Consoles aren't kill PC gaming

what's hurting (not killing) PC gaming is..... portable computing. Yes portable computing, not the consoles. PC gaming will survive, it won't die, but without a doubt it is being hurt. And it is my firm belief that it's portable computing that's hurting PC gaming.

ok so what do I mean by portable computing?

well if I remember correctly in 2008 laptop sales overtook desktop sales for the first time and hasn't looked back. developments in technology has lead to portable devices undertaking more and more of what the traditional desktop has done including gaming.

by portable computing I mean:

Laptops- cheaper and more popular than ever. sales have overtaken desktops.

Netbooks - ultra cheap & portable laptops that sacrifice technology for size and battery life.

Smartphones - iPhone, Android

Portable Media players - iTouch etc

Over the last 5 years these have all rocketed and that is bound to have an impact on the desktop market. gone are the days people will shell out huge sums on a desktop. they've got a laptop/netbook and a smartphone. that's where their websurfing, content consuming and crucially 'lite gaming' comes from.

While consoles like PS3 and X360 have been blamed for harming computer gaming- I believe that the desktop which is undeniably the home of computer gaming has been more undermined by the development of portable computing.

most laptops are virtually useless for gaming as are all netbooks. unless of course you are after 'lite' gaming such as flash games.

the rise of smartphones which is predicted to hurt consoles the 3DS is infact hurting PC gaming also not because the games directly compete with the likes of top PC titles but because more time spent on a smartphone is less on a computer.

the rise of apps and games is making the digital content world a crowded market, a market that sees casuals drift away from PC gaming. If people ARE buying desktops these days its the usual horror stories- budget systems chained to IE and Word or worse still the bog standard systems retailers sell that have decent CPUs and RAM handicapped by weak or worse integrated graphics!!!

gone are the days little Johnny could persuadis mom to buy him a $1000+ desktop for 'school work' (which he would use mostly for gaming). now he might get a budget desktop or more likely a laptop that's of little use to PC gaming. he's got his smartphone, iPod or whatever. and Yes he probly does have a console.

the Problem with PC gaming that the portable world has caught up with it. Of course PC gaming won't die, it's just gotta learn to live in an ever more crowded market. a Market out there where most Windows systems are probably not being used for serious gaming.

There is a plus side to all of this however: This leaves more room for the enthusiasts and you get less problems of having to deal with casuals like you do on the consoles.

I don't see laptops as a threat to PC gaming. People who want to (prefer to etc etc.) play PC games will generally opt for a desktop for the reasons of performance, upgradeability and economy.

If anything, apps and the like could be seen as a gateway to "proper" PC gaming - they've seen what a modest PC can do and are interested in taking it to the next level.

Interesting. You do realize that there is no difference between laptop and pc gaming right? That would be like saying mid range pc gaming is killing high range pc gaming.

TL;DR

But I can tell you that PC gaming isn't hurt nor dying.

First, PC gaming isn't dying. In fact, it's growing.

Secondly laptops CAN game. Mid-range up to high end gaming. They can be a lot more powerful than a console.

Finally the laptop market is growing even more gamer friendly. With the introduciton of the newest CPGPU's and more affordable and popular discreet GPU solutions, most laptops bought this and next year and later will feature graphics capability on par or better than current gen consoles.

And of course smaller desktop form factors and more efficient/lower heat output components are becoming more popular. When a a Pc with a form factor close to the old consoles can game better, record TV and edit your familie's HD video, I think people will continue to invest.

My laptop spits on and starts fire to consoles, so laptops aren't the problem.

Neither are mobile devices, as they occupy a different segment of the gaming market.

Face it: consoles, and their extremely simple-no-thinking required mantra are the core problem due to multiplat development.

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

milannoir

[QUOTE="milannoir"]

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

CwlHeddwyn

So why lump people who don't game into this? Are non-gamers killing gaming?

Nothing is killing PC gaming, its alive and well.

In fact, in 2010 there was a HUGE improvement in PC sales, not to mention Digital Sales are thru the rough the last few years. PC gaming is only gettign stronger.

[QUOTE="milannoir"]

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

CwlHeddwyn

As I mentioned, the new CPGPU chips from intel and soon AMD & Nvidia will change that. Next year, every new laptop (that isn't a POS) will feature graphics performance on par (or better) than a current gen console.

When average Joe buys this new laptops and sees that he can play games as well as a console, he'll do it.

