Gamers like to complain, so heres how to fix Gaming (and PC)

Gamers like to complain. I like to complain too. When you care aboutsomething, of course you are the first person to point out its problemsand what needs fixing. Most of the time, we assume that fixing thosethings is somebody else's job, but actually there's a lot that we canall do to make gaming better for everyone – it isn't all just on usdeveloper-types.

So, here is my personal list of things we can all do to make gaming a better experience.

One: Don't act like a jerk online.
This is probably the biggest one. Few other hobbies or sports lead toas much swearing, abuse and general yobbish behaviour as online gaming.Give someone a mouse and keyboard and an anonymous Internet account andwatch the sparks fly. We've all seen people in online games act like ajerk, and to be honest we have probably all lost it once or twiceourselves, but it doesn't have to be that way. Rule of thumb; don't doanything in an online game you wouldn't do if it was real-life game. Doyou hurl abuse when you lose at tennis? I hope not. Don't respond toabuse with more abuse.

Two: Confront bad behaviour online
If someone joins an online game with a racist or homophobic name, orhurls such abuse, tell the server admin. Get them kicked. And tell themyou are doing so. People naturally keep acting like jerks until societystops them. Don't be part of the silent majority, be the vocal majorityand confront people who are ruining the game for everyone. Not everyoneonline is eight years old – and immaturity is no excuse. Criticise badbehaviour and most people will support you.

Three: Buy the games
Piracy is a topic in itself. It goes without saying that devs need toeat and if a game doesn't sell you can kiss goodbye to support, sequelsand similar games. If you are playing a game you haven't bought, youare invisible as far as the developer is concerned. Only by buying thegames you like can you possibly encourage similar, good quality gamesto be made. And confront other people who are pirating games too. Youare subsidising them getting free games, so make sure they know how youfeel about such freeloading. People asking for cracks on developerforums are the worst of all – report them, and tell them it's notacceptable.

Four: Don't believe the hype
Why are games hyped? Because it works! Why are games based on movielicenses and released without a demo? Because it works! The only waythis will stop is when gamers start seeing through the hype anddemanding a playable demo before buying. If screenshots are provided bythe developer, can you trust them? Gameplay videos are a much betteroption, but nothing beats a playable demo. Don't be tricked intopre-ordering a game nobody has played yet. You deserve to see what youare buying, but you have to demand it.

Five: Seek out niche games
Have you played Tower of Goo? What about Lux? or Pontiflex?These are awesome games that you won't see in many magazines, andcertainly not on the covers. Contrary to what some people claim, PC gaming isn't dying – we're just getting fewer 'triple A' mega budget games. That doesn't mean there aren't tons of fun games waiting for youto try. Go beyond the front page and dig around to find the smallerbudget games – chances are there are a ton of niche games out there youwould love whose developers just don't have the PR budget to reach you.

Six: Don't defend the indefensible
We hate it when gaming gets attacked in the media, but do we ever stop to see if they have a point? Manhunt, GTA, Bully– these are the games that attracted big media attention were labelledas gratuitously violent. The developers know that they will be able toshock the media into giving them free PR, and know that every gamerwill leap to their defence even when the game in question isn't wellliked (GTA being an exception).

To the mainstream media, Manhunt is a typical PC game,though we know better. Don't defend that view without thinking – be thefirst to stand up and say this is not true. Point out what is goodabout gaming and don't be tricked into playing the Manhunt PR department's game. Games sold purely due to shocking violence should not be the public face of gaming.

Seven: Embrace newcomers
No other hobby or sport I'm aware of is as antagonistic to newcomers asgaming. I know when I started out in archery I was treated courteouslyand politely by everyone, though maybe always holding deadly weaponryhelps.

The sad fact is that "n00b" is considered an insult in games. Peoplewho are new to the game need advice and help, and it's in yourinterests to make them feel welcome. There are lots of differentdemands on peoples' time, so if they show an interest in gaming,especially the same genres you enjoy, you should be keen to make themfeel welcome. And again, confront this behaviour in others. Embrace then00bs!

Eight: Try to buy direct
Most people know that buying direct from the developer earns the dev abigger share than buying from a store, but do you have any idea howmuch difference it can be? In some cases it's a tenfold difference!I've nothing against publishers and retailers, but the whole systemcollapses if the guys making the games don't do well. It makes a hugedifference if you can buy direct, and if your favourite developerdoesn't sell direct, email them and let them know you would buy directif you could. It takes five minutes.

I don't expect everyone to agree with my list, and I expect a lot ofpeople will imagine I'm a pipe-and-slippers dad figure cursing "thosedarned kids", but think about it. The gaming community is made up ofjust the sort of people reading this article. If we want to improvegaming, there's nothing to stop us all playing our part.

