So what is the advantage of a console?

[Zhukov]

Ye gods, this again?

Really, people? Fucking really?

*sigh*

- It's cheaper.
- It's less hassle to use.
- You can use it on your couch.

- Only in the short run
- Ok I will give ya that one, some people are far too stupid to use PCs
- Both can do that very easily, so isnt really applicable.

See, this is where the elitist ponce PC gamer stereotype comes from. The amount of smug conceit dripping from your words is a bit nauseating.

It staggers me, fucking staggers me, that people are so desperate to prove the inherent superiority of something as pathetically inconsequential as the platform they play video games on. "Oh man, those people who wear white socks clearly do it because they're too stupid to figure out how to put on green socks."

 

[O maestre]

the greatest advantage is simplicity, you are pretty much guaranteed to get the game to work, without any tinkering or upgrading. pop in the disc and you are gaming.

also getting used games for a console is a more viable option... well it used to be anyway, i actually have not played on my xbox 360 for a long time, but from my understanding publishers have tried to include all kinds of nonsense to stop people from reselling their games

 

[Entitled]

Ye gods, this again?

Really, people? Fucking really?

*sigh*

- It's cheaper.
- It's less hassle to use.
- You can use it on your couch.

- Only in the short run
- Ok I will give ya that one, some people are far too stupid to use PCs
- Both can do that very easily, so isnt really applicable.

See, this is where the elitist ponce PC gamer stereotype comes from. The amount of smug conceit dripping from your words is a bit nauseating.

It staggers me, fucking staggers me, that people are so desperate to prove the inherent superiority of something as pathetically inconsequential as the platform they play video games on. "Oh man, those people who wear white socks clearly do it because they're too stupid to figure out how to put on green socks."

Well, it makes it easier that console gamers are literally admitting it.

When white sock wearers will argue that they don't wear green socks because those are too complicated for them, and they don't want to learn how to wear them, and white socks are too much hassle to wear, that will be the day when I will call them stupid.

 

[Overusedname]

If everyone has the same hardware, then it's a lot easier for devs to make the most of what they have without worrying about different permutations.

^Major factor right here.

Although the most obvious is: A colossal amount of devs don't develop for PC's.

I mean...a HUGE amount. I struggle to think of more than 3 triple AAA devs from japan that bother with it at all. And I reeeally dislike playing at my desk for long periods of time when I have a couch. And well...I know it's something people hate to hear for some reason, but PC gaming can genuinely be annoying and complicated as all hell. I really don't wanna read six different tutorials on compatibility mode, change my file routes, delete quicktime and install a version of it that's been outdated for 10 years, alter folder locations and change 12 other settings just to play Myst. I'd prefer a wii version of the game: it can point and click just as well, and I can actually be comfortable while playing it.

It's also harder to know if a game will run, and you generally won't have to troubleshoot for Mario or Metroid.

And again: exclusives. I mean yeah, PS3 and Xbox have become crappy PC's you can play on the couch, but that doesn't mean the other consoles are.

I play on PC, Mac, Wii and (dying) PS2. I prefer the consoles overall just based on library and comfort.

 

[Zhukov]

It staggers me, fucking staggers me, that people are so desperate to prove the inherent superiority of something as pathetically inconsequential as the platform they play video games on. "Oh man, those people who wear white socks clearly do it because they're too stupid to figure out how to put on green socks."

Well, it makes it easier that console gamers are literally admitting it.

When white sock wearers will argue that they don't wear green socks because those are too complicated for them, and they don't want to learn how to wear them, and white socks are too much hassle to wear, that will be the day when I will call them stupid.

How are any of those things indicative of stupidity?

We're talking about entertainment here, not an occupation or way of life. Why should someone not want convenience when engaging in their pastime of choice?

"Did you say you stream movies on Netflix? Clearly you're too lazy or stupid to jump in a car and go down to the DVD rental joint."

 

[the_green_dragon]

When you buy a game it's yours so even if the internet fucks out u can still play them.

Also you can borrow games from friends, you can have fun LAN parties where everyone comes over with their console. You can play multiplayer (sometimes) on the same console so again - actual human interaction.

Finally you can sell your games when you're done with them unlike all this online shit these days where you don't get a physical copy of what you bought.

