The PC market is dead? Rubbish.

The taut cadaver of the PC market lies breathless; the rigor mortis of console's dominance and rampant piracy gnawing at its once beautiful tissue.

Clad in black, fans dab their veil-smocked eyes with mouse'n'keyboard memorabilia handkerchiefs - as the last rites for the home computer are read out. Probably by some turncoat like Bill Gates.

Only, that's not quite true, is it. The heart of PC gaming still beats - louder than in recent memory, too.

[movements]

Rubbish indeed.

[Projekt7tuning]

CVG has been a bunch of crap lately begging for hits. I feel bad I've clicked there link. There has been no real substance to any of their stories lately. All Flame Fodder.
I'm actually retiring my q6700 OCed @3.5 with 2 8800gtx's to my wife this month to build a new system. So suck it CVG.

[hiredhelp]

ive just passed over my pc to my partner too. to build my i7 with haf x and 1366 build off.
pc gaming dead. NO if it was we wouldnt had the multiplatform titles now hitting the pc market.
and parts wouldnt be soo expensive.

[MiamiACR]

The Internet is dead, The wildlife is dead, PC gaming is dead, Your mother is dead etc etc.. Overused and unnecessary, not to mention not true.

[cliffbo]

no its true i attended the funeral myself 5 yrs ago.lol

[comp_ali]

why the link goes to CVG main page
here is the original link
http://www.computerandvideo...

[PS3-247]

because of piracy.

[Apotheosize]

Maybe at brick and mortar stores, digital distribution(Steam) is far from dead

[captain-obvious]

yah the problem is I don’t like to download those games
it would take weeks to download a game to me

let alone I always re-image or re format my computer

so yah I like me hard copy better that downloading the game

[-Alpha]

If the PC market is dead due to piracy, where does that leave the PSP, PS3-247?

The PC market is dead only to the internet that seems so fixated on two things:

Xbox 360 and PS3.

Yet, the Wii, DS, PSP, and PC are all very active systems that enjoy their share of AAA titles and exclusives. These systems are dead in the war that focuses so much around PS3 and 360, which, may I remind you, is fought vigilantly on the internet, the place that does not represent the actuality of the market.

In terms of games, sales, etc. they all are quite active and enjoy a strong fanbase of gamers.

The PC market/gaming isn't dead, though I do find it ignored, especially on such sites as this where I spend my time.

[Slinkey]

Well said alpha! pc gaming does get the short of the stick sometimes but that might just be because there is no controlling company or figurehead that produces pc's unlike the ps3 and 360 whom have micrsoft and sony to back them up while pc is independent of ownership.

[BlackBusterCritic]

(these btw, are games sold at standard retail price upon release)

Release a game at retail, and only make around $8 per game sold.
Release a game via Steam, Impulse, etc and make around $30 per game sold.

Not to mention that the used game market robs devs of their money. So lets not talk about piracy, especially when the Xbox360, PSP, DS, and Wii are just as susceptible to piracy.

[cliffbo]

the second hand game market does not rob the devs as they were paid for their work when they first sold their game.

the only people being robbed are the consumers when they trade their games in.

[NYC_Gamer]

the PC market is far from dead....look at how good small dev titles are selling

[theroadtoruin]

it isn't dead yet, but its slowly dying. less and less games are being made and even fewer ports, which usually are broken.

[BlackBusterCritic]

Guess that means that console gaming is getting ready to kick the bucket. PC has had MORE exclusives that were GOOD in the last 2 years, than the PS3 or Xbox360 have had since their LAUNCH.

[theroadtoruin]

like what? everyone has opinions, you favorite game might be someones most hated. what defines a "GOOD" game for you? a rating? and this is about the PC gaming market not PC gaming in general, of course there will MMO's out there if anything. i game on the PC as well as consoles and the PC just doesn't deliver like it used to.

[BlackBusterCritic]

So what you were saying, was that the PC gaming market WAS SLOWLY DYING. And you gave a statement as to why you believed so, "less and less games are being made and even fewer ports, which usually are broken." So by your logic, the console gaming market is in a worse state because they have far less games being released yearly than the PC; and not only that, but the consoles have the worst ports! You dont give off the impression that you know much about PC gaming, or even the market. PC gaming market reached 10.7 billion dollars in 2007, and that was an INCREASE over the previous years, and its continuing to prosper. But you think that's "Slowly dying", right? ^_^ Why do you think Microsoft is trying to get over the fence and back into the PC gaming pool? ^_^ Because they can't ignore how profitable PC gaming market has become.
In short, if you're going to give a reason why "PC gaming is dying", make it a good reason that doesn't reveal a lack of knowledge on your part.

[theroadtoruin]

that 2007 increase is no surprise when you have cash cows like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Crysis in that year. tons of games are or have been getting canceled like Alan Wake and PC games are going to consoles like Witcher 2 (and supposedly the first one). you got games like Assassin's Creed 2 that are absolute garbage on the PC due to extra security measures against pirating (yes i know its rampant on consoles too but its far easier to do on a PC), not even your precious steam is safe from them. fact is we are just seeing a glimpse of whats to come in the future with PC gaming, PC's are just far to open and Sony proved that by removing 'Other OS'. there probably is more games that come out on PC than consoles if you count all the freeware garbage. to add to it we are starting to see services like OnLive than can play maxed out PC games that would take a PC costing over $1,000 to do for barely a fraction of the price. compare up coming releases on PC to console releases on consoles, there is none if you have good taste. have fun with your outplayed FPS's, MMO's and RTS's.

