Gartner Says PC Will "Cease to be Important Game Platform"

[demonhorde665]

Woooahhhh dude .... its dejavu ,or vujade I swear I've heard those same guys say the same thing back in 2005 .

 

[spentshells]

Lol, this article's comments is filled with denial. AMD is losing money making PC hardware. NVIDIA's profits have dropped from 2007 despire "price gouging" on high end cards.

The fact is that a very small amount of people need the power acessible only to a desktop. Why keep spending billions on R&D and millions on drivers on PC gamers who hate upgrading and force NVIDIA and AMD to sell their stuff for almost 0 profit and come packaged with free games because of "value". There simply isnt much money to be made in PC gaming anymore.

Intel isn't trying in the desktop CPU market for a reason. The GPU market is seeing rebrands because AMD or NVIDIA is making enough $ or getting enough sales to justify spending so much to make a whole new architecture and drivers from scratch.

All 3 companies are investing heavily in the mobile markets because thats where the money and the demand is. The Desktop PC is experiencing white flight to smartphones, tablets, and other devices that can do everything most desktop users did in a far smaller package.

The only thing that is really going to push PC hardware anymore is the convenient gains from the companies developing on the mobile platform (die shrinks, etc) and console hardware to an extent.

Just my .02 cents, guys. I know this is going to get a shitload of thumbs down. Seems like Tomshardware users can't even fathom the possibility of desktop PCs going bust when the possibility is very real.

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You

 

[Glacier]

PC gaming is here to stay!

 

[Wendigo]

Gartner's predictions about the future are as reliable as any fortune teller or psychic voyant.

 

[sineira]

I say Gartner has already ceased to be relevant.

 

[danscan11]

Spectrewind I concur. I actually started casual PC gaming a year ago, thought about consoles and how I just wasn't excited about the PS4 nor the XBox one. I was really pumped when the 3 and 360 came out. The issues I had with PC gaming are no longer issues anymore like being able to use a 360 controller instead of always a key&mouse. Those console's are becoming more and more like very close relative or are PC's themselves. In my opinion consoles are trying to stay relevant by being PC's. The ignorance of that man's statement I'm sorry not ignorance that's giving him a pass that inglorious and remarkable "touched in the head" statement makes me question how he got to be an expert in anything besides brown-nosing. (Trying to stay polite) I'm also sure if you look at Tom's member listing it would probably show an increase of membership and people talking about PC gaming more and more each day. I thought PC gaming was dead until I came here and started reading the forums and how many "Need help building a gaming rig" questions that pop up on a daily basis. There will be bountiful seasons for PC gaming Ohhh yes!!! I pray to the NVidia AMD Intel ROG gods to have mercy on this poor man's soul, take pity on him and his blindness to the PC gaming world. Amen

 

[sovtek37]

The PC is dead! Touch is the future! Windows 8 is the new paradigm is human-device interaction! The mouse is obsolete! Yeah, been hearing this crap for a while. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[husker]

And what are programmers using to create these games? I believe they are using PCs. Therefore, PCs are relevant.

 

[Guest]

I like to put my own computer together. A laptop, tablet, I never had one it's so tiny to fix or replace something and you have to deal with a little monitor, little keyboard, little mouse.... it's more expensive. I know you can probably build a custom notebook or whatever you call them but most people just buy them like they are... where is the fun in picking the component parts? Although consoles where always more hassle free put in and game and play, but that doesn't let you learn how to work with a computer.

 

[InvalidError]

And what are programmers using to create these games? I believe they are using PCs. Therefore, PCs are relevant.

The biggest problem with developing for consoles on the consoles themselves: the console does not exist 1-2 years ahead of launch for developers to develop on so they have to use a reasonable approximation of what the the final specs might deliver in the meantime, which tends to translate into a souped-up custom PC that is several times more expensive than the final hardware.

So the PC gets there by default in large part because it is required to break the chicken-and-egg situation when bringing something new to market.

 

[danscan11]

why're ya'all flaming about how fun or better PC gaming is? the topic's about money, not quality. In which case, PC never ever was as inportant gaming platform IMHO. In the early 90s, lots of friends had consoles, but NOBODY had the knowledge/money to use those difficult/expensive "office" machines, except maybe IBM floppy boot-loaders or cart games on MSX school machines. Those netless days, you were an elite geek if you figured out how to install a game without accidentally formatting your dad's home PC. There was like 1 shop in the entire city that imported "game" stuff for computers (100$+ for a gravis gamepad, but oh god I haven't seen anything as good since ...).
So, yes I wish it stays unimportant always. For when the masses pour in, you lose the magic quality of groundbreaking stuff lovingly made by pioneering programmers who love games, and you get big companies on the bandwagon diluting the market with business-driven trash that makes LOTS of money (i.e. important) but hated by you & critics & forgotten next year by the tasteless masses spending on the next uninspired release. I call it the "mass effect". Do you really want PC gaming to become so "important" that everyone including your illiterate jock neighbors can enjoy it? Just look at the colorful icons on the latest "easy OS" next time you get such destructive desires.

