RafaTheGaffer

As the topic says, is it losing ground? Before you could argue that PC was on par with the gaming consoles but now with the push being oriented towards actual virtual gaming (Wii will be my example), it seems like the computer gaming is being left behind. Yes the PC can keep up with your consoles graphically to match the consoles power.

However the consoles are beginning to advance on the PC. The PS2/XBOX generation made the push towards online play. Also lets look at ports here. Games that used to be only playable on the PC are making their way over to the console however not the other way around. I don't see the new zelda, none of the recent FF games (save for FF11). No GoW, no DMC, no Mario. It seems like the consoles are getting alll the PC games but the PC games aren't getting anything in return.

Let's also look at the new trend which is to pump out MMORPGs for PCs which is making PC gaming look a little stale. Warhammer online, WoW, Hellgate: London, Guild Wars and it's 16 different expansions, and Vanguard. Aside from those the only recent new game that i heard that's gonna be hot for the PC that's NOT a MMORPG is of course SC2. The consoles all have a variety of FPS, RPG, action/adventure, and MMORPG.

Also this generation of consoles (save for Wii) is becoming more eerily similar to the PC. PS3 you can actually navigate the internet on it. XBOX360 has downloadable content and get extra bonuses.

I don't see how PC can be comparable to the consoles now that consoles like Wii and and PS3 are emphasizing tilt/moving sticks to play a game as opposed to the PC which is still restricted to the mouse, keyboard, and screen.

I'm just asking for feedback and your opinions on the computer gaming. I'm far from a anti PC gaming I'm just giving my opinion of what I'm seeing right now. I'm probably missing something. Let me hear your thoughts about this since there isn't a topic like this up.

Dan

PCs still have editing tools...Oblivion and Morrowind for example are much better on PC because of all the mods available. Also PCs generally have more scope for optimization, though that might change in the future with consoles.

Also, Starcraft 2 is apparently going to be just for PC, so there's a bright example. Also as far as FPSs are concerned I still find mouse superior to any controller (although I do know mouses are supported for consoles, I'm still not very fond of the feel of using mouses with consoles compared to PCs.)

It's true the PC receives a lot less shelving space for games now, but I don't think it's dying out, and should not for a long long time if ever.

Sir.Shearer

PC is losing its ground over consoles but it has its own certain advantages:

1. It is much easier to upgrade your computer compared to buying a new console.
2. Online gaming is much easier compared to consoles, especially when you're in Asia.
3. Editing power like modding or map/character creation is a piece of cake.
4. The PC is a multi-tool, you can surf the net, chat, etc. which the console is limited for playing games. A PC is worth your money.
5. You can emulate the console! Though the only drawback is that the emualtion for certain consoles are still in its early phases and requires a pretty heavy machine to work properly. We may see some improvements as their dedicated creators work.

Moyes

Consoles don't have a 3 year advantage now, the gap is only going to widen as consoles get more and more advanced, and consequently much harder to emulate on a PC. The PS2's been out for more than 5 years and the best PS2 emulator requires a dual core PC and doesn't even have 90% compatibility with commercial games.

It's going to only get worse with the latest generation of consoles. Despite graphics technology on the PC advancing much much faster than on consoles, ultimately a console is still a dedicated gaming machine and its architecture is optimized for that purpose. PCs

No sir, it's harder to upgrade your PC than to buy a new console when it comes out. With a console it's fuss-free, just plug it into the TV and do all the no-brainer wire connections and you can be sure any game you buy will run perfectly.

With a PC you'll have to ensure hardware compatibility, spend a ton of time scouring the mall for the model of hardware you want, make sure software's compatible and do the necessary driver and patch upgrades before you can run it nicely. And when they don't, it's back to more searching for solutions.

But no, I disagree PC gaming is dying. PC gaming won't ever "die", because it's still the simplest platform for a small developer to create a game and distribute it on. Not everyone gets a console as well, so PC games will definitely be in demand by the casual gamers.