Online Game Downloads Threaten Game Consoles
It’s time to get serious about PC gaming because online game downloads threaten game consoles. Experts are predicting that by the year 2020, console gaming will be a thing of the past. While many gamers are currently enjoying their Nintendo Wii’s, Playstation 3’s, and XBox 360’s, their attention is getting swayed more and more toward the world of online community games and PC downloads.
Part of the problem with console gaming is that the companies are trying to make the consoles so graphically rich and innovative that they are losing a lot of money on the console itself, with the possible exception of the Nintendo Wii. That leaves a lot of room for the PC game manufacturers to really come out ahead.
The fact of the matter is that people like to play community based games these days. World of Warcraft and Everquest are huge successes because of that community feel. They also allow you to practically escape into another world.
Console games also allow for community play and downloadable gaming, but it’s starting to make more sense to just release these games on the PC platform. The graphics in many PC’s are already top notch, and they are just getting better and better.
The games can also sell more widely because so many people have home computers. Generally, gamers need to make a choice between one of the three top consoles. When games are released on PC they don’t need to make the same choice. That means more people can buy and download these games. That means big money for the companies that make the games.
Another interesting fact that points to having more PC downloads and less console systems and games is the theft factor. PC community games make a lot of money because they rely on subscription based service. There is nearly no way to steal a part in the community because it relies on subscription and DRM. Cutting down on theft is a big part of increasing profits for game companies.
While it’s not conclusive, it does seem to be the case that online game downloads threaten game consoles. There is less overhead with downloads, better theft protection, incredible graphics, and easy community access. Time will only tell what will happen to our precious consoles.
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