Why do PC gamers get so much hate

[The Hairminator]

Because They actually do tend to look down on console gamers. This is however no excuse for console gamers to be pricks.

 

[Treblaine]

Well with PC you arguably get better graphics, performance, controls and most importantly freedom with almost every multiplatform game that is released.

The problem is - I think - that although most gamers would like those things, they don't want them enough to go through the trouble of:

-selecting components
-hunting for bargains
-assembling the damn thing (intellectual challenge that no one wants to fail)
-setting up all the software
-then figuring out if the game you want can play on it and if you have the right settings. Tweaks, etc

It is much easier to just dismiss the platform as "elitist" as a defence mechanism to reassure themselves that they were right to spend most of their gaming money on their 360, pay 20% extra per game, keep paying XBL Gold Membership. Basically is is a way of dealing with staving off buyer's remorse. They don't want to be playing through Batman: Arkham Asylum on PS3/360 wondering how much better this could be on PC... that would detract from the experience so they have to say, do, or act in a way to deal with their position. (You can play B:AA on PC with any USB gamepad)

I know because I used to do the same thing.

I now have a PS3, 360 and a PC and I game on all of them about equally. Well, PC 50% of the time, and all my other consoles combined for the other half of my gaming time.

My PC cost quite a bit but overall but about the same as PS3's launch price, or the 360 + 3 year of XBL Gold... but I do get to play all those multiplatform games in 1080p rather than 720p, and 60fps rather than 30fps, 4-8xAA rather than 2xAA (or none), and usually at higher texture settings too.

Look, 360 and PS3 may be "hardcore" but the fact remains that the entire point of the platform is to be more accessible, just plug into a TV and play, but with inevitable trade-offs. PC has always been the "ultimate" platform, where you push the performance to the limits, where you have the most control and the most freedom.

 

[TwistedLogic]

I've heard amusing theories from both sides of the 'pc/console gamer' discussion before, some of them are really not what I'd call well thought out and some that seem like one-sided perceptions brought across as fact.But putting that to one side, all gamers appear to be grouped via what genres and consoles they play, apparently so that they can look at other groups and say "we're better than that lot" but I'm guessing that there are many many wonderful people out there who play games for the fun of it rather than the social recognition or placement that some (could be wrong here) seem to spend their lives trying to get by metaphorically clawing their way up and over those lesser beings who "just don't get it". i.e. Anyone who has a tolerance level above zero.

xD

 

[Treblaine]

I agree mostly but I would change the first option from

"Do you like video games"
to
"Do you love video games (rather than merely like them)?"

 

[veloper]

The reason is jealousy, plain and simple

 

[Fire Daemon]

So this other guy gets to define what the term means, but I don't? What gives him the right?

Probably the same reason every word has the definition that it has. You can go around calling mutton lamb but that doesn't make it so.

Yeah, whatever. I use the term the way I use it and I don't give a fuck how someone else uses it, and I am not responsible for how someone else uses it. If you have a problem with how some guy called all console gamers consoletards, go talk to him, not me.

If you don't want to talk to me about how someone uses that term why did you start to talk to me about it. I don't know why you think that I think you are responsible for the way someone else uses the term though, I don't remember saying that.

It's not because it's a lazy port, it's because they went out of their way to remove features that existed in the first game, which uses the same engine. They even took the time to create IWNET. PC gamers get things like dedicated servers, command consoles and development tools because those things are both possible and standard on the PC, and have been since Quake (1996). If consoles don't have those features, that's not the PC's problem. Console gamers can either buy gaming PCs or complain to the developers, or to the console manufacturers, or whatever. It's not our goddamn problem, and we aren't going to get dragged down to a console's level just because console gamers are jealous.

I originally brought up the MW2 thing as an example before and had no intention or arguing about it. I don't give a fuck about MW2 and couldn't care about all of this stuff. All I'm trying to get across is why I think PC gamers are elitist. Are you done talking about that game now? I think what you need is the definition of elitism, so here it is:

1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
2. a. The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
b. Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/elitist

As you said above, PC gamers expect certain things in a game because it is played on the PC. Looking back at the definition, it looks like Elitism to me. The PC is a superior console, so the people who own that console deserve better treatment. Yeah, that sounds highly elitist. And there is nothing wrong with that. If you want to have some elitism and demand things from a developer, go right ahead, it'll make it better for everyone hopefully.

Then what was your point?

That console gamers like change. That doesn't make you a consumer whore.

Hur hur hur! I am saying that they'll speak up when the industry tries to shaft them, which is what IW/Activision did with MW2. The same thing happened when various games introduced draconian and excessively hostile copy protection and DRM mechanisms.

Great. That's elitism, if you think that you deserve better because you game on the PC. Not liking DRM because you don't like being treated like a criminal, know that you'll have to install the game 5 times in the end, don't have Internet access or something similar is not elitism because you aren't necessarily viewing yourself as superior, you just don't want to be ripped.

Also, mocking laughter? Do you really need to stoop so low?

If they're going to port games over to the PC then obviously people expect them to do a passable job. Either do it right or don't do it at all, because nobody wants to play shit like Saints Row 2's PC version. You are again suggesting that not putting up with bullshit from the game industry is "elitism", that not accepting poor craftsmanship and lazy work with a shit-eating grin on your face is "elitism."

