Is it just me or...

Anarchy101 · 03-05-2008, 02:48 PM

Is PC gaming dying? It seems like it. I've been an avid PC gamer for years...since the mid 90's, and even though it may seem more mainstream now then it was back then...the quality seems to have been tossed overboard also.

Here are a few reasons why I think PC gaming is dying.

Well, basically it's all Microsofts fault, you can disagree with me if you want but we all know they're as crooked as a barrel of snakes.

Just go into any store that sells video games. The console games are flying off the shelves and the PC games are sitting there covered with dust. I remember when PC games were considered the best or they were considered a step above consoles....now people are actually preferring consoles to PC's...even with the shitty controls and bad graphics. I don't care what anyone says, all games look better on the PC....and most games control better on the PC. The xbox controller will never replace the keyboard and mouse for first person shooter controls. Anyone who thinks the xbox controller is better for controlling a first person shooter is either stupid or has some kind of mental disorder.

They force gamers to upgrade to their new overpriced OS in order to keep up with everything. What's the hottest thing that a PC gamer wants right now? DirectX 10. What's the only way you can get it? Upgrading to Vista. They could have easily incorporated DX10 into windows XP but they chose not to because they knew that if they didn't no gamers would buy Vista, because most gamers hate Vista.

Then you have microsofts "games for windows live!" marketing campaign...which basically punishes PC gamers for not owning an xbox. Ten years ago it was unheard of to charge people to play a first person shooter online on the PC, now it's standard fare. There are some games that are worth paying a monthly fee for, first person shooters aren't. This kills the market because pc gamers DO NOT want to go out and buy a $50 first person shooter and then pay another $50 just to be able to play the multiplayer portion of the game.

I don't want an xbox, i'm a PC gamer. I built a gaming PC so I didn't have to deal with microsoft or xbox live. Personally I think the xbox 360 is a piece of junk, not only because the thing breaks more often then any other console, but because it doesn't have anything that sets it apart from the rest, basically every game that is worth playing that's available on the 360 is available on either the PC or another console. It was the same with the original xbox, but back then you had a choice. Now it seems microsoft is forcing their xbox propaganda on us PC gamers, and that's just wrong, because if we don't wanna deal with microsoft or use their xbox services then we shouldn't have to. STOP TRYING TO TURN THE PC INTO AN XBOX KTHX! :)

And the only reason they seem to be doing any of this is just because they can. Because we all know microsoft needs more money (sarcasm).

It's all just a poor excuse to charge people for something they otherwise wouldn't need, wouldn't want or wouldn't use. But this time around were being forced to use it. :)

If microsoft wants to be this aggressive with their services, I wish they would just keep it in the xbox territory and leave us PC gamers out of it.

What's next on the agenda? Am I gonna have to pay to patch the damn game too?

Jack.Sparrow · 03-05-2008, 03:33 PM

On the contrary I think. Although I'm a console gamer

, the figures I've seen lead me to believe otherwise. (It was a small sample, about 250 people, during a lecture, when the lecturer did an impromptu survey).

As for the graphics being better on PC's (or PC's being better generally). I choose to disagree. I have yet to see a game that looks better on a PC then a PS3 [maybe even the 360, but I don't have that]. Furthermore, consoles: will never lag, don't need to up upgraded to keep up with the games, will always allow games to be played at the highest settings, are less likely to crash then PC's, are less likely to be infected by Viruses, cost less ($1000AUS for a PS3 VS $1500AUS minimum for a PC to be able to play the same game at the same settings).

Controls: Personal preference really. Personally, I prefer to 'pull a trigger' rather then click to shoot a gun, but I prefer the flexibility you get with a mouse (which is more precise). However, if it's not a FPS, then I prefer my controller.

I know you're talking more about the PC and the 360 and what you're saying may well be true but I really don't think PC gaming is dead or dying at all, far far from it.

