"The days of consoles are numbered" claim PC bosses

Printer/scanner superstar Hewlett-Packard showed off its plans to enter the PC gaming market last night, and unsurprisingly there was an air of hostility towards those old-fangled games consoles the kids are talking about these days.

The first snipes came from a panel of industry leaders that included Games for Windows boss Rich Wickham and other gaming bods. "I believe the days of the console are numbered," said Trion World Network founder Lars Butler. "There is one more generation of gaming consoles and that is it," he claimed.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Yeagh yeagh we read this story before. The end of the world type deal. Console will one day be struck by a metor yadda yadda. Doomsday is almost here whoop-dee-doo.

[ben hates you]

i've heard rumors of the pc gaming going to end now this who cares

[techie]

ASs360...yeah we read a stupid article like this before...but this one is new with HP's new game initiative.

[shotty]

Well consoles are becoming more like PCs so its a natural evolution towards consoles as we knew them 5 years ago might towards multimedia pcs.

[Sphinx]

People don't want to play their games on a computer screen all the time. They want to hook it up to their 42" HDTV.

[fenderputty]

Another reason why is that, most people don't want to change out graphics cards and update their comps all the time to play new games. With a console you just buy it and are good for 5-7 years. The average gamer isn't all that hardcore and prefers ease of use. I think, in a lot of way, this is why consoles are taking additional routes other then gaming. They've added movie playback, internet browsing and other media driven aspects to consoles to appeal on a longer lasting level then just games. All consoles are doing this. To be honest, it makes a lot of sence.

[ITR]

The problem with that is most PC manufacturers are already making 30-40inch LCD's which will include HD sooner or later. I believe Apple has an HD LCD coming out this yr. Probably to go along with it's Apple TV unit which is already HDMI ready.

[Rooted_Dust]

It's really about how close you are to the monitor. When your sitting about a foot away from your Pc monitor, a 22" LCD screen will take up most of your field of vision, but if your sitting 10 feet away you need a bigger screen. And how many people really have 42" televisions anyway?

[Rooted_Dust]

High Defenition is really only a resolution ex(1280 X 720). PC's have had high definition longer than TV's have.

[TheExecutive]

Although I can plug my PC into my 61" I still love 1.) the couch 2.) the controllers... It is just so much more comfortable.

[Mikey_Gee]

I don't want to play on a 42" HDTV .... I want to play on my 1080p 61" HDTV ........

:-)

My lazy boy, a beer, wireless controller and a game is awsome. I love my PC as well, but my PC and Console server two different functions for me. My PC is for work and online research but my console is for fun. I don't ever see having a bunch of the guys over for beer and pizza and games and then huddling around my PC down in the bedroom while my living room with my big screen and home theater set-up just sits and does nothing.

Console WILL NOT be the death of PC
and
PC WILL NOT be the death of Console

[dantesparda]

People, you's do know that you can connect a PC to a HDTV right? i mean you's do know that most modern graphics card can output component video right? and the newest cards now have HDMI? and even my old a$$ 9800Pro has a DVI out (which you can use a DVI to HDMI wire to connect). And for the "controller". You can use the 360 or PS3 controllers on a PC too. And to all the people who think they they have to upgrade their PC cards every year (or whatever you's think it is) This is a complete and utter fallacy. I've had a ATi 9800Pro since 2002 and it'll play any game out there except Rainbow Six Vegas. And will play most games almost as good or even better than the 360. I can get at least 25-30 frames per second out of most games. Heck, i can even get alot of games to look better than on the 360, with all the features turned up to the max. FEAR runs better and looks better, PREY runs at 60fps with better textures, Oblivion looks better, NFSMW runs at a better framerate. COD2 has much better textures but runs at a lower framerate than the 360's. And the list goes on. However GRAW looks alot better on the 360 than on the PC, and Just Cause. And this is on a 4 year old system. So people stop with this a new card is needed every year sh!t. This is only true if you are trying to run it at the highest framerate possible. Or if you are missing certain features (like SM3.0)

[techie]

I think the boundary between consoles and PC's will blur...if HP release these things that are for gaming, then what makes them a PC. It's very strange. A table with a screen for everyone to play? Is that a PC or a console? So really they destroy their argument before they get going.

