The PC is Dead: True or False?
Editorial by Canana on Sep 01, 2010
A console is created so that people can have fun with a gadget dedicated exclusively - rather, especially - to play virtual games. In a way, the PC has always been considered as a device to the world of video games. Machines like the Super Nintendo, the PlayStation 2 and Xbox show that quality can be offered through devices focused on games. However, the architectures between consoles and PCs have become increasingly similar. Nothing better than the devices known as PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 to exemplify this. The truth is that these two consoles are much more powerful than existing computers on the market. The PS3, for example, is capable of running Blu-ray, access the Internet via a web browser, copy and store a variety of reasonably media files ... Finally, the uses are diverse and go beyond "mere" playing games of last generation. The special features really make the difference in time of an acquisition of a platform.
Multiple Functions consist of one of several factors that highlight the reduction in demand for computers as a source to entertainment. The strong piracy has caused many companies to begin to scratch the PC from the list of targets for new products. It's amazing how many people who do not values the fruit of arduous efforts through legal ways to purchase games. As console makers have taken stronger measures to fight illegal sources, PC games distributors also decided to enter the fray with the famous DRM (Digital Rights Management). Thus, there were limitations in the use of games distributed digitally via services like Steam, Valve,etc. Still, piracy is a problem ... Not all companies that focus on the online distribution of games, much as the number of titles available through Steam, has grown so scary. Anyway, times have changed, and the consoles gradually began to take the reign previously occupied by the impetuous PC.
There's a sort of barrier. After all, it's worth to develop a computer game or not? Peter Molyneux, in an interview with Switche found that the games are popping up in computers. Check out some of the words uttered by the head of Lionhead Studios (Fable franchise developer):
"It seems that I was born on the PC. I felt that this thing was quite open and it was great. When I went to the console, I felt I was almost stuck in a box. But know I realize it is solidified - like ' this is the case, that's it, you will have more or less than that. 'It was a good experience. But now they are giving us new pieces of hardware. Kinect, Move. The surprising aspect of the PC, which is not today, is that the gaming experience is reborn on that platform. It seems that everything comes to 'gaming' is radically changing ... And I do not know why all the others, as AAA, can not incorporate this type of interaction. Just imagine: A character on screen able to meet with you, spend time with you, see you, and empathize with you. This changes everything, because there is no art of narrative or character development that is being defined in the film industry - we will be something new and completely different. I really believe that when we get those experiences when you're noticed as a player, we'll have things that are not even in our dreams. "
Many indicate that even the kinect Project - also compatible with computers - will be interesting for the resurgence of the PC as a platform for games. Indeed, several critics and developers suggest that, after this slight decline the computer will gain strength again. The inventor of the first personal computer (Henry Edward Roberts) died at 68 years on 1st April 2010, but the machine remains firmly in the technological universe. Analysis of even powerful notebooks like Dell Alienware M11x, indicate that users of different lifestyles are entitled to have fun with big games. Franchises like Grand Theft Auto had a more impressive start on the PC and then began to make success on consoles. Today, action third-person perspective is a very intense kind outside the PC. Well, the actual GTA IV was only released for PC after a few months after the release of consoles. Darksiders is another example. What kept the computer on active duty during that time in the world of games? Digital distribution, hardware modification, compatibility with more than perfect MMOs (World of Warcraft and its more than 11 million subscribers) ... Finally, the PC is still the best option for many gamers.
John Clark, SEGA's technical director in UK, says: "The PC market is the third in relation to annual performance. There is a decline of 26%, but that does not really reflect the true picture. Trade Digital PC is a viable industry at the moment, but somehow does not appear to Chart-Track (the company responsible for monitoring sales in the area). The block of computers in general, is currently having a much better performance than has been declared and is still a strong and vital area for embarking. Last month shows SEGA's position within that sector. Napoleon: Total War, Football Manager 2010 and Aliens vs. Predator are three different titles in three different genres. All they can lead a strong fan community with the ability to consistently offer several hours of fun. Coincidentally, all are developed in the UK. In 2009, SEGA was the second largest distributor in the computer market. So far in 2010 we are again in second place. "
Yeah, 2009 was quite a year for the PC. The financial crisis hit the world economy in full, for sure, but the market for computer games was not that bad. The organization known as the PC Gaming Alliance showed that worldwide revenues in this sector - including digital sales, subscriptions, micro-transactions and online advertising - was $ 13.1 billion (about U.S. $ 23.1 billion at the current exchange rate), which indicates an increase of 3% compared to 2008. Not bad, huh?
The analyst at Wedbush Morgan, Michael Pachter told GameTrailers that the industry is in decline in the PC and the main reason is the constant improvement of the consoles over time, while the PS3 and Xbox 360 are more powerful than the least eight out of ten computers. "If you take into account only the products sold physically in the PC market - and not only World of Warcraft - this represents only 6% or 7% of total sales. This is an industry in decline, because you can have an experience close to PC in a console. "
The analyst says that the PlayStation 3 is a very powerful equipment, and is probably more powerful than 90% of PCs out there. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 is technically superior to about 85% of home computers. Pachter also says that the audience for consoles is wider and makes the video game table may be more attractive to developers and distributors.
You believe that the PC is in decline, has never been weak or has always been the most significant platform for gaming?
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