PC still rules online gaming.

[J Arcane]

Well, according to the idiots at the NPD anyway. From RPS: (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/03/03/85-of-online-gaming-on-pc/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RockPaperShotgun+%28Rock%2C+P aper%2C+Shotgun%29)

A new NPD survey, published yesterday, suggests the average amount of time spent in online gaming grew by 10% in 2009. The number of digitally downloaded games purchased also grew for the third year in a row. Well, duh. Perhaps the most interesting statistic, however, is that the PC still dominates online gaming: “The PC is still the most-used system for online gaming, with 85% of online gamers reporting using a PC for online gaming activities.” The overall population of people playing online has, however, dropped slightly, which seems kind of odd/unlikely to me, given the Facebook gaming boom.

[Dukefrukem]

How can the overall population of people online dropping be surprising? Think of all the people who couldn't afford to renew their xbl memberships or internet subscriptions because of the economy.

[CappinCanuck]

Of course! :) As a pure online gamer, there's a good reason I'm still 99% PC-focused.

If it's online, it's gotta be a PC -- or you're just doing it wrong.

[CappinCanuck]

How can the overall population of people online dropping be surprising? Think of all the people who couldn't afford to renew their xbl memberships or internet subscriptions because of the economy.

Doubt that's it. It could just be a slight drop, as the writer even said. It doesn't sound significant enough to even bother with. He also doesn't mention that it has never dropped in the past, which leads me to believe that this on the whole insignificant.

[Grifter]

Makes no difference to me, I prefer playing with myself. ;)

[civil]

http://images.popcap.com/www/images/product/screens/large/bejeweled/1033/bejeweled3.jpg

[J Arcane]

God, I hate Bejeweled. It's great in Puzzle Quest, 'cause there's a bit more depth to the mechanics, and it feels like there's a goal and a sense of progression. The regular game just puts me to sleep, it's so easy and so pointless, half the time I get bored and quit long before any fail condition occurs.

[Hawkzombie]

Do Facebook games really count, though?

[CappinCanuck]

Do Facebook games really count, though?

They shouldn't...

[Shadowstorm]

PC g4m1ng f0r lyfe, b1tches11!1

[digitalErich]

They shouldn't...
Why not? You'd have a hard time saying they don't count and then making a case for a large portion of DSI, WiiWare, PSN, XBL, and even a small group of retail games.

[Lithium Flower]

If facebook games can count, then so can J2ME cell phone games, flash games, boredatworkbrowser games, MSN/Yahoo games and most definitely the entire glut of playbypost rpgs not to mention online poker, hearts, internet blackgammon and pinball 3D with sincere apologies to whatever else I missed.

And then they say PC gaming is dying.