 10:48PM
We have over 600 people where I work, and from the logs we gather, quite of a few people play popcap, yahoo, and MSN games during lunch when we unrestrict internet access.
Clearly people are playing games on PCs
And not everyone is using the most expensive hardware, latest technology, or most current games to do it.
There will always be a percentage of people who have access to a PC that play games on the PC.
Thrall @ Nov 26th 2006 10:55PM
The source engine can run on anything, including my dads old 1ghz celeron and 64mb Radeon 9200 PCI (which is going to be replaced this Christmas).
I don't find it expensive, I bought an X850Pro on newegg for 130 bucks, and it runs oblivion perfectly fine!
I think the problem arises when the PC User goes to best buy or another brick and mortar store, where electronics are hugely more expensive (my X850Pro is 250+ at brick and mortar stores).
Matt @ Nov 26th 2006 10:58PM
well, when I can buy something with 3 3.2GHz cores and the world's most advanced 'consumer' graphics chip in it for less than 1/2 the price of parts for a decent "gaming PC", why the fuck would i play PC games and bother with buying/building gaming rigs anymore? I keep a few macs around for my webdesign and imaging work with a little WoW on the side (not to mention the obvious email and web browsing), but otherwise, my 360, PS2, and Wii make me quite happy.
digitalFrequency @ Nov 26th 2006 11:01PM
pc games'll never really be eliminated in part due to world of warcraft.
Madmatt @ Nov 26th 2006 11:09PM
People have been predicting the fall of PC gaming for years now. Its not going to happen.
Judd @ Nov 26th 2006 11:11PM
"After hitting a high point in 1999 of $1.9 billion in sales..."
WOW has sold 7 million copies. Let's assume that between the price cuts the average sale price of game was $40. 280 million.
Let's say that out of the 7 million, 1 million haven't played for a year. 15*12*6 million=1.08 billion
Even if WoW players in Asia are paying less than $15 per month, Blizzard is still making more than a billion a year. Yet, somehow the article says that in 2004, sales for every PC title combined were 1.1 billion.
That's the problem with this article. It says "According to NPD group, a company specialized in sales statistics." Yes, money in the PC market is not being made on game sales. But they are making truckloads off subscriptions.
Sadly, for games that only require $50 to play like F.E.A.R, the PC market is dying. But for MMO's the constant stream of money will allow the PC to maintain a niche market.
weirdguy @ Nov 26th 2006 11:33PM
There are 4 reasons PC games will not die soon
1. http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=hlmotw.List
2. free games. http://www.joinfear.com/main
3. M$ new "games for windows" thing
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/games/default.mspx
4.Last, backwards compatibility and portability. Try playing your X360 33,000 feet in the air and lemme know how it goes.
twism10000 @ Nov 26th 2006 11:34PM
I see an evolution coming...consoles becoming PC's. Look at the PS3. Its considered a PC and not a console
Lord_Satorious @ Nov 26th 2006 11:35PM
I've been saying for a while that PCs and consoles will eventually be the same thing, but gaming will make the transition first. There will be a market for PCs for some time to come, for Photoshopping your digital pictures, doing your taxes and printing out your school reports. But here's what I think about the convergence of PC and console gaming, as I posted at Destructoid yesterday, in an unrelated topic;
I think the next generation of consoles, if not this generation, will support mouse and keyboard combinations, if only because consoles are becoming much more versatile. The ability to browse the internet from your couch I think is more likely to be accepted now than in the past. With console games commonly receiving patches a few weeks after release, and the PlayStation 3 installing files from the game disc to the hard drive (with some games), we're seeing PC games and console games becoming almost identical to each other. What I'm waiting for is games that are "PC and Compatible", rather than two different versions of the same game. I think Microsoft will be the first to take this kind of initiative.
Blue Spotted Frog @ Nov 26th 2006 11:35PM
The only things that keep PC gaming alive is :
1) World Of Warcraft and other MMOPRG's
2) Mouse/keyboard intensive game genres : Shooters, RPG's, RTS games
3) The availability of a wide variety of casual games, many of which have free, Web-based versions
What's killing PC gaming?
