The State of PC Gaming and Microsoft

[Morbus]

In essence, my question is: has Microsoft killed PC gaming by having so many Xbox exclusive titles that are not released for Windows?

Now, first off, let me say that I don't think PC gaming is dead at all or dying. The indie scenes is stronger than ever, there are more games than ever and they are better than ever: it's just that AAA PC gaming scene is dwindling and has been dwindling for years. Coincidentally or not, since around when the first Xbox was released.

My proposition is as follows:
Microsoft and their console department, being the dumb idiots that they are, made the brilliant assumption, all those years ago, that PC gaming is a threat to console gaming, and that by having loads of Xbox exclusive games, they'd get more Xbox players. And that's all well and dandy when it comes to winning over PlayStation players, but it's not so good when you consider a lot of the Windows AAA gamers of the early 2000s ended up ditching the PC (sometimes altogether, going for Mac instead) and buying a console for their gaming needs. The end result is AAA PC gaming is dwindling, and - even though we get better, more focused, independent, niche-oriented games instead, and less consolized tard-fests - Microsoft is losing money in its Windows department.

Now, I don't propose that they're losing money because of their attitude towards AAA PC gaming, but does it not play a part? Has Microsoft shot itself in their left foot while trying to get their right one up and running?

Have they come to a point where no more PC gamers will trade in their gaming rig for an Xbox?

I certainly will never buy a console again. My last one was a Saturn, and I was 10 and didn't have a computer. For me, there is absolutely no reason to lose backwards-compatibility, upgradeability, ease of use, openness (even though it's Windows), productivity, graphics, frame-rate, sound quality, game quality, diversity and enjoyment, ergonomics, convenience and, above all else, PRICE (because PC gaming is cheaper). I am never gonna buy a console unless I don't need the money. And I think it's come to a point where about all PC gamers are like myself and there's no point in restricting revenue by having Xbox exclusives anymore.

Case in point: Titanfall.

Thanks for reading and what do you think of the issue?

 

[BrightCandle]

I actually think its something else, lack of novelty. For whatever reason a lot of console players seem happy to get the same game over and over with a different skin. The controller limits what the game can do quite a bit so games tend to have similar mechanics. PC players, again for whatever reason, seem more driven by novelty, new mechanics, new worlds and new gameplay styles. Its partly why the Indy scene is booming on PC (but not so much on console) and also why some of the big titles do less well on PC than they do on the console.

I don't think Microsoft (or Sony for that matter) is really ruining PC games with this, if its a problem a lot of PC gamers just buy a console, we aren't all exclusively PC jerks. But by and large the exclusives aren't all that impressive when compared to the massive amount of exclusives on the PC, which far outnumber those on the console, even AAA games let alone the indie scene as well. In my opnion the console exclusives aren't really that compelling for PC gamers, we are used to better.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Now, I don't propose that they're losing money because of their attitude towards AAA PC gaming, but does it not play a part? Has Microsoft shot itself in their left foot while trying to get their right one up and running?

I doubt it is even a notable trend on their charts. The reason that Microsoft is seeing smaller returns on windows is because they are having a real problem convincing corporations that there is a need to upgrade. I’m sitting at work typing this on a Windows XP machine because my department has not gotten around to upgrading.

 

[Bateluer]

In essence, my question is: has Microsoft killed PC gaming by having so many Xbox exclusive titles that are not released for Windows?

Let me just stop you right there. The answer is a solid no. PC gaming outsells console gaming, PC gaming has more exclusive launches than all three 'current' gen consoles combined. With the lackluster Xbox One, and Sony & Nintendo financial woes, its probably more apt to say that console gaming took an arrow to the knee.

 

[PowerYoga]

haven't bought AAA titles for PCs in ages. Last thing I got was dead space 3, and only from a humble bundle deal where the proceeds go to charity and I only paid $5. I'll play indie games instead of modern battle warfare 15 or some stupid game that EA ruined like simcity.

 

[BoberFett]

I doubt it is even a notable trend on their charts. The reason that Microsoft is seeing smaller returns on windows is because they are having a real problem convincing corporations that there is a need to upgrade. I’m sitting at work typing this on a Windows XP machine because my department has not gotten around to upgrading.

Off topic, but... Given the EOL of WinXP and the end of security updates starting on 4/8, that surprises me.

 

[Bateluer]

Off topic, but... Given the EOL of WinXP and the end of security updates starting on 4/8, that surprises me.

