Microsoft, the glutton of smaller companies, has taken over control of game developer Bungie in an unexpected move. Bungie, the makers of the Myth series, were not a serious contender in the market, and the purchase by Microsoft surprised many. However, Bungie is developing one of the most anticipated games in the foreseeable future, "Halo," something Microsoft probably wants to get their hands on. On the plus side, with Microsoft's enormous amount of resources, shouldn't Bungie produce a superior product for PC gamers? They should, but Microsoft may not let them. With their eventual release of the gaming console X-Box, Microsoft has been recruiting developers everywhere to make games for it. Bungie will now direct their focus towards development of "Halo" for the X-Box, with a possible port for PCs afterwards. The head of Microsoft's gaming division, Ed Fries, mentions that "Only a few very special games will work well on both PC and on X-Box." Those PC gamers anticipating "Halo" may have to extend their wait from much longer to forever.
PC gaming is now walking a razor sharp tight-rope. At the end of the rope is the acceptance and embrace of the world's developers, producers, and gamers, plus the support that will make the computer a viable platform for games. On either side of the rope is failure. The "Halo" episode is only one of the many examples that show the PC is slipping from its perch. As the PC progresses along the line, greater failure is much more possible. The next generation of consoles will certainly take away numbers from the already twindling number of computer gamers. And with them will go the developers. It's a vicious circle. What will the future have in hold for PC gaming? Who knows, but come back tomorrow for more insights.
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