These market moves should make PC more sales competitive with next gen consoles

The steam userbase is growing every year by 5 million and more and more people are online a day on steam. Microsoft plans to integrate XBL into Windows 8 out of the boss a long with Windows 8 catering to all groups and being simple as a console (next xbox plans on using it). GOG (Good Old Games) the famous DRM FREE store plans on bring the goods to Modern Games so now gamers who don't care about Steam, Origin and all that can just download their games DRM. All the daily deals make it irresistable for someone to give up on unless they were a fanboy. Anyway I hope microsoft actually lives up to PC gamers expections but hey if they don't XBL fans got something to play with.

AMD APUs are making PC gaming more affordable for the entry level. Even users with brandname prebuilt PCs have been surprised of what their APU can do in terms of gaming. Soon APUs in the future will be capable of more. AMD APUs also can provide users with a HTPC with great performance. APUs also have the ability where you can crossfire it with a cheap $50-$100 DX11 GPU and get even more out of it such as higher graphical settings 1080p and more.

As earlier Microsoft is now making Kinect for PC next year so yes a mainstream motion controller is now on PC, which will also boost the attention of the platform. In terms of Motion controls Kinect can be for the casuals and the Razer Hydra for the more core group. Controller support is becoming the norm for games with certain exceptions.

The F2P and MMO Market are spicing things up with games such Guild Wars 2, and FireFall. The F2P market has been gaining western developers such as Crytek, Pirahna Games, Red 5 Studios and more soon to come. Graphics, Animation, Physics all astonishing.

Look at all these F2P games

WarFace

Planetside 2

FireFall

Titles like these make good ammo in winning gamers over especially since a lot of people like their mainstream counterparts such as Borderslands, Halo, and Cod MW3/BF3.

AlienWare has made the X51 which has already convinced a lot of console gamers for the first time to partake in serious PC gaming. The prices for the X51 are quite appropriate for what you get. Most of the build yourself already going to dismiss it soon as the see the AlienWare brand on it, Alienware have already stated that people who don't know how to build or don't want to (which is the majority of the PC market) they can just buy this online on walk to the nearest store that sells it, go home, plop it in whatever setup they want and game away. With more and more PC games supporting controllers this machine can easily used as a console. The controller options aren't limited, so a gamer can't say I don't want to use a Xbox 360 controller cause I prefer PS layout, when they can just connect a Logitech F710 or one of the many other controllers into their PC. Alienware is more of the well known PC brands, since they're owned by Dell once they sell a good amount of X51's they market them outside the internet and gaming events so consumers can get the word.

Nvidia just announced the Geforce Experience which will give casuals the simplicity of a console and the performance and visuals of a PC. That will make the AlienWare X51 even more console like to gamers since it uses a Nvidia GPU. No longer gamers have to worry if their drivers are update or if they tweaked the game to best settings it can. Nvidia Geforce Experience will solve all of that.

Nvidia also claimed that they were releasing dev tools that will make it easier to develop for their hardware which is also excellent since it is already showing that developers are starting to become more optimal with PC hardware.

Valve is Also working on a Big picture mode for Steam so gamers on the couch can get a more TV/long distance friendly UI and be able to operate around with their controllers.

Thanks to PC Gamer the PC has a more unified press conference which is at Pax Prime

The PC never runs out of core exclusive games, considering all the developer support PC gets anyone who says PC is only WoW, MineCraft, and Farmville are morons.

There are many many many exclusive games being made for nearly every type of genre fan.

It seems Crytek is also going to provide better PC support, since Crysis 2 was announced to be DX11(which I find dumb they should allow DX10, DX9 is dead though since any GPU actually capable of the game doesn't DX9 as its core API) and have Nvidia Physx. They also properly implemented native DX11 into CryEngine 3. This will help more DX11 games boost up since CryEngine 3 is gaining adoption by the third party engine market. Epic Games also promises to make more PC specific arrangment to Unreal Engine 3 and Unreal Engine 4 which will once again help out PC support. Plus a lot of third party devs especially indie devs can make a PC game as technical as it can be.