[BlackBusterCritic]

Lmao, it doesn't matter what came out that year, the point was that the PC gaming market blossomed, and like I said before (which you ignored) its increasing each year. Prospering, not dying like you so ignorantly claimed. But hey, if you think an increase of revenue from $10.7 billion(2007) to $13.1 billion(2009) is signs of a dying market, then you need help. XD And are you really being surprised that a good PC game is being ported to consoles? It really doesn't matter, its like taking a cup of water from a LAKE. So Assassins Creed 2 is garbage because DRM requires you to be connected to the internet in order to play? If that's a problem for you, then pay yo damn bills so your internet doesn't get shut off. XD But if it really is a problem, do what I did. Buy the game, and get a crack for it. And yes, there are hoards more games on PC than consoles, and no I was not counting the free-ware, but then again games like Alien Swarm are FREE GAMES released by devs like VALVE. ^_^ Onlive is great, I'm running it on my PC now with a FREE 1 year subscription. You say its going to replace $1000 (LMAO!!) PCs? Onlive is going to affect consoles too. XD And seriously, anyone that CLAIMS to be a PC gamer, but the words "$1000 PC" come out of their mouths reveal themselves to be a poser. =D You can get Crysis to run on High with a $300 PC:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
And now you're being hypocritical! You said: "like what? everyone has opinions, you favorite game might be someones most hated. what defines a "GOOD" game for you? a rating?"
And now you say: "compare up coming releases on PC to console releases on consoles, there is none if you have good taste. have fun with your outplayed FPS's, MMO's and RTS's."
LMAO!! You are one funny console fanboy, who seems to fear the PC a great deal.

[theroadtoruin]

nice book, i had to go back to cover everything. had to make one last good one before the last bubble huh? lol

first off you keep telling me all these figures with no links or anything to back it up, so is far as im concerned its here-say. and no im not surprised about Witcher coming to consoles, never said i was, more platforms=more $$$ and thats what its all about, son. i do pay muh internet, but what about the people that don't have internet and the people complaining about having problems with the game because of it. its been slammed everywhere, i shouldn't have to go look up pirated cracks for a game i just purchased legally i should have to install it and play it, thats it. i like how you put worlds in my mouth, i never said OnLive would replace a PC, but i do think it will give people a PC experience thats more convenient for a way lower price and i do agree OnLive could affect console gaming as well. as far as when you said: anyone that CLAIMS to be a PC gamer, but the words "$1000 PC" come out of their mouths reveal themselves to be a poser." goes, try to find a name brand gaming PC for $300 i dare you, of course you can build a cheaper rig yourself, but does everyone have the knowledge to do so? i personally did build my PC for $300 with a Nvidia motherboard and graphics which is a 9500GT 2gig and a AMD Phenom II 3.2 and can only play Crysis on medium, so then someone like me that wants to play on high has to sink even more money into their PC not knowing they could have gotten cheaper better hardware. as for me being "hypocritical" i never said they were better games i said COMPARE them, what i ment there's way more variety on consoles, just like i said have fun playing your FPS,MMOS, and RTS cause that the majority of the games today. i love how you twist my words for your benefit.

im not the fanboy i own all systems and even most classic ones and play each of them all the time, you seem more like the fanboy replying to comments writing a book in defense of the PC, i clearly stated my opinion from what i see and i stand by it, im going off personal experience and don't need numbers to see that somethings not delivering like it once was.

it seems like you fear the experience the console gives you is surpassing PC in all areas besides your oh-so precious graphics, which mean dirt without gameplay. consoles keep getting closer to a PC experience with convenience wile the PC stays the PC.

[GusBricker]

Deus Ex.

Greatest.Game.Ever.

[TABSF]

PC it only does everything

[DirtyLary]

I think Blizzard and Valve have something to say about this.

[Zinc]

How can a platform that is responsible for more sales than all console platforms combined, be dead? Somebody, please explain.

[XxZxX]

starcraft II say SCV good to go Sir

[mcnablejr]

but that really isn't helping.

[Letros]

He's pointing out that PC games can sell if done right and marketed correctly(I'm not just talking about advertising).

[joypads]

but sadly PIRACY is bigger dominating the market.

i would say 75% of the PC market been pirated.

[Pumbli]

Please share your sources.

I might as well throw some random stuff into a post too... Hmm.

The fruit market might not be BANANAS
but sadly MONKEYS are bigger dominating the market.

I would say 75% of the fruit market are monkeys.

[Xfanboy]

lol!!!

[Zinc]

I know if I ran a game developing company, I would want to work with a platform that gives me total freedom and no built in royalties or additional fees for updates on my product. Now... where could I find that... hmmm... boy, this is a tough one...

Oops how foolish of me, of course, PC.