1) Piracy
2) World Of Warcraft is canibolizing other PC game sales
3) Lack of unified standards leads to little innovation ( whereas consoles have XBox Live Vision, dance pads, Guitar Hero, the Wiimote & Numchuck, Wi-Fi connectivity, etc. )
4) Star Force and other invansive copy protection schemes
PC games have become very niche and heavily focused on MMORPG's, first/third person shooters, and strategy games. No arcade style games, fighting games, extreme sports games, music rythym games, and no sports game other than EA Sports. Console games cover almost every genre and have a much more mass market appeal ( which translates into more $$$ ).
ill trooper @ Nov 27th 2006 12:20AM
"We have over 600 people where I work, and from the logs we gather, quite of a few people play popcap, yahoo, and MSN games during lunch when we unrestrict internet access."
You have bumbled across something, although you didn't seem to pinpoint it - yes, these are 'games on a PC' you are talking about, but not really what this discussion is about - your statement points to where things are likely going, which is internet-available games that will likely run on a variety of devices, from home computers, to consoles, to telephones and iPods...
In a way, the road to convergence is layed out in front of us, but the game companies and developers are trying to back-up in reverse down the path - a developer like Ubi will create the same game like Splinter Cell for all three consoles and the PC, and eventually for a device like the N-Gauge, with a linear story that will start and end in similiar ways, but in reality, I think the future (for certain games, anyway) will lie in an interconneccted type of gaming where you can play in a 24-hour alternate world, like WoW, etc., by carrying the game along with you with the hardware you have, from playing a little while taking the subway to work, to dipping in at lunch, to getting home and entering your home theater/gaming room at home for the ultimate experience in the game...
So in a nutshell, rather than 4 different Splinter Cells for different platform, a ubiquitous inter-platform game that lies within the companies servers, always available for the hardware you have in front of you... At your own house on PS3, your friend's place on the 360, your PC at work, your phone via flash, etc.
I'm just speculating though, nothing breakthrough.
Attila @ Nov 27th 2006 12:49AM
" One could conclude that the console market -- which is slowly pushing itself to match the PC in terms of variety and graphics -- is making the PC an obsolete machine for entertainment."
What a bizarre statement - how is the console market pushing itself to match PC in terms of graphics? Each time a new console comes out, it is usually as powerful as an mid-upper strength PC, at a much lower price point. From that point on, although smart coding can wring more performance out of it, it begins to become obsolete. The 360 is great, but an 8800GTX PC will blow it out of the water for graphics.
They each have their role to play, and for us lucky ones, we buy both.
Uh_Oh @ Nov 27th 2006 1:17AM
If it was gonna die off, then why is there so many quality titles still being made for the platform?!?!!?
Clearly its profitable to develop on pc. Now that microsoft is putting an intiative on the windows platform with getting it organized and easier to do it'll grow again. Anybody that says you need to drop 2 grande is a retard, you can build nice machines for the price of a ps3. You can get 3 years before you would need a better video card or faster cpu. That's just part of the game.
Loque @ Nov 27th 2006 1:27AM
For each of you saying that your wii or ps3 or xbox360 can play every game of that type for years to come, let me tell you this.
My PC has been playing games coming out for it since the original xbox released. It also plays all of those new-fangled mods that come out for the same games.
It was less expensive than the xbox and the 360 (CORE VERSION) put together, even with my gcard upgrade.
And the one thing that I completely need to rip apart, because the statement was absolutely retarded:
"3) Lack of unified standards leads to little innovation ( whereas consoles have XBox Live Vision, dance pads, Guitar Hero, the Wiimote & Numchuck, Wi-Fi connectivity, etc. )"
x86 anyone? Because that's not a standard. Windows? Not a standard. DirectX, OpenGL? Nope. Not standards to go by.
Consoles actually struggle the most with standards. That's why each and every PC game is backwards compatible, while you wouldn't dream of playing an snes game on your gamecube.
Also, USB SUPPORT anyone? Because nothing (such as the guitar hero controler, or dance pads, OR A WEBCAM work with that)
And the stupidest one: Wifi connectivity.
My 10 year old toshiba 105cs 70mhz 24megs of ram LAPTOP SUPPORTS WIFI, and has a bigger HD than the PS3. In fact, the wifi is the same as it is in the Wii, 802.11b.
Let's see your SNES or Sega genesis (as that was top of the line in consoles then) do that.
everything consoles have originated on a PC. Consoles merely jenk it in ways to make it less expensive, usually by waiting for the tech to drop in price (thus making it obsolete.) That's why the ps3 will struggle, people. It's trying too hard to stay up to speed with pcs, and has already failed.