No I'm not. I'm saying that if you believe that you deserve higher quality on a PC than a console because you game on the PC than you are an elitist. Obviously wanting quality for something that buy is expected and I'm not suggesting that everything be bought regardless of quality, I'm just saying that getting upset over a poor port is elitist, especially if you have no intention of buying that game and just get annoyed at the difference of quality when compared to the different versions.

Well we think every gamer should have the option of browsing a serverlist and play mods. I'm just confused as to why console players does not ask for this. They are missing out on years of content.

I agree with the mod content but as it is asking for it is kind of like asking for a radio to become a HD TV. Console just can't support mod support, the only thing that comes close is a map editor. Pressure could be put on Microsoft and Sony to put these in their next consoles but those are a long way off and I doubt they'll even listen. I heard that the original plan for XBLA was to be able to create your own content, shirts and what not but that got lost at some point.

Some people rather matchmaking than server listings and hosting. I hate having to put up with a hosts bullshit rules and a fear of getting kicked if I snipe him or 'play cheaply'. Although a matchmaking service can't control cheaters or loud mouths. I like what Valve did with L4D, a vote system coupled with hosting and matchmaking. That worked well and I hope is the way of the future.

We should all ask for a better experience. Otherwise we are stupid. Like someone said "consumer whores".

Yeah, I agree with that.

 

[kingcom]

I'll chalk it to the Wizard's First Rule...

Hell yea!

 

[THAC0]

because of console fanboyism. they attack the PC because they either

A. envy the PC. (modding, etc)
B. think their way is the best way. ( IE good old tribal hostility to other tribes who dont think like them.)
C.trolls (they anger ppl for fun)
D. misinformed about the PC gamers and believe what those idiots at x-play/etc tell them to believe.
E. mistake the PC for a console with shiny bells and whistles. (its NOT a console, its a computer. PCs and consoles are not the same. they CANNOT RUN ON THE SAME SYSTEM of multiplayer, control, etc. stop expecting the PC to conform to your ways thinking it will be a good transition because it wont and it will end badly.)

well, you just identified some of the many reasons to hate on PC gamers. They seem to be under the impression that they are simply better and form a clique that seems to enjoy nothing better than setting around talking about how cool they are.

Not all of them are like this, i have a friend who games on PC and she is actually rather nice most of the time.

But i just want to play the games and not worry about keys and system specs and what ever else you people have to do just to get a game to work. If that stuff makes you feel good about yourselves, then more power to you.

 

[Ph33nix]

because we have an air of being better than console gamers and get pissed when we are treated like them. Console gamers hate our air of superiority because it really is unfounded especially considering that their are only two types of exclusives we get, RTS' and supper high setting beautiful games.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Cos they're all bastards. Every single one.

Honestly, I'd say it's the image of the fat guy who sits at his computer all day being a jackass that goes with it.

 

[jboking]

It seems that the only kind of people who get attention are the kind that get bad attention.

Welcome to the world. The ones who are the loudest in either group are the source of the stereotypes we place on one another. An odd thing about people who are loud(and don't shut up when they are informed they are too loud), they are typically douchebags.

So it works out that the console gaming community will view the PC gaming community as elitist jerks, as that is what the vocal group acts like and the console gaming community will look like a bunch of technologically uneducated frat boys/11yo to the PC gaming community.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

because we have an air of being better than console gamers and get pissed when we are treated like them. Console gamers hate our air of superiority because it really is unfounded especially considering that their are only two types of exclusives we get, RTS' and supper high setting beautiful games.

This ladies and gentle is one of those "Twats" I described.
By the way, I really really hate you.

How the heck is he a twat? Read the post.

 

[Ph33nix]

because we have an air of being better than console gamers and get pissed when we are treated like them. Console gamers hate our air of superiority because it really is unfounded especially considering that their are only two types of exclusives we get, RTS' and supper high setting beautiful games.

This ladies and gentle is one of those "Twats" I described.
By the way, I really really hate you.

I never said I I said WE because PC gamers in general are like that. I am a pc gamer and a 360 gamer and I have no Illusions that the PC is far superior the PC barely gets any games now because most people find it too expensive to own a high end gaming machine as opposed to a 360 or a ps3

 

[Woe Is You]

Console just can't support mod support, the only thing that comes close is a map editor.

Then why does UT3 on the PS3 support mods? From a technical perspective, there's nothing preventing consoles from supporting mods, rather, it all has to do with money in the end. I mean, it's abundantly clear that Microsoft doesn't want Valve to updates for their games to be free, so there's a good reason to believe that's why mods aren't supported either.

I mean, it's fine if you get a console to just play games. If I wasn't a tinkerer at heart, I might just go console-only myself. But, the thing is, part of the PC experience is tinkering: while there's the inevitable driver and software hurdle to overcome at some point, you also get a game that you're free to tinker around with. It's an exchange, really. That is, on a console you get a game that works right away because the developers know exactly what you're running and what you're not. In a way, MW2 on the PC is the lesser game: it doesn't get the benefits of an open platform but it doesn't really reap the benefits of a closed platform either.

That's why it's extremely annoying seeing some console-only gamers talking about "leveling the playing field" with games like these, since most of these things are player-driven to begin with. It's not companies that are running those servers for COD4/Q3A/... most part, it's the dedicated fans. Same goes for the guys who provide new spins on old content. Now, instead of wanting these features themselves, a lot of console gamers here seem to be content in not having them so long as nobody else has them. Pardon if I say so but anyone with this sort of attitude is dumb.