I love Windows 7. Most of all though, I love some of the additional Windows hotkeys that have been added to make my life easier for multitasking. As an Excel power user, these are great for browsing/editing multiple documents and for dual monitor use. For a full list of Windows 7 hotkeys, click here. This is a short list of new hotkeys that I really enjoy.

Hotkey	Description
Windows Key + Up	Maximize the current window
Win. + Right/Left	Align window on right or left half of screen
Win. + # (0-9)	Maximize/minimize a certain application on your taskbar
Win. + Shift + Right/Left	Window jumps from one monitor to the other
Win. + Space	Take a peek at the desktop

So I just finished installing Windows 7 RC1 on my home computer. So far, I’m very pleased with the operating system (I’ve been running Windows 7 Beta on my work laptop for the past month or two). I’m a huge fan of all of the additional shortcuts, which tend to make my life a whole lot easier. I’ll talk more about those in a future post.

Additionally, I’m a huge fan of the wallpaper artwork. There’s the typical beautiful photography, but it’s also intertwined with some additional cool, interesting (and occasionally psychadelic) illustrations. The Engineering Windows 7 blog describes some of the reasoning behind the wallpapers. One of my favorites is pictured below:

There are two issues that I’ve had so far during installation, however. 1) The computer isn’t recognizing my monitor’s native resolution (1680×1050), and instead displays at 1024×768 – and doesn’t give me any option to display above 1024; and 2) My internet connection seems to have slowed considerably. Re: my native resolution, I think this is partly due to the fact that my monitor is plugged in through the VGA cable (with a DVI adapter), but regardless, it seems like Windows 7 should recognize higher resolutions once I’ve installed all the drivers. If I can’t fix this, I may have to revert, because 1024 display makes my eyes bleed. The internet connection is working for my Xbox 360, laptop and other CPUs, so it also seems to be an issue with the new operating system, but I need to do some more research before I state that conclusively.

If I can fix those two issues, there’s no chance of me going back to XP/Vista. That said, those are certainly deal-breakers. So I will try to fix them at home tonight.

I started playing interactive computer games 20 years ago on the Apple Macintosh with The Manhole, Cosmic Osmo and Spelunx. Through a dozen systems (NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Jaguar, Dreamcast, Playstation, Playstation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Xbox 360, Playstation 3) made by a half-dozen manufacturers, the personal computer was one of the few constants as a gaming platform. Since 1998, I have played games exclusively on the PC (running some version of Windows). So why is it that a constant, easily accessible** and innovative platform with the easiest controls** is on its last legs?
*There are far more people with computers than consoles.
**Playing first person shooters and real-time strategy games is infinitely easier using a keyboard and mouse.

Here are 7 reasons that I can think of:

1) Digital piracy is rampant. It’s pretty difficult to stay afloat when 80% of the people playing your game didn’t even pay for it. Come on, PC gamers. It’s no wonder developers flock to the PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 where it’s much easier to control piracy.

2) Rise of portable computers and the deemphasis on hardware performance for portability. Consumers no longer care as much about getting the best possible computer as it really no longer matters. To run basic internet and media applications and to do word processing, CPU and video card requirements are minimal. Which brings us to the next issue:

3) No hardware standardization. It’s difficult for PC game developers and publishers to create games that appeal to all gamers without any baseline for computer hardware specifications.

4) Xbox 360′s cannibalization of the market. You wonder how many console developers might have been producing PC games if the Xbox 360 wasn’t around. Microsoft has produced a gaming platform that is truly easy to develop on, but one which unfortunately has cannibalized some of its own audience.

5) PC versions come out after console game releases. Some of the biggest titles in console history were also released on the PC. The problem? Sometimes it can take 3 years to port a game over (see: Halo 2). GTA 4 and Halo 2 both had low PC sales due to a) late PC platform releases and b) the aforementioned Xbox 360 cannibalization of the PC customer.

6) Digital distribution numbers aren’t released. Digital distribution is the best way I can think of to save PC gaming. But right now it’s a duopoly (Valve + Direct2Drive), and very little sales data is released. Greater competition will breed innovation and an increased value to consumers.

7) Windows Vista. Windows Vista just wasn’t a good gaming platform. It registers significantly worse framerates and there were constant driver issues. Rumor has it, though, that Windows 7 will be “great for games”.

Windows gaming is in serious trouble. Digital distribution, Windows 7 and the PC Gaming Alliance’s efforts to standardize PC hardware requirements and bring more console games over to the PC will help, but it may be too little, too late. It’s sad thinking about the most robust gaming system coming to a close. The next two years will be the greatest test for PC gaming, as Blizzard will be releasing Diablo III and Starcraft II, and I’m sure we’ll see some big Valve titles coming soon. If PC gaming doesn’t see a renaissance now, it’s all but over.

Why do you think PC games are dying, and what do you think can be done about it?