Why so little PC gamers compared to console gamers?

[Casimir_Effect]

Before you go saying I'm some PC elitist:

Spoiler

What, no Dreamcast? So very disappointed.

OT: I understand fewer kids being pc gamers, but never quite got why there aren't more adults. When you leave home, for college or work etc, you need a computer of some sort to enable you to do things as home. Let's say that computer costs you £400-£500 (complete with monitor). If you throw onto that the price of an Xbox or PS3, you can get a PC which is fully adept at playing games. And can run them well, at high spec for the most part (in fact all that holds you back here is bad optimisation like GTA4 or Crysis [seriously, that's why people say that game is hard to run - because the engine is flaky as all hell]).

Or perhaps you bought a laptop, which will typically cost more than a desktop in the first place so the argument of being hard-up-for-cash doesn't hold up well. Especially considering that most people who claim to need a laptop actually don't. You may get that laptop thinking that you'll work on the train/plane, but in fact you'll end up with it balanced on your lap in front of the TV most of the time.

As for needing to replace the PC every few years, there's an argument which goes like this:
Consoles have won as the main gaming platforms. Their tech is rigid and unchanging, and so the game produced for them will be stuck at the same graphics level. Most big, mass-appeal games will come out on console as well as PC. So, if you bought a PC at the same time a new console is released (and this PC is capable of playing any game around on high spec) then there will be very few games that you will not be able to run well throughout the life-cycle of the console at least. And as I said before, if something won't run well it's probably due to bad porting and optimisation. As console graphics are easy. For games these days which are available on console and PC, the low detail setting usually matches the console one and so will still look good. People just need to realise that you don't have to run everything on MAX all the time. The only people that care are the pricks on sites like Kotaku who go on to the min. requirements posts, list their PC spec and say something like "Yeah, should be able to run it ". That is, dicks.

 

[RadiusXd]

Price. It just costs too much for a top line gaming PC, and maintaining it costs even more. Consoles are very low maintenance, and stay relevant for several years.

But for me, it goes beyond that. Even if price were no object, I still could never be a PC gamer, because I hate using a keyboard/mouse, and I hate sitting hunched over my monitor. Now, if you tell me that I can run my PC through my TV and use a USB gamepad, then I'd say...I'm already doing that, it's called a PS3.

you would think so, but can ps3 play minecraft?
also, pc is generally more versatile then consoles (everything other then games).

PS. starcraft 2, if the ps3 had gaming support for mouse/keyboard, then i would accept it as a useable format, but when you can only type with your thumbs. eeeeeugh

 

[Snotnarok]

Snip

Yeah sure rub in I sold my Dreamcast you punk!

Well I've proven your theory wrong because I've had 1 PC over the lifetime of the 360 with no major upgrades unless you count my mouse and perhaps HDD space.

Now I've had 6 xbox 360's in 5 months go bad on me, so you tell me which one needs more attention haha. Besides the 360 that is, console or PC you'd be fine, you just can't start out with a mid range PC you need to spend a few extra bucks to get some better stuff and you're golden. I didn't say super computer mind you, just get some stuff that's rated better than average.

Look, you're not gonna find me defending either side because as the picture tells you, I love all systems, they've been fun as has my PC.

 

[eezaak]

PC gamers actually spend time playing games instead of trolling forums about how great their console is?

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

snippy snip

but the PC counts as one platform while the play station has multiple platforms ranging from the PSX to the ps3. you can't just lump all the consoles against one platform that is as diverse as PC. the parts you buy determine how much you have to upgrade. if you buy sub par parts then you will have to upgrade but an intelligent buy can last you YEARS for just 100$. the only money i put into my PC was repair, and that was only because my PC had a defective part and was fucked with behind my back. I had to replace my HD 3 times thanks to the person messing with my computer. He thought a PC was like his PS3 where he can throw it on the floor, smack it, and do shit to it and expect it to work. Hell his PS3 goes into the shop for repairs every other month. It wasn't by sony either, he repairs his PS3 by selling his PS3 to a pawn shop then buying it back after they repair it.

well i guess we can agree to disagree on that part, and 100 dollars? idk about that really, i agree you dont have to upgrade for years but only 100 dollars? what was the last part that you bought for 100 dollars or cheaper that was an upgrade? short of hard drive/power supply, i dont see an upgrade for less than a 100 dollars thats worth an investment. and well your friend is just an idiot then, i dont get why he would do that with anything but hey, i guess hes got cash to throw away.

it was an ATI 4650, my graphics card was defective and had to be replaced with that because the best buy didn't have my card in stock. best investment as now i can play blu ray and its a solid card. as long as you get a solid card, it will last you for years without spending 500$ or anything. hell the card was only 100$ and could run off a measly 400 watts. It runs everything at very high with no stutter.

