Why do you think that people think that PC gaming is dying?

[Zacharine]

Because PC gaming is ongoing improvement, with constantly improving components and new games that are margianlly better, all the time.

Whereas with consoles, you can have huge launch parties for the next gen console, then milk a year or two of front-page gaming-media publicity with exclusives competing, and then you begin to have the guys who really manage to use the console to it's best etc...

In short, it's easier to make consoles and console games a publicity trick. And that which is constantly displayed in media, is what people remember.

When was the last time you saw a gaming magazine exclusive-interview with a lead AMD design engineer? And when did you last saw an article about the technology inside the Xbox 360, or the brand new exclusive for the PS3 that would leave all XBox owners green with envy?

There you have your answer. the consoles competing against eachother create a media-circus. the PC just stands at the sidelines, stoic and apart. PCs are only mentioned in context of the supposed console v pc war, and rarely in a positive light.

So people remember consoles. When asked what they think about PC-gaming, they go 'what-gaming?' inside their heads. And so the following steps of flawed logic is: If I can't remember as much of positive things about PC-gaming as I can about console-gaming, then PC-gaming must be dying.

 

[Kagim]

It's just more pointless fighting between a single avenue of entertainment.

Both groups, the console gamers and the pc gamers not to mention the console specific fanatic groups, all like to scream the other avenues are a dead end.

The truth is none of them are. All have certain groups of people they are appealing to, all have pros in cons.

However there are a loud minority from all the happy groups of gamers that want to feel superior.

So you have each group screaming about how awesome there choice is, exaggerating all benefits and downplaying, to outright denying any negatives.

The truth is NONE of the big four are dying,

There will always be people who prefer the hands on approach to there gameing platform, there for PC gaming isn't going to die. Lots of people find experimenting with equipment and reading about parts and tinkering with over-clocking exciting and fun as hell. Its a hobby within a hobby for them.

There will always be people who want nothing to do with that and just want to plug and play. So consoles are not going to die. Lots of us just want to buy a system. Throw down the $600 and not have to worry about anything for the next 5-6 years. Possibly even longer now that the PS3 and 360 have the ability to update games and internal software.

Lots of people love to tinker. PC gaming has that. Lots of people just want to play the game and find tinkering boring/frustrating. Consoles have that.

Sadly. The loud mouth PC gamer fanatics (Before you get offended and flame me realize i don't mean everyone whose into PC gaming, only those who are stuck up about it) seem to think that because they have some technical know how they are superior to console gamers.

"I put my computer together, I'm better then you!"
"I'm.. I'm a doctor. I am pretty sure..."
"FUCK YOU! I put my computer together myself! It excuses my McJob!"

While your usual console dickbag(Same as above... Not everyone, only those that are one) is to busy screaming about how the other consoles are inferior and exaggerating every problem with PC gaming in and of itself.

Maybe one day everyone will stop trying to win the "My Dick is bigger" contest. For now its just another one of those things that make gaming look childish.

 

[FretfulGnome]

A lot of people are computer illiterate. They don't want to think about what kind of computer they need to run modern games, because they don't know anything about computers. They'd rather just buy a little "ready-made" box that they can plug into their TV like a DVD player and use it to play games from their couch. It's just easier, and it removes all the thought required for PC gaming.

Just look at any PC related gaming forum. There's hundreds of posts from people asking what type of computer they should buy. What they need to build a gaming PC. Whether or not their PC can run a certain game, etc... etc...

 

[beholdmycape]

A lot of people are computer illiterate. They don't want to think about what kind of computer they need to run modern games, because they don't know anything about computers. They'd rather just buy a little "ready-made" box that they can plug into their TV like a DVD player and use it to play games from their couch. It's just easier, and it removes all the thought required for PC gaming.

A friend of mine who isn't what I'd call computer illiterate (he uses one at work, browses the net etc) recently wanted to try out some PC games.
After looking at the minimum specs for a game he asks 'what's a CPU?'

 

[Nouw]

Because consoles don't have the hardware complications PCs have and are generally cheaper so they have boomed in popularity and the amount of games that are released on them.

PC gaming is not dying, it's simply marginally less accessible.

So long as they keep releasing PC RTS games then it won't be anywhere near dead for me.

The more I see you around here, the more intelligent posts I see. I agree, it is less accessible. And far more expensive, *looks at upgrading prices.

I have both an Xbox 360 and PC. Xbox360 is for games that are too good for my computer and others, PC is for RTS and Online FPS and others.

With the release of Starcraft 2, announcement of Space Marine on the PC, we ain't dead.

Our number is Legion, Our name is Death

 

[Hiphophippo]

Ignorance.

I'd like to offer more to the debate, but that pretty well covers it.

