Seriously this isn't a knock on the genre, but why does it seem like the PC is the bastion of the FPS? I've never been a big FPS fan, and every time I pick up a box and turn it over and see that gun extended at the bottom of the screen I put it right down. I guess that's why I like console games better. There's alot more variety.

At what point did the PC become the domain of the FPS?

Doom.

Short answer: they aren't

Long answer: If you think that all PC games are FPS and that console games offer "more variety," you haven't been looking hard enough.

It always was.. I still havent played a console FPS that I really enjoyed.. Halo was close, but I still prefer PC"s a lot!!

If you are looking at a bunch of computer games and they all end up being FPS... THEN GET OUT OF THE FPS SECTION OF THE STORE! Seriously, FPS is a small fragment of computer games along with strategy, simulation, puzzle, adventure, RPG, etc. Just look harder.

ditto to the above.

What store are you shopping at?

First Person Shooters R Us

That's kinda weird... I always thought that PC have the most diverse kind of games compared to console.

I agree. Saying that most PC games are FPS is like saying that most console games are platformers. It's a completely false statement.

I wish there were more FPS games on PC.

Gettin tired of Sim Tycoon Craft & Conquer

Shooters whether first person or third, or stealth have become very popular on both the PC and consoles. The PC still has a wide variety of other stuff, though my favorite genre the adventure/puzzle solving games like Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, 7th Guest, Myst, etc are all but gone.

If you look at the sales charts it seems American gamers in general love the Shooter genre (not the old Ikaruga type) and thats why so many games involving violence are made. With the war on its only going to get more popular with people trying to live their combat dreams on the PC and console.

yeah there is much more than FPS theres also Real Time Series (RTS) and there's also.....


ummm.......


hang on it'll come to me in a second.....


uhhhh......leisure suit larry?

I'm looking in the action/adventure section of Best Buy. And most of those games tend to be FPS.

The only other "genres" I enjoy for PC are the air combat simulation and real time strategy. I tried The Sims and I got bored with it very quickly. I felt more like a spectator. Rainbow Six got very frustrating. Too many keyboard commands to struggle through.

I have found that the majority of Action/Adventure titles (that aren't console ports like Splinter Cell for example) have been FPS.

Probably a case of apples and oranges. But one of my favorite games console games is Ape Escape. I haven't been able to find a PC game that comes close to that.

Adventure games are pretty much dead on the PC.
RPGs were for a while, but are now making a comeback.

There's just as much variety on consoles as there are on PCs. However, FPSes get a lot of press. I know the GC puts out more than just sequels to older Nintendo games, but if I just listen to the press I hear about their "big games" (Sunshine, Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros., Metroid), I might think that's all they put out.

Harlock, have you tried Diablo, Nox, Mafia, Neverwinter Nights, or Dungeon Siege? They're some PC games that might be to your liking in the Action/Adventure genre. (Some cross over into RPG a little.)

Mafia I'm waiting to try on PS2 ( I looked at the specs and my computer would barely be able to run it). Diablo I'm more familiar with as a PS1 title. I've never heard of Nox, Dungeon Siege or Neverwinter Nights. I'll take a look at them all. One of the problems is that when I ask for a recommendation, the title that is suggested is usually a FPS.

I have to admit that one of the major problems is cost. Because PS2 games are readily available to rent at my local video store, I can try alot more of them out for $5.00 a pop. I simply don't have the $30-$50 a week to buy every PC title out there.

If you subscribe to the 48 Hour Madness list at www.gogamer.com , you'll get a heads-up on the deals they have there. At regular price, Diablo II is $19.90 there, and you can get the expansion pack plus the original for only $10 more. (The Diablo series started out on the PC, by the way).

You don't have to buy every PC title out there at full initial MSRP, either. I find that PC titles drop in price fairly quickly... considering that it sounds like you don't have a top-of-the-line machine, you might be better off with a few older, just-as-good titles.

Have you tried specifically asking for a recommendation for a non-FPS game?

Dreamcatcher is still trying to keep it going in a small way. The Sherlock Holmes game they put out was decent and only $20, but in general I agree its a dead genre. Its one I really miss though. I've rarely found a game on even a console that was as much fun as Grim Fandango.

I played Mafia on my PIII 450 and it runs... well... terribly. Had to put the graphic to 512 x 384 to makes it run a little smoother, but still the graphic goes choppy sometimes. Anyway, that was a great game. Can't wait to play it again when I'm finally getting an upgrade.

My theory is that the reason there are so many FPS is that it's easier and quicker to develop. For most genres, you have to start from scratch and build your own game engine. Because development takes 2-3+ years for a game now, you run the risk of the game using out-of-date engines by the time it comes out. For FPS, a lot of companies license the Quake engine from id Software and modify it to create their own game. It probably shaves off a year in development time and the engine is a known commodity that won't be out-of-date by the time the game is finished. There's simply less risk in making a FPS.

BTW, does anyone know how much id Software makes from their Quake games compared to how much they make from licensing the engine?

That was true. But recently I've noticed several strategy (especially RTS) that utilizes the same engine. Take Tropico and Railroad Tycoon II for example. Then Cossacks and American Conquest. True, they're coming from the same company, but I think sooner or later there'll be not much difference between FPS gaming industry and other genre.

Mouse and keyboard make FPS better on PC in my opinion. I have to agree that the market is flooded with them but if you look you can find quality non-FPS games. I second the recommendation for Diablo series, battle.net should greatly enhance it for you. Dungeon Seige is a good game and worth a look. If you dont already have it, pick up StarCraft, I find myself always coming back to it.

I agree. That game was great. Too bad I lost my copy. I loved most of the LucasArts adventure games like Grim Fandango, Sam & Max, Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle, and the Monkey Island series. I also liked the old Space Quest games. I'd like to see those kind of games make a comeback. I hope the new Sam & Max and Full Throttle games will be good.

Did you missed The Dig? Although it was kinda of simple, I think The Dig is quite enjoyable.

No, I didn't miss the Dig, I just forgot to include it. It was a good game as well.