A rant on PC fanboyism

[Mr. Omega]

The thing is, PC fanboys don't think they're fanboys.

Their mentality is that of a fanboy, making petty insults, claiming their system is superior and that anyone who thinks otherwise is stupid, that their games are for people who have "better tastes" or "love gaming more", love refering to themselves as "REAL gamers".

It's summed up like this: "We aren't fanboys, we're just BETTER THAN YOU."

 

[Waaghpowa]

i just thought of another advantage for console gaming. mobility. just about everyone has a tv. so say you want to play halo at a friends house you can just grab the console and controllers. moving a pc to a lan party is too much effort especially with giant tower

Spoiler

Though that is true, a lot of people don't realize that a TV makes a good monitor. As long as you're not using the "A bigger TV is better" argument, because that drives me bonkers. You're 40 inch TV from 6 feet looks about the same size as my 23 inch monitor from 2 feet, so what was gained other than the ability to brag about how big your TV is?

Also, I swear that's the same case my old PC uses...

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

i cant think of any advantage a console has over a pc.

Lower entry cost... although it remains to be seen if that can remain the case into the next console generation.

The lower entry cost really only applies to now, when the tech is ancient by comparison. Even then it's kinda iffy. (Note: Although the 360 was 450 in the states on release, it was 600 in Canada, just sayin')

PS3 was AU$1100 here in Oz at launch... Was actually looking at getting one when they first came out but figured I could get a good gaming rig for that kind of scratch.

The push/demand for higher quality visuals will force the console manufacturers to sell at a loss again. Speaking of which, if the Xbox was sold at a loss 6 years ago, what did it really cost?

Can't remember exactly but I think the 360 launched at $100 below cost...

 

[Racecarlock]

I once again drag this post out, because it needs to be said.

Rivarlies, both between companies and their fans, have always been there.

Nintendo and Sega had a friendly competition, mostly in good fun ("Nintendon't" is hilarious) and Nintendo won in the end.

N64 vs PSX was so interesting, it practically spawned two distinct gaming directions. Everybody, especially the gamers, won.

The PS2 won its generation by the sheer number of great games, even if most of them also came out on GCN or the PC or whathaveyou. Sony won so hard, Nintendo made a waggle-platform next, to avoid the tough fight altogether.

Then the XBox came along, and the Console Wars were born. "My cheap assortment of near-identical hardware running 98% of the same games is much better than yours, you dirty fanboy!" Every gamer lost.

The PC was only dragged into this because for the first time since the Commodore64, their plastic boxes full of fans could compare to some of our mid-range machines, so naturally everybody made sure we would lose some, too. Misery loves company?

It's not very admirable of PC Gamers to let themselves be dragged into these ego-measuring contests (especially since it's kindergartners inviting full-grown men...), but there you go.

And all that just because the guys who make the most money in PCs decided to give everyone cheap and easy access to online trash-talking. Good job, Bill Gates.

The problem is that PC gamers love to play a game that feels natural on the PC (using a mouse in inventories, not just scrolling through list) and this simple idea, that takes modders that can only work an hour or so a day months, is overlooked and ignored by AAA developers when it would take them a day or two to impliment.

It's not that hard, it's not even that big a deal to PC elitists when the graphics have to be toned down, it's when something very simple gets overlooked and ignored. Another way to think about it is that developers will change controls between Xbox and PS3 (press A/X to start) but they rarely, if ever, do so for PC gamers (Just Cause 2 said press start to start, the default key mapping was for Xbox 360 controllers on the PC)

9/10 times it's never the fact that a game looks different graphically, it's just that developers don't care. They use a quick-port system and never bother to test it or even use it. They stopped caring because they figured most PC gamers can just mod bugs out and they won't complain.

Take it up with them. Don't lie down and accept it. And don't let them redirect the blame on to us. You probably don't do this already, but I gotta cover all bases here.

Hi there. I'm a PC gamer and I don't hate console gamers.

Actually, most of us don't, just so happends that the ones who do are usually pretty loud about it.

Then this rant didn't apply to you. Read the disclaimer.

So you're only ranting against the people who don't consider you anyway?

Isn't that sort of like walking into the centre of Dublin and say "Feck everyone, if they're English"?

You're preaching to the choir, re-underlining their bad behaviour and bringing yourself down by responding to it.

Not only are you feeding the trolls, you're setting a table for them.

I was merely stating that if you are a PC gamer that doesn't act all fanboyish, then my rant wasn't aimed at you. You can still respond, but I wasn't trying to group every PC gamer in with the fanboys, hence the disclaimer.