Yes I do want PC gaming to become more important. I want people to realize there IS ground breaking stuff by excellent programmers who do it maybe for a small profit but for the love of it. There is always a down side with the general theory which I adopt as well people in mass are stupid. Unfortunately for Microsoft they underestimated the intelligence of their source of income US the PC users, junkies, fan-boys what have you. Your scolding your own for no reason. Thats why people are flaming on this guy because he attacked something we deem important and special. Face it PC gaming IS gaining ground and IS becoming more relevant Its starting to hit its stride finally. Yes there is always going to be room for consoles and PC's. Look at Linux how its grown over the years its open source and its gaining support from big companies now. Im sorry I thought it would be gone and a distant memory by now but the PC guy broke through that barrier of big money. Im excited to start trying out linux on my PC. The fact of the matter is your little secret is no more and you should be proud instead of pouting. The mindless masses you speak of WONT get passed the gates once they see they actually have to learn instead of just pushing in a disc. The PC society will weed them out but the ones who really want to learn will be added and I bet theres a ton of them out there. I see them everyday on Toms asking for opinions and help with their first builds. So don't sit there and act bigger than everyone else we have fond memories growing up with the PC as well the only issue with you is we want to share that experience with others, sounds like you selfishly dont.

 

[everygamer]

More and more people that I know which used to play games on consoles are switching back to playing games on their PC's. This seems to be happening for a few reasons ...

1. They can upgrade their PC hardware when it starts to feel aged.

2. They don't want to invest in games right now for current consoles, because they don't know which of the new consoles they are going to get, so until the new consoles solidify, they have put console game purchases on hold.

3. Platforms like Steam, Origin, Gamestop, as well as direct game sales via vendors and OS stores like Windows/Apple/Google desktop stores are doing very well for themselves. People like to be able to purchase games, and know that they will have access to them in the future, console/disc combinations are tied to the console platform, and game longevity ends with a scratched disk.

4. PC games are generally less expensive, when a game is released for Xbox/PS3/PC the PC version is generally $10-$20 less than the console versions. Mostly because the game developers don't have to worry about physical distribution, and don't have to share the profit margin with a brick and mortar retailer. Online retailers and publishers can make money at a lower cost.

 

[irishtr]

I say look at www.robertsspaceindustries.com we just raised over 26million in crowd funding of a PC GAME ass hats so umm yea what have you done besides flap your gums? THE PC GAME IS NOT DEAD!

 

[irishtr]

I say look at www.robertsspaceindustries.com we just raised over 26million in crowd funding of a PC GAME ass hats so umm yea what have you done besides flap your gums? THE PC GAME IS NOT DEAD!

 

[JOSHSKORN]

I agree...for the next 3 years. Wait until 8-core CPUs become mainstream. Then, the XBOX One and PS4 will soon be paper weights.

 

[willz06jw]

"Gartner expects that traditional PCs will not be replaced by newer PCs in households, but by tablets. This will lead to a progressive reduction in the installed base for PC games as game players adopt other device types as their primary computing platforms. PC and online games will remain popular, but compared with game consoles and mobile games, it is PC games that will take a backseat as game players make a choice of convenience and popularity."

As you can tell from the quote above, Gartner doesn't understand that PC Games are not played on traditional PCs. They equate less Dell and HP sales to lower PC game sales.

To answer "Who is Gartner" to above posters: they are the people that businesses listen to before they allocate capital for new [software, hardware] investment. That is why their misinformation is so dangerous. Bad Gartner predictions = less investment in a PC port or a graphics chip (or investment in processor tech in Intel's case).

I really wish they would look into PC gaming before putting out predictions like these.

 

[zaratustra89]

Think about it. This is not about console gaming vs Pc. It´s about gaming being uprooted from it´s pc foundations and going somewhere else. Even though it might hurt a true gamers pride gaming is mostly being done in tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. It Doesn´t matter if serious gamers actually despise such devices for gaming, most people use them on a daily basis. The future of gaming is in mobile devices and not in "DEDICATED handheld devices" for the same reason. Cheap ass smartphones and tablets are consumers first choice. Now if you look at it this way it make a hell of a lot more sense to think the gaming market is expanding into everyones little handheld device making it the main source of income for the gaming industry, while the harcore, pc lovin´ gaming crowd will still be there and remain important, although overshadowed by the new trends of the mobile world.

 

[zaratustra89]

Think about it. This is not about console gaming vs Pc. It´s about gaming being uprooted from it´s pc foundations and going somewhere else. Even though it might hurt a true gamers pride gaming is mostly being done in tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. It Doesn´t matter if serious gamers actually despise such devices for gaming, most people use them on a daily basis. The future of gaming is in mobile devices and not in "DEDICATED handheld devices" for the same reason. Cheap ass smartphones and tablets are consumers first choice. Now if you look at it this way it make a hell of a lot more sense to think the gaming market is expanding into everyones little handheld device making it the main source of income for the gaming industry, while the harcore, pc lovin´ gaming crowd will still be there and remain important, although overshadowed by the new trends of the mobile world.

 

[jimmysmitty]

PC ceased being important to gaming years ago. Sure the hardware murders the consoles. But when it comes to actual SALES of software, that is were PC loses.

