If you’re looking to get Guide to PC Gaming started with digital gaming in 2024, then it’s time to give the PC a try. Yes, there are now a multitude of ways to play and engage with video gaming content, whether that’s playing gaming apps on your smartphone or watching a gaming-based movie or TV show, but gaming on the PC can actually be a worthwhile pastime for anyone with even just a passing interest. Plus, for more experienced gaming enthusiasts, it’s even possible to build your own gaming rig to enjoy a truly bespoke playing experience.
Introduction to PC Gaming
The humble personal computer has been a mainstay in the home gaming industry since day one. During the 1980s, the emergence of devices like the Commodore 64 paved the way for early computerised leisure experiences, which often featured simple graphics and text-based inputs. Then, in the 1990s, the release of iconic feature-length games such as Doom on the platform showcased the potential of PCs for immersive gameplay and multiplayer experiences.
Currently, the PC gaming segment (which includes laptops as well as desktops) is worth $40.4 billion, accounting for 22% of the global gaming industry’s annual revenues. Unlike playing titles on a console, the PC provides a far greater degree of flexibility in terms of software compatibility, hardware customisation and overall accessibility. Both gaming rigs and laptops allow users to tailor gaming experiences to their specific preferences, and the platform is compatible with a vast library of content, including browser-based games that are typically inaccessible on the console platform.
For instance, the online gaming marketplace Steam supports a wide range of devices, from PCs to smartphones, consoles and tablets and, as existing gamers will know, features a wide range of popular titles and genres. However, for players who are keen to explore more diverse niches such as online poker, browser based gaming sites like PokerStars are considered the most reputable way to engage in real money games. While its possible to download the poker platform and play in browser or on mobile devices, currently, its not supported for console gaming.
Games to Play on the PC
Speaking of varied gaming experiences, let’s take a closer look at some of the genres that you can enjoy playing on the platform. Admittedly, the PC hasn’t always immediately had the same spread of new releases that consoles did, particularly during the 2010s and the era of the ‘Console Wars’. More recently, though, developers and publishing studios alike have made concerted efforts to bring the desktop machine back into the fold.
- First-Person Shooter (FPS) – offering fast-paced Guide to PC Gaming action and competitive multiplayer modes, it’s no wonder that the FPS genre is a staple in the eSports ecosystem. The Call of Duty franchise and Counter-Strike 2 (formerly known as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) are standout out titles in the genre.
- Role Playing Games (RPGs) – platformers were Guide to PC Gaming the quintessential genre of the 80s and 90s, but here in the digital age its all about RPGs. The genre itself is now one of the largest categories and has even spawned various sub-genres including the ever popular massively multiplayer online RPG segment. RPGs are known for immersing players into rich, narrative-driven realism filled with colourful characters and open-world exploration. Check out Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and any entry in the Skyrim canon for exemplary RPG gaming.
- Real-Time Strategy (RTS) – of course, PC gaming isn’t all shooters and roaming around expansive fantasy worlds; strategy games are just as popular in the online age as they have been for centuries. While the medium may look different, titles like StarCraft II and Age of Empires II are RTS powerhouses that perfectly capture the challenge of board games like RISK and Battleship.
This is by no means an exhaustive list and a quick scout around game streaming marketplaces will uncover simulation games, indie titles and radical new virtual reality based games.
The Pros and Cons of PC Gaming
There’s no doubt that PC gaming can be a lot more versatile and customisable than any other platform. However, it’s also not without its own set of challenges, including potentially higher setup costs. Nevertheless, the superior graphics and processing power of even budget model gaming PCs when compared to consoles results in sharper visuals, higher frame rates and all-round smoother gameplay.