 

[Waaghpowa]

PS3 was AU$1100 here in Oz at launch... Was actually looking at getting one when they first came out but figured I could get a good gaming rig for that kind of scratch.

Sweet Zombie Jesus, yeah I would've said fuck it too...

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

PS3 was AU$1100 here in Oz at launch... Was actually looking at getting one when they first came out but figured I could get a good gaming rig for that kind of scratch.

Sweet Zombie Jesus, yeah I would've said fuck it too...

Good thing I did, too, seeing as the one game I most wanted the PS3 for, GT5, turned out to be just a bit shit.

 

[Zhukov]

I'm a PC gamer and I would like to make it clear that those people piss me off too.

Also, I would totally buy a PS3 if I could justify the cost.

 

[DaHero]

I once again drag this post out, because it needs to be said.

Rivarlies, both between companies and their fans, have always been there.

Nintendo and Sega had a friendly competition, mostly in good fun ("Nintendon't" is hilarious) and Nintendo won in the end.

N64 vs PSX was so interesting, it practically spawned two distinct gaming directions. Everybody, especially the gamers, won.

The PS2 won its generation by the sheer number of great games, even if most of them also came out on GCN or the PC or whathaveyou. Sony won so hard, Nintendo made a waggle-platform next, to avoid the tough fight altogether.

Then the XBox came along, and the Console Wars were born. "My cheap assortment of near-identical hardware running 98% of the same games is much better than yours, you dirty fanboy!" Every gamer lost.

The PC was only dragged into this because for the first time since the Commodore64, their plastic boxes full of fans could compare to some of our mid-range machines, so naturally everybody made sure we would lose some, too. Misery loves company?

It's not very admirable of PC Gamers to let themselves be dragged into these ego-measuring contests (especially since it's kindergartners inviting full-grown men...), but there you go.

And all that just because the guys who make the most money in PCs decided to give everyone cheap and easy access to online trash-talking. Good job, Bill Gates.

The problem is that PC gamers love to play a game that feels natural on the PC (using a mouse in inventories, not just scrolling through list) and this simple idea, that takes modders that can only work an hour or so a day months, is overlooked and ignored by AAA developers when it would take them a day or two to impliment.

It's not that hard, it's not even that big a deal to PC elitists when the graphics have to be toned down, it's when something very simple gets overlooked and ignored. Another way to think about it is that developers will change controls between Xbox and PS3 (press A/X to start) but they rarely, if ever, do so for PC gamers (Just Cause 2 said press start to start, the default key mapping was for Xbox 360 controllers on the PC)

9/10 times it's never the fact that a game looks different graphically, it's just that developers don't care. They use a quick-port system and never bother to test it or even use it. They stopped caring because they figured most PC gamers can just mod bugs out and they won't complain.

Take it up with them. Don't lie down and accept it. And don't let them redirect the blame on to us. You probably don't do this already, but I gotta cover all bases here.

Hi there. I'm a PC gamer and I don't hate console gamers.

Actually, most of us don't, just so happends that the ones who do are usually pretty loud about it.

Then this rant didn't apply to you. Read the disclaimer.

So you're only ranting against the people who don't consider you anyway?

Isn't that sort of like walking into the centre of Dublin and say "Feck everyone, if they're English"?

You're preaching to the choir, re-underlining their bad behaviour and bringing yourself down by responding to it.

Not only are you feeding the trolls, you're setting a table for them.

I was merely stating that if you are a PC gamer that doesn't act all fanboyish, then my rant wasn't aimed at you. You can still respond, but I wasn't trying to group every PC gamer in with the fanboys, hence the disclaimer.

Allow me to reiterate, since you went and posted my thread in your list of evidence, that you completely missed the entire post I made.

Skyrim will start on the Xbox 360 (okay) then ported to PC (meh) which shouldn't be too hard (Wait WTF?!)

It's okay until they start to say "Oh the PC gamers can just get the same game, we'll just translate the keys and shove it out the door within a week"

 

[Estocavio]

i cant think of any advantage a console has over a pc.

Lower entry cost... although it remains to be seen if that can remain the case into the next console generation.

Not entirely true - It depends on what kind of output you want. I, for example, could do everything i can now, with a $350 Computer. Albeit at an inferior level of quality to a $600-$700 Computer. Its a matter of choice and preference - But, your point can be made Valid, it just needs to be rephrased a bit.
Id suggest "Lower Entry Cost for High Performance, Variable Entry Cost for Acceptable Performance."

PS3 was AU$1100 here in Oz at launch... Was actually looking at getting one when they first came out but figured I could get a good gaming rig for that kind of scratch.

