Is 2016 The Peak of the PC Master Race?

[Denithor]

Know what I think WILL take off like a rocket? Big, beautiful, high RES OLED gaming panels under $1,000.00. My gawd they will be the holy grail of thin panel technology. Finally something BETTER than CRT that doesn't require a crane to place it on your desk.

Gawd, can't come fast enough. Been looking at the LG OLED TVs for my living room, haven't been able to stomach the asking price yet (not because can't afford, just don't want to spend that much on a TV damn it!). But, high resolution smaller screen, oh my yes, please? Pretty please? with a cherry on top?

 

[cmdrdredd]

To me it seems like 2016 is the ultimate year for PC gamers who love to act superior to console gamers. Let's review:

1. Directx12 gets rid of the API bottleneck that had the consoles performing much better on pretty much the same hardware as a PC.

2. The PC gets the GOOD VR headsets (Vive and Oculus) while at best console gamers get the garbage PS4 VR headset with its lame not made for it motion controller.

3. Xbox One gamers now have to share their exclusives with PC gamers. A Directx 12 PC is basically an Xbox One with a chainsaw penis.

4. PS4 gamers (some of whom are former PC gamers who bought a PS4 to get away from the PC upgrade cycle) now are facing with having to buy more hardware to have a top-end experience. Someone who built a very nice computer in 2013 when the PS4 released (with a 290x and a Intel i7) will actually have a box that delivers top performance longer than a PS4 will without upgrading.

All together it seems to me PC gamers have a lot of reason to gloat in 2016, well except for that whole "every port is buggy for a few weeks after release" thing.

Hrm...I see your points but lemme counter a couple of them.

1) DX12 doesn't work with SLI at all right now, Nvidia hasn't fixed that. Plus most of the games on DX12 that I've played are running worse than they do in DX11.

2) This is niche and might remain so for a long time. Yes VR is better on PC but the cost is greater too. Doesn't matter to some I know.

3) Many of the XB1 games to come to PC are very, very bad ports with almost broken functionality. The Windows Store games don't allow you to run fps monitors and overlays, lock you out of the install folder so you can't do any mods, and I believe also lack exclusive fullscreen. I know Quantum Break doesn't even have a quit option from the main menu. You actually have to mouse over to the top right corner and wait for the X to appear so you can quit to the desktop. No other game I've ever played did that on PC that I can remember. Overall they haven't impressed me at all with their so called commitment to PC.

4) I agree with this and see many people around the various forums looking into going to PC instead of dealing with one console upgrade to the next at $400 a pop. They'd rather just upgrade the GPU every so often for often much less than $400 depending on what they want to get out of it. If someone is content with console graphics at 1080p then they can easily buy a lower end GPU and get 60fps(most console games are 30fps with severe dips).

 

[Zenoth]

I wouldn't see why 2016 would be a "peak", but it could be a good year, sure. Should we assume that it's going to go downhill starting from 2017 and beyond?

Anyway, the PC platform is my favorite platform (for gaming, and for anything and everything else), but I don't "hate" consoles. I grew up on consoles, and played console games for a large part of my 'gaming life' (11+ years on consoles, 14+ years on PC). It all started for good with the NES, the 16-bit and 32-bit era were absolutely amazing, we ALL had our gamer's mind blow apart when we first saw Mario 64 in action (let's not deny that there simply was nothing like it at the time, period), and SEGA pioneered online gaming with the Dreamcast like NO other gaming companies dared trying. And the PlayStation 2 still has - to this very day - the heaviest, most varied games library in all of console gaming history (just right next to the PC). Plus, Nintendo still makes purely fun, accessible and friendly games like no others can (in my opinion), not to mention that they are still the very icon of video gaming, like it or not (what's the 'icon' for PC gaming? the Microsoft Logo? ...Steam?).

All this talk of "master race", ugh.

The ONLY thing I don't like about "PC Vs Console" (or vice versa) is that we get way too many console ports. You can say whatever you want in favor of 'PC gaming', but what games do WE have that consoles don't? The first Crysis? Steam-exclusive Indie games that come out as Early Access, in Pre-Alpha status that you have to pay $20+ ? Can we count Virtual Reality gaming just because we happen to plug stuff on our PC / Monitor?

