It is hard for me to do so but even I will admit that console gaming is at this moment a much stronger platform than the PC. Many companies are switching from developing on PCs to Consoles and most games that were once thought to be PC exclusives or first releases are now dual released on the console or released with the console in mind (Oblivion and Fallout 3). It sucks to admit this but unfortunately it seems to be a fact.
But to state that PC gamers, especially those who worship the FPS genre are moving to the Xbox360 or the PS3 is simply moronic. Who out there can state that they prefer the 2 or 3 great FPS on the 360 or PS3 over the majority of FPS on the PC and that they prefer to play it with a Controller than a mouse and keyboard? Well Id Software's business development director (and now top class douchebag) Steve Nix believes so. Here is what he had to say about the issue:
March 20, 2008 - According to GamesIndustry.biz, id Software's business development director, Steve Nix, thinks that hardcore PC gamers are moving to the consoles. He believes that the first person shooter genre on the consoles have become too big to ignore.
"I know that I have friends who are considered core gamers, who years ago were just keyboard and mouse guys. Now, when a game ships on all platforms, they buy the console version, even though the PC version is sitting there and they have a PC that would run it perfectly well," said Nix.
Greg Stone of Nerve Software, who is porting Enemy Territories: Quake Wars to the consoles, concurred with Nix's sentiments, "I'm a guy that used to play on PCs, and now I'm totally console… It's so much money to keep up with the bleeding edge of technology on the PC, and it really just is easier to take a console and say, well, this is good enough. I think that's the way it is for me and for a lot of people at this point in time."
My mind was just blown when I read this. His supposed "Core" gamers prefer to buy a FPS on the console over the PC? Either Counter Strike was too tough for these guys growing up or Stevie's friends aren't true PC gamers. Perhaps I'm being stereotypical a bit but I don't know any PC gamer who would prefer to play any FPS with a controller and I can say that with all honesty.
Then his buddy at Nerve Software goes on to stating that PCs cost too much to keep up with. I can understand any console gamer to make this statement and I could understand where they are coming from. But both men work in the PC industry and have been for quite some time so the fact that both of them have fallen into the "PCs are too expensive" crowd just baffles me. Any PC gamer knows how to built a PC for around $700 to $800 and make it last for 2 to 3 years and apparently two guys in the industry don't?
Maybe I am overreacting here but it is guys like Steve Nix who keep forcing the stereotypes of PC gaming when they have no business making comments about it at all. Steve is a business development director and despite him and his so called "core" gamer friends having pro console opinions (which is fine) doesn't give him the right to go to IGN and proclaim the console as the "New King of FPS gaming".
I totally agree with you, I would never give up my kb/m for autoaim joystick controls. I do enjoy playing console FPSes such as Halo and Rainbow Six vegas (I know it was for PC as well but it was designed primarily for the xbox and the PC version was kinda sucky) but if I had the choice between platforms I would choose the PC for my FPS fix, Call of Duty feels so much better with Kb/m over the gamepad.
I don't really have a preferred platform for any specific genre, it just depends on the game. Anything done by Valve or is a major steam release will be purchased for the PC. While others like the Call of Duty games and Timesplitters I'll buy for console. Even though I'll always try to keep a decent gaming rig I have to say that if more developers follow UT3's example and give the option for mods and kb/m support for console games we might see more people forgoing the high-end PC route in favor of consoles.
Don't worry too much, the PC gaming crowd has become very defense due to the baseless cries that PC gaming is dead. Don't worry PC gaming just had to get a knee replacement so that it will have legs for the future.
There are three games that are part of new face of PC gaming WOW, The Orange Box, and Battlefield Heroes. These games will be available to people that don't have the time or money to invest in a over-powered PC computer and the can play them on a basic computer. With a very poor American economy, people are not going to be able to spend money like they used to. For the average gaming consumer, 400 dollars for a console is better than 700 to 800 dollars for two to three years. It is pure economics and nothing else
I guess Steve Nix has joined Cliff "White-Boy Faux-Rapper Nickname" Bleszinski in the Industry Douchebags camp. I can only hope John Carmack doesn't join them. Dude, you were gonna start your company with a PC port of Mario Brothers 3. Don't betray us.
