Sad state of computer gaming

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As others have said, I think a big issue is the price of hardware. It costs almost as much or more for a gtx as a ps3 or 360 and I think, at least for right now, the graphics are comparable. Then on top of that you need the rest of the system so for a gaming pc, if your primary use is gaming, will cost you 2-3 times the cost of a console.
 
The sad thing is that this post is still going. Why can't you enjoy both and not feel like every gaming company is screwing people over?
 


I couldn't agree more.

But it's hard not to get nostalgic sometimes. I remember walking into Babbages in the late 90s (when I started PC gaming for real; I was a PS gamer before that) and seeing the walls covered with PC games. In HUGE colorful boxes. There would be a small section devoted to PS1 games. Maybe a rack of SNES games.

For people who started PC gaming more than 5 years ago it's a vastly different world. And it's never coming back. That's frustrating.

You have to let people blow off steam every once in a while.
 
Since I am a Personal trainer who does most work in a persons home. I come to you.
Trend:Very rich dentist has two kids,9 and 12, said having huge flatsceen in finished basement, second said play PS2, &c.
Noticing expensive said T.V., lends incredibley-beautiful graphics for platform games that these lucky kids are at it, at it!
Upstairs Mom and said doctor have a sixhundred-dollar bagain PC for email, &c. That the kids are not to toach for pain of death.
Many other kids like these explode-into the Gaming store up the street, buying incredible numbers of Platform titles, as the lone(as someone noted) stand of PC games gathers dust in the back-corner untill I come in and buy F.E.A.R; as I tend to enjoy PC games, still playing DOOM2, &c.
By-now you see the trend as it stands.
How is my 3 year-old P4-3.2g, IGRAM, NV8100XT going to play these great new PC games, since I'm low on cash and cann't spend 2grand and up or build one since I am new to TH-and have not spent the time to learn as I should have. I will not buy a Platform, since I am a die-hard PC Game fan.
 
I'm a long time PC gamer and console gamer as well. To me the PC is with out a doubt the champ when its comes to gaming. The simple reasons onto why is because its a forever evolving.

Lets take a look at game quilty. The ratio of good to bad games in the console world is a grim reality consoles are bombarded with games and its like bobing for apples sadly most are rotten to the core. Not to mention the few good games never exceed anything on PC and can be ported.

Taking a look at PC games the quilty has to be good because PC gamers demand it! Not only do we get great titles all the time but we also have a huge demand that these games be moddable as well. Transforming the game into something different and usally for free.

Graphics are a tricky one. A new console may hold the title of best graphics for months at best. But the new hardware and games for the PC will soon dominate it. Once the console is 1-2 years old the consoles graphics won't be anything to gloat about to a PC gamers.

Price however is where the PC takes a loss. Sadly buying a hardcore highend system will cost you more than a PS3,360, and a Wii combined.
But with the drastic price hikes on the consoles and claims from the companys that they actully lose money with each sale hoping to regain it through the games is starting to make me wonder if the future consoles will reach the 1000-1200 pricetages.

The console companys have silently admitted that the PC is better. Thats why generation after generation they become more and more PC like. Someday you will be buying a console that does everything a PC can in a small box that hooks up to your TV. (although you can use your TV for your PC too) There is no such thing as a console anymore... simply hybrids.
 


So true, games on the 360 are third person like GRAW 1 & 2 and Gears Of War.
 
It will inevitably come down to a simple case of economics...

As the demand for PC games goes down (arguable, but it is evident that the demand is not rising), the price for the games will go down as well. The supply (i.e. game developers) will continually turn more and more towards console-based games searching for profit, while the computer enthusiast will have to wait for the PC mod. Eventually, I see the next-next-generation of consoles (X-box 720? 1080??) being exactly like a contemporary computer...except for the interchangeable parts. That is where Sony and Microsoft (throw in Nintendo too) will be making their money, is on the fact that their conveniently named 'consoles' (which are really PCs) will keep their consumers dedicated to their brand.

Perhaps we will get a 3rd (4th counting Nintendo) console that allows for upgradeable parts. But, alas, this company would inevitably confront the software/intellectual rights problem that keeps us where we are.

(I am sorry, I diverged from my original line of thought)

Eventually, I can see the hardware graphics companies having to invest/acquire in their own game developers, in order to keep the PC enthusiast buying the latest greatest graphics card and hardware.
 
Another problem is that PCs have already reached the point when all of the important office programs (Windows OS, Microsoft Word, Exel, Power Point, Internet browsers, ordinary video and painting programs etc.) load up and work sufficiently fast. Now games are the only reason to upgrade PC, unless you work as an engineer and need a modern computer for your work.
 


Try and run crysis on that console.

