With the advent of high powered game consoles like the Playstations and Xbox's we have seen less and less in the PC gaming world. Less titles. Less games worth playing. Less everything. While it is understandable from a business standpoint, it is disturbing to a gamer and consumer. There is a lot more money for devlopers in console titles than PCs. That can't be denied. But there are still a LOT of PC gamers out there. Less money in PC game sales means nothing can probably be done to increase the number of titles, but there is enough money to justify at least proper attention to content, quality and support. Sadly, more and more this has not been the case.

Take for example the Battlefield series. Battlefield 2 was wildly popular because content and quality were top notch. (Support is another matter alltogether.) Along comes BF 2142. While it was a "pretty" game, content and everything else was crap. You don't have to look any further than the number of games sold and people playing to understand this. Now take into account that the long awaited 1.5 patch for BF2 is still not out and a disturbing picture begins to come clear. Many of the companies creating PC titles have let content, quality and support slip. A lot. I know EA and Dice spent a lot on 2142, but letting support slip for BF2 is inexcusable. There are nearly as many active servers now as there were in the first year, But EA and Dice have seen fit to ignore BF2 to save money and support only one title in the franchise. Now I will give them credit as there was not supposed to be another patch. Originally yes, but soon after the release of 2142 that was scrapped. It is only now on the heals of 2142's failure and BF2's steady popularity that they have seen the light. Too bad they needed something dropped on their heads to get the clue.

The reason behind the title of my post is that more and more I am seeing  "eye candy" and "pretty" games take the place of quality content and games with high replay value. I accept that there are exceptions, but exceptions to the rule being the majority that they are is unacceptable in the light of the amount of money still made in PC games. I long for the days when you went into Best Buy and there were two FULL aisles of games and so many good ones you had to budget your money to afford them all.

Although FPS seems to have migrated to the console recently there's still a huge market for MMO's and RTS for the PC. MMO's always make quite a bit more profit than other games (monthly fee, woohoo!). Wouldn't worry about the PC too much just yet, it is still a very attractive platform. Additionally with the architecture of consoles now mirroring that of the PC, multiplatform releases are quite easy. Personally I'd rather fewer games of higher quality than the mosh of garbage with a few gems that there used to be.

there are a few FPS games comming out this year that i think will be great games...

I will agree that quality is better than quantity. It just seems to me that there are too few quality games coming out these days. There were planety of crappy games in the days I spoke of, but there were a lot more good ones too. The PC IS still an attractive market. That's what annoys me to some degree. Even though there are a lot of PC gamers out there and money to be made, game companies still give PC gamers the short end of the stick. I can't say much about MMOs and RTSs as I don't play them. And I'm glad I don't I would never pay a monthly fee to play a game. I know there are a few good FPSs coming. That's the problem Too few.

The funny thing is that after the Xbox (orginal) I never bought the "nex-gen" console and was converted into a pc gamer. Though there are some games really I want that aren't for the pc...

Anyways, there is a cause for concern with the pc gaming industry. Why do you think big companies like Intel, Nvidia and many others formed some thing called a PC Gaming Alliance in order to "drive the growth of pc gaming"? I first heard of this a while back and haven't heard any news about them since. But the point is, there is a decline that is big enough to catch the eyes of many big companies who are invested in PC gaming. Hopefully this alliance that they formed will help us pc gamers.

I haven't heard anything about the PC Gaming Alliance in awhile either. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has seen a negative trend.

I can't wait to replay GTA IV when it eventually comes out for the PC!

recoveringknowitall:

I can't wait to replay GTA IV when it eventually comes out for the PC!

Rejoice then, because it's November:

http://pc.ign.com/articles/896/896807p1.html

I don't think pc gaming is going anywhere. I have a friend who plays only consoles He has a PS3, Xbox 360, and a Wii. When I got my 8800 gts it was $300 and he asked my why I blow my money on pc gaming. He payed $500 for the PS3 $300 for the 360, and $200 for the Wii. The controllers for the next gen consoles are like $60 he has four for each platform. We both play UT3 and he payed $60 for it on the 360. I payed $30. Plus he has to pay a fee on top of internet just to play online.

 I don't think I'm going console anytime soon. When your in a closed network like that you get nickled and dimed to death. I love my pc!

As far as pc gamers getting the short end. I don't really think we do. Look at the Team Fortress 2. There are like 4 new maps plus hundreds of community made maps. New weapons and new achivements. Valve came out and said that they had to charge console gamers if and when they get the new content.

