GameSpot Article: EB rumored to stop selling PC games after holidays?
12-20-03 | 01:31 AM
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GameSpot Article: EB rumored to stop selling PC games after holidays?
Found this on Gamespot.com, couple of days old but still pretty interesting.....
Okay my take is (for what it's worth and that's not much mind you) this.....This might serve as a wake up call to the PC gaming industry. It Seems like the PC game is really it's own genre. There are alot of games that game styles that you will predominantly find on the PC (real time strategy, massive multi-player rpg's, simulations, strategy, and the plethora of first preson shooters). There's almost a mindset that if you're making a PC game it has to fit into one of those categorys and so what's happened is the market has become saturated with the same types of games. If sales keep declining I think what this will do is either force programmers to become more creative and not limit themsleves to the same types of game styles or they will have to close up shop.
Also games are requiring bigger hardware specs. People might be getting a bit tired of having to upgrade their computers for one game in particular. I can see where it would get expensive. I can see where a console would be more convenient. Buy one machine for about $200 (about the same price as a topshelf video card) and every game you purchase you know will work. No hardware conflicts, no DirectX issues, no worrying about having enough memory and so on. Just put the game in the console and go.
Anyway that's my two cents....discuss
GameSpot Article: EB rumor
Spot On: Top retailers to nix PC games?
With the state of PC gaming up for debate, could two of industry's biggest retail players be calling it quits?
PC games have come in for their share of bad press recently. In the current issue of Game Developer magazine, respected game designer Feargus Urquhart commented on "the lack of support for the PC as a gaming platform." Of course, the game conference circuit just wouldn’t be the same without the requisite "Is PC Gaming Dying?" panel.
Recently, the hot topic took a decidedly darker turn. Last week, a number of widely read game forums posted entries suggesting that EB Games and GameStop, two of the nation's biggest specialty retailers, would remove all PC games from their inventories as soon as the holidays passed.
While gamers debated the finer points of retail strategy, analysts had a different view of things. "I don't think that PC games are dying out," IDC analyst Schelley Olhava said, although she did acknowledge that "they definitely are a much smaller proportion of the overall market."
Statistics from a recent SEC filing of GameStop support her comment. In documents filed with the SEC last month, the company revealed its retail sales for the 13-week period ending November 1, 2003. The company reported just 7 percent of its total sales were PC games, compared to 64 percent of revenues coming from console games. Year-on-year percentage of sales derived from PC game accessories dropped 2 percent in the same 13-week period.
Echoing those statistics, Olhava added, "Perhaps EB Games and GameStop just aren't getting enough business from PC games to justify devoting shelf space and resources." As to their willingness to drop PC games entirely from their inventory, Olhava said, "I would be surprised [if they did], though, considering that both places tend to draw a serious gamer, which I'd assume would include both console and PC gamers."
Arcadia Investment analyst John Taylor agreed, suggesting that totally wiping PC product off of shelves would only alienate some of the stores' most devoted customers. "I'd say that both those guys have pretty good market share among a key demographic that is most interested in PC games." Though Taylor did say reducing shelf space wouldn't necessarily be an unwise move. "It wouldn't surprise me if there was a pretty serious cutback in shelf space though, as that demographic is really only served by a handful of games."
Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter was, likewise, unconvinced the online thread had much credibility. "GameStop doesn't carry PC games at smaller format stores, but these companies do a nice business in PC games and will only drop if they see better opportunity. In all cases, they'll carry Doom [3] and Half-Life [2]."
But the most powerful voice in the debate may be that of Jeff Griffiths, president and CEO of Electronics Boutique Holding Corp. and EB Games' top policy maker. When contacted Friday, Griffiths put the rumors in perspective. "It's not true," he said. "PC games are and will continue to be a very important part of our business."
By Curt Feldman, GameSpot [POSTED: 12/15/03 02:05 PM]
Spot On: Top retailers to nix PC games?
With the state of PC gaming up for debate, could two of industry's biggest retail players be calling it quits?