BTW, my friend only owns 2 total ps3 games because he cant afford new games. Hell when he saw the prices for PC games and how steam has constant sales, he wanted to buy a gaming computer. i built one for him with high specs, only $575 for a high end computer. i didn't buy it though, only printed out the specs and what it will look like.

oh okay, 4650 definitly wouldn't cost more then that then. i take back the 100 dollar comment.

yeah the only reason im keeping my ps3 as a keeper is for the exclusives coming out that im really excited for in the next couple years, and i dumped a good 600 dollars into my first build recently, its pretty solid and ill upgrade probably around christmas so its really bangin =]

 

[General_Potatoes]

Many reasons.
Consoles are significantly cheaper and have an average lifespan of four years.
Consoles have controllers, which are quite comfy.
Consoles plug into your TV, which is generally across from your very comfy couch.
Consoles support local play. (Although that's quickly vanishing.
Consoles don't have DRM issues.
Consoles crash a fraction of the amount PCs do.
Consoles have more worthwhile exclusives. (Unless you're only into MMOs and RTSes)
Consoles can generally play a new game within a minute of getting said game.
Many developers abandoned the PC when piracy simply became too rampant.
There are multiple games that simply will never come to PC.
Consoles simply work.

Just like to add one thing. Consoles are more portable.(Excluding laptops of course.)

yeah and laptops can't run a game with fairly low graphics. well mine can't.

 

[Netrigan]

As someone who made the switch from PC to console, one word: convenience.

Prior to the 360/PS3 era, the graphics were *much* better and it was easier to justify the small-to-not-so-small pains of PC gaming. Bioshock was the game that made me dust off the PS3 blu-ray player and use it as a game console. Both versions looked about the same and the PS3 version didn't have the shallow water texture glitch that I could never shake on the PC.

Or having to pause a Half-Life 2 campaign because the latest game patch required me to do a video driver upgrade.

While I lost the ability to aim properly, it's a lot less effort. A game works or it doesn't. I don't spend three hours tweaking my system to get a 15year old game working... which I play for 15 minutes until the nostagic urge passes.

 

[gl1koz3]

PC gaming is a solo renegade dirt bike ride. Comparing to the console limo's... you can't really compare them.

 

[Onionman]

Hmm i think its because for some individuals consoles are more simplistic and easy to use. The cost is actually in favor of the PC though considering that video cards are more energy efficient than they were in the past and the costs has dropped dramatically. Also PC games are cheaper than their console alternatives and comes with free DLC and mod tools (like oblivion, you can get 1200 hrs of gameplay with mods alone...not that anyone want to play it that much).

Also the person who said there are more console gamers than pc gamers is also not informed =). There are actually quite the amount of PC gamers out there. PC gamers in Asia alone completely overtake console gamers in the entire world (literally). Actually if we include gamers who play "facebook games" and "web games" that practically overtakes everything (even if we even put "console" and "software based pc gamers" together).

 

[Delusibeta]

Just like to add one thing. Consoles are more portable.(Excluding laptops of course.)

yeah and laptops can't run a game with fairly low graphics. well mine can't.

Well, mine can. So there.

Let's go through Souplex's list a point out what's wrong/debatable, shall we?

Many reasons.
Consoles are significantly cheaper and have an average lifespan of four years. If you're any good a building a PC, you could match console life-spans (and beat them, usually). Factor in the reduced cost of games and accessories and you'll probably find that PCs are cheaper.
Consoles have controllers, which are quite comfy. So do PCs. They just don't come in the box.
Consoles plug into your TV, which is generally across from your very comfy couch. See above. It's all about where you put your machines.
Consoles support local play. (Although that's quickly vanishing. PCs support LAN play (and a few support local as well, although that's also vanishing so the argument is fairly moot.)
Consoles don't have DRM issues. Yeah, they do. Especially digital downloads. Anyone fell foul of Microsoft's "have-to-be-online-if-you're-not-on-the-machine-you-originally-purchased-your-stuff" yet? And even then, you can argue that every console game has a disc-check.
Consoles crash a fraction of the amount PCs do. Yeah, not really going to argue this one.
Consoles have more worthwhile exclusives. (Unless you're only into MMOs and RTSes) We can argue over this all day, but I like getting a regular supply of exclusive indie games, and the occasional left-field shooter. And the TrackMania games. And the thousands of mods.
Consoles can generally play a new game within a minute of getting said game. If you're computer is any good, you can play it in two minutes. Especially when both the PS3 and 360 have install functions.
Many developers abandoned the PC when piracy simply became too rampant. Like they did with the PSP and DS?
There are multiple games that simply will never come to PC. There are multiple games that simply will never come to consoles.
Consoles simply work. RRoD/YDoD anyone? Also, anyone remember when your 360 chewed up your disc?