That's cool that Valve is doing that but again I think it is an exception to the rule. I don't think PC gaming is going away either, but I do think we are getting the short end. Just my opinion though. I find it humorous that console gamers somehow think they are getting off cheaper.

I've been as big a proponent of PC Gaming as anyone since back when I used to spend marathon sessions playing the various Ultima installments and since I played my first online game: Starsiege Tribes. I still prefer it mainly because of the communities surrounding the games and the player created content. I'm still a member of my original Tribes 'clan'. It speaks volumes about the gaming community that even though we haven't competed in an online game since Tribes back in the late 90's, we're still together and chat every day.

However, I'm now a console gamer. Don't get me wrong, I still occasionally hop in TF2 or Savage2 but for the most part, my PC gaming sessions are limited to games I can play in a quick half hour. Gone are the marathon sessions. I've also found that I don't miss installing games, having to tweak .ini files or registries or what have you to get acceptable performance, no more bothering with video drivers, sound drivers, or driver conflicts. PC gaming is great but it can also be a bit of a ***.

With console gaming (PS3 is my flavor of choice), I just pop in the game and play. In addition, I've found some great games that are unique and offer up great gameplay. Pixeljunk Monsters, Super Stardust HD, Uncharted, are just a few. I look forward to LittleBigPlanet coming out in September as well.

My initial investment was considerable, however I bought my lightly used original 60GB PS3 on eBay which was included with an HDMI cord, 2 controllers, God of War 1 & 2, Resistance: Fall of Man, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Oblivion, and 8 Blu-Ray DVDs for $600.00. I think I made out like a bandit.The only money I've spent on the PS3 since is on new games like CoD4, Heavenly Sword, GTA 4, etc.

Granted the games are expensive, but for someone like me with limited gaming time, it's not like I'm buying a game every month. One game lasts me quite awhile and the novelty games available on PSN (like Pixeljunk Monsters) are great filler. Plus, I far prefer sitting on the couch playing a game on my 50" Panasonic Plasma as opposed to in a computer chair (even if it is a Herman Miller Aero) and a 19" monitor. I definitely prefer a mouse/keyboard over a gamepad but many games now (for PS3, not sure about 360) are building in functionality for keyboard/mouse options. Unreal Tournament 3 provided such support.

The Playstation Network was also a factor in my purchasing a PS3 over a 360. The PS3 is more expensive which means that it's prone to being purchased primarily by people who have jobs; older and more mature people. I've experienced Halo on XBOXLive! at a friends house and I'd go out of my mind if I had to play with the trash that populates XBOXLive! Also, I too am opposed to charging for online play and the PSN being free was a big influencer in my decision. It's one thing to pay $15 bucks a month to play WoW, but to have to pay a fee just to play ANY game online? No thanks, I'll pass.

When I factor the money I've spent over the years on new PC's and upgrades, there is absolutey no doubt that I've spent more on PC Gaming than console gaming. I expect the PS3 to last me 10 years (Sony expects the PS3 to have a 10 year life cycle in terms of relvance), so even if I compare that to the last 10 years of PC gaming, console gaming is still cheaper. And with an X800XT and other antiquated hardware, I'd have to upgrade my entire PC in order to sufficiently enjoy the new crop of games. I still haven't played BioShock, Crysis, and many other games on the PC because my system is not up to minimum specs. However I don't have that problem with the PS3.

PC gaming will always have a place in my heart and I will always partake in it occasionally, however the convenience of a console is undeniable and appropriate for where I am in my life where I have bigger priorities that take up most of my time such as starting a family and don't have all day to game anymore.

Very good argument and heck of a deal for all those games. I also play games on my HDTV. A 42" samsung. I have my computer hooked up to it.

I agree that Xbox live has nothing but 13 year olds making gay jokes. I have not tried the PSN.

 I have to say though as far a the 10 year thing. Just like a pc if in 5 years they release a new console your going to be stuck with the not so nice looking games and feel the need to upgrade. My girlfriend plays on a 7600GS and my mom plays on a 9800 pro(yes ATI) They both love there gaming experience. They don't play Assassins Creed but nether do PS2 owners. I don't upgrade very often and when I do my parts get passed to my family. I think it balances out. I buy a lot of games and the savings add up a lot more for me than it would for you.