Did you know that there's a non-profit group focused on establishing the home computer in its many wonderful forms as a unified gaming platform? The PC Gaming Alliance, a collection of publishers, developers, hardware manufacturers and others, came into official being at GDC 2008. They argue that the big three consoles each have a dedicated voice - Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, of course - and that PC gaming as a platform needs a similar voice. And while at the end of the day this is a conglomeration of business-minded individuals who want to enhance the business of PC gaming, they seek to do so by figuring out how to make their platform appeal to the average consumer since complexity has always been the biggest barrier to entry for otherwise receptive gamers who want to play on their PCs.
Well Rock, Paper, Shotgun has a great, lengthy interview up with PCGA prez Randy Stude, who also happens to head up Intel's gaming program. Stude discusses the PCGA organizations specific focus and methods, even mounting a reasoned, completely valid defense of DRM in the process. He promises that big things are in the works for the organization and that we can all expect to hear some announcements as GDC 2009 (in mid-February) draws closer. If you play PC games, used to play PC games or hope to one day enjoy the thrill of mouse+keyboard controls and user-created mods in PC games, I highly recommend this informative interview.
Source: Rock, Paper, Shotgun - PCGA President Randy Stude Talks Methodology