That's also why you get an xbox 360 with 3 "cores" that barely function as well as a single 3.2ghz x86 core. I'm also talking about the 3.2 ghz original prescott version, y'know, the one that heated my house.
And please, when you decide the price of your console is less than that of a PC, add the cost of your tv to it.
If you have an HDTV, my PC was cheaper than your console, and will be much more useful for much longer. Not to mention, my monitor supports higher resolutions and has a faster response time.
Ralod @ Nov 27th 2006 1:37AM
Each time there are new consoles the death of the PC is always proclaimed. It has not happened yet however. I Buy the consoles, I like JRPG's only place i can get them is consoles. However I am and always be a PC Gamer first.
I also wonder if the "steady decline in sales" Takes into account digital Downloads, MMO's with free clients, and the casual games like popcap. Or if it is just box sales? PC games are still being made so they have to be making money someplace correct?
I can tell you that I personally don't go into Only gaming stores any longer for there utter lack of support for PC gaming. Have you seen it lately? Most EB and gamestop stores have a little rack if any games at all. It does seem like the #1 games retailer has proclaimed the death of PC gaming already, a tad prematurely.
PC gaming is not going anywhere. As long as there are top end video cards being made and Games to put those cards to use there will be a PC gaming market. And lets not forget even playing bookworm you paid 14.99 for makes you a gamer.
jack @ Nov 27th 2006 3:16AM
I like both equally, I like having the options of being on the computer or switching to the console and vice versa. Interesting point of view.
jcmschwa @ Nov 27th 2006 3:33AM
one major advantage that the pc has over the any console is that to play your friends online, they just have to have another pc. neither of you has to have a top of the line one, but i play company of heroes on my newly upgraded pc with my friend who hasn't upgraded his since he bought it back in fall 03. if me and him wanted to play an x360 game over the net, we'd each have to have bought a 360 when it came out. unless you and your friends have sworn a blood pact to buy the same consoles, i think it's pretty rare that all of you would own the same ones.
Sagan @ Nov 27th 2006 3:37AM
The games I enjoyed the most recently: Anno 1701, Neverwinter Nights 2, Mario Kart DS, Warcraft III (this game never leaves my hard drive), Prey, Tomb Raider Legend and finally Call of Duty 1 (on LANs). Also I started playing GTA 2 again and when that wetted my appetite I tried playing GTA: San Andreas, which I don't like at all.
So yes, I'm definitely a PC Gamer. You can talk all you want about the expensive hardware and stuff, but I'll always go where the games are that I enjoy. My PC costs less than 500€ and I can play everything I want on it. Probably even Crysis when it comes out, but I will have to reduce the settings.
Anonymouse Rep @ Nov 27th 2006 8:15AM
"28. I see an evolution coming...consoles becoming PC's. Look at the PS3. Its considered a PC and not a console"
No, actually the PS3 is a Blu-Ray player that thinks it's a console pretending to be a PC.
Sure, it can run Linux. From the consumer standpoint -BFD. There's a reason why 95% of all PC's sold today run Windows - it's an easy, familiar experience for the user that doesn't require technical knowledge or expertise. Just plug it in and go - and since Apple has now designed their computers to run Windows as well, that leaves the basic geeks left. Nothing persnal there - hell, I recognize myself when I listen to 'White and Nerdy', so I qualify as a geek, too. I just face consumer facts - Joe Wal-Mart couldn't care whether the PS3 does Linux or not.
Can he load Quicken or Money onto it and balance his checkbook? No. Can he use it - RIGHT out of the box with NO add-ons - to do word processing or spreadsheets? No - there's no keyboard, and if you want to type with a controller, you're dealing with an exercise in masochism.
Instead, it should be all about playing games. That's what the Wii is all about - just playing games and having fun. That's what the Xbox 360 is all about - playing games, having fun, and since it's quite a bit more advanced technologically that the Wii, you get better graphics and movie options as a bonus IN ADDITION to playing games. It shouldn't be about, we're going to force you to buy this Blu-Ray drive because we think that's what the standard should be.
And I'm a PC AND console gamer myself - I use my PC for strategy games, such as Civilization, while I use my console for entertainment games, such as Saints Row.
Rob @ Nov 27th 2006 8:46AM
The next generation of consoles is becoming more like computers. Which is also why it is likely that I will be skipping the next generation of consoles.
I got into console gaming because it is an appliance. Pop in a game and play. No patches. No invasive copy protection. No constant upgrading. No "will this play on my hardware?"
