PC Gaming 2010 - Where it's going wrong!

If you have a look at the games coming to the PC this year you will see a lot less than on the consoles. I have a couple of theories why this is happening but I am worried about PC gaming. I know it wont end but if it suffers so does a lot of the PC industry - Hardware manufacturers, programers, HD ect.

Firstly I blame Consoles. Every one and their Dog has a Wii or an Xbox. The Xbox is killing PC gaming. Its taking all of ms focus away from computers and onto getting deals to lengthen the lifespan of the console. They are trying everything from jumping on the casual bandwagon to stealing sony exclusives to cancelling PC games. The Xbox was fun and I know it has a lot more functions now like Netflix. facebook and twitter. But this new casual NXE really annoys me. I call it knew because I now rarely play xbox since its release. Gamers have the option playing online with friends and family for a annual fee + a cheap console and they can still do many pc like things thus making the pc less useful. They also might have an iphone or PS3 taht has PC functionality. So the PC as a computer is used less so they would they load it up for a 10min session? Xbox is an easier option.

Console ports- MW2? Bioshock2? We all know they suck. And devs are doing this why? Consoles sell better they are trying to make us like console gamer with matchmaking and no dedicated servers. These subpar games are ruining the repretation of pc games. They now seam at a lower standard than console games and ewell they are.

Console games sell better due to piracy. Althought the xbox is simple to hack not as simple as a pc. Anyone can get free S/P games on their pc via torrents although filled with nasties that wont stop people. But it does stop developers.

Casual Gaming is this gen biggest sucess. Nanny plays mario kart. So why would gamers choose to go back to the darkend rooms for some doom or Counter strike. Gaming is popular now. And most gamers arent really that h/c. The market has changed so has the marketing strategy is a business after all.

Avatar the movie is also killing pc gaming. Why? 3D gaming. Wait killing PC gaming perhaps not. Perhaps the new 3d approch to our visual entertainment will be the next Casual gaming. And so far consols cant game in all our dimensions. So maybe James Cameron has saved PC gaming at least for 2010. 3d TV/ LCDs are on the market even Youtube is 3d now.

And remember it is a recession we have just came through.

But I do worry even though I understand the reasons why we seem to be struggling. I love steam I admit I'm new to it and PC gaming. I was an xboxer. I got a Ps3 after the NXE for something different and I love the simplicity but its missing so many functions - cross game chat? Socom that works lol. But I am looking for a new flashy pc game - Shooter Preferable. A new Ip is really what I want to see. But all that I can find is ports, MW2 and Crysis. If you guys have any suggestions that isnt an xbox game or is a lot better on the pc and isnt L4D, L4D2, Crysis or really old let me know. I got a new gfx card and want to use it.

I'm actually thinking of buying myself a Xbox 360... Fable 2, Halo 3, Gears of War 2 (Note: Fable is on PC, Halo 1 and 2 are on PC, Gears of War is on PC)

If pc gaming dies, then it dies. Quite frankly, I don't really care what happens. But every year people keep saying pc gaming is dead and yet, here I am still able to buy and play pc games that I like. I quit listening to the naysayers.

You want to see what a real dead platform looks like? Look at the Commodore Amiga. It was my favorite gaming computer. When it died, did I shed a tear? No. I simply moved on to pc's. If pc gaming dies, then I'll move on to another platform. So long as the gaming industry itself doesn't collapse like it did in the early 80's, I don't really care what platform it's on. And yes, I was there too when video gaming hit rock bottom.

You guys worry too much.

Bioshock 2? Suck? Blasphemy!

Woohoo another PC is dying topic :P the only games I see that aren't coming to the PC are Sony exclusives (which never have come to the PC) and Microsoft exclusives which used to come to the PC but MS has stopped the practice because it was erroding their chances in the Great Console War. As far as I can see third party support is still pretty strong, in fact in some areas it has improved with the likes of Capcom making an effort now on the PC.

Things could always be better on the PC but that isn't going to happen whilst we have MS and Sony throwing blank cheques all over the place to secure "exclusivity".

i didnt read the post, too busy enjoying stalker call of pripyat and waiting for star craft 2, napoleon total war, and the dawn of war 2 expansion. so what exciting xbox exclusives are coming? Halo reach?

I was simply stating why pc gaming is suffering but I ment to make this topic to ask if anyone has any idea of a new IP PC -not console port- FPS that is coming out this year. Play.com has hardly any pc games compared to the console stuff.

