PC Gaming changed, not died.

Over the past few years, theres been a returning myth that PC gaming has died, that its a sinking ship and its best days are behind it. That statement alone has been the longest burning debate between Console gamers and the PC gaming crowed. But how does one understand this large debate? How does one understand the issue and just why are so many saying Pc gaming is dead? Well to get straight to the truth, you gotta go back. Way back. Just how far back? Back to 1983.

You see, Console Gamers and PC gamers have had beef with each other for decades. To see both sides fight each other is nothing new. In fact it was the affordable PC's back in 1983 that could hook up to a TV that almost ruined the Game Industry. Now I dont want to dive in the details of the 1983 crash or any thing. My point was simply that, PC and Consoles have been duking it out for Generations.

PC gaming, was once claimed as the pinnacle of gaming. High Res monitors, fast and powerful graphic cards, new tech constantly releasing. It was a gamers paradise. There was a billion and 1 ways to customize your own personal gaming experience. Not to mention PC gaming had access to the Net and HD graphics long before Consoles! But just why does it seem the tables have turned on our dear PC friends? Well, this is where people go on over a bajjilion debates on whats the issue or is there any issue and this is all in our heads. Now I like to consider my self a rather bold man and have no desire to beat around the bush. So i'm just going to break it down, the truth and straight too it. Whats changed PC gaming so rapidly is at fault for 1 reason. And no, its not because of cost, nor is it about driver support or the constant new tech. Its none of those at all. Its all about...

Platform. Yes PC gaming biggest issue is Platform. You see PC's aren't built from the ground up to play video games. Yes you can play a vast library of games on your PC but gaming isnt the reason why PC are even here today. For the majority of PC owners out there, Gaming is the one of the last things they do with it. PC gamers have to understand. Gaming is a "Feature" for a PC, not the cause. So what does this have to do with the issues of today? Every thing. The PC environment has changed, rapidly at that. A great example is to look back in 2000. Tower PCs where the thing. Powerful, complex, loud and could have "dial up"! Dam were those the days. Now when you step in Bestbuy, you see the store shelves filled head to toe with Laptops, netbooks, slim computers and potable media all in one devices. Poor desktops are lucky now to even have a section.

The PC platform of today is smaller, slimmer. Built around energy consumption in mind and wireless internet is the most demanded feature. To have 1200 watts to power your duel video cards, isnt quite the to have any more. But this is a situation that has forced developers to adapt to the new scenarios. Majority of PC owners today play fun, free, simple and non graphical intense games. Why? Because any one with any PC can play them. This is with out a doubt been the biggest shift for Game developing on the PC.

Every day more and more MMO's become free, every day more and more PC games are now being built around social networking or accessible from a website. Suddenly, trying to push out the biggest graphics yet, isnt really what consumers desire on the PC platform. Some of PC biggest developers see this too. A few good examples would be Valve and Blizzard. Yeah sure Valve Half life 2 engine is old and dated however millions and millions of PC owners have PCs capable of running almost any game released off the Steam Network. Looking at Blizzards latest line up clearly shows off more focus on great visuals with fantastic art then more so on cutting edge graphics that will bring your system to its knees. Sadly those fun loving days of insane powering consuming games that would crush your system for years are fading and fading fast.

This isnt a bad thing. No not in the least. Theres still going to be several developers looking to create some high end games for PCs but at the same time are also releasing those same titles on Consoles as well. They do this not in spite of PCs but rather they have to for sales. The pool of high end PC owners is growing smaller each days. As PCs are becoming even smaller and slimmer, so are the limitations. Tablets the now must have craze, are setting back high end games even further.

So basically, the bottom line is. PC gaming is going to be around forever, its not dying. There will always be some high end titles to push the hardware but as the PC platform continues to change, so does the Games. But as this rate continues, if your looking for mind blowing visuals, you'll have to find that on a Console as soon enough PC will be nothing more then a slim board that only does social networking and the internetz.