Sweet Zombie Jesus, yeah I would've said fuck it too...

And then there's this. And the Xbox 360 was $650, if im not mistaken.


Anyway;
--

As a PC Gamer, I dont mind Consoles existing, or being present. I strongly dislike Console Fanboys, and to a lesser extent dislike PC Fanboys; The reason being, that PC Fanboys at least put up a good arguement. Most Console Fanboys just shout at each other, about cheaper prices and the lack of need for upgrades, whilst completely neglecting many bluntly obvious facts.

There is more that i could add, but the bottom line is: Be a PC Elitist. Then you can all get along, because Consoles are essentially, glorified Computers. Xbox's are developed by Microsoft. And so forth.

See where im going with this?

 

[funguy2121]

Edit: Some examples of this crap. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.259536-PC-Gaming-Master-Race
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.290579-Whats-with-PC-gamers-being-the-master-race
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/6.290144-Zero-Punctuation-The-Witcher-2-Assassins-of-Kings
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.290163-Skyrim-to-be-a-console-port-which-shouldnt-be-too-hard

Wow, you're really calling them out. Bravo. That, paired with your disclaimer, means that you aren't afraid to take the gloves off but that you're also not a socially inept douchenozzle, so good on you.

It ain't just PC gamers, though. I must admit (and feel free to tell me if you think my own bias is coloring my opinion here), I can't recall ever encountering much Nintendo elitism, but for all other platforms I find the fanboys unbearable. Just unbearable, as if every platform hasn't had glaring flaws, even the best ones.

Just remember that almost no one is ever truly arrogant. Normally when we encounter arrogance, it's just a facade put up by an extremely sensitive person.

 

[Joccaren]

PC Gamer here. In a number of ways, PCs are superior: They have better hardware, the controls are more precise ect.

I will agree with you however, that those who blame consoles for everything that is streamlined, and strut around like they are a king because they play PC, are a disgrace not only to PC gamers, but to gamers as a whole.

It is the developers that dumb down games, and yes some things can be attributed to consoles (low number of enemies on screen and such, there was a thread on this) however, a number of things are being streamlined not because consoles can't handle them, but because of 'wider audience appeal'. Aka: Make things simpler so that the 7 and 8 year olds we think we are marketing to won't have too hard a time and will buy the game.

Consoles too have their fanboys, who are equally as annoying when they try to proclaim that one console is better than the other, or that a console is better than a PC. On the hardware side, things may vary, and PCs will always come out on top, but personal preference plays a large role in which platform people game on. I have rarely ever used a console, and probably will only use them for things like Guitar Hero. I dislike console controls, and can't get as much control as I want out of them, whilst some console players would have the same problem with PCs.

Even though it is never going to happen, we need to just get over it and accept that people have preferences, and not claim 'I am better because of my preference'.

 

[FalloutJack]

All console wars, console/PC wars, and other such wars are evil and a waste of time. And all sides associated with them will start one to try and one-up the other. This, I have noticed. In other words - and this comes from the mouth of a man most-using consoles - console users can be pricks as well. Suffice to say, all sides are guilty to some extent. It is when we abolish these petty, useless wars that we will all be enlightened gamers.

 

[INF1NIT3 D00M]

Well, I've been mostly a console gamer my whole life because I just didn't have the cash to buy a high end rig. In my experience, you'll be able to get a much better looking game and better control with a high end PC, but if you can't afford to spend 1500 dollars on a high end PC and then a few hundred every 3-5 years, you really can't get into it. Internet Cafes are an option for temporary PC gaming, but if you want to really BE a PC gamer you have to have a PC capable of running the games you want to play. In most cases, you'll need an expensive PC to run the FPS games most people like to play.
A console on the other hand, lets you play good looking games over a stable connection wherein most people all have the same hardware specs.
Is one better than the other? No. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Are they mutually exclusive? HELL NO. I've always played my strategy games on my PC. I usually play my FPS games on Xbox 360 (Playstation 1 and 2 before that). It really just comes down to which system best fits your budget and game preferences. I find it ridiculous that anyone would claim that any gamer's choice between consoles and PC affects either option. In fact, I find it ridiculous that anyone would believe either "choice" was permanent or mutually exclusive. Including my PC I have at least 4 gaming systems in my house. It doesn't matter which ones I play, I own them all. The same types of games are always being made for all of them, none of them are dying yet (besides my chronically broken Xbox 360), and it's not like any particular genre is suddenly going to die off because I chose to play Xbox this weekend instead of my PC.

