Why buy consoles?
- Thread starter Susurrus
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Well, for me it's because I just distrust my computer to play games. I mean, I play a lot of games on it, but in the back of my head, I'm always worried that it's going to crash.
Also, whenever you get a game for computer, not only do you have to install it, but you have to check that there aren't countless little things you have to do to make sure it plays correctly.
Especially if you use Vista, Vista hates games...
Also, whenever you get a game for computer, not only do you have to install it, but you have to check that there aren't countless little things you have to do to make sure it plays correctly.
Especially if you use Vista, Vista hates games...
Usually because they don't understand PC gaming I guess? I saw someone on here saying something about not being able to play AS2 on a $300 6 year old PC. Well I can one up you, a 10 year old PC that can run it that, (at the time) was less than $200. Now granted, it was refurbished so that cut the price down and windows 7 made it a lot easier now that the OS isn't fat but all that was required was a few sticks of RAM ( <$100) and a graphics card (~$100). So, I now have a PC that has been running for 10 years at a cost of about $400 and can still run crysis. Now I know you will say "can it run it on high?" and I guess you win there because it can only handle medium graphics. The rig is shoing its age unfortunatly but since it came from the era of the ps2 and game cube, I think I'll be ok.
Anyway, I used to be a console gamer. I own every playstation system, every Nintendo system except the SNES, and both of the xbox consoles. Every single one sits in my basement collecting dust next to my computers. I have built 5 of the things now, for various reasons, and I have not looked back. Even for parties I don't use them anymore, everyone just brings over their PC. Now, this is a personal choice. I LAN almost every weekend. It works for me. I've converted a good number of my friends to PC gaming as well. It works for us. Some people don't like it though and that's fine. I know most people wouldn't have been able to do what I did with my old PC because they can't be bothered, I am an electrical engineer after all. Most of my friends used to think building a PC was hard, until I showed them. It's literally "plug the cord with a specificly shapped end into the hole that is designed to fit it". It's actually very hard to mess up a computer if you can fit the square block into the square hole. But agian, some people can't be bothered.
tl;dr:
It's because people don't want to take the time to learn something new, and it works. We all have different tastes and console vs pc gaming doesn't really matter, just do what you like and have fun with it.
Anyway, I used to be a console gamer. I own every playstation system, every Nintendo system except the SNES, and both of the xbox consoles. Every single one sits in my basement collecting dust next to my computers. I have built 5 of the things now, for various reasons, and I have not looked back. Even for parties I don't use them anymore, everyone just brings over their PC. Now, this is a personal choice. I LAN almost every weekend. It works for me. I've converted a good number of my friends to PC gaming as well. It works for us. Some people don't like it though and that's fine. I know most people wouldn't have been able to do what I did with my old PC because they can't be bothered, I am an electrical engineer after all. Most of my friends used to think building a PC was hard, until I showed them. It's literally "plug the cord with a specificly shapped end into the hole that is designed to fit it". It's actually very hard to mess up a computer if you can fit the square block into the square hole. But agian, some people can't be bothered.
tl;dr:
It's because people don't want to take the time to learn something new, and it works. We all have different tastes and console vs pc gaming doesn't really matter, just do what you like and have fun with it.
I use to be like that until I played Morrowind on the Xbox and realized that it is more to do with the Dev's than anything. Or the fact Vista can travel in time and is trying to destroy all gaming with its overloaded kernel.Fidelias said:
1)I really hate Windows.
2)I suck with computers and couldn't build my own if I tried (and I did).
3)My genre of choice are platformers and adventure games, game that I feel play better with a controller.
4)I am willing to tolerate a gamepad for shooters.
5)Rock Band and other party games.
6)I really hate Windows. I don't care if I'm repeating, I just want that emphasized.
7)I prefer laying down on my couch to relax at the end of a day, not hunched over my desk.
Those are pretty much my reasons.
2)I suck with computers and couldn't build my own if I tried (and I did).
3)My genre of choice are platformers and adventure games, game that I feel play better with a controller.
4)I am willing to tolerate a gamepad for shooters.
5)Rock Band and other party games.
6)I really hate Windows. I don't care if I'm repeating, I just want that emphasized.
7)I prefer laying down on my couch to relax at the end of a day, not hunched over my desk.
Those are pretty much my reasons.
Consoles are much cheaper, an equivalent spec pc with a huge monitor and bluray player would cost enough to buy my playstation and tv twice over. Also if a game is released for ps3 it's specified for my exact graphic card, processor etc, not the case with pc.
I was almost cured, but then I decided to buy an Alienware computer. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty nice, it can run almost any game perfectly with much better graphics than my Xbox OR PS3. But only for a few months. Then all kinds of problems start occuring. Like my screen randomly going blank, or my drivers malfunctioning, or my SLI randomly going to stealth mode, or my touchbuttons stop working...PettingZOOPONY said:
I'm just awesome like that. I replace them for being to small occasionally, but my oldest is seven (I think) years by now.Falseprophet said:
As for the price of games, steam sales. And I don't go buy games on release unless it's something I want really really badly.Azaraxzealot said:
I couldn't agree more with you about DRM however. All platforms have their share of problems, and DRM is one of the biggest for PC.
