WHY pc gamers?

[SimuLord]

Also if you use a DS you are not a PC exlusive gamer, you are primarily a PC gamer, Exclusive = The exclusion of all others.

I guess I don't really think of the DS as "gaming" so much as "playing something so simple I wouldn't classify it as the same pursuit as what I do with my computer, which is 'real' gaming." So OK, maybe I'm just an elitist, but it still produces no cognitive dissonance in my head to say PC is my only form of "gaming".

 

[moretimethansense]

Basically:

PC:
You can decide how powerful your machine is. Also, it can multitask, and it has the advantage of a mouse (good for hi-accuracy aiming and such) and a keyboard, with a ton of buttons. Games can be more easily modded.
However, with a high variety of possible rig setups, the probability of something being incompatible rises a lot, and sometimes performance and graphics take a hit because of insufficient hardware. Games require installing, which can be take quite some time, and be a nuisance.

Console:
Console games can be tailored to the console, because every machine has the same specs, hardware and software wise, meaning games can run with very high framerates while being very pretty. (Usually) no install required.
However, consoles for other things than games (or movies/music) is inconvenient at best. Aiming with a joystick is is rather uncomfortable.

There is a lot more to be said. Both have their pro's and cons. There are many other arguments that I didn't think of and/or left out. but basically:
It's a matter of preference and arguing over it is a waste of time

I personally prefer the PC, but I have a PS3 and many games a more fun to play on that.

/rant.

you make many good points but I have never personally had a problem aiming with a stick aand don't understand how anyone with thumbs could, And before anyone says anything I play without Aim assist wherever possible unless the aiming is shit in the particular game anyway(I find that aim assist is like the game not trusting me to know how to play)

 

[CCountZero]

I think it's because PC gamers are kind of bitter...

...It's depressing how many people find PCs, as you said, "complex". It seems to be the general consensus that PCs are "complicated"...

...Games are being dumbed down for these people. Too few games these days target an intelligent, hardcore crowd...

...The glory days of PC gaming are in the past. PC gamers get ignored because the average gamer is too lazy or too stupid to understand the platform...

...PC gamers generally can't even have an intelligent discussion with console gamers, and their attitude comes off as arrogance...

Seems a very realistic approach to the issue.

In my own experience of observing friends and family, being adept at using a PC usually translates directly to fixing a TV, programming a GPS, etc.

 

[Caliostro]

I have spent the past week trying in vain to fix my broken ass PC which decided to up and die on me for no reason whatsoever, causing me to lose 600 GB of data, and having to install and re-install Windows twice today alone, even now as I type this I don't know if the problem is solved or has simply gone in to remission, while my Xbox, PS2 and PS3 have sat there working allowing me to blow off the anger this infernal device has caused me over the past few days so I'd say no in fact PCs are not clearly better, they merely have advantages, they also have severe disadvantages as does any console out there, there is no best, there is merely a best for you.

I've seen people go through 3 360's in a year. I've seen people go spend more time with their PS3 repair ticket than with their actual PS3s. "Mine broke" is not a good excuse. Also there's no real way to tell whether your problem or incapacity to fix it do, indeed, come from user incompetence.

The bottom line though, I did say that it was more complicated:

Yes. Computers are more complicated, generally more expensive (although that's very arguable), and not as straightforward as "press button to turn on -> insert disc -> play". They're also better, as they can do everything a console can and much, much more.

My point wasn't that they're simpler, was that they're better.

I suppose I should specify. "Better" is a very loose term. The Wii is probably the best thing since balls for an 8 year older, and Twilight is probably the best thing ever for... The brain damaged...? I don't know... But I digress. I meant that it's superior in it's capacity. If all you want is something uncomplicated, then yes, consoles are better for you. If you want quality, then the PC is the hands down winner.

 

[moretimethansense]

Also if you use a DS you are not a PC exlusive gamer, you are primarily a PC gamer, Exclusive = The exclusion of all others.

I guess I don't really think of the DS as "gaming" so much as "playing something so simple I wouldn't classify it as the same pursuit as what I do with my computer, which is 'real' gaming." So OK, maybe I'm just an elitist, but it still produces no cognitive dissonance in my head to say PC is my only form of "gaming".

No offence but that is some serious elitism right there, though I will admit many games on the DS are simple casual games it does have it's share of "real" games if you can be bothered to look.

