2 things that will keep pc gaming alive for many more years

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

STEKSTAV said:

Kenryoku_Maxis said:

You're talking about your personal opinion of why you think certain genres of games play better on PCs (mostly all of them apparently).  This thread, and the original points brought up, were that PC dominated certain genres and only needed those genres to survive.  Neither is true, as console games are heavily invested in those genres and many of those genres, console games sell way better than PC (such as RPGs).

Your personal opinion on PCs being 'superior' aside, you need to look at the big picture.  Just because you like games on PC doesn't mean they are selling well or better on PC.  Because they aren't.

Question 1: The OP claimed that two genres would keep the PC alive.. two game genres that is hard for developers to make decent on Consoles, right? Why? Because they wouldn't sell well, or because they wouldn't play well?

Question 2: Why do you feel that PC control the the FPS genre? Why? Because they sell well, or because they play well?

The OP claimed that two generes plays better on PCs than consoles and such the PC will stay alive due to consoles inability to recreate a decent game within those genres. 

Question 3: So by now you've most likely written "Because they play better". So if the PC have more RPGs (MMORPGs alike), and controls that plays better within that genre. How come consoles have the upper hand?

Im not saying that Console RPGs like Fable etc would play better on PCs, or that the difference between PC RPGs and Console RPGs are as big as PC RTS and Console RTS. But i find it somewhat contradicting to say that something that within the RPG gener has a the bigger quantity of games aswell as quality, would be "inferior" to something that is second in just that. Dosen't add up. Even more so when you yourself said that FPS is a PC genre when Console FPS are far bigger and closer to PCs than Console RPGs.

I would say I contradicted myself, but simply by saying one word wrong.  Instead of saying 'control', I should have said PC has better 'support' of FPS.  Though obviously, as you said, FPS on consoles are selling much better.  But since many of the FPS are being developed for both PC and then being put on the consoles at the same time (same game for both platforms), that's kind of the reason FPS are still more of a PC genre.  Not to mention many of the biggest FPS developers develop mostly PC games.

Also, both the genres the OP stated can and have been made on consoles well.  I don't think games like FFXI, Phantasy Star Online or Monster Hunter Tri lack anything that makes them a viable MMO.  RTS however can be debated as being better played on a PC, though there are console games which have used the setup, such as Pikmin and Little King's Story.  And put their very own spin on it.

But no matter how you slice it, whether you're looking at RPGs by their sales, 'support' or just plain number of titles released, consoles outnumber PC RPGs.  Its been that way ever since the mid 90s.  Heck, even the major innovators and game series which STARTED RPGs on PC (games like Wizardry and Ultima) moved to consoles in the mid 90s, mostly to increase their sales as the PC market is just smaller than that of the console market.  So unless you take into account those small, independantly developed PC RPGs, then console RPGs outnumber them.

Renelius said:

V-r0cK said:
If people, like me and million others, can change their FPS from "keyboard & mouse" to "controller" im sure it can be done for MMO and RTS.

I think many people are neglecting to see what makes PC gaming unique. While MMOs and RTS games are waaaaay better on PC, it has nothing to do with the platform itself, but everything to do with the improved control scheme provided by a KB and mouse. That said, why are all these publishers trying to dumb down RTS and MMO games to meet the limitations of a controller when modern gaming systems all feature USB ports that are more than capable of supporting a KB and mouse if the manufactureres decided to support them? Why can't you hook up a KB and mouse to play console FPS games if you so desire? I was sure that was something that we were going to see this gen, now I highly doubt it.

Should consoles ever start supporting KB and mouse contol, then PC gaming's future will really become uncertain imo. But until then, most hardcore MMO, RTS and yes, FPS gamers will always chose a PC as the platform of choice when a game is released with a PC option.

All the systems last gen, from XBOX to PS2 to even GC and Dreamcast (mostly for Phantasy Star Online) had a keyboard and mouse imput.  It didn't help sell specific games any and the peripherals themselves weren't utilized much.  Console gamers who play online games are playing online games for social interaction and coop play.  While PC gamers are playing the online games with more variables to think about.

In other words, less is more when designing a console game, even an RTS or MMO.  Whereas PC gamers tend to want all that extra stuff.