Dirk Dorkelson @ Nov 27th 2006 9:35AM
"I find it hard to follow the newest PC games. I cannot afford to constantly replace my graphics card, where on the other hand my Wii will play ANY Wii game ever made, and I will not have to pay to upgrade just to play more games (until Wii-2)."
I think this guy hit the nail on the head. I feel like, though PCs have continued to advance in terms of what they can do, the functions that most people use their PCs for have been doable on PCs for years. A lot of people (myself included) are fine working on 2-year-old machines. And you can now buy a low-end PC that will allow you to create documents, use the Web, play a few simple games and manage your music and photo collections. That's all many people need. As people update their hardware less frequently or buy lower end machines so they can spend their money elsewhere, I think PC gaming falls out of favor somewhat.
Also, I wonder how much the rising market share of Apple (due to the iPod) will affect PC game sales. I haven't seen publishers making a slew of great Mac titles. The thing about my Xbox 360 is that I can walk into a store and buy games, and I know they'll work b/c everyone has the same hardware. When I buy my next computer, I may buy one or two games for it around the time I purchase the hardware, but that'll probably be it for me.
Royale @ Nov 27th 2006 9:51AM
this is always a good fight.
RTS does not work well on consoles.
FPS works on a consoles controller but is lacking the speed and precision of a PC because EVERYONE can point a click a mouse relatively quickly, but an analog is just slow and clunky, and when you adjust the settings to speed it up it becomes very inprecise.
For those 2 reasons PC gaming will never die. I second everything that #34 Loque said.
And to the people who say that they can't stand a small PC screen, a friend of mine has his PC connected to a 32" HDTV which also has his x360 attached. What is a media center PC..? If you have bought even a low end HDTV, chances are your PC will plug into it and run at atleast the resolution your monitor is set at right now, except maybe widescreen. 720p is a fancy way of saying 1280 x 720 resolution while the normal 17" PC monitor runs at 1280 x 1024.
I play console games all the time but there are some experiences that cannot be duplicated on a console but exist solely on a PC. Also, I am one of those who actually likes tweaking settings and building PCs just to build them. If they run funny, I like to fix them.
This web comic:
http://www.emulsifier-online.com/comics/comic8.htm
though a bit outdated now makes a good point that PC gaming will always be a step ahead in a lot of areas compared to console gaming, but console gaming also has its place.
Extorn @ Nov 27th 2006 10:20AM
Once Vista is released, along with DX 10 cards, PC Gamers will blow their monies on new parts.
Personally, that is what I am waiting for.
Crysis for the win
That Guy @ Nov 27th 2006 12:02PM
Ok. For everyone sayind "Oh You need a $2000+ system to play good pc games"
No. If you can manage your RAM (1 Gig Minimum), CPU(1.8 minimum w/option to overclock), and Video Card (do the research)to slightly above average specs you'll have basically what the PS3 hardware provides, and if you SHOP SMART you can get that and upgrade slowly yet surely for $1000 or less.
Yes pirating is a problem but FPS are much better online also the capacity of multiplayer IE. Tribes II 64 people on a server. 32 vs 32 or split further with more teams on a large map. same with UT2004. PCs have past the 16 and 32 people on a map almost 7 to 8 years ago. *cough* halo is overrated *cough*
I think that because most Devs are sinking thier time into MMORPGs the games themselves aren't selling any more and I think the statitinos(sp?) need to look at subscribers as well as units sold.
also MODs. Sweet mods. for nothing else but the PC. Microsoft & Sony will be making gaming PC's and label them PS4 and DeskXbox
Autocrawler @ Nov 27th 2006 3:27PM
PC being a proprietary platform means it drives competition between technology providers, unlike consoles. If PC ever dies as a gaming platform, the entire video game industry will slow its development.
After Vista is released, we'll see PC gaming slowly regaining strength over time though-I am pretty sure that after seeing a decrease in Windows sales, Microsoft's main source of financial strength, Microsoft will recognize their mistake of shooting themselves in the feet with their console pushing obsession-and start putting their marketing muscle behind PC gaming.
As for myself, the only console system I've owned in the past 10 years is the Wii. And I most certainly am not regretting being a PC-only gamer.
calthaer @ Nov 27th 2006 5:27PM
Yes, but you DO pretty much need a $2000+ system to play games, especially if you don't want to build the thing yourself. Let's face it: I don't (generally) fix the engine on my car, and some people don't want to pop open the hood of their computers and fiddle with it.