[QUOTE="CwlHeddwyn"][QUOTE="milannoir"]

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

Kinthalis

As I mentioned, the new CPGPU chips from intel and soon AMD will change that. Next eyar, every new laptop (that isn't a POS) will feature graphics performance on par (or better) than a current gen console.

[QUOTE="Kinthalis"]

[QUOTE="CwlHeddwyn"] most people buy laptops with integrated graphics or if they have graphics its gonna be weak. only hardcore people like the ones on gamespot would go for a gaming system.CwlHeddwyn

As I mentioned, the new CPGPU chips from intel and soon AMD will change that. Next eyar, every new laptop (that isn't a POS) will feature graphics performance on par (or better) than a current gen console.

what's hurting (not killing) PC gaming is..... portable computing. Yes portable computing, not the consoles. PC gaming will survive, it won't die, but without a doubt it is being hurt. And it is my firm belief that it's portable computing that's hurting PC gaming.

ok so what do I mean by portable computing?

well if I remember correctly in 2008 laptop sales overtook desktop sales for the first time and hasn't looked back. developments in technology has lead to portable devices undertaking more and more of what the traditional desktop has done including gaming.

by portable computing I mean:

Laptops- cheaper and more popular than ever. sales have overtaken desktops.

Netbooks - ultra cheap & portable laptops that sacrifice technology for size and battery life.

Smartphones - iPhone, Android

Portable Media players - iTouch etc

Over the last 5 years these have all rocketed and that is bound to have an impact on the desktop market. gone are the days people will shell out huge sums on a desktop. they've got a laptop/netbook and a smartphone. that's where their websurfing, content consuming and crucially 'lite gaming' comes from.

While consoles like PS3 and X360 have been blamed for harming computer gaming- I believe that the desktop which is undeniably the home of computer gaming has been more undermined by the development of portable computing.

most laptops are virtually useless for gaming as are all netbooks. unless of course you are after 'lite' gaming such as flash games.

the rise of smartphones which is predicted to hurt consoles the 3DS is infact hurting PC gaming also not because the games directly compete with the likes of top PC titles but because more time spent on a smartphone is less on a computer.

the rise of apps and games is making the digital content world a crowded market, a market that sees casuals drift away from PC gaming. If people ARE buying desktops these days its the usual horror stories- budget systems chained to IE and Word or worse still the bog standard systems retailers sell that have decent CPUs and RAM handicapped by weak or worse integrated graphics!!!

gone are the days little Johnny could persuadis mom to buy him a $1000+ desktop for 'school work' (which he would use mostly for gaming). now he might get a budget desktop or more likely a laptop that's of little use to PC gaming. he's got his smartphone, iPod or whatever. and Yes he probly does have a console.

the Problem with PC gaming that the portable world has caught up with it. Of course PC gaming won't die, it's just gotta learn to live in an ever more crowded market. a Market out there where most Windows systems are probably not being used for serious gaming.

There is a plus side to all of this however: This leaves more room for the enthusiasts and you get less problems of having to deal with casuals like you do on the consoles.

CwlHeddwyn

thank you! i posted some thing like this a while ago . The digital world is going mobile .

TL;DR

But I can tell you that PC gaming isn't hurt nor dying.

coreybg

Well then please tell that to everyone of the pcgamers here in SW that come here and make threads every day blaming consoles for killing PC...Thanks much..

You heard it here first folks. Laptops are killing PC's :P

Interesting. You do realize that there is no difference between laptop and pc gaming right? That would be like saying mid range pc gaming is killing high range pc gaming.

MagnusTheOne

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

Pc's are killing them selves :o

I think only fanatic PC fans believe there is something "killing" PC gaming.

But if you want a more reasnoble answer - many publishers and devs see more money in console sales.

I think only fanatic PC fans believe there is something "killing" PC gaming.

But if you want a more reasnoble answer - many publishers and devs see more money in console sales.

nameless12345

Thats not the more reasoble answer since they they know its wrong. Which is why alot of "console only" dev's started to create Pc games and or multiplat games on Pc this gen.... Pc games retail copies make more profit per copy then a console game per copy. and when you get to Pc digital distribution which is now almost half the Pc market, has a bigger profit ratio then console games. Console gaming profits went down by almost 30%.

[QUOTE="MagnusTheOne"]

Interesting. You do realize that there is no difference between laptop and pc gaming right? That would be like saying mid range pc gaming is killing high range pc gaming.

dc337

[QUOTE="CwlHeddwyn"][QUOTE="milannoir"]

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

chris_yz80

I really need a moderator to explain to me why my post was erased. This is ridiculous. These forums are overwhelmed by offensive stuff that never gets moderated, and THIS was too much?