 

[Voodoomancer]

Spoiler: Quote

Basically:

PC:
You can decide how powerful your machine is. Also, it can multitask, and it has the advantage of a mouse (good for hi-accuracy aiming and such) and a keyboard, with a ton of buttons. Games can be more easily modded.
However, with a high variety of possible rig setups, the probability of something being incompatible rises a lot, and sometimes performance and graphics take a hit because of insufficient hardware. Games require installing, which can be take quite some time, and be a nuisance.

Console:
Console games can be tailored to the console, because every machine has the same specs, hardware and software wise, meaning games can run with very high framerates while being very pretty. (Usually) no install required.
However, consoles for other things than games (or movies/music) is inconvenient at best. Aiming with a joystick is is rather uncomfortable.

There is a lot more to be said. Both have their pro's and cons. There are many other arguments that I didn't think of and/or left out. but basically:
It's a matter of preference and arguing over it is a waste of time

I personally prefer the PC, but I have a PS3 and many games a more fun to play on that.

/rant.

you make many good points but I have never personally had a problem aiming with a stick aand don't understand how anyone with thumbs could, And before anyone says anything I play without Aim assist wherever possible unless the aiming is shit in the particular game anyway(I find that aim assist is like the game not trusting me to know how to play)

Because my thumbs are the size of bricks.

 

[Mordwyl]

Until my PC can make me a sandwich, I'm not going to put it on a pedestal.

 

[T_ConX]

PCs ARE TEH BEST!!!!!

WHY? 'CUS I HAZ DUEL MONITORZ AND CAN WATCH PRONZ ANd PWN NUBS AT TEH SAME TIEM!!!!!!!11

LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!1!!1

/retard

Wow! Seems I'm not the only one who does this...

But seriously, if you know what you're doing, PCs run circles around consoles.

 

[moretimethansense]

I have spent the past week trying in vain to fix my broken ass PC which decided to up and die on me for no reason whatsoever, causing me to lose 600 GB of data, and having to install and re-install Windows twice today alone, even now as I type this I don't know if the problem is solved or has simply gone in to remission, while my Xbox, PS2 and PS3 have sat there working allowing me to blow off the anger this infernal device has caused me over the past few days so I'd say no in fact PCs are not clearly better, they merely have advantages, they also have severe disadvantages as does any console out there, there is no best, there is merely a best for you.

I've seen people go through 3 360's in a year. I've seen people go spend more time with their PS3 repair ticket than with their actual PS3s. "Mine broke" is not a good excuse. Also there's no real way to tell whether your problem or incapacity to fix it do, indeed, come from user incompetence.

The bottom line though, I did say that it was more complicated:

Yes. Computers are more complicated, generally more expensive (although that's very arguable), and not as straightforward as "press button to turn on -> insert disc -> play". They're also better, as they can do everything a console can and much, much more.

My point wasn't that they're simpler, was that they're better.

I suppose I should specify. "Better" is a very loose term. The Wii is probably the best thing since balls for an 8 year older, and Twilight is probably the best thing ever for... The brain damaged...? I don't know... But I digress. I meant that it's superior in it's capacity. If all you want is something uncomplicated, then yes, consoles are better for you. If you want quality, then the PC is the hands down winner.

I turned it on one day and got a message saying (in effect) "your computer did not start trying to fix problem- problem not fixed, system restore? - restore didn't help File, File in widows folder corrupt"
So I used a repair disc, that fixed the problem, the next day it happened again and the repair disc wouldn't help.
Reinstaled windows and it deleted everything on my second hard drives secondary partition and now that partition can't be accessed or formatted.
Windows kept crashing so I formatted my primary hard drive's secondary partition and reinstalled windows, same problem, reformated both primary and secondary partition, reinstalled, same problem, removed primary hard drive and installed windows to my secondary haerd drive's primary partition, I'll let you know if this attempt takes tomorrow.
If it doesn't I'll have to take it to a repair shop the only one of which is whithin taveling distance charges £10 just to have a look at it, £60 to format and reinstall, £60 to back up data, and that's if I don't need new hardware.

And "better" is indeed the wrong word to be using, more versitile? sure.
More powerful? Depends.
More customizable? undoubtably
But they are not "better".

Also the 360 was horribly constucted I've had mine repaired seven times under warranty, and replaced once out of it, total cost of origional purchase + repairs and replacment? - under £400 pound.
PC nearly £800 on this one alone, if you count upgrades.