PC games have come in for their share of bad press recently. In the current issue of Game Developer magazine, respected game designer Feargus Urquhart commented on "the lack of support for the PC as a gaming platform." Of course, the game conference circuit just wouldn’t be the same without the requisite "Is PC Gaming Dying?" panel.
Recently, the hot topic took a decidedly darker turn. Last week, a number of widely read game forums posted entries suggesting that EB Games and GameStop, two of the nation's biggest specialty retailers, would remove all PC games from their inventories as soon as the holidays passed.
While gamers debated the finer points of retail strategy, analysts had a different view of things. "I don't think that PC games are dying out," IDC analyst Schelley Olhava said, although she did acknowledge that "they definitely are a much smaller proportion of the overall market."
Statistics from a recent SEC filing of GameStop support her comment. In documents filed with the SEC last month, the company revealed its retail sales for the 13-week period ending November 1, 2003. The company reported just 7 percent of its total sales were PC games, compared to 64 percent of revenues coming from console games. Year-on-year percentage of sales derived from PC game accessories dropped 2 percent in the same 13-week period.
Echoing those statistics, Olhava added, "Perhaps EB Games and GameStop just aren't getting enough business from PC games to justify devoting shelf space and resources." As to their willingness to drop PC games entirely from their inventory, Olhava said, "I would be surprised [if they did], though, considering that both places tend to draw a serious gamer, which I'd assume would include both console and PC gamers."
Arcadia Investment analyst John Taylor agreed, suggesting that totally wiping PC product off of shelves would only alienate some of the stores' most devoted customers. "I'd say that both those guys have pretty good market share among a key demographic that is most interested in PC games." Though Taylor did say reducing shelf space wouldn't necessarily be an unwise move. "It wouldn't surprise me if there was a pretty serious cutback in shelf space though, as that demographic is really only served by a handful of games."
Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter was, likewise, unconvinced the online thread had much credibility. "GameStop doesn't carry PC games at smaller format stores, but these companies do a nice business in PC games and will only drop if they see better opportunity. In all cases, they'll carry Doom [3] and Half-Life [2]."
But the most powerful voice in the debate may be that of Jeff Griffiths, president and CEO of Electronics Boutique Holding Corp. and EB Games' top policy maker. When contacted Friday, Griffiths put the rumors in perspective. "It's not true," he said. "PC games are and will continue to be a very important part of our business."
By Curt Feldman, GameSpot [POSTED: 12/15/03 02:05 PM]
Also games are requiring bigger hardware specs. People might be getting a bit tired of having to upgrade their computers for one game in particular. I can see where it would get expensive. I can see where a console would be more convenient. Buy one machine for about $200 (about the same price as a topshelf video card) and every game you purchase you know will work. No hardware conflicts, no DirectX issues, no worrying about having enough memory and so on. Just put the game in the console and go.
Anyway that's my two cents....discuss
Last edited by Captain Harlock; 12-20-03 at 01:34 AM.
12-20-03 | 01:42 AM
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From: NorCal
almost all the gamestops around here stopped selling PC games, the ones that still do, only have a selection of like the top 15 titles behind the counter on a shelf
12-20-03 | 01:46 AM
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Re: GameSpot Article: EB rumored to stop selling PC games after holidays?
Originally posted by Captain Harlock
...
Also games are requiring bigger hardware specs. People might be getting a bit tired of having to upgrade their computers for one game in particular. I can see where it would get expensive. I can see where a console would be more convenient. Buy one machine for about $200 (about the same price as a topshelf video card) and every game you purchase you know will work. No hardware conflicts, no DirectX issues, no worrying about having enough memory and so on. Just put the game in the console and go.
...
Also games are requiring bigger hardware specs. People might be getting a bit tired of having to upgrade their computers for one game in particular. I can see where it would get expensive. I can see where a console would be more convenient. Buy one machine for about $200 (about the same price as a topshelf video card) and every game you purchase you know will work. No hardware conflicts, no DirectX issues, no worrying about having enough memory and so on. Just put the game in the console and go.
