Tweet
PC gaming doesn't necessarily need fixing. The industry is raking in money, and don't let anyone tell you differently. However, with the demise of Games for Windows/Computer Gaming World magazine, the popularity of consoles, and games that once might have been PC-only appearing on said consoles, sometimes exclusively, a lot of myopic dorks are calling for PC gaming's funeral.
PC gaming is doing fine. Just ask Blizzard.
But if you really, really think it needs an overhaul, there are some aspects in which certain industry professionals seem to have their heads up their wazoos. PC gaming doesn't need to be fixed, but it does need some maintenance work to keep on running smoothly. Here are some areas that could use attention.
OEMs: Stop Using Intel Onboard Graphics
This should be obvious. Yeah, Intel graphics solutions are cheap. And trust me, unsuspecting consumers who think they're getting powerful, up-to-date computers get what they pay for. Simply said, they're crap for games, unless the games are limited to Puzzle Quest and Peggle. If someone who unwittingly bought an Intel graphics-crippled system grew curious about, say, The Witcher or Gears of War, said consumer is out of luck. Computer makers, here this: Put in a real damn graphics card, or make it well known and advertised that your Intel-graphics-laden doorstops are good for nothing besides Web surfing and doing email. Perhaps a giant, neon-orange sign on each PC stating "NOT FOR GAMING" is called for.
Fix the Piracy Problem or Shut Up About it
I, and a great deal of gamers, are so damn sick of hearing developers whine about piracy. Look, if it's that big a deal to you (and noting that unprotected sometimes make a killing), fix it. And I don't mean by making your CD keys 10 digits longer than they are now. In fact, you can shove those CD keys somewhere painful, because they obviously don't work. If you want to stop pirates, quit whining and use your heads. If you can program a game that takes up five gigabytes of my hard drive, you can figure out a way to make it uncrackable without forcing me to stand on my head and recite the alphabet backward to play it. Maybe online distribution is the key, with online components that, unless they're present, cripple the experience. I know that would piss off anyone without a decent online connection, but who cares?
Stop Relying on NPD for Sales Data
Until NPD (National Purchase Diary) starts reporting online sales through Steam, EA's download service, Ubisoft's download service, revenue from MMOs, etc., everything they say about gaming sales is virtually irreverent. I'm not blaming NPD for being myopic; they're selling a half-assed service and making money—I'd do the same thing if I could. No, I'm blaming the huge number of gaming "news" outlets that report everything NPD has to say about gaming as if it were based in reality. Hey, news editors—it's not. Find another source, or start doing your own damn work and polling for real numbers. Here's a hint for the thick headed who can't wrap their brains around what I just said: If World of Warcraft isn't on top of every freaking game sales list every single month, the list is a load of crap.
Somebody Step Up and Advocate
PC gaming is actually in a very good place right now, but there doesn't seem to be anybody saying so. The PC Gaming Alliance has been more or less silent since its big coming out meeting at Game Developer's Conference. It's been a couple of months, but I have a nagging recollection from that meeting that they were supposed to, like, do something? If they're not going to, we need another body that will get the word out to the world that PC gaming is alive, well, and has a solid future.
Stop Taking Sides
This one goes out to all the pasty white nerds who think posting on message boards means something in the real world—shut up. It's perfectly fine to like PC gaming and console gaming—AT THE SAME TIME! I own an Xbox 360, a PSP, a Wii (which, in all fairness, belongs to my son), and several gaming-strength PCs, and I play whatever I feel like when I feel like it. The PC-versus-console debates that pollute geek message boards are moot. There is no reason you have to stick to one form of gaming, and defend it as if it's your sovereign nation. Give up the stupid arguments, try out games on whatever it is you claim to be "against," and you might be surprised; you might actually enjoy it. Just as it's okay to like peanut butter and jelly, it's fine to like PCs and consoles. Give up the debate; it makes you look really, really dumb.
PC gaming is doing fine. Just ask Blizzard.
But if you really, really think it needs an overhaul, there are some aspects in which certain industry professionals seem to have their heads up their wazoos. PC gaming doesn't need to be fixed, but it does need some maintenance work to keep on running smoothly. Here are some areas that could use attention.
OEMs: Stop Using Intel Onboard Graphics
This should be obvious. Yeah, Intel graphics solutions are cheap. And trust me, unsuspecting consumers who think they're getting powerful, up-to-date computers get what they pay for. Simply said, they're crap for games, unless the games are limited to Puzzle Quest and Peggle. If someone who unwittingly bought an Intel graphics-crippled system grew curious about, say, The Witcher or Gears of War, said consumer is out of luck. Computer makers, here this: Put in a real damn graphics card, or make it well known and advertised that your Intel-graphics-laden doorstops are good for nothing besides Web surfing and doing email. Perhaps a giant, neon-orange sign on each PC stating "NOT FOR GAMING" is called for.
Fix the Piracy Problem or Shut Up About it
I, and a great deal of gamers, are so damn sick of hearing developers whine about piracy. Look, if it's that big a deal to you (and noting that unprotected sometimes make a killing), fix it. And I don't mean by making your CD keys 10 digits longer than they are now. In fact, you can shove those CD keys somewhere painful, because they obviously don't work. If you want to stop pirates, quit whining and use your heads. If you can program a game that takes up five gigabytes of my hard drive, you can figure out a way to make it uncrackable without forcing me to stand on my head and recite the alphabet backward to play it. Maybe online distribution is the key, with online components that, unless they're present, cripple the experience. I know that would piss off anyone without a decent online connection, but who cares?
Stop Relying on NPD for Sales Data
Until NPD (National Purchase Diary) starts reporting online sales through Steam, EA's download service, Ubisoft's download service, revenue from MMOs, etc., everything they say about gaming sales is virtually irreverent. I'm not blaming NPD for being myopic; they're selling a half-assed service and making money—I'd do the same thing if I could. No, I'm blaming the huge number of gaming "news" outlets that report everything NPD has to say about gaming as if it were based in reality. Hey, news editors—it's not. Find another source, or start doing your own damn work and polling for real numbers. Here's a hint for the thick headed who can't wrap their brains around what I just said: If World of Warcraft isn't on top of every freaking game sales list every single month, the list is a load of crap.
Somebody Step Up and Advocate
PC gaming is actually in a very good place right now, but there doesn't seem to be anybody saying so. The PC Gaming Alliance has been more or less silent since its big coming out meeting at Game Developer's Conference. It's been a couple of months, but I have a nagging recollection from that meeting that they were supposed to, like, do something? If they're not going to, we need another body that will get the word out to the world that PC gaming is alive, well, and has a solid future.
Stop Taking Sides
This one goes out to all the pasty white nerds who think posting on message boards means something in the real world—shut up. It's perfectly fine to like PC gaming and console gaming—AT THE SAME TIME! I own an Xbox 360, a PSP, a Wii (which, in all fairness, belongs to my son), and several gaming-strength PCs, and I play whatever I feel like when I feel like it. The PC-versus-console debates that pollute geek message boards are moot. There is no reason you have to stick to one form of gaming, and defend it as if it's your sovereign nation. Give up the stupid arguments, try out games on whatever it is you claim to be "against," and you might be surprised; you might actually enjoy it. Just as it's okay to like peanut butter and jelly, it's fine to like PCs and consoles. Give up the debate; it makes you look really, really dumb.
Comment