Poll: Console gamers: are you happy with your console this generation? No flames please.

[Woodsey]

It's far more developed than XBL.

Err? They have all the same kinds of features, and xbox live offers integration with social networking sites, voice chat across up to 8 people playing different games, and the ability to talk on MSN messenger while playing. Steam has none of those things.

Steam has a web browser in the overlay to surf the web (inc. social networking sites, I always run FB in the background); a chat system amongst your Steam friends (if you want MSN just Alt+Tab, and yes, you can have a very large group voice-chat discussion); a higher friends cap of 250 vs XBL's 100; a more developed community system and a 3 billion % better store.*


*This may be a slight exaggeration of %age betterness.

 

[Korten12]

I play both PC and PS3 both equaly. a bit more on ps3 though and I am very happy this gen.

 

[Blazing Steel]

When accending to this recent gen I used all three consoles at friend's houses and went for the PS3. I'm more than happy with my PS3 as a console and I prefer it over the xbox for reason I won't disclosed. As sister bought a Wii I can play it whenever I like. Not that I would want to though.

If I do get tired of my PS3, I just go play on my Alienware laptop.

 

[dryg]

It's far more developed than XBL.

Err? They have all the same kinds of features, and xbox live offers integration with social networking sites, voice chat across up to 8 people playing different games, and the ability to talk on MSN messenger while playing. Steam has none of those things.

Unlimited free installs, automatic updates, webbrowser in game, pretty much the same friends system, with pc you can use whatever chat program you like in the background with almost unlimted ammount of people in one (skype, vent, ts, etc etc) and doesn't have crap quality. MSN on console? Takes ages to write with a stick while on pc you can use msn in game with raptr.
Sure it might not be in one program but together they are far superior, while on a console you are limited to what they decide to give you.

 

[Icecoldcynic]

Unlimited free installs, automatic updates, webbrowser in game, pretty much the same friends system, with pc you can use whatever chat program you like in the background with almost unlimted ammount of people in one (skype, vent, ts, etc etc) and doesn't have crap quality. MSN on console? Takes ages to write with a stick while on pc you can use msn in game with raptr.
Sure it might not be in one program but together they are far superior, while on a console you are limited to what they decide to give you.

Alt-tabbing is no alternative to anything. And i'd rather have physical discs thank you very much. Anyway i'd rather not turn this into a PC vs Console topic, but IMO, steam isn't even close to XBL in terms of functionality or ease of use.

 

[[BDS]Omega]

I own a Wii and a PC, but i think the Wii has been gathering dust for a while. People may have issues with steam but I (and keep in mind this is my opinion/experiences) have never had any issue with it and find it rather easy to use. To be honest, i think i only bought the Wii since for a while i was (maybe still am) a fan of the good nintendo games (Zelda, Metroid, Fire Emblem...please go die somewhere mario) but the lack of new titles in these areas have jaded me to the wii.

For a while i considered getting a 360 but the massive hardware failures i honestly got scared off. If i am going to shell out money for something, it better work. This is where the PC really got the advantage since if something goes wrong, it can be repaired by me.

Bottom line is that PC will always have the advantage over consoles because of adaptability and versatility. What i mean is that all copies of ____________ (insert multiplatform game here) look the same regardless of which 360 you play it on, whereas if you play it on a medium to high end PC, it looks absolutely beautiful.

 

[GonzoGamer]

I have to completely disagree with you here. There is plenty this generation that people have wanted for generations. Finally online gaming on consoles is not only a reality, but a standard, and the service is damn near perfect. I know online gaming has been around on PCs for a long time, but nowhere near the simplicity and functionality of the likes of XBL, where all your friends across all games are consolidated into one list, and you can communicate with them freely all the time.

I agree with you that MS has done a great job at making XBL functional but it has it's price and there are few people I know who are willing to pay for it especially after writing out a huge check to the actual internet provider.

And that's kind of my point. All the consoles perform admirable in a couple of areas but there's either a price to pay or other frustrations to be dealt with.

However, if your A #1 top priority is a good solid on-line game experience, it might be worth it to get that one and pay the fee and put up with the possible hardware failure. But that's if it's your absolute top priority.

Also, I don't have anything against people bringing PC into the argument but I do think it's a little unfair to both sides. On one hand, yes the PC really does do everything (it's not just a catch phrase) and can do them all really well if you can afford it. And that's the downside, even if you build your own, a really good PC will cost more than all three consoles put together.

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

My Xbox has treated me absolutely fine. No hardware problems whatsoever, got introduced to XBL which is awesome, was all fun. I absolutely love XBLA however, but this combined with paying for the XBL fee has been a little bit pricey, but ah well.