It also appears that were are occuring a rapid technological advancement in GPUs and CPUs especially with Intel and Nvidia. If they keep up with the effort they're at by 2014 maybe even a mid range card could perform Samaritan or a downscaled version of it in 1080p at atleast 30fps.

In this economy and looking at the prices of high end parts I really doubt that the next gen consoles are going to be performance competitive with PC considering the best performing PC GPU cost $1000 (Geforce GTX 690) same for the CPUs. I'm expecting them to use lower range or dated hardware to keep the prices low. They will most likely rely on things such as the controller to sell the systems which is already confirmed for Nintendo and seeing how much money Kinect is making for Microsoft it would be hard to deny the money.

The difference in hardware and PC hardware rapidly changing should make the differences between PC and consoles more visible even if the person was looking at a crappy youtube video on a 720p monitor 18 inch monitor.

Gamestop could also contribute to the growth of PC gaming, then again they most likely won't since they claimed to have over 1,500 downloadable PC titles available in their stores when I doubt that even 100 when make it on their tiny PC shelfs since they said they're not going to take up shelf space.

TLDR:D

PC wins again.

tl;dr, but I will reply to the title of the thread.

Given the fact that the PC has the most dev support of any system is proof enough its sales are competitive.

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

inb4uall

100% agree TC with the pc being best

100% fact pc being best

shadow_hosi

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

inb4uall

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

It'll be very hillarious if I can play 720 games from a Windows 8 PC next gen witout having to buy that console.

It'll be very hillarious if I can play 720 games from a Windows 8 PC next gen witout having to buy that console.

Bigboi500

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

It'll be very hillarious if I can play 720 games from a Windows 8 PC next gen witout having to buy that console.

wis3boi

This controller sucks. Don't buy. You'll regret it. Stick with the offical wireless xbox360 controller for windows.

This is your only warning.

[QUOTE="inb4uall"]

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

wis3boi

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

my case is like that :o except mine has a blue light

[QUOTE="wis3boi"][QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

It'll be very hillarious if I can play 720 games from a Windows 8 PC next gen witout having to buy that console.

Bigboi500

They also integrated XBL into Windows Phone 7

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="wis3boi"] I think MS is smart enough to not allow that :PRaymundo_Manuel

They also integrated XBL into Windows Phone 7

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]Then why are they integrating XBL into PCs?

Bigboi500

They also integrated XBL into Windows Phone 7

to spread their HIV. If Win 8 played xbox games, people would have less reason to buy a console, making MS less money. But GFWL is a failing tool, it bombed when they used it in halo 2, and PC gamers were smart enough to give them the finger when they tried charging for online play. Less and less games use it now and opt for steam and origin instead.

The actual XBL integration I assume is to make it easy for consolers to access their stuff away from the TV

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]Then why are they integrating XBL into PCs?

Bigboi500

They also integrated XBL into Windows Phone 7

I'm just saying XBL integration doesn't mean it'll play Xbox games.

And even if it did play Xbox games you'd still need to buy a powerful enough computer for it. I mean if you're looking to avoid the Xbox 720 cost by buying a computer then be warned you'd be buying an expensive PC.

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

They also integrated XBL into Windows Phone 7

Raymundo_Manuel

I'm just saying XBL integration doesn't mean it'll play Xbox games.

And even if it did play Xbox games you'd still need to buy a powerful enough computer for it. I mean if you're looking to avoid the Xbox 720 cost by buying a computer then be warned you'd be buying an expensive PC.

That's kind of my plan for next gen. I'll start out with Wii U, then get a good PC that's moderately priced, and eventually a PS4.

Bigboi500

Well then I suggest you use a few free hours to learn how to build one. It's the easiest way to cut the cost of a PC in half, and get a better product in the process.

