If console gaming is cheaper, why are all the games so much more expensive?

[esperandote]

It also assumes that graphics cards that fit in your computer are still being made.

Form factors for cases and mobos have barely changed in the last 5 years and will likely not change significantly for another 10.

PCI 1991
AGP 1997
PCI Express 2004

6-7 years between each one, eight years since the last one. I know little about this but a new technology might not take long.

We're at PCI-E 3.0 and they've managed to increase the power and throughput without changing the actual slot size, shape or design. So no.

They can only improve the technology so much without altering the interface meaning that each version they make takes them closer to the end of the road. So yes.

 

[Fishyash]

snip

Then you didn't have a strong enough PSU to actually run it. You can indeed just throw in a $70 graphics card and have a PC that will run most games. My friend threw a 5770 into a 5 year old rig about 2 years ago and it runs just fine.

The thing to remember is we aren't comparing the cutting edge of PC to the cutting edge of consoles. We are comparing 5 year old PC components to current consoles. An HD 5770 will more than surpass the graphics capabilities of a PS3, and even a 4870 will run any game at console settings at 1080p.

So yes, if you want to be on the bleeding edge of PC gaming you will be paying hundreds a year to stay on top. But if you want to play games, you can usually get away with a graphics card upgrade every few years. Heck, look at the requirements for Assassins Creed Revelations, it still calls for a core2duo or Anthlon 6400+, those are 5 year old processors and can be had for extremely cheap. There is almost no chance of the next console generation even coming close to the power of the cutting edge of current PC's so if you happen to make a top of the line rig now, you should be set for 1 or 2 console generations.

How was I supposed to know my PSU wasn't strong enough? I didn't even buy the computer yet when the salesperson who was at the shop was the one who recommended I install a new graphics card, offered to install it for me. For like an extra £80. It's still one of the decisions I regret making.

I know anecdotal evidence is a very piss poor attempt to prove my argument, but even when my brother installed a new sound card into his computer, he could not run it unless he took the side off and placed a detatched standing fan next to it to keep it cool until he got a new one (fan or sound card, I'm not sure). It makes it pretty hard to feel that installing a new part is going to be as simple as plugging it in every time. You might as well go all the way when it comes to installing a new part (I mean not to latest level, but rather a case of the rest of your computer "falling behind" on specs)

 

[Whateveralot]

I love the prejudice of all the console-minded people that gaming PC's HAVE to cost 1000-1500 bucks AT LEAST.

No, guys. Seriously no. That's just the hardcore gamers that always want to play on a rig that's overkill for most games. I'm currently gaming on a PC that had cost me 900 bucks 6 years ago and it still runs every newest game smoothly on medium-high settings. All that time I was forced to upgrade once because my processor melted (thats like RROD / YLOD for PC's, without the built-in LED for major hardware failiures). This set me back around 120, which wasn't much seeing that I bought a new motherboard as well (I'm cheating a little here, because the processor just fel under factory guarantee, which meant I got a replacement instantly...try getting that level of service on your consoles).

That, plus the fact that everyone has a computer anyway. Which usually sets you back around 400-600 bucks anyway.

 

[Jesus Phish]

Granted, Steam sales still make PC games cheaper, but when you have to spend $800-1000 to build a rig and a further ~$150-$250 every two years at least to keep it up to date, then you see how PC gaming gets expensive and Steam stops making up the difference.

This is such a stupidly overused statement. It really is a massive misunderstanding.

My last Pc was built for college/light gaming in around 2006/7 and cost me ?600 (at which time the PS3 was launched and cost nearly ?700 on its own in Ireland). The one and only upgrade I got between then and now for that machine was a graphics card when the current one died. Recent game's I've played on that machine include Skyrim and Deus Ex at better than console rates (ie graphics, loading times etc). The second graphics card I got was ?100. So in all that time I spent ?700 on a machine, which lasted over 6 years and is being given as a hand me down to someone else so they can use it for longer.

You can spend that much every two years if you absolutely think you have to have the latest equipment for your machine (in which case you are really kidding yourself) you don't actually have to.

 

[josemlopes]

...and a further ~$150-$250 every two years at least to keep it up to date.

This is just plain silly, if you built a gaming rig 2 years ago it's still perfectly capable of playing everything currently released with no upgrades needed.

what would even upgrade that frequently? even after 4-5 years the only things you might need to upgrade is your videocard.

Maybe, but as of now if you bought a console four or five years ago, you still don't need an upgrade for another one or two, maybe three if MS and Sony can drag their current consoles out that long.

You dont need to upgrade your console but you also dont need to upgrade your PC if you want, you will be playing Battlefield 3 on the PC with the settings on medium looking exactly the same as the console versions. Just because the 2 year old PC doesnt run at the max settings it doesnt mean that it isnt capable of running it, and now games on the consoles are starting to show their age with Battlefield 3 and Skyrim.

