If you had asked me on New Years Eve if PC gaming would still be around in 2010, I would have told you to stop bugging me and let me enjoy the party; but if pressed for an answer I would probably have said that PC gaming died when the Xbox360 and PS3 were released.
However, after what the Got Game crew saw recently, I am not totally sure if PC gaming is going to go the way of the dinosaurs after all. You see Samsung and NVIDIA are partnering up to put console gaming in it’s place by offering the public true 3D gaming out of the box.
Samsung does this by bringing their new 120Hz LCD monitor, the 2233RZ, to the table.
And NVIDIA seals the deal with their GeForce 3D Stereo Glasses.
Together they provide actual 3D gaming that works right out of the box… well, almost. As with all PC gaming, “right out of the box” is a relative term. Before you can game in the 3rd dimension, a few things will be needed.
However, chances are good that your computer is already 3D compatible (and all you need are the glasses and monitor). I would suggest checking out NVIDIA’s website for the specific requirements, but if you’ve purchased a computer in the last year or so, then you should be good to go. Getting the glasses and monitor will not be that hard either, because 2 or 3 websites are currently offering them as a bundled package for as little as $626.
Now the big question is will 3D graphics be enough to bring the masses back from console gaming? I honestly think that it’s too early to tell either way; because, both sides have their pros and cons.
On one hand, console gaming is true out of the box gaming. Buy it, plug it in, and play; it’s that easy. The only negative side to consoles is that we are officially locked into a 10 year console life cycle. A life cycle that we are not even half way through yet, so what you see in your consoles games today, is what we are stuck with until around 2015.
On the other hand, PC gaming is a pain in anyone’s rear end to get working. The average computer is a Frankenstein monster of parts that usually refuses to work together, and it’s also more expensive then console gaming. However, PC games can continuously improve on sound, graphics, and general game play. 3D graphics could just be the tip of the iceberg in regards to what PC gaming could offer us between now and 2015.
In the end, I would simply say that the next time you’re in a position to buy a new platform for your gaming needs, don’t run out and buy a console automatically. Take a second to ponder the fact that true 3D gaming is not science fiction anymore; it works today.
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I have only heard your show a handful of times over the past few weeks but I find it very odd you hardly ever discuss PC games and any real gamer knows the best games are on PC. I understand that the bulk of marketing and game development nowadays is aimed at consoles but there is no advantage to a console over a PC besides the lower cost and easy-use. It really is a dumbed down PC. I mean over half the games that come out on consoles are horrible. They revolve around you pressing a sequence of buttons leading to a cut scene..leading to more button pressing..leading to another cut scene. The only games better on consoles are sports games.
I don’t mean to be overly critical but there are so many great games being developed and released and I have never heard any of you discussing them. Instead one of your experts seems obsessed with EA sports Nascar? and another is an avid Wii user?
I just don’t feel you guys accurately report on what is going on in the gaming world.
Last time I listened to your show you were discussing left for dead and none of you addressed the fact, that besides the ease of multiplayer, the game sucks. There is no weapon variety and each map basically plays out the same way. It’s a bust as a FPS, it’s great for pick-up play with friends.
Anyway I will continue to listen to the show but I am not sure what kind of “game experts” you have on. They sound more like a host, a guy who loves his Wii and a dude who likes Nascar.
- AbidThis may seem jumbled but I’ll try my best to stay coherent.
Yes, I agree that the PS3 and 360 put a dent in PC gaming. However, PC gaming is not dead by a long shot. I don’t think that PC gaming is waiting for a revival.
For the reasons stated in the article, as well as, if you believe there is a category of gamer called “hardcore” [or more serious players], they are PC gamers. 360 & PS3′s self-titled “hardcore gamers” are kidding themselves. PC Games are more complex, longer, more involved, faster and much harder to master. Console games, for the most part, no matter how detailed and precise are in the end, a watered down, simplified and forgiving versions of its PC equivalent/counterpart.
I’m not trying to bad mouth console gaming, I’m just trying to point out that the more serious gamer, a “hardcore” gamer if you prefer the term, is a PC gamer. Every advantage of console gaming that can be listed boils down to, it’s simpler.
For serious/hardcore gaming, consoles cannot compete with PC gaming and don’t seem like they ever will be since consoles gaming looks as if they’re trying to get simpler and simpler which is where the 3D Vision for PC comes in.
Unless it can used in some way that enhances the gaming experience without watering it down [essentially, a gimmick to pull in casual gamers] and keeping it very competitive, it will be discarded pretty quickly.
