Consoles are usually BETTER for getting people into gaming.

[Azaraxzealot]

On the whole, of the hundreds of people I know, Not one of them has ever been turned to what they and we perceive to be "actual" gaming (Mass Effect, Half Life, and the like).

When trying to show them a game on the computer? I never win any hearts or minds. I can show them a game on a PC (example: Left 4 Dead) then show them the EXACT SAME GAME on an Xbox 360 a month or so later, and they will ALWAYS believe that the console version is the more fun one and will more likely get them to actually have fun and get into the game in question.

If you want to get someone into "hardcore" gaming (if farmville and its various spin-offs don't count) the second worst possible idea (below "force them to play pong and make them work their way up") is to make them play a PC-centric game or a PC port of a game. The controls are more difficult to grasp, the ports are usually more buggy or just poor in general, and they're usually slow-paced or require a LOT of time investment (RTS's and oldschool RPGs are what I'm talking about).

I present this as more of a GENERAL rule than word of god. Because of the hundreds of people I know, all more than 98% of them are completely console-centric and view the PC as just something to have small bursts of entertainment or a means to the web and the videos/social networking on it.

And the 2% that are PC-centric? they've been that way long before i was born (they're pretty old).

The other 98% had to be convinced, and the ones i HAVE convinced were only swayed once they saw something crazy and over the top. something with spectacle, instant gratification, and plenty of "HOLY SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT?!" moments right from the get-go.

Games that provide instant spectacle are usually console games, and the controls for it are much easier to grasp for most newcomers (as far as I've seen).

This all occurred to me whilst watching the newest Extra Credits, and I figured maybe it could be added as a corollary to the rules. Unless you've had more success winning hearts and minds towards "hardcore" and "deeper, more technical" games with the PC, then by all means, refute me. This is only anecdotal and observational (after watching the antics of the mainstream) evidence after all.

All I'm saying is that with the Average Joe or Jane's REALLY short attention span, it's probably easier to win hearts and minds with your Crackdowns, Prototypes, and Saints Row 2's on an xbox or playstation than your Starcrafts, Minecrafts, and Witchers.

What do you think?

 

[hawkeye52]

This is probably because all the games which market cheap thrills and instant rewards moved over the console market because consoles are generally cheaper and easier to set up and go more hand in hand with those types of games. This is despite the fact that PC games that go into considerable game play depth such as a more advanced RPG or RTS will offer more replayability value and more satisfaction over a long period of time.

 

[Azaraxzealot]

This is probably because all the games which market cheap thrills and instant rewards moved over the console market because consoles are generally cheaper and easier to set up and go more hand in hand with those types of games. This is despite the fact that PC games that go into considerable game play depth such as a more advanced RPG or RTS will offer more replayability value and more satisfaction over a long period of time.

well, as journey once said "everybody wants a thrill"

thrills win audiences, and if you're trying to win someone over to gaming, it's probably better to present them with something thrilling right off the bat.

this makes games like Fallout and Oblivion also bad choices for trying to win someone over into "hardcore" gaming

 

[Saelune]

How to set up a console:
1. Buy it
2. Plug it in
3. Press Power
4.Pop in disc and enjoy

How to set up PC:
1. Buy parts (or in new person, buy whole PC)
2. Plug in
3. Press Power
4. Set up
5. Pop in disc
6. Install
7. Wait

Im trying to minimize bias.

Even if you tihnk PC is better, its not simpler, and that isa huge part of a console's appeal. Ofcourse, that does not make us automatically simple minded. (despite anything Bioware says or thinks or markets)

 

[Rpground]

This is probably because all the games which market cheap thrills and instant rewards moved over the console market because consoles are generally cheaper and easier to set up and go more hand in hand with those types of games. This is despite the fact that PC games that go into considerable game play depth such as a more advanced RPG or RTS will offer more replayability value and more satisfaction over a long period of time.

its currently impossible for me to add anything to this comment to make it any more correct or perfect in its current state...well done!