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

That's kind of my plan for next gen. I'll start out with Wii U, then get a good PC that's moderately priced, and eventually a PS4.

Raymundo_Manuel

Well then I suggest you use a few free hours to learn how to build one. It's the easiest way to cut the cost of a PC in half, and get a better product in the process.

This controller sucks. Don't buy. You'll regret it. Stick with the offical wireless xbox360 controller for windows.

This is your only warning.

FashionFreak

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

That's kind of my plan for next gen. I'll start out with Wii U, then get a good PC that's moderately priced, and eventually a PS4.

Bigboi500

Well then I suggest you use a few free hours to learn how to build one. It's the easiest way to cut the cost of a PC in half, and get a better product in the process.

You could get it for a lot cheaper than that. 720p is like, so last millenium :P

Or for the same price you could absolutely destroy everything! :twisted:

It's really easy to learn. It's not so much about numbers, or spreadsheets, or calculus, or anything like that. I'd be willing to help, if you want it, and it's really easy to get help on the hardware forumeven if the people there are mean sometimes.

[QUOTE="FashionFreak"]

This controller sucks. Don't buy. You'll regret it. Stick with the offical wireless xbox360 controller for windows.

This is your only warning.

Sushiglutton

I don't mind that controller......well I didn't get THAT one, but I got the F510 which is the wired version. The triggers feel a little odd, and I've never liked the dualshock analog design, but it's alright.

I'd definitely prefer the 360 controller, but when I got my Logitech controller it was like half the price of the 360 controller.

[QUOTE="inb4uall"]

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

wis3boi

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

Well then I suggest you use a few free hours to learn how to build one. It's the easiest way to cut the cost of a PC in half, and get a better product in the process.

Raymundo_Manuel

You could get it for a lot cheaper than that. 720p is like, so last millenium :P

Or for the same price you could absolutely destroy everything! :twisted:

It's really easy to learn. It's not so much about numbers, or spreadsheets, or calculus, or anything like that. I'd be willing to help, if you want it, and it's really easy to get help on the hardware forumeven if the people there are mean sometimes.

I just want to start out in PC gaming very casually and see if my interests in it grow from there. I've already scrapped the PC desk and from now on I'll only use any PC from my home entertainment set up. I was going to get into laptop PC gaming but it's way too expensive, so I think within the criteria I have, I should be able to get a good setup at a decent price. If I can get what I need for a lot less than $800, then even better. :)

I just want to start out in PC gaming very casually and see if my interests in it grow from there. I've already scrapped the PC desk and from now on I'll only use any PC from my home entertainment set up. I was going to get into laptop PC gaming but it's way too expensive, so I think within the criteria I have, I should be able to get a good setup at a decent price. If I can get what I need for a lot less than $800, then even better. :)

Bigboi500

Hmm, well I don't know how well that'll work. If there's one thing I know about PC gaming it's that you can't play every game with a controller, and it'd probably hurt your overall enjoyment if you aren't playing them "properly" so to speak.

Anyways I'd just say be optimistic when you go into PC gaming. There are so many genres that you just don't get on consoles, but you'd be surprised at how fun they can be. Don't just go into it looking for the same stuff you get on consoles otherwise it's just pointless.

Some of my first PC games were RTS games, and I couldn't believe how hooked I got onto them. Just looking at screenshots it's almost as if they're screaming at people to not buy them. The PC is also where I played my first WRPG before they were really a "thing" on the consoles, but even now the consoles don't get near the variety that PCs do.

Just keep an open mind. You'll discover a lot more that way unlike the people who are just like "PCz just gots mmo &facebook!". JRPGs are about the only thing you won't find much of, but they're coming. XSEED recently became a Steam partner to publish some Ys games, and Carpe Fulgar (a Japanese indie dev/publisher?) has put out a few, and I'm sure more will come eventually.