8)

What's people's obsession with killing PC gaming? How insecure do you have to be about your platform choice, if you need another platform to die; to justify to yourself you made the right choice? Talk about post purchase anxiety taken to the extreme...

Regardless. Unlike consoles, PC is a open platform. It doesn't have a owner, it isn't a individual entity, it is a collective of companies that contribute towards what makes up PC.

Therefore PC is very, very, hard to kill. PC has lived to see the rise and death of the various consoles, and it will most likely still be around to see the current consoles put to rest.

What's people's obsession with killing PC gaming? How insecure do you have to be about your platform choice, if you need another platform to die; to justify to yourself you made the right choice? Talk about post purchase anxiety taken to the extreme...

Regardless. Unlike consoles, PC is a open platform. It doesn't have a owner, it isn't a individual entity, it is a collective of companies that contribute towards what makes up PC.

Therefore PC is very, very, hard to kill. PC has lived to see the rise and death of the various consoles, and it will most likely still be around to see the current consoles put to rest.

AnnoyedDragon

Simple equation:

PC dominates SW arguments, console gamers can't handle that.

[QUOTE="milannoir"]

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

CwlHeddwyn

[QUOTE="CwlHeddwyn"][QUOTE="milannoir"]

Uneducated OP.

If someone wants to game, he'll buy an adequate laptop or desktop, according to his needs/standards.

You said laptops were much cheaper nowadays. You forgot that they also murder consoles in performance. Your point is moot.

lowkey254

How about getting a console at launch prices like the PS3 at $700 or how about the 360? and the very likely chance you had to buy multiples. And having to to buy accessories. But yet people also forget that Pc's are made to do more then just gaming and also a fact that you can build or buy gaming Pc's much stronger then consoles and today you can build a gaming Pc for under $600 and its 4x or more stronger then the consoles.

People that built or bought gaming Pc's back in 2006 or 2007 still dont even have to upgrade anything and able to play games just fine andwith better quality then consoles.

Simple equation:

PC dominates SW arguments, console gamers can't handle that.

haberman13

I think bias just leads to some of them skewing information in consoles favour.

For example, we know cross platform development is a two way street this generation, with PC games going to consoles; and console games going to PC. Yet, how many times have we seen someone gloat about PC games going to consoles, and ignore that the reverse is also happening?

Or for example, they will point out that these cross platform games are being made with consoles in mind; and not PC. Ignoring that consoles are the lowest common denominator specification, and that porting from console to PC is a lot easier and cheaper than the reverse.

Even more biased, boasting about games coming to consoles and not PC. Then saying games coming to PC and not consoles don't count, because they don't personally like them...

These are purely cost driven decisions, and yet some people abuse them to say something bad about PC.

[QUOTE="lowkey254"]

[QUOTE="CwlHeddwyn"] most people buy laptops with integrated graphics or if they have graphics its gonna be weak. only hardcore people like the ones on gamespot would go for a gaming system.04dcarraher

How about getting a console at launch prices like the PS3 at $700 or how about the 360? and the very likely chance you had to buy multiples. And having to to buy accessories. But yet people also forget that Pc's are made to do more then just gaming and also a fact that you can build or buy gaming Pc's much stronger then consoles and today you can build a gaming Pc for under $600 and its 4x or more stronger then the consoles.

People that built or bought gaming Pc's back in 2006 or 2007 still dont even have to upgrade anything and able to play games just fine andwith better quality then consoles.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="lowkey254"] The only reason why consoles are a hinderance to PC is because of cost. I can buy a console and enjoy myself for the price of 199 - 399. A high end gaming rig can be up to 1500, and I'll have to upgrade in couple of years. That's the only reason I'm not a pc gamer anymore it began to cost too much.

lowkey254

How about getting a console at launch prices like the PS3 at $700 or how about the 360? and the very likely chance you had to buy multiples. And having to to buy accessories. But yet people also forget that Pc's are made to do more then just gaming and also a fact that you can build or buy gaming Pc's much stronger then consoles and today you can build a gaming Pc for under $600 and its 4x or more stronger then the consoles.

People that built or bought gaming Pc's back in 2006 or 2007 still dont even have to upgrade anything and able to play games just fine andwith better quality then consoles.

