What IS PC gaming these days?

[Kinitawowi]

So, historically I've always considered myself a PC gamer; I grew from the ZX Spectrum through the arcades to an Amstrad to a number of PC builds and never bought a console until 2005, when I finally snagged a GBA (I've acquired a PS2, 360 and DS since). I can't deal with FPSing on consoles when I've spent that long on KB/M (and most FPSs are pants these days anyway).

But. My boss at work the other day asked if I was a PC gamer (you can probably capitalise Gamer in that phrase these days), and I found myself hesitating somewhat. I mean, I'm playing far too much Diablo 3 these days and then spending forever on emulators (arcade and DOS as well as consoles) and a few low-level indies, but "PC Gaming" these days seems to have become synonymous with MOBAs like League Of Legends (we actually hosted a LoL tournament in the Gaming Bunker at work not so long ago), World Of Warcraft, and the online RTS scene. Absolutely none of that has ever interested me, because I've regarded myself as a solitary and varied beast; I've always enjoyed the FPS more when it was one guy lone wolfing it against enemy hordes rather than squad-based camping exercises, and I'm always reluctant to step into online gaming where I know I will be annihilated by those people who devote their entire lives to a single title, which is why while I love RTSs I barely ever explore beyond the single player campaigns.

So yeah. As "PC Gaming" seems to have gravitated more and more towards an online field that I have no interest in, what's left for that world apart from the independent stuff?

 

[Weaver]

PC gaming is when you play games on a PC.
It doesn't matter what game it is. It doesn't matter what genre it is.
If you're playing Scribblenauts Unlimited on the PC then you're PC gaming.

 

[PFCboom]

PC gaming is when you play games on a PC.
It doesn't matter what game it is. It doesn't matter what genre it is.
If you're playing Scribblenauts Unlimited on the PC then you're PC gaming.

I think we can call that a /thread right there. The state of PC gamING might be ever fluid, but as long as you play games on a PC, you're a PC gamer.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

I'm more of a single player PC gamer, too. There are still plenty of games being made that cater to me, so I don't feel as though there's nothing left for me.

 

[Fat Hippo]

These days, it's whatever you want it to be. Seriously, there are such an absurd number of completely diverse titles coming out every month, we can't even think of new names for whatever genre they're supposed to be anymore. Most of the big console games come out for PC anyway, and there's a constant stream of indie fare. There's about a bajillion MMOS I'll never play. And thanks to kickstarter, many of those games we once thought were "dead" seem to be making their return as well. The whole "PC GAMER" label has never been as irrelevant in terms of the actual kinds of games you play as it is today. And that's what is awesome about the entire situation.

 

[Sir Christopher McFarlane]

PC gaming will be happening when I install the Trine I just bought.

 

[spartandude]

PC gaming will be happening when I install the Trine I just bought.

Man your eyes are in for such a treat, especially with Trine 2. god those games are so pretty.

 

[DoPo]

So yeah. As "PC Gaming" seems to have gravitated more and more towards an online field that I have no interest in, what's left for that world apart from the independent stuff?

Erm, anything wrong with independent stuff? Also, I'm pretty happy with PC games so far - I don't mind some being online. Well, I am a bit sad when LAN is scrapped in favour of online MP but other than that, I'm pretty happy. There are still AAA titles, if need be - I like Assassin's Creed (well, more or less) and some others. I am, however, very pleased with what smaller and indie developers have to offer.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

PC gaming is what you make it. For example my PC is more of an emulator machine at the moment.

 

[ResonanceSD]

It's using this

To play this.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/212680/

And thinking that it's perfectly reasonable.

 

[Basement Cat]

PC gaming is when you play games on a PC.
It doesn't matter what game it is. It doesn't matter what genre it is.
If you're playing Scribblenauts Unlimited on the PC then you're PC gaming.

This.

I don't own any consoles. For years I've just used my PC (currently my laptop) to play whatever games I had. Old BioWare RPG's for the most part though mighty Hidden Object games are more my norm these days.

Or they were before my optic drive started frizzing out again to the point that it's pretty much useless and I can't play any movies or disk required games. Time to pony up another $50.00 or so for a new unit when I can get around to it.

Fortunately I just downloaded Bastion, Amnesia: Dark Descent, and Limbo so I've got new games (for me) to play in the meantime.

I'm currently getting my ass kicked every 30 seconds in Limbo. It looks like Susan's review of the game was right on target.

 

[Maxtro]

I no longer differentiate between PC and console gaming. The most recent games I played on my PC were Bioshock Infinite, Dark Souls, Assassins Creed 3 and DMC: Devil May Cry. All were played using a controller while sitting on my couch.

Gaming is gaming and I only use my PS3 for games that I can't get on the PC. Right now it's Dark Arisen.