I agree with your basic assesment OP, but we still have some good exclusives.

Consoles will ultimately lose out, unless they can match the quality of gaming/controls on PC... most console gamers would switch to PC if they had the money, or were exposed to how much better PC is.

I was simply stating why pc gaming is suffering but I ment to make this topic to ask if anyone has any idea of a new IP PC -not console port- FPS that is coming out this year. Play.com has hardly any pc games compared to the console stuff.

JGAMROT

STALKER: Call of Pripyat for Single-Player experience.

Global Agenda for online multiplayer.

2 PC Exclusive IP FPS...two months into 2010.

...

So, yeah...PC is suffering and all that hulabaloo...how'd the story go again? :D

If you're talking about huge blockbuster games with extensive advertising campaigns, it is possible that PC releases may have started to decline very slightly. It hasn't been anything huge, however. Games such as Modern Warfare 2 and Bioshock 2 may fit this criteria, but they still were developed and released for the PC as well. Although much of the PC community wants unique features to the PC version for various reasons, both the console and PC editions of these games are identical. This does not seem to be enough evidence to indicate any kind of trend concerning sales or number of blockbuster releases per year.

It is worth noting that the PC has not only the most versatile library of games, but also claims the most releases on a yearly basis. Most are not blockbuster hits that are advertised, and this may mislead some to believe that PC gaming is losing support. Many indie games are available on the PC are not developed for the consoles because of barriers to console online markets. Sony and Microsoft, although they are extending partnerships with smaller development studios via XBLA and PSN, will never be able to generate the supply of games that the much more accessible PC operating system can.

The only viable shortcoming of the PC platform is its connection with piracy, causing some select studios to not bother with the development of PC versions.

Hate to tell you, but more people play games on PC than on consoles. I mean seriously, does anyone realize just how massive PC gaming truly is? You can look at something like Farmville, that has over 7 million players. WoW, 11 million players. Even games like Hello Kitty and Maple Story have millions of players. Thats just four examples, think of the thousands and thousands of PC games there are out there. And no, Consoles are not getting more releases than PC games. Just the indie releases outdo consoles. If you talk high-profile AAA game exclusives, its probably even since not many games are exclusive anymore.

And quit panicking over Dead Space 2 or whatever, a few games getting cancelled here and there will not kill PC gaming. PC was never supposed to get The Force Unleashed either.

PC gaming will also outlast consoles, since no company owns the PC platform. This is why even during the dire times PC gets ports. Companies do not have to pay royalties to port their games.

You have some valid concerns, others are just a little bit far fetched. PC gaming has survived through seven generations of consoles; it is not going anywhere. Piracy is hardly the reason why console games sell better. And it's absurd to think that PC gaming has been "saved" by 3D glasses.dos4gw82

Piracy is the MAIN reason devs are migrating in mass to console. This article breaks it down more logically then all of these crackpot posts.

http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html

[QUOTE="dos4gw82"]You have some valid concerns, others are just a little bit far fetched. PC gaming has survived through seven generations of consoles; it is not going anywhere. Piracy is hardly the reason why console games sell better. And it's absurd to think that PC gaming has been "saved" by 3D glasses.Rawtheory333

Piracy is the MAIN reason devs are migrating in mass to console. This article breaks it down more logically then all of these crackpot posts.

http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html

The problem is that piracy is not only on PCs. Its just cheaper and easier to pirate on the PC. Remember back a few months, when Microsoft banned over a million modded 360s. Thats just the ones that they caught, and the ones that are online.

The fact of the matter, is that when a game tanks on PC the devs automatically pin it on piracy. It doesnt really matter how bad the game was, doesnt matter what kind of issues it had, doesnt matter the system requirements, Piracy is an easy scapegoat and is hard to disprove to your shareholders. Thats why it gets blamed.

I see OP failed to see the other 3-4 threads created couple days ago about how pc is dying, could have used search function and comment on those....just saying. Anyways this is a nice site http://adrianwerner.wordpress.com/games-of-2010/

Also there are a lot less exclusives across all platforms and i think that this gen will be the last of "exclusive titles" simply because games nowadays cost too much to make and why would they limit themselves to just a certain customer base. For example if gears of war or metal gear were multiplatform they would easily sell another 3-4 million copies and thats money that publishers are loosing on.

