[mdlug] BioShock - A DRM experience you don't want to miss

[Rich Elswick]

Actually, PC gaming is not dead, just altered.  For those that follow game
development, you could see this as it is.  Perhaps the traditional way PC
games were played is dead, but not the PC Gaming as a whole.

Think Casual Games.  There are more people playing games on a single web
site portal than there Xbox owners, let alone subscribers.  Pogo,
Kongregate, Jay's Games, etc.... I could list probably 20 without batting an
eye.  Each one of these sites probably get of 10 mil hits per month, so why
not think on that. :D  Lets not talk about WoW...  I haven't even touched on
the free download/web MMO games...

In the end PC Gaming as some of remember it has gone the way of the cassette
player.  Obsolete.  Besides, are not Consoles just computers with set
hardware standards?

So, I disagree, PC gaming is not dead, just altered.  Now if we can just get
better Linux integration... :D

Rich Elswick

On 8/29/07, Joseph Vartanian <jvartanian at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 8/29/07, Ingles, Raymond <Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com> wrote:
> > > From: Jeff Hanson
> >
> > > I predict that more will move to consoles.  Many developers are
> > > targeting them because of better DRM and a more predictable hardware
> > > platform.
> >
> >  Your "prediction" resembles a look into the rearview mirror. :-> PC
> gaming
> > has been on the decline for a while, and consoles are becoming more and
> more
> > where the action is.
> >
> >  In some ways it's sad (I just can't play FPS games with a console
> controller;
> > give me WSAD and a mouse any day) but it does loosen Windows' hold on
> the
> > desktop. PC games will not go away but they will have to find better
> means of
> > handling piracy than the current DRM schemes. I'm actually not too upset
> with
> > Steam, Valve Software's online distribution system. It doesn't take over
> your
> > computer, it just registers and authenticates with a server. You have an
> > account, that's all, just like other services.
> >
> >  There can be problems when you don't have a network available, of
> course, but
> > those are not insurmountable. If they came out with a good Linux
> implementation,
> > I'd be happy. I'm *very much* a proponent of open source, but I don't
> necessarily
> > believe it's the right model for *everything*. Commercial, closed-source
> games
> > do make sense in many cases, though I'd hope that most game companies
> would
> > follow the Id model and release the source for their older games
> eventually.
>
> Agreed.  The consoles are taking over.  After years of playing only PC
> games, I decided I'm not going to bother with them anymore.  I went
> and purchased my first console since the SNES days.  With a console
> you don't worry about all the problems of PC games...you just pop in
> the disc and play.  Not only that, but even the latest and greatest
> console is cheaper than buying gaming rig.
>
> Another important factor is the for years now the biggest advantage of
> PC games has been online gaming.  Now all the latest consoles have
> online gaming.  I would say that XBox Live has even managed to beat
> the PC at its own game.  No pun intended.  Heck, the XBox 360 and PS3
> even have hard drives.
>
> But I don't see the decline in PC gaming hurting Microsoft anytime
> soon.  Microsoft's XBox 360 is the new console king for hardcore
> gamers, and the Wii is king for the family.  Sony's PS3 is struggling,
> and if they don't get their act together by this holiday season, their
> gaming division may just be going the way of Sega.  So Microsoft still
> remains a major figure in the gaming market, and you can thank Sony
> and its huge ego for that.
>
> As for what you said about playing a FPS with a controller, I've heard
> that from a lot of people, including from myself.  I now find that
> it's not nearly as bad as everyone think it is once you get used to
> it, and I'm a lefty so those controllers aren't even made for my
> hands.  Even if you must have a keyboard and mouse, there's a 3rd
> party adapter for the 360 that lets you use a keyboard and mouse to
> control 360 games.  The PS3 has support for USB keyboards and mice,
> but I have no idea if they're usable for playing games.
>
> -Joseph
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-- 
Rich Elswick
http://www.moyaentertainment.com

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