A PC game is doing well to sell 100,000 copies, while that same title may sell 2~10+ millions on the 360/PS3 consoles. The PC Multiplayer servers are bare... compared to consoles - which are mostly cursing kiddies.

Consoles gets more AAA titles over PCs. Or such titles comes out many months later. Even Microsoft makes Xbox games that never or rarely see the light of day on the PC.

Diablo 3 sold 6 million units on release. That's about 60x your 100K measure.

Most decent games do sell in the millions on PC.

That said, consoles rely on PC hardware. Just look at the so called "next-gen" consoles which are going to be using currently out dated PC hardware in them.

And PC gaming is alive and well. Always about 3-4million players peak per day on Steam and then there are the still 8-9 million active gamers on WoW.

 

[smeezekitty]

Think about it. This is not about console gaming vs Pc. It´s about gaming being uprooted from it´s pc foundations and going somewhere else. Even though it might hurt a true gamers pride gaming is mostly being done in tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. It Doesn´t matter if serious gamers actually despise such devices for gaming, most people use them on a daily basis. The future of gaming is in mobile devices and not in "DEDICATED handheld devices" for the same reason. Cheap ass smartphones and tablets are consumers first choice. Now if you look at it this way it make a hell of a lot more sense to think the gaming market is expanding into everyones little handheld device making it the main source of income for the gaming industry, while the harcore, pc lovin´ gaming crowd will still be there and remain important, although overshadowed by the new trends of the mobile world.

100K? LOL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games#PC

 

[kinggremlin]

Think about it. This is not about console gaming vs Pc. It´s about gaming being uprooted from it´s pc foundations and going somewhere else.

You must be pretty young. Gaming's foundation is with consoles, not PC's. There may have been games on a computer before any consoles were released, by as a viable consumer market, consoles are where gaming built its foundation. My dad made his living as an actuary working with computers all of his adult life. In the early 80's, we had an IBM PC in our house. We were the only people I knew with a PC at home, but most of my friends had an Atari 2600 gaming system. PC gaming didn't start gaining mainstream steam until the early 90's at earliest.

 

[danscan11]

How much money has been generated for the PC gaming industry by oh I dont know WoW for instance again people on here wanting to spend hundreds of dollars for 1 PC game and continue spending money on it monthly. How many console games have been in advertisements for other products or used to sell products I know WoW has never seen a Call of Duty style commercial for anything, Metal Gear, or any other console flagship lines. I know COD is a PC favorite but still. I wouldn't even call someone playing Angry Birds in the waiting room a gamer or game enthusiast. In my opinion casual/mobile gaming is a completely different market that shouldn't be used for anyones case. Mobile games are for the ADD or OCD types, and or the types who like to play slots at casinos because of all the pretty colors and cute animations that flash before their eyes. Again mobile world gaming? Its a viable market for sure but its wrapped up in inferior hardware and cannot tell every story the way it should be told thats why you wont see a Skyrim on a mobile device. I do not hate mobile gaming but I dont take those that only do sodoku on their tablet seriously or consider them a gamer. I also would expect them to not consider themselves a video game fan. Mobile device gaming? I hate ps vista, nintendos crap and all of them I wont even look at a shield. I do think its impressive but I do not want to have one. If its NOT just about PC gaming then why did he SAY PC gaming will not be important, not console & PC gaming? Your mobile theory sir is flawed. Ummm I wonder if anyone has told this to Blizzard? I wonder what kinds of #'s they can and should've shown Gartner before their mouth was opened. Oh I'm sure Steam would be more than happy to share their #'s as well. I agree with one of the other members earlier who said something about HP Gateway sales, most PC gamers dont even use pre-assembled PC's. Again let's have AMD and Intel chime in with their sales #'s. Everyone thinks the music industry is dead because the big guys aren't doing so well anymore. Well no the music industry is alive and well just not in the form we knew of it. So I will say again Gartner is stupid and has no idea what they are talking about. PC gaming is growing and not wilting despite mobile gaming(again shouldnt even be considered gaming in the first place) or consoles. It shows lack of responsibility and research by them to make a public statement so specific to the PC gaming industry. Zaratustra you contradicted yourself in your last sentence "the harcore, pc lovin´ gaming crowd will still be there and remain important, although overshadowed by the new trends of the mobile world." So your saying in the first piece its not going to be relevant and then you say it is in your last sentence just a little confused. Oh look everyone lenovo sales are down I guess nobodys gaming anymore on their PC's theres your proof. I did enjoy looking at sneezekitty's link it made me LOL as well almost as much as when I read that gartner quote.

 

[kinggremlin]

Interesting all the experts here denouncing Gartner's analysis. Likely most of the same people bitching in every console news post how the underperforming consoles are holding back game development on the PC side. The irony here is so thick you couldn't cut it with an ax. Depending on perspective, Gartner isn't predicting anything, they're observing something that has already happened which is consoles dictating the gaming market and then pretending like they are predicting it.

 

[shriganesh]

Gartner can go to hell

 

[lpedraja2002]

* Gartner's peon looks at how much GTAV sold. *
* Gartner's peon observes how GTAV isn't on PC. *
* Garter's peon writes about PC demise. *