 

[AJax_21]

While you do make a good point, I introduced my sister into shooters when I showed her left 4 dead on PC. Ever since, she must have poured 80 hours into that game. It might be due to its simplistic nature but not all hardcore PC games really that hard to get into. It depends on the game's nature, not necessarily the platform.

 

[mjc0961]

How to set up a console:
1. Buy it
2. Plug it in
3. Press Power
4.Pop in disc and enjoy

How to set up PC:
1. Buy parts (or in new person, buy whole PC)
2. Plug in
3. Press Power
4. Set up
5. Pop in disc
6. Install
7. Wait

Im trying to minimize bias.

Well then you should probably add "install" and "wait" to consoles too, because they usually do this as well. Whether it's just a quick patch or a partial data install (hi PS3), usually it's not as simple as "pop in and enjoy" anymore. Even Wii games might force you to install a new firmware update before letting you play if you haven't been keeping up with them.

To balance it back, you can add "hope the game works properly after installation and if not, scour internet for some kind of fix that will hopefully work so you can play" to PC, because that happens a lot. Sometimes you can't even get any of the "fixes" to work, and you just have to deal with it. I got to play the majority of Red Faction Guerrilla on PC with Mason's coattails spazzing out and being all over the place because none of the proposed solutions people had worked and the developers never patched it. Thank you Reactor Zero for the awesome port job you did. -_-

 

[Saelune]

How to set up a console:
1. Buy it
2. Plug it in
3. Press Power
4.Pop in disc and enjoy

How to set up PC:
1. Buy parts (or in new person, buy whole PC)
2. Plug in
3. Press Power
4. Set up
5. Pop in disc
6. Install
7. Wait

Im trying to minimize bias.

Well then you should probably add "install" and "wait" to consoles too, because they usually do this as well. Whether it's just a quick patch or a partial data install (hi PS3), usually it's not as simple as "pop in and enjoy" anymore. Even Wii games might force you to install a new firmware update before letting you play if you haven't been keeping up with them.

To balance it back, you can add "hope the game works properly after installation and if not, scour internet for some kind of fix that will hopefully work so you can play" to PC, because that happens a lot. Sometimes you can't even get any of the "fixes" to work, and you just have to deal with it. I got to play the majority of Red Faction Guerrilla on PC with Mason's coattails spazzing out and being all over the place because none of the proposed solutions people had worked and the developers never patched it. Thank you Reactor Zero for the awesome port job you did. -_-

Well was easier in older days, but even now theres not that much of an issue. The updates never take more than a few seconds at most. I change games regularly throughout the day with little hassle. Plus...I can always tkae my game to another console and play it. (Though...DRM madness is ruining this)

 

[DigitalSushi]

How to set up a console:
1. Buy it
2. Plug it in
3. Press Power
4.Pop in disc and enjoy

How to set up PC:
1. Buy parts (or in new person, buy whole PC)
2. Plug in
3. Press Power
4. Set up
5. Pop in disc
6. Install
7. Wait

Im trying to minimize bias.

Well then you should probably add "install" and "wait" to consoles too, because they usually do this as well. Whether it's just a quick patch or a partial data install (hi PS3), usually it's not as simple as "pop in and enjoy" anymore. Even Wii games might force you to install a new firmware update before letting you play if you haven't been keeping up with them.

I've gotten accustomed to this, I remember on my way back home after buying KillZone 3 and being very excited the slow realisation that I wouldn't be able to play it straight away because their was probably an install and then a multiplayer patch to download before I could play it.

I do it with every game I buy, I'm all like "YAY NEW GAME... ohhh "
*reads British tabloid*

To balance it back, you can add "hope the game works properly after installation and if not, scour internet for some kind of fix that will hopefully work so you can play" to PC, because that happens a lot. Sometimes you can't even get any of the "fixes" to work, and you just have to deal with it. I got to play the majority of Red Faction Guerrilla on PC with Mason's coattails spazzing out and being all over the place because none of the proposed solutions people had worked and the developers never patched it. Thank you Reactor Zero for the awesome port job you did. -_-

This is why I cannot be bothered with PC games, also factoring that you need a specific controller for a lot of specific games (holy sweeping generalisation Batman!).