12-20-03 | 07:43 AM
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I can't see this as a good thing, no matter how you look at it. I'm fairly new to pc gaming, (I got a new pc last March anticipating HL2, Doom 3 and they got pushed back). How rampant is piracy in the pc industry? I can see also how people just get annoyed with pc games. I think it's a joke that a game could need a patch immediately out of the box. Or here's something: My friend called me up 2 days ago, all excited because he got a new Dell. Then he bought Halo, so he could join me in all the glory of Halo online. Only thing was that he said he experienced slowdown in the single player version. So he tells me the video card, and it's relative junk. In a new pc. Most people dont' know from a 3d card, they just know it's a new pc, so everything should work flawless, in their mind. So if this thing doesn't play Halo all that great, what can he expect for the next round of games? Anyway, I get my games at Bestbuy anyway.
12-20-03 | 12:11 PM
#6
Retired
I could see this. These are small mall stores, the 3 consoles and the GBA have constantly growing libraries taking up more shelf space. I hardly ever see anyone browsing PC games in EB so why should they waste the shelf space?
It's not a big deal though. PC games will continue to thrive. There's a large group of hardcore PC gamers, more than enough to keep the industry going. PC gaming will never be as popular as console gaming as it just isn't as accessible to Joe Six Pack. But there will continue to be a solid stream of top notch games coming out for the foreseeable future.
It's not a big deal though. PC games will continue to thrive. There's a large group of hardcore PC gamers, more than enough to keep the industry going. PC gaming will never be as popular as console gaming as it just isn't as accessible to Joe Six Pack. But there will continue to be a solid stream of top notch games coming out for the foreseeable future.
12-20-03 | 12:34 PM
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DVD Talk Hero
My Gamestop also has a small selection of PC games. They do, however, always seem to have the new releases the day before or on ship day.
EB, on the other hand, always has a crapload of PC games.
I always go to Best Buy or Circuit City for my PC fix, so this news doesn't bother me
EB, on the other hand, always has a crapload of PC games.
I always go to Best Buy or Circuit City for my PC fix, so this news doesn't bother me
12-20-03 | 02:43 PM
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Originally posted by Breakfast with Girls
It would be too bad if PC gaming died. I mean, how else will people be able to buy 900 first-person shooters a year?
It would be too bad if PC gaming died. I mean, how else will people be able to buy 900 first-person shooters a year?
Another problem is the hardcore audience someone else mentioned. If you're not bringing new people into the PC gaming market then you're going to see an eventual drop off in sales.
12-20-03 | 04:40 PM
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Wow, it seems like just yesterday that it was a huge development when EB started carrying console games. It was just a PC place until their first fateful shipment of Genesis games 14 years ago.
{Ah, this trip down memory lane... I'm getting a little teary.
}
{Ah, this trip down memory lane... I'm getting a little teary.
}
12-20-03 | 08:13 PM
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From: Orlando
Hmm, there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about PC games.
PC games are not only FPS games. PC games actually have the largest variety of genres out there. From board/card games to sports to platform to hack n slash, etc. Basically, it has all of the console genres AND THEN SOME. But it's understandable that not many people know that because, such as this thread says, PC gaming isn't large to many people since it's more complicated than console gaming.
A look at the last 3 NPD reports on Top 10 PC game sales per week:
Week Ending November 22
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
4) The Sims Deluxe
5) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
6) Age of Mythology
7) Halo: Combat Evolved
8) Backyard Basketball 2004
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Dungeon Siege: Legends Of Aranna
Week Ending November 29
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
5) The Sims: Superstar
6) Madden NFL 2004
7) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
8) Age of Mythology
9) Backyard Basketball 2004
10) Halo: Combat Evolved
Week Ending December 6
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: The Complete Collection
5) Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004
6) Age of Mythology
7) Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride
8) The Sims: Superstar
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun
Patches are always needed in an industry where there are countless amounts of hardware combinations. Unless there is a standardized PC configuration, then patches will be needed. Also, know that you aren't required to get that patch unless you are having problems with the game. A patch is released for those who have problems with the game, it is not a requirement to have it.
