Are dedicated servers a thing of the past?

We all know about Infinity Ward's controversy over MW2 not having dedicated servers, but I was surprised to learn the other day that Bioshock 2's multiplayer would also lack dedicated server support. Even games like Bad Company 2, who's biggest draw to PC players is the fact that it will contain them, won't have them in the traditional sense (EA wont be releasing the server code). My question, fellow Giantbombers, is this: Is not having dedicated servers something we should get used to, and do you think this will affect the appeal of PC gaming? I know personally if dedicated servers go, I wont have much reason to buy any multiplatform games on the PC.

Dedicated servers are the reason I play my shooters on the PC; it seems like they will eventually be phased out but hopefully a few of the more PC centric developers will see what their customers want and keep dedicated servers. I can see Valve keeping them available long after most other developers have switched to Peer to Peer.

Yep. The biggest problem with PC gaming is the barrier of entry. Since it's safe to assume that everybody is cross-eyed pants-shittingly retarded anything that makes playing a game easier is considered a good thing. It also helps prevent pirates from playing online on dedicated pirate servers. More technical games will most likely still have a server browser but it'll most likely be considered rare.
 
Just /dance!

Yes,
Poor PC gamers......

Bioshock wasn't supposed have multiplayer in the first place. So,its logical that they don't want to delay the game for dedicated servers as it would sell for its single player alone. As for BF:BC 2, ea is trying to control piracy using rent system. They're not removing it altogether or profiting from it either. So, unless more and more games ditch dedicated servers, it won't be a thing of the past in anytime soon.

No. Infinity Ward did it for the lulz. They made more work for themselves by removing the server system on the pc from an engine that already has it. MW2 proved that IW has made a money pit for everyone that will buy the next one. 
Bioshock 2's multiplayer is not dedicated because it doesn't have multiplayer that will have lasting appeal, they never do.  That's not a bad thing, its just that it wont last as long due to lack of modding support and such that have almost become a standard for long running games with multiplayer.
 
In short: Developers simply port it to the pc from consoles without any second looks.

It's understandable - dedicated servers lengthen the endurance of the game after the developer cuts off support. And from a financial standpoint, that's no good.

" I know personally if dedicated servers go, I wont have much reason to buy any multiplatform games on the PC. "

If Valve is still around, dedicated servers aren't going anywhere. Also no one gives a crap about Bioshock 2's multi.

Valve preserve us...

This is the stupidest post i have ever read... Dedicated servers are a practicly mandatory feature in games. Developers are only excluding it from a game to prevent piracy... Dedicated servers are just Modding Tools for online games.

No they're not. Matchmaking is a thing of the past that is unfortunately still being implemented in shooters. Dedicated servers are better in pretty much every way imaginable and there are enough developers out there that know how necessary they are.
 
I have a feeling the lack of dedicated servers in Bioshock 2 will be the least of its multiplayer problems.

No.

kind of as some PC games aren't having dedicated servers like modern warfare 2. i kind of hate how they aren't making servers for a lot of newer games as makes games online a lot better. if u lag u can just change to a different server but if u lag in a P2p then u have to leave then search for another game.

because it's not worth giving Bioshock 2 dedicated servers.  Dedicated servers are not a thing of the past. 

It saddens me that not everyone will be able to enjoy these games the way they should be, if the Host lags out badly.

yep just like PC gameing

Yeah, probably for everything except Valve games. 

Dedicated servers are here to stay,if they plan on getting PC sales.Bioshock 2 doesn't need dedicated servers because the multiplayer will be dead by the 2nd week.You will only see Dedicated servers when the multiplayer is the main focus of the game.

"Yep. The biggest problem with PC gaming is the barrier of entry. Since it's safe to assume that everybody is cross-eyed pants-shittingly retarded" 
 

" um no not at all? who cares about bioshock 2's multiplayed bad company 2 that actually has good multiplayer has servers, servers should stay and those that say anything else has been playing on a console for too long "

It was sad to see them not in mw2, but for BFbc2 I think it is a good system. Because I personally do not have the bandwidth to run a server so I would have rented one anyways so that does not seem like a big deal. Could prevent people from having small private matches, But that is not my kind of thing.

I for one prefer match making to dedicate servers. I like not getting my ass handed to me when ever I play online.

I prefer servers to matchmaking because I can get into games quicker with servers.  Matchmaking takes forever sometimes whereas with servers, I pick a server and go.  Sometimes it says it's full, but I can usually get into a game in less than a minute.

" yep just like PC gameing "

" I for one prefer match making to dedicate servers. I like not getting my ass handed to me when ever I play online. "

" @trophyhunter said:

" yep just like PC gameing "

That's a joke, right?

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" yep just like PC gameing "

That's a joke, right?

nope "

A better question: Is PC gaming a thing of the past? 
 
(get on the flame train)

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" yep just like PC gameing "

That's a joke, right?

nope "

Matchmaking when done properly is simply the superior system.

" @trophyhunter said:

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" yep just like PC gameing "

That's a joke, right?

nope "

You realize that PC gaming being a thing off the past is a blatant lie, right? "

Some games practically need them. Dedicated Servers are what sold me on the PC version of Bad Company 2. The ability to bookmark specific servers that are quick and filled with regulars who are skilled, friendly, and organized is absolutely fucking golden for such a game that relies on teamwork.
 
Yes there is playing with friends, but you usually have to mess with lobbying with invitations and those groups tend to be rather closed to outsiders who wanna make new friends. I'd rather buddy up with a location that has interesting users, like I've done with Giantbomb.

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" yep just like PC gameing "

That's a joke, right?

nope "

You realize that PC gaming being a thing off the past is a blatant lie, right? "

you do realize that your blind to the failing interests of PC gameing right? "

" @trophyhunter said:

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" @Fudgeblood said:

" @trophyhunter said:

" yep just like PC gameing "

That's a joke, right?

nope "

You realize that PC gaming being a thing off the past is a blatant lie, right? "

you do realize that your blind to the failing interests of PC gameing right? "

Broad generalization not based on facts. Outside of BC, MW2, Halo, all other console games multi die as soon as a new game comes out. The fact that I can find a lot of games for UT2k4 even last week, says more about how dedicated pc gamers are than console gamers who have A.D.D. when it comes to "best game ever" "