PC Gaming is Dead
I’m usually not one of these types of people that are pessimistic like this and say something is dead when there are still active games being developed for it, such Crysis .
However, from the recent news I have been hearing, for example EA stating they will not distribute a Madden NFL 09 version for PC. Yes, I am aware that I am in the minority, I do play sports games. I still want sports games on my PC. I almost died when I heard EA was no longer producing baseball games for the PC, but I got through it because I knew I could always play football.
Today, when I read the news I also see that Computer Gaming World, aka. Games for Windows is shutting down and moving to online formats. While this is a good idea, there is still a lot to cover that I would enjoy reading in print rather than online.
With the two above stories happening rather close to each other, I’m saying PC gaming is finally dying. I know I’m going to get some nasty comments saying “you have no idea what the hell you are talking about”, but just ask yourself, how many of the games you have for the PC did you pirate? How many of the games would you ever play again? How many games, if were available on other consoles (and most are), would you buy on the other console?
I know it is a rather harsh conclusion, but for now, until I see otherwise and more development in the PC gaming department, I’m declaring PC gaming dead (or at least on life support).
I wouldn’t worry too much. Sports games never made up a huge segment of PC games (other than maybe golf games) as it was. And they were always quick ports from their console counterparts. Its unfortunate you’ve got caught up in EA’s decision, but I don’t necessarily think it signals the death of PC gaming.
Real decent video cards are more affordable than they’ve ever been, and the selection of games to choose from is large, but unfortunately not that diverse.
In my opinion the reason PC gaming is such a niche market is because so many people are buying up the $400 Dell budget PCs. They think to themselves “Alright, I have a brand new computer lets go get some games!” Then all of a sudden they realize they’re system isn’t equipped for today’s detail rich games, and write of PC gaming as a bust. That’s the majority of people.
But there’s still a good amount of us that know you can put together a respectable PC for $600-$1,000 that will keep pace with any of the consoles. What PC gaming needs is better marketing. And not these crappy $6,000 gaming PCs, those aren’t mainstream. Those hurt PC gaming more than help it, just because the price tag shocks so many people.
So sit tight for the time being. You might have to go elsewhere for your Madden fix for now, but if the industry can try to expand from FPS games and MMORPGs to attract a wider variety of gamers, I think it’ll be back in a few years.
Pretty good assumption but it could make a comeback in 10 years… maybe…