Blizzard: consoles soon obsolete, becoming one with PCs
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Feb 6th 2007 at 2:14PM }
Blizzard VP of business development Itzik Ben Bassat is keeping a watchful eye on console progression, supposing that the gaming devices could become obsolete in as few as five years. "The PC is becoming an entertainment hub ... Maybe in five years you won't need a console because you'll have one PC which delivers content [including games] all over your house," Bassat mused in a conversation with GamesInustry.biz.Bassat's thought is far from a radical one, as we're already witnessing the evolution of consoles into specialized computers that serve a variety of entertainment purposes. Similarly, we're seeing Microsoft take lessons learned from the Xbox project and apply them to Windows Vista. Consoles becoming PCs; PCs becoming consoles. It's happening -- and the line will only become more blurred. So much so, that Bassat and Blizzard are content to hold off attempts to port World of Warcraft onto consoles.
While WoW might not be a perfect fit, Bassat admits that he's interested in the development of online console services, with a particular attraction to Xbox Live Arcade. "I'm very impressed, I'm impressed by the people who do [XBLA], and the service is very easy, very intuitive. I love it." You hear that Microsoft? Sounds like Blizzard's making a pass.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken @ Feb 6th 2007 2:18PM
Hmm... They'll probably put Starcraft on XBLA.
Nah... They wouldn't do that.
Jechtshot78 @ Feb 6th 2007 2:22PM
Pc gaming is way to expensive right now to go mainstream.
Pedro @ Feb 7th 2007 8:34AM
There will always be a market for consoles. Especially since most people don't like haveing to pay 600 every 2 years to be able to play the newest Call of Duty clone with slightly less lag than before.
dis_guy @ Feb 6th 2007 2:26PM
Not until Nintendo decides to market to computers or build one themselves.
TopaZ @ Feb 6th 2007 2:27PM
Well, they said five years, so I have to agree with this.
This is the first console war in history where a capable PC can graphically beat any so-called next-gen console. On my rig, Oblivion, Condemned, GRAW, and R6: Vegas all look better than their 360 counterparts.
The continuing growth of the HTPC market also makes their prediction more likely.
I've purchased (and subsequently sold) both a 360 and a PS3, because they just can't hang with my PC (connected to my 106" screen).
Ken @ Feb 6th 2007 2:27PM
Nah, I built myself a great gaming computer for about the price of a PS3. :) Just a few days ago actually.
FX-60 Processor/Mobo $300
7800 GT Video card $130
Case (with power supply) $70
Crappy CD-RW (From old PC) Free
RAM (2gb) $100
And I can play F.E.A.R. on all settings maxed. And download pr0n!
SmilingAssassin @ Feb 6th 2007 3:43PM
I don't want to play games in front of my PC. Ever.
bubka @ Feb 6th 2007 3:04PM
like the el Camino made the car and truck obsolete
Myke @ Feb 6th 2007 2:29PM
I can watch pr0n on my wii =)
5 points for the Matrix pic.
There is no spoon...
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 6th 2007 2:30PM
LOL... SOME computers may become entertainment hubs, but that doesn't mean consoles have to.
But yeah, of all the 'gaming platforms', the PC has to be the least accessible. You have to install the game, you have to know which kinds of cards and specs you need to know if your game will work, etc...
Also, costs.
Consoles are designed to not have those problems. If the consoles are a little limited 'compared to PCs', it's because they're supposed to be.
samfish @ Feb 6th 2007 2:33PM
They might become "PCs" in the technical sense, but they'll still be about as upgradeable as a Mac, have proprietary software and a new one will still be released every five years or so.
Talk to me in about 20 years when all homes have built in media hubs that connect wirelessly to all TVs and screen in your home and Nintendo's new "system" is just a software download that lets you play new games.
Keif @ Feb 6th 2007 2:34PM
thats not going to happen. the appeal of consoles is to have a box tha will run your game the way it was ment to. you ca'nt guarantee that on pc's.
that and a pc set up to run games as powerfull as 360 and ps3 is going o cost you alot more money.
people are upset at a 600 dollar ps3, do you think they will pay more for a game pc? i doubt that. blizzard just doesnt want to work with consoles
Mister Disco @ Feb 6th 2007 3:20PM
As long as there are low-income families, there will be game consoles. As #2 said, PC gaming is way too expensive to overtake consoles.
