Why buy consoles?

[GLo Jones]

Convenience. Sometimes it is just so nice to not have to be concerned with whether your drivers are up to date, tweak with the config files, etc.

Many PC games will often require some work. With a console, you can just put it in and play, without worrying about things like resolution, anti-aliasing, or port-forwarding.

 

[Dr_Steve_Brule]

I don't buy a console because of the controller.
I just hate it. It feels so robotic and un-intuitive. The mouse at least lets me determine the amount of acceleration input, but controllers just make me feel like i'm controlling a robot.

Never thought about it that way.
Though I still prefer a controller over mice for some games.

Agreed, some games perform better with a controller-mainly games like Street Fighter 4 or Tekken or games like FF, but games that require a quick touch (like FPS games) are my favorites, and I just can't get myself to play them using a controller. It's just too annoying.

 

[masticina]

Really should I even say it. this is why consoles have been around.

1. Hook it up to the television and power and you can play. Sure you have to deal with the limitations of the television but todays Full HD consoles and televisions are not a punishment.

2. You can take many older consoles the least easily with you. And yes even a PS3 or a Xbox 360 is an easy to transport unit. If you can take the size and weight.

So there you go two huge reasons to go Console want more?

3. Games are slide in and play. Of course the PS3 and the Xbox 360 can do updates and DLC indeed. And sadly some ahum PC troubles [installing required] has crawled in. But well we can life with that.

Okay some bad things about consoles. Lets about about fixed hardware yes the hardware is fixed so you are limited by such. The big trouble consoles is the limited memory. The Graphics Cards are pretty decent so are the Processors used BUT ...both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 have a mere 512Mbyte of usuable memory.

If you ever asked why the graphics are limited it isn't the GPU.. its the limited amount of memory. Even highly advanced streaming of the media can't beat such.

Still I like consoles. I can take them anywhere and the games work.. and playing with controllers? Hey you get used to that even The Sims 3 works well with it. And most games are adjusted to the Consoles

I won't black sheep the PC, hell steam is a great thing, and it has some interesting games. Consoles just feel easier!

 

[Nfritzappa]

-Red Dead Redemption.
-Metal Gear Solid.
-Halo. (shut up, I know you'll just make fun of me for it, and I ain't even mad)
-Ninja Gaiden/God of War games. (hurr durr hack n slash)
-Guitar Hero/Rock Band to play with my buddies.
-I like being several feet away from the game screen, not several inches. I like relaxing on my bed while I play.
...and several other reasons such my pc doesn't "Ding!" when I open up the disk tray.


...

honestly I can say I've never had regrets in buying any of my consoles.


oh yeah. The only computer I ever use too is a Macbook Pro. I have games on it, but I rarely want to play them.

 

[Revenge Revisited]

Because everyime i try to install a game on my pc it doesn't work. i finally just gave up on pc gaming and got myself a nice ps3.

 

[Something Amyss]

4. Network, playing multiplayer is fun on the PSN and XBL, maybe not in the same league as some PC games, but nevertheless, fun regardless.

On a similar note, I like to play with friends. Most of my friends have an XBox and are on XBL. Most of my friends won't buy games for their PCs anymore.

Ergo, if I want to play multiplayer, my choices are strangers or XBox Live with friends. That kind of skews things in the favour of the console.

 

[The3rdEye]

Typically it comes down to cost and tech progression. If you buy a console around the first or second price drop, you know for X number of years whatever game comes out you will be able to play it. No worrying about drivers, conflicts with your particular hardware, and write-protection really isn't an issue.

PCs on the other hand are typically more powerful. Running something like DA2 at an insane resolution with no frame drops, or running it at a high resolution at 45+ FPS is just beastly, and not something consoles can lay claim to. large fan bases and enthusiasts using SDKs and player mods, they all just add more flavor to the game. Add the ability to upgrade and their longevity is pretty much unlimited. But add in hardware failures, the cost of keeping up with the tech (i7's are just starting to be advertised in major electronics stores for example, do you buy now or wait for the price drop?) and some compatibility issues between manufactures (ATI vs Nvidia) and it can get messy fast.

If you're very serious about having the best visual performance and like to tinker with the guts, PCs. If you just want to put in a disc and go without worries, consoles.