I bought my PC in 2009 for $600 (Windows included), and it maxes just about everything, but Crysis, and a few other games. I don't buy PCs to max games though, but it's nice to know I can play everything I want to. That's just one example, but with $800 three years later?..... You could still play every game available, but much better than me :D

I think XBL intergrated to windows 8 is microsofts way to bring 'charging for online' back to pc gaming, atleast try to poke if its possible. They put their first party developer's games requiring XBL, while trying 3rd party developers like Epic, THQ(relic), rockstart etc. to bring those games to XBL too. And at some point they put online gaming charge to it. MS is known for scamming.

[QUOTE="inb4uall"]

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

wis3boi

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

*PIC*

FashionFreak

my case is like that :o except mine has a blue light

Cooler Master makes great cases. I had the Antec 900 for both my previous builds but I went with the HAF 932 (blue) for my current build and love it.

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

That's kind of my plan for next gen. I'll start out with Wii U, then get a good PC that's moderately priced, and eventually a PS4.

Bigboi500

Well then I suggest you use a few free hours to learn how to build one. It's the easiest way to cut the cost of a PC in half, and get a better product in the process.

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

Well then I suggest you use a few free hours to learn how to build one. It's the easiest way to cut the cost of a PC in half, and get a better product in the process.

ionusX

Are you saying with 575 dollar you get better looking graphics than next gen consoles. I highly doubt that.

Edit: Oh you meant graphics card. Sorry. I still doubt it.

[QUOTE="ionusX"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"] I just need a tower without a monitor, and one that will only have to run good @ 720p, about 500 GB of space, and a lot of ram. I'm guessing I might be able to get one with specs like that (don't know about the processors or gfx card though) for around $800. If I can get something like that I'll be happy.

Nohtnym

Are you saying with 575 dollar you get better looking graphics than next gen consoles. I highly doubt that.

Edit: Oh you meant graphics card. Sorry. I still doubt it.

nxt gen consoles graphically = hypothetical hd 5730

575 dollar computer = hd 6770 or 6790

next gen cpu = amd a8-3870k

575 dollar cpu = amd fx-6100 or phenom II x4 960t (can unlock to phenom II x6 1065t)

and that machine would even have more ram. next gen consoles wont have more than 2gb ram, that 575 dollar machine would boast 4gb+

here ill do it now.. see you in a few here iss omething to keep you busy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNCs5qNVOfY

Cheap strong PC components? One can only hope! If so, great but I doubt that the console market will ever die. It's too big.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986$100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031$17

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996$100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153$40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231307$20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182199$50 (special offer 2 yr warranty)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131795$60

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150540$90 (free copy of dirt 3)

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335949922&sr=1-2$75

total: $557 before handling. granted i was a little off but for 55 mroe its easily doable. a 6770 is $30 more (free copy of dirt 3) and the 960t is 25 bucks more

you may now suck me

Consoles dont need much ram. On pc OS takes chunk of ram.

No way that pc which you just build fo 600 dollar will produce better graphics than next gen consoles. Maybe it will compared to Wii U.

Consoles dont need much ram. On pc OS takes chunk of ram.

No way that pc which you just build fo 600 dollar will produce better graphics than next gen consoles. Maybe it will compared to Wii U.

Nohtnym

rememebr until you hit beuyond the preformance threshold of a gtx 275/hd 6790 preformance doesnt leap all that much till your at the very high end like the hd 7950 onward. you have a heck of a preformer.