To #5 - Any way you slice it, $600 is a lot of money, and that's not counting controllers or games (or in the PC's case, hard drive, keyboard, mouse, controllers, and games). Price is only one factor though.
While #5 may have been able to piecemeal together a great gaming PC, most people have no idea what goes on inside a PC. Consoles are simple. Plug it into the TV, into the wall, put in a game and go. PCs don't have that ease of use for the average joe or child that consoles do. Until they do, and until gaming on PCs becomes more cost-effective than gaming on consoles (upgrading parts every year to play the latest game - hey kids, try selling that one to your mom!), there will be gaming consoles.
Crono @ Feb 6th 2007 2:35PM
I'm gonna have to disagree with blizzard man here.
While the horsepower and functionality of PC's and consoles are converging, there will always be 2 separate classes of device: the PC, and the home Console. The reason why is because the home console has the same hardware, and thus the same capabilities throughout, for a cheaper price than the PC.
If anything, we're moving backwards into the age of the Amiga and such, home PC/consoles that were used primarily for games.
All any of the big 3 have to do is allow for open platforms (like the 360 becomes vista capable, similar to linux on PS3), and other software available (like word processing, e-mail) and then include keyboard/mouse in the box.
Really, only MS is in the position to do this, and this may be their plan. If they can get their next home console vista/longhorn capable with keyboard/mouse support out of the box, it will most likely kill the PC industry.
I'm really not sure if I want this to happen though.
dsub @ Feb 6th 2007 5:43PM
what he should say is that PC's and Console will become one within the next 10 years. Consoles won't die, and neither will PC's. There just going to become the same thing.
Jonathan Tran @ Feb 6th 2007 2:37PM
I am pretty sure this has been said by every gaming company ever, at every major junction in gaming gens since calecovision
Miniboss @ Feb 6th 2007 2:37PM
Weren't people saying this five years ago as well?
Keeko @ Feb 6th 2007 3:12PM
I don't agree at all. Why? Because I've actually gone reverse in my interests. I used to be a BIG PC gamer. As time moved on, I've become less and less interested with upgrading to the latest GPU, Mobo and RAM each time a new killer app comes out. It's too expensive, and too time consuming. I find between each must-have PC game, you need a fully revamped system...which is fun and interesting, but WAY too expensive for your ordinary game player.
Consoles take the guesswork, technical know-how and outrageous expense out of gaming. That appeals to the greatest demogrphic in my opinion.
Wickedneoq @ Feb 6th 2007 2:47PM
Here's a simple statement for true Blizzard fans...
They have arcade titles: Rock'n'Roll Racing, Blackthorne and The Lost Vikings are in their arcade selection still. RnRR and TLV are GBA titles, and Blackthorne is an old PC game.
yoshimaroka @ Feb 6th 2007 2:49PM
It *will* happen.
Download(or later on stream) games onto your computer and stream it to your TV. You just need whichever controller to play.
Soon enough there won't be much to differentiate between competing consoles. It's all about the content!
BPM @ Feb 6th 2007 2:48PM
PCs do continue to get cheaper and more powerful.
But replacing consoles? Nah, not any time soon. The reason?
It's the games, stupid!
Yeah, on PC you can have the most detailed graphics ever. But, you're not going to find Halo 3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, or Metal Gear Solid 4 on PC.
(at least, not for a long time...)
I play consoles for the games, not for the graphics. And until the day comes where all developers decide to develop exclusively for the PC (including first party developers), that won't change.
LordMinogue @ Feb 6th 2007 2:49PM
I'm looking forward to a PC that uses your mind as the graphics card...a Matrix style virtual world that uses your own perception (a la dreams) to fill in the gaps.
JimyD @ Feb 6th 2007 5:07PM
That's wishful thinking but it ain't going to happen. Console game sales slaughter PC games and the only thing preventing a death blow is the lack of MMORPG's on consoles. There will always be PC gaming but it will never get close to the overall popularity of consoles.
p-diddy @ Feb 6th 2007 3:28PM
>> This is the first console war in history where
>> a capable PC can graphically beat any so-called
>> next-gen console. On my rig, Oblivion,
>> Condemned, GRAW, and R6: Vegas all look better
>> than their 360 counterparts.
You're kidding, right? PCs have ALWAYS had better graphics. Even modest PCs. And this is from a console fanboy (I own a PS2, Wii, 360, and two DSes).
