Is PC Gaming Dead?

I have always been more of a PC gamer than a console gamer. For one, PC games give a lot more customization like controls, new content, creating your own content, etc. Plus a Computer gives you more functionality as well. Its not just a game system, its also your Contacts list, calendar, email, word processor, and the list goes on. Plus don't forget some of the amazing titles that have been on the PC: SimCity, Diablo, Star Craft, Quake, Crysis, WOW, just to list a few, and upcoming games like Starcraft II, Diablo 3, Star Wars TOR and the list continues. I personally will always be a PC gamer, wish they'd come out with more for the Mac.

I wish you could use a mouse and keyboard for consoles during gameplay, I prefer using a mouse for shoot 'em ups and for RTS games

Another thing that makes computers sell fewer games that is not mentioned here is that it is easier to illegally download computer games than games for any other system.

Surprising you guys didn't mention valve and the steam system for downloading online games. Full games like Left 4 Dead are available for purchase and you simply download it to whatever computer you're using, the consoles have yet to release full package games through download, you still have to go to the store and pick up a disc.

its not dieing its just resting it will wake up soon (i hope)

i find pc games to be too expensive to play

i mean, you need a gaming pc to play and compared to ps3 or xbox360 why would you?

myself, im not buying a 2k laptop to play gears of war2 when i can get a xbox360 for less than 500

A PC can be so much more than a console. For $500 dollars, if you know just a piddling about computers and know how to type newegg.com, you can create a PC that can function as a dvd player, tivo, internet, work(autocad programs, word, excel), artwork(photoshop type work, media manipulation), storing photos and backing up records, and much more all while being displayed on your personal choice of monitors or even your HD television at full 1080p.

Oh, and did I mention that games tested on both well-equiped PCs and consoles run smoother, look better, and contain more customization on the PC.

And your computer can constantly be upgraded. Your PS3 or 360 will just get old. No use even popping one of those open.

I agree with palarious, computers will always be more powerful than gaming consoles and in the end, you get something that can do so much more.

Anyone who writes off PC gaming has never played for real! computers are so much better than consoles will ever be, we all know that (rite..). Like mikesicalieber said "you get something that can do so much more". You mite notice my pic at the moment and think wow hes lame he play combat arms but in the end who can turn down a bit of free FPS...

Let us not forget that the open architecture of Sony's Play Station has permitted some very far reaching science to go forward. Specifically, the project completed by a student at MIT using chained PS3s to calculate the settling time of a black hole excited by absorbing mass (such as a star, for instance. Linking together the PS3s permitted creating a very inexpensive super computer.

Let's not forget that ALL Games are designed on the computer as well.. They get ported to Consoles, they are native to PCs.

Gaming will never die because it is directly responisble for pushing forward the developmental boundaries of electronic technology.

If Consoles want to leave computers behind, they will have to conquer things like propritary hardware / software, develop a native programming language, and become modular / upgradable. At that point is it really a console anymore, just another version of the computer.

Personally I prefer, upgradabilty, customization, and multi-funtionality. Computers ... EPIC WIN

Sooner or Later PC Gaming WILL die out.

Reasons:

-Portability- I.E, Laptops will take over desktop computer and people find this more convenient than going for a desktop computer. Game devs will be forced to create games that are designed for playing on an average laptop computer

-Pirating/Illegal Ownership of games- If the game devs don't come up with a special fix to prevent mass torrenting and downloading of games, Many games will not be distrubuted to PC for fear of accumulating loses in devs perspective

-Inconsistency in Power of PCs: Game devs will get a hard hit on this one since not many people can own a high end desktops to play very powerful resource hogging games. As a result some people will buy a game and some won't and this could result in losses due to production and other stuffs

-Compatibility: Many devs will face a massive hurdle when it comes to coding/designing for different OS, and it would take very long to create a game that is enjoyable as standards rocket sky high as years goes by. THey will find it easier to code/design a game that is played on a console that has the same power as the other millions of other consoles.

I might have missed other key points, but I feel the above points would result in dying of PC gaming.

an1ish,

You completely missed the entire point and how many of your points actual work better against your argument.

I just bought a laptop for $500 and have been able to play many new games and run them smoothly (this laptop came with a Nvidia geforce 8200 gfx card) and i can take my laptop anywhere and play. I can even play the online multiplayer games in most places since wifi is around everywhere.

Many video game companies already have key securities in place to prevent pirating and illegal ownership. Systems like Valve's Steam as I mentioned before adequately restrict the ability of unauthorized users to play. The security on computers is only getting better too, where-as I know of people who have gotten their xbox's modded to play copied dvd's.

What you call the inconsistency of the power of pc's is actually the constant competition pushing on the limits of the abilities of pc's only making them better and better, while even next-gen consoles can occasionally maybe get a software update. As i mentioned before any cheap new computer can probably play the newest computer games out and that's the advantage for PC games. Also game developers are already invested in advanced computing technologies for testing games (while writing code can be done on a much simpler machine.)

Also PC seems to be the exclusive OS for most computer games (which seems to always be referred to as PC games) as opposed to the many different OS's they work with when modding games from the PC's they're written on to the 3 various next-gen consoles as well as the portable consoles PSP and Gameboy.

This consistency in OS leads to a more gradual increase in development skill and ability which coincides with the Market in this industry - computers constantly gradually get better, as well as the software that is produced which fuels the market. That's why PC gaming will lead the gaming market for a long time.

I personally like the whole customization of PC's. Ok.. yes i have a Wii. I love it cause its a new innovative way at playing video games that can't at this point be replicated on a PC. I love my Wii.. But im in love with my PC. Back to customization. xbox.. hmmmm... maybe like 10 buttons with a d-pad and a couple of analog sticks. PC... a whole keyboard plus mouse with 3 buttons ( in my case 5 buttons.) Most PC games allow you to arrange the keys to whatever command you would like them to be. Left handed... Right handed.. I don't know if im making any sense here but. Consoles are basically confined to the few command abilities that they give you.. I'm not even going to get into the mouse in first person shooters vs. analog sticks. get real. mouse players wipe the floor with any console controlled players in any game hands down and blindfolded. im goin off on a tangent

o.O; i think i may have just confused even myself...

So don't get me wrong, I love console gaming too (I still play my NES & N64), but it is really obvious that computers have been and always will be more powerful.
The major problem with consoles is the frequency in which they become obsolete. Every year it seems there is a new system out. So you may spend more than enough for a really nice computer each time you buy the new version of the console. The reason is because consumers want better graphics, more features, and more involved gameplay but that becomes more hardware intensive needing more powerful consoles. At 300-500 a pop each year (or 18mo or so) that becomes pretty expensive. I can't imagine them getting cheaper as time goes on.
With computers sure, you have the same problems but since it's modular you can replace parts when the need arises. There is no need to buy a whole other console. My brother plays World of Warcraft quite a bit so he needs a good computer. I play the Steam games. I went and fully upgraded my computer for under 400 bucks. I now have 4GB RAM, a Dual Core AMD processor 2.6Ghz, and a video card I had to get a 500W power supply for (I burned out a cheapo 450W in like 2 mo--thanks China)