[Neutral Gamer]

They've been saying this for years now while consoles have only got more and more popular. I used to be a PC gamer but got sick of having to upgrade or buy a new computer to keep up with the gaming world.

Consoles will never look better than their high end PC counterparts as new components are coming out for them all the time, but life sure is easier with a console and at least you know your game will work and look the same on every console (barring Backwards Compatability issues of course).

Anyway, with consoles offering more and more PC style servies; web browsing, media viewing and management, online communities, even operating systems (Linux on PS3 for example), the line between PC's and consoles will get smaller and smaller.

So in that logic maybe the days of PC's AND consoles are numbered, maybe in the future we'll all be using some kind of Toyota style hybrid!

[Sphinx]

I'm guessing it'll still be considered a console, just like facial tissues are called Kleenex no matter who their made by.

[THWIP]

That pretty much sums it up.... + feedback for you. :)

This HP guy is obviously "out of the loop", in terms of the gaming world, and is pretty much clueless. Anyone who thinks the PC will somehow render console gaming obsolete, doesn't understand why the console market exists in the first place.

[Neutral Gamer]

PConsole
P4WNSole
Prius ?!

[Neutral Gamer]

... really appreciate it mate! :p

[sajj316]

I'm guessing it'll still be considered a console, just like facial tissues are called Kleenex no matter who their made by. - Sphinx

My thoughts exactly. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it might be a duck. I don't care if you call it a chicken. People eat more chicken anyway.

[darx]

If I can't play while laxing in my La Z Boy than I am not interested.

[Sphinx]

+FB
Who wants to sit in an office chair in the office? Most people probably want the ability to move their console to different TVs and not be stuck to the desk.

[Rooted_Dust]

It may not be that consoles change but that PC's will change and every TV in your house will be hooked to your PC, and you will have one platform for running everything from games to watching television. In the end wouldn't you wan't some thing that can perform multiple functions better and faster than a console that can only be used for a single function

[Black Republican]

consoles will never die

unless somebody bombed all of sony and all of microsoft and all of a nintendo

this is an industry that makes more $$$$ then hollywood, do pc bosses know that???

[neogeo]

My PS3 can run linix, A keyboard and mouse, Wifi, A harddrive, Memory cards. Yep, its a computer alright. I think what HP was trying to say, is there gaming stuff will one day rule us all! Truth is HP will be long forgotten in 10 years, while Sony and Microsoft will have the best gaming PC's on earth.

[shotputking]

there will always be a market for consoles. there will always be parents who just want to buy a console that their kids can play without supervision. you just can't overestimate the importance of accessability, and the ease of which a console can be used.

[Adamalicious]

The reason I play games on console and not on PCs (primarily anyway) is that for less than the cost of a decent gaming rig that will at the very most last 2 maybe 3 years I can buy every major console which tend to last around 5 years or more. This gives me access to a very wide array of games and lets me play them on my couch! I don't want to upgrade my hardware every year or so - I want to invest in it, get my money's worth and replace it when the next-gen comes along.

Whatev HP.

[kewlkat007]

When we talk about consoles these days we mention, Cell processor, Multi-Cores and other PC technologies.

Consoles todays are just computers now. No difference. Even Sony was claiming the PS3 is a super computer or can replace your home pc or something like that. Ofcourse this is not the direction its going because it is already there.

Consoles have Memory Card Readers,DVD Rom Drives, Memory, Connectivity ports and everything a PC has except its not scalable.

We all could benefit from Consoles, if they scalable. Imagine keeping up with the latest and best technology, at least for 3 years. Adding more RAM, changing the GPU, upgrading HDDs and such..

Personally I think Console makers are imitate computers in a sense.(web browsing and other things).Just give us a computer that does it all and is not $2,000 dollars.

[THWIP]

Over the past couple decades, motorcyles have become more and more like the automobile. Options for numerous models of motorcyles may now include:

- V8 engine
- fuel injection
- cruise control
- stereo/cd
- custom and/or two-tone paint
- Halogen headlamps
- Anti-lock brakes

all of this, and more, seemingly blurs the line between a motorcyle and a car...ignoring the 2 fewer wheels, of course. So, why won't the motorcyle EVER replace the car? Simple...the 2 aren't designed to serve the same purpose.