Joe #1: Dude! DUDE!! I play games on my PC!!!
Joe #2: Oh, cool. I play games on consoles.
Joe #1: Do you have a PC too?
Joe #2: Other than my laptop for work, and to get on the web sometimes? Nah, no need. And do you have consoles too?
Joe #1: Wh- ...what?! NO! Why would I? I have a PC! And you're missing so much man!
Joe #2: Like what?
Joe #1: Like, P- ...PC games? Gaming on PC?
Joe #2: ?
Joe #1: PC GAMES man! Like, with... higher resolution!
Joe #2: Let's put it this way then, what games are you playing lately on your PC?
Joe #1: Oh, hummm, Fallout 4, Mortal Kombat X, The Division, Tomb Rai-
Joe #2: So you mean like... the Fallout 4, MKX, Division and Raider that all came out on consoles too? You play console ports then.
Joe #1: Well n- no! I also play Elite: Dangerous! It LOOKS SO GOOD!
Joe #2: Eliwhat?
Joe #1: It's a space game! The scale is unprecedented, and the graphics are unequaled!
Joe #2: Well, the fun I have with my PS4 on my couch when I come back home from a long day at work is also unequaled.
Joe #1: Pffffff OK fine, you just don't know what you're missing! PC gaming dude!
Joe #2: I don't need it. I'm fine, thanks.

Let's just play the games we like, on the platform we prefer.

And, personally, I'll never get excited about virtual reality gaming for as long as we'll have to wear ANYTHING, ANYWHERE on our body to make it work. I know I'll never see it in my lifetime and we're probably 300+ years away from it, but the ONLY form of virtual reality I would actually be excited to see come to life is nothing less than a freakin' Star Trek-styled Holodeck simulation you can interact with and wouldn't be aware of the difference between it and the real world until your "game" shuts off and the entire room comes back to normal. Until THAT point I do NOT want to pay money to have to deal with having something wrapped around my head covering my eyes for a 4, 5 or 6+ hours gaming session. I'd rather just buy a curved 40-something inch Monitor and sit just a meter away from it.

As for DX12, that's just shenanigans to my ears if the game itself happens to suck. The bottom line for me (in threads like this) is: just game on whatever you want to game on.

 

[cmdrdredd]

There has been at least one revision with every Play Station, even the PS1. The extreme whining is more of a Gen Y thing (sorry guys). Many have been taught they are & have the best of everything which obviously can't be true.

None of the revisions changed the specs. This one is adding a better GPU and other stuff. The fear among some is that the new console will get more developer love.

I hate to keep saying this, but I can't get past it. I think it will fade out pretty fast simply because people can't be bothered to strap that damn thing over their face every time they want to play a game. Its going to be a pain in the ass no matter how amazing it might be.
Know what I think WILL take off like a rocket? Big, beautiful, high RES OLED gaming panels under $1,000.00. My gawd they will be the holy grail of thin panel technology. Finally something BETTER than CRT that doesn't require a crane to place it on your desk.

LG's OLED TVs have some pretty high input lag. Is this inherent to OLED tech? I honestly don't know a lot about OLED panels outside the specific LG TV models I've researched. If it's a problem with OLED in general they will have to address that before any consideration can be made for gaming monitors.

 

[sxr7171]

Gawd, can't come fast enough. Been looking at the LG OLED TVs for my living room, haven't been able to stomach the asking price yet (not because can't afford, just don't want to spend that much on a TV damn it!). But, high resolution smaller screen, oh my yes, please? Pretty please? with a cherry on top?

The 55" 1080p is a bargain. Seen it for $1300. It will keep you well until the kinks in the tech are fully worked out and when 80" 4K models are relatively affordable. They look amazing.

 

[moonbogg]

LG's OLED TVs have some pretty high input lag. Is this inherent to OLED tech? I honestly don't know a lot about OLED panels outside the specific LG TV models I've researched. If it's a problem with OLED in general they will have to address that before any consideration can be made for gaming monitors.

I have never researched OLED technology, but for some reason I still know it will be the best gaming panel technology in many years. I actually think I have a sixth sense or something. I know stuff when it should be impossible to know it. Mark my brain: OLED will be king.

 

[Rakehellion]

Actually the Xbox 360 was ahead of PCs for a year or so. The PS2 was too. Consoles being far behind PCs at launch is kinda a new thing.

The PS2 was graphically inferior to the Xbox and Gamecube but sold more. The Wii was graphically inferior to the PS3 and Xbox 360 but sold more. The NDS was graphically inferior to the PSP but sold more. Same with the 3DS, Game Boy, and so on. Consoles are behind the PC for the majority of their lives but sell more.

Virtual Boy wasn't real VR and the real VR that is coming out is selling like hotcakes. People have been promised VR in scifis for decades, that pent up desire will make it more than a fad.

Virtua Boy, Kinect, 3DS and all of the other gimmicky controllers have one thing in common: People don't like them. Also, where can you actually buy a VR headset?

Actually that is incorrect, the PS3 had WAY more exclusives that didn't end up on the PC than the PS4 does. That argument is much weaker for a PS4.

So then that's a disadvantage for PCs.

