Consoles vs PC. My own comparison.

[Jack Joe Tip Toe]

This is a list of what I see as the advantages between the two. Not trying to start a war (Even though it'll probably happen anyway) So here we go...

Consoles

1. Local Multiplayer - This should explain itself. There isn't many split screen multiplayer games I can think of on the PC.

2. Exclusives - Some may say that companies keep games hostage, but I'd be a liar if I said it doesn't work for them. Some of my favorite franchises have been for the most part only on a console (Naughty Dog games, MGS, Uncharted, SSB, LBP)

3. Accessibility - I've always preferred to get my games on a console because of this. I've never had to change any settings to play a game or sign up for a social club (Fuck you, Rockstar. But I still love you) I haven't had to change my settings much lately, but I do every one in a while.

4. Playstation Plus - Instant game collection. Almost $2000 of savings in a year. Nuff said.

5. Physical copies - I will always prefer physical over digital. I've always felt that you don't own the game. And your library is in the hands of someone other than yourself. Digital is more convenient, but would I rather wait 14 hours waiting for a 40 GB game to download, or drive 5 minutes to the store and get it there.

PC

1. Mods - Garry's mod is one of the best things in gaming history. Oh, and there's other mods too.

2. Steam - LOOK AT ALL THESE DISCOUNTS!!

3. Freedom - You don't have to choose one service. And you can upgrade when you like instead of waiting 5-10 years.

4. Indies - While Sony is trying to bring as many indies as they can to the PS4, but the PC will still be the king of indies. Not saying that Sony will fail, but they aren't going to beat the PC in the indie market.

5. Cost - See reason #2.

I know I missed some things, but these are what I think are the top reasons. And now if you excuse me I'm going to make a ham sandwich.

 

[Mothhive]

You put exclusives under consoles, but not PC? PC has more exclusives than consoles do!

Also, you missed one of the big pluses for PC, graphical fidelity/performance.

Oh, backwards compatibility is also a huge plus for PC. I've still got games on CD I bought 20 years ago that I can still play on my current PC.

 

[The Madman]

Here's an easy one: Strategy games.

I love em, consoles have barely any, thus I'll likely always remain a primarily PC gamer. Seriously though what's up with that? Even freakin' handhelds have more strategy games than the major consoles, that's kinda sad.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

PC has more exclusives than

I think there is some kind of mass delusion in the world because so far I've only encountered 5 people who realize that the PC in fact has more exclusive titles than both consoles.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

PC has more exclusives than

I think there is some kind of mass delusion in the world because so far I've only encountered 5 people who realize that the PC in fact has more exclusive titles than both consoles.

That's probably because the only times you really hear about PC exclusives refered to as such is when a PC game community is having a meltdown over the next iteration going multi-platform... or even the hint of it in some cases. It probably has to do with the fact that for most PC gaming you either run a Windows OS or you emulate a Windows environment. If there were a couple of different OSes all competing for the PC gaming dollar it might be different... Might be. On the other hand, Microsoft's attempts at locking supposedly anticipated games to new OSes have been met with hostility and resistance.

Plus, let's be honest, when people are comparing the number and 'quality' of exclusives between consoles they're just having a dickwaving contest. PC gamers compare hardware for that sort of childish behaviour.

 

[Little Gray]

PC has more exclusives than

I think there is some kind of mass delusion in the world because so far I've only encountered 5 people who realize that the PC in fact has more exclusive titles than both consoles.

Most people dont take indie games into account when talking about exclusives. Its just not worth looking at them.

 

[Mothhive]

PC has more exclusives than

I think there is some kind of mass delusion in the world because so far I've only encountered 5 people who realize that the PC in fact has more exclusive titles than both consoles.

Most people dont take indie games into account when talking about exclusives. Its just not worth looking at them.

Even excluding indie games, PC has more exclusives.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

To be honest I grew up with a fair share of PC and consoles during my 26 years of being on this earth and I've always found that I'm more than able to live with both but never one over the other, at least not like 90% of this forum board.

As far as I'm aware there is no single one hardware to rule over everything else unless of course you're a really biased bigoted person that is.

 

[The Madman]

Most people dont take indie games into account when talking about exclusives. Its just not worth looking at them.