Microsoft Flight Sim, with a mouse?.

 

[cameron196789]

Yea I got into console gaming first and then my friend said i should play tf2 (on PC, steam) and I reluctantly played and bought it, and after that I've been playing a lot more PC thanks to glorious steam sales, paying $20 for l4d instead of $50 seemed like a better deal.

 

[Lizardon]

Just a theory, but I would have though a PC would be more likely to bring people to gaming as they would be more accustomed to the keyboard and mouse set up over a controller.

 

[Nazgual]

One example I can give was getting my dad to play games nowadays. A few years ago I tried to get him to play Halo (shut up) and Gears of War, he barely got anywhere with them after 30 minutes and lost interest. When we were kids he used to play games like Sonic on the Sega Genesis with us (and beat us at them) before he got busier with work. A week ago I tried again, this time taking that into account and giving him a go a Super Meat Boy. He wasn't very good at it, but after slowly getting through the first chapter he spent 40 minutes of constant death trying to beat the first boss. He eventually prevailed.

So, I got my middle aged dad who hadn't played a game since Sonic interested enough in a game to refuse to give into it when faced with a difficult level. I'd say that was much more successful than the 2 shooters I made him play. (Yes they were both 'console' shooters, but that's not the point.)

 

[The Madman]

I actually agree with you, consoles are generally an easier way to get into gaming. But...

And the 2% that are PC-centric? they've been that way long before i was born (they're pretty old).

Ou... Ouch. That hurts! I not that old, jeez. I'm not even old, mid 20's doesn't count as old, does it?

 

[Valgarent]

I actually agree with you, consoles are generally an easier way to get into gaming. But...

And the 2% that are PC-centric? they've been that way long before i was born (they're pretty old).

Ou... Ouch. That hurts! I not that old, jeez. I'm not even old, mid 20's doesn't count as old, does it?

It's not old, I'm only 23, and I am a hardcore pc gamer. That's not to say I do not play console games, but almost every game I'm willing to pick up for a console ,I'll spend to buy the PC version instead or at least wait it out til the PC version is released on those rare 'Computers gotta wait for this game!' moment.

 

[Najos]

I started on consoles, but that was because no one really had a PC in 1988. I remember playing Atari and NES, then SNES and Genesis, then N64 and PS1, and that's about the time I got my first PC. I bought Diablo and never looked back. I didn't even buy a PS2 until years after they released and that was just for Final Fantasy games (I did have a Dreamcast for a bit). I have a PS3 now for the exact same reason. Oh, and NCAA Football games.

What's funny is that no one really got me into gaming. I just sort of found it on my own, I guess. My brother had the NES, but I generally didn't play it with him (he was 10 years older than me, not much in common when I was 5). I didn't have any classes on computers either, my dad just bought me one when I was about 12 or so and I somehow learned to use it on my own. Probably because Windows 95 was awesome and AOL was made for retards.

 

[veloper]

PCs are better for getting people into gaming.
Most kids got into core gaming through piracy on their daddies compe, because kids don't have any money.

As for casual gaming: the most played game is Patience, as it comes with any version of windows. After that free online browser games are the most widely played games. At full price the winner is the original Sims game.

 

[Plinglebob]

I don't agree.

First, the console controller is insanely complicated. Especially the shoulder buttons and the right analog stick are something newcomers have troubles understanding.

Second, PCs have tons of simple indie, web-based and social games, which are a good starting point.

While I agree with you that the PC has more options and easier to understand controls (Mouse and Keyboard FTW!!!), I'm siding with the OP, but not for the same reason. Its easier to use a console because its generally a more relaxed atmosphere. You have a larger screen compared to a PC moniter, you're more likely to be sitting on something comfortable compared to the usual office chair and sitting on the sofa staring at a TV is something everyone knows how to do already and the only thing thats really different is they have a controller in their hand.