 

[Doom972]

You can play on a PC as you would on a console and vice versa (except consoles have no mouse and keyboard). What really should matter is the type of games you play most.
I mostly play traditional RPGs and Shooters (preferably with RPG elements), so I'd rather have a mouse and keyboard to control most of these games. I find action games (like Batman Arkham Asylum) are better when played with a controller, the same goes for tournament fighters and sports games, so if you like those types games, you may want to get a console, as many games of those genres don't make it to the PC.

 

[Meight08]

If everyone has the same hardware, then it's a lot easier for devs to make the most of what they have without worrying about different permutations.

which is absolutely useless when the dev´s have to spend a year optimising the thing.
Also that is an advantage for the developer and not the gamers.

 

[the_green_dragon]

the last console i saw with definite advantages over the pc was the ps2.. stick a disk in and it works.. no installing, no downloading patches, no need for a net connection. its also why i havent owned a console after the ps2

My Xbox 360 does that.

The install is optional if you want it to load faster and half the time the patch comes with the game disc.

I don't use xbox live so my xbox is never connected to the internet

 

[the_green_dragon]

Technicality-wise, there is next to no advantage over PC the console has.
<< (Best wording ever)

But to me, I'd rather spend about six hundred dollars on a console and not have to spend any more money on it until another one comes out, and also lowers in price by a fair bit. Whereas my flatmate, who is a mad PC gamer (But isn't a cock about it) has spent nearly five grand on PC graphic cards, RAM, cases, mice, keybpoards, monitors, etc, since the 360 was released (Granted, that's not that much since the 360 came out in 2005, but still...five grand is a fair bit of money).

But the only real advantages I see that consoles have is being able to put in a game and play it. Me and my flatmate got Mass Effect 3 at the same time. We put the discs in at the same time. Ten minutes later, he was listening to loud music on his head phones since he was still installing the game, and I was playing it. Three hours later, I was still playing it, and he was raging incredibly hard over Origin being a celestial wanker and constantly crashing. He hadn't even been able to start the game up. Not to mention that while PC games look better on better PC's, if you don't have a decent PC, you spend a while mucking around with the graphical settings (Assuming the game let's you do so) and sometimes, it looks worse than it does on console.

But in the end, generally, the major differences are usually aesthetics. And I've said this many times over on the Escapist. Say all you want shiny and realistic looking graphics, GTA San Andreas is still much more fun than Crysis 2.

Ahem to that!

The biggest Pro for consoles is ease of use.

I also like the fact that with a PC u are the one responsible to make sure it works on your system (CPU, RAM, Memory, Graphic Card) while with consoles the companies have to ensure it works on the console (and looks as good as it can).

 

[Entitled]

It staggers me, fucking staggers me, that people are so desperate to prove the inherent superiority of something as pathetically inconsequential as the platform they play video games on. "Oh man, those people who wear white socks clearly do it because they're too stupid to figure out how to put on green socks."

Well, it makes it easier that console gamers are literally admitting it.

When white sock wearers will argue that they don't wear green socks because those are too complicated for them, and they don't want to learn how to wear them, and white socks are too much hassle to wear, that will be the day when I will call them stupid.

How are any of those things indicative of stupidity?

We're talking about entertainment here, not an occupation or way of life. Why should someone not want convenience when engaging in their pastime of choice?

"Did you say you stream movies on Netflix? Clearly you're too lazy or stupid to jump in a car and go down to the DVD rental joint."

You are right, in that I don't really agree with FelixG about the term he used. I'm sure that most people who find PC gaming are not stupid in the rest of their life, they might be very skilled, educated, intelligent people who read french philosophers and win chess competitions, but in terms of gaming as a hobby, they are definitely at the very least, ignorant.

But there are two kinds of ignorance. There is a natural fact that some people are less knowledgeable about a hobby than others, and there is the willful ignorance where people are intentionally praising a console's limited features, and simplicity, compared to PCs that are "too complicated for normal people".

Your Netfix analogy would work if consoles would be easier to use WHILE having the exact same capabilities as PC games. But the truth is, that console gamers are trading in depth for simplicity, while PC gamers do the opposite.

