Why buy consoles?

[captaincabbage]

I'm gonna be honest, you raise almost every good point against owning a console.

For me, I've always liked consoles more. I'm not sure why. I have a computer that's about 4 years old, but it can run Crysis full specs (which is still a damn amazing feat for a computer of it's age, especially considering I paid $900 AUD for it), yet I still find myself playing my PS3 more than anything.


For the PS3, I just love the exclusives, the controller and the online. It's great having free online for everything, since I'm already paying for the internet to the ISP. I do really love the controller, and since I have really good spacial awareness in games, I feel like I can adapt to new controller setups faster. I love the exclusives, I still play Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time, as well as Red Dead, Uncharted 2 and as embarrassing as it is, I do really love GT5. I know it's got a million things wrong with it, but I just love being able to own, modify and drive EVERY SINGLE CAR I'VE EVER WANTED IN MY LIFE. Hell, I found a '76 Lancia Stratos rally car the other day! I've gotta point out that that car was my most favorite matchbox ever as a kid.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. I guess I just love consoles because of everything they offer. Especially the multiplayer. Honestly, talking to some random over a headset has got nothing on sitting next to three friends and trying furiously to win whilst trash-talking and having fun.

 

[CarbonEagle]

How is steam a rip off? I bought Mass Effect 1 & 2 for $15. Thats $7.50 a piece for a relativly new AAA game. Thats only one example, its easy to get games 70% off regular price which is 80%-90% what you pay for a console game. The only people who could possibly get ripped off are the developers.

I was more referring to the lack of actual ownership rights. To me, at least, that's a deal breaker.

I suppose thats a valid concern, however considering that valve has its fingers in both the AAA and indie game pools not to mention their huge fanbase, I doubt they will go out of business anytime in the foreseeable future. I'm pretty sure theres also some sort of backup in case they do go out of business.
I do love holding the game in my hands though, theres just something special about it. Its just not worth the price difference.

 

[tigermilk]

Consoles on the whole in my experience have been hassle free (not knowing that much about PC's I can envisage problems with updating hardware and compatibility issues). I do think it is interesting though that consoles are sterting to blur the boundaries in terms of both hardware (use of hard drives internet access) and software (internet connections informing both content and play practice).