Strategy NG dying as well

In message <gqQnj.1414$xq2.1197@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net>, John Doe
<jdoe.RemoveThis@usenetlove.invalid> writes
>Ross Ridge <rridge.RemoveThis@caffeine.csclub.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
>> Olaf <olaf.RemoveThis@satx.rr.com> wrote:
>>> Doug Jacobs <djacobs.RemoveThis@shell.rawbw.com> wrote:
>
>>>> When you do not take into account MMOs (WoW), then yeah.
>>>> Otherwise, no. PC gaming is kicking ass.
>
>>>This reports that NPD shows that in North America, out of the
>>>nearly $19 billion dollars generated in video games in retailers,
>>>only about 14% of it was attributed to the PC.
>>
>> As Olaf said, that doesn't take into account MMO subscription
>> fees, like World of Warcraft's.
>
>And we all know that is humongous. Last time I checked the Warcraft
>group (alt.games.warcraft), it was huge. Just checked, it's still
>huge. Maybe MMOGs is where most of the PC gamers have gone. Another
>possible theory among many.
>
>Hmm. Maybe I'm missing something.
>
I'd say so. There's nothing like playing with and against real people.
Two things stand out - first, real people are far cleverer and more
inventive than any AI. And second is the embarrassment factor - if you
lose out to a pre-programmed AI, well, you just reload and try again
until you get it right. But if a human outsmarts you there's no second
try - and you know someone somewhere is sitting there feeling pleased
with themselves. It brings a different level of tension.
And then there is all the co-operative stuff, joining with other people
to create things or to fight wars. I started playing a MMORPG about
three years ago and since then I have bought exactly one [1] standalone
game - that was Civ 4 and I didn't really play it for long. It's saved
me money, too, the subs are less than I would spend each month on new
games. So I am one of the "missing" PC gamers, though I am spending more
time than ever playing games on my PC.
--
John Secker

John Secker <John.DeleteThis@secker.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Doe <jdoe.DeleteThis@usenetlove.invalid> writes
>> Ross Ridge <rridge.DeleteThis@caffeine.csclub.uw

>>> As Olaf said, that doesn't take into account MMO subscription
>>> fees, like World of Warcraft's.
>>
>>And we all know that is humongous. Last time I checked the
>>Warcraft group (alt.games.warcraft), it was huge. Just checked,
>>it's still huge. Maybe MMOGs is where most of the PC gamers have
>>gone. Another possible theory among many.
>>
>>Hmm. Maybe I'm missing something.
>>
> I'd say so. There's nothing like playing with and against real
> people.

I wouldn't have it any other way. I just haven't tried MMOGs.

> Two things stand out - first, real people are far cleverer
> and more inventive than any AI. And second is the embarrassment
> factor - if you lose out to a pre-programmed AI, well, you just
> reload and try again until you get it right. But if a human
> outsmarts you there's no second try - and you know someone
> somewhere is sitting there feeling pleased with themselves. It
> brings a different level of tension.

And when you dupe an opponent. Like while playing Warcraft II, you
do the Barracks-in-the-Mine trick. Like while playing Total
Annihilation, you pick up the enemy commander with a light
transport. And you can't stop laughing.














> And then there is all the
> co-operative stuff, joining with other people to create things or
> to fight wars. I started playing a MMORPG about three years ago
> and since then I have bought exactly one [1] standalone game -
> that was Civ 4 and I didn't really play it for long. It's saved
> me money, too, the subs are less than I would spend each month on
> new games. So I am one of the "missing" PC gamers, though I am
> spending more time than ever playing games on my PC.