CountAntonius
Member
I know people are itching for a new Warhawk. Modernized with continued support I think it would do well for Sony.
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What's up with player counts in PC games?
- Thread starter taoofjord
- Start date
I know people are itching for a new Warhawk. Modernized with continued support I think it would do well for Sony.
Personally I've just feel burned by console focused competative games.
Also I feel like competative games are getting way to oversaturated. There are like 10 amazing multiplayer games out and AAA devs keep trying to make more without hitting all the marks to replace the current Kings. Not to mention they are all chasing that yearly release dollars.. which is one or the first deal breakers.
Console gamers have this weird warped view where they need to constantly be buying the next big thing. Which just does not work for competative gaming. Its like Chess or sports.. they last for a long damn time.
Also I feel like competative games are getting way to oversaturated. There are like 10 amazing multiplayer games out and AAA devs keep trying to make more without hitting all the marks to replace the current Kings. Not to mention they are all chasing that yearly release dollars.. which is one or the first deal breakers.
Console gamers have this weird warped view where they need to constantly be buying the next big thing. Which just does not work for competative gaming. Its like Chess or sports.. they last for a long damn time.
AstroNut325
Member
This is why I end up paying the PS+ sub. The numbers for the games I want to play are much higher on the consoles.
Jibbajabbawockky
Member
With Battlefield 1, I loved that game at launch and was playing it for a good long while after launch into this spring on a pretty regular basis.
I primarily was playing the Conquest mode most of the time but way too often you go to matchmake into a Conquest game and you end up on an empty server. Again and again, this would happen and there was no server browser for Conquest games so it was always a total crapshoot and more often than not, a waste of time, trying to get into a decently populated Conquest game. And that's not even getting into a specific map or anything.
So that really sapped my interest in keeping up with BF1. Coupled of course with how glacially slow they've been with releasing the DLC. I mean, its almost a year post launch and they'll have only released 2 of their big DLC packs?
And just speculation on why the PC player count might also be low for BF1 or Battlefront- Origin. Origin is fine and all, but I'm just not opening up Origin every day when I want to play a game, like I am with Steam. So I don't see other PC friends playing BF1 unless I'm already on Origin for some reason. And I don't see that the new DLC just released when I'm opening up Steam to play something. I've got to think that the tail end of a game's life gets truncated pretty good by being limited to Origin on PC.
I primarily was playing the Conquest mode most of the time but way too often you go to matchmake into a Conquest game and you end up on an empty server. Again and again, this would happen and there was no server browser for Conquest games so it was always a total crapshoot and more often than not, a waste of time, trying to get into a decently populated Conquest game. And that's not even getting into a specific map or anything.
So that really sapped my interest in keeping up with BF1. Coupled of course with how glacially slow they've been with releasing the DLC. I mean, its almost a year post launch and they'll have only released 2 of their big DLC packs?
And just speculation on why the PC player count might also be low for BF1 or Battlefront- Origin. Origin is fine and all, but I'm just not opening up Origin every day when I want to play a game, like I am with Steam. So I don't see other PC friends playing BF1 unless I'm already on Origin for some reason. And I don't see that the new DLC just released when I'm opening up Steam to play something. I've got to think that the tail end of a game's life gets truncated pretty good by being limited to Origin on PC.
DaciaJC
Gold Member
I think you're mistaken, there has always been a server browser in BF1. It's Operations, not Conquest, that isn't fed by the browser.
-hadouken
Member
It's even worse in places like Oz or New Zealand. The gaming community for PC is simply too tiny to properly cater to players interested in AAA. I use PC (and lag up overseas servers when I have to) tho greatly prefer console for the population benefits. No one to play with at 144hz is pretty boring.
I was playing Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1 pretty regularly, but Ive been playing other platforms more lately (Switch, a little 3DS and PS4). Plus, with my backlog I always feel dumb sinking time into competitive focused games rather than finishing off my single player games.
Have yet to check out PUBG, but one of my friends wont stop trying to get me into it. Been playing Splatoon 2 a decent amount, and thats about it for competitive games Im actively playing.
Have yet to check out PUBG, but one of my friends wont stop trying to get me into it. Been playing Splatoon 2 a decent amount, and thats about it for competitive games Im actively playing.
Optimus Lime
(L3) + (R3) | Spartan rage activated
In Oz/NZ, the population isn't that much better on the consoles. CoD will always be more populated, but in peak times, I end up in more empty BF1 servers than populated.
The Oz/NZ gaming population, in general, isn't great - I find it easier to get games on the PC actually, simply due to games with MEGA populations, like WoT or what have you.
fluffydelusions
Member
Titanfall 2 is 10 years old?
TF2 = Team Fortress 2
Sygma
Member
I think Battlefront 2 stand a much better chance since there won't be premium DLC stuff. + they went even nuttier on the graphic point of view.
