I'm not clear on what your saying though. You talk about APIs and PC where they aren't the same thing, and you haven't mentioned any order of events. We all agree consoles will one day disappear. We agree all computing will likely go to the cloud. Where does 'PC' fit in with that? What does it even matter? Even if Windows PCs are around, people who used to game on consoles who now game on thin-client HDMI sticks plugged in the back of their TV will be using cloud builds.
I don't think at any point I've disagreed with what you've said. I just really understand what your argument is and am pointing out some particulars to the probable future.
I think it matters.
-Build one central build using the same codebase (PC/Server)
-Less platforms to support
-Ability to deploy everywhere
-Perpetually high potential user base for your game (no "generations" starting from zero)
Of course it also matters to console/PC owners who don't want that cloud future, who want to game natively on local hardware.
I know people are saying "but they'll just deploy on server, and your PC would just be a client streaming the game as well"... but I disagree... because the way they target everyone, is to ALSO deploy that native PC version, that runs on local hardware. And that ties back into what I said about consoles becoming generic pre-build PCs by Sony and MS.
You have a large group of people, who will resist cloud gaming, or simply live in areas which don't have the infrastructure for it... and thus you still serve that market by deploying the native PC build.
Dev releases game
-Streaming via the Cloud (Mobile, PC, Consoles, TVs, Tablets)
-Natively on PC (PC, Consoles, Laptops, Portables)
That way, they hit literally every device possible, and serve both the native and streaming markets.. with only having to build around one central codebase.
There are a large number of people who like the console form-factor, low price point, comfy couch, aspect of console gaming and don't want a traditional PC... and Sony/MS releasing a small form-factor generic PC "console", would do all of that. So all the markets would essentially be served well. From the person who only wants their phone and streaming, all the way up to the person who has a $5000 rig and wants to buy their game full price and play natively.
And like I said... with the PC.. you have entire industries which have a vested interest in designing/creating/selling hardware and components. Consoles have been drifting ever closer to being PCs anyway... this is the next logical step IMO.
