03.07.08
Predicting the future
I both hate and love PC/console arguments. There are so many interesting similarities and differences to discuss, both in terms of game library, interface, hardware platform, business and pricing models, marketing efforts, development conditions, monopolies, etc. You’ll almost always find something interesting to take away from such discussions, but at the same time it takes immense maturity to discuss the dichotomy without falling back to stereotypes and simple case study.
Lately I’ve been trying to keep up with the “The PC as a gaming platform is dying!” “No the PC as a gaming platform is doing fine!” debate, and frankly it’s not very easy. A lot of the participants in this debate have something at stake (it’s difficult to trust the pro-PC gaming arguments entirely when they come from Valve and Epic who have massive market shares to lose if the PC dies as a gaming platform) and I have significant problems digging down to the facts at the heart of the debate.
I’d like to link to a couple of interesting articles in these ongoing discussions, the first being a righteously bitter forum post by Michael Fitch from THQ over at Quarter To Three, “Venting my frustrations with PC game-dev“. One of the main points of the post - inspired by the closing of Iron Lore, developers of Titan Quest - are the corrosive effects of PC game piracy. Now, the piracy issue is a debate worthy of its own blog post (if not several dedicated websites) but Fitch brings up a lot of really interesting issues, all of which lead to depressing conclusions.
The more optimistic counterpoint is Gamasutra’s interview with Valve’s marketing VP Doug Lombardi and business development director Jason Holtman, “Valve Explains Why PC Gaming’s Gaining Steam“. The Valve guys claim that the depressing numbers of PC sales are largely to be blamed on the focus of certain surveys: If you don’t ignore MMOG’s, the disturbingly gigantic PopCap, and Valve’s own Steam distribution platform, things look a lot better for the PC.
I don’t know what to believe because I don’t know whose numbers to put the most trust in. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is no easy summary - I doubt PC gaming will ever die, but I’m certain it will change. I don’t know how much it’ll change because I’m not in the habit of trying to predict the future, but I hope 5 years from now, we won’t be left with a platform full of MMOG’s and casual games.
EER said,
March 7, 2008 at 18:44
I read about that recently, interesting stuff on piracy and how things must change in PC land: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33624
I still love my PC though, but that’s just because I don’t want a console.
fox said,
March 7, 2008 at 18:45
I guess you already knew about this but if not you may be interested:
http://www.pcgamingalliance.org/en/index.asp
Jonas said,
March 7, 2008 at 19:01
EER: I love my PC too! I’ve got used to the Xbox controller now, but I still prefer my mouse and keyboard for shooters. I gotta admit though, that controller is pretty good for driving!
Fox: Yeah I know, it’s pretty cool but I’m not entirely convinced they’re willing to throw the kind of marketing support after PC games that’s necessary to match the console giants.
Morten S. Clausen said,
March 7, 2008 at 19:12
I hate the consol controllers. I’ll NEVER JOIN YOU! Even if that means that I’ll keep playing FIFA 2008 for all eternity.
Jonas said,
March 7, 2008 at 19:39
To be fair you were going to anyway. FIFA 2008 has been released for the 360 as well
Morten S. Clausen said,
March 7, 2008 at 20:04
Actually it’s not that good a game. Which raises the question: Which game would YOU play for eternity?
X-wing. So definitly X-wing. Or maybe Tie Fighter… Die rebel scum!!
Jonas said,
March 7, 2008 at 20:22
Deus Ex.
Duh.
fox said,
March 7, 2008 at 20:32
Maybe Tetris.
Morten S. Clausen said,
March 7, 2008 at 20:34
When someone, with truth and love in their hearts, says Knight Rider for Commodore 64… this world WILL end!
Mark
My
Words!
Jonas said,
March 7, 2008 at 20:35
Tetris gets boring after 5 minutes, let alone ETERNITY.
fox said,
March 7, 2008 at 20:59
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris#Is_it_possible_to_play_forever.3F
fox said,
March 7, 2008 at 21:05
@Morten S. Clausen: I actually liked playing Airwolf on a freinds C64 quite a bit. It’s not the same but it comes close…
Morten S. Clausen said,
March 7, 2008 at 21:29
Hey! Airwolf does NOT come close!
Exhibit a) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz1NVm_jh_w - The theme! Listen to the theme!!!
Exhibit b) http://www.lemon64.com/?mainurl=http%3A//www.lemon64.com/reviews/view.php%3Fid%3D616
Exhibit c) http://www.lemon64.com/?mainurl=http%3A//www.lemon64.com/reviews/view.php%3Fid%3D5
Defence rests.