 

[Codeknight]

Like others have mentioned console only gamers get way hung up on their imagined price of gaming computers. They think they have to get the best of the best for some reason, some 6 core 3.3 GHz processor with a 2GB graphics card 16 GB of RAM a 1-2TB hard drive huge ass case with a bazillion fans... you get the picture. I spent just under $600 getting a decent rig of of newegg. Sure I have to build it myself and it could use a little more RAM but if you plan to get lots of games, depending on your tastes, you could easily save money going the comp route. Plus you get mods.

 

[GrandmaFunk]

True but not everybody has a computer that was made in the past five years. If you dont play games you only need to get a new computer at most once every ten years or so. This is something that so many people on forums like this do not understand. You cant just turn the old home/work pc into something that can run games that come out today.

If your PC is that old, you probably have some problems/issues to deal with outside of gaming anyway.

can an un-upgraded PC from 1999 still browse the internet and send email? probably, but i'd bet it's far from being a pleasant experience. =)

 

[Ardure]

If you buy games on steam during their sales PC gaming is ridiculously cheap in comparison. I mean even the games you posted ... Oblivion $35? Hell it always seems to be on sale on Steam and you can get the game of the year edition for $7... lol

I think most of the consoles are cheaper debate comes in because of the cost of the hardware. A PC can vary in price but to be honest to run the more casual and older games you can get a computer that can do that for around $400 easy... but an xbox/ps3/whatever is still cheaper than that. So i think most of the debate is in the hardware not in the actual cost of games because to be blunt... PC games are way cheaper than console games.

 

[The Pinray]

Why must the PC gaming crowd try to convince console gamers to build their own PCs? I'll never understand why they constantly feel the need to prove themselves superior to consoles. Just enjoy what platform you play on. Both have their own merits and drawbacks.

Consoles = Convenience, ease of use, sacrificed quality, more expensive games.

PC = Looks better, runs better (mostly), needs to be updated, can be a hassle/complicated dealing with settings and the inner-workings of PCs and extra hardware etc.

Just depends on what people want in their gaming experiences.

 

[Puzzlenaut]

In reality, it doesn't come down to cost so much as it comes down to convenience:

Building a computer rig is obviously a lot more hassle than going to a store, buying a PS3/360 and plugging it into the TV.

 

[GrandmaFunk]

I dont see what a thirteen year old pc has to do with anything, I said you need to get a new one once every ten years. You are either really terrible at math or really terrible at reading.

Or I'm just using different numbers to talk about the subject broadly, rather than just your specific example.

no need to make/take this personal.

 

[Bigeyez]

When people talk about consoles being cheaper they are most often referring to the barrier of entry. For the average consumer buying a console for gaming is so much more affordable then buying a computer that can handle playing games.

And no to the average consumer maintaining and upgrading a PC is not cheap or easy so before someone quotes me trying to say that notice the words AVERAGE CONSUMER.

Edit: An average consumer who wanted to get a PC capable of playing games would most likely end up at Best Buy asking some 18 year old for one. Then end up paying double or triple what the real price of the thing is worth and then even more for "optimization services" Best Buy and other big box retailers offer.

 

[Wolfram23]

Just one thing on the "consoles cost $300 and a PC costs $1000"...

Ok, so do you own a desktop? Are you going to buy a new one at anytime? Well, it's only $100-200 to turn it into a gaming machine via a graphics card.

 

[TallestGargoyle]

In the States, it isn't like that. Most AAA PC games are $49.99, and most console games are $59.99.

Granted, Steam sales still make PC games cheaper, but when you have to spend $800-1000 to build a rig and a further ~$150-$250 every two years at least to keep it up to date, then you see how PC gaming gets expensive and Steam stops making up the difference.

This is versus a $300 console, a $500-$600 laptop, and a $60 game every now and then. Think about it. Those will last you (if you take care of them) four years at the least.

This is one of many posts that show clear misunderstanding of computers.

You can EASILY make a decent gaming rig for the $500-$600 mark that will play games to the quality any 360 or PS3 can produce. You don't even need to upgrade every year or two, since gaming hinges primarily on the consoles' existences, with games not getting too far ahead (unless in cases like Metro 2033, Battlefield 3 or Crysis 2.

That $800-$1000 PC would be more than enough to play ANY game on maximum, those upgrades only being at all applicable to the PC exclusives, and even then the increase is generally marginal.

