The Renaissance of PC Gaming

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During the 1980’s and the formative years of the 1990’s, PC gaming enjoyed an overwhelming wave of support and popularity. This was partially due to a lack of alternatives, with Windows platforms vastly superior to privative mediums such as Atari and Spectrum.

The latter platforms earned cult status among gamers, however, driving a demand for console-inspired gaming and triggering the rise of the Sega Mega Drive and the Super Nintendo. In turn, this heralded the dawn of a new generation for console gaming, as the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox introduced advanced graphics, episodic gameplay and ultimately online connectivity.

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During the eight generations of console gaming, the traditional desktop format has endured a gradual decline. This was until recently, however, as two key factors have converged to popularise PC gaming as a cutting edge entity once again. Firstly, the emergence of platforms offering free slot games has created a new generation of PC gamers, as the relatively large-screen nature of the modern desktop is ideally suited to the demands of virtual roulette, real-time blackjack and video poker.

Additionally, we have also seen the launch of Microsoft’s Windows 10 platform. This upgrade is revolutionary, and offers considerable advantages to everyone from business users to avid gamers. In terms of the latter, the Windows operating system has now almost completely converged with the Xbox One, creating a new, fluid ecosystem that incorporates tablets, mobiles, PC’s and consoles. This instantly creates a unique opportunity for cross-platforming gaming, as a wider range of titles are shared across interconnected mediums in real-time.

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Not only will players be able to access a more diverse range of games through the new Windows 10 platform, but it will also be possible to enjoy the same title through multiple devices simultaneously. If you are playing an Xbox One game online, for example, you will be able to connect with others who are playing a desktop version in real-time. The Windows 10 gaming experience will also be driven by a number of innovative game streaming services, which will instantly link affiliated consoles, tablets and PC’s.

This popularisation of PC gaming in 2015 should not come as a surprise, especially as it is continuing to manifest itself through various trends and individual titles. Take the increasingly popular title Rocket League title, for example, which interestingly has as many concurrent players as Grand Theft Auto and may even supersede this iconic game in the next 12 months. With an additional range of innovative and lucrative titles being developed for the fast-growing PC platform (think of the promising combat game Rising Thunder) alongside the renaissance of desktop classic, there is no doubt that we are witnessing a gaming revolution that will stand the test of time.

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