Just a couple of years ago it seemed as though PCs were on the way out, as far as gaming was concerned. The video games world was all about the console, and the only real competition was between the Xbox and the PlayStation. But slowly, things started to change.
The main reason for this change was the rise of online gaming, and in particular, free games that could be accessed online without having to buy them upfront. Even paid-for games could be found easier and often cheaper online, and just as high street shops are disappearing in the face of online retailers, so the days of going into your local games store and spending a not-insignificant amount of hard-earned cash on the latest console game packaged in a brightly printed box may also be numbered.
Improving technology
None of this would be possible, however, if not for the increased power and capability of today’s PCs. Consoles achieved their dominance of the games market because they were specifically designed for maximum quality gameplay. No serious gamer would have been caught dead playing on a PC in the early 2000s: they were too slow, and the sound and graphics just couldn’t compare to what was standard for the latest console.
Multiplayer games
Now, however, this is no longer the case. Today’s PCs have graphics, sound and speed as good as, or better than the consoles. The other main advantage they enjoy is connectivity. The rollout of reliable, high-bandwidth broadband allowed the appearance of two new forms of video gaming that would become major trends over the next few years: massive multiplayer online games, such as World of Warcraft and League of Legends, and online casino games that appeal to a wide range of gamers, including those who would not normally use a console.
The digital casino
Now there are dozens of UK casinos online, offering a variety of real-time games, including video poker, blackjack, roulette and of course, slots. These have risen in popularity at the same time as traditional gaming premises have suffered, with actual casinos, bingo halls and arcades closing down as the websites prosper. Videogame technology has allowed the casino to survive in the digital environment of the 21st century, via the ubiquitous PC.
Ready for action
This is the other reason why PC gaming is so popular – most of us already have a personal computer in our homes. We already use it for work, shopping, communication and watching films and TV online, so it makes sense to play games on it as well. You can be playing in seconds, and for those new to games, there’s no need to purchase expensive and intimidating gadgets (i.e. consoles) in order to get started.
The fightback
Consoles can hit back with exclusive major games, but in the long run, this just won’t be commercially viable for games publishers. The other way in which consoles are adapting is by basically becoming more like PCs, and so meeting the overwhelming demand for online gaming. But with online PC game retailer Steam boasting over 125 million active users, the dominance of the PC seems assured.