On a side note, am I the only one really annoyed with the new Verizon Wireless Captcha that makes you watch an excruciatingly lame video in order to get your code to post?

 

[DJ_Bunce]

I have friends who tell me I'm this, that and the next for owning a PS3 and a 360 while I don't own a PC the size of a small child. I laugh and tell him to get me another damn beer. He sounds like an idiot for it and I remind him of that, just as he reminds me that I'm sad for my trophy-whoring. Let them have their fun, don't take it heart

 

[Glaive_21842]

Saying that mouse & keyboard is a better control scheme for FPS is like saying that arcade sticks are a better control scheme for fighters. Sure you can use pad, in fact you can do incredibly well with pad...but alot of us have been been using things other than pads for so long that we couldn't play it any other way. Not to mention that console gamers very well could say that the pad is the best control scheme for other game types (side scrolling platformers come to mind)and they'd be right.

Now saying that M&K is better for RTS is a simple fact. Have you ever played StarCraft 64? Ever tried Halo wars? Yeah, there are a few genres that simply can't be played well without M&K.

The ironic thing about all this is that PC gamers will try to sport their elitism with the statement that a comp can use all of the control schemes...well so can the console! Its just that developers rarely implement M&K options for consoles, even though both the PS3 and XBox360 can use M&K. Soooooo...word to developers. Do like UT3 and implement M&K controls for consoles! PLEASE!

PS. And then there's the argument that PC gamers actually OWN their hardware...but i think that might be a different topic.

 

[Traun]

Edit: Some examples of this crap. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.259536-PC-Gaming-Master-Race
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.290579-Whats-with-PC-gamers-being-the-master-race

You just posted two threads which are, basicly, the same as your thread. Why would you make this thread?

Anyway. Nintendo fanboys laughed at Saga fanboys, Sony fanboys laughed at Nintendo fanboys and PC fanboys are laughing at console fanboys.

Also, never give the replays of a Witcher 2 review, this is like giving a Red Orchestra review (a.k.a a reviewer who fucked up massively ).

 

[Hobonicus]

PC gamers are attacked for being elitists far more often than they mock console players. The behavior you're focusing on isn't exclusive to PC gamers but you're treating it like it is. It's bigoted favoritism, attacking one group for attitude problems that exists in every other group. The difference is you don't feel you belong to the PC gamer category so you can ignore identical pretentiousness within your own association.

People who act like that are just assholes, they exist all over. OP, you are the one creating this segregation by labeling it as a problem with PC gamers. And anyway, it's generally rare that a PC vs console argument begins with a personal insult made by a PC gamer like you suggest. It's usually something like "Stupid consoles dumbing down my games." followed by the console fanboy making the personal attack "You're a PC elitist!" then the PC gamer gets stoned to death for wanting games that fulfill their potential. OP, you've made it clear that you hate how this elitism often gets personal, but when the console first yells "elitist!" that's when it starts getting personal, PC gamers usually just attack the industry.

The Wii is constantly mocked for being a lesser console, and everyone seems to be fine with that. If developers started designing games for the 3DS (a device with weaker hardware and controls) and ported them to the 360 and PS3, you'd be upset too.

PC gamers are upset that many of the games they play can't reach their full potential either explicitly or implicitly because of consoles. Anyone who flaunts their superiority like you say is a asshole and would remain an asshole no matter where he is or what he does. Only the terms change, it's shallow to single out PC elitism. We aren't stupid, we're aware that devs make the final decisions, but they have specific hardware and mindsets to consider. Any reasonable person won't automatically hate console players, but some people are perfectly justified in hating the console and it's affect on the industry.

Let me put it this way, I don't think I'm better than you in any way, obviously I don't know you. But my PC is better than your 360 in almost all aspects, which is specifically why I've chosen to use it for gaming. That isn't a personal attack, but many people would be quick to call me an elitist for saying so. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to see people scream "elitist!" when no personal attack was made by the PC gamer? And people constantly get away with that because it's become trendy to hate PC elitists since our culture hates potential arrogance more than anything else.

 

[Evaheist666]

I used to be a PC gamer but then I realized the only kind of game PCs are good for are point-and-clickers. So I only play those on my PC and never worry about upgrading the hardware every 2 damn months since adventure games run nicely on even a moderate PC.
I've owned a PS3 and 360 for quite some time now and couldn't be happier.

 

[Scars Unseen]

It's not that we think we think that we're better than console gamers; they're just not as good as us. I mean we are vastly superior. I mean it's like comparing apples and other apples that are stunted and slightly retarded.

Damn. I suck at modesty.