Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

[Spongedaddy]

Once you get past the PS3 (and its price cough cough) the Wii there was another player at E3: the PC. I have seen many reports that spoke about both the effects of Vista and upcoming titles on the platform that was suppsosidly dead. So it begs the question....is PC gaming making a comeback?

WOW certainly showed that there is still a huge interest in computer gaming. While I never got into it (not a big MMO kind of guy) I was impressed how they made a game that can play over a broad spectrum of PC configuraitons. However, millions of people proved the mouse and keyboard still had a lot of life left in them. It is also hard not to be intrigued by the PC exclusives such as Spore or some of the episodic games being released (Sam and Max, Half Life 2 episodes, etc). It is also still hard to imagine the RTS genre working as well on any other platform.

The downside of course is the cost and rapid hardware improvements that go along with a PC. I have no idea how much Windows Vista will cost but it will put a dent in the pocket. If you want VIsta you might be forced to upgrade other parts of your PC as well. Even if you forget about Vista your wallet (and mind) is sure to be a hurting once you get to the wonderful world of graphics cards. Unless you have a decent amount of money the card you buy today will be a relic within a year. You can still run games with an older card, but they wont look near as good for some of the more demanding titles.

I haven't played games on my PC for a few months, but sat down yesterday for a little HOMM 4 action. I enjoyed myself and was reminded of the somewaht "intimate" (for lack of a better wod) experience the PC can give. I am curious to see what the future holds and even a little tempted to start looking at a few upgrades.

How do other people feel?

[Admiral50]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I'm thinking the opposite.

Games like Gears of War, Fable 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, Halo 3 are pretty much console only. And now you have PC hits like Call of Duty and even Unreal Tournament making the move to console, plus the best sports games and ever improving, expanding and ease of use of the online multiplayer options of consoles is making PC gaming a less attractive option for gamers.

Not to mention a game like Oblivion, running pretty well on 360 where in comparison needing an expensive PC to do the same.

And the word is that PC titles in the likes of Crysis and UT 2007 will need more advanced graphics cards and quicker CPU's yet again. And to make matters worse, those advanced graphics cards are becoming more expensive than ever before.

If it weren't for the mod scene and ever expanding (albeit highly illegal) online 'sharing' and ease of pirating of PC games, it wouldn't hold much interest for gamers at all.

[Rodster]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I think it has made a nice comeback, and that's just not my opinion but the industry is saying that as well. If PC gaming where not making a comeback Dell would not have purchased Alienware and revamped their entire XPS PC's.

One look at the new Far Cry running on directX 10 or Microsoft's Flight Simulator X running on directX 10 as well shows that the future is still bright for PC gaming.

As far as technology goes the visuals will usually surpass the consoles in a short amount of time. I recently played Madden 06 on my gaming rig and compared it to the 360 and I saw some differences but they weren't that huge.

Viva la PC

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I could never get into PC gaming. The cost is what always killed it for me. You seemingly have to upgrade everytime the newest game comes out. Crysis will need a monster upgrade for about every machine to run it, this after people spent a grand to play Half Life 2 a year ago. I'll stick with my consoles.

[Rodster]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I could never get into PC gaming. The cost is what always killed it for me. You seemingly have to upgrade everytime the newest game comes out. Crysis will need a monster upgrade for about every machine to run it, this after people spent a grand to play Half Life 2 a year ago. I'll stick with my consoles.

I agree that's one of the downsides to PC gaming. OTOH Hardcore PC gamers really don't mind as it's all about bragging rights. I met a guy at my local EB. He was bragging to me how he built this kick@ss system just so he could play Oblivion in all it's glory. He said in it's highest resolution he gets no lower than 80fps.

He never told me what he spent but i'm sure it wasn't cheap.

The other thing PC gaming brings to the table are fairly accurate simulations of certain genres. Like Falcon 4.0 Allied Force which I purchased or Nascar Racing 2003 by Papyrus or F1 Challenge '99-'02. The mods are incredible and you can usually update older games and make them current.

The other thing PC games do very well is with strategy games like Sid's Civ Games, or the killer Galactic Civ II by Stardock. Games that are built around using a mouse and keyboard.

But games like Madden and other EA Sports games play exactly like their console cousins with the right controller of course.

I do perfer console gaming over PC gaming but my interest has increased in playing some pretty fun that were made only for PC gaming.