Its probably more expensive for them to do a full hardware refresh AND update legacy applications that may be critical to their business.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Off topic, but... Given the EOL of WinXP and the end of security updates starting on 4/8, that surprises me.

Its probably more expensive for them to do a full hardware refresh AND update legacy applications that may be critical to their business.

Legacy applications are a big part of it. I run Win 7 on my main work machine, but have a very old laptop that runs XP sitting off to the side that I have to use every so often for a firmware programming and update tool that won't run on Win 7.
Until the legacy stuff I deal with goes away completely it will continue to be used.


On topic again:
It's my feeling that MS is a big retarded hydra, there are many heads, but none of them know what the other is doing until they happen to bang into each other. The result is things like GFWL, an attempt to integrate Xbox type social interaction with PC gaming but with no thought as to why PC gaming is different from the Xbox.

 

[CPA]

I'm trying to come up with an XBox exclusive title that I would even be interested in. Usually, by the time a PS3 title goes on sale, I've already bought it on PC at a much cheaper price.

 

[Jodell88]

I'm a lot more interested in indie games or games from small dev studios (Transistor ) than I am in AAA gaming.

 

[Bateluer]

On topic again:
It's my feeling that MS is a big retarded hydra, there are many heads, but none of them know what the other is doing until they happen to bang into each other. The result is things like GFWL, an attempt to integrate Xbox type social interaction with PC gaming but with no thought as to why PC gaming is different from the Xbox.

Or the Windows 8 train wreck.

 

[Lil Frier]

haven't bought AAA titles for PCs in ages. Last thing I got was dead space 3, and only from a humble bundle deal where the proceeds go to charity and I only paid $5. I'll play indie games instead of modern battle warfare 15 or some stupid game that EA ruined like simcity.

But that's all a matter of personal preference, and it's not necessarily where the majority (in terms of dollars) resides.

Personally, I'll take a re-hashed Call of Duty over a simplistic indie game with mediocre graphics gussied up with terms like "charming" and "hand-drawn." Games like Gone Home and The Stanley Parable don't even strike me as games, just walking simulators. However, others love them. Papers, Please looks really dumb, but people love it. I won't call them wrong or anything for it, I'll just say that "new" doesn't always mean "exciting," in my opinion.

But where the real problem comes in is the money. Would Microsoft rather sell the 15th installment of Call of Duty for $60, or a few indie games for $10-20 each? More money is had in the bigger titles for them, and they're ultimately a business. As much as people WANT Microsoft to love them and give them great deals and this and that, the reality of the matter is that if they don't maximize profits, they risk having the Xbox department cut out completely (something that's allegedly been requested from board members for some time now).

So while we might hate that Microsoft lives off of those sequel-driven franchises, they just might not be able to turn enough of a profit while focusing on indie stuff for them to bother trying.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Or the Windows 8 train wreck.

That is a great example. I have a Dell Venue 8 Pro, and Windows 8 is the perfect operating system for it, but trying to use Server 2012 (which is Windows 8 based) in my work environment is an absolute nightmare.

 

[JumBie]

Let me just stop you right there. The answer is a solid no. PC gaming outsells console gaming, PC gaming has more exclusive launches than all three 'current' gen consoles combined. With the lackluster Xbox One, and Sony & Nintendo financial woes, its probably more apt to say that console gaming took an arrow to the knee.

You are absolutely correct, PC games outsell consoles completely. A plethora of exclusives, that usually sell upwards of a million copies. Considering we see 100's of releases a month, when you include indies, the PC gaming market is very healthy and will survive for as long as we want it to.

 

[DaveSimmons]

No. Non- techie gamers want a console, so if no Xbox they'd be playing Call of Shooty 11 on a PS3-4-5 or Wii instead.

 

[Skel]

Once again, people give too much credit to MS. If the devs wanted to a PC game MS wouldn't be able to stop them. If anything people should direct their rage towards the devs and publishers as they're the ones that dictate what platforms the game's released on.

 

[Morbus]

Let me just stop you right there. The answer is a solid no. PC gaming outsells console gaming, PC gaming has more exclusive launches than all three 'current' gen consoles combined. With the lackluster Xbox One, and Sony & Nintendo financial woes, its probably more apt to say that console gaming took an arrow to the knee.