The consumer needs to know a thing or 2 about PC hardware and have the knowledge to differentiate between required and recommended specs.
PC games are not only FPS games. PC games actually have the largest variety of genres out there. From board/card games to sports to platform to hack n slash, etc. Basically, it has all of the console genres AND THEN SOME. But it's understandable that not many people know that because, such as this thread says, PC gaming isn't large to many people since it's more complicated than console gaming.
A look at the last 3 NPD reports on Top 10 PC game sales per week:
Week Ending November 22
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
4) The Sims Deluxe
5) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
6) Age of Mythology
7) Halo: Combat Evolved
8) Backyard Basketball 2004
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Dungeon Siege: Legends Of Aranna
Week Ending November 29
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
5) The Sims: Superstar
6) Madden NFL 2004
7) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
8) Age of Mythology
9) Backyard Basketball 2004
10) Halo: Combat Evolved
Week Ending December 6
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: The Complete Collection
5) Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004
6) Age of Mythology
7) Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride
8) The Sims: Superstar
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun
Patches are always needed in an industry where there are countless amounts of hardware combinations. Unless there is a standardized PC configuration, then patches will be needed. Also, know that you aren't required to get that patch unless you are having problems with the game. A patch is released for those who have problems with the game, it is not a requirement to have it.
The consumer needs to know a thing or 2 about PC hardware and have the knowledge to differentiate between required and recommended specs.
12-20-03 | 09:24 PM
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From: MD
Last time I was in EB the PC section was fairly small, though I've never seen it that large in any store I've been to except Best Buy. I'd say the article was fairly accurate in saying that PC gaming is a smaller perctage of people compared to what it used to be. The advancement of console's like the X-Box are even more validating with the amount of PC ports it gets. Every time a game is released for both PC and X-Box its a blow to the PC market, because a lot of gamers won't be upgrading their PC video card or processor to play it when they can play it perfectly fine on their X-Box.
12-20-03 | 10:07 PM
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Originally posted by khai
Hmm, there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about PC games.
PC games are not only FPS games. PC games actually have the largest variety of genres out there. From board/card games to sports to platform to hack n slash, etc. Basically, it has all of the console genres AND THEN SOME. But it's understandable that not many people know that because, such as this thread says, PC gaming isn't large to many people since it's more complicated than console gaming.
A look at the last 3 NPD reports on Top 10 PC game sales per week:
Week Ending November 22
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
4) The Sims Deluxe
5) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
6) Age of Mythology
7) Halo: Combat Evolved
8) Backyard Basketball 2004
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Dungeon Siege: Legends Of Aranna
Week Ending November 29
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
5) The Sims: Superstar
6) Madden NFL 2004
7) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
8) Age of Mythology
9) Backyard Basketball 2004
10) Halo: Combat Evolved
Week Ending December 6
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: The Complete Collection
5) Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004
6) Age of Mythology
7) Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride
8) The Sims: Superstar
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun
Patches are always needed in an industry where there are countless amounts of hardware combinations. Unless there is a standardized PC configuration, then patches will be needed. Also, know that you aren't required to get that patch unless you are having problems with the game. A patch is released for those who have problems with the game, it is not a requirement to have it.
The consumer needs to know a thing or 2 about PC hardware and have the knowledge to differentiate between required and recommended specs.
Hmm, there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about PC games.
PC games are not only FPS games. PC games actually have the largest variety of genres out there. From board/card games to sports to platform to hack n slash, etc. Basically, it has all of the console genres AND THEN SOME. But it's understandable that not many people know that because, such as this thread says, PC gaming isn't large to many people since it's more complicated than console gaming.