The PC may evolve into something closer to a dedicated gaming console, and the console may continue to take on more and more characteristics of the PC...but one will NEVER replace the other.

[Black Republican]

WELL SAID...

[leon]

any one remember the pipin ?

MS are the only ones that have gone from pc to console and made the transition.

this HP guy realy needs a head check.
one more generation left, lmfao
this has all been said since the days of the snes

[Lacarious]

seriously.... who here thinks HP can do gaming right?

[Black Republican]

HP would go out of business before Sony/Microsoft/Nintnedo...

That's all I need to say...

[kewlkat007]

I wouldn't go that far...

HP has rebounded and it would take a major debacle for then to go under.
They are Market leaders in a lot of peripherals. Printers for one, servers, laptop(overtook Dell), and others.

See the people that make gaming software, who knows might be using HP computers/servers at their place.

See people have options now in the Console world(unlike the 10 year Sony rule),so who knows who might go under. The world needs computers not gaming consoles..

[JasonXE]

I like putting my cd in the disk tray and be able to play instantly. I'm not waiting installing, downloading numerous patches, and overload my hard drive with games.

[Hayabusa 117]

And once the PS4/XBox Universe are classified as "PCs" We'll have the Wii 2...

[Silverwolf]

How much advance crap HP puts on a case developers will still develop for the lower denominator and plus 100 more different PC comfigurations. PC's want to be so advance in graphics that they leave behind the consumer every 6 months or so. Great in terms of advancement but not so great for the consumers wallet. I know there be a few PC gamers out there that'll say "well you can lower the settings". To them I say kiss my a$$, if I spend 50+ dollars on a games it's to be played the way it's supposed to. THAT's why consoles will also be the kings of gaming.

[Rooted_Dust]

And thats why you won't see an advance for another six years.

[Silverwolf]

how i prefer it!!! Give me more efficient game engines and quit milking me for more hardware money.

[Rockstar]

PC's are always going to be better for gaming (if thats the focus of your rig) but there is alot to be said for the console experience. It just does more for me. 19 inch LCD and a computer chair or a 50 inch plasma and a nice comfy couch, console wins my vote. After 5 hours of playing WOW I like to relax on the couch, you get the drift.

[jedicurt]

funny considering that the original panel of market annalists who came up with the Desktop PC idea, said that it would not have a life span of more than 12 years. and we are far beyond that point.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

Has anyone seen the new VF5 commercials where they say out now for the "playstation 3 computer entertainment system"? That's a terrible name! Maybe they're still on their PC ideas though. With HOME, i dont think it's too far away either. It's a super-computer! I totally think 600 bucks is worth it. Best graphics card, best processor, and NO LAG!

I love it...

[MetalProxy]

I dont want to update my stupid computer every other week. I could list about fifty reasons why PC wont take over consoles.

[LightofDarkness]

While they won't liekly be the linchpin that merges pc and console as one, these sort of initiatives are picking up steam. Consoles WILL die out, all computers for entertainment or even work are moving toward unified platforms. People here have been raising moot points about displays and what not, but displays are moving the same way, HD displays are including a 9-pin DSUB VGA connection or two these days, with PC mode and gaming and movie mode built into them. The technology behind HDTV and a PC monitor is VERY similar, just because it has HD slapped on before it doesn't make it so vastly incompatible that it would blow the power out in your whole neighbourhood if an incorrect connection was made (High Definition = High Resolution for all intents and purposes). Heck, I use a 28" Samsung LE26R72B HD Ready Display as both TV and monitor already. Plus, it plays my PS3 over HDMI, 360 over VGA and Wii over component. What a happy set up. But as per my original point, processors are getting more kick out of smaller parts, and eventually we'll all have our PC about the size of a small CD player that can perform many gigaflops faster thanks to multi-threaded applications (look at Intel's 80-core Teraflop processor, which is expected to completely downsize computers). Keep an open mind, a unified gaming/multimedia platform may be the best thing for all of us.

[Premonition]

As long as consoles stay cheaper then PC gaming rigs aka the DELL Renegade, then we should be around for years and years.

[DirtySyko]

Nobody wants to spend money every year to keep their PC updated so it can play the next year's batch of games. And, if anything, console gaming has been on the decline. It seems the only thing people flock towards anymore are MMORPG games for the PC, which are trying to migrate over to consoles as well.