Pc gaming will ALWAYS be around as long as the pc is. When pc's are dead that is when pc gaming will be also. consoles will probably die bout the same time, because something better came out to take the place of both.

The console is nothing more than the industry figuring out how to make more money. Any console game can be run on a pc, but a pc game generally cannot be run on a console. Funny how in the last few years they are starting to offer more accessories to try and convince people to buy consoles. Hey now we are going to offer internet access,with blue ray player, there is even an optional keyboard, check your e-mail...ect, ect. . Err sounds kinda like my pc.

that doesn't mean consoles are bad. I have nothing personal against a consoles, i like most other gamers like the keyboard and mouse over a controller.

Oh, i saw a statistic a while back said something like there 5 times more people playing pc games than console. Don't if they figured in the fact that half the consoles demographic probably cannot spell yet.
 


Nah no way... Alot more people definitely game more on console. Don't get me wrong I got 2.5k PC and my friends always say "Console can do anything and run any game with zero lag on a 60" tv at $700 max you are a ******** to buy a pc" I dont think that's true Halo 3 single player hits low fps ALOT (any battle scene) maybe it's because I have stare more then 50 fps for smoothness but it definitely lags. I love my PC hooked up a 1080i tv and laying on my couch with a wireless keyboard and mouse. now MY pc runs any game with no lag. No doubt 360 or PS3 CAN run crysis but graphics definitely wont match up to high end pcs on DX10. Xbox 360 is not DX10 capable PS3 i'm not but it certainly dont have a 8800 GTX on it.
 
The only time a console would be able to match a PC in resolution for the most brand-spanking new game would be right at the launch of the 'next-generation'. After that, the PC games would be pushing the envelope and consoles would have to wait for the next cycle of redundant machines in order to get back to the cusp.
 


They also run low AA setting to, have you seen those jaggys on Halo?
 
Console only peepz just wanna play they dont care... When i get a new game first i do is crank up the setting then pull up fraps. next i take zooming weapon and stare at the texture quality. then i get to playing.
 


Rubbish. I've downloaded games. besides, a lot of studies have shown that if people hadn;t downloaded games, then they wouldn't have bought them, same as films and music. and surely people downloading would <i><b>increase</i></b> the gaming scene? more poeple playing would boost, the place, even if the market suffered.

I think that developers have realised this, hence the recent increase in collector's editions and special bonus packs that can only come with the box, such as Assassins creed new tin, Half life tin, Guild wars collectors editions... need i go on?
 
There will allways be good games for PC. Just look at this Nov-Dec launchs. Crysis e.g. will pwn any game that is currently available on Earth, and it not a game of the present, its a game of the future.

Thing is PC games will always exist and be better as time goes by, because the PC hardware needs it too to progress in the social market. Good agressive games makes people upgrade their PC.

 
I personally prefer PC games over any console game, any time, every time. The modability and customization that can be done on the pc platform is fantastic! (CS:S - Zombie Mod ftw!) Consoles are for kids and casual gamers (there are exceptions) - You buy the console + games and play it. Computers require you to A.) Pay someone to build your system (Often insanely expensive from a vendor) B.) Build the system your self. This is what makes me love my PC even more - knowing I built it and seeing what is capable of.

I hardly believe PC gaming is dieing, but rather that the "fat is being trimmed". What I mean is that a lot of the small, crappy games that cost just as much as the big titles are no longer there. No more Medieval Lad next to Quake Wars or something. Plus you can still go and play some old mainstream titles and see 5-12,000 multi player servers dedicated to that game.

Somewhat off-topic: I saw someone mention Sony and PC Games above. Sony sucks, hard. They released a piece of software (I don't think it was game related, but I hate Sony anyway) with spyware attached (and with no notification) and they got caught. Their response was something like "Why should people care about software we install if they don't understand it's function" -- I'll try to find the article for you guys.

Source!: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20051108/0117239.shtml

"Sony: Rootkits Are Okay, Because No One Knows What They Are
from the did-he-actually-say-that? dept

Sony's response to the whole rootkit fiasco has been anything but reassuring -- which is probably why they're facing a series of lawsuits about the matter. However, the folks over at Digg have highlighted what might be the single most ridiculous statement on the matter from a Sony executive during an NPR interview about the matter. After taking issue with anyone using the terms "spyware, malware or rootkit," Thomas Hesse, President of Sony's Global Digital Business, literally says: "Most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?" Ah, right. Because people don't know about this technology that was installed without proper notification, which hides things on their computers, which can be misused by those with malicious intent to hide more software on their computers potentially causing all sorts of damage... they have nothing at all to worry about. This goes beyond the "trust us" response they were originally stating to the unfathomable rationale that what you don't know about can't possibly hurt you."
 