Abid – I disagree with your reviews comment. It’s a 60 minute show on the radio, once a week. I think discussing hot games and very brief details about graphics, sound, FUN, etc is all you can realistically expect. I would like to see more detailed reviews for the games online in the future. Overall, I would prefer that the show stay focused on gaming issues more than game reviews.
- sLGood to hear your thoughts, Gentlemen…
I used to be into PC gaming, but found that my computer would get too out-dated to keep up with the demand of the biggest and best games. With a console, I’m sitting pretty day in and day out.
Plus, I can play on my beautiful big screen… and not my 22″ widescreen monitor ducked into my office.
But that’s just me.
As for the gaming news to reviews… we’ve found, based on people at The Fan, and listeners who have e-mailed us, that they want to hear our thoughts on how the games play. Especially the sports games, or any big title just getting released.
It is our goal to expand those reviews onto the blog… but time is very tough to come by. However, we’re obviously looking to increase the quality of the online portion of Got Game, so please keep checking in, and keep the faith.
We shall deliver.
And when it comes to the news… we do our best to get the big stories in there, and then offer our opinions on them. We only have so much time to discuss everything.
By all means… keep commenting, keep e-mailing… and we will try our best to cover everything you want to hear.
- Zack CooperI agree, PC gaming is pretty expensive to keep up to date with. Which is why I maintain that serious/hardcore gamers would be the only type of player to keep up and drop that kind of cash.
- sLWill see if On-live changes the way PC gaming is going
- Jushinyes, it will be VERY interesting to see how well gaming-on-demand works from your TV set.
- Zack Cooperoh one more thing enjoy your last generation of consoles!
- dreamhunkYou know what Dreamhunk? I would not mind one bit if this was the last generation of consoles.
My loyalty has always been to software, not hardware. As long as I can play the games I want to play, I have no problem playing them on a PC.
And it is possible that this COULD (not will) be the last console generation. Jushin is completely correct with what he said in comment #5. We will just have to sit back and see how the cloud gaming service, known as On-Live, changes how we play games.
- Bryan Calhounhere is the cold hard facts microsoft and sony have lost not millions but billions on consoles.
microsft 10 billion and counting
sony 7 billion and counting
In fact microsft the only year microsft was in the red was 2008. I am sure their share holders are real happy at the billions on dallars lost on consoles.
here is some real good links here.
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/05/e3-predictions/
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/video-game-makers-seeing-red/
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3174841
microsoft have lost so much money on console guess what they are trying to force pc gamers in to buying consoles.
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/39622/Microsoft-Explain-PC-Game-Release-Delays
so yea enjoy your consoles I like to see more companies go bankuprt it’s fun to watch a mircosft and sony who such powerful companies get dis figured.
Oh the ps3 is a marketing failure it’s been in the red ever since it came out ahahaha what a joke.
- dreamhunkIn fact microsft the only year microsft was in the black was 2008. I am sure their share holders are real happy at the billions on dallars lost on consoles.
I mean to say. yea c gaming going the way of the dinsour is not going to happen any time wishful thinking.
It is only more proof the media in the game industry is a joke.
- dreamhunkoh by the way console gaming is soooo great and doing so well guess there is no new consoles at E3 this year lol they need a 10 year cicyle because they are not making any money. ahahahahaha
ahahahahahahaha this link here pretty much shows the state of consoles and it’s so funny
http://kotaku.com/5297023/colbert-mocks-project-natal-debuts-new-xbox
- dreamhunkoh just to put the nail in the coffin for consoles I have a very nice link for you the death of consoles
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/consoles-could-soon-become-niche-products-playfish
ahahahahahahaha
- dreamhunkNice to see you guys care what we think, as I mentioned I didn’t mean to come across as overly negative.
I guess PC gamers are a bit overly sensitive (proof in dreamhunk’s posts) that most ppl consider console’s the heart of gaming.
- AbidOf course we care what you guys think, Abid.
Like Zack always says, this is a show by gamers, FOR GAMERS.
So keep writing us at gotgame@fan590.com and tell us what you like or don’t like, and we will tweak the show to fit in as much as we can.
- Bryan Calhoun…but don’t be scared to leave your posts on the blog, either.
I’m off to Greece, peoples! We’ll do it up when I get back!
All the best.
- Zack Cooper-Zack
Great site…keep up the good work.
- Bill BartmannGreat site…keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
A definite great read…
-Bill-Bartmann
- Bill Bartmann