Also, like it's already been said, consoles are evolving into more than just a video game platform these days. They can be used as a media center, they have browsers, you have online play, and next generation will just bring in more features. Plus, you get that nice advantage of playing on a big HDTV. My friend and I used to play FFXI, he played on his PC right next to me, and I played on my 30' HDTV on the Xbox 360. It looked way sexier on the television, (even though it's not a game that looks that great to begin with.)

[Ps3007]

My PC plays on my HDTV dont know whats wrong with all of yours.

You can buy controllers for PC (even the 360 one), it will play every game better than ANY console.

Its cheaper. Once you have a home built system with a PCI/AGP slot you dont need to upgrade things every single time. Pop in the newest video card and your off and running.

I can add a 8800 gts for 400.00 to my 2 year old self built computer.. Thats cheaper than the elite and would run faster... But believe what you want to believe.

Ill take my PC over a console any day.

[BubblesDAVERAGE]

Ill take my console anyday..keyboard and mouse suck to me...i play games on my console..i like controllers..and not upgrading every 6 months

[Monchichi025]

Maybe now that Consoles are becoming more and more like Computers, it will be the consoles taking out the PC. Think about it, we'll have everything at the convienance of the couch..... and have a laptop for everything else. That's what I would perfer!

[Killer B]

Here's my take: I've just spend a couple of hundred dollars to upgrade my 6 month old PC so that I could play Supreme Commander... I have to admit it was the first PC game I've played since I got my xbox 360 in Jan 06. However, over the last 12 years or more I was a dedicated PC gamer. Even after I bought a PS2 and Xbox, I still played a lot of PC games. But I am finding that I enjoy the easy and confort (and the games) of a console much more nowadays. And after dropping roughly the price of a new console on PC upgrades, I vowed never to do it again. SupCom was worth it, but it's going to take one hellava PC game for me to do it again. Plus w/ all the great console games coming out this year...I think I'll be plenty entertained. Not to mention, a fraction of the boot-up time, OS updates, etc..

[zonetrooper5]

Neither PC's or consoles will die out, there will always be people who want to buy a console and there will always been some people who want to buy new PC's or want to upgrade their computer. What HP are saying is very stupid.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

I agree. I don't think HP as a company is saying this; I think it's more of a "some employees are saying this" kind of ordeal. I love my PC, but it has to be upgraded every two years (don't try to disagree...you know it does), it doesn't have as many genres as the consoles, and the experience just isn't there. I can play mouse 'n keyboard on my PS3 or 360 RIGHT NOW! I don't need a PC. I can also play online with little to no LAG! Half-life and No One Lives Forever were fun, but I enjoyed them on my PS2 a LOT more. Consoles have pretty much surpassed PC's as far as I'm concerned. I think the PS3 and 360 could BOTH play Crysis right now. The thing with PC developers is that they can put out ANY game with ANY graphical level and it's completely legal. There's no limit to how much they can pump up the graphics... (there is, i'm just overexaggerating. They obviously can't produce graphics that even the latest graphics card can't handle)

I still hate Halo though. That's the only reason the xbox went anywhere. Oh, and the 360 is winning because it was out first...that's about it. No other reason... The PS Network has already caught up to Live in my opinion. Live just has more demos...haha. The PSN is getting at least one new demo a week though, so that's good. Here's hoping for a Lair or HS demo soon!

halosux

[Dragonopolis]

Windows. (Mac and Linux are really gaming oriented [yet!]). I buy a game at the store for my console I just pop in the Disc and wait for it to load up no installation worries. I never really get that feeling from my PC (I am not trying that using a PC for gaming is hard)unless it is totally installed on my hard drive but then I have to worry taking so much precious Hard Drive space.

I haven't really tried Vista so don't know if Microsoft improved on that. Somethings just don't really need to be installed or iconified.

The other is price. Sure PC gaming is better but as technology gets better People will ride the Technology so long and will settle for less Technology more value. For instance look how many people pick a Wii over and xbox 360 or PS3. Now narrow the gap more between 720p and 1080p - before people actual new whether the xbox 360 could do 720p or not (Remember Microsoft did a major hate campaign against 1080p going as far as saying it can't be done). Sony did demonstrate enough in 2006 and now in 2007 we have proof that 1080p games at 60fps can be done on the PS3 but has that converted Thousands to the PS3 -

No.