-p-
J. McNair @ Feb 6th 2007 2:59PM
Consider there's no *officially* supported keyboard for any of the consoles. And that using a keyboard and mouse in front of your TV is stupid if you have a perfectly good game controller. Blizzard simply doesn't want to completely redesign the interface and controls of WoW for consoles. Not that hard to understand, as it would require significant effort and a dedicated team pulled away from their cash cow. Then again, they probably do have some free time now that Burning Crusade is out.
As for Console and PC gaming becoming one? At least 5-10 years off. If the PC as "entertainment hub/cache" is not a major real or perceived improvement over what they already have, people won't embrace it. What may help is less of the bullcrap from the PC side, period. Operating system makers must hold the PC game companies to the same standards as console companies hold their 3rd party devs as recently as the last console generation. This involves packaging and presentation, features, installation, branding, and yes, quality. They must reverse this generation's trend of release now/patch later inherited from PC gaming. I'm looking at Microsoft as an OS and console maker powerful enough to change things.
-JM
PS: I'm not against patches, in fact I like companies who recognize their mistakes and fix them. I don't like downloading a patch to make a game work or fun in the first place.
P.P.S. Entertainment hub: all media accessed through PC as server and streamed throughout house. think average PC, PS3. Entertainment cache: smaller, less powerful device that streams media from internet/other devices/home server. What storage there is puts less stress on the network by caching certain content. Think XBox 360 (that 20 GB HDD isn't good for much), PSP, AppleTV.
Jake @ Feb 6th 2007 2:58PM
If computers get so powerful that a low end Dell can run Crysis out of the box, I would no longer see much need in advancing the power of consoles or graphics cards. It would just reach a spot.
Still, though, I like to game while someone else in the household is using the computer. I'd hate to own two computers and I'd hate to share.
Game Artist @ Feb 6th 2007 2:59PM
It'll happen eventually. 5 years? Maybe. Though I think it's more along the lines of consoles becoming PC's than PC's becoming consoles. Consoles are evolving as media hubs. I can see them developing the media and other abilities enough that they can do most things that pc's can, but come packaged as an all in one solution. I bet MS would love to be able to release office for console. ;)
Grunge @ Feb 6th 2007 3:01PM
We'll nuke ourselves off the face of the planet before the PC and console converge.
Saber @ Feb 6th 2007 7:28PM
In 5 years they'll be obsolete? That's guaranteed. EVERY 5 years, consoles are obsolete. That's what next-gen is all about.
Je2037 @ Feb 6th 2007 3:08PM
The majority of people are fairly computer illiterate. The attraction of a seperate PC made only for gaming, where there are no installations, drivers, whatever will always dominate in the mainstream.
In order for PC's to take over gaming they need to be simple and standard. Choices/installations/settings make alot of people look the other way. Otherwise it will always be a "hardcore gamer" domain.
funkonaut @ Feb 6th 2007 3:11PM
I think it will be the other way around. The console will be the media/Internet/everyday machine while the PC will be replaced by laptops and portable computers (like the Apple iPhone).
And now that Nintendo has brought a wireless "mouse" to consoles, they've established a new modern interface for these future media hubs. I expect to see the PC fade out in the next decade.
PrincessAdora @ Feb 6th 2007 3:13PM
LOL, this guy isn't too bright.
If you look up articles from the time, or do any research at all, you'll see that analysts have been predicting the end of consoles for 25 years.
After the Atari crash, they said that everyone would be playing on computers which were "better and more powereful". Then a little thing called the "NES" was released and took over the world.
They said the same thing again in the mid-1990's. "Consoles are dead, the future is in PC gaming!" Then came that little grey box known as a PlayStation.
So now, with the Wii and XBOX 360 selling gangbusters, this new dude wants to say that consoles are dying again? Ignorance of history, IMHO.
Consoles succeed IN SPITE of the fact that publishers try to push them as "hubs" because people want a GAME SYSTEM. No drivers, configuration, compatability issues, blah blah - they want something that they put a disc in and it instantly plays on their TV.
Dedicated console gaming has been "dying" in favor of computers for going on the end of a third decade. PC Gaming is what is dying - there will be no one central box, because most people could give an absolute rats shit about having one.
Adora
Myke @ Feb 6th 2007 3:14PM
Bubka - I just spit latte all over my keyboard becaues of you!!! That was solid man.