A look at the last 3 NPD reports on Top 10 PC game sales per week:
Week Ending November 22
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
4) The Sims Deluxe
5) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
6) Age of Mythology
7) Halo: Combat Evolved
8) Backyard Basketball 2004
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Dungeon Siege: Legends Of Aranna
Week Ending November 29
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
5) The Sims: Superstar
6) Madden NFL 2004
7) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
8) Age of Mythology
9) Backyard Basketball 2004
10) Halo: Combat Evolved
Week Ending December 6
1) The Sims: Makin' Magic
2) Call of Duty
3) The Sims Double Deluxe
4) Zoo Tycoon: The Complete Collection
5) Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004
6) Age of Mythology
7) Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride
8) The Sims: Superstar
9) Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
10) Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun
Patches are always needed in an industry where there are countless amounts of hardware combinations. Unless there is a standardized PC configuration, then patches will be needed. Also, know that you aren't required to get that patch unless you are having problems with the game. A patch is released for those who have problems with the game, it is not a requirement to have it.
The consumer needs to know a thing or 2 about PC hardware and have the knowledge to differentiate between required and recommended specs.
I think the one "genre" that PC game developers have yet to crack is the platformer. I haven't played alot of PC games in my time, but I haven't found one yet that resembles something like Ratchet and Clank for example.
I think you hit on something that's very relevant. I think that alot of people are probably put off by PC gaming because of the complexity. Console games tend to be more "player friendly". Again I think that comes back to the attitudes of programmers. "This is the way PC games are".
I really do think they are going to have to do somethings differently eventually.
12-20-03 | 11:44 PM
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The demise of pc gaming is caused by several factors:
1. Consoles finally caught up to pc's in graphics and horsepower. Before the dreamcast, there was never any console that was powerful enough to compete with the best computers for graphics. Now console games far surpass the majority of computer games out right now. That will change again next year with doom 3 and hl2, but for right now that's a major problem. That's a major reason why I stopped buying pc games--I bought EA sports games every year for the pc, but now the console versions are much better so I skip the pc versions.
2. EA. Saturated the market with crap and bought up a bunch of the most innovative companies (like westwood, maxis). They've got from producing quality games to producing crap for the masses. Instead of being the best publisher out there, they're now one of the worst.
3. No online standardization.
4. No inventive games. There's nothing besides flight simulators and rts games on the pc now that aren't done better on the consoles. And most of the rts games are so played--no innovation anymore.
5. Bugs. It seems like every pc game out there is so buggy anymore that it takes months to get it right. Consoles don't need patches.
6. Cheaper. It's much cheaper to own consoles than to upgrade a pc every year or two.
7. The best pc game makes are now making console games. Example: bioware. The bgate series makers are now making games for the consoles too. We'll probably never see another game like bgate 2 again, which is extremely sad since it's probably the best rpg (and quite possibly game) ever made due to its completeness and almost endless play options.
Taylor34
1. Consoles finally caught up to pc's in graphics and horsepower. Before the dreamcast, there was never any console that was powerful enough to compete with the best computers for graphics. Now console games far surpass the majority of computer games out right now. That will change again next year with doom 3 and hl2, but for right now that's a major problem. That's a major reason why I stopped buying pc games--I bought EA sports games every year for the pc, but now the console versions are much better so I skip the pc versions.
2. EA. Saturated the market with crap and bought up a bunch of the most innovative companies (like westwood, maxis). They've got from producing quality games to producing crap for the masses. Instead of being the best publisher out there, they're now one of the worst.
3. No online standardization.
4. No inventive games. There's nothing besides flight simulators and rts games on the pc now that aren't done better on the consoles. And most of the rts games are so played--no innovation anymore.
5. Bugs. It seems like every pc game out there is so buggy anymore that it takes months to get it right. Consoles don't need patches.
6. Cheaper. It's much cheaper to own consoles than to upgrade a pc every year or two.
7. The best pc game makes are now making console games. Example: bioware. The bgate series makers are now making games for the consoles too. We'll probably never see another game like bgate 2 again, which is extremely sad since it's probably the best rpg (and quite possibly game) ever made due to its completeness and almost endless play options.
Taylor34
12-21-03 | 12:45 AM
#16
DVD Talk Godfather
I agree with a few points, but not all.