As for them not selling, well, I think you pointed out why people are choosing not to buy them, rather attaining them from err.. other sources..., whereas consoles games can not be obtained from said sources without ... voiding your warranty.

This is just a personal point of view, not meant to provoke anyone.

Anarchy101 · 03-05-2008, 04:22 PM

Well I did go off on kind of a rant bashing consoles. I actually like consoles...alot. The Wii and PS3 are great. I especially like classic consoles. I just don't like microsoft or xbox very much at all really.

And I especially don't like this fact.

Why should I have to pay for an online console service, in order to play a PC game, when I don't even own or want the console?

Jack.Sparrow · 03-05-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarchy101

I just don't like microsoft or xbox very much at all really.

Nor do I

. Microsoft started off as a computer operating system developer, and I think they should stick to that.

Anarchy101 · 03-05-2008, 05:04 PM

They wouldn't be so annoying if they didn't try to monopolize and own EVERYTHING...

They won't be satisfied until they control the planet...

Jack.Sparrow · 03-05-2008, 05:13 PM

This is turning into a Microsoft bashing thread.

Anarchy101 · 03-05-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack.Sparrow

This is turning into a Microsoft bashing thread.

perfect

**Aus_Karlos** · 03-07-2008, 06:33 AM

Actually Microsoft are crap at making OS's too, the only thing they are good at are getting up peoples nerves and making a huge profit. Lol

Online Console service is usually owned by a company not by a person hence the price tag...
Altho PS3 has a great record with only a hand full of games you have to have a monthly subscription. (360 Live how sucks) :S

PC's games are at a high but more and more PC games are now purchased off the internet

ebackhus · 03-07-2008, 01:08 PM

I started gaming on consoles like most gamers did. Back then a PC was a very expensive device and gaming was crude at best. Consoles were dedicated devices designed soley to entertain. PCs were designed for business type work and to make people lazier.

I prefer consoles for many of the reasons jack mentioned: I can buy a game for it and not have to worry about meeting any system requirements, I can just plug and go (most games anyway), just ONE device to control everything, and a console usually supports 4 players at once.

I like PCs because games that are buggy can be easily patched, sometimes that mouse just gives me a bit more of an edge, LAN events involve PCs, and I can build one to suit my needs.

And we can't toally rip on MS for the gaming thing. If it weren't for DirectX we'd probably still be stuck in the mire of certian cards only supported certian games. NV1, anyone? Glide?

supermep · 03-07-2008, 01:51 PM

I always gamed on PCs. And probably always will.

Ive owned some consoles throughout the years (which ones I have changes randomly) but it still doesn't change the fact that I always have more games on the pc.

I spend an hour or two everyday playing Call of Duty 2. Yeah its from 2005. But hey thats when PC gaming was just amazing to me. I had just finished playing Half Life 2, COD 2 was new, and things were good.

I'll just keep pretending its 2005 until a new MOH or COD comes out that isn't lame.

mercyman123 · 03-15-2008, 03:46 PM

Thats so true. If I didn't have to pay for WoW or Tabula Rasa or any of those games I would still be playing them.

**Cellus** · 03-17-2008, 11:00 PM

I have been playing PC games since Commander Keen and EGA Trek on DOS 5, and Tetris and Duck Hunt on the NES, so I have had the luxury (and pain) to experience (and suffer) the trials of the video game industry for (too) long.

PC Gaming... is not dying. People simply have been saying it is dying to boost console sales (a cheap tactic *cough*Activision*cough*). It is true console sales have been rising, but that doesn't say PC sales are falling. It is true PC sales have lessened a little, but this really has only been because of the developing maturity of next gen consoles (which, by the way, seems to happen every time a new generation of consoles is released). It is true DX10 has been somewhat of a flop, however that is more at fault due to the lack of transitioning to Windows Vista than anything. I am really not worrying in the least because people will transition to Vista eventually.

