Why buy consoles?

[dalek sec]

1. I know fuck-all about computers other than the basics.
2. I can't be arsed.
3. I don't have the money to buy a new pc, especially since I started out with a console.
4. DRM.
5. As many other people have mentioned, I don't have to worry about system requirements.

Bang, you pretty much beat me to it Slogan.

I'm brain dead when it comes to stuff like that besides the basics, I'm lazy as sin, money's tight, DRM from hell and I don't have to deal with system requirements. I know it's pretty much a re-hash of what you just posted but it purely sums up my reasons as well as to why I have console over a PC system to play my games on.

 

[ScorpSt]

Ok, let me preface this by saying I am a PC gamer. I love the Keyboard/Mouse setup. My PC has only just reached the point that I can't run new games on maximum setting (they still look better than Console games though).

So why do I own an Xbox 360 and a Wii?

1) I started gaming on consoles. Even though I now play most of my games on a PC, consoles will always hold a special place in my memories.

2) Console gaming is a better social experience. With the exception of a LAN party, it doesn't make sense to have a bunch of people over and play PC games. Very few PC games are set up for single-machine multiplayer.

3) Some games just feel better on a console. Personally, I think that Shooter and Strategy games should never be played on a console. The thing is that other types of games are better on a console. Fighting games are better with either a controller or some sort of arcade stick, and racing games need some sort of analog controls. Also, sometimes a console game's controls are so well optimized that it leaves its PC port in the dust.

Further, if you have a choice of buying a game (take DA 2 for an example), why ever would you choose to buy it on console, where it will be more expensive?

I know you guys are still getting that deal, but here in the States AAA PC titles (such as DA2) are costing the same as their console equivalents. It's a sucky change to be sure, and a bit greedy (since they don't have to pay anyone to make games for the PC), but it's making using the price-point argument a bit moot.

 

[Wondermint13]

Why buy a console?

-Because you can play it in bed with a nice soft pillow under your head and favourite teddy bear cuddled up next to you.
-You can play it from your sofa while your partner plays with your hair, rubs your back or simply rests in your lap asking silly but cute questions about what's going on.
-It takes 5 seconds to turn on.
-TVs screens are getting massive!
-Oh and guess what?? You get to play with a Controller!! Control... isnt that an awesome word?... knowing you can Controoollll.... what you are playing. Instead of using something designed for word documents and web browsing, Plus you can can play anything with a controller. Keyboards are lucky they have the RTS genres and should shut up and be greatful for that

Its a no-brainer. Games consoles are a big fancy toy that everyone can enjoy without all needing to buy computer chairs, Computers can take care of the rest.. like porn. Computers can provide the porn and -GAMES- Consoles can play games.. mhm mhm

 

[Sabiancym]

Fighting games like Street fighter keep me coming back to consoles, and classics

Fighting games are on PC. In fact there are probably more of them on PC.

 

[Xrysthos]

To me, it's a simple question of math. Decent PC + console of choice (PS3 in my case) is cheaper than an excellent gaming rig. I use my computer to play around with Minecraft or retro games not available for the PS3, in addition to the occasional Blizzard game, while I play pretty much everything else on the console. It's also nice to know that I won't have to fret about upgrading my hardware for the next 3-4 years, just to play some game. It probably comes down to what kind of games you prefer, seeing as each kind of rig has it's advantages.

 

[Sabiancym]

Why buy a console?

-Because you can play it in bed with a nice soft pillow under your head and favourite teddy bear cuddled up next to you.
-You can play it from your sofa while your partner plays with your hair, rubs your back or simply rests in your lap asking silly but cute questions about what's going on.
-It takes 5 seconds to turn on.
-TVs screens are getting massive!
-Oh and guess what?? You get to play with a Controller!! Control... isnt that an awsome word... knowing you can Controoollll.... what your playing. Instead of using something designed for word documents and web browsing,

Its a no-brainer. Games consoles are a big fancy toy that everyone can enjoy, Computers can take care of the rest.. like porn. Computers can provide the porn and -GAMES- Consoles can play games.. mhm mhm

-You can plug a controller into your PC and play from your bed.
-^^^^
-Build your PC correctly and it will turn on as fast as a console
-You can hook PCs up to TVs
-PCs can use the same controllers consoles can, plus more.