My most anticipated games are Banner Saga, Project Eternity, Torment: Tides of Numenera, Age of Wonders 3, Witcher 3, Dreamfall: Chapters, and Transistor.

Of those games only two are coming to consoles and the majority are what you'd call 'indie' titles. I don't see why they're not worth looking at, they're looking more promising than most any AAA game in the works. And it works both ways too, I really wish I could play Journey on my PC as an example of a console exclusive indie title.

Just because a game isn't made with a budget in the tens of millions doesn't make it any less worth noting.

 

[Magix]

Not to mention every RTS, MOBA, CCG, and MMORPG ever - all PC exclusives
What else, roguelikes? Roguelites? Despite a lot of them being made by those filthy indies, there's a good bunch that aren't on the consoles.

 

[antidonkey]

Well, even when you're not gaming.....a PC can still be used as a PC. Sure there's lots of apps for the consoles to add some great functionality regarding specific websites but there aren't quite as robust. I very much like my PS3 and I have no doubt that I'll get a PS4 but a PC will always be my go to platform for 90% of my gaming.

 

[AnthrSolidSnake]

The lack of splitscreen games on PC always confuses me. If you already inplemented it on a lesser hardware console, what would the harm in putting it on PC do? SO WHAT if not that many people split screen on PC, maybe if you enabled it more often, more people would. It doesn't take much more than plugging a second gamepad or keyboard+Mouse.

If the original Serious Sam games can do it, why can't other games?

Anyway, I don't know why people still even bother comparing the two. They both do the exact same thing: play games.
Anyone with a brain stem knows that (mostly) games are simpler to play on consoles, and that PCs have much more to them than just gaming machines. The only exception now is that console developers have flat out said that all their new consoles are, are just essentially PCs with their own custom OS and really cheap parts.

 

[pilouuuu]

Oh, just let me quote from another post of mine. PC wins all the way!

On a PC you can play anything. From classics like Space Invaders and Pong and other arcade games to PS2 games on emulators. You can play visual novels, interactive fiction, adventure games, simulators, strategy games... A lot of genres that are almost non-existant on consoles. And that's not mentioning indie games and really unique and overly complex stuff like Dwarf Fortress. Well, all of that is on PC. And besides that we get the same games as consoles which most of the time run better on PC.

The only annoying thing is when some dumb developer doesn't want to make money releasing games on PC. But even then most exclusives are on PC six months later. With better graphics. And all DLC. And modding.

There are highly acclaimed franchises like World of Warcraft which is always receiving new expansions. But we have free quality games like Team Fortress 2 and League of Legends which are constantly being updated and are highly successful, maybe more than any AAA console game. Also sales! PC games are cheaper.

Besides all that you can use a PC for so many things which you can't on a console that I see no reason for feeling regret over preferring a PC. It should be totally the opposite.

So called "next-gen" consoles are already more dated than current PCs, so the comparison is not fair at all. PC wins all the way.

The last console I had was the Atari. I'm mainly a PC gamer. I thing consoles are pointless and harmful to gaming. Except for consoles that whose creators are really fond of gaming, like Nintendo.

Nintendo's consoles are more like toys. They accept and embrace that which makes them the only good, special and noteworthy console on the market right now and gives an unique experience. Which by the way can be also experienced on the PC in the case of Wii. That's why I think Nintendo Wii is the only console that I could consider interesting besides a PC.

PC wins in quality, customization, speed, variety, uniqueness, price, and quantity of games.

 

[Foolery]

I've it said before, and I'll say it again. They both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Anyone touting one over the other is being foolish. I enjoy my PS3 for JRPGs, import titles, HD collections, and so on. My PC is great for Counter-strike, Killing Floor, Torchlight II, etc. Play the games you want on the systems you want. There is no clear-cut winner. Just do whatever works for you.

 

[DoPo]

It doesn't take much more than plugging a second gamepad or keyboard+Mouse.

Actually, a second keyboard + mouse would be a bad idea - two similar peripherals still control the same thing, so two mice would control the single mouse pointer (in a very weird and unsatisfying way), while two keyboards still provide the same input - i.e., if you press "a" on keyboard 1 it's the same as pressing "a" on the second keyboard. Well, OK, probably third party software could distinguish between the two, but it's still not as simple as plugging them.