There is more to the argument between PC and Console gaming, but to summarize what has been said (and not said yet), PC gaming is not dying. People have only been saying it has been dying, and I trust that statement as much as I trust the opening statements from lawyers.

Vash2000 · 03-18-2008, 07:24 AM

I'm not a PC Gamer anymore I do online gaming from my PSP from my DSL and wireless USB Access point thingy.

rich.bronson · 03-25-2008, 08:14 AM

I used to be a hardcore console gamer and I stayed away from PC games, but now I am just the opposite. I haven't played a console game in a few months and I play PC games three or four times a week. I wish I had made the switch a lot sooner.

**Cellus** · 03-25-2008, 06:37 PM

Mouse trumps thumbstick everyday of the week.

dxj · 03-27-2008, 03:43 AM

I'm more of a console gamer, only play CS:S on the pc pretty much.
but the pc gaming market isn't dying off one bit.

"worldwide PC gaming market share grew 14% in 2007, there is now 263 million online PC gamers. The PC now makes up 30% of all videogame industry - morethan any other console." Randy Strude, Head of the PC Gaming Alliance

This was in the April 2008 UK edition of PC Gamer.

03-05-2008, 02:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anarchy101 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: None of your business Posts: 122 OS: Vista 64 bit	Is it just me or... Is PC gaming dying? It seems like it. I've been an avid PC gamer for years...since the mid 90's, and even though it may seem more mainstream now then it was back then...the quality seems to have been tossed overboard also. Here are a few reasons why I think PC gaming is dying. Well, basically it's all Microsofts fault, you can disagree with me if you want but we all know they're as crooked as a barrel of snakes. Just go into any store that sells video games. The console games are flying off the shelves and the PC games are sitting there covered with dust. I remember when PC games were considered the best or they were considered a step above consoles....now people are actually preferring consoles to PC's...even with the shitty controls and bad graphics. I don't care what anyone says, all games look better on the PC....and most games control better on the PC. The xbox controller will never replace the keyboard and mouse for first person shooter controls. Anyone who thinks the xbox controller is better for controlling a first person shooter is either stupid or has some kind of mental disorder. They force gamers to upgrade to their new overpriced OS in order to keep up with everything. What's the hottest thing that a PC gamer wants right now? DirectX 10. What's the only way you can get it? Upgrading to Vista. They could have easily incorporated DX10 into windows XP but they chose not to because they knew that if they didn't no gamers would buy Vista, because most gamers hate Vista. Then you have microsofts "games for windows live!" marketing campaign...which basically punishes PC gamers for not owning an xbox. Ten years ago it was unheard of to charge people to play a first person shooter online on the PC, now it's standard fare. There are some games that are worth paying a monthly fee for, first person shooters aren't. This kills the market because pc gamers DO NOT want to go out and buy a $50 first person shooter and then pay another $50 just to be able to play the multiplayer portion of the game. I don't want an xbox, i'm a PC gamer. I built a gaming PC so I didn't have to deal with microsoft or xbox live. Personally I think the xbox 360 is a piece of junk, not only because the thing breaks more often then any other console, but because it doesn't have anything that sets it apart from the rest, basically every game that is worth playing that's available on the 360 is available on either the PC or another console. It was the same with the original xbox, but back then you had a choice. Now it seems microsoft is forcing their xbox propaganda on us PC gamers, and that's just wrong, because if we don't wanna deal with microsoft or use their xbox services then we shouldn't have to. STOP TRYING TO TURN THE PC INTO AN XBOX KTHX! :) And the only reason they seem to be doing any of this is just because they can. Because we all know microsoft needs more money (sarcasm). It's all just a poor excuse to charge people for something they otherwise wouldn't need, wouldn't want or wouldn't use. But this time around were being forced to use it. :) If microsoft wants to be this aggressive with their services, I wish they would just keep it in the xbox territory and leave us PC gamers out of it. What's next on the agenda? Am I gonna have to pay to patch the damn game too? __________________ Intel Core2 Duo e6750 conroe@ 2.6ghz - BFGtech Geforce 9800 GX2 - 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 - Asus P5N-E 650i SLi mobo - Antec Neo Power Blue 650w - Sound Blaster X-fi Xtreme gamer - 2x 160GB Western Digital IDE HDD. Don't ask me if I have the latest drivers when you already know the answer :P