 

[Zer_]

For gaming, PCs are better for those who are willing to put the effort into getting a better gameplay experience.

For most people, they either don't have the time, are too lazy, or don't care enough about gaming to put that effort into getting a better experience from their games. Therefore they get a console.

The only exception here is with Fighter games, and games which you plan on playing with friends in the same room. Granted, LANparties are epic win with PCs on that one.

 

[teebeeohh]

it really depends whether you are a theme park or hiking through the wilderness kinda guy

 

[SimuLord]

One word: Mods.

I like the way your "one word" is followed by like 200 words of explanation :3

Seriously though, I agree. It was Half-Life and it's mods (The Specialists yeees) that first got me into PC gaming, and companies that add good support like Valve and Bethesda just make PC gaming so much deeper.

Also mouse support.

If I just left it at one word I'd be at risk of a bit of "low-content post" modwrath. Besides, who in this world has ever said "I have just one word for you" and left it at that? Plastics.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

In theory the PC is the best platform(and in practice too, at least according to my personal tastes), simply because it suffers the least limitations.

The consoles are neat and tidy, and that's nice(and accessible to everyone)...but that's really the only area where they are champion.

 

[darkcommanderq]

some PC gamers seem to be very arrogant about their platform.I cna't remember how many times i've been told by pc gamers that 'their' platform is 'better' than a console. To be honest I have played games on pc and I do see the advantages to it, but, for instance I play team fortress on xbox and on PC and I do like the stuff the updates added I just prefer the xbox version.I just don't like the over complication and I have been told the lag and low screen rate I suffer from are due to my low spec machine but to be frank computers are a HELL OF A LOT MORE COMPLEX THAN A CONSOLE. Plus they are more expencive I could just buy an xbox for cheap rather than dish out a ton for a pc

So could we disscuss if the pc does deserve to be top dog, or should it just share the spot with the consoles

Im going to break it down. This is not a complicated argument.

PROS:
Gaming PCs are superior in terms of graphics, player input control and custom content. (also there are a lot of really fun indi games only available on the PC, and there numbers keep growing). Games are also cheaper on the PC.

Consoles are superior in terms of exclusives and price.

CONS:
PCs can be fickle. With so much software from different vendors some times conflicts occur and less savvy users get frustrated.

While console exclusives are a pro, they are also a con in that if you have to choose which console you want to buy. (most peoples answer to this is to just buy all the consoles). Games are also more expensive on consoles, due to companies trying to recover the discount in the system.


I think that most people can agree with both of these statements. Lets be honest, the Xbox 360 is never going to look as good as most PCs games if you have a machine designed for gaming.

Now I can already hear the PS3 fanboys chiming in, saying that it looks as good / almost as good etc. Hears the problem with PS3. Its not cheap. It costs the same as a gaming PC, yet still comes with the down sides of consoles.

I own both a 360, and a 1k gaming machine. I bought the 360 because it was cheaper than PS3 at the time, and 360 had a HUGE selection of games to pick from. The choice was obvious.

Once I got my gaming Pc I rarely use the 360, expect for console exclusives.

Your analogy would be more accurate for an off-the-shelf PC and a custom job than a console and PC, but to continue your car analogy:

Imagine a car you have had custom made for you with a massively powerful engine, but terrible gas milage, seats that are a sod to get used to, and when you install a cup holder The Witcher needs to be reinstalled...
At any rate if you don't mind having to open up your car to upgrade regularly, give it matainence checks every few days, spend a couple of hours to a couplee of weeks trying to get the sod working again when it breaks then good for you, if you don't want to or don't know how and would rather buy a a nice black luxury sedan that you can replace for the same amount it would take to repair the former, that's fine too.

There is no better, there is merely better for you.

That is an unfair analogy and you know it.

1: custom PCs are a lot easier to build and learn how to build, AND much more affordable than a custom car.

2: changing a cup holder in a custom car is the same as what in terms of computers? I see were your going with this, but you didnt even pick a good example. You could have gone with new engen being the CPU change, or the windows being tinted as the same as putting in new fans. Seriously a cup holder equates to the witcher being reinstalled? That does not make sense and you know it.
(also if you really did put the effort into building a computer, there is no reason why you would be changing it for a few years. About the same time that a new console would come out NE way.)

