The end of PC gaming?

Will the arrival of the new game platforms by Microsoft (Xbox 360), Sony (Playstation III) and Nintendo (Revolution) spell the end of PC gaming? Maybe not immediately, but PC gaming is certainly headed for long-term care if the new platforms become what they are advertised.

Prices for the new platforms have not been released. But speculation is that they will retail for less than $500, maybe less than $400 and perhaps even lower.

These machines will scream. Sony claims that PS3's Cell processor will be coupled with an Nvidia based RSX graphics processor that will offer stronger graphical performance than just about anything available in a current gaming PC. Why pay $2,000 for a PC for gaming?

Which platform is better? Very little has been released about Revolution. The 360 is slated to hit the shelves first. All things being equal, with PSIII coming out later, it is likely to be a better machine.

Are things equal? Not likely. My money is on PSIII and its Cell for the platform. However, Microsoft has the online game experience that will be keep its current gamers loyal . . . and perhaps encourage some to defect from Sony and Nintendo before their new platforms arrive.

David Carnoy, Executive editor, CNET Reviews writes:

Now, the PS3 may be the Yankees and the Xbox 360 the Seattle Mariners, but they're both major-league consoles capable of competing with major-league PCs--for the time being, anyway.

Read Carnoy’s excellent article here.