A console can (generally) be just plugged into the TV and there she goes. Not to mention the fact that PC-game-makers seem to tailor their products for the top 10% of the PC market - that is, people with high-end procs, lots of RAM, and expensive video cards. Some games, when released, won't run smoothly or nicely on ANY PC available at the time (remember Deus Ex: IW?).
It needs to become less arcane to the average schmuck and it needs to become less expensive. Even spending $500-750 (which is on the low end) to upgrade one's system to play modern games is ridiculous considering the price of even the most expensive of next-gen consoles.
Dan @ Nov 27th 2006 7:11PM
"it needs to become less expensive. Even spending $500-750 (which is on the low end) to upgrade one's system to play modern games is ridiculous considering the price of even the most expensive of next-gen consoles."
1 XBox 360 Premium - $400
2 X-Box 3rd Party games - $120
1 TV for High Definition play that PC gamers have been enjoying for years - $600
Shelling out $1120 for a 360 played the right way, and then bitching about the price of upgrades for a PC.....Priceless.
Scopique @ Nov 27th 2006 7:32PM
All of these comments (justifiably) are coming from harcore gamers, people who know the cost of a high end machine and can compare consoles to PCs. The days of the PC being solely the domain of hardcore gamer is over.
First off, NPD, in an article posted at GameDaily some months ago, stated that PC sales were declining...but then admitted that they didn't take into account subscription games, downloadable content, or even casual games that your mom plays. When those factors were taken into account, the PC as a gaming platform (not just as a hardcore gaming platform) was amazingly healthy.
Because most MMOs don't give out subscriber stats (unless it's WoW patting itself on the back), it's difficult to determine what percentage these titles are adding to the PC gamer pie. Online sales (a la Steam and Stardock's system, as well as others like Direct2Drive), are totally left out because there are so many, and it would be a statistician's nightmare to try and boil it all down to effective metrics. These items are casually swept under the rug in these "Death of the PC" diatribes.
In addition, it's far easier for Soccer Mom to boot up MSN Zone or Yahoo! Games during the day to play some Bejeweled then get her to learn about the consoles out there, and then commit a huge wad of cash to buying one, when the PC meets her needs 100%. It's these people, not the harcore audience, which is keeping the PC as a platform afloat...and I'd assume a LOT of casual players having jumped on the WoW bandwagon, but play nothing else to consider them "hardcore".
It is NOT "necessary" to spend hugh cash on a super high end PC to play games. If you think so, then you obviously think that overkill is the only way to go, and that's fine. That's the hardcore gamer mentality, but it's no longer the mentality of the PC gaming world.
Droniac @ Nov 28th 2006 6:10AM
As has been said before: this subject comes up every time a new console is launched - and every single time PC gaming is completely unaffected by console launches. No death of PC gaming, nothing.
As for the NPD sales statistics:
They do not take subscriber incomes (from the dozens of MMO games for the PC) into account.
They do not take online game sales (through Steam and the like) into account
They focus solely on American sale statistics, ignoring the largest consumer markets for PC gaming: Asia and Europe.
Granted, it wouldn't be surprising if PC game sales had indeed dropped since 1999. The years 1998-1999 were the greatest in all of PC gaming history after all...
There were more truly classic titles released in those two years than in the seven subsequent years. Think of such titles as: Age of Empires 2, Alpha Centauri, Freespace 2, Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment, Unreal, Half Life, Unreal Tournament, Quake 3, Counter Strike, Outcast, C&C Tiberian Sun, etc.
It's hard to think of the PC game-development scene nowadays as anything more than pathetic, after you've had two years like that. PC game quality has actually decreased over the years and classic PC game genres have disappeared nearly entirely (Adventure, Space-Combat, Space-Simulation, Turn-Based Strategy). Still, PC games rake in more awards than games for any other platform at any game show (like the E3).
Anyway, time to get to the point I'm trying to make: I don't see PC gaming dieing out, at the very least not in this decade.
Wes @ Nov 28th 2006 8:16AM
PC pwns all. I like consoles, but to me, pc games are better looking, better sounding, and generally have a greater difficulty and degree of immersion. I've owned 4 xbox's, 4 ps2's, 3 gamecubes, 2 360's and i still find myself stuck at my computer playing games.
Also, keyboard and mouse pwns controller in the butt.