DeaconSawyer said:
Do the math on an ps2, ps3, xbox, xbox 360, accessories, and more expensive games. Subtract the cost of a standard computer, that you clearly have anyway.
Why do you need all of those systems. Its true I have both a ps3 and a 360 but only becasue the 360 was origionally a gift. It gets used for 2-3 games and thats it. I honestly see the xbox exclusives as complete crap bar a couple games.
Consider what you own and what games you are not capable of playing and so would need to buy other systems for. Since you need to buy games to make a console worth it I think they are relevant to cost. Basic math requires you to define your terms and variables before attempting the equation. The various console platforms and their generations and their games add up to a total cost higher than PC gaming. That is without paying attention to the fact that computers are pretty important anyway, but add that into the equation and it changes it even further.
Maybe you just love PS3 and really want to play FF, if that is the case PS2 and PS3 are the systems for you, but to buy all 4 consoles, (also consider many buy them new and the PS2 was NOT 100$ new) and the games for the consoles (which are relevant because console versions games always cost more) is less cost effective than a PC.
I dont see the need to own multiple systems. If I had to choose my 360 would be sold off in a heartbeat without even thinking. The ps2 was only 200-300 new I believe but I traded in ps1 to get mine and didnt buy new.
Also the inflation comment is pointless, because the hardware 7 years ago is incomparable to that of today, for PCs anyway. So how would you gage what something back then was worth according to today's standards? For 1000$ I expect to build another gaming rig that will last even longer.
Since I would have put about 500$, 7 years ago, into a new computer anyway, just for my work, it is only really 500$ toward the gaming aspect.
The inflation comment was because if you spent $500 on a pc 7 years ago and I spend $500 on a ps3 3 years ago you paid more then me.
So you spend 500+ whatever you would have spent if it was brand new + lets say another 400 toward xbox stuff to get the same number of games the the PC gets + whatever else for controllers and other accessories. Add about 25% to all your game costs.
End result
Console Fan could easily spend 900 or 1000 on the consoles alone
+10-25% on games.
+money for a computer that you obviously have.
I spend 500 on a basic computer + 500 to upgrade into a gaming rig.
So even if you factor out the Xbox it costs as much, factor it in, consoles are more.
EDIT: Please Also see 2 posts lower here. I felt I should mention about my love of consoles.
Buying multiple consoles is alot like buying a high end pc, some people do it but the majority dont do it and dont need to.
Oh and yes I do have a computer as well as my consoles its a laptop. It was purchased for school since thats the only reason I really need one. I could do everything on my old destop if I wanted which is rather old but still works perfectly fine for everything but games.
lacktheknack said:
MaxPowers666 said:
The cost of your pc is $1200. The cost of my ps3 was $400 and my ps2 for $100, that brings my grand total for $500. So you have spend twice as much as me and my combination has actually lasted just as long if not longer. We are not talking games/tv/anything else since that is irrelevent and doesnt actually favor pc as much as people think.
Yes, we ARE taking the TV into account. My monitor cost $200, and doubles as a TV. My parents' TV cost $3000.
Sooooo...
Fine then how much was your mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, and all that other stuff that can really only be used for your computer. My purchase of a tv had nothing at all to do with my consoles. Though a decent 42" lcd flatscreen runs you about $500 depending on where you go.
Fine if you want to take my tv into account you win. Tv plus stereo (because you need sound) and consoles your looking at around $50,000. It however is not really accurate because it gets used only a small fraction of the time for gaming and was not bought for that purpose. I could game just fine on my old 32" pos that is in my bedroom. I think I paid like $200 for it seven or eight years ago.