1. That's true for the most part... i can only stand so many DX9 tech demos without seeing an actual game take advantage of all those features. But as far as EA Sports games... Madden 2004 on PC looks just as good, if not better then any of the console versions
2. Eh... never considered EA a big deal
3. I disagree with this the most. If anything, i think the online abilities of the PC is it's biggest strength. The ability for people to put up their own servers for games like Q3, UT, RTCW, or BF1942 is a huge plus. Blizzard's Battle.net is marvelous. There's no way i feel justified paying Microsoft for Xbox Live... same reason why i won't pay for online RPGs.
4. I guess that's a matter of opinion. First Person Shooters will always be better with a mouse and keyboard, no matter what Halo Xbox fans tell you. I preferred it to a gamepad with GTA as well.
5. Definitely.
6. Definitely.
7. Yup. Doesn't help that both Microsoft and Sony are throwing money at companies trying to get exclusives to their console either.
1. That's true for the most part... i can only stand so many DX9 tech demos without seeing an actual game take advantage of all those features. But as far as EA Sports games... Madden 2004 on PC looks just as good, if not better then any of the console versions
2. Eh... never considered EA a big deal
3. I disagree with this the most. If anything, i think the online abilities of the PC is it's biggest strength. The ability for people to put up their own servers for games like Q3, UT, RTCW, or BF1942 is a huge plus. Blizzard's Battle.net is marvelous. There's no way i feel justified paying Microsoft for Xbox Live... same reason why i won't pay for online RPGs.
4. I guess that's a matter of opinion. First Person Shooters will always be better with a mouse and keyboard, no matter what Halo Xbox fans tell you. I preferred it to a gamepad with GTA as well.
5. Definitely.
6. Definitely.
7. Yup. Doesn't help that both Microsoft and Sony are throwing money at companies trying to get exclusives to their console either.
12-21-03 | 08:56 AM
#17
DVD Talk Godfather
<---- mac fan
PC gaming near the end? What will the world do? Finally the biggest incentive for everyone to switch to a real machine.
PC gaming near the end? What will the world do? Finally the biggest incentive for everyone to switch to a real machine.
12-21-03 | 01:56 PM
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From: Compton (Straight Outta)
I think the one "genre" that PC game developers have yet to crack is the platformer.
Last edited by Dan Average; 12-21-03 at 06:13 PM.
12-21-03 | 05:35 PM
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From: Orlando
Originally posted by Captain Harlock
I think the one "genre" that PC game developers have yet to crack is the platformer. I haven't played alot of PC games in my time, but I haven't found one yet that resembles something like Ratchet and Clank for example.
I think you hit on something that's very relevant. I think that alot of people are probably put off by PC gaming because of the complexity. Console games tend to be more "player friendly". Again I think that comes back to the attitudes of programmers. "This is the way PC games are".
I really do think they are going to have to do somethings differently eventually.
I think the one "genre" that PC game developers have yet to crack is the platformer. I haven't played alot of PC games in my time, but I haven't found one yet that resembles something like Ratchet and Clank for example.
I think you hit on something that's very relevant. I think that alot of people are probably put off by PC gaming because of the complexity. Console games tend to be more "player friendly". Again I think that comes back to the attitudes of programmers. "This is the way PC games are".
I really do think they are going to have to do somethings differently eventually.
MS has some ideas to fix this though with a standardized gamepad or something along those lines. MS is going to try to fix up the PC gaming industry with some pretty good ideas. They already launched their Windows XP Game Advisor which tells you if your PC is up to a certain game's requirement/recommended specs. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/g...or/default.asp
To Taylor:
1. Consoles are DEFINATELY not up to PC graphics standards. You may need to take a look at some games at high res on a good video card.
PC games can run at a higher resolution and the texture resolutions are MUCH larger. If you want some good examples, take a look at Max Payne 2 across all platforms.. or even KOTOR screen comparisons on the XBOX to PC.3. Why would PC gaming need online standardization? The community supports the online section of PC gaming. If a game is good, then there's going to be tons of content and servers for it.
