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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.

Read the interview Consoles as We Know Them are Gone with Alex St. John.

There you have it. A few ways to "fix" PC gaming, as if it needed fixing, which it doesn't. It could use an oil change and a chassis lube, but it's not time to trash your gaming PC forever. Not yet, anyway.

Dartz

PC gaming will be around as long as consoles lack mods, keyboards, and mice. Ever played an RTS on a console? Not fun at all.

__________________
I don't believe that computer games cause violence but they add an additional amount of creativity to it. - Blanka

I don't know anything about PSPs or homebrew modding, please don't ask me about it.

alexfardreamer@aol.com

One thing I never understood is the whole "taking sides" issue. I play PC games only because (a) consoles are pretty pricey and so are games, (b) the controllers are usually hard for me to use, and (c) even when I do play games, it's because I have a few hours to kill, which is rare for me. I don't have anything against gamers who like consoles, and in fact I would like to have a console someday.

As for what Senior Member Dartz says, I second the motion/agree with his post heartily.

devil976

I dont get why some of developers dont even make their games for PC. I mean they are obviously losing out on revenue. Thats just plain stupid.

As regards to piracy, its never going to stop. If you dont protect your product properly then expect someone to crack it. Crying about it is not going to stop people. You cant prosecute everyone that pirates games. The industry needs to come up with a innovative solution rather than the same lame ass protection schemes.

Postman

Great post!
I think that it’s nice of you to post that here. Someone may find it useful. I never used my computer solely for the use of computer gaming. I’m using most of the time for my online business and some jobs to with.

Tommy

Game designers should go back to basics. Graphics and sound should be designed to create an ambience. If you enter a church for instance, it should feel like a church. A deserted church shouldn't feel the same as a church that's actively maintained.

scribesunlimited

Fix the piracy issue? May as well stop the mob in NYC or drug dealing in Columbia. In fact, that might be easier! Face it. With a long tough economy still ahead, I think piracy is going to be a huge problem this summer when the kids get out of school.

Dartz

They should also respect the fact that not everyone has 9.3ghz Processors, 3gig of RAM, x64 speed CD/DVD drives, Videocards that render all 123000 polygons on Kong's left testicle, and the right OS.

I mean, PCs are extremely powerful compared to just 5-6 years ago, so why try and use 190% of its resources? Look at Neverwinter Nights, brilliant graphics to it and it was released back in what, 2002?

Find a way for PCs to harness the power of a console, then we'll talk.

__________________
I don't believe that computer games cause violence but they add an additional amount of creativity to it. - Blanka

I don't know anything about PSPs or homebrew modding, please don't ask me about it.

scribesunlimited

I'm a little happier that computer systems have abandoned the 'business' environment lately, and are looking more to attract families, especially when it comes to graphics and hard disk space. Dad can work from home, Mom can check out the newest recipes, and Junior can play video games and catch up on homework. Dear Lord, sounds like a 1950s ad. LOL.

Postman

Not everyone can afford those expensive computers. I think that this is one of the reasons why some people like playing consoles instead of PC games.

The graphics of NeverWinterNights are really good!