'Doom 3' may doom users' current systems

pr0digal jenius · Aug 3, 2004, 11:28 PM

The latest versions of popular gaming titles such as "Doom" and "Half-Life" will have PC owners tracking down hardware upgrades to keep up with the demanding requirements of these power-hungry programs.

The recent addition to the "Doom" franchise, "Doom 3," went on sale this week and currently holds the No. 1 sales rank on online Web retailer Amazon.com. But the game may be a boon for more than just game developer Id Software and publisher Activision. With heavy-duty system requirements, high-end games like "Doom 3" may end up earning money for hardware companies, specifically makers of graphics cards and chips.

Gamers have become an important audience for high-end PC specialists, prone to some of the same hot-rod urges that motivate car buffs. Devotees of fast-paced shooting games often arm themselves with PCs featuring the latest graphics chip, which can make the difference between victory or ignominy during "LAN parties," one- or two-day events in which serious gamers gather to compete on networked PCs.

Bill Rehbock, head of developer relations at graphics card maker Nvidia, said he expected the sales of such performance-demanding games to transfer to graphics cards because the two go hand-in-hand. He said he expected the sales boost to continue into the holiday season as more high-end titles come out.

When it comes to PC shipments, gaming systems are just a blip, but they are an important indicator of where the market is headed.

"High-end gaming is rarefied, but it sets the pace for everyone else," said Roger Kay, an analyst with research firm IDC. "Its actions imply the mainstream will be headed in that direction soon enough."
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Source/Read More: CNet News

MSX · Aug 4, 2004, 02:04 AM

Will these guys just shut up? D3 is out. It runs on Geforce 4MX for god sakes. High end my ass.

Aug 3, 2004, 11:28 PM	#1
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	'Doom 3' may doom users' current systems The latest versions of popular gaming titles such as "Doom" and "Half-Life" will have PC owners tracking down hardware upgrades to keep up with the demanding requirements of these power-hungry programs. The recent addition to the "Doom" franchise, "Doom 3," went on sale this week and currently holds the No. 1 sales rank on online Web retailer Amazon.com. But the game may be a boon for more than just game developer Id Software and publisher Activision. With heavy-duty system requirements, high-end games like "Doom 3" may end up earning money for hardware companies, specifically makers of graphics cards and chips. Gamers have become an important audience for high-end PC specialists, prone to some of the same hot-rod urges that motivate car buffs. Devotees of fast-paced shooting games often arm themselves with PCs featuring the latest graphics chip, which can make the difference between victory or ignominy during "LAN parties," one- or two-day events in which serious gamers gather to compete on networked PCs. Bill Rehbock, head of developer relations at graphics card maker Nvidia, said he expected the sales of such performance-demanding games to transfer to graphics cards because the two go hand-in-hand. He said he expected the sales boost to continue into the holiday season as more high-end titles come out. When it comes to PC shipments, gaming systems are just a blip, but they are an important indicator of where the market is headed. "High-end gaming is rarefied, but it sets the pace for everyone else," said Roger Kay, an analyst with research firm IDC. "Its actions imply the mainstream will be headed in that direction soon enough." ________________________________ Source/Read More: CNet News

Aug 4, 2004, 02:04 AM	#2
MSX Burning the frozen... Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,201 Rep Power: 0	Will these guys just shut up? D3 is out. It runs on Geforce 4MX for god sakes. High end my ass.