 

[Computer-Noob]

Because fanboys always think their preferred medium is factually superior.

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

The more I see you around here, the more intelligent posts I see. I agree, it is less accessible. And far more expensive, *looks at upgrading prices.

I have both an Xbox 360 and PC. Xbox360 is for games that are too good for my computer and others, PC is for RTS and Online FPS and others.

With the release of Starcraft 2, announcement of Space Marine on the PC, we ain't dead.

Our number is Legion, Our name is Death

Why thank you I pride myself on knowing things and being able to justify an opinion with sensible reasoning.

I use my gaming PC a lot less for gaming now which is a shame... I used to be a big Battlefield player, but since I got my new computer I can't play any Battlefield game.

It bluescreens if I try... it's so tragic. But my 360 doesn't bluescreen if I put in Bad Company. So I can still enjoy some Battlefield every now and then

When I actually do play games I mainly use it for Dawn Of War 2 or if I can be bothered Command and Conquer 3.

My PC is now my RTS platform and I use my console for everything else because I use it so much more often.

Though I do sorely miss the days of playing 2142 Titan Mode until 4 in the morning...

 

[Cynical skeptic]

Well, it definitely isn't because of piracy. You know that console-gamer mantra, "I just want to be able to put the game in and have it work!" Thats pretty much how console piracy works these days. Download, burn a disk, play. Online. PS3 piracy is still puttering along, but wii and 360 piracy is easier than buying the games.

So, its mostly because PC lacks of a centralized hardware manufacturer to buy exclusive releases. Because of the number of hardware configurations, developing for PC does take an additional amount of time unique to the format, publishers/developers would prefer to sign a contract rather than spend that extra bit of time/money.

Theres also the fact every console-only gamer seems to think PCs are these mysterious and magical things that only obsessives can figure out how to use.

 

[TelHybrid]

Sheer stupidity.

As long as there's dedicated servers (lets see an Xbox 360 game host 64 players), mods, freeware indie games, RTS games, FPS games (controller will never ever be as efficient as keyboard/mouse), MMORPGs, and steam, it will never die.

Oh the community too. Counter Strike, a game from last century, is still heavily played to this day.

 

[Geekosaurus]

Consoles are more easily accessible but I can't see PC gaming dying out. There are twelve million monthly WoW subscriptions for a start.

 

[smithy1234]

Probably because they believe that corporations would much prefer to opt for developing a game for consoles instead of PC due to piracy related issues. Although I do not believe that it will disappear, it may just decrease in popularity. But look at countries like South Korea and pro gaming with Starcraft on PC. PC gaming is still going strong there.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I hear about crappy ports a lot, and it is true that consoles get favoured by a lot of developers, normally because consoles are specifically made to play games, whilst a PC can do much more than play games.

Also, if you're given a game for a certain platform, this platform being a console, it is extremely likely that the game will run, unless it or the console is broken in some way. On a PC, you need the right specifications, sometimes the PC can't even play the game due to unforeseen improvements (I'm looking at you Windows 7, with the KotOR games), despite far exceeding the minimum requirements.

Generally, it is a hassle. And as a gamer for many platforms, PC and consoles included, I can quite safely say that there is much less hassle with consoles.

Buy the console, a game for it, plug it into your television, go.
Buy the PC, plug it in, plug all the wires that come with it into the correct places, set up the speakers, the screen, the keyboard, then install the game. Perhaps you need Steam or GFWL to play your game. Now you need the internet. Buy the internet (I had to write it like that), plug the modems in/set up your wireless transmitters, whatever you need to do. Now play the game.

See what I mean? Not to say I think PC gaming is dying, it's just that PC gaming requires more maintenance. Nothing wrong with maintaining a hobby, sure, and I would call it healthy, but people don't always want to.

PCs also cost more than consoles. Well, good PCs.

 

[Weaver]

I think people think it's dying because a lot of big publishers and console producers want them to think that it's dying.

 

[bak00777]

i actually think it is because console games get alot more media coverage(ads in magazines, TV etc) Gaming magazines cover pc games and console games but other magazines might not chave ads for PC games much.

 

[fantasyland]

well why not share what you know then the market can grow ...some people go to others for advice - there are numerous topics in the world to consider ...and it is okay to ask questions..

 

[The Night Shade]

I think they are console fanboys that say bullshit

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Its not dying! People just chant that. If its truly been dying, then it's been dying since the mid 80s seeing as how nothing has really changed. Personally, I prefer buying and Playing a game on the PC (If my computer can run it) to one for the Console for several reasons.

The biggest one being digital distribution. I'd rather buy a game off of Steam and install then go out to Wal-mart or Gamestop.