...and now PC Gaming

PC gaming doesn't necessarilyneed fixing. The industry is raking in money, and don't let anyone tellyou differently. However, with the demise of Games for Windows/Computer Gaming Worldmagazine, the popularity of consoles, and games that once might havebeen PC-only appearing on said consoles, sometimes exclusively, a lotof myopic dorks are calling for PC gaming's funeral.
PC gaming is doing fine. Just ask Blizzard.
But if you really, really think it needs an overhaul, there aresome aspects in which certain industry professionals seem to have theirheads up their wazoos. PC gaming doesn't need to be fixed, but it doesneed some maintenance work to keep on running smoothly. Here are someareas that could use attention.
OEMs: Stop Using Intel Onboard Graphics
This should beobvious. Yeah, Intel graphics solutions are cheap. And trust me,unsuspecting consumers who think they're getting powerful, up-to-datecomputers get what they pay for. Simply said, they're crap for games,unless the games are limited to Puzzle Quest and Peggle. If someone who unwittingly bought an Intel graphics-crippled system grew curious about, say, The Witcher or Gears of War, said consumer is out of luck. Computer makers, here this: Put in a real damn graphics card, or make it well known and advertisedthat your Intel-graphics-laden doorstops are good for nothing besidesWeb surfing and doing email. Perhaps a giant, neon-orange sign on eachPC stating "NOT FOR GAMING" is called for.
Fix the Piracy Problem or Shut Up About it
I, and a greatdeal of gamers, are so damn sick of hearing developers whine aboutpiracy. Look, if it's that big a deal to you (and noting thatunprotected sometimes make a killing),fix it. And I don't mean by making your CD keys 10 digits longer thanthey are now. In fact, you can shove those CD keys somewhere painful,because they obviously don't work. If you want to stop pirates,quit whining and use your heads. If you can program a game that takesup five gigabytes of my hard drive, you can figure out a way to make ituncrackable without forcing me to stand on my head and recite thealphabet backward to play it. Maybe online distribution is the key,with online components that, unless they're present, cripple theexperience. I know that would piss off anyone without a decent onlineconnection, but who cares?
Stop Relying on NPD for Sales Data
Until NPD (NationalPurchase Diary) starts reporting online sales through Steam, EA'sdownload service, Ubisoft's download service, revenue from MMOs, etc.,everything they say about gaming sales is virtually irreverent. I'm notblaming NPD for being myopic; they're selling a half-assed service andmaking money—I'd do the same thing if I could. No, I'm blaming the hugenumber of gaming "news" outlets that report everything NPD has to sayabout gaming as if it were based in reality. Hey, news editors—it'snot. Find another source, or start doing your own damn work and pollingfor real numbers. Here's a hint for the thick headed who can't wraptheir brains around what I just said: If World of Warcraft isn't on top of every freaking game sales list every single month, the list is a load of crap.
Somebody Step Up and Advocate
PC gaming is actually in a very good place right now, but there doesn't seem to be anybody saying so. The PC Gaming Alliancehas been more or less silent since its big coming out meeting at GameDeveloper's Conference. It's been a couple of months, but I have anagging recollection from that meeting that they were supposed to,like, do something? If they're not going to, we need another body thatwill get the word out to the world that PC gaming is alive, well, andhas a solid future.
Stop Taking Sides
This one goes out to all the pasty whitenerds who think posting on message boards means something in the realworld—shut up. It's perfectly fine to like PC gaming andconsole gaming—AT THE SAME TIME! I own an Xbox 360, a PSP, a Wii(which, in all fairness, belongs to my son), and severalgaming-strength PCs, and I play whatever I feel like when I feel likeit. The PC-versus-console debates that pollute geek message boards are moot.There is no reason you have to stick to one form of gaming, and defendit as if it's your sovereign nation. Give up the stupid arguments, tryout games on whatever it is you claim to be "against," and you might besurprised; you might actually enjoy it. Just as it's okay to likepeanut butter and jelly, it's fine to like PCs and consoles. Give up the debate; it makes you look really, really dumb.
Any we have missed?

2 comments for the PC section:

1. Yes, piracy is an issue, andyou're completely right - the codes do NOT work. Even programs thatregister online via a code and have limited licenses are still able tobe cracked. If these people care so much about the likihood of theirsoftware being cracked, they ought to be more creative about it - thatspart of being a programmer.

2. As of right now, PC really isthe best system and for 3 reasons. First of all, the hardwareconstantly upgrades. Secondly, you can use gamepads in most games -even some shooters. If you prefer console shooters, you can have thesame experience on PC. And lastly, you can just use an emulator. Ipersonally don't do this, but you can play practically any game fromany system using an emulator, so that automatically gives PC everygaming experience.