More console-hating. This time, online execs unload against the gaming platforms at the BMO Capital Markets' Interactive Entertainment Conference. The panel discussion heard vivid opinions on the market and what a gamer wants. Read more in the full article.

Business and consumer computer solutions provider Hewlett-Packard, graphics industry contender NVIDIA, Microsoft's PC advocate Games for Windows initiative and even broadband game publisher Trion World Network released a whoosh of hostile air against the next-gen consoles.

They were probably outraged as many other hardcore PC fans were at the 2007 Game Developers Conference's "PC Gaming in an Age of Connected Consoles" panel discussion. Instead, the PC industry leaders formed their own panel, bringing in Microsoft's Games for Windows initiative's boss Rich Wickham and Trion World Network's founder Lars Butler, among other representatives of leading PC industry entities.

Lars was also quick to comment, "I believe the days of the console are numbered. There is one more generation of gaming consoles and that is it."

Backing Butler, NVIDIA's VP Roy Taylor upped the PC's ante by stating, "Our advantage as developers is we know what is coming. And what is coming is far ahead of the console. You will see a huge difference between what you can get on a PC and a console."

In line with this, Hewlett-Packard plans to enter the hardcore gaming market by rolling out a new line of gaming-related hardware, possibly even hobbyist PCs, within the year. It's even claimed that they plan to even provide a curved computer monitor for not only widescreen effect, but for full FPS immersion.

Whether or not the PC industry giants can deliver, we cannot tell, but with PC enthusiasts who know exactly how to make full use of their PC's power and console piracy looming over the horizon, consoles may never be able to say "the PC is dead" ever again.

EA top cats Erin Turner and Peter Huang have left the Electronic Arts fold to join with upstart developer Trion, ending their fruitful terms as director of global e-commerce and director of development respectively.

Said Lars Butler, president of Global Online at Electronic Arts,

We are extremely excited to bring Erin and Peter on-board. Not only are they leaders in the world of web and online games, they are a proven team whose vision and experience will ensure we deliver on our mission to captivate audiences with game services across multiple platforms in a global market.

Turner has been involved in EA's latest flagship projects such as Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, The Sims 2 University, James Bond 007: Everything of Nothing, and James Bond 007: Nightfire. She has overseen PC game sales for EA in North America, Asia and Europe.

Huang, on the other hand has long been heading EA Online and EA China in numerous internet-based projects across the region. He has played major roles in EA endeavors such as Pogo.com and Asialand International.

Trion is expected to join the market on online games and virtual worlds as well as roles in deals with other topnotch firms.