 

[charlottehoughton84]

right, i know this is totally off subject, well kinda, but anyway, do you guys remember a game where you started off in a village, and there where these animals that had taken over the village, talking ones, there was a werewolf and a spider, and you had to go around searching for special ingredients, i remember one of these ingredients was a doll, and a flower, and it created a potion to turn into, i think a frog, maybe? but you had to be small to get into the castle dungeon. That's all i remember! I really want to play this game again and cant remember it at all... any know? it was defo on pc!

thanks!

 

[wulf3n]

Technically every form of Video Game is run on a "PC" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer]

Your XBOX360 yep, that's a PC.
PS3 yep.
3DS that's a pc to.

Don't you just hate definitions

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

It's using this

To play this.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/212680/

And thinking that it's perfectly reasonable.

You laugh, but the next major purchase I want to make for my home theater is an HD Projector. Once I get that, you can guarantee I'll be playing some FTL on it XP

OT: Are you a gamer who uses his PC to play games? Then congratulations, you're a PC gamer. Mobas may be insanely popular right now, but they're not exactly a pre-requisite for being a PC gamer. For that matter, you said you play indie games. That's about as PC as it gets. Sure, the consoles have indie games, but the variety isn't there just yet for it to reasonably make up the majority of what anyone plays. Not anyone who has gaming as a major hobby, anyway. PC Indies, on the other hand? You could spend the rest of your life just playing the good ones that are currently on the market, and probably be pretty happy with it. There's just that many games out there with that much variety.

 

[ResonanceSD]

It's using this

To play this.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/212680/

And thinking that it's perfectly reasonable.

You laugh, but the next major purchase I want to make for my home theater is an HD Projector. Once I get that, you can guarantee I'll be playing some FTL on it XP

OT: Are you a gamer who uses his PC to play games? Then congratulations, you're a PC gamer. Mobas may be insanely popular right now, but they're not exactly a pre-requisite for being a PC gamer. For that matter, you said you play indie games. That's about as PC as it gets. Sure, the consoles have indie games, but the variety isn't there just yet for it to reasonably make up the majority of what anyone plays. Not anyone who has gaming as a major hobby, anyway. PC Indies, on the other hand? You could spend the rest of your life just playing the good ones that are currently on the market, and probably be pretty happy with it. There's just that many games out there with that much variety.

What's better than a glaive beam?

WATCHING A GLAIVE BEAM TEAR APART YOUR ENEMY ACROSS AN ENTIRE WALL!


Also totally serious, that's my PC

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

It's using this

To play this.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/212680/

And thinking that it's perfectly reasonable.

You laugh, but the next major purchase I want to make for my home theater is an HD Projector. Once I get that, you can guarantee I'll be playing some FTL on it XP

OT: Are you a gamer who uses his PC to play games? Then congratulations, you're a PC gamer. Mobas may be insanely popular right now, but they're not exactly a pre-requisite for being a PC gamer. For that matter, you said you play indie games. That's about as PC as it gets. Sure, the consoles have indie games, but the variety isn't there just yet for it to reasonably make up the majority of what anyone plays. Not anyone who has gaming as a major hobby, anyway. PC Indies, on the other hand? You could spend the rest of your life just playing the good ones that are currently on the market, and probably be pretty happy with it. There's just that many games out there with that much variety.

What's better than a glaive beam?

WATCHING A GLAIVE BEAM TEAR APART YOUR ENEMY ACROSS AN ENTIRE WALL!


Also totally serious, that's my PC

Seriously? Nice. Although I'm kind of surprised with a projector like that you have it set up at a desk -- my plan involves a couch, a tray table, and a wireless keyboard and mouse

 

[The]

PC gaming is when you make a PC vs Consoles thread, which only gives you time to play games for a half hour.

 

[Tanakh]

-snip-

It sounds like you are worrying too much about losing. Maybe I am reading your post wrong but your only reason for not liking ARTS, RTS, Online FPS and whatnot seems to be that you will lose in them.

I say not to worry, on the same boat myself, I don't have the time to get good at DotA, SC II or Battlefield (the "serious PvP on PC" trifecta), and you know what? I have a positive winning percentage on the former two and very nice numbers because the current ladder system is very good and will let you get good games and enjoy them regardless of your skill.

Now... if you want to win, I can tell you how to get to diamond and very high skill bracket of SC and DotA, it's not hard if you are willing to play easy strats/characters and cheese it a bit.

Honestly, if you love RTSs it seems like a shame not to PvP, because their single player content is just the surface

As for you actual question, I do the same exactly as you, Indie, Diablo 3 (which I like better than torchlight), some AAA gaming here and there, but then I do add DotA2, SC II and a bit of SF IV when time permits.