But you AREN'T getting high end game son the consoles. You're getting blurry, ugly low rez games.

A gaming rig costs about $600. And will last a good 5 years or so.

The extra expense is EASILY more than made up during the PC's lifetime due to cheaper games as well.

PC gamers do not HAVE to upgrade except after very long periods of time. We WANT to upgrade occasionally. It's a nice OPTION to have. Right now you consolites are stuck with sub-HD games, low rez textures, and low FPS games. And you can't do ANYTHING about it.

Someone with an old rig can STILL play most games out today. Sure they have to play at 720p, medium settings 30 FPS but that STILL looks better than a console.

AND they have the option of paying say $150 and being able to play at 1680x1050, 60 FPS, High settings.

OPTIONS about where and how we get our games, how we play our games, how well our games perform, etc, etc is WHY we are PC gamers. We love options.

Consolites are firghtened by them.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="lowkey254"] The only reason why consoles are a hinderance to PC is because of cost. I can buy a console and enjoy myself for the price of 199 - 399. A high end gaming rig can be up to 1500, and I'll have to upgrade in couple of years. That's the only reason I'm not a pc gamer anymore it began to cost too much.

lowkey254

How about getting a console at launch prices like the PS3 at $700 or how about the 360? and the very likely chance you had to buy multiples. And having to to buy accessories. But yet people also forget that Pc's are made to do more then just gaming and also a fact that you can build or buy gaming Pc's much stronger then consoles and today you can build a gaming Pc for under $600 and its 4x or more stronger then the consoles.

People that built or bought gaming Pc's back in 2006 or 2007 still dont even have to upgrade anything and able to play games just fine andwith better quality then consoles.

Laptops arent made for gaming and are slower then deskops thats your problem..... Also you dont need "high ended" parts to play games on medium/high or maxed settings. Ive been using my 8800's from 2007 and still able to play current/new games on high or maxed out without issue. A $120 Pc gpu today is already 6x faster then current consoles. Problem is that 100% consolers see Pc's as a foreign enemy and dont even try to understand them and assume the worse. Pc gaming isnt as expensive or hard as alot of people think.

Yeah if games moved as quickly as PC gamers want then no one would be able to play them except a few who have 12GB RAM and SLI GTX 580's... Atleast with consoles around devs can sell games to a wider audience of PC gamers and console gamers which as much as PC gamers hate to admit it keeps them in business and allows for more games to be made, if all games were what PC gamers seem to imagine they'd be like without consoles then i'd like to see my 5770 cope with them, i know for sure i'd have to drop a fortune on my PC or quit buying newer games which completely goes against everything i stand for. So as much as Elitists and hermits hate to say it having PC games at a requirements level which is accessible to say 80% of desktops then they get more sales. To me it feels like PC gamers want personal attention after buying a $2000 rig and then complaining that nothing maxes it out they basically say "Make me a game designed for my computer even though it'll cost a fortune and a long time to make and only about 1% of PCs can play i'm so self-centred i want it!!".JohnF111

No, lol, Why do you think there is low, medium and high settings or multiple setting options since the beginning of Pc gaming? The problem is that the Pc hardware standards are leagues ahead of current consoles. When $50 Pc gpu's and or old Pc gpu's from 6 years ago are able to match or surpass console graphical abilities, multiplatform gaming is holding back Pc gaming.

most people buy laptops with integrated graphics or if they have graphics its gonna be weak. CwlHeddwyn

If that's the case, then developers should make games with low system requirements.

Problem solved. PC gaming is saved. Next subject, please.

Piracy is killing PC gaming, not consoles.

Another thing about that "600" rig is that the average person doesn't know that. The average person doesn't know where to look or how to look for it. He doesn't know where to go and is more likely to order from pricey locations like Alienware or Cyberpower PC. So, again, realistically, we're talking 800-900. A console is different. There is a set price that everyone knows. Everyone. Very easy.AncientDozer

It used to be that most people had a desktop and switching to pc gaming meant upgrading existing hardware, sometimes only the gpu.

But today most gamers have a laptop so they have to start at square one if they want to switch.

[QUOTE="coreybg"]

TL;DR

But I can tell you that PC gaming isn't hurt nor dying.

VanDammFan

Well then please tell that to everyone of the pcgamers here in SW that come here and make threads every day blaming consoles for killing PC...Thanks much..

Never seen a PC gamer blame consoles for killing PC....

You must be referring to consolization, which is true.

