Culture & Community

PC Gaming

The open platform

PC gaming evolved from hobbyist computing to a dominant gaming platform, distinguished by openness, modding culture, and continual hardware advancement.

pc platformshistory 1981–present

Overview

PC gaming grew alongside personal computing itself. Unlike closed console ecosystems, the PC’s openness enabled modding, user-generated content, and hardware customisation. From text adventures on the IBM PC to modern esports, PC gaming has continuously pushed technical boundaries while fostering unique game genres and communities.

Fast facts

  • Origins: IBM PC (1981), but earlier on Apple II, C64.
  • Defining moment: Doom shareware distribution (1993).
  • Modern market: Billions in annual revenue.
  • Key platform: Steam (launched 2003).

Early PC gaming (1981-1990)

The IBM PC era:

  • CGA graphics (4 colours, 320x200).
  • PC speaker audio (beeps only).
  • Business machine repurposed for games.
  • Text adventures dominated (Infocom).

Key games:

  • King’s Quest (1984): Graphic adventure.
  • Flight Simulator (1982): Simulation genre.
  • Ultima series: RPG foundation.

Sound and graphics revolution (1987-1995)

Hardware advancement:

  • Sound Blaster (1989): FM synthesis, digitised audio.
  • VGA (1987): 256 colours, 320x200.
  • SVGA: Higher resolutions emerge.
  • CD-ROM: FMV and large datasets.

Enabling games:

  • Wing Commander (1990): Cinematic action.
  • Wolfenstein 3D (1992): FPS genre birth.
  • Doom (1993): Industry-defining.

Shareware distribution

Pre-internet game delivery:

  • First episode free via BBS/disks.
  • Players share copies.
  • Pay for complete game.
  • id Software perfected this model.

3D acceleration era (1996-2000)

Graphics cards transform gaming:

  • 3dfx Voodoo (1996): Hardware 3D.
  • Quake (1996): True 3D engine.
  • Half-Life (1998): Narrative FPS.
  • Online multiplayer via internet.

PC vs console dynamics

PC advantages:

  • Upgradeable hardware.
  • Mouse and keyboard precision.
  • Modding and user content.
  • Backward compatibility.

Console advantages:

  • Standardised hardware.
  • Lower entry cost.
  • Couch gaming.
  • Exclusive titles.

Digital distribution revolution

Steam’s impact (2003 onwards):

  • Eliminated physical media.
  • Enabled indie development.
  • Created sales culture.
  • Centralised community features.

Other platforms: GOG, Epic Games Store, itch.io.

PC-first genres

Genres that thrive on PC:

GenreReason
RTSMouse precision essential
MMOKeyboard shortcuts, long sessions
SimulationComplex interfaces
Grand strategyDeep menus, data
Modding gamesOpen file systems

Modding culture

PC gaming’s unique strength:

  • Total conversions (Counter-Strike from Half-Life).
  • User maps and levels.
  • Community patches.
  • Extended game lifespans.

Modern PC gaming

Current landscape:

  • Esports dominance.
  • VR development platform.
  • Ray tracing graphics.
  • Cloud gaming integration.
  • Steam Deck portability.

Legacy

PC gaming proved that open platforms foster innovation. The culture of modding, user content, and community-driven development created genres and practices that influenced all of gaming.

See also