The future of PC gaming is something that comes up a lot among the enthusiasts, the media, and even developers. Is it dying, is it going to experience a resurgence, what’s going to happen to the PC? While there are some companies that seem to earn a living just fine by making high-quality PC titles (Valve and Blizzard come to mind), there are other companies that have moved over into console development to supplement their income.
Splash Damage head honcho Paul Wedgewood has a few words to say about PC exclusive development and how it’s no longer financially viable. He maintains that the budget is not there for triple-A quality PC titles which makes it hard to get high-end bonuses like a full orchestra and a rich voice cast. Considering that his studio originally started as a mod house which made “hardcore” multi-player maps for Quake and Wolfenstein, perhaps Mr. Wedgewood is in a better position to judge the future of PC-only development than most people.
While I don’t see triple-A PC titles going anywhere anytime soon, we do seem to be seeing less and less PC exclusives. The last game that I played on PC that was built for that platform specifically from start to finish was Dawn of War II. The next game with a PC focused development I’m going to play is Left 4 Dead 2, but in between these two games were a succession of console ports. Even if the ports were fairly well done (like Borderlands) or severely lacking (like Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising), the fact remains that they were built for consoles first and PCs second.
Given the success of Valve and Blizzard in the PC market, I think that high-quality titles can still be made for the PC; it’s just a matter of having a successful track record, something that encourages publishers to put their money behind you. What do you guys think? I’d like to see the PC continue as a successful gaming platform, and I know there are a few staunch PC supporters that frequent this site. With games like Modern Warfare 2 and even the new Aliens Vs Predator game choosing to use a matchmaking system instead of dedicated servers, is the PC in danger of losing its identity?
Source: Destructoid
All good things…
Ever the optimist, Anthony. 😉
I don’t see the PC dying. It’s customization – whether graphics-wise or mod-wise – is far greater than any console will allow for. I’m sure PC’s will be around for a long time. I think there’s just as much risk for making console games as there is for PC games. I suppose you have to worry about illegal downloading or hax or whatnot with PC games, but its because of that mod ability that gamers will keep PC’s alive.
I hope PC gaming doesn’t die, but in all honesty, the number of simply abysmal ports and delayed released I’ve seen recently are starting to point to an unfortunate and untimely demise…
PC won’t die – Companies expanding their markets to where the money is, isn’t unheard of – They release it on PC pirates will be all over it that’s why we are second priority.
Although it is quite simple to modify a 360 to accept illegitimate games people don’t do it because they don’t mind paying for games (Myself included), Monthly subscriptions, paying for downloadable content, and a market in which a lot of people buy first and ask questions later appeals to game developers a lot more than the whinging pit of rage that is the collective PC community.
Tried to be unbiased there and stereotyped both sides of the playing field expecting many-a-thumbs-down :>
PC games will always be around simply because everyone uses computers. If this means that not all big titles will get ported (lawl – you can have your uncharteds and halos haha), atleast we’ll have the great indie games still.
Games like Machinarium and Penumbra are great reasons to love PC Gaming.
[quote comment=”8905″]PC won’t die – Companies expanding their markets to where the money is, isn’t unheard of – They release it on PC pirates will be all over it that’s why we are second priority.
Although it is quite simple to modify a 360 to accept illegitimate games people don’t do it because they don’t mind paying for games (Myself included), Monthly subscriptions, paying for downloadable content, and a market in which a lot of people buy first and ask questions later appeals to game developers a lot more than the whinging pit of rage that is the collective PC community.
Tried to be unbiased there and stereotyped both sides of the playing field expecting many-a-thumbs-down :>[/quote]
Pirates is a subjective term. Someone bought the game, they shared it with 1000 people, the game company lost money, but the person who bought the game didn’t gain any. Internet piracy is very misunderstood. Burning CD’s and sharing them with your friends, or copying a page from a book and sharing it with someone you’re doing a report with isn’t considered piracy.
As for the original question, PC games won’t die. The worst that could happen to them is that they go completely underground, ignored by the general public, and have a small following.
[quote comment=”8971″][quote comment=”8905″]
Pirates is a subjective term. Someone bought the game, they shared it with 1000 people, the game company lost money, but the person who bought the game didn’t gain any. Internet piracy is very misunderstood. Burning CD’s and sharing them with your friends, or copying a page from a book and sharing it with someone you’re doing a report with isn’t considered piracy.
As for the original question, PC games won’t die. The worst that could happen to them is that they go completely underground, ignored by the general public, and have a small following.[/quote]
Actually, what you describe is piracy. And it’s illegal. The United States No Electronic Theft Act (NET Act), a federal law passed in 1997, provides for criminal prosecution of individuals who engage in copyright infringement, even when there is no monetary profit or commercial benefit from the infringement.
It’s stealing and it takes money away from people who worked hard on something.
PC gaming is getting set aside due to piracy. It’s why MW2 will have dedicated servers. It’s why PC gaming is becoming irrelevant as time goes on. If you want it to change, don’t play pirated games.
But everytime a company does something to protect themselves against it, PC gamers flip out and boycott and cry and go on Amazon and give 1-Star reviews.
Epic fail.