Shagittarius @ Feb 6th 2007 4:17PM
I don't see how you can praise Nintendo for releasing a lower spec machine, claiming that graphics don't make a game fun, then when the talk of PCs as a gaming platform comes up, you don't consider it a real PC unless its got all the latest 13373st hardware.
Having a computer its your choice as to how good the graphics need to be for your enjoyment, PC games scale very well and have done so for a long time. Now with the new Vista rating scale it will be as easy as comparing your system rating (which is calculated the first time you run vista) to the number on the box.
There are way too many Nintendo fan boys on these boards and I think you need to start banning some of them joystiq. They offer nothing to the topic and contidict themselves constantly in an effort to pimp their fanboy loyalties. PCs and consoles are converging and will only become more and more...
Maybe someday you'll have to choose between a Sony Vaio that runs linux and plays PS3 games or a Windows machine that plays regular windows games...then 10 years late Nintendo will jump on the bandwagon and offer their own home PC which is underpowered, undersupported, but runs on farts.
Slaziman @ Feb 6th 2007 3:16PM
Never, a real computer needs a keyboard and a mouse, some of us prefer a controller that we can hold, so if you want to game in your living room, but it doesn't have any place to rest a mouse and keyboard, you are shit out of luck, never mind if you best TV is in that living room, you are forced to play on your small computer screen.
Todd H. @ Feb 6th 2007 3:17PM
Consoles will be with us forever because a HUGE part of the market isn't Computer Saavy. Think about the mass market and what appeals to them more? Console.
Besides all of the other problems that come along with having a PC, upgrades, viruses, WINDOWS, etc. Most people just want something simple and easy.
Miharu @ Feb 7th 2007 1:27AM
This will happen. PS4 will be a Sony branded computer, and Xbox 720 will just be a part of the new Windows. Nintendo on the other hand will be the only one to make a traditional console that only attaches to a TV.
Kenneth Johnson @ Feb 6th 2007 5:14PM
"You're kidding, right? PCs have ALWAYS had better graphics. Even modest PCs. And this is from a console fanboy (I own a PS2, Wii, 360, and two DSes)."
I'm glad someone said it. PC games have outperformed console game pretty much from the start. Look at old Sierra games (King's Quest) vs. Atari 2600 and even NES.
Half Life vs PS1 or N64, etc. etc.
Consoles have always lagged behind computers in graphics abilities.
Where consoles have always succeeded though is: Cheaper, standardization, connect to television (play on the couch), more social (multi-player with your friends over), ease (pop in the disc and play), portability (bringing a game or even a console to a friends house.)
These are things PC games struggled with -- especially multi-player. Before online games, most computer games were solitary games.
Evan @ Feb 6th 2007 3:48PM
"The PC is becoming an entertainment hub ... Maybe in five years you won't need a console because you'll have one PC which delivers content [including games] all over your house,"
In other words, a Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition PC. However, Media Center hasn't taken off like Microsoft had hoped. And it now looks as if Microsoft is turning away from that model, and looking towards a more distributed home entertainment model with their Windows Home Server - small networked storage devices that deliver data to various different devices in your home.
JS Beckerist @ Feb 6th 2007 5:39PM
Yeah, because Microsoft is going to go DOWN as they ONLY sell 360's. Games for Windows will SLAUGHTER consoles and Microsoft will go BANKRUPT! Except that Microsoft practically OWNS consoles AND PC's...how is this even CLOSE to "making a pass?"
Ice Monkey @ Feb 6th 2007 6:05PM
@ TopaZ
Computers has always been better than consoles when churning out graphics. So how is your current PC bettering a 360 making this all relevant?
The great thing about consoles is standardising. A PS2 game is guaranteed to work on a PS2 whereas a PC game wouldn't. You would still need a new graphic card, RAM upgrade, processor upgrade etc.
Personally I couldn't care less. I game on both PC and consoles and can see the merit in each. The only console I have no interest of is the 360, due to the fact that I already have PC games on my PC.
Vidikron @ Feb 6th 2007 4:10PM
Won't happen until people start placing their PCs in the heart of their entertainment centers. Some people use HTPCs and such, but those numbers are tiny compared to all PC and console owners. Most people still place their PCs in offices, bedrooms, and/or corner desks in varius places around the home. Consoles go in the main entertainment center.
Most people also tend to buy cheap PCs that have inegrated graphics and a bare minimum of RAM and then use it until it simply dies or becomes otherwise unusable. These same people don't upgrade their PCs either. Your average PC user never opens their PCs to put in new or upgrade components.
