I don't get what is so special about PC gaming. Sure, you can get more powerful systems, but I see the consoles have more advantages.
-Cheaper
-The games take advantage of the hardware so they can make more powerful games.
I don't see too much in PC Gamings favor.
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Originally Posted by R. Lee Ermey, host of Lock N' Load
Plus Graphics are better, less lag and framerate drops.
Until a console can equal a PC for gaming performance and mods, which consoles will always be and are a step behind PC gaming, PC shall be the true format for hardcore gamers.
After all, try playing Starcraft 1 & 2, Dawn of War 1 & 2, Diablo 1,2, and 3. Plus more on a console...
Oblivion on the console was nothing like how it was on the PC since you could add a whole bunch of user created contents and mods to make it a lot more fun.
Plus they did a GTA IV PS3 v. Xbox360 v. PC, guess which platform one?
Hint, it didn't have the name Play, PS, or 360 in the title.
When offered the choice of PC or console, I go PC always. Unless it is a terrible console port.
Support Team Development Front Super Moderator Expert Zuner
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
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All games are developed on the computer, @Gow. You can't exactly make a game on the ps3/wii/360... as all coding and image development is done on the computer.
For PC games PCs, for almost all other platforms Dev Kits
Don't get me wrong I am all for mods, but when it comes to splitscreen multiplayer and wiidiculous amounts of peripherals that makes me a console man. Plus most of my favorite games are on consoles, I grew up a console gamer playing videogames in solitude or with my brothers right next to me, and thats how I want to continue my time spent as a gamer
edit- Additionally PC gaming piracy is hurting the industry making consoles more profitable
For PC games PCs, for almost all other platforms Dev Kits
Don't get me wrong I am all for mods, but when it comes to splitscreen multiplayer and wiidiculous amounts of peripherals that makes me a console man. Plus most of my favorite games are on consoles, I grew up a console gamer playing videogames in solitude or with my brothers right next to me, and thats how I want to continue my time spent as a gamer
edit- Additionally PC gaming piracy is hurting the industry making consoles more profitable
The "Dev Kits" that you speak of are used to run the games that are designed and developed on PCs.
Consoles are good for splitscreen and accessories, but as Gow said, PCs are much better for RTSs. I would also add fast-paced FPSs to the list. I have fun playing Call of Duty 4 with my friends on the PS3 and Xbox 360, but because of the controllers, the precision is just not there. I used to play Battlefield 2142 (way too much), and it was a better experience because the keyboard and mouse allowed much more control over my character.
PC games are also generally easier and cheaper to develop compared to consoles, since a "Dev Kit" for a console would not be necessary, and unique restrictions that some consoles have would not be relevant.
As for piracy, things such as Steam help fight against it. Also, almost all current consoles can be modded to play pirated games, so consoles are not immune to piracy. I know that the PS3 and the newest PSP can not currently play pirated games, but just about everything else can.
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"Against logic there is no armor like ignorance." - Laurence J. Peter
Who here has ever played Left 4 Dead on both an Xbox 360 and a PC, and still preferred the Xbox version? Anybody? Alright then.
OK, to be fair it was a mediocre game in all regards. It is easy, there is NO SDK or DLC out yet, which makes replayability low, and after probably 50 hours of playing the game, it's not much fun. The way the multiplayer is set up, the team that wins isn't necessarily the most skilled, but the team that knows all the little tips and tricks/glitches to get the edge over the other team. Knowing when to shoot that car, which corner infected spawn around, and typical camping spots makes the game monotonous and quite boring.
Anyways, back to my main point. I currently own both versions, and I can't tell you the last time I even opened the jewel case of the Xbox version other than for griefing some poor noobs on XBL. I suppose after only playing console games after awhile, you don't notice things like low framerate and poor graphical quality, but honestly Left 4 Dead must run at less than 30 fps on the Xbox at times. Heck, I've had console-exclusive friends come over to my house to see me play the PC version and ask "how I got the game to run so fast".
Frankly, consoles are for casual gamers who either hate PCs, don't know how to use PCs, don't care to know how to use PCs, or poor saps who are peer pressured into buying a console to play with their friends. Consoles are years-old, off-the-shelf hardware put in a nice-looking package and sold with very, very expensive games and accessories. New console games can cost over 70 dollars retail, when you could buy the exact same game on Steam for the PC for under 50 bucks.
Then there's the argument of multiplayer. Last time I checked, you shouldn't have to PAY to play online with your friends. The only game genre I know of on the PC that can even get away with this business model is that of MMORPGs, which is a small one at that. I enjoy being able to have the free Steam service, and play a game of Team Fortress 2 whenever I want for free.
Really, the only use I've ever found for my Xbox is party games, specifically Rock Band 2. The only "advantage" I can even find in the console vs PC debate is that the console is really just a party system. If you have a bunch of buddies over, there's no way you're going to all sit around a PC sharing mapped controls on the keyboard like the olden days of DOS. The only good use for consoles is that of a glorified karaoke machine.
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Originally Posted by Adam Frucci
And you know what? Macs are too hip. Oh, look at me! I do graphic design! I wear women's jeans and hang out in coffee shops! I'm a DJ! Well good for you. My computer is not a fashion statement. It's a computer.
Support Team Development Front Super Moderator Expert Zuner
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,136
I agree with most of what you said except for a few things.
I think there's more than just casual and hardcore gamers. I fall somewhere in between. Personally, while computers may be better for games, I enjoy console games more. I also prefer a controller to a mouse and keyboard any day. I do so much better in FPS games.
Also, the hardware is generally old, but in the ps3's case, that processor is amazing. They've found out how to do so many things with it that wouldn't be possible (reasonably) on computers.
Yep. PC gaming is actually cheaper because instead of buying a 600 dollar console, YOU ALREADY HAVE THE CONSOLE! I prefer PC gaming over say xBox Live because many PC Online games are free.
Yep. PC gaming is actually cheaper because instead of buying a 600 dollar console, YOU ALREADY HAVE THE CONSOLE! I prefer PC gaming over say xBox Live because many PC Online games are free.
600 Dollar console!?! I think you may have gotten ripped off a little.
And a computer will cost a bit more because if you want to play the game on a decent Rig then you gotta put money into it, And if you played say WoW then you would have to pay to go online or if you have Halo 2 Vista you need a Live gold account anyways.
No, I didn't buy it, but the original PS3s were running up pretty darn near 600. It ends up being 600 once buying games and accessories. And @Jorvette even after buying some upgrades, it will be about equal to the console.
PC Gaming