3: custom computers do not need regular maintenance in the same way a custom car would. Not that a custom car would even NEED regular maintenance in the way you are attempting to depict.

So basically what im getting from you, is that you have never owned a well built computer or had any good experiences on a gaming PC.

Finally there IS a best giving various peoples given situation. If you cannot afford a gaming PC, or simply have no interest in the various games that just work better on a PC, fine, its an unnecessary device. If you DO have the money and there are games out for both and you plan to play some PC only type games, why is this even a question.

 

[moretimethansense]

some PC gamers seem to be very arrogant about their platform.I cna't remember how many times i've been told by pc gamers that 'their' platform is 'better' than a console. To be honest I have played games on pc and I do see the advantages to it, but, for instance I play team fortress on xbox and on PC and I do like the stuff the updates added I just prefer the xbox version.I just don't like the over complication and I have been told the lag and low screen rate I suffer from are due to my low spec machine but to be frank computers are a HELL OF A LOT MORE COMPLEX THAN A CONSOLE. Plus they are more expencive I could just buy an xbox for cheap rather than dish out a ton for a pc

So could we disscuss if the pc does deserve to be top dog, or should it just share the spot with the consoles

Im going to break it down. This is not a complicated argument.

PROS:
Gaming PCs are superior in terms of graphics, player input control and custom content. (also there are a lot of really fun indi games only available on the PC, and there numbers keep growing). Games are also cheaper on the PC.

Consoles are superior in terms of exclusives and price.

CONS:
PCs can be fickle. With so much software from different vendors some times conflicts occur and less savvy users get frustrated.

While console exclusives are a pro, they are also a con in that if you have to choose which console you want to buy. (most peoples answer to this is to just buy all the consoles). Games are also more expensive on consoles, due to companies trying to recover the discount in the system.


I think that most people can agree with both of these statements. Lets be honest, the Xbox 360 is never going to look as good as most PCs games if you have a machine designed for gaming.

Now I can already hear the PS3 fanboys chiming in, saying that it looks as good / almost as good etc. Hears the problem with PS3. Its not cheap. It costs the same as a gaming PC, yet still comes with the down sides of consoles.

I own both a 360, and a 1k gaming machine. I bought the 360 because it was cheaper than PS3 at the time, and 360 had a HUGE selection of games to pick from. The choice was obvious.

Once I got my gaming Pc I rarely use the 360, expect for console exclusives.

Your analogy would be more accurate for an off-the-shelf PC and a custom job than a console and PC, but to continue your car analogy:

Imagine a car you have had custom made for you with a massively powerful engine, but terrible gas milage, seats that are a sod to get used to, and when you install a cup holder The Witcher needs to be reinstalled...
At any rate if you don't mind having to open up your car to upgrade regularly, give it matainence checks every few days, spend a couple of hours to a couplee of weeks trying to get the sod working again when it breaks then good for you, if you don't want to or don't know how and would rather buy a a nice black luxury sedan that you can replace for the same amount it would take to repair the former, that's fine too.

There is no better, there is merely better for you.

That is an unfair analogy and you know it.

1: custom PCs are a lot easier to build and learn how to build, AND much more affordable than a custom car.

2: changing a cup holder in a custom car is the same as what in terms of computers? I see were your going with this, but you didnt even pick a good example. You could have gone with new engen being the CPU change, or the windows being tinted as the same as putting in new fans. Seriously a cup holder equates to the witcher being reinstalled? That does not make sense and you know it.
(also if you really did put the effort into building a computer, there is no reason why you would be changing it for a few years. About the same time that a new console would come out NE way.)

3: custom computers do not need regular maintenance in the same way a custom car would. Not that a custom car would even NEED regular maintenance in the way you are attempting to depict.

So basically what im getting from you, is that you have never owned a well built computer or had any good experiences on a gaming PC.

Finally there IS a best giving various peoples given situation. If you cannot afford a gaming PC, or simply have no interest in the various games that just work better on a PC, fine, its an unnecessary device. If you DO have the money and there are games out for both and you plan to play some PC only type games, why is this even a question.

I didn't start the car analohy I merely continued it.

The cup holder thing was heperbole, what I meant by it was you can change a relativly miror piece of hardware or software and it may well cause incompatibilites or program confictions, granted it's rarley as bad as what I said, but I really have had to reinstall the Witcher after running a sytem clean up in order to get it working again.