[QUOTE="lowkey254"]

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

How about getting a console at launch prices like the PS3 at $700 or how about the 360? and the very likely chance you had to buy multiples. And having to to buy accessories. But yet people also forget that Pc's are made to do more then just gaming and also a fact that you can build or buy gaming Pc's much stronger then consoles and today you can build a gaming Pc for under $600 and its 4x or more stronger then the consoles.

People that built or bought gaming Pc's back in 2006 or 2007 still dont even have to upgrade anything and able to play games just fine andwith better quality then consoles.

04dcarraher

Laptops arent made for gaming and are slower then deskops thats your problem..... Also you dont need "high ended" parts to play games on medium/high or maxed settings. Ive been using my 8800's from 2007 and still able to play current/new games on high or maxed out without issue. A $120 Pc gpu today is already 6x faster then current consoles. Problem is that 100% consolers see Pc's as a foreign enemy and dont even try to understand them and assume the worse. Pc gaming isnt as expensive or hard as alot of people think.

BC3 case and point, what happens when the developer focuses on pc. CoD 16 player matches after cod 4 because of consoles. Saying that it doesnt hurt pc gaming in some way is ignorant, pc has more at its disposal and when a game is made for console mostly they do not use what the pc has.

yet, consoles are far from killing pc gaming. They just make it bleed.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="lowkey254"] Good points. I didn't buy my ps3 or 360 at launch and I still have my original 360, it's a miracle but I have to keep it on a rack for ventilation. I have a mid range laptop for $500 and I cannot, repeat, cannot play games that came out in 2008 to present. I'm sure it's possible with pcs but I still stand by my opinion that it's the cost and no need to upgrade to play the high end games.

CwlHeddwyn

Laptops arent made for gaming and are slower then deskops thats your problem..... Also you dont need "high ended" parts to play games on medium/high or maxed settings. Ive been using my 8800's from 2007 and still able to play current/new games on high or maxed out without issue. A $120 Pc gpu today is already 6x faster then current consoles. Problem is that 100% consolers see Pc's as a foreign enemy and dont even try to understand them and assume the worse. Pc gaming isnt as expensive or hard as alot of people think.

Those were a year old, and they cost around 250 at the time

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="lowkey254"] Good points. I didn't buy my ps3 or 360 at launch and I still have my original 360, it's a miracle but I have to keep it on a rack for ventilation. I have a mid range laptop for $500 and I cannot, repeat, cannot play games that came out in 2008 to present. I'm sure it's possible with pcs but I still stand by my opinion that it's the cost and no need to upgrade to play the high end games.

CwlHeddwyn

Laptops arent made for gaming and are slower then deskops thats your problem..... Also you dont need "high ended" parts to play games on medium/high or maxed settings. Ive been using my 8800's from 2007 and still able to play current/new games on high or maxed out without issue. A $120 Pc gpu today is already 6x faster then current consoles. Problem is that 100% consolers see Pc's as a foreign enemy and dont even try to understand them and assume the worse. Pc gaming isnt as expensive or hard as alot of people think.

My first 8800GT cost me $260 and the 2nd costed me $125 in 2008, I got the 2nd card for more performance and for Physx use too and also since I gotten a high resolution monitor. But yet I havent had the need to upgrade my graphics since then.... My computer runs circles around what consoles can do in quality. Here's the thing I didnt have to get another card since even one still runs most new games on high settings fine, its my choice if I want something better, consoles dont get a choice.

[QUOTE="CwlHeddwyn"][QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

Laptops arent made for gaming and are slower then deskops thats your problem..... Also you dont need "high ended" parts to play games on medium/high or maxed settings. Ive been using my 8800's from 2007 and still able to play current/new games on high or maxed out without issue. A $120 Pc gpu today is already 6x faster then current consoles. Problem is that 100% consolers see Pc's as a foreign enemy and dont even try to understand them and assume the worse. Pc gaming isnt as expensive or hard as alot of people think.

04dcarraher

My first 8800GT cost me $260 and the 2nd costed me $125 in 2008, I got the 2nd card for more performance and for Physx use too and also since I gotten a high resolution monitor. But yet I havent had the need to upgrade my graphics since then.... My computer runs circles around what consoles can do in quality. Here's the thing I didnt have to get another card since even one still runs most new games on high settings fine, its my choice if I want something better, consoles dont get a choice.

first card was 2007 right? so $385 in less than a 2 year period alone? pretty pricey for just GPUs.

whereas a $300 360 in 2005 is still playing modern games to date.