I'm really looking forward to Microsoft's Flight Sim X later this year. I've followed the series since the early '90s with FS4.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I agree that's one of the downsides to PC gaming. OTOH Hardcore PC gamers really don't mind as it's all about bragging rights. I met a guy at my local EB. He was bragging to me how he built this kick@ss system just so he could play Oblivion in all it's glory. He said in it's highest resolution he gets no lower than 80fps.

He never told me what he spent but i'm sure it wasn't cheap.

The other thing PC gaming brings to the table are fairly accurate simulations of certain genres. Like Falcon 4.0 Allied Force which I purchased or Nascar Racing 2003 by Papyrus or F1 Challenge '99-'02. The mods are incredible and you can usually update older games and make them current.

The other thing PC games do very well is with strategy games like Sid's Civ Games, or the killer Galactic Civ II by Stardock. Games that are built around using a mouse and keyboard.

But games like Madden and other EA Sports games play exactly like their console cousins with the right controller of course.

I do perfer console gaming over PC gaming but my interest has increased in playing some pretty fun that were made only for PC gaming.

I'm really looking forward to Microsoft's Flight Sim X later this year. I've followed the series since the early '90s with FS4.

I agree, I have friends of mine that rebuild their PC's every year to have the latest and greatest. Even with all the money he spent, comparing Oblivion on his montior and my HDTV on my 360, was very minimal. But a year from now, the PC games will blow the 360 games out of the water with a high end machine.

[Rodster]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

One thing that maybe responsible for the PC comeback and I read this somewhere on the net is the high costs of console development. Some games now require budgets of blockbuster movies.

I could be wrong but I don't think the cost of PC game development is no where near at the level of what it takes to make games for the 360 or PS3. This is partially due to directX.

[Stu]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I know personally, I'm sticking solely to the PC for this generation. The cost of upgrading my PC was less than a PS3. I also use my PC for a lot more than just gaming, so would be upgrading some of it on a regular basis anyways.

For me it's more that as I've gotten older I play games less and less and I just can't justify the cost of a new console.

[Rodster]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I know personally, I'm sticking solely to the PC for this generation. The cost of upgrading my PC was less than a PS3. I also use my PC for a lot more than just gaming, so would be upgrading some of it on a regular basis anyways.

For me it's more that as I've gotten older I play games less and less and I just can't justify the cost of a new console.

Good point and the fact that consoles are trying to become like PC's without the ability or software to balance your budget, do homework or write letters.

[Kodiak33]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

I pretty much only play strategy games or highly modable games on my PC (MVP, Oblivion). If I have the money, I usually will upgrade every few years. I seem to enjoy games on the PC more than a console though.

[Spongedaddy]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

There is a difference in the experiences. Jade Empire is a great example. I loved that game and had a great time with it, but it did not have the depth of say Planescape on the PC. I wonder if developers can find a way to make graphics cards last longer? I think it would help if I got a good 2-3 solid years out of a card without significant performance loss.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

directx10 made me a believer of what next gen pc gaming holds.

[Jistic]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

PC gaming never left. For me at least. IF I was limited to consoles I'd kill myselft. For the hard core there is no substitute. For all the bitching we do in these forums about certain games not being hard core enough, there are usually PC alternatives.

Plus multiplayer games are much better on the PC so far. 64 Player on BF2 to me blows away any Halo 2 or UT Xbox live experience. Then if you want to go real hardcore and not jump around with with 12 yr olds with rocket launchers you play a game like America's Army....which is very hard core. No screwing around or you're dead...and you don't respawn. ANd the best part about it? It's FREE.

[Jistic]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

There is a difference in the experiences. Jade Empire is a great example. I loved that game and had a great time with it, but it did not have the depth of say Planescape on the PC. I wonder if developers can find a way to make graphics cards last longer? I think it would help if I got a good 2-3 solid years out of a card without significant performance loss.

Exactly. RPG's and Strategy games are continually 'dumbed down' on cosoles. But they have to appeal to a wider audience.

[mgoblue]

Re: Do you think PC gaming is making a comeback?

Exactly. RPG's and Strategy games are continually 'dumbed down' on cosoles. But they have to appeal to a wider audience.

a lot of times that's due to the lack of a keyboard, and therefore more keys/buttons to use