If we consider how the current consoles compare to existing PC hardware, we're effectively looking at a Ryzen 5 3600 paired with something akin to an Nvidia RTX 2070 Super/RTX 2080. While the CPU side of that equation sits comfortably in the mainstream, the GPU factor remains considerably expensive. Meanwhile, the developers of titles like A Plague Tale: Requiem, Forspoke and Returnal are putting those elevated GPU resources available to the test.
It's always been the case that more modern games require a step-up in hardware - and in fact, while hard to imagine these days, a challenging new title that practically demanded an upgrade was even welcome back in the day.. The difference now is that while there are some reasonable CPU, RAM and SSD deals, finding graphics hardware broadly comparable to the latest consoles at a good price is challenging.
So, are PC minimum specs 'out of control'...? I'd suggest not - this is the natural evolution of spec requirements in line with the new baseline set by the latest consoles. The problem is more about the lack of a decent GPU at mainstream price-points. The Radeon RX 6600 is lauded as the closest thing to a good deal at the moment but in my tests with it, raster performance is fine but RT is not.
digitalfoundry Oh yes they are, I see it poor programming who has to be compensated with more computer power, so definitely yes!
digitalfoundry HUh? you can buy a steam deck for $399 and play anything
digitalfoundry more and more devs become lazy to optimize their games many think FSR and DLSS will solve their problems