Same with the PC gaming. It looks, at least with the PS3, that 1080p gaming will be supported for sure on Sony PS3(still sketchy with Microsoft on xbox 360). However, just like higher graphics won't necessarily make people pay greater prices for a gaming console, The higher PC prices for slightly better gaming quality won't convert console gamers.

Here is a question I bet most people can answer. To get all that DX10 glory from Crytek's Crysis how much would a retail PC box cost to run it. I say at least $1500 dollars. That's over 2 times the price of a console? I wonder how many people will consider PC games like Crysis to be 2 times better than a triple AAA running at 1080p/60fps on a console. Are you getting Double your money worth. Even if the 2 times could be justified now it is getting harder to keep the gap separated between PC Gaming quality and console quality. I believe that gap will close even further with the next xbox and PS4.

I say the opposite. I say unless an $800 dollar PC can give us game graphics with Wow factor of Crysis above what a PS3 or Xbox 360 can do plus true plug and play ability I believe PC days are numbered.

Eventually technology will get better and Cheaper and Consoles will offer many of the same features as PC makers but for less. People will eventually settle for middle of the road in favor of keeping cost low rather than pay big for PC gaming that is only a little better but twice as much.

Best way to look at this is the glass half full or half empty concept. People say that consoles are becoming more like PCs are looking at the glass half empty. I see it more like the glass is half full and say that PCs will have to become more like consoles if they are to survive. PC manufactures need to start making and selling True Consumer PCs that are inexpensive but does not skimp on quality. Not some water down low end business PC (like Mac Mini or Windows/Dell equivalent) and then try to sell us the machine for $600 to $800 and make it seem like they care about consumers wants and needs.

I believe part of the reasons why consoles are popular is because fans of the consoles recognize that Microsoft and Sony do show some consideration for gamers by selling a machine for less than its worth as well as providing them with a glimmer into the future of gaming - all at affordable (or at least reasonable prices).

If there was some true "hostility in the air" at this anouncement, it's because the consoles are affecting the Home PC business.

Here is my example of a console killer PC.

Mac Mini or notebook size PC that is striped of just about every upgrade connection and simplifies the board with just enough connections for Peripherals (usb/bluetooth) and internet connection (both wired and wifi). PC GPU could be PCIe but not upgradeable (more like notebooks except using desktop GPU) or they could make it upgradeable with the new External PCIe 2.0 standard thus people could just plug in external Graphic Cards as upgrades. Memory would come at a minimum (like 1gig) but can access memory at bottom of Small PC box (like some notebooks). Include HDMI 1.3 standard and made to hook to Televisions. Sell it for around $800. Get some deals from Console only Game Makers to release for the PC and broaden the range of genres for the PC (you know like cutesy, platformers, stuff that consoles are only known for), sell the fact that it also is a pretty decent Home office machine and more compatible with printers and other peripherals (like bluetooth stuff)they might just do it. There is a problem though.

They need an operating system that is built and optimize for gaming without the bloat. Vista has the potential but also has the bloat. Unfortunately, Microsoft has an investment in the Xbox 360 and isn't going to release cheaper lighter Vista version that is strictly for gaming so PC manufactures can step into their territory and steal xbox 360 sales. Apple is no good for many reasons (one being is that apple's interpretation of home entertainment doesn't really include gaming past the very casual - and even that is weak). Linux would be good if it wasn't for the GPL. I haven't found too many game developers keen on the the GPL especially since a lot of game developers will never open source their code - ever.

Bottom-line. PC manufactures would have to find some way to break from the current mold of OS and provide their own. Microsoft put themselves in a position were they could do the Apple thing and just start selling their own machines since the next xbox will probably be more powerful than any PC this year (PC manufactures start shop around for an OS).

No,.... consoles will be here for a long, long, time.

[power of Green]

Never!, the market is ever more popular(Consoles)something like 40% of the US alone has one and the percentage is growing we may have a Japan here in the US without the Arcades ofcourse in 5-10 years.