Personally I bought my console because I like keeping work and play separate, not to mention that work can and often does tie up my PC. Although given the funds I would gladly have both a high-end graphics machine and a console.

 

[Chibz]

I bought a console because...

How are you enjoying Red Dead Redemption, PC elitists? Oh, wait...

 

[Nfritzappa]

I bought a console because...

How are you enjoying Red Dead Redemption, PC elitists? Oh, wait...

I'm sure they're really excited for the upcoming releases of Mortal Kombat, L.A. Noire, and Infamous 2...

 

[PettingZOOPONY]

Because the PC is extremely fiddley and inaccessible for those gamers who don't possess the technical skills to use it. I find it quite annoying when I buy a game for PC and it tells me that the something-or-other didn't configure properly or that the set-up failed to initialize or that it just feels like being a dick and not working. When I put a game into a console, it installs, and then works. No trouble, no talking to tech support or troubleshooting the increasingly ridiculous issues. Hardcore PC gamers tell me that all of the problems with PC games I've encountered are easily fixable, which is more or less irrelevant. The very fact that they occurred at all makes the PC less appealing considering that consoles provide a platform on which I can play games, and not have to troubleshoot; I can just sit down and play.

Have you gamed on this console generation, I've had more trouble getting my consoles games to work correctly out of the box than I do PC games. Hell don't get me started on the shoddy PS3 ports.

What the hell were you doing?
How could "insert cd, commence gaming" be any simpler?

To bad games this generation aren't like that the PS3 you still have to install most games for good performance leading to install problems and bugs, other games just don't work right out of the box at all and with no way to trouble shoot you are stuck with waiting for the dev to release a patch. This console generation is far from stick in tray and play anymore.

 

[PettingZOOPONY]

Because the PC is extremely fiddley and inaccessible for those gamers who don't possess the technical skills to use it. I find it quite annoying when I buy a game for PC and it tells me that the something-or-other didn't configure properly or that the set-up failed to initialize or that it just feels like being a dick and not working. When I put a game into a console, it installs, and then works. No trouble, no talking to tech support or troubleshooting the increasingly ridiculous issues. Hardcore PC gamers tell me that all of the problems with PC games I've encountered are easily fixable, which is more or less irrelevant. The very fact that they occurred at all makes the PC less appealing considering that consoles provide a platform on which I can play games, and not have to troubleshoot; I can just sit down and play.

Have you gamed on this console generation, I've had more trouble getting my consoles games to work correctly out of the box than I do PC games. Hell don't get me started on the shoddy PS3 ports.

What the hell were you doing?
How could "insert cd, commence gaming" be any simpler?

To bad games this generation aren't like that the PS3 you still have to install most games for good performance leading to install problems and buys, other games just don't work right out of the box at all and with no way to trouble shoot you are stuck with waiting for the dev to release a patch. This console generation is far from stick in tray and play anymore.

Fine:

Insert CD
Install game
Run game
...
Go to forums
***** about bugs and shit.

And the one were the MP sections is broken and just doesn't work, or just half assed ports that run at 10FPS. Face it when they tried to make this generation more like PC they forgot the good stuff and got all the bad.

 

[Mr. Google]

There are good reasons for that:

1. First of all its easier not having to think about the requirements, I don't want to have to keep checking my specs to see if my rig can handle 'teh powerz'! And then you have the likes of Crysis popping out and making my rig cry. Yeah, the sequel may have suffered from severe graphics satuaration to work on the PS3 and 360, but its more accessible and you'll find more people playing online than the PC verison.

2. Controllers, while you may be able to play with controllers on the PC versions, the console versions just feel more natural, vibration, keyed in controls so you rarely have to change or tweek anything.

3. I'd rather use my PC space for more relevant things to be frank, gaming takes up too much ram and too much harddrive space and the constant need to upgrade or get more space to play sims 3 3/9 gbs, Crysis another 3/9 gb and god knows what else, just becomes tedious. My systems play games, my PC is used for everything else.

4. Network, playing multiplayer is fun on the PSN and XBL, maybe not in the same league as some PC games, but nevertheless, fun regardless.

5. PC games are moving over to PS3 and 360, some exclusivly and others multiplat, no matter how you look at it, other than graphics, there isn't really a compelling reason to pick PC gaming over console gaming, not to mention the console exclusive games as well.