The biggest problem with gaming in general is the market is flooded with worthless games.
(games that are full of bugs or just bad game play)

The problem right now on the PC is most gamers don't feel like upgrading their computer ever 2-3 years to play these new games, thats why you see so many people still playing old Half-life and Half-life2 mods/games.
The system requirements for those games are low unlike the games that came out this year.

 
generally for pc games, they look better than the console games,

if you look at some console games, you will see that even though they look good, don't look as good as on the pc

but even with this, many pc games have more problems, one of the main ones are the DRM problems and copy protection crap built in, there just extra things to deal with

also many game makers are not staying with in the current hardware limits,

computers get faster every few months but gaming performance never gets better because they want to make use of the extra speed and this causes older pcs to miss out

if crysis were to come out for the PS3, it would sell a lot more, even though it wont look as good as it would on the PC, more people will buy it because not many users have computers that can handle crysis properly and there left with a decision

spend probably $1000 getting their pc ready for crysis or spend half that and get a ps3 and crysis

also I have the feeling that crysis will be a short game

many new pc games are getting shorter and are lacking fun game play,


also when a game maker mainly focuses on making a game look as good as possible, the quality of the gameplay goes down

and if your pc cant run the game at high settings, then you are left with bad gameplay and crappy graphics because they did not work hard on gameplay and your pc cant run the game at high settings


also not enough game makers make demos for their games


the statement never judge a book by it's cover applies to games also, a game can have a cool looking box but that doesn't make the game good. and no one is willing to spend $40-$60 on a game just to fine out if they like it or not


and for the ones that do make demos, they need to make better demos

so many times I have downloaded a demo just to get angry at the crappy gameplay because anything that could make the game fun was either not available or had the ad to buy the full version to unlock
when they do this, this makes them loose buyers because the demo was a turnoff

they need to stop removing important features from demos,

on tv when a new movie comes out, the tv ad usually shows lots of action

for the tv ad of the new resident evil movie only showed the scenes with just talking or with the lady sleeping would it gain as much hype?

I personally hate console gaming because to me it seems like a waste of money
300-$700 for a game system and $60 per game, + a monthly fee to play the games on line

would you buy battlefield 2 if they were charging a monthly fee to use the online multiplayer?

some of my friends use xbox live and pay a monthly fee to use it

you already spend $60 for the game, why spend a monthly fee just to play it on line ?
most xbox 360 games are now designed to be mostly online multiplayer based so now to even enjoy those games, you need to pay for xbox live

xbox live is $30 for 3 months and $60 for the 1 year package

so if you get the 1 year it is $60 a year just to play your multiplayer games that you spend $60 for

most PC gamers will generally have around 15-30 games while most console gamers will have around 2-5 games

5 games will cost you $350 when you add tax

that is more then the system it's self

and when you add the $60 a year thats $410 wasted in 1 year if you brought 5 games






 
I'd say the number of absolutely terrible "Medieval Lad" games has decreased dramatically. I don't walk into a store and see WW2 shooters right next to Medal Of Honor claiming that they're "Voted #1 Shooter of 2003!" when they're really a piece of %^$# game made by a company trying to capitalize off of popular ideas.

About upgrading your PC every 2-3 years --- You do the same thing with consoles. XBOX and PS2 was the latest and greatest, but here comes XBOX360 w/ half the power of modern PC's and the new PS3 (Which actually isn't a bad deal if you want a BluRay since they cost about the same) Modern consoles pretty much USE the same parts PC use. Check it out. You'll actually be surprised at what goes into them compared to cost. You've got a computer, that's what it is, except you can't just upgrade single parts - you buy the "latest and greatest". Also, you can't mod console games to add replay value. You finish the game and buy a new one. This is probably one of the biggest reasons holding me back from purchasing a console. (I wouldn't be surprised if modding console games came a reality soon 😀)

The main advantage for game makers to release games on consoles is that they aren't as easy to pirate. In order to use those pirated games - which are available for consoles btw - you have to actually take the console apart and mod it. This will void your warranty as well as scare most people away for fear of breaking their system.

Recently, I have noticed most gaming companies release their game over multiple platforms - PS3, XBOX, and PC - rather than focusing on just one console. So if someone pirates their PC game and sales aren't that great, they'll just focus more on the other markets.
 


WOOT! Another old gamer! Now there's 2 of us! :bounce:

I cut my teeth on Trash-80's and an Apple II+ (I remember that $200 16K RAM upgrade that made that 48K monster sing...). Point is, there were fun games to play back then (Original Wolfenstein, anyone?), there are fun games to play now, and there will be fun games to play while the PC continues to exist. Consoles are fine for the ADD set and kiddies, or for social gaming (the Wii really rocks - who'd a thunk it?), but if you want deep gameplay at the limits of technology, there is no substitute for a PC. Why else would consoles spend years trying to catch up with what a PC can already do?
 
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