Thirdly, I don't have a TV to begin with, and most certainly not an HDTV. Playing games in a resolution below 720p? No thanks. 768p was the standard for Windows 98 for crying out loud.
And again with the prize; I can shave of 10 to 20% of the prize by building it myself, according to what I need it to do. For an Alienware as you said you pay a bunch extra just for the brand.
[hr]
In the end this is mostly a question of convenience for me, when my graphics card gets old I can replace it, and only it. If I need to do a major upgrade I can still keep the chassis, fans, harddrives and maybe the power supply too.
And last but not least I can feel a bit smug about my system of choice. HDTV you say? My cellphone has half the resolution of your HDTV.
Thats just Alienware, I've had so many problems with the 5870 BIOS on the GPU on my wifes laptop that it was unplayable until I put a 3rd party BIOS on it.Fidelias said:
That, and because sometimes PC gets really shitty ports that aren't worth trying to run when the console version is so much better.Susurrus said:
Oh, and DRM. DRM is pretty much always worse on the PC. Buying a Ubisoft or EA game for your PC is basically asking to be treated with no respect.
1: Consoles have the superior games: Basically all major AAA titles are designed for consoles now, and some don't even go to the PC at all. While the PC does still get quite a few good exclusive AAA games, consoles get the lion's share, making investing in them a better value oriented approach.
2: PC performance superiority over consoles is waning. Unless you really shell out for parts, most gaming PCs do not have significant graphics/performance advantage over current consoles, and they certainly won't over the next gen of consoles.
3: The controller is an infinitely better control setup for gaming over the mouse and keyboard, with the exception of RTS, MMO and certain select games. While the mouse still controls better for precise aiming, the joystick serves that purpose just fine and has the advantage of being infinitely better for movement controls than the keyboard.
4: The more you plan to play multiplayer, the more appealing the consoles become. PCs basically have ZERO in-house playability, and only increase and spread costs of PC gaming to multiple people, while with 1 console 4 people can play multiplayer together; it only takes 4 consoles for 16 to play together. With few exceptions, the console community also tends to stick a bit more with games too; its easier to find matches for console games for longer than it is on PC, unless you REALLY, REALLY like playing a particular way.
5: Portability. Consoles are easy to transport, work basically anywhere there is a TV and power, and don't take up as much room. Good gaming PCs are often HUGE, and often way A FUCKING TON, in addition to having multiple parts that must be transported.
6: Player-generated content is one of the few advantages PCs really have, and its not even that great an advantage. Because when you think about it honestly, 97% of all user content is shit or smut, 2% is decent and only really 1% is truly good worth saying "Yeah, this was worth it".
7: What sounds more appealing, in all seriousness?
Pay $300-$500 for a system that is guaranteed to play any game that comes out for it for the next 5 years, is easily portable, has an extremely simple set-up and plays games at very good level of performance, OR pay anywhere from $1000 to $2500 for a system that may only be relevant for 3 years before needing new parts to play the latest games, isn't portable or sharable, can have an extremely complicated set-up, but can play games at a higher level of performance.
2: PC performance superiority over consoles is waning. Unless you really shell out for parts, most gaming PCs do not have significant graphics/performance advantage over current consoles, and they certainly won't over the next gen of consoles.
3: The controller is an infinitely better control setup for gaming over the mouse and keyboard, with the exception of RTS, MMO and certain select games. While the mouse still controls better for precise aiming, the joystick serves that purpose just fine and has the advantage of being infinitely better for movement controls than the keyboard.
4: The more you plan to play multiplayer, the more appealing the consoles become. PCs basically have ZERO in-house playability, and only increase and spread costs of PC gaming to multiple people, while with 1 console 4 people can play multiplayer together; it only takes 4 consoles for 16 to play together. With few exceptions, the console community also tends to stick a bit more with games too; its easier to find matches for console games for longer than it is on PC, unless you REALLY, REALLY like playing a particular way.
5: Portability. Consoles are easy to transport, work basically anywhere there is a TV and power, and don't take up as much room. Good gaming PCs are often HUGE, and often way A FUCKING TON, in addition to having multiple parts that must be transported.
6: Player-generated content is one of the few advantages PCs really have, and its not even that great an advantage. Because when you think about it honestly, 97% of all user content is shit or smut, 2% is decent and only really 1% is truly good worth saying "Yeah, this was worth it".
7: What sounds more appealing, in all seriousness?
Pay $300-$500 for a system that is guaranteed to play any game that comes out for it for the next 5 years, is easily portable, has an extremely simple set-up and plays games at very good level of performance, OR pay anywhere from $1000 to $2500 for a system that may only be relevant for 3 years before needing new parts to play the latest games, isn't portable or sharable, can have an extremely complicated set-up, but can play games at a higher level of performance.
Dont worry, thats going ot happen to the "standard" PC. Notice how when they were talking, they said stuff was going to go handheld, and to things like iPads and larger versions of touch screens? Yeah, thats going to happen PCs too. So the PCs and Consoles will fuse together and we'll basically get Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo putting out their own high powered ipad like devices.Levethian said:
So yeah, PCs arent safe from that little future. They'll just be lopped together with consoles and shurken down to make some bastard child device.
Because I have a mortgage to pay and I don't want to constantly have to mess with my computer to play the latest games.