03-05-2008, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jack.Sparrow Resident Pirate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Qld, Aus Posts: 16,717 OS: XP SP2/Vista SP1 My System Blog Entries: 6	Re: Is it just me or... On the contrary I think. Although I'm a console gamer , the figures I've seen lead me to believe otherwise. (It was a small sample, about 250 people, during a lecture, when the lecturer did an impromptu survey). As for the graphics being better on PC's (or PC's being better generally). I choose to disagree. I have yet to see a game that looks better on a PC then a PS3 [maybe even the 360, but I don't have that]. Furthermore, consoles: will never lag, don't need to up upgraded to keep up with the games, will always allow games to be played at the highest settings, are less likely to crash then PC's, are less likely to be infected by Viruses, cost less ($1000AUS for a PS3 VS $1500AUS minimum for a PC to be able to play the same game at the same settings). Controls: Personal preference really. Personally, I prefer to 'pull a trigger' rather then click to shoot a gun, but I prefer the flexibility you get with a mouse (which is more precise). However, if it's not a FPS, then I prefer my controller. I know you're talking more about the PC and the 360 and what you're saying may well be true but I really don't think PC gaming is dead or dying at all, far far from it. As for them not selling, well, I think you pointed out why people are choosing not to buy them, rather attaining them from err.. other sources..., whereas consoles games can not be obtained from said sources without ... voiding your warranty. This is just a personal point of view, not meant to provoke anyone. __________________ //PC Wizard//Speedfan//Can you run it?//Tweak Guides//Rules//Donations//

03-05-2008, 04:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Anarchy101 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: None of your business Posts: 122 OS: Vista 64 bit	Re: Is it just me or... Well I did go off on kind of a rant bashing consoles. I actually like consoles...alot. The Wii and PS3 are great. I especially like classic consoles. I just don't like microsoft or xbox very much at all really. And I especially don't like this fact. Why should I have to pay for an online console service, in order to play a PC game, when I don't even own or want the console? __________________ Intel Core2 Duo e6750 conroe@ 2.6ghz - BFGtech Geforce 9800 GX2 - 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 - Asus P5N-E 650i SLi mobo - Antec Neo Power Blue 650w - Sound Blaster X-fi Xtreme gamer - 2x 160GB Western Digital IDE HDD. Don't ask me if I have the latest drivers when you already know the answer :P

03-05-2008, 05:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anarchy101 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: None of your business Posts: 122 OS: Vista 64 bit	Re: Is it just me or... They wouldn't be so annoying if they didn't try to monopolize and own EVERYTHING... They won't be satisfied until they control the planet... __________________ Intel Core2 Duo e6750 conroe@ 2.6ghz - BFGtech Geforce 9800 GX2 - 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 - Asus P5N-E 650i SLi mobo - Antec Neo Power Blue 650w - Sound Blaster X-fi Xtreme gamer - 2x 160GB Western Digital IDE HDD. Don't ask me if I have the latest drivers when you already know the answer :P

03-05-2008, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jack.Sparrow Resident Pirate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Qld, Aus Posts: 16,717 OS: XP SP2/Vista SP1 My System Blog Entries: 6	Re: Is it just me or... This is turning into a Microsoft bashing thread. __________________ //PC Wizard//Speedfan//Can you run it?//Tweak Guides//Rules//Donations//

03-07-2008, 06:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Mentor, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 1,720 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit My System	Re: Is it just me or... Actually Microsoft are crap at making OS's too, the only thing they are good at are getting up peoples nerves and making a huge profit. Lol Online Console service is usually owned by a company not by a person hence the price tag... Altho PS3 has a great record with only a hand full of games you have to have a monthly subscription. (360 Live how sucks) :S PC's games are at a high but more and more PC games are now purchased off the internet __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Crysis Tweak