No console maker has ever tried a refresh mid-generation like Sony is trying to do. The closest thing in console history was the 32x and that was a disaster for Sega.

The Xbox 360 did. No one noticed. I don't think this refresh is as significant as you think it is.

I never said it would. What it does do is create two tiers of experience that makes anyone with testosterone in their veins want to upgrade, which is the exact motivation some people try to avoid when they buy a console.

You hit the nail on the head. Some people might upgrade, most won't notice a difference. Hell, sony even relaunched the PSone after the PS2 and Dreamcast were released because, strangely enough, some people like gameplay over graphics.

I have some friends that are PS4 gamers who are PISSED about this whole PS4.5 thing.

Cool anecdote, bro.

 

[Rakehellion]

I'd disagree that the PS2 was ahead of anything.

The PS2 is the best selling console of all time, yet it couldn't match the graphics of its direct competitors, the Gamecube and Xbox. Graphics aren't as important as OP wants us to believe.

 

[Sabrewings]

Also, where can you actually buy a VR headset?

I got mine from here and love it: www.htcvive.com

Or go here if you like: www.oculus.com

 

[cmdrdredd]

The PS2 is the best selling console of all time, yet it couldn't match the graphics of its direct competitors, the Gamecube and Xbox. Graphics aren't as important as OP wants us to believe.

If you have the same games then yes, it is important. The PS2 sold because it got all the top games. Every Japanese developer made games for it meaning tons of RPGs. The only thing it sucked at was 2D sprites for fighting games, it lagged when the dreamcast could do arcade perfect ports of Street Fighter 3 for example. That didn't matter when you cornered the 3rd party market and introduced developers to DVD media so they had larger storage space to work with. No, graphics didn't matter then but they do matter if you have all the same titles. If someone was not interested in exclusives and didn't have anyone they had to go online with they would more likely take the option that produced the best visual experience given the choice.

 

[moonbogg]

VR is the future but it will need to be much smaller and lighter. And maybe even one day glasses free. Like lasers shooting onto your retina.

Call me crazy, but I agree. Something far different will take things to their logical conclusion, such as laser retina displays. To be clear, I recommend that no one stare into a laser beam. You will blind your ass quick style. Wait for the tech. Be patient.

 

[Stringjam]

Eh. I see the future ending up like Dreamfall (good game, btw). Total immersion in the world of one's fantasy, till your eventual ruin.

Sounds fun.

 

[showb1z]

The ONLY thing I don't like about "PC Vs Console" (or vice versa) is that we get way too many console ports. You can say whatever you want in favor of 'PC gaming', but what games do WE have that consoles don't? The first Crysis? Steam-exclusive Indie games that come out as Early Access, in Pre-Alpha status that you have to pay $20+ ? Can we count Virtual Reality gaming just because we happen to plug stuff on our PC / Monitor?

That's a strange way to look at it. PC has entire genres that don't exist on consoles.
All sorts of strategy games: RTS, TBS, MOBA, Grand strategy, 4X. I've spent thousands of hours on Starcraft, Total War, Europa Universalis, X-COM.
The recent revival in isometric RPG's, Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, Torment, Shadowrun, etc.
Managing games like Football Manager have a very strong following.

Technical advantages and superior controller options aside I'd never trade all those games for yet another Halo or another Dark Souls (Bloodborne).

 

[Zenoth]

That's a strange way to look at it. PC has entire genres that don't exist on consoles.
All sorts of strategy games: RTS, TBS, MOBA, Grand strategy, 4X. I've spent thousands of hours on Starcraft, Total War, Europa Universalis, X-COM.
The recent revival in isometric RPG's, Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, Torment, Shadowrun, etc.
Managing games like Football Manager have a very strong following.

Technical advantages and superior controller options aside I'd never trade all those games for yet another Halo or another Dark Souls (Bloodborne).

Indeed, good points.

However, when it comes to RTS... that is a genre made with PC in mind (and keyboard and mouse controls) right from the start. Just as much as 2D platformers and beat 'em ups are (have been) - traditionally - a "console thing". It'd be an exaggeration to say that those genres you mentioned simply don't even exist on consoles, because they do (even if most titles that belong in those genres weren't 'good' on consoles). I've played some of them on consoles (usually just rented), such as StarCraft 64, C&C 64 (knew about the PC version, but didn't have a PC back then), Warzone 2100 (PS1, rented it 2 or 3 times, loved it), C&C: RA Retaliation (PS1, owned that one), Diablo 1 (PS1, without that version I wouldn't have known about the series at all, and wouldn't have spent six or seven years of my life on the sequel), UFO Enemy Unknown (PS1), Crusader: No Remorse (PS1), and a couple of others.

