[ChrisJ]

Australian PC World has an interesting article about the death of PC and hardcore gaming. They blame it all squarely on Nintendo. Thoughts? You can read the article here.

[smax013]

I wouldn't say that the article claimed that PC gaming and hardcore console gaming would "die", but rather that would fad into niche markets. And the article nominally claimed that PC gaming already was a niche market.

I would further argue that it might be more a matter of perspective. I would hazzard a guess that likely raw sales/marketing levels for hardcore & PC gaming is largely unchange when you compare sales numbers of such games/hardware to previous years...where the difference is that the sales numbers for "casual" gaming has dramatically increased from where it was. In other words, the hardcore & PC gaming markets have likely stayed fairly level, but the casual gaming market has exploded.

As case in point, I had never bothered to have a gaming console back when gaming consoles were for "hardcore gaming", but I did finally get a Wii. And there are a lot of people out there like me.

Now, if the game and gaming hardware producers decide it is not worth producing games and hardware aimed at hardcore gaming in the console market, then that market segment could suffer. That, however, could actually help the PC gaming market...in general, the "casual gaming" craze is mainly a console thing...the PC gaming market is still largely aimed at "hardcore" gamers and I don't see a whole lot of signs of that changing. Thus, as the console market starts to cater to the likes of Wii Fit, Wii Sports, and Guitar Hero types at the expense of hardcore gamers, more and more hardcore gamers might turn to PC gaming.

[coastie65]

I doubt it. I have both the PS2 & PS3 as well as the PC. Some games play better on one platform than other. For instance, I prefer playing Tomb Raider on the console rather than the PC because of the control factor. Conversely, I'd rather play Tiger Woods PGA Tour on the PC as I can shoot higher scores on it than I can on the console. For me it is a mater of which platform, console or PC has the best control for a particular game. Fallen Angel : Sacred 2 is out for the PC and is due out for the PS3 & Xbox 360. I have played the original plus the expansion. I haven't decided on the platform I want to play 2 on as yet. I have played "The Witcher on the PC and it is due out for the Consoles this Fall ( Spring in Australia ). Ought to do well though, although it did fine on the PC as far as the controls went. I haven't seen any real downside to either PC or PS3 playing Oblivion as it plays equally as well on either, in my opinion. It is also easier to develope a game for the PC than it is for say the PS3. coastie

[lilxkid24]

I have a PS2 that i do not even touch anymore. I am just done with console gaming and I PC game instead. PC games have better graphics and its more online compared to the PS2.

[SnyperTodd]

Yeah, not a chance. And I highly doubt "hardcore gaming" is on the wane either, as the author believes. There's just no console that is as versatile as a PC. Controls on every game are better on the PC. If you happen to like gamepads, you can get any style for the PC. I had wireless gyro-type controllers back when I still lived with my parents over a decade ago, and there are many more and better ones available now. Certainly, the Nintendo DS and Wii haven't even put a microscopic dent in the hardcore gaming market. There's simply no comparison. The DS isn't even in the same league as a PC or gaming console. Every game I've seen for the Wii looks like a cartoon. And the controls just aren't conducive to truly playing the games. It's more of a toy than a serious gaming console. Just like the article says towards the end of page 1, consoles are for casual gaming. If you really want to be immersed in the game, you've got to play it on a PC. It's far more realistic and more versatile than any console game I've played.

[RonSWinTeam]

I would say PC gaming is far from dead. You?ll always have the people who prefer console or PC, but the fact of the matter is that PC gamers are incredibly dedicated to their PC gaming and have formed great communities around that fact.

One is better than the other, they?re just different.

Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team

[bbvammy]

I play Yu Gi Oh online on my XP

The only thing I use on my Windows. ]:)

[coastie65]

My Nephew had the cards. I didn't know that it had gone to the computer. Right now, I am still updating the Laptop I got for my Mom. That thing has Vista and it is driving me crazy. Setting up the wireless connection was a bear, but finally got it. Been a lot of hiccups along the way that's for sure. :p

[bbvammy]

@coastie
I play Yu Gi Oh online since day one which is about 3 years ago.

I used to be top 100 duelists, but not any more.

My work schedule take lots of my free time to practice. ]:)

http://www.yugioh-online.net/

My handle is BABYVAMMY ( how original )

[lilxkid24]

I haven't played Yugioh in like 5-6 years. Everyone used to play in 5-6th grade. Weird thing is how this year some people started playing again and some were seniors too.

[bbvammy]

@lilxkid24

I never play the paper card, only online.

Its more fun. ]:)

[lynnkauppi]

If it is, then why are there so many 24 PC gaming facilities in the Phoenix area?

Lynn

[Wiseman]

I highly doubt any type of gaming is going to die anytime soon. Games are what keep people preoccupied and it makes people feel good by accomplishing something as most dont get to everyday.

[coastie65]

I agree. I love to game as a diversion. I particularly like a good RPG that I can immerse myself in the story.