If pc gaming dies, then it dies. Quite frankly, I don't really care what happens. But every year people keep saying pc gaming is dead and yet, here I am still able to buy and play pc games that I like. I quit listening to the naysayers.

You want to see what a real dead platform looks like? Look at the Commodore Amiga. It was my favorite gaming computer. When it died, did I shed a tear? No. I simply moved on to pc's. If pc gaming dies, then I'll move on to another platform. So long as the gaming industry itself doesn't collapse like it did in the early 80's, I don't really care what platform it's on. And yes, I was there too when video gaming hit rock bottom.

You guys worry too much.

jun_aka_pekto

As much as consoles are stunting technological growth of PCs Swiftstrike5

[QUOTE="Swiftstrike5"]As much as consoles are stunting technological growth of PCs SemperFi10

I think he means "as much as new game development catering to the technological limitations of consoles is stunting the proper usage of modern PC hardware..."

Uhhh yes what? consols may make some port games have lower graphics quality then they could be but that has nothing to do with the tech.

I prefer playing Napoleon: Total War, Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, Elemental: War of Magic, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, Drakensang: The River of Time, Mount & Blade: Warband, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Age of Decadence, Half-Life 2: Episode Three, The Settlers 7 and Deus Ex 3 than Alan Wake, God of War 3 or Heavy Rain. :D

Theirs more action games than ever on pc. As an example more action games were released in 2009 than 2001 when pc gaming dominated. Less strategy games now than back then but thats not consoles fault.

Heres a comparison of how many action an strategy games were on pc and 360 last year. PC wins

PC 2009: 43 action games, 29 strategy

360 2009: 50 action games, 10 strategy games

[QUOTE="SemperFi10"][QUOTE="Swiftstrike5"]As much as consoles are stunting technological growth of PCs Rawtheory333

I think he means "as much as new game development catering to the technological limitations of consoles is stunting the proper usage of modern PC hardware..."

Although, I haven't had to upgrade in several years, but I can still play most games on high or max. Less demand for higher end hardware leads to less money towards development of new hardware and technological growth.

Console piracy is going up. It's extremely easy to duplicate a game, and it's even cheaper because you can hire from the video store. All it takes is a quick mod of your xbox and your away.
The main reason console has come first for a lot of developers is moreso because the consoles are universal. All Xbox 360's a re identical, all PS3 are identical. This makes it a lot easier to code and program and troubleshoot test. PC on the other hand requires a lot more effort, since they have to program it so that it runs on most hardware but also look and perform well. There's a lot more different configs in PC that the devs have to test on, thus making it a more expensive exercise.
I'm a PC gamer, so I'm not flaming PC gaming. It's actually not that bad really. I just wish all this account activation stuff etc would become easier. Bioshock 2 has proven that no matter how many different antipiracy measures you put in, it will be out there a few days prior to release anyway.

Without PC gaming, Nvidia, ATI, and even Intel would suffer significant losses. With those losses, it would be harder for them to create the next evolution in the console stage. It's really a big looping cycle. Currently PC looks and performs better, until the next console comes out. Then after a while PC will be better again.

The main reason console has come first for a lot of developers is moreso because the consoles are universal. All Xbox 360's a re identical, all PS3 are identical. This makes it a lot easier to code and program and troubleshoot test. PC on the other hand requires a lot more effort, since they have to program it so that it runs on most hardware but also look and perform well. There's a lot more different configs in PC that the devs have to test on, thus making it a more expensive exercise.
DigiTM73

No. Theirs simply a bigger market for action games on console.

We actually shoud bomb Microsoft and nuke Japan. That would certainly solve our problem. We would be stuck with Windows 7 until every developer started to focus on Linux.rmfd341

Why do PC gamers WHINE so much about the current state of PC gaming? It seems to be doing great if you ask me. I have so many PC games now that it could last me a whole year.

[QUOTE="DigiTM73"]

The main reason console has come first for a lot of developers is moreso because the consoles are universal. All Xbox 360's a re identical, all PS3 are identical. This makes it a lot easier to code and program and troubleshoot test. PC on the other hand requires a lot more effort, since they have to program it so that it runs on most hardware but also look and perform well. There's a lot more different configs in PC that the devs have to test on, thus making it a more expensive exercise.
Cranler

No. Theirs simply a bigger market for action games on console.