I prefer Halo 3 over the vast majority of pc shooters. Thats not counting Half Life 2, Team Fortress 2, or Cod 4, since they're on console too. That leaves Crysis which is only better single player.
I dont mind using a controller at all, but thats because i started with consoles and moved to pc because my friends all had one. Kb/m is definitely 'better', but i really like how natural and smooth a controller is for movement, and pulling triggers to fire is better than clicking.
But youre right - i would never buy those games i mentioned for console over pc. It depends a lot on the game though(i wouldnt bother with a Halo 3 port, its designed for controllers and most pc gamers just dont like Halo, so the multiplayer would die like Halo 2).
Console versions do have some benefits (these off the top of my head, feel free to dispute them):
- No installs (ps3 notwithstanding)
- One friend system for all your games
- More players for newer games because a) more people can run the game (initially) and b) there are a fuckton of pc gamers who are insane at one game (eg cs 1.6, tf classic) and bitch about nearly any game that is not exactly the same (and dont play it more than 5 min). Consoles dont seem to have this problem as much.
- No upgrades necessary ever. I upgrade when i need to, but i dont like running games badly. With a console, it is kind of nice knowing you couldnt run it any better.
Essentially, i think consoles are drawing away pc gamers who simply dont have the time to put into pc gaming anymore (like adults who have jobs). Consoles are much better for pick-up and play. And when it comes down to it, controllers are nice to use, once you get used to them (kb/m is the same, believe me! going from one to the other is annoying).
Since consoles became popular the PC gamer has been the minority. We will continue to be. All these people are doing is making statements that fit into their business model. The run of the mill FPSes will continue to come out on console, the bleeding edge technology pushing games will always hit PC first.
Well, some people certainly do it. The penny arcade guys, for two.
The simple fact of the matter is though, that even if all PC-bred gamers were to simply magically stop playing games, it wouldn't matter. The number of new players who only know of halo and stuff far outnumbers us. So in that respect it's certainly too big to ignore.
I'm actually glad to see this quote heh. For a while now I've been saying that id really needs to step up their marketing and sell a game. They make these amazing, amazing engines that get no respect because they can't sell games anymore. And now Rage is coming up, which looks rather mediocre, but is sporting the most jaw-dropping engine yet with tons of crazy new techniques and advances in game development - which may not see the light of day (at least, not with idtech5) if they don't sell the damned game.
I find most genres more enjoyable on a console, it's funner to play multiplayer with people in the same room. The controller just works for a lot of games, like fighting games, racing games and platformers. And even if you are playing single player it's fun to interact with people while you are playing. I was playing Lost Odyssey with my wife offering tips and looking up strategies.
That being said, FPS's will always be better on a keyboard and mouse. I can tolerate it on a console. I will play an FPS on a console when it is sufficiently good to warrant me picking it up, because it is more convenient for me than PC gaming. But any game I will be playing multiplayer I will go for the PC first. The only exception is UT3 because I wanted to play with the Dtoid community.
Well I didn't want to come off as PC for FPS 100% because I know some games like Timesplitters and Halo are just a lot more fun on the console. And even though the PC platform isn't going to die out the last thing it needs is "ass hats" like Steve Nix glorifying the console FPS experience.
So just to make sure Im understood I was never bashing the console FPS just defending the PC.
I don't mind playing console fps games, but I definitely prefer the PC for anything I'm serious about. It seems many people have already moved on from the 360 CoD4 - *sniff* I never even got to go prestige once :'( - but TF2 on the PC is still going strong.
That is a nice thing I've noticed about PC multiplayer games: people aren't so quick to stop playing the game in favour of the next big title. Not only do you have the endless possibilities granted by the modding community, but you don't have to worry about crap services like XBL giving you headaches.