Both of these actions are all right on their own, in the sense that they are not morally reprehensible, it's all just people having fun. But simplicity is still not an advantage, it's just a limit that some people accept.

 

[the_green_dragon]

Oh, the other Pro for consoles is that if it breaks, you just send it in for repairs.

If your PC breaks, have fun figuring which part is broken, especially if the damn thing won't let you boot.

 

[the_green_dragon]

But simplicity is still not an advantage, it's just a limit for some people.

Simplicity is totally an advantage, why do you think Automatic cars cost more then Manual cars?

They're easier to use.

Now you might argue other then that there is no difference, well, the Manual car gets faster acceleration and uses less petrol, it's also cheaper.

People will pay for convenience (thats why basic goods at the petrol station is so much more expensive)

Console games pay for the convenience by not having as flashy graphics, and this is only really true at the end of the console's life cycle, when the next gen consoles come out the graphics will be on par again.

 

[Zipa]

The no DRM thing that people keep bringing up for consoles is confusing me, have publishers abandoned online passes then? Also things like call of duty elite and Battlefield 3 Premium are starting to become more common. Granted they don't effect single player games that much but to say there is no DRM is shortsighted.



Also there is at least one game I know with actual always online DRM for the ps3.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100238-Capcom-Apologizes-for-Final-Fight-Double-Impact-DRM

 

[Alakaizer]

Rentals. I don't know if I want to buy the new Ratchet & Clank game, I go rent it from my local retailer. None of this Blockbuster or Gamefly nonsense, a nice local chain with really good customer service. Sure, some games have demos, but those are extremely limited and might not necessarily show you what it is you really want to know. Somebody develops a rental system for PC games, I'll start saving up for the bits and pieces necessary to build something decent. Until then most of my gaming will likely continue to be console.

 

[Alakaizer]

Your Netfix analogy would work if consoles would be easier to use WHILE having the exact same capabilities as PC games. But the truth is, that console gamers are trading in depth for simplicity, while PC gamers do the opposite.

I find myself incredibly curious as to find out how we console gamers are "trading in depth". What kind of depth, exactly? How much? Is there some glorious Nirvana state that I'm missing out on simply because I have to use my roommate's crummy, hand-me-down Dell laptop, that is lacking from my favorite console titles? Please, kindly elaborate.

 

[Joccaren]

-'My PC runs AAA games and it cost me $300 to upgrade.'-

8 Years ago? Nope. Overkill aside, I bought a console 8 years ago that didn't cost me shit in comparison to modern day PC gaming. It's just a fact of life. If you wanna say your 8 year old PC could play Assassins Creed 3, and only cost 300, 8 years ago, you'd be a liar! lolz

Sorry for being rude about this, but I don't know any better!

You'll find I am not lying. I assume by run you mean run, and not Run on a 2560*1440 screen at 100+ FPS with all graphics settings on maximum and injected FXAA effects, 'cause that it couldn't do. However, on PC games have settings. I could run Crysis on 1 level below max without lag. Was my PC top of the line? Not by a long shot. Not even when I bought it first up. However, it was a fairly decent PC, and served me well over the years I had it.

-'You upgrade your console every time you buy a new one too. '-

Yep, that's my point. You didn't even use the T.V. argument, nor the slightly higher price for some games before two years ago! Thanks for that!

To an extent I didn't include the TV argument. Instead, I used the fact that it doesn't need to be replaced as a parallel for PC upgrades where only the necessary things need to be replaced. Could I have gone to a store and bought a PC for $300 that could run today's AAA games? Nope. However, I could go out and buy a new graphics card, motherboard, processor and RAM and shove them in my old PC to make it do that.

-'$300 upgrade was overkill.'-

Yep. It kills me to think the price of a next gen console is what PC gamers think is a yearly upgrade! Sure you didn't say yearly, or even tri-yearly, but it is still more than I have to pay for the last 8 years as a primarily console gaymer!

The price of a next gen console at less than $300?
What world you living in?
The PS3 where I live cost way over $300 on release day - hell, even now it costs around that much - and I have no reason to suspect the PS4 will cost less.

Seriously tho? Civilization games are the only thing I want that are exclusively PC gamer. It's sad that my PC can run Oblivion better than my Xbox, but my PC can't run Skyrim while my 360 can.