That kind of starting price and upgrade schedule are that of a PC enthusiast, not necessarily a PC gamer. For most games, a dual core processor and a mid-end graphics card are all you need for a very decent PC gaming experience. Unless you wish to go all out on antialiasing, anisoscopic filtering, high quality models and textures and all that good stuff (which the consoles generally struggle with, especially during any sequence involving large amounts of particle effects), a $500 PC would suit anyone fine.

This, bundled with the incredible sales Steam (and occasionally, other digital distributors) has, makes it a very cheap alternative to the current gen consoles and the prices it can cost to maintain a decent game collection. Also take into account the consoles' lack of backwards compatibility for the most part, along with the various peripherals that Sony and Microsoft feel are worth $30-40 for what can cost a mere $5 on PC, such as a microphone or a controller.

Basically, don't misrepresent PC gaming using false numbers. It's not that expensive, and requires less upgrading than a lot of non-PC gamers think.

 

[lacktheknack]

Most people can't build a gaming computer though.

I don't understand this. Building a computer involves:

1. Asking the guy at your computer part store if the various pieces you're looking at will mesh (he will know). If they don't, he will offer you alternatives

2. Putting your new (or re-used) tower on the counter

3. Open the box with the motherboard, open the manual and follow the pretty pictures

4. Open the CPU box, open the manual and follow the pretty pictures

5. Open everything else except the PSU and install them in any order, following the pretty pictures

6. Install the PSU following the slightly harder pretty pictures

7. Close the side of the tower, plug in the monitor

8. Plug in, turn on

9. Insert Windows 7 disk, install

10. YAY

Your other points about having to wait and buy on sale? That's not hard, and is actually generally good financial sense in day-to-day life. Just get one game you really, really like and buy the good deals as they come, and you'll have a major backlog by the time you're done with the first game. And you'll have bought 15 PC games (or more) for the price of 5 console games.

 

[Bigeyez]

Most people can't build a gaming computer though.

I don't understand this. Building a computer involves:

1. Asking the guy at your computer part store if the various pieces you're looking at will mesh (he will know). If they don't, he will offer you alternatives

2. Putting your new (or re-used) tower on the counter

3. Open the box with the motherboard, open the manual and follow the pretty pictures

4. Open the CPU box, open the manual and follow the pretty pictures

5. Open everything else except the PSU and install them in any order, following the pretty pictures

6. Install the PSU following the slightly harder pretty pictures

7. Close the side of the tower, plug in the monitor

8. Plug in, turn on

9. Insert Windows 7 disk, install

10. YAY

Your other points about having to wait and buy on sale? That's not hard, and is actually generally good financial sense in day-to-day life. Just get one game you really, really like and buy the good deals as they come, and you'll have a major backlog by the time you're done with the first game. And you'll have bought 15 PC games (or more) for the price of 5 console games.

If you think the average gamer or consumer period can or wants to do this you are waaaaaaay off.

 

[TotalerKrieger]

These days, a well built gaming PC will last far longer than a console lifespan with no hardware uprgrades required. However, it does require a significantly larger intial investment than a console. I would say $800-1000 USD will get you top-of-the-line gaming PC. $600-800 USD will get you high-end PC that will probably last as long as a console lifespan before requiring a $200-300 USD hardware upgrade.

Enthusiast companies like Alienware always inflate their prices to ridiculous proportions while generic companies like Dell and HP sell "gaming" PCs that are usually loaded with outdated components(they almost always skimp on the video card) priced the same as a custom built PC loaded with decent components. Don't waste your money on "gaming" laptops.

The fact is, it comes down to whether you want to learn to build a PC (which is quite fun IMO), or simply head to wal-mart and buy a console for a few hundred less. Choice, preference, each to their own, blah, blah, blah...I prefer the PC for various reasons, but I can understand why many prefer a console.

That said, I'm betting the PS4/next-gen Xbox will be pretty damn pricey by console standards. I'm thinking $500-600 USD for a base model at launch.

 

[DrgoFx]

Console games always have inflated prices because licensing fees have to be paid to Sony and Microsoft for using their system. It's how Sony and Microsoft make money off the console. PC games don't have to pay the licensing fees, so generally the new release price is cheaper, though some publishers have started charging the same as consoles for PC games and simply pocket the extra cash themselves. Steam sales make PC gaming even more attractive financially, if you buy lots of games, as one can get a lot of games for much less than buying their console counterparts.

Hit the nail on the head. My problem is that I think the ESRB or another source should market the game's price. Don't make every physical copy in stores fucking $60. The game should be judged on it's quality on all levels, not if it is on store shelves. Like I think the Xbox Live Arcade is a good start and so is steam with helping so many indie titles, but with so many big name companies trying to dish out as little content as they can, I think a company should be enforced. Hell, if my career path goes will and I have the money to do so, I will fund that kind of judgement if it hasn't been started already.