03-07-2008, 01:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
ebackhus Asst. Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,581 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 18	Re: Is it just me or... I started gaming on consoles like most gamers did. Back then a PC was a very expensive device and gaming was crude at best. Consoles were dedicated devices designed soley to entertain. PCs were designed for business type work and to make people lazier. I prefer consoles for many of the reasons jack mentioned: I can buy a game for it and not have to worry about meeting any system requirements, I can just plug and go (most games anyway), just ONE device to control everything, and a console usually supports 4 players at once. I like PCs because games that are buggy can be easily patched, sometimes that mouse just gives me a bit more of an edge, LAN events involve PCs, and I can build one to suit my needs. And we can't toally rip on MS for the gaming thing. If it weren't for DirectX we'd probably still be stuck in the mire of certian cards only supported certian games. NV1, anyone? Glide? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

03-07-2008, 01:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
supermep Games Tech Team Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 254 OS: winxp	Re: Is it just me or... I always gamed on PCs. And probably always will. Ive owned some consoles throughout the years (which ones I have changes randomly) but it still doesn't change the fact that I always have more games on the pc. I spend an hour or two everyday playing Call of Duty 2. Yeah its from 2005. But hey thats when PC gaming was just amazing to me. I had just finished playing Half Life 2, COD 2 was new, and things were good. I'll just keep pretending its 2005 until a new MOH or COD comes out that isn't lame. __________________

03-15-2008, 03:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
mercyman123 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 30 OS: Windows Vista	Re: Is it just me or... Thats so true. If I didn't have to pay for WoW or Tabula Rasa or any of those games I would still be playing them.

03-17-2008, 11:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,627 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: Is it just me or... I have been playing PC games since Commander Keen and EGA Trek on DOS 5, and Tetris and Duck Hunt on the NES, so I have had the luxury (and pain) to experience (and suffer) the trials of the video game industry for (too) long. PC Gaming... is not dying. People simply have been saying it is dying to boost console sales (a cheap tactic coughActivisioncough). It is true console sales have been rising, but that doesn't say PC sales are falling. It is true PC sales have lessened a little, but this really has only been because of the developing maturity of next gen consoles (which, by the way, seems to happen every time a new generation of consoles is released). It is true DX10 has been somewhat of a flop, however that is more at fault due to the lack of transitioning to Windows Vista than anything. I am really not worrying in the least because people will transition to Vista eventually. There is more to the argument between PC and Console gaming, but to summarize what has been said (and not said yet), PC gaming is not dying. People have only been saying it has been dying, and I trust that statement as much as I trust the opening statements from lawyers. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

03-18-2008, 07:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
Vash2000 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 115 OS: Windows XP	Re: Is it just me or... I'm not a PC Gamer anymore I do online gaming from my PSP from my DSL and wireless USB Access point thingy.

03-25-2008, 08:14 AM	#14 (permalink)
rich.bronson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 15 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Is it just me or... I used to be a hardcore console gamer and I stayed away from PC games, but now I am just the opposite. I haven't played a console game in a few months and I play PC games three or four times a week. I wish I had made the switch a lot sooner. __________________ Celebrate the moment

03-25-2008, 06:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,627 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: Is it just me or... Mouse trumps thumbstick everyday of the week. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

03-27-2008, 03:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
dxj Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 248 OS: XP Pro, Mac OS X	Re: Is it just me or... I'm more of a console gamer, only play CS:S on the pc pretty much. but the pc gaming market isn't dying off one bit. "worldwide PC gaming market share grew 14% in 2007, there is now 263 million online PC gamers. The PC now makes up 30% of all videogame industry - morethan any other console." Randy Strude, Head of the PC Gaming Alliance This was in the April 2008 UK edition of PC Gamer.