You will never have that with a console. That's why an open platform, like the PC, is so attractive to developers.

People can argue about input schemes and who gets to be more comfortable sitting where, and all kinds of down right pointless crap. But, in the end, you can't argue with cold facts.

You can plug your PC into anything. You can sit/stand/lie on anything while gaming on a PC. You can game with prettier graphics on a PC. You can experience it longer and better with mods on the PC. You can work a spreadsheet, while playing a AAA title on your PC... at the same time. You have more choices of styles and genres of games on the PC. You can play games cheaper on the PC. You don't have to pay anything extra for online with your PC. You will even be able to use motion control on your PC (currently being developed by Razer, Sixsense and Valve).

You see, the thing is... PC is still the king. Hail to the king, baby.

That being said, I still like console gaming. I just understand the facts.

[Xfanboy]

Without future PC tech MS & Sony won't know what to do!! PS3 would just be a dvd player no cpu,gpu,hdd or ram!! whats left?? Move?? lol!!!

[ElementX]

Another week, another "PC gaming isn't dead" article.... *yawn*

[Xx Ziyad xX]

i love my PC just my old PC can run games on medium or low .. every thing in very low just sad :(.

[Xfanboy]

http://www.gametrailers.com...

[cjg23]

No platform is safe more people are modding consoles and bit torrenting their games.

[AEtherbane]

... starcraft 2

[hennessey86]

is i cant afford a decent gaming pc so for me yes pc gaming is dead but in the grand scheme of things its the pc that drives the gaming industry forward including console hardware.

[dirthurts]

It's hardware junkies who will never let the pc market die.
Power! Power!
Muwaaahaaahaaaahahahaha!
It lives it lives!...
Oh sheet...
I think I blew another board...
back to newegg it is...
muwuhuhuhu

[ufo8mycat]

PC market isn't dead, it's just not doing anywhere near as good as consoles.

Sales wise it is doing pretty poorly (even including steam sales).
Game wise, it's even weaker.

There are hardly any great games on PC, that people can't already get on PS3/360.
Starcraft 2 is one. The upcoming Diablo 3 is another. Thats only 2 great exclusives and the latter isn't even out yet!.

Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying Starcraft 2 on my PC, but the lack of games for the platform is disappointing.

[Letros]

You have no idea how many games sell on Steam, nice try troll.

[crck]

"There are hardly any great games on PC, that people can't already get on PS3/360."

Yes and often times they get the crap version and pay $10 more for it.

[yamzilla]

people are so blind it is staggering.... 212 MILLION people have gaming PC's worldwide, how many 360's, wii's and ps3's are there...here's a clue...not that many, more people worldwide game on pc than all current gen consoles COMBINED!!!

The PC market trashes the console market in quality and sales.

World of Warcraft alone makes more money in a month than the profits of xbox360 for 1 quarter...that's one freaking game......

PC hardware (i.e. gpu's, cpu's, ram, mobo's, Hard drives, ect.) sell more $$$ worth of parts every month than the 360,wii, and ps3 combined.

Not to mention, the quality of 95% of console games is JUNK!!

540p,576p,600p,640p,720p...th ese are dated resolutions and that is ALL you get on console. I don't even have a set that displays that low, the only time i game below 1080p is for the one or two console exclusives that intrest me.

Maybe next gen the consoles will be relevent graphically again, right now they are a joke besides uncharted and killzone....btw...alan wake...lol...540p...gross

here are some REAL figures for you to try to grasp;

The PC Gaming Alliance (PCGA), a nonprofit corporation dedicated to driving the worldwide growth of PC gaming, today unveiled its Horizons Hardware research report, an exclusive research study encompassing major aspects of the PC gaming hardware industry worldwide.

Among the key findings: Annual shipment volumes for the PC Gaming hardware market in 2009 were over two times larger than the combined Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 console units shipped in the same period. This trend for the PC Gaming hardware market to outpace all console shipments combined is expected to continue through the forecasted period of the research. In addition, revenues from consumer PCs capable of gaming that shipped with a discrete GPU (excludes Netbooks and integrated graphics-based PCs) totaled approximately $54.6 billion in 2009 and are forecasted to grow to $61.3 billion by 2014. These revenue figures are based on an estimated 61.5 million PCs (Desktop and Laptops) shipped in 2009 that can largely be associated with PC gaming as a key usage scenario.

The report also estimates the worldwide number of consumers gaming with discrete graphics solutions on their PCs (Desktop and Notebooks) to be 212.6 million for 2009 and expects this to grow to about 322 million by 2014. The report also includes detailed breakouts of various PC configurations (e.g. Basic, Mass Market, etc), by form factor and by geographic territory.

2x console hardware sales combined!!!

Suck it!!

[Skynetone]

i dont know, some mothers do ave em

after you kill the wicked witch, make sure to grab her shoes

[Nihilism]

*generic outraged comment*

[Zinc]

Just think if someone wrote articles and made comments by the 100's about how console gaming is dead... Does anybody see how stupid this is, or am I alone in a vast wilderness? Go West my son.

Nothing is dead. Nobody is dying. The sky is not falling.