right now....Is it worth getting a console?

[Perfice]

If you get a friend that's a computer geek to help you build your OWN computer it can turn out to be MUCH cheaper. Building it would only be abit more expensive than buying a console and your graphics and game card can be just as good as a console's. PC games are usually cheaper and better than console games and you don't have to get a new computer when the next generation comes out, you can just upgrade your game card.

I built my own computer and it ran me $1200, compared to my 360 which was a mere $250.

I don't know exactly how you built your computer or I could tell ya what made it so expensive. The reason is most likely that you built your computer for more than just playing games on! Also, even with a console you're still going to spend the money on a computer anyways so it's less expensive to just buy one and use it for both.

 

[Artemicion]

I actually integrated an AI which set me back a lot, but now my computer is lightning fast and knows what I'm doing before even I do.

Oh wait, I'm not asleep any more and this is real life. Damn.

Spoiler: My computer

Rosewill Case
4GB DDR3 RAM
Generic disc drive
This massive heat sink [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150]
64GB SSD, 1TB HDD
Radeon HD 5850
AMD Phenom II X4
650w power supply
Superintendent AI

Additionally PCs need to be upgraded frequently which adds to the cost; to be fair, however, I'm on my fourth Xbox.

 

[Vault101]

I actually integrated an AI which set me back a lot, but now my computer is lightning fast and knows what I'm doing before even I do.

Oh wait, I'm not asleep any more and this is real life. Damn.

Spoiler: My computer

Rosewill Case
4GB DDR3 RAM
Generic disc drive
This massive heat sink [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150]
64GB SSD, 1TB HDD
Radeon HD 5850
AMD Phenom II X4
650w power supply
Superintendent AI

Additionally PCs need to be upgraded frequently which adds to the cost; to be fair, however, I'm on my fourth Xbox.

Id say the the whole upgrading thing is no more "freaquently" than replacing a console, Im curious to see how things will go in the future for consoles

 

[Trolldor]

I actually did a thread like this a while ago but anyway this can be the revised version

So Im a PC gamer and its going great for me, I have quite a backlog of games not including all the exiting new releases this year (and older games I need get round to playing), I also have the added awsomeness of portability (its a laptop) I also seem to live in a magical fantasy land where the stores have PC games (as In Ive never bourght off steam...not an option anyway)

and Really I dont feel Im missing out on much (well Red dead redemption and gears of war but I'll live)


so lets say in a magical version of the future I may actually have money (I can dream) so the Idea of actually getting a console might come into my mind, the are two reasons why Im not sure

1. the idea of deciding weather or not to get it for the console or PC (preference being PC) makes my head hurt, what if I end up getting hardly any games for the thing? plus playing on a couch makes me feel like a fat slob (ok so I supose I am but at least I can pretend im doing somthing important at a desk)

2. and this is the importnant one

the next gen, Im not sure how far away it is (a while if kinect has anything to do with it) but perhaps its worth waiting?

thats another thing I like about PC gaming, I know that you have to replace parts/computers so its really not any better than consoles in that regard...but its that mentality that your machine has a set life....that the SECOND the new console comes out thats it, your beloved gaming machine is now dead, outdated a piece of dust-gathering junk...and then you need to scramble and go buy the new one

at least with a PC its kind of gradual

I went PC to console.

I am now back on PC because it superior in every conceivable way.

Also, Mods.
And fan patches.

Console exlusive games are not worth getting the console just for them.

 

[GaryH]

I see though I would find immersion a little more difficult on a small TV, plus Im right up near the screen and I use headphones so I can see/hear everything well, makes playing dead space in a dark room even better, plus Depending on living circumstances I would hate my gaming area to be the main living room

plus I use a laptop so I can play on the couch or anywhere else depending on my mood

This is true, my gaming preferences are largely dependant on my living situation. My computer is also my workstation, so I do enjoy the chance to actually get out of this chair occasionally and my living room is small and specifically set up for gaming/watching movies (chair and speaker placement is ideal for surround sound, television is precisely in front of the sofa and was the largest that I could afford. I care a lot about immersion, can you tell?)

When I was younger and still living with my parents, I would play any game possible on the PC as I had a very awkward television set up so I can definitely see where you're coming from.

The decision of whether to get a console or not is pretty much personal choice based on your own situation. The important thing is that you don't just have to have one or the other. Variety is the spice of life and all that.

 

[Isla]

The next gen for the 360 and PS3 is five years away. I read an article on it. Due to the economy and the consoles at hand they want to squeeze as much as they can out of the consoles they have right now. So we'll be waiting a while for that next hit.

Just the 3DS and PSP2 to wait for now.