How PC Gaming Changed the Game.
The rise of PC gaming has transformed the way we play games. From the humble beginnings of the first text-based games to the triumphs of modern titles, the evolution of PC gaming has been a fascinating journey.
Going all the way back to the early days of computing, PC gaming can be traced back as far as the late 1960s. The original programmers had to manually type in the code to create the game, something that few people now would be capable of doing. The then-revolutionary game Pong was created in 1972, one of the earliest attempts at creating a game to be played on a home computer.
Soon, developers began to dedicated themselves to creating games solely for PCs, rather than porting games from consoles. This led to the emergence of developers focusing solely on making PC games, such as Sierra On-Line, established in 1979. This set the tone for specialised game development companies which would emerge as the industry developed.
The 1980s saw the introduction of the well-known MS-DOS operating system, developed by Microsoft. This operating system set the stage for PC gaming to become something more than just a means of running spreadsheets or accessing databases. This was the start of the now-famous Windows operating system, which became the preferred platform for many developers, and the opening for PC games to become something more than a curiosity.
As the 90s began, the era of the dedicated gaming PC hadwell and truly begun. Companies such as id Software, Epic Megagames and Interplay Entertainment were leading the charge in developing games exclusively for PCs. Games like Wolfenstein 3D and Doom pushed the boundaries of what was possible with computer gaming, while titles such as The Secret of Monkey Island and King’s Quest offered entertaining and immersive experiences.
NPowever, it wasn’t until the late 90s that many commercial releases began to appear. Games such as Unreal and Quake demonstrated astonishing graphics, detailed levels and sound effects that marked a significant shift in the industry. More developers began to focus their efforts on creating state-of-the-art games exclusively for PCs, as the platform became much more viable given the vastly improved processing power of PCs.
Today, PC gaming has branched out into all kinds of styles, from action and adventure to strategy and simulation. The popularity of the PC platform in the gaming industry means that there are now hundreds of games of all genres for PC gamers to enjoy. Many of the biggest names in gaming were developed for the PC platform, from the FPS genre with games like Battlefield 3, to the RPG genre with games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
What’s more, the PC platform is also home to some of the most popular digital storefronts, such as Steam and Good Old Games, which provide access to hundreds of titles for reasonable prices. Steam in particular has been instrumental in helping smaller developers to get their titles into the hands of gamers, with its vast library of games and the ability to get the word out quickly.
Perhaps the most significant way in which PC gaming has evolved is in its pricing structures. Whereas console games typically have large up-front costs and a much higher price tag than their PC counterparts, PC games often come with much lower initial costs and ongoing discounts to entice gamers to purchase them. PC games such as Overwatch, Fortnite and League of Legends have had incredible success due to their low costs and free-to-play model, which has opened games up to a much wider audience than ever before.
The other major benefit to PC gaming is its modding and customization capabilities. Mods, or modifications, allow players to customize the game to their and their friends’ preferences, creating an experience that is unique and tailored specifically to their enjoyments. Mods are an integral part of the PC gaming library, allowing creators to experiment with the available assets to create something entirely new.
The rise of PC gaming has been a remarkable journey, and it looks to continue well into the future. We have gone from the early days of text-based games to state-of-the-art blockbusters in the space of a few decades, and the possibilities with PC gaming are growing all the time. With its improved graphics, enhanced performance and pricing models, gaming on the PC platform is ever-improving, and there’s no telling what could be on the horizon. The future of gaming is here, and PC gaming is at the forefront of it.