.....so...

 

[Soxafloppin]

Mainly because i like to play with my friends, and i litterally don't know anyone that plays PC games.

 

[Adam28]

Cost, ease of use/knowledge (doesn't matter how easy it is to learn, people are put off how complicated it looks), PCs usually aren't advertised for games, console exclusives, preference, what your friends own(for social reasons), and the what I like to call "console hook" (Zelda fans have to buy the Wii, Metal Gear fans will have to buy a PS3, Halo fans will have to buy a 360, Tekken fans will have to buy a console etc).

Think that covers pretty much everything I can think of.

 

[Wondermint13]

Why buy a console?

-Because you can play it in bed with a nice soft pillow under your head and favourite teddy bear cuddled up next to you.
-You can play it from your sofa while your partner plays with your hair, rubs your back or simply rests in your lap asking silly but cute questions about what's going on.
-It takes 5 seconds to turn on.
-TVs screens are getting massive!
-Oh and guess what?? You get to play with a Controller!! Control... isnt that an awsome word... knowing you can Controoollll.... what your playing. Instead of using something designed for word documents and web browsing,

Its a no-brainer. Games consoles are a big fancy toy that everyone can enjoy, Computers can take care of the rest.. like porn. Computers can provide the porn and -GAMES- Consoles can play games.. mhm mhm

-You can plug a controller into your PC and play from your bed.
-^^^^
-Build your PC correctly and it will turn on as fast as a console
-You can hook PCs up to TVs
-PCs can use the same controllers consoles can, plus more.


.....so...

Point
But that's effort.

Gaming isnt a second job, Its a hobby. Everything is done for you with a console, you just put it in and WaHay!
If people want to install software, piss around with hardware and manuals then they should go work at a PC store.

Simply put.
Consoles = Feet-up luxury
PCs = sgdh2jfz44zz numbers dsghbs.com @rgh. $$$

 

[-Samurai-]

Feature wise, is there anything a console can do that a PC cannot? I can not think of a single thing.

Motion controls, if you're in to that sort of thing. Some of it is actually fun.

Kinect and Wii remotes work with PCs. Plus there are other third party devices that do motion control that are only on PCs. Like flight simulator head trackers.

But can your PC cook you a steak?
[small]Well, neither can my PS3. That feature was omitted on my model.[/small]

 

[Jbowdown]

Hardware guide for Xbox360 owners wanting to build a PC with the same specs (except with 4 times the memory!):

CPU AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz & BIOSTAR TA880GB+ Motherboard Combo: $137.99
ATI RADEON X1900 GT Graphics adapter - 256 MB: $90
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory: $26.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA Drive: $36.99
LG DVD SATA SuperMulti Drive: $19.99
Rosewill RV300 300W ATX12V Power Supply: $19.99
HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower: $39.99

Totat: $371.94

(Optional) Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack - OEM: $99.99
Ubuntu running Wine: Free

Building a comparable PC is just as expensive as buying a Xbox360.

P.S. I threw in a cheap power supply so that the Xbox360 owners can randomly experience their own 'red ring' on their new PC!
P.P.S (Most of the pricing info I got from NewEgg)

 

[auronvi]

PC Elitist Comment: "Because they are so much easier to use than PCs" makes me smile. I am sorry if computers are too hard for you too understand but if you are smart and chose not to learn, that is ignorance by definition and I have no pity for that. If you have the capacity to better yourself by familiarizing yourself with technology than why not do it? You can only benefit.

OT: The only catch for me as far as PC vs Console is that I like some of the PS3 exclusive titles. Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Heavy Rain were all great on PS3. I do ask myself all the time, "Why do I own an Xbox 360?" Now there is really no reason to own one of those if you have a PC. It's been gathering dust. COD:Blops was terrible on the PC and I heard there were problems for the PS3 version as well. So I guess sometimes the 360 version is best but I don't think it warrants purchase.

 

[yanipheonu]

Becasue there are far more games on consoles these days, and PC support has been really spotty.

Frankly, the argument should be reversed, why buy a gaming PC?

 

[Someone Depressing]

Console
--------

No system rewuirements
Shorter Loading Screens
Party Games (Dance Central, Guitar Hero/Rock Band, yeah, you get it)
And cheap to develop on
Local Co-Op

PC
--------
Better Graphics engine
Better FPS/RTS Controls
More advanced games
Nerd love the bloody things
Realing in Casual Gamers like never before

They're both pretty equal, if you ask me.