And yet a game like Dragon Age on PC totally outsold the console version. Assassin Creed 2 already got released on console, and isn't coming till March on PC. But PC gets the extra DLC that console players had to pay for. We are being recognised. I'm sure Starcraft 2 will be the envy of many console gamers. I did buy a 360, and bought many titles such as Fallout 3 etc. Hated it and sold it. I can't beat a keyboard and mouse control scheme, but that's because that's what I have grown used to.
I really can't see what's gone wrong. PC gaming did decrease for a bit but it's come back with full force. The only thing that's horrific is DRM at the moment. When Steam had Xmas sales, I couldn't imagine a console player buying some of those games on console for those prices.

Firstly I blame Consoles. Every one and their Dog has a Wii or an Xbox.

JGAMROT

[QUOTE="JGAMROT"]

Firstly I blame Consoles. Every one and their Dog has a Wii or an Xbox.

badtaker

Hey, I don't have one though, so get facts right please. :)

[QUOTE="Rawtheory333"]

[QUOTE="SemperFi10"] Say what?Swiftstrike5

I think he means "as much as new game development catering to the technological limitations of consoles is stunting the proper usage of modern PC hardware..."

Although, I haven't had to upgrade in several years, but I can still play most games on high or max. Less demand for higher end hardware leads to less money towards development of new hardware and technological growth.

Microsoft is trying to kill PC gaming and is failing at it. PC gaming cannot die unless PCs become nonexistent, there will always be people making games for PC. Yeah you can take away the mainstream big budget games but that's pretty much it.

[QUOTE="Cranler"]

[QUOTE="DigiTM73"]

The main reason console has come first for a lot of developers is moreso because the consoles are universal. All Xbox 360's a re identical, all PS3 are identical. This makes it a lot easier to code and program and troubleshoot test. PC on the other hand requires a lot more effort, since they have to program it so that it runs on most hardware but also look and perform well. There's a lot more different configs in PC that the devs have to test on, thus making it a more expensive exercise.
DigiTM73

No. Theirs simply a bigger market for action games on console.

And yet a game like Dragon Age on PC totally outsold the console version. Assassin Creed 2 already got released on console, and isn't coming till March on PC. But PC gets the extra DLC that console players had to pay for. We are being recognised. I'm sure Starcraft 2 will be the envy of many console gamers. I did buy a 360, and bought many titles such as Fallout 3 etc. Hated it and sold it. I can't beat a keyboard and mouse control scheme, but that's because that's what I have grown used to.
I really can't see what's gone wrong. PC gaming did decrease for a bit but it's come back with full force. The only thing that's horrific is DRM at the moment. When Steam had Xmas sales, I couldn't imagine a console player buying some of those games on console for those prices.

Its common knowledge that most if not all shooters sell best on 360.

Assassins Creed is $10 over normal pc game price so you are paying for the dlc.

Ok i guess this is one of those post but I never ment it to be lol sorry. Global Agenda huh? Ok I thought that was an mmo. And I plan on getting stalker looking for an online game really. Like a new CS waiting on that Tactical Insertion for now.JGAMROT

I'm actually thinking of buying myself a Xbox 360... Fable 2, Halo 3, Gears of War 2 (Note: Fable is on PC, Halo 1 and 2 are on PC, Gears of War is on PC)

Lox_Cropek

I have an Xbox, Fable 2 is ok, Halo 3 sucks, Gow2 is good. Forza 3 is great, Assassins Creed 2 is fantastic! GTIV is Fantastic......

Really Xbox's are so cheap I'm suprised you all dont already have one. I have played both Xbox and PC games for years. If your really into video games you have to have both an Xbox and a good PC!

[QUOTE="Lox_Cropek"]

I'm actually thinking of buying myself a Xbox 360... Fable 2, Halo 3, Gears of War 2 (Note: Fable is on PC, Halo 1 and 2 are on PC, Gears of War is on PC)

I have an Xbox, Fable 2 is ok, Halo 3 sucks, Gow2 is good. Forza 3 is great, Assassins Creed 2 is fantastic! GTIV is Fantastic......

Really Xbox's are so cheap I'm suprised you all dont already have one. I have played both Xbox and PC games for years. If your really into video games you have to have both an Xbox and a good PC!

these threads make for interesting conversation, but they do get annoying.

Does anyone still play the first ghost recon on the pc?

Does anyone still play the first ghost recon on the pc?

JGAMROT