Did PC gaming conquer the consoles?

[megs1120]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, PLEASE READ MY POST BEFORE COMMENTING

People keep saying that PC gaming is dead, that consoles have all but completely taken over, to the point that it's largely assumed to be true. I'm not debating the fact that "hardcore" gaming has shifted almost entirely from the PC to the consoles and that consoles are where the majority of games are sold.

I was exclusively a PC gamer from 1988 through 2000, and only became primarily a console gamer during the current console generation. Recently, it struck me, the games I used to play on the PC are nearly all on consoles, with the exception of strategy. The games that I had always associated with consoles, ie. side-scrollers, platformers, beat-em-ups are largely absent, replaced by PC mainstays, first person shooters, adventure and western-style role playing games.

From where I'm sitting, it seems that Nintendo is the last bastion of classic console gaming and that the 360 and PS3 have taken the mantle (and the games) that used to belong to classic PC gaming.

I'm curious, to what degree do you feel that this is true? As someone who didn't grow up with consoles, am I completely full of crap?

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

I find PC gaming much more enjoyable, from being able to play RTS, to customization, to TF2, to steam, to mouse+keyboard, to... everything? From what I gather, others are different.

 

[megs1120]

Should try for a less confusing title tbh.

As i see it, it's the result of mainstream-ism. FPS to console went a long way to putting people in the mindset that "mindless action" is what everyone wants from a console game. For most people, they're probably right.

But i wouldn't call it "pc gaming".

I'm not sure if I was totally clear, the point I'm trying to make is that the genres and series that typified PC gaming have made the transition to consoles, while the twitchy actiony games like bullet hell shooters, side-scrollers and jrpgs have to some extent faded away, at least from their old $60 price point.

Nowadays you're more likely to find these sorts of games going for $10 or $15 as downloadable titles, rather than as full price, AAA games.

The old genres that were typical of the PC have become mainstream while the typical console genres have become something of a niche, aside from exceptions like LittleBigPlanet.

 

[Dee F. Rag]

you ask if the console has cornered the market, but did you ever stop to think about things such as control preference? how about content release? I am on the complete opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to this situation, for you see i was raised on the chocolatey nipple of the console since I was a mere babe, but i have come to embrace the PC for a good many reasons. Firstly I am in love with the mouse, it's a wonderful implement. complimenting the mouse perfectly is the well-accessible keyboard, which you can literally fill brimming with hotkeys. also, have you purchased a game by valve over steam? any game for that matter! Bioshock two just got a free update on PC that would cost you about five Microsoft space dollars on the ecksbawks! now, this is not to say that console gaming doesn't have it's merits, because it does. i'm just saying that the ups of the PC are far above it's downfalls. also, most console online play is rife with the under-aged.

 

[Iwata]

I've had my first PC since the late 80's, and up until a couple of years ago, I was a PC gamer first, console gamer second, but the truth is, after two decades, that changed dramatically over the last few years.

I am done with PC gaming. I don't like Steam, I don't like Games for Windows Live, and I HATE having to be logged in to some bullshit just to play my single-player games. I don't feel like shelling out hundreds of dollars every few months because my PC suddenly goes from "awesome" to "steampunk". I have my favorite games on PC, but that is it for me. I'll play and replay those games, and everything new, I'm getting for my PS3. No driver problems, no graphic card issues, no bullshit "recommended requirements" that are a blatant lie, none of that.

It was good while it lasted, but I don't like where PC gaming is right now, I hate where it's going, and I'm jumping ship. I'll be back every now and again to play th EARLIER Total War games, the ORIGINAL Dawn of War, Homeworld, IL-2 and a couple of other things.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I do think you have a point. The fact is there is so much more money floating around on the console end of things and developers/publishers are going to chase that money. As you say, it's not that there are less types of games being made (though a few genres are definitely on the decline no matter what system you're talking about), but consoles are generally the home of gaming now a days. (Note to the eminent flamers, I didn't say the home of the best gaming, just the home of gaming)

As far as the Wii is concerned, I just think it's more visible there that the old school console oriented games are still around because, quite frankly, there is a lack of variety on the console overall. It's mainly Nintedo's playground.

 

[Dee F. Rag]

oh wait. i misinterpreted the post. proceed to berate me on my ignorance.

 

[Random Argument Man]

You have to accept the idea that consoles came a long way from before. They adapted with the times and acquired more technology.

Some PC gaming staples were able to move from "Mouse and keyboard" to a controller. When FPS started on consoles, it wasn't that great. Then some games came along and set the bar. Western RPGs were on consoles, it just wasn't that popular and well-made. At some point, I suspect that RTS might be able to be great on consoles. If it never comes to that expectation, then the gaming industry will never evolve for the better.


Short version* Key words are technology and innovation.

 

[Irridium]

Honestly, I find consoles are taking over PC's. At least console development mentality, which is "streamline everything".

I don't buy a PC game because its streamlined. I want shitloads of things to tweak, I want lots of complex systems, I want games that take advantage of the PC's unique strengths, which are its openess, keyboard/mouse setup, and modding capabilities.

Few games embrace these and treat the PC like a console, which is the wrong thing to do.
Its strange, Bioware did it with the first Dragon Age. The PC one played to the PC's strengths, and it was fantastic for it. Now they're saying they want all versions of DA2 to be "the same".

Thats bad! The PC version of DAO took advantage of the PC's unique strengths, and was better for it. Same with the ME1 PC port. It was revamped for the PC, most notably with the inventory system. And it worked.

Developers need to stop treating PC's like consoles, because they're not consoles. And vice-versa.

But I'm just ranting now and probably just completely missed the point. So I'll stop here.

 

[flaming_ninja]

I grew up with consoles but have shifted to PC gaming, I still have my Sega Megadrive and my Playstation, I also used to have an Xbox, but I shifted to PC gaming when somebody showed me Half Life, although I had always played the Age of Empires series of games previously. PC gaming is by no means dead, it has the largest game library and always will.