With Microsoft making a big push with their Games for Windows movement, it seems that they are trying to show that the PC is just the same as any console when it comes to gaming. Which begs the question; is it really? The PC has many things going in it's favor that would make it the perfect gaming platform, but then again it has many things going against it as well.
As for what's right on the PC, many would argue that it boasts some of the most innovative minds in game design in it's corner. With designers like Sid Meier, Will Wright, Peter Molyneux, etc. how could you go wrong? I love video games, but compared to the best and brightest of the PC world, the consoles just look drab.
And not just innovative people, but innovative and revolutionary ideas come from the PC gaming world. If Everquest hadn't been so successful (I know it pales in comparison to WOW, but I'm looking back here), I really doubt that we would have seen the push for online console gaming as early as we did. Online gaming has been the de facto standard for years, and just now the console makers are catching on. And with upcoming Windows Live Anywhere, we might see PC's going up against consoles in the very near future.
With the Wii and PS3 launching this holiday season, the talk is all about the numbers. Wii will have 2 million available at launch, the PS3 400,000 at launch in North America. Many PS3 detractors are saying that we'll see lots of timed exclusives on the XBOX 360 from the 3rd party developers because of install base. Well, who has a better install base than the PC? Granted not everyone would be able to run all the games (a point I'll come back to), but they're out there, and they all at least have played solataire. And for those who do have the hardware to run all the games, man is it superior hardware. As often as I'm wowed by a game on a HDTV, I never have my jaw drop as much as when I see a gorgeous, brand new, PC game.
Unfortunately, the PC, like any gaming machine, has it's flaws. Flaws that are standing in the way of establishing true legitimacy as a gaming platform. And the majority of them revolve around that fantastic PC hardware.
If you're like me, you like upgrading your PC. It's like Christmas everytime you open up your case, pop in a new video card, and wait to see the eye candy unfold before you. But if you're like my parents, and most are, it's a chore, and if it weren't for your technologically savvy offspring, you'd probably still be using that old IBM PS/2 with Windows 3.1 on it, just because you'd rather not bother. People outside of the geekdom don't drool over the idea of stripping out their case, putting in a new mobo with a Core 2 Duo processor, and dual GEForce 7950's (mmmmm gravy). They look at it the same way I look at an oil change, I guess I have to, but I sure as hell am not going to do it. I barely remember what kind of oil my car takes, luckily someone can figure it out for me. Why would PC components be looked at any differently by the general public? How would Joe Schmo know whether to get the 7800GT or GTX?
And those upgrades aren't cheap either. When I got my 6600gt just more than a year ago, it was over $200 and a damn fine card, too. Now, I'm looking at games coming out in the next six months that I probably won't be able to play without an upgrade. With two kids at home now, that's an upgrade that probably won't happen. And I'm the enthusiast! What would a casual gamer do?
So, the PC has some work to do before becoming a legitmate contender in the console market. Until they fix some problems, PC games will be on the rack towards the back of the store, not front and center with the big boys. I do have some ideas as to how to improve this though. We need to slow down GPU releases. Look at the progression of games on consoles. The first generation of games released for a console look great, until the next batch comes out, and the next, and the next. By the time you get to the end of a console life cycle, developers have squeeezed every ounce of power out of that machine that they possibly could. We need that stability on the PC. And not just for the developers to hone their skills. With a more stable hardware base out there, games would be easier to create. I know DirectX has eliminated a lot of the tedium of dealing with different hardware, but it would still be a great deal easier. Plus this would allow more people to play more games, for a lot longer between upgrades. That means more money for everyone!
Lastly, developers should be leveraging online content delivery. Say what you want about Steam; Valve has the right idea. With more and more households having broadband access everyday, there's no excuse developers to be very excited about online delivery. To go directly to the consumer means not paying for shelf space, and that means lower production costs (which means lower prices for us). Plus, online delivery is perfect for smaller developers.
Until PC gaming can be brought to the masses and not just the enthusiasts, it will always the NHL of the video game world.