I'm looking for a replacement to Overwatch and that's the only tempting one, same boat than you
Multiplayer games that treat themselves like a continuing service, and cater their support to the platform tend to grow and do well on PC. Annualized AAA sequels to games that will be replaced in 1-3 years less so. It doesn't help stuff like Titanfall 2 is stuck on Origin that factually has a fraction of the PC gaming population with the client even installed.
Even Blizzard that is a titan of their own has taken a more service-oriented approach for their more recent games, and it has ensured a healthy population. You have games like Warframe that did this earlier than most games, growing its population over time rather than spiking at releasing and suffering a consistent downturn.
Consoles still have that audience that will buy CoD every year, and stick to certain franchises while not playing much else...but give it a few years and I think console titles will follow suit into service-based titles with less releases like Ubisoft has been open about. Consoles now have x86 based hardware and upgrades now only makes this more possible.
Even Blizzard that is a titan of their own has taken a more service-oriented approach for their more recent games, and it has ensured a healthy population. You have games like Warframe that did this earlier than most games, growing its population over time rather than spiking at releasing and suffering a consistent downturn.
Consoles still have that audience that will buy CoD every year, and stick to certain franchises while not playing much else...but give it a few years and I think console titles will follow suit into service-based titles with less releases like Ubisoft has been open about. Consoles now have x86 based hardware and upgrades now only makes this more possible.
texhnolyze
Banned
Yeah, don't play annualized console shooters on PC.
PC gamers play PC shooters that they can buy once for $30 or less and don't have to worry about having to jump to the next game in a year.
This is why I'm a bit worried about Destuny 2 PC.
PC gamers play PC shooters that they can buy once for $30 or less and don't have to worry about having to jump to the next game in a year.
This is why I'm a bit worried about Destuny 2 PC.
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
There are tens of thousands of PC players. Maybe it's your region?
BottleFlip
Banned
The only reason you're seeing such high numbers for battlefield, battlefront, etc on consoles is because it's not yet possible to play PUBG on those platforms. Just you wait.
texhnolyze
Banned
Silly. It's been like this ever since before PUBG existed.
Battlefield 1, at least one PC, is unbalanced garbage. There's no operations server browser so you're at the mercy of the matchmaker. Rounds are rarely close, and mostly involve one side getting curb-stomped repeatedly. The maps and gun balance for BF1 are way off, and the effort to help the game via CTE has come far too late. DICE took every lesson they learned with BF3 and BF4 and tossed them out the window.
Titanfall 2 has a similar problem. Most of the game involves hipfire and splash damage cheese. It just isn't that fun to play against others. Despite being well made with fun movement, the core gameplay loop ends up feeling off. The frontier defense mode is fun but it gets repetitive.
I have been playing these two extensively with their addition to Origin access. They simply aren't games that stand the test of time, Titanfall 2 SP aside.
I think people are much better off playing Overwatch, PUBG, Counter-Strike, or R6:Siege. It shows in the numbers.
Titanfall 2 has a similar problem. Most of the game involves hipfire and splash damage cheese. It just isn't that fun to play against others. Despite being well made with fun movement, the core gameplay loop ends up feeling off. The frontier defense mode is fun but it gets repetitive.
I have been playing these two extensively with their addition to Origin access. They simply aren't games that stand the test of time, Titanfall 2 SP aside.
I think people are much better off playing Overwatch, PUBG, Counter-Strike, or R6:Siege. It shows in the numbers.
TacticalHotdog
Member
You should check your filters because I see way more than 6 servers in NA
CecilRousso
Member
It's not as much that they hate it, but more that they just aren't using it.
Cuningas de Häme
Member
Battlefield went bad with Bad Company. They made it a console game then, and the series haven't recovered yet. In the late life of 4 they tried to makes some improvements, but when the base is made for consoles it really makes a mediocre FPS game.
"Gamers" are the worst whiny bastards I know when it come sto holding grudges. Origin is a great platform, but the constant propagand by the Steam Covenant makes it look bad. Disgusting little creatures promoting a platform that is ruining PC gaming.
But yeah, people play games that are made for PC first. Big publishers jumped the console bandwagon because console players like to be abused with paid online and whatnot. PC folk has always been quick to react if a publisher or game does something wrong.
EDIT. And piracy my ass, it is a scapegoat for making simplified games for the console crowd.
"Gamers" are the worst whiny bastards I know when it come sto holding grudges. Origin is a great platform, but the constant propagand by the Steam Covenant makes it look bad. Disgusting little creatures promoting a platform that is ruining PC gaming.
But yeah, people play games that are made for PC first. Big publishers jumped the console bandwagon because console players like to be abused with paid online and whatnot. PC folk has always been quick to react if a publisher or game does something wrong.
EDIT. And piracy my ass, it is a scapegoat for making simplified games for the console crowd.