 

[Canid117]

It's cheaper than any good gaming PC and will last longer without needing an upgrade. Sports games are also much better on consoles.

 

[Jbowdown]

8800GT on Ebay - $60 http://cgi.ebay.com/EVGA-NVIDIA-GeForce-8800-GT-GDDR3-/320679416962?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item4aa9fb9482#ht_500wt_922
E6750 on Ebay - $70 http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-CORE-2-DUO-E6750-2-66GHz-4M-1333-SLA9V-/230570254882?pt=CPUs&hash=item35af0ee222#ht_1234wt_905
MSI G41M on Newegg $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130305
GSkill Rijaw 4GB RAM on newegg $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
LOGISYS 550W PSU on Newegg $25 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170028
LITE-ON Black 18 DVD Drive $17 on Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106274
Microsoft Keyboard and Mouse on newegg $30 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.623199

Total $302, and it would run those games at the same level of the Xbox or PS3. Especially if you overclock slightly, which is free.

And that's in 5 minutes. If you spent time hunting, you could find much better hardware at a really good price.

Oops, you we're doing close to the same thing as I was doing at the same time!

 

[JET1971]

I see no reason to use a console at all. Never had one never will.
I'm a tech guy, I like tinkering with stuff. And I like modding.

The PC has superior graphics, cheaper games, modding capability, I don't have to replace the whole thing as it age, etc...

I thought PCs had to be replaced because of age all the time? Or at least parts like graphics cards to keep up with modern gaming specs?

thats actualy a myth made by those who dont understand update/upgrade cycles of PC's. you can get a gaming rig today and not change anything for the next 2-3 years and still be able to play the latest AAA titles. you can even stretch that out to 5 years if you dont mind running the latest games on the absolute lowest ingame settings and force even lower via the video cards control panel as well as run the system in gaming mode(as in barebone). lets say you stratch it to 4 years and latest titles running on lowest settings wont run at 30 fps. you go and buy a 2 year old model video card for less than $100 dollars and you get another 2 years without the need to upgrade again.

as for RAM and hard drive space, regardless of what you do with the system aside from checking email and browsing facebook you would want as much as you can get in the computer. and the prices on both are so low that its not an issue realy to put in 16 gig ram and 2 terrabytes of harddrive.

yes to have a top of the line ultimute gaming rig can cost $1000's every year but then again the majority of upgrades done for gaming systems are done just so they get the best experiance they can afford, not just to play the game.

My Specs:
Win7 ultimute 64 bit
Core2Quad Q9650
Asus P5N72-T Premium
2 EVGA 9800GTX+ (in SLI when gaming, multi monitor mode when not.)
8 gig OCZ Platinum (PC2 6400)
2.5 TB HD space, various drives
Supreme FX2 sound card (came with motherboard)
COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 Evolution SE
11 120 MM fans
XClio X14 650 watt modular power supply
Asus VW222U 22" LCD (1680 x 1050 native res)

I built that system for less than $1200 3 years ago and I can play anything released today, and play BFBC2 in high/highest settings with 8x AA and 16x AF. I figure it will be good for another year if not 2 years and thats not 1 upgrade done except adding more HD space that has nothing to do with gaming. so in 2012 i may need to run games on medium/low no AA and 8x AF. and in 2013 at med/low/lowest settings. 2014 vid card needed. 2015 I will need mobo/proc/psu/ram. thats 7 years until the rig is completly outdated and I will need to build a new one, but thats not just because of games and gaming! i will need to rebuild because of everything else as well. PC gaming can be cheaper than console and still playable for around the same time frame, but the nice thing is i can upgrade 1-2 parts and get next gen graphics now! rather than static same ql until they finaly get done milking the old hardware.

Oh and I am not insulting console players, just pointing out a myth thats not true. we both have the same hardware cycle, just PC players are not stuck in it, we can upgrade.

 

[silver wolf009]

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.

And my sole reason for being a console gamer has been revealed. Thank you sir.

 

[blankedboy]

The game lineup. Seriously, play the first four Crash Bandicoot games and tell me consoles are worthless.