Thanks for the reminder about Commander Keen. I wonder if I can get those games running on my DS or Dreamcast... ^_^
This IS the business manager, so money is more interesting than any particular platform, but still, what's with people from Epic and iD pissing all over their PC gaming fans? Nice treatment considering the years of support we've given you. Guess I'll take my business to Valve, Blizzard, and other developers who aren't going to snub their customers.
i just don't understand why exec's and even profession enthusiasts have to slam on the pc all the time? tired of upgrading? then don't! stupid piece of marketing asshole...
but it comes down to personal preference, so lets all be friends and play the fucking games we love the way we love
I keep saying the same thing, anyone with a somewhat recent (2-3 years old) PC can get it to a gaming point with the same or less money investment than getting a PS3 or a 360.
"they buy the console version, even though the PC version is sitting there and they have a PC that would run it perfectly well," That's another thing, what are they considering as running perfectly well? I'm not that much of an enthusiast (although i wouldn't mind having a 9800GX2) but I know I won't get certain games if I'm not sure I can at least play them at 1200X1024 and with at least some of the high settings.
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Now with epic beard...
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A gamer from the South Side of Chicago. Currently going to college for a Computer Science degree and looking into a course for C# certification so I can become a business applications programmer (gaming programming just isn't worth it).
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Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
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I totally agree with you, I would never give up my kb/m for autoaim joystick controls. I do enjoy playing console FPSes such as Halo and Rainbow Six vegas (I know it was for PC as well but it was designed primarily for the xbox and the PC version was kinda sucky) but if I had the choice between platforms I would choose the PC for my FPS fix, Call of Duty feels so much better with Kb/m over the gamepad.
I don't really have a preferred platform for any specific genre, it just depends on the game. Anything done by Valve or is a major steam release will be purchased for the PC. While others like the Call of Duty games and Timesplitters I'll buy for console. Even though I'll always try to keep a decent gaming rig I have to say that if more developers follow UT3's example and give the option for mods and kb/m support for console games we might see more people forgoing the high-end PC route in favor of consoles.
Don't worry too much, the PC gaming crowd has become very defense due to the baseless cries that PC gaming is dead. Don't worry PC gaming just had to get a knee replacement so that it will have legs for the future.
There are three games that are part of new face of PC gaming WOW, The Orange Box, and Battlefield Heroes. These games will be available to people that don't have the time or money to invest in a over-powered PC computer and the can play them on a basic computer. With a very poor American economy, people are not going to be able to spend money like they used to. For the average gaming consumer, 400 dollars for a console is better than 700 to 800 dollars for two to three years. It is pure economics and nothing else
I guess Steve Nix has joined Cliff "White-Boy Faux-Rapper Nickname" Bleszinski in the Industry Douchebags camp. I can only hope John Carmack doesn't join them. Dude, you were gonna start your company with a PC port of Mario Brothers 3. Don't betray us.
I prefer Halo 3 over the vast majority of pc shooters. Thats not counting Half Life 2, Team Fortress 2, or Cod 4, since they're on console too. That leaves Crysis which is only better single player.
I dont mind using a controller at all, but thats because i started with consoles and moved to pc because my friends all had one. Kb/m is definitely 'better', but i really like how natural and smooth a controller is for movement, and pulling triggers to fire is better than clicking.
But youre right - i would never buy those games i mentioned for console over pc. It depends a lot on the game though(i wouldnt bother with a Halo 3 port, its designed for controllers and most pc gamers just dont like Halo, so the multiplayer would die like Halo 2).
Console versions do have some benefits (these off the top of my head, feel free to dispute them):
- No installs (ps3 notwithstanding)
- One friend system for all your games
- More players for newer games because a) more people can run the game (initially) and b) there are a fuckton of pc gamers who are insane at one game (eg cs 1.6, tf classic) and bitch about nearly any game that is not exactly the same (and dont play it more than 5 min). Consoles dont seem to have this problem as much.