-hadouken
Member
I've got BF1 for PS4 and X1 - on both platforms I'm getting 20+ full servers during the evenings. No shortage whatsoever. Can also get plenty of TDM, which is impossible to find on PC most of the time.
It just isn't PUBG...
I jest, PC is just a fickle play field for gaming. We tend to stick to older titles because of modability, server architecture availability and most definitely ones that are actually developed with either PC in mind or at least given the time of day to be better on PC purely because of the tech gap.
Destiny 2 will do exceptionally well because of that last factor. I was already going to get it but the fact it played so fucking well sealed the deal even more. I have never played a game that gorgeous and that perfect in balance for some time, it was just so damn good. Plus it's an MMO, which you've also ignored completely along with MOBA titles which are gigantic on PC.
I jest, PC is just a fickle play field for gaming. We tend to stick to older titles because of modability, server architecture availability and most definitely ones that are actually developed with either PC in mind or at least given the time of day to be better on PC purely because of the tech gap.
Destiny 2 will do exceptionally well because of that last factor. I was already going to get it but the fact it played so fucking well sealed the deal even more. I have never played a game that gorgeous and that perfect in balance for some time, it was just so damn good. Plus it's an MMO, which you've also ignored completely along with MOBA titles which are gigantic on PC.
Origin was an ok platform for a few years yeah, until the last UI update made it look like garbage. As for the bold part- You ok there buddy? Wanna make a thread about how "disgusting little creatures are ruining PC gaming" I'd be really interested in reading it.Cuningas de Häme;249733278 said:
Turin Turambar
Member
It's a host of factors:
-PC gaming is more varied than console gaming. There are super big genres like Strategy that don't even exist in consoles, and indie games are more played (in comparison with the AAA bias in consoles). So with some exceptions, audience isn't as focused in 5-6 AAA games.
-Some of the biggest pc games aren't in Steam. League of Legends, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Overwatch, World of Tanks, etc.
-And that¡s not counting the ones that are in Steam: PUBG, Dota 2, CS, TF2, H1Z1, etc.
You ask "why BF1 hasn't been successful in pc?" and I ask "Why CS hasn't been successful in consoles?"
Different markets.
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BF1 isn't what I would call a quality game. It was a disappointment for me. And surprise surprise, I wasn't the only one thinking that, as in PC the number of player decreased fast, while games like BF4 have been decreasing too, but at a lower pace.
-PC gaming is more varied than console gaming. There are super big genres like Strategy that don't even exist in consoles, and indie games are more played (in comparison with the AAA bias in consoles). So with some exceptions, audience isn't as focused in 5-6 AAA games.
-Some of the biggest pc games aren't in Steam. League of Legends, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Overwatch, World of Tanks, etc.
-And that¡s not counting the ones that are in Steam: PUBG, Dota 2, CS, TF2, H1Z1, etc.
You ask "why BF1 hasn't been successful in pc?" and I ask "Why CS hasn't been successful in consoles?"
Different markets.
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BF1 isn't what I would call a quality game. It was a disappointment for me. And surprise surprise, I wasn't the only one thinking that, as in PC the number of player decreased fast, while games like BF4 have been decreasing too, but at a lower pace.
Optimus Lime
(L3) + (R3) | Spartan rage activated
In very limited game modes. It is not populated across the board.
Yeah some of these numbers are a few months old but unless Titanfall 2 had a large boost in concurrent player count on all platforms (which is possible but seems unlikely, Titanfall console numbers are probably lower at this point) Team Fortress 2 has a much higher concurrent player count on PC than Titanfall 2 has on all 3 platforms.
Crimsonclaw111
Member
Well in my case EA hasn't made a game I've cared about in like... 7 or 8 years? So that certainly doesn't help. Their big shooters are also annualized AAA console games, which doesn't stack up to a game like CSGO that's been out for 5 years and isn't just dumped.
Oh and the new origin looks like shit so I don't even boot it up out of curiosity anymore.
Sad Affleck
Member
It did. Look, it's really not such a huge mystery why some popular franchises can't find an audience on PC. These reasons in my opinion are:
1. Mishandling of the franchise by the owner. Both EA and Activision are guilty of this. Modern Warfare 2 and onwards killed the COD franchise on PC, while EA allowed BF4 to launch completely broken and then came the "log into the website to browse servers" shenanigans.
2. Lots of established competition. Activision and EA are the top dogs in the console shooter space. Valve, Blizzard and now Bluehole dominate in the PC space.
3. Console-first development. Most people don't realize it but it matters a lot. There are tons of little details and design principles that betray a game's primary audience and platform. When you will be playing a game for thousands of hours these small details become huge annoyances. I'll give a counter-example: I've been playing Divinity 2 with a controller and item selection and pickup from the environment is annoying as shit compared to the same task with a mouse. This little detail shows that the game has been designed primarily with PCs in mind.
