What's the big deal about PC games?

[vanillabeans320]

For me there's still an appeal in building a computer from scratch, selecting the parts and such specifically for an upcoming game. I imagine it's like the satisfaction some get with cars.

There's the mouse and keyboard which is much more comfortable and natural-feeling, at least to me, when it comes to shooters and a few others. It's not like the console doesn't have game it's more suited to, like 3rd person platforming. Splinter Cell is a great game, but I'd never play it on PC. Likewise, I'd never play Counter-Strike or Battlefield on a console. It's just a matter of what platform a game is best suited to.

As mentioned, online play is usually more mature too

Also, when something goes wrong (errors, etc), you have the ability to try and figure it out, where on a console you really have few options

 

[8bitlove2a03]

Personally, it's simply because of dedicated servers. On a dedicated server you get to know some of the people you'll be playing with regularly, which means you won't be constantly tossed into games with a dozen random people. This means that you can choose the tone of the community you want to play with, as well as the skill level. It just adds more choices.

Also, consoles don't have a dev console. Or text-based communication, which alleviates the whole "join server, have ears bleed from 12 year olds screaming racist comments" problem.

 

[Yureina]

I'm used to PC's by now, but the big thing for me is that is personal convenience, mods, and customization. Mods is a big thing for me, especially for RPG's and Strategy games, and most of all for Bethesda's games like Oblivion or Fallout 3/New Vegas. It just makes the games so much better. :3

 

[The Lunatic]

It's superior is every aspect really.

Some greatly, others only slightly.

Only draw back I guess would be costs more than a console, however, depends what kind of spec computer you're getting.

 

[Snotnarok]

Mods, easier for me to find a game with friends since I always have steam open, more options, fees for online play. I have consoles mind you but I prefer to use them when friends are over.

Edit: Better visuals, more content for free, better prices.

 

[zehydra]

mouse mouse mouse. FPS's without mice just aren't the same.

 

[jxfuller1]

Comparing playing on a Console vs playing on a PC is like comparing the kids on the shortbus to the ones on the full size bus.

The PC has everything that the Console wishes it had!

Custom content for games, mods, superior controls (especially for aiming), better graphics, and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting.

While you may pay more upfront for getting/building a decent computer ($500-600), you get the advantage of cheaper games and even free games! (not to mention all the other stuff you can do on the computer).

All give you one thing though, the Console is better for racing and sports games....... which is like saying that the drooling shortbus kid is better at well... drooling.



Hell, someone I know who is a large console gamer PAID to have 5 new maps for their console game (can't remember which it was), when most PC games that have new maps get them for free or are player made maps.... And a lot of PC games even give you a map editor for their game so you can make maps. (I even made a map for Team Fortress 2 myself).

 

[beniki]

Look at the games library for any console. Is Guild Wars on there?

 

[Admiral Stukov]

Mods, graphics, etc, all have been said already.
But wait! There's more! Can I load up a console with all the harddrives I have ever owned, sit on 4TB of diskspace and virtually never have to delete anything? No. I'll stick to the PC thank you.

I for one doesn't see any advantage at all with a console.

 

[manaman]

I like playing games on my PC, why would I need more appeal the that? Why make an argument over bullshit. The PC hardware wise is the superior format from a pure performance standpoint and always will be until they can convince games to spend 3 grand on a console. It can do anything a console can do. Anything is nitpicking the issue. Some PC games have stability issues, but so do consoles. Pop in and play is nice. Ease of use, software designed specifically around standardized controlles and hardware. Etc. Etc. Etc. It goes in circles.

For the record I like playing games on my consoles as well and some of my favorite games of the current gen have been released on the 360.

 

[Sacul]

What's the appeal in playing on a console over a PC? Anyhow I guess I'll make a quick list on why I like my PC more.

Graphics.
Mouse and Keyboard feels a lot better then gamepads for pretty much any game I've ever played. (IMO)
Steam. I can start to download a game and watch a movie or a couple episodes of something on Netflix and come back to play.
Mods, the reason I played Oblivion and Fallout 3 as much as I did.
If you don't want to use M/KB, you can plug in a gamepad instead.
If you want to play a game on your TV but don't have it on your console, you can plug your PC in.
Steam sales save you a lot of money.
RTS games.
MMOs.

Some of the reasons I like PC more, there are more reasons but I don't feel like listing them all out.

 

[Fawcks]

- A PC will always run faster and smoother than consoles, as they have superior processing power (assuming you're using an up-to-date computer).

Plenty more too, but those are my big two.

Of course, this is not applicable to computers in the same cost range as the consoles you're comparing them to.

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

Here's my contribution, for what it's worth:
- Better controls and accuracy (turning around faster etc)
- Better graphics
- Hardware can be upgraded, or swapped out when failure occurs (yes I have been cursed by RROD on 2 separate platforms)
- Mods
- Price of games (you CAN'T factor in the cost of the hardware, because I use my computer for so much other stuff, including *making* money it pretty negates any price difference in the overall package)
- Sometimes loading and saving and managing games is easier
- Setting up LAN parties with consoles is kinda...i dunno, not done? At least in my generation...most people play consoles together over the internet
- When the other half is watching TV (which is only after 10pm anyways) I can keep going

Having said that tho, I still play racing, fighting, and 3rd person action games on console, and FPS and RTS on PC. So it's almost 50/50.

 

[TheJayke]

Barring a few exclusive games, what does a console have to offer me that I can't get on a pc?

It's more work to get everythign going on a pc but you get more fo a reward too.

It can offer you Zelda.

 

[Arduras]

I've always used it, and probably always will.
Great adaptability, I can change my software and settings to work with the game and vice versa.
I love Keyboard and mouse set up.. not to mention I -can- use most other input systems if I want to.
Graphics tend to be optimized a bit better, or look better depending on the game.
A catalog of games that I enjoy (RTS, RPGs, MMORPGs) and most console games that are my style tend to be ported over anyway, most of the time.
Mods for games (don't use many, but I can if I want)


Theres a few of the reasons, but mostly, its what I've always known and I suck with gamepads and such

 

[Lizmichi]

I'm so not touching this, so not touching this. Dude NEVER make a Vs. thread

You all know the drill, single file people. This is not a test of the flame war system.

 

[The Rockerfly]

For RTS games
Oblivion mods are pretty damn fun
I don't have my xbox at uni
Minecraft
The backwards compatibility is outstanding

I prefer console games because I can play split screen, I can play any game on my xbox without worrying about compatibility or hardware, software, performance issues or having to download demos to see if I can run a game. PC might have the option of downloading games but my internet isn't amazing and would take less time to actually go to the shops and buy a physical copy of the game. Plus I prefer a physical copy because if a company shuts down, takes away your privileges or just decides they don't like you they can take away your games in an instant. You can't do that with a physical copy

That and I don't play online that often so paying for my xbox online isn't a problem because I just don't now

 

[GrindAD]

Starcraft II... That is all...

 

[drwow]

everything is free