- No upgrades necessary ever. I upgrade when i need to, but i dont like running games badly. With a console, it is kind of nice knowing you couldnt run it any better.
Essentially, i think consoles are drawing away pc gamers who simply dont have the time to put into pc gaming anymore (like adults who have jobs). Consoles are much better for pick-up and play. And when it comes down to it, controllers are nice to use, once you get used to them (kb/m is the same, believe me! going from one to the other is annoying).
Im a pc gamer for now though. Long may it last!
Since consoles became popular the PC gamer has been the minority. We will continue to be. All these people are doing is making statements that fit into their business model. The run of the mill FPSes will continue to come out on console, the bleeding edge technology pushing games will always hit PC first.
Well, some people certainly do it. The penny arcade guys, for two.
The simple fact of the matter is though, that even if all PC-bred gamers were to simply magically stop playing games, it wouldn't matter. The number of new players who only know of halo and stuff far outnumbers us. So in that respect it's certainly too big to ignore.
I'm actually glad to see this quote heh. For a while now I've been saying that id really needs to step up their marketing and sell a game. They make these amazing, amazing engines that get no respect because they can't sell games anymore. And now Rage is coming up, which looks rather mediocre, but is sporting the most jaw-dropping engine yet with tons of crazy new techniques and advances in game development - which may not see the light of day (at least, not with idtech5) if they don't sell the damned game.
oh, I forgot to add a comment about how mouse+keyboard is, and always will be, superior to analog sticks. Suck it, Trebek.
I find most genres more enjoyable on a console, it's funner to play multiplayer with people in the same room. The controller just works for a lot of games, like fighting games, racing games and platformers. And even if you are playing single player it's fun to interact with people while you are playing. I was playing Lost Odyssey with my wife offering tips and looking up strategies.
That being said, FPS's will always be better on a keyboard and mouse. I can tolerate it on a console. I will play an FPS on a console when it is sufficiently good to warrant me picking it up, because it is more convenient for me than PC gaming. But any game I will be playing multiplayer I will go for the PC first. The only exception is UT3 because I wanted to play with the Dtoid community.
Well I didn't want to come off as PC for FPS 100% because I know some games like Timesplitters and Halo are just a lot more fun on the console. And even though the PC platform isn't going to die out the last thing it needs is "ass hats" like Steve Nix glorifying the console FPS experience.
So just to make sure Im understood I was never bashing the console FPS just defending the PC.
I don't mind playing console fps games, but I definitely prefer the PC for anything I'm serious about. It seems many people have already moved on from the 360 CoD4 - *sniff* I never even got to go prestige once :'( - but TF2 on the PC is still going strong.
That is a nice thing I've noticed about PC multiplayer games: people aren't so quick to stop playing the game in favour of the next big title. Not only do you have the endless possibilities granted by the modding community, but you don't have to worry about crap services like XBL giving you headaches.
Thanks for the reminder about Commander Keen. I wonder if I can get those games running on my DS or Dreamcast... ^_^
This IS the business manager, so money is more interesting than any particular platform, but still, what's with people from Epic and iD pissing all over their PC gaming fans? Nice treatment considering the years of support we've given you. Guess I'll take my business to Valve, Blizzard, and other developers who aren't going to snub their customers.
i just don't understand why exec's and even profession enthusiasts have to slam on the pc all the time? tired of upgrading? then don't! stupid piece of marketing asshole...
but it comes down to personal preference, so lets all be friends and play the fucking games we love the way we love
I keep saying the same thing, anyone with a somewhat recent (2-3 years old) PC can get it to a gaming point with the same or less money investment than getting a PS3 or a 360.
"they buy the console version, even though the PC version is sitting there and they have a PC that would run it perfectly well,"
That's another thing, what are they considering as running perfectly well? I'm not that much of an enthusiast (although i wouldn't mind having a 9800GX2) but I know I won't get certain games if I'm not sure I can at least play them at 1200X1024 and with at least some of the high settings.