 

[silver wolf009]

I happy with my 360 elite, it's been going for almost 5 years. its got games for all kinds of people, from the hardcore fans to the casual fans of the XBLA, and the other 2 look just as good overall, if better in some of the other areas the 360 is weak in.

 

[dryg]

Unlimited free installs, automatic updates, webbrowser in game, pretty much the same friends system, with pc you can use whatever chat program you like in the background with almost unlimted ammount of people in one (skype, vent, ts, etc etc) and doesn't have crap quality. MSN on console? Takes ages to write with a stick while on pc you can use msn in game with raptr.
Sure it might not be in one program but together they are far superior, while on a console you are limited to what they decide to give you.

Alt-tabbing is no alternative to anything. And i'd rather have physical discs thank you very much. Anyway i'd rather not turn this into a PC vs Console topic, but IMO, steam isn't even close to XBL in terms of functionality or ease of use.

I never said anything about alt tab. Have you used steam at all? With steam I click the game I want to play and thats it, with a console I have to keep track of the disks and if it breaks you need to buy a new one. Trying to sound not too harsh but how is that better?

 

[captainwolfos]

I had a Wii, but the only really good game I found on it was Twilight Princess.
We traded it in for a PS3, and I'm really loving Arkham Asylum and The Orange Box (even though I would much prefer it on PC, but never mind).
I'm quite disappointed that all the good looking games for the Wii are coming out after we trade it in. Damn you, sod's law.

Anywho, I'm still a Nintendork through and through, so y'know. I may be inclined to buy myself an Xbox if they decide to not charge subscriptions for Xbox Live, but that's just me.

 

[Icecoldcynic]

I never said anything about alt tab. Have you used steam at all? With steam I click the game I want to play and thats it, with a console I have to keep track of the disks and if it breaks you need to buy a new one. Trying to sound not too harsh but how is that better?

If someone's stupid enough to break a disc, then they're probably stupid enough to forget the password to the steam account with all their games on.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

I play PC more than anything and am happy with it. Hardly play the 360 at all, very occasional there is a game I want to play on it and there has not been a game on it that I would not rather play on PC. I'm really happy with the Wii although I don't use it all the time the games I do have are good and pretty unique.

 

[Sovvolf]

I may be inclined to buy myself an Xbox if they decide to not charge subscriptions for Xbox Live, but that's just me.

Well, XBL is free... you get a silver account. You need to pay to play online with other people, which is £5 a month... that's not bad. I own all three consoles and XBL is way a head of PSN or Wii's Wi Fi. You've got more games online, more DLC and it runs a whole lot smoother. Also it looks nicer and has a better layout.

As for the question... well I have all three computer consoles, I enjoy all three, though the Wii doesn't get as much use as the rest, mainly because there's not that many good games for the thing. I play the 360 most, mainly because all my friends own one so it's better to go online with your friends. The PS3 I have mainly for PSOne and exclusive games. I do use steam but my computer isn't all that brilliant so I can't play modern games on it... so I stick to consoles.

 

[dryg]

I never said anything about alt tab. Have you used steam at all? With steam I click the game I want to play and thats it, with a console I have to keep track of the disks and if it breaks you need to buy a new one. Trying to sound not too harsh but how is that better?

If someone's stupid enough to break a disc, then they're probably stupid enough to forget the password to the steam account with all their games on.

Auto login and you get your pw back if you somehow forgot it by your typical get your pw back service and entering one of the cdkeys that are linked to your acc. I have heard alot about how the 360's is scraching disks, have used my 360 elite max for 24h and the disks already got scraches.

 

[Vivace-Vivian]

I've got a 360 and access to both a Wii and PS3. I don't think the Wii is very grand but the other two? Awesome.

 

[imaloony]

I'm quite happy with my 360. It runs games, I play them. It's a mutual relationship.

And for those who are thinking of the obvious joke "It runs them right into overheating!" I've only RRoDed once, which was quickly fixed, and I've been fine ever since (Other than a minor disc read error, but that's not a huge problem)

 

[ArcWinter]

My 360 plays fun games. SUCCESS
My PC plays fun games. SUCCESS
I have played on a Wii, and it was fun with friends. SORT OF SUCCESS
PS3 looks awesome. SUCCESS

So yes, I am happy.

Until people start complaining.

 

[rockingnic]

I will toss out my $2000 laptop out the window before I think of selling my 360. It's hard to avoid flame wars when you're obviously stating a pretty strong opinion on how you think consoles aren't worth the money or effort compared to pc.
Oh and I think the RROD for the 360, which I think you were talking about, has the same rate as the other failure rates for the other consoles, at least those made recently, post 2007 or 2008 I think.