Isn't the PC's higher entry cost, good? Or at least to System Wars?

Defintions: Hardcore = Person who is willing to spend a good chunk of money on video games. They see video games as a very important hobby. Casuals = Person who is willing to spend a small amount of money on video games. They see video games as an activity.

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System Wars likes to complain a lot about the "casualizations" of video games, and many of you also like to complain about the high costs of PC gaming.

But wait?! Wouldn't the increase in costs help divide up the communities and as such deter the amount of casualizations happening? How many casuals do you see go spend $600+ on a Gaming Machine? Very few, if at all.

Those complaining about casualization should also take notice that the reason why casualization is many times encouraged, is because the costs of consoles is low enough to attract those casuals. The Wii is casual heaven because it is cheap. The Xbox 360 and PS3 have HUGE casual communities because they are also cheap to get into. It only makes sense to cater games, even those that were once "hardcore-centric" games to this audience.

Your definitions for hardcore and casual have nothing to do with the way those terms are used in reference to gaming.

More casuals = devs go that wayMonsieurX

Your definitions for hardcore and casual have nothing to do with the way those terms are used in reference to gaming.

santoron

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

no there are a ton of casuals who get gaming laptops and overly expensive alienwares. price i dont think is an issue

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

SW__Troll

[QUOTE="SW__Troll"]

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

ShadowDeathX

That's what I used to game on before I got a gaming rig.

windows alone costs 130$ OEM they are way more expensive

[QUOTE="santoron"]

Your definitions for hardcore and casual have nothing to do with the way those terms are used in reference to gaming.

ShadowDeathX

Fair enough. I just don't think you're going to get too far with those definitions. Most people aren't measuring how "hardcore" or "casual" gamers are by the size of their wallets. Some people buy expensive PCs and play Solitaire and Facebook games all day. Another guy might only buy the cheapest 360 model and a gamefly subscription, but he'll end up playing far more "core" games. Money CAN help anything, but it really isn't the determining factor here.

Disagree; PC is full of casual games too like the ones on Facebook and they don't require high end PCs. Miroku32

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="SW__Troll"]

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

SW__Troll

That's what I used to game on before I got a gaming rig.

[QUOTE="SW__Troll"]

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

ShadowDeathX

Again, the manufacture of their PC isn't going to determine how interested they are in gaming... at least not both ways. I'd absolutely agree that you aren't going to find many custom gaming rigs in the hands of casual gamers, but you're going to find many enthusiastic core gamers on laptops and prefab PCs, just like you will on consoles. Your preference for a laptop or lack of comfort in assembling a desktop really has nothing to do with how much you enjoy playing games, or what types of games you play.

I don't see how PC prices could be any cheaper to cater to a "larger audience."

With time parts will get cheaper but for now, it is what it is.

windows alone costs 130$ OEM they are way more expensive

dontshackzmii

Windows 7 Home Premium OEM can be had for 60-90 dollars brand-new...just go to your local Microcenter. Or order from Newegg...

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="SW__Troll"]

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

santoron

Again, the manufacture of their PC isn't going to determine how interested they are in gaming... at least not both ways. I'd absolutely agree that you aren't going to find many custom gaming rigs in the hands of casual gamers, but you're going to find many enthusiastic core gamers on laptops and prefab PCs, just like you will on consoles. Your preference for a laptop or lack of comfort in assembling a desktop really has nothing to do with how much you enjoy playing games, or what types of games you play.

I don't play on a dedicated gaming rig because of cost. I would consider myself a hardcore gamer. As a starving college student, I can't afford an awesome PC to play the latest games, so I play them on my 360. One day when I'm working at my new career, I will once again be a full-time PC gamer (in my middle-high school days I played Quake III and CS 1.6 on my Dad's rig)

That being said, I'm still a PC gamer even If I don't play recent games on it. I'm currently playing through the Half-Life games because I never have before. I have CS: Source and Team Fortress 2 to play if im bored, and Steam has some great deals on older games. I'm not that big of a graphics whore, so I can deal with playing older games as long as they are still fun.

In short, I don't think the high entry cost is a good thing, because to get a PC running like the consoles when they are first released is expensive. Sure, now you can get a machine that runs games just as good as current gen systems for $400, but in a few years that will be obsolete with the next gen of consoles.

[QUOTE="SW__Troll"]

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"] Yes but the casuals mostly game on pre-made laptops or mainstreams desktops. Not many of them have a gaming rig.ShadowDeathX

That's what I used to game on before I got a gaming rig.

Yes, that's what it was.

I don't play on a dedicated gaming rig because of cost. I would consider myself a hardcore gamer. As a starving college student, I can't afford an awesome PC to play the latest games, so I play them on my 360. One day when I'm working at my new career, I will once again be a full-time PC gamer (in my middle-high school days I played Quake III and CS 1.6 on my Dad's rig)

That being said, I'm still a PC gamer even If I don't play recent games on it. I'm currently playing through the Half-Life games because I never have before. I have CS: Source and Team Fortress 2 to play if im bored, and Steam has some great deals on older games. I'm not that big of a graphics whore, so I can deal with playing older games as long as they are still fun.

In short, I don't think the high entry cost is a good thing, because to get a PC running like the consoles when they are first released is expensive. Sure, now you can get a machine that runs games just as good as current gen systems for $400, but in a few years that will be obsolete with the next gen of consoles.

Plagueless

If you need a PC it's worth it to upgrade to a gaming rig.

I'm a college student myself, and it's what I play on. Heck, I game on my PC 95% of the time because it's way cheaper to do so. I rent console games every now and again for a weekend or so, but my PC games I get to play year round.

If I were you though I wouldn't get "old" games off Steam. They have a habit of not working all that well.

Good Old Games is way better if you want more of a guarantee with your purchases. I know it's not all that fun to sign up for two different stores, but with GoG there is no client, or DRM, so you can just install to your computer, and never have to worry about GoG again until you are itching for another game.

if PCs weren't as expensive but were still as powerful(Can't happen I know) then the casuals would come to it and we would get better dev support. But your options are kinda poopy

The amount of money I'm capable of spending doesn't determine how much of a gamer I am.meetroid8

[QUOTE="meetroid8"]The amount of money I'm capable of spending doesn't determine how much of a gamer I am.ShadowDeathX

But we play on the system for the better experience not to avoid a certain type of gamer. We wouldn't necessarily care if every casual came to PC if it meant better dev support

[QUOTE="meetroid8"]The amount of money I'm capable of spending doesn't determine how much of a gamer I am.ShadowDeathX

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="meetroid8"]The amount of money I'm capable of spending doesn't determine how much of a gamer I am.seanmcloughlin

But we play on the system for the better experience not to avoid a certain type of gamer. We wouldn't necessarily care if every casual came to PC if it meant better dev support

Well the thing is that just because different types of gamers exist on a platform doesn't mean every game is going to be catered to the biggest group.

I mean really.

For instance you have EA. Their best-selling franchise is a game called "The Sims". That doesn't prevent them from putting out other games does it?

Zynga is worth more than nearly every game company, but that doesn't mean they all are going to start making Facebook games tomorrow.

It just depends on what the game companies set out to do. Not every company wants to dedicate themselves to making flash games, or fitness games, or w/e.

It's the same as consoles too. It's not like every console game has a baby-level difficulty.

I guarantee there are more casual games, and casual game devs on the PC than any other system. I also guarantee there is more dev support in general on the PC. We get the most of every type of game, casual or complex.

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="SW__Troll"]

Well the thing is that the PC has the most casual games of any systems, but also the most complex games as well.

SW__Troll

That's what I used to game on before I got a gaming rig.

same here