Can't stop me now, specially when my answer is right around the same thing you said...

haven't bought AAA titles for PCs in ages. Last thing I got was dead space 3, and only from a humble bundle deal where the proceeds go to charity and I only paid $5. I'll play indie games instead of modern battle warfare 15 or some stupid game that EA ruined like simcity.

While your post is full of wisdom and much incline, it misses the issue: has Microsoft lost on revenue (specially about convincing gamers to upgrade from XP) by dismissing (relatively speaking) the PC as a gaming platform?

Its probably more expensive for them to do a full hardware refresh AND update legacy applications that may be critical to their business.

It's gonna be way more expensive for them to lose all their data and work and money, but who cares...

 

[shortylickens]

Not for me.

Anything thats console exclusive is probably something I dont want anyway.

 

[Anarchist420]

In essence, my question is: has Microsoft killed PC gaming by having so many Xbox exclusive titles that are not released for Windows?

good question microsoft has hurt PC gaming by issuing mandates, but the Xbox 2001 had better exclusives than the Xbox360 did and it looks like the XboxOne will be even worse.

 

[TechBoyJK]

I'm trying to come up with an XBox exclusive title that I would even be interested in. Usually, by the time a PS3 title goes on sale, I've already bought it on PC at a much cheaper price.

I'd like to play RYSE. I know it's not the best game but I love that era and think it'd be fun. I can't buy an xbox1 just for it though.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Not for me.

Anything thats console exclusive is probably something I dont want anyway.

Well, I'd really like to play Last of Us, and think it'd be great on PC. I can't justify buying a PS3 just for that though.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Let me just stop you right there. The answer is a solid no. PC gaming outsells console gaming, PC gaming has more exclusive launches than all three 'current' gen consoles combined. With the lackluster Xbox One, and Sony & Nintendo financial woes, its probably more apt to say that console gaming took an arrow to the knee.

when you sell close to 5 million of an "arrow to the knee" console in a little over 2 months time, there is nothing wrong with console gaming. Seriously...think about that for a moment.

What PC exclusives are you talking about that are not indie shovelware? There are very few indie games that are anywhere near the quality of a publisher funded title.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I personally don't think any front is hurting (except maybe Nintendo at the moment).

PC game sales are strong. Console game sales are strong. The gaming industry marked record profits yet again last year. No matter how bad people try to make things out, money is being made.

What you ARE seeing on the console side though is large publishers taking less risk. They want the 100 milliion copies sold at $60 for every game, not just COD32, but the reality is that isn't going to happen.

You are seeing the same thing on the PC side as well, except that since it is a much less restricted environment game makers are capable of not following the status quo. That doesn't always mean it's a great game though.

There is also the question...which is better: selling 1000 games at $60 or selling 10000 games at $10, Or 1,000,000 at $1 ?

Game makers want to both make money AND have as many people as possible love their product. Publishers, see that 1,000,000 sales and only think "wow if we could have sold that many at $60".

MS found they could control much easier on the Xbox, they haven't cared about PC gaming in many years. You can bet if they didn't have the Xbox, they would have had their own front end software store competing with Steam years ago. I honestly have no clue how many copies of PC games sell these days. I have to imagine it's getting harder and harder to market to such a broad spectrum of hardware. In the console world...you simply don't have that unknown. You KNOW how many systems are out there that can run your stuff.

 

[Jodell88]

What PC exclusives are you talking about that are not indie shovelware? There are very few indie games that are anywhere near the quality of a publisher funded title.

The quality of AAA titles have been dropping in recent years. At least indie games don't have progression ending bugs that the devs won't fix because they have DLC to develop.

 

[Morbus]

when you sell close to 5 million of an "arrow to the knee" console in a little over 2 months time, there is nothing wrong with console gaming. Seriously...think about that for a moment.

What PC exclusives are you talking about that are not indie shovelware? There are very few indie games that are anywhere near the quality of a publisher funded title.

Company of Heroes, Civilization V, Europa Universalis IV, ArmA, iRacing, Counter Strike, Crysis... And, of course, the HUGE amount of role-playing games. Proper RPGs, I mean, not action adventure crap. Upcoming Wasteland 2, Age of Decadence, for example.

Shovelware indies are of no relevant. Indies like Shadowrun Returns and Deadstate are where it's at, really. Bethesda hasn't done a decent game since Morrowind, although Skyrim is way better than Oblivion. It's still a mindless combat-fest, and if not that, a walking simulator.