4. No innovation on the PC? That's where all the innovative games come from!
5. Consoles have standardized hardware. The XBOX has the same exact hardware as the next XBOX. The hardware never changes. Which is why point 1 is why it is. You'll be stuck with hardware from 2001 for the next few years. PC hardware changes all the time which is why games always look better than the console games. And that is why they need a patch sometimes. I've never absolutely needed a patch.. games always worked fine without a patch for me. But I know my way around the PC.. not everyone does.
6. PC games are scalable.. meaning you can adjust the game to your hardware. Bump down the display resolution and effects if your hardware can't handle it. I upgrade my PC every 2+ years. Costs just a little bit more than a console. And it costs less than a brand new console ($299).
7. It would intrigue you that Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance was not developed my Bioware. It was done by Black Isle Studios. Bioware's first venture to the console was KOTOR. Their second one is in development now purely for XBOX.. which is Jade Empire. They're still dominantly a PC developer.
12-22-03 | 07:36 AM
#20
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I'm not even a serious (barely even a casual) PC gamer (PS2 and Gamecube are my game consoles of choice) and I think some of the console gamers on this board are looking at the PC gaming industry with blinders on. No creative games? Graphics not on par with consoles? Online support issues? Come now fellas, lets get real. The PC gaming industry surely has its problems just like any industry does, but that doesn't mean they are going anywhere.
I find PC games to be deep and engrossing to a level that console games are just starting to get to. Once you beat a game on a console thats pretty much it. I mean there is the replay factor but the gameply, storyline, and AI aren't going to change(I know there are a few exceptions to this, no need to point them out). When you beat a PC game theres the online community to play, the mod community to explore, and sometimes expansions are released to give the gamer fresh gameplay.
I think some of the problems people mentioned are very real though. The market is flooded with so many games that an uninformed person may buy some shite and be turned off from PC gaming. Having the latest and greatest hardware shouldn't really be seen as a problem for the folks on this board though. How many of us wait for games to hit the $20 mark? How many of us stay a year behind on sports games like Madden, or NBA 2KWhatever to save a dime? Same thing can be applied to PC games. I am totally content with playing last years (or the year before lasts) games. They are just as good as they were then, just cheaper and a lot easier to run on my PC than when they were new. Hardcore PC gamers will buy the latest greatest hardware to play the latest greatest games, so studios should keep pushing for the best graphics they can. That doesn't mean that I have to run out and upgrade my system though.
Thats my 2 cents anyways.
I find PC games to be deep and engrossing to a level that console games are just starting to get to. Once you beat a game on a console thats pretty much it. I mean there is the replay factor but the gameply, storyline, and AI aren't going to change(I know there are a few exceptions to this, no need to point them out). When you beat a PC game theres the online community to play, the mod community to explore, and sometimes expansions are released to give the gamer fresh gameplay.
I think some of the problems people mentioned are very real though. The market is flooded with so many games that an uninformed person may buy some shite and be turned off from PC gaming. Having the latest and greatest hardware shouldn't really be seen as a problem for the folks on this board though. How many of us wait for games to hit the $20 mark? How many of us stay a year behind on sports games like Madden, or NBA 2KWhatever to save a dime? Same thing can be applied to PC games. I am totally content with playing last years (or the year before lasts) games. They are just as good as they were then, just cheaper and a lot easier to run on my PC than when they were new. Hardcore PC gamers will buy the latest greatest hardware to play the latest greatest games, so studios should keep pushing for the best graphics they can. That doesn't mean that I have to run out and upgrade my system though.
Thats my 2 cents anyways.
12-23-03 | 12:31 AM
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
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I think hardware power is going to become less and less important as time goes on. Its only a matter of time before practically every game looks phenomnenal. i don't think people are going to be as likely to drop the cash for new hardware that looks slightly better than their already extremely powerful hardware. And with HDTV becoming more popular, console and PC power comparisons will become even more pointless.
One thing that has always bothered me about PC games is that they seem to have such a low resale value compared to console games.
One thing that has always bothered me about PC games is that they seem to have such a low resale value compared to console games.