Sure, those genres on consoles haven't had the fanfare that they've had on PC, but they do exist, per se. Besides, playing isometric RPGs on consoles isn't a problem, and is certainly technically possible. What is needed is just the developers' willingness (and money) to do it (and a recent-enough example is none other than Diablo 3).

But anyway, yeah, overall I'll stay content with saying that we should all just enjoy playing video games, period (who cares about the platform, just have fun).

 

[werepossum]

"A Directx 12 PC is basically an Xbox One with a chainsaw penis" is officially the best thing I've read all year, including Jack McDevitt and Kim Harrison.

 

[werepossum]

I got mine from here and love it: www.htcvive.com

Or go here if you like: www.oculus.com

$600 versus $800? Holy crap!

 

[TidusZ]

Consoles used to make sense to me as a gamer from NES/sega days up until PS3/xbox360. It's not compelling anymore at all for a variety of reasons. Of course I played PC during all that time too but now I only play PC.

 

[Sabrewings]

$600 versus $800? Holy crap!

One comes with motion tracked controllers and does proper room scale, the other only ships with a gamepad and room scale remains to be seen as well as their motion controller implementation.

No regrets about my Vive (mindblowing), and the wife is talking about us ordering another. As for the cost, would you believe Oculus claims they make no money selling it?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Consoles used to make sense to me as a gamer from NES/sega days up until PS3/xbox360. It's not compelling anymore at all for a variety of reasons. Of course I played PC during all that time too but now I only play PC.

With the ps4 and xb1, the exclusives haven't been as compelling to me as in the past. There have been some good games but for me a majority of the better titles have been remakes which is kind of lame. I have played most of the multi platform releases on PC for the increased graphics options and better frame rate. The witcher 3 ran pretty bad on the consoles. Looked ok I guess (not compared to PC though of course) but ran poorly.

 

[Sulaco]

With the ps4 and xb1, the exclusives haven't been as compelling to me as in the past. There have been some good games but for me a majority of the better titles have been remakes which is kind of lame. I have played most of the multi platform releases on PC for the increased graphics options and better frame rate. The witcher 3 ran pretty bad on the consoles. Looked ok I guess (not compared to PC though of course) but ran poorly.

Pretty much this.

This is (mostly) subjective of course, but as an owner of player of each console generation's main "combatants" since..well...the Atari 7200 and NES, this round's exclusives and "must haves", at this stage of their life cycle, has been decidedly underwhelming.

Even Nintendo's Wii U library has been weak, and Nintendo lives and dies by their exclusives.

Both my Xbone and PS4 have been essentially used only for sports games (Madden, The Show) lately, and Forza. Outside of that, the dust has been collecting...

 

[sxr7171]

The PS2 is the best selling console of all time, yet it couldn't match the graphics of its direct competitors, the Gamecube and Xbox. Graphics aren't as important as OP wants us to believe.

True. But I also remember that system didn't even have a decent game for about a year after it came out. It mostly sold because it was the successor to the legendary PS1. People just waited for it and bought it. I know someone who bought one pretty early and yet borrowed an extra Dreamcast of mine because the games were what they wanted to play.

Hype and reputation can sink or make a console.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The Xbox 360 did. No one noticed. I don't think this refresh is as significant as you think it is.

Fair enough. I got ahead of myself with that one. If the PS4.5 only shows its advantages at 4K it's all a non-issue, much like a 360 with HDMI.

On the flipside if it adds anything to the 1080p experience get read for the biggest meltdown in geekdom since Microsoft first revealed their Steam-like plans for Xbone games.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

IMO, anyone who claims to be a true gamer should have multiple platforms (PC, console, etc) to game on so they can experience the best of all worlds. Computers have been my hobby for over 35 years but I have a PS4 and still have my PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii to play games I can't get on the PC (sports, Uncharted, GoW, etc). I still have a bunch of older platforms (various Commodore, Amiga, and even an Atari 2600) I can also call on when interested.

Obviously, with respect to the OP's question, I think this year will be a good year in terms of capabilities added to gaming PCs, but I'm still of the opinion that the actual golden age of PC gaming is passed. I think that's probably true of consoles as well - I think the number of compelling console games seems to be at an all-time low right now. I think there are many reasons for this, but I think the big reason seems to be that publishers aren't willing to take a chance and instead, just reskin the games that seem to sell (I'm looking at you, CoD).

 

[TeknoBug]

If 2016 is peak of PC master race, well strange timing since PC hardware parts sales is down.

and LOL at that man hug img.

 

[Sonikku]

VR is the future but it will need to be much smaller and lighter. And maybe even one day glasses free. Like lasers shooting onto your retina.

Thomas Edison did something like this. If it's good enough for Thomas Edison it's good enough for me.