This will need to change drastically for consoles and PCs to actually completely merge. I don't ever see this happening completely.... or at least not in the near future. Maybe decades out, but anytime soon.
Plaid Ninja @ Feb 6th 2007 4:18PM
Yawn. When I can do my PC gaming from my sofa... when it doesn't cost me the same price as a new console to upgrade my computer, then I'll consider it.
Autocrawler @ Feb 6th 2007 4:18PM
@ #27: What the hell are you smoking there?
a) You can connect your PC to a HDTV easily, just as I did.
b) Starting with Vista, nearly all the "Games for Windows" titles will have XBox controller support. Actually, even now most PC games have had controller support, just not standardized.
Just so to say, I agree with the prognosis. It's understandable that PCs, being non-proprietary platforms have so much more advantages in every possible way in terms of customization, functionality et cetera.
Shawn D @ Feb 6th 2007 6:12PM
PC Gaming is where it's at in my opinion. I think it's funny how some people complain about PC's as if it's rocket science. PC gaming is a hobby, not just casual gaming. It's funny when people that have only been console players their whole life, end up having absolutely no clue as to what they are talking about concerning PC Gaming. One cannot understand a hobby if they don't participate in it to begin with. The main problem is that there are so many misconceptions about the industry in general and there just isn't a way to educate people, especially in this country. If you look at Europe, PC gaming dominates most Countries including some in Asia as well, Korea comes to mind. For anyone to say the "PC gaming Industry" is dying is either "Special" or simply uneducated.
It reminds me of people who bash a movie or a book, when they haven't even watched or read it. LOL.
Sensai @ Feb 6th 2007 4:25PM
'This is the first console war in history where a capable PC can graphically beat any so-called next-gen console. On my rig, Oblivion, Condemned, GRAW, and R6: Vegas all look better than their 360 counterparts.'
I'm sorry...what? Surely you meant to say that this is the first console war where a PC canNOT graphically beat any console...which I would still disagree with.
Consoles have always been ill in comparison to computer games.
Vidikron @ Feb 6th 2007 4:29PM
@36
And you're then left with a situation where your PC is no longer in the ideal situation to do actual work. I don't think PCs can ever replace consoles for that reason alone. People usually have a 'main' entertainment center. Yes, if you have an HDTV you can put a PC there, but where does that leave the rest of the family when they want to watch TV or play games and daddy needs to prepare a spreadsheet for work (yes, people really do work on their PCs)?
I think we'll continue to see consoles gain PCs attibutes (e.g. web browsing, media capabilites... inother words.. mostly entertainment related activities)... but there will never be a total convergence for the reason I just gave plus my previous points in comment #34.
Slaziman @ Feb 6th 2007 4:31PM
@36
I know dipshit, but where would you put your mouse and keyboard? Suddenly your computer is useless at everything, now it can only play games! Sounds almost like a console to me.
Autocrawler @ Feb 6th 2007 4:33PM
"I'm sorry...what? Surely you meant to say that this is the first console war where a PC canNOT graphically beat any console...which I would still disagree with."
The PC has always had superior graphics in comparison to any console. Typically the console has better graphics only for half a year after its release. The PC catches up at that very moment.
A single already venerable Radeon X1900 card can easily beat the X360's graphics quality. A single GF8800, no matter whether it is a GTS or a GTX model, simply outclasses it in every possible way. And I am telling you this from my personal experience based on all cross platform games I've recently played.
Gary @ Feb 6th 2007 4:41PM
Hmm... Gotta love anti-free-speech folks. I think people are right on with the notion that eventually consoles will become "computer-esque" I.E. they are now shipping with hard drives, and are more "media friendly." I don't see consules ever going away in that respect. However, if you look at the current trend, consules are becoming more computer like then they ever have before.
On people comparing the graphics on a Wii, grow up. The wii is obviously a graphically inferior machine. Its not the graphics that make THAT system, its the experience. Got it? I.E. if you're too stupid to understand this, i'm sorry. But if another consule came out, fairly soon, which had superior graphics and the same "wiimote" type control scheme, a large chunk of people wouldn't even give the Wii a second thought. Anyway, I feel that the Wii (which I don't have) is so successful because: A. New game play style, B. Price, C. Familiarity. People don't all look at the wii and instantly connect it with 'inferior' graphics.