3870k = phenom II x4 945

the fx-4100 is easily as good as the 955 and ebst of all you can overclock it. if you spend the 20 bucks mroe the phenom II x6 1065t you obtain from the locked 960t is miles better.

and all of this assumes they use the 3870k and 6670 . they could jsut as eaisly use a 5670 and 3850. if they do that which is cheaper. next gen consoles would be even worse. a 6690D (3870k + 6670) the ebst case scenario is about even with the old 9800gtx (v1).

let me go ahead and dust off the old copy of rainbow 6 vegas for you:

you are a full 30fps BEHIND a 4870 which is where the 6770 competes. in fact the 6770 is better than msot factory overclocked models so you can add about 6-10fps to the 4870's results. and thats the unreal engine 3. aka the no.1 most popular fps and tps engine in circulation. so in a good 75% of all fps's the next gen of consoles will see you will be alot slower than a 600 dollar machine.

and dont even get me started on what happend when you add in the 1065t to this dance as thats using a core 2 quad that is more or less equivalent to the cpu used in this very result.

had enough yet?? okay: +25 fps better

http://www.behardware.com/medias/photos_news/00/23/IMG0023646.gif over 30fps better

on average in fact across all the engines tested (heroes, cryengine 2, unreal engine 3,x-ray) the 4870 averaged a full 20fps better (40 if you omit x-ray). you can do alot with that kind of power.

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="inb4uall"]

something i will say. Even though hermit hate Alein ware because of its price I think every AW system looks badass lol. I wish console makers would take a page outta their book at least on cases

shadow_hosi

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

[QUOTE="shadow_hosi"]

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

lowe0

100% agree TC with the pc being best

shadow_hosi

at least skim it :(

[QUOTE="lowe0"][QUOTE="shadow_hosi"] **** please

ionusX

apus wont change anything its a cheap atholon 2 with a krappy gpu slaped on it.

[QUOTE="shadow_hosi"]

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

crappy cases are crappy. Better with these

lowe0

Even thought I have a Corsair Obsidian... it has poor air flow. But I use it for water cooling, so no problem.

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"] I just need a tower without a monitor, and one that will only have to run good @ 720p, about 500 GB of space, and a lot of ram. I'm guessing I might be able to get one with specs like that (don't know about the processors or gfx card though) for around $800. If I can get something like that I'll be happy.

You could get it for a lot cheaper than that. 720p is like, so last millenium :P

Or for the same price you could absolutely destroy everything! :twisted:

It's really easy to learn. It's not so much about numbers, or spreadsheets, or calculus, or anything like that. I'd be willing to help, if you want it, and it's really easy to get help on the hardware forumeven if the people there are mean sometimes.

I just want to start out in PC gaming very casually and see if my interests in it grow from there. I've already scrapped the PC desk and from now on I'll only use any PC from my home entertainment set up. I was going to get into laptop PC gaming but it's way too expensive, so I think within the criteria I have, I should be able to get a good setup at a decent price. If I can get what I need for a lot less than $800, then even better. :)

apus wont change anything its a cheap atholon 2 with a krappy gpu slaped on it.

dontshackzmii

*cough PS3*

NoodleFighter, you are the fanboy that tries harder...

NoodleFighter, you are the fanboy that tries harder...

tjricardo089

If I wanted to try, I'd make a thread that said Console gaming sucks and laugh my ass off at how it reaches over 6 pages in less than 30 minutes full of angry flaming people :P

the good-looking fashionable cases don't function well (poor airflow)

the ugly cases are more functional

kind of like clothes :p

This controller sucks. Don't buy. You'll regret it. Stick with the offical wireless xbox360 controller for windows.

This is your only warning.

FashionFreak

Is it really that bad? I have the Logitech F310 which is the wired version and it works perfect. The reviews on newegg and other sites seem pleased with it. Maybe you got a crap one.

[QUOTE="FashionFreak"]

This controller sucks. Don't buy. You'll regret it. Stick with the offical wireless xbox360 controller for windows.

This is your only warning.

NoodleFighter

Is it really that bad? I have the Logitech F310 which is the wired version and it works perfect. The reviews on newegg and other sites seem pleased with it. Maybe you got a crap one.

The controller itself is great. It's the wireless that's bad. It has random disconnects and input lag even if you use the extender and use the controller right next to the receiver. It's great when it works. but the bad wireless quality kills it. The official Xbox360 controller is more consistent.