Intel, Microsoft, Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, along with other computer companies, will reportedly form a consortium to support the PC gaming market, with the aim of enabling PCs to continue to compete with game consoles.
The San Jose Mercury News reports that the industry leaders
will announce their alliance to coincide with the upcoming Game Developers Conference, which begins February 18th.
PC gaming
has declined in recent years, with the 2007 NPD results showing nearly a $60 million decrease in PC retail game sales over the previous year.
According to the article, the consortium will focus on removing obstacles to the success of PC gaming as a platform, such as technology requirements and compatibility issues. Microsoft's Games For Windows program has historically aimed to address some of these problems, and the consortium will represent an expansion of these efforts.