[HaKeRsCanRotINHEL]

Oh wait thats why consoles are so popular, no need too upgrade every other month! :)

[chitown]

r u fu(kin stupid???? console gaming is here to stay r tard. pc gaming is numbered cause pc gaming freaking sucks. keys in odd place, it freakin sucks. pc gaming is the one that might become extinct not console gaming. stupiddd

[G_CodeMonkey]

More PCs mean (he hopes) more HP equipment sold. Me, I love having consoles in multiple rooms where my family and I can game, some playing Gears, others playing Viva Pinata, etc. I no longer use my PC for gaming as its just not even close to playing with my home theater surround sound and big screen, KNOWING that the game just works when you put it in--no upgrading, etc. gCM

[ALIEN]

The days of consoles are numbered. DUDE if you try to stop SONY and MS, you will end up killed by SONY and M$, just take a look at this picture. M$ is the one on the right and SONY is the one with the pistol.

[Douglasp]

We here always like to use the word NEVER. Consoles will rule PCs! PCs are to expensive to keep upgrading! Well I believe, unfortunately consoles are becoming to much like PCs. Not the other way around. Thus making consoles a non issue in the future. I see sony promoting a future cell chip as a 1 do it all place it just needs a OS to promote and ship with one. There linux thing of today is just a start. It's hard for sony when MS has over 90% and Apple doing well in there own right. To just jump in and say forget MS lets make a Linux computer with cell can be costly if no one in the home market knows or heard of the word Linux. I also see MS doing a hybrid thing of maybe releasing a future OS that can play Windows games and any other future Xbox game. All in one box. The high end best looking for those PC gurus. And a very well and nicely done xbox version all in 1 disk or download all using 1 hardware to play it. There are rumors of Apple doing something with videogames.? Who knows what they might come out with. Also this AMD, and ATI merger is spicing the CPU and GPU world. Who knows how small and how powerfull they can make 1 chip + they also make board chips as well. So thus maybe not next gen but mos def by 2020 consoles of today wont be consoles no more. Imagine a IBM, sony base cell powering a OS by MS playing all past xbox, windwows, and ps games + 1 format of the future.? Only one can dream.

[Silvia007]

I didn't read through all the comments but I'm a pretty big PC guy and 2 of my 8800 GTX's watercooled edition is... cough... cough... more then any console out right now and then some (Actually, more so then all three latest gen consoles combined which is frigg'n insane). I'd say, sure, PC gamming will be insanely awesome... or can be, but you'll probably have to get a 2nd mortgage just to experience it. With this in mind... no way in hell a PC is going to overtake a console when it comes to gamming... Sorry to disappoint the HP upper guys... and anyone who knows anything about computers will "NEVER" get a prebuilt pc by companys like HP, Compaq, Sony... etc. etc. Regardless... the market is still there because there's plenty of people who know nothing about computers.

[theagony]

as long as there are people continue to support ms and buy their products this is the unfortunate end we will all face. Why do you think ms has got into this business? they want to take over and shut it down for good, to protect pc gaming market dominance and ofcourse their giant share in it.
pay attention to this article and think again when you play and buy their softwares or hardwares.

[THWIP]

That you honestly could believe the bullsh*t you just posted, is truly frightening. Please don't ever breed. :o

[theagony]

let me guess.. you don't really understand whats hapenning in this industry do you?, all you want to do is just to play your little cute spider man in front of your tv right?, well you do that..and don't reply to big brothers posts kid. And a recommendation to you, don't try to breed, atleast don't try that on spiders.

[Extra Guy]

Well considering how much of a competition Apple is for the computer market i think it would actually be within M$ best interests to keep the console market open, it's a similar story for Sony with other items.

[ChickeyCantor]

it should be more like:
"The days of Pc-UPGRADING-AFTER-1-WEEK is going on for years!" claim PC bosses

doesnt matter what these people claim, i know for sure ill be upgrading my PC to much and spending allot of money on it. i gave up on PC gaming a few years ago, F those extra frame's and memory expansions.
CONSOLES ALL THE WAY!

@alien
then who the"f is in that trunk XD

[theagony]

customers are the real bosses here..we will decide who will stay or who will go

[sovietsoldier]

dumbest thing iv ever heard! consoles are more likey to beat computers the vice versa! they are a little cheaper easy to use and you dont have to upgrade all the time, no crashes ect ect

[SpinalRemains138]

Mouse and keyboard is weak. Bottom line!