As for the maintainence comment I was refering to updates, system clean ups, defrags, virus scans, spyware scans and registary error repairs, even when my computer is running at it's best I have to dedicate a few hours a week to scans in order to avoid problems down the line such as slowdown or random software errors.

Yes PCs are cheaper and easier to upgrade than cars, however consoles are easier still(but can cost more depending on where you buy from) needing you to simply purchase a new one and you're done, anything is easy to upgrade if you know how however, if you aren't good with computers or if your clumsy like me upgrading can be a real hassle, especially if you don't want to pay a third party to do a minor upgrade(£30 to install a £2 fan? you can fuck right off!) if you know what you are doing and know a relativly cheap place to buy upgrades then sure maybe a gaming PC is right for you, personally I own one of everything since I can't stand missing out on exclusives, but if you just want a gaming platform a console may be the better choice.

Finally there IS a best giving various peoples given situation

There is no better, there is merely better for you.

I'm pretty sure we more or less said the exact same thing there.

 

[GBlair88]

Console gamers can be just as arrogant and ignorant as PC gamers. Everyone has an opinion after all. Some are balanced, well thought out points on why they prefer a console and others are just ignorance and flame bait.

The thing is alot of console gamers think PC gaming is overly expensive and outdated compared to consoles because their PC is old and therefore incapable of playing new games. Yes a decent gaming rig will cost more than a current generation console, but compared to the technology in new PCs the Xbox 360 and PS3 are last generation or at least very close to it. You might pay more but it will -or at least should- last longer than a console would and that's without upgrading the hardware.

 

[darkcommanderq]

Console gamers can be just as arrogant and ignorant as PC gamers. Everyone has an opinion after all. Some are balanced, well thought out points on why they prefer a console and others are just ignorance and flame bait.

The thing is alot of console gamers think PC gaming is overly expensive and outdated compared to consoles because their PC is old and therefore incapable of playing new games. Yes a decent gaming rig will cost more than a current generation console, but compared to the technology in new PCs the Xbox 360 and PS3 are last generation or at least very close to it. You might pay more but it will -or at least should- last longer than a console would and that's without upgrading the hardware.

This sums up the argument quite well. I feel I should point something out to. A gaming PC costs about the same as a PS3, and the games are significantly cheaper over all compared to a console. Sure you save a few hundred up front with a console, but you will end up paying more over time due to the insane markup of console games.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

A PC costs roughly 1,000 euro with shopping around for parts. I know this as a friend recently got a PC everything for just under that so depending on how much you want to look or haggle anywhere between 1,000-1,500 euro anymore than 1,200 is really too much. PC games new cost about 30 and sometimes 25 but I will assume higher price. So 1,000-1,500 + 750 is 1,750- 2,250. So in reality a PC can be your second cheapest option. This also completely discounts used games and things like Steam Sales.

...and that's one expensive PC your friend built. I can make a budget gaming PC for around $600(458 euros)... a middle-of-the-road one for $800-1000(611-764 euros), and a top-of-the-line kick-ass one for $1300(993 euros).

Well he was going for more or less top of the line without going over board(eg like Beastcomputers.co.uk). If I remember correctly the only thing he didn't buy was case even that I just think he got for a major discount off another friend.

 

[Vigormortis]

You create console games on computers.

How very existential. And thus minds were blown.

---

Truthfully, each has it's strengths and weaknesses. PC's are generally more advanced, provide more control and functionality, have far greater capabilities, and allow for greater community-based creativity (i.e. mods, addons, social-networking). Consoles are more straight-forward and have an "easier" setup.

In the end, if we're talking about which platform is "better" in regards to hardware, price, and abilities, PC comes out on top every time. Simply because, if you know what you're doing, you can turn almost any PC you've got into a gaming machine for less than the price of a console. (factoring in everything you need to buy for a console. let's face it, you don't just buy a basic console and call it a day. you need the "other" hardware bits to make it function. hard drive, controllers, etc.)

However, if we're talking "better" as in which people prefer, it all boils down to what games people want to play and how willing they are to actually devote some of their intellect into understanding how they work and how to draw the most use out them. For those that just want to sit on a couch and kill time playing (whether on or offline), consoles are king. For those that want more freedom in their gaming experience, PCs are the only way to go.