Etc. etc.

Honestly, you're probably looking at the wrong direction. World-wide, I think it's safe to say that PC gamers outnumber console gamers. It's just that in the US, the inverse is true.

 

[EvilMaggot]

hmm, well where i live and in my circle of friends... we are hardcore PC gamers some of us has a console, but our PC is the first choice of gaming. tho no hate on consoles, only some of the people using them.

 

[Slyer]

Here's the major logic behind PC gaming. I already HAVE a pc for internet all the other billion things I do besides gaming.
Add a graphics card and wham, instant gaming ability.

There's Mouse and Keyboard which is heaps better for FPS, RTS and many other sorts of games.
I have an Xbox controller I use for playing Racing and Action type games. Best of both worlds?
Games that are cheaper because they lack the huge cut that goes back to the console developer.
As well as all the free game mods, free or low cost indie games that are a load of fun.

The only reason I'd own a console is for the console exclusives, then again I could my flatmates 360 or my other flatmate's PS3. Note: they both have gaming PC's too.

 

[MazeMinion]

I'm saving up for a good PC myself.

I love using the Keyboard and Mouse.

Plus console gaming is being plagued with one issue, microscopic text on SDTVs (I'm looking at you, Mass Effect 2).

But I think people like consoles simply because one console can run every game made for that console.

 

[Meggiepants]

Alright, I'm sure most of these things have been said already, but this is a type of thread I haven't really commented on before, so here's my 2 cents. Or maybe 25 cents.

I grew up on PC gaming. I had a NES, and an Atari before that, but games with more depth were only found on the PC - mainly adventure games that actually told a story. I used to love PC gaming. I bought most PC games that came out in the early 90s.

Over the years though, it got prohibitively expensive to continue PC gaming. Whether or not this is true, I felt as if the gaming companies were in cahoots with the video card manufacturing companies. Every year it seemed as if a new game was coming out that couldn't properly be played with my old video card. This is extremely annoying.

(for those people who argue you can still play these games with the graphics turned down, this is not an argument I find particularly compelling. It's like I bought a Ferrari, but the dealer was like, "Oh, but I need to slash the seats first, and take away the CD player, and maybe give it a clunking sound, because you can't afford to put the right kind of gas in this car. If I pay $60 for a game, I should be capable of playing the same game as everyone else who pays $60)

This hidden cost of the games I was playing became too pricey for me, as I discovered I was spending an upkeep cost on my hardware every year. I got tired of reading reviews where people were saying how gorgeous a game looked, and mine looked like crap.

When the Playstation came out, things changed a bit. For one, it was the first time I ever saw truly good graphics on a gaming system. And when I say truly good, I mean graphics that rivaled PC games at the time. I no longer had to be jealous of my brother's rig. My game looked the same as his. Not only that, the following year when I bought new games, I didn't have to buy a new video card to play those games the way they were meant to be played.

Also, I didn't need to sit at a desk to play my games, I could sit on my couch. And, I could play with my friends, something completely new to me, since online gaming wasn't really huge back then.

TLDR;
So I guess what this boils down to, is console games are simpler and more comfortable to play. So they won out over PC gaming in my house.

 

[steverivers]

PC owners have an intelligence rating higher than that of a grape.

 

[Lunatitch]

Consoles are more accessible than (custom) Gaming PCs, though on a PC you have more freedom, in my opinion.
I game both on the PC and the Xbox 360 and in general, to me, there isn't much difference except that I can't use a mouse and keyboard to play games like MW2 on the Xbox...

Also, as a parent; Would you buy your kid an easy to set up & easy to use console or a "hard to assemble and use" Gaming Rig?