6. Games may be cheaper on the PC, but that's easier to handle than spending on a decent gaming rig to play less games. I personally only buy AAA games and specific ones I'd like, so the costs aren't that much, and even still, many of the games I want and buy are often exclusive to that console, so whether they are more expensive makes little or no difference as they can't be obtained anywhere else cheaper.


Conclusion, PC gaming is awesome, and if you can't find a good reason to own a console, stick with the PC for mod options, cheaper pricing and easier controls in certain games. But if you prefer to use your PC for graphics, music, movies, programming, writing etc and more serious things and care about harddrive space and all those other nitty gritty things, a console just makes life easier.

Its alright guys we can close the thread now. Everything has been said that can be said. So in a word. This^

 

[DaJoW]

5. PC games are moving over to PS3 and 360, some exclusivly and others multiplat, no matter how you look at it, other than graphics, there isn't really a compelling reason to pick PC gaming over console gaming, not to mention the console exclusive games as well.

None of my favourite games (Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron) have been released on a console, my favourite genres (RTS and Grand Strategy) would be nigh-unplayable without a mouse and keyboard setup, and my favourite developer (Paradox Interactive) makes games exclusively for the PC. Since I "look at it" this way, I'd say there's a very compelling reason.

I've had an Xbox with a decent number of games for about 8 years now, and I'd say I've spent less time playing on it in all that time than I've spent on EU 3 in 2011.

 

[JET1971]

this is not flaming.

consoles dont realy have ANYTHING that makes them better than PC. everything you can do on a console you can do with a PC. controlers, BIG screen TV + couch, install game and play, buy now and use for 5 years without upgrading, low cost, easy to use, can use as a DVD or blueray player, etc etc. if you think none of those apply to PC then you are a console-tard and think PC players are elitist, I say console-tard because you are uninformed and believe the propaganda spewed out by other console-tards. fact is ALL those apply to PC as well as 100's of other benifits. if those are the reasons you prefer console over PC then its personal choice and nothing more.

fact, your console is a PC thats been limited on how you can use it(geohot springs to mind here). your console is a PC that MS, nintendo, or sony decided how you can use it. want me to repeat that? that is not me being elitist, or making things up. you used to be able to run Linux on your PS3 until Sony decided to take that away from you. and yet so many believe that console are superior? sorry but they are not and the fact is they are weak PC's that you have no control over. thus they are inferior. this is not disputable if you know the facts and not the bs propaganda that so many console fanboys claim.

as for myself, i prefer to have an all in one package for productivity and entertainment. my PC does just that since it is connected to my TV and it replaces the DVD/bluray player, and is my gaming platform. it has 7.1 suround sound built in or goes to my stereo system if i want. I can use it to annoy cobnsole fan-boys on internet forums or do my taxes and balance my checkbook. I also use it for voice com and its replaced my home phone. i work at home and can do video conferancing and everything I would be able to do at an office. question for me is why would i get a console considering i have one already and its my PC. maybe for those console only titles but that would be the only reason. oh and i will be getting a new laptop that will actualy be better for gaming than my present 3 year old never upgraded play any new game PC, and do it anywhere at anytime.

does all that mean i think consoles are garbage and PC is the elite platform? not at all. consoles are good for the kids to game on, and great for casual adult players. its has a good place for another gadget to hook up to the TV that simpletons can use. I cant wait for the next gen consoles to come out and they cost $800-$1000 so that bs argumet cant be used. and I would be thrilled if they decided to add upgrade ability thus removing that bs argument as well. you prefer console? good for you! I prefer PC! lets all just game and call it our preferance!

ps.
console players quit arguing with PC players who want games to be better!!!! agree with them and demand that devs and publishers make a proper product! good for PC players and better for console players.

 

[TiefBlau]

Relatively cheap, local multiplayer, console exclusives, easy to set up and (at least in Sony's case) less chances of outright failing, no need to buy peripherals.

That's about it. Simplicity is the magic word here.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

I mainly play Japanese games, those usually don't come out on the PC actually.


Sure, if all you play is FPS and Wrpgs then your question makes sense, I however mainly play Jrpgs and Fighting games, thus PC is pretty much a dead thing regarding my games.