*shrugs*
You just don't have a very good PC then. I also partially blame the developers, as if half the optimization that goes into the console versions of games went into the PC version you'd have no problems at all.

Fuck PC Gamer Logics. They rape you like no tomorrow. Hell, EA wouldn't have half as much hate if weren't for the 'PC Gaming Fanbase'.

Eh, IDK. Their move towards action and shooty and explosiony CoD stuff with all their titles is the main complaint I've heard recently, and that's a concern Console and PC players share.
Otherwise its mostly Origin that only PC gamers have to worry about, though I don't see what the fuss is still about after the changed ToS TBH.

DRM? What the hell does that even mean? Oh yeah, it's what PC gamers have to deal with because they (PC Gamers) are pirate happy.

More its something that we don't have to deal with if we pirate, and that costs publishers money for no real reason. It is ineffectual, and ends up doing bugger all. Besides that fact, I've never had a problem with it TBH. Closest I've come is Microsoft's tie in Xbox Live for Windows crap - GFWL. Worst service in History. Granted some people do have problems with it though.

Don't quote me yet. I'm an older gamer who has issues with the PC. My inability to deal with the majority as far as PC gaming goes, let's me think I can sound like a troll. Sorry about that. I realize that you all should have the ability to complain about how gaming on the PC is dieing. It will still exist next year, but you/we/us should still be able to cry about it.

Cheers?

Well, until WoW, Starcraft, Steam and other such places die, I'm not seeing PC gaming dying, and from the looks of things those games and services will last on for a while.
Cheers, to threads like these. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw another 3 of them tomorrow.

Sorry but that's complete bullshit. I play games primarily on consoles but my laptop is good enough to run most games on minimum settings. Now all of the games I play on PC are PC exclusive so I can't draw an exact comparison but minimum settings on pretty much every game I've played looks almost last gen. Seriously, SC2 on minimum looks like really bad claymation.

If you are comparing RTS or 4X to console games, of course the console is going to come out looking better. It doesn't have to render over 100 individual units at once without lag.
Go into FPS or other games that are also prevailant on consoles, however, and the difference becomes more apparent.
Lowest settings on the PC = console settings for most, games developed for both systems. Where the PC gets its advantage is framerate, resolution, Anti Aliasing, Anisotrophic Filtering and various other bits and pieces. You end up with the same graphics, but sharper, smoother, and with more detail showing.

Yes, you can use a controller, or other hardware, like joystick or a gaming pad, but that means either you need to own a console already, or buy additional hardware, which is not necessarily compatible with games, more than half a decade old. I just see it as an advantage to be able to walk in games, without having to push an extra button, or buy more hardware. This is not as big a deal in most FPS games, but in some 3rd person and platformers, I find it a bit clunky.
An example can be my skepticism to buy Dark Souls on PC, when I already own it on PS3, because I am going to play it on the PS3 controller anyway, and I am unsure whether the other advantages (1080p, vertical sync, and no lag issues, primarily) is weighing up for it, making it worth an additional purchase.

I can somewhat see your concerns with the third person games, but again that really depends on the game. Arkham City, Mass Effect and other such games I have no problem with, thanks to the camera following the character, and there being a button to walk in the direction the camera is looking. Other games without said feature could get annoying.

As for DS on the PC... Out of that you'll get no lag issues, and resolution. The FPS is capped at 30, and you need an online fix to even get 1080p resolution. IMO its not worth it if you already have the game.

 

[Reece Stevens]

All of my friends play XBOX, one of my friends plays PC, it's easy to see why I would prefer to play console.

 

[Joccaren]

Oh, the other Pro for consoles is that if it breaks, you just send it in for repairs.

If your PC breaks, have fun figuring which part is broken, especially if the damn thing won't let you boot.

Honestly I count that as a con for consoles.

If it breaks, you have no idea what's broken and have to send it off for repairs.

Ignoring the fact that you can take your PC into several PC parts stores who will fix it if its broken, PC diagnosis generally isn't too hard if you've got some experience in it. God knows I've gone through it a few times with friends. I prefer to be in control of my system, and able to quickly and reliably fix it myself, rather than relying on someone else who in my experience has a deadline of 'It gets there when it gets there'.