Will Next-Gen Consoles Kill Off PC Gaming?

An anonymous reader writes "CNET is predicting that next-generation consoles will drive the final nails into the already half-closed coffin of mainstream PC gaming. The root of their argument isn't one of power, but of price: 'The bottom line is that console manufacturers often heavily subsidize their new machines, swallowing huge losses up front in hopes that they'll make it all back selling games... Other things being equal, the DIY-heavy PC gaming industry can't hope to compete in that kind of market.' Which is to say that once the 18-34 demographic starts buying $400 PS3s instead of $400 video cards, developers may have no choice but to follow suit." Will there still be a market for PC games, or are the graphics of the next generation of consoles going to make PC games unnecessary?

-1 Flamebait

[aardwolf204]

I'd just like to mod this article -1 Flamebait.

Thank you,
Slashdot Reader

Re:Tell me again

[TomorrowPlusX]

Marketing.

( I'm not certain about which direction, though. Does marketing make a 100 dollar card seem to be worth 400? Or does marketing allow a 1000 dollar console to be sold for 400? The answer is probably both. )

Re:Tell me again

[mESSDan]

Ahh, but I notice you do not say how many FPS you were getting! Such an important detail left out could only mean that you were either too embarrassed to mention it or you are still waiting on your second frame to draw so you can specify that rather than mucking about with the "Frames per second" metric, you decided to jump directly to the "Frames per Day". Here's hoping you reach 3 FPD!

Do not worry my friend. As a fellow Radeon 9600 Pro owner, your shame^H^H^H^Hecret is safe with me.

Re:Tell me again

[PaxTech]

Funny, I usually classify someone as a fool if they ever use the term 'gaming rig' in a non-ironic way.

I know, right?? When will these people learn?

The proper term is "Wintendo". :)

Re:Tell me again

[robi2106]

"You know... maybe we could all try and not be assholes? Just a thought."

Woh wohhhh.... slowdown cowboy. That is asking a lot for slashdot....

jason ;-)

Re:Tell me again

[7grain]

The differences between the $200 and the $400 video card are pretty small.

Yeah... about 3 months. :-)

Re:I spent $600 on my BFG 6800 Ultra

[ultranova]

I've had Opera 8.01 running + proxomitron and browsing on and off for about 5 hours here. Guess how much CPU time it used?

So... How many FPS does this "Opera" game get ?