4. Origin. People may disagree but Origin doesn't have a permanent spot on most people's PCs as Steam does. Origin doesn't start automatically when I log into Windows. The fact that Origin is way less popular than Steam means that Origin games have no chance of enticing new players with promotions or updates since noone ever hears about them. I have no idea when Origin has deals or trials or free weekends because the program is not running constantly on my PC. These same games would do much better on Steam.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
This is pretty much the idea. There's something more to PC than just a graphics powerhouse.
fluffydelusions
Member
I think Destiny will be alright on PC. Loot based FPS and seemingly a good port? But I guess we won't have numbers since it's not on Steam so who knows
petran79
Banned
But it saves me from the cost of owning 10 separate consoles
fluffydelusions
Member
I don't think Origin is a big issue for the masses. I remember BF3 for instance having a larger concurrent player base on PC than console quite often according to that stats site back at release but 3 was the point where they started that server browser on webpage thing iirc. I hated that with a passion and I sorta stopped playing a lot at that point.
Seriously? You can literally double click a shortcut or even add them as non Steam games.
You might not like Origin but convenience reality doesn't cut it with me as an excuse to boot up the Xbox instead.
Herbspiceguy
Member
PC gamers tend to gravitate towards multiplayer games with a high skill ceiling.
BF 1 is a wierd case.
Pretty much all of my friends have been playing BF since 2, but BF 1 was dropped almost immediately. Hardline was not even purchased.
DICE have lost their touch somewhat.
Also, and i have nothing to back that up numbers wise, but i feel Origin has lost popularity since the BF 3 days. Other clients, like BLizzards, seem more popular. (and steam obv.). It was also afwul to use in BF1, the overlays ect. rarely worked right, at least around launch.
Pretty much all of my friends have been playing BF since 2, but BF 1 was dropped almost immediately. Hardline was not even purchased.
DICE have lost their touch somewhat.
Also, and i have nothing to back that up numbers wise, but i feel Origin has lost popularity since the BF 3 days. Other clients, like BLizzards, seem more popular. (and steam obv.). It was also afwul to use in BF1, the overlays ect. rarely worked right, at least around launch.
fluffydelusions
Member
BF3 was the point where they ripped the series off steam right? Cause I still have Bad Company 2 on steam.
Pjsprojects
Member
As a mostly AAA (apart from Hellblade)mostly pc gamer I always seem to get a match on BF1 or SWBF but some controller only players may be put off for fear of being out matched with kb/m gamers.
Turin Turambar
Member
-Slower, and less common vehicles.
-Less dynamic action (you can't jump out from a window and fire a rocket launcher, you can't get in/out of a vehicle instantly, etc)
-Less custom severs. Official 64 players servers are terrible. Too much spam everywhere.
-Too good sniper rifles.
-Most maps are too open. Go back to BC2, BF3 and BF4, they had more cover and debris everywhere, so you could play a more aggressive, close-combat style using that cover that obstructed line of sight.
All this made me leave the series.
The games are populated, and you'll find players easily. But if you like more niche modes, you might struggle to find matches at times.
Though server browsers mitigate this problem a lot.
fluffydelusions
Member
Sad Affleck
Member
I don't think that's exactly true. Many shooters have a higher skill ceiling on PC due to the control method but Overwatch is hugely popular and it's not hard to play decently there. It would be more accurate to say that PC gamers gravitate more towards PC shooters. COD and EA games haven't been PC shooters for a while and as a result their popularity is waning on PC.
Pantaghana
Member
Another "problem" with PC gaming is that old games are kept alive so people are spread out across a greater number of titles, if you don't like the direction BF series is going in, you can still play previous BF titles that are kept alive by the community, some of the abandoned BFs are getting new content even 10+ years after release.
icecold1983
Member
Ummm no not anymore
Pretty much every recent shooter has a higher skill ceiling than overwatch and they have far lower playercounts
All these "nobody plays in Origin" must have forgotten their wives, girlfriends, mothers, and aunts playing The Sims 4.
The PC gaming community is just sundered into different specific genres that it only intersects at a game at a time. It may be PUBG today, DOTA 2 yesterday, and Destiny 2 tomorrow, and they'll play this game together with their 4X grand strat, Korean mmorpgs, simulators, 1000th playthrough of Vampire: The Masquerade-Bloodlines, or lewd anime visual novels.
The PC gaming community is just sundered into different specific genres that it only intersects at a game at a time. It may be PUBG today, DOTA 2 yesterday, and Destiny 2 tomorrow, and they'll play this game together with their 4X grand strat, Korean mmorpgs, simulators, 1000th playthrough of Vampire: The Masquerade-Bloodlines, or lewd anime visual novels.
I feel like overwatch was an anomaly as PC gamers tend to be loyal to Blizzard. That said I feel like many people are starting to move on.