PC Elitists

[The Gnome King]

The 'PC Elitist' label gets thrown around a lot these days so I think its important that we have a clear definition of what constitutes a PC Elitist.

A definition of 'Elitism' from the Oxford English Dictionary is
-The belief that a society or system should be led by an elite
>The dominance of a society or system by an elite
>The supeior attitude or behaviour associated with an elite

Based on this I propose the following definition of 'PC Elitist'
-A person who believes that PC gamers are superior to any other gamers
-A person who believes that the opinions of PC gamers are more important than those of any other other gamers

Notice that this definition would mean that those who believe that PC gaming itself is superior to all other forms of gaming would not necessarily be PC Elitists.

What say you, Forum?

I own a PS3 and a PC. (Actually, 4 PC's networked together - two gaming PC high powered rigs, one for myself and one for the wife... one slightly less high powered gaming PC for my male partner who isn't really a power-gamer and a "guest" computer for people to use when they come over because using MY computer is just plain rude! )

Which is better? Neither; they're all fun for what they are used for. I found playing DA:O on the PS3 was completely epic because our "TV" is a movie projection system projected onto the living room wall. Playing games on a screen larger than any flat-screen TV out there with surround-sound speakers on your home theater is amazing. However, the PC has some things going for it that my PS3 can't match - mainly, it plays "more complex" games better - and in a higher resolution - than my home theater/PS3 can do.

I'd just say I'm a gaming/techno elitist, period. ;P

I think the "PC Elitist" keyword gets tossed around because of one major thing happening - PC gamers see games as being "dumbed down" for console gaming systems. The lack of a keyboard means you have to cram things onto a menu system/gamepad, and the desire (the obvious desire) of developers to have their games work on every platform imaginable means that a lot of games seem to be "made for console and ported to the PC" - which even I will say is kind of a sad thing for me.

I'd like to see some games made for the PC, like complex CRPGs, and play other games on the console. Making everything fit both systems seems, at times, like a compromise that makes nobody truly happy.

 

[Tanis]

Some games are just better on PC.

Ever played an RTS or 4X on a console...O-THE-HORROR!

 

[wolas3214]

I personally perfer the computer for all my games, however theres nothing like the feel of a controller in your hands...

 

[SinisterGehe]

I don't think anyone really needs a definition. Most people understand the general meaning of the term, and you only need to get into specific definitions in formal debates

I still don't get the meaning of PC elite.
I like playing on PC, I always have.
I can not play on consoles, due to neurological condition on my right arm.
I want to play games on PC.
I can't afford to spend 350 on a console and 80 euros for a game. (PC gets much cheaper for me since I can't get my hardware from importer, much cheaper.)

I am PC elitist?
Who is PC Elitist?

I think people who call others PC elitist are people who are missing better things to complain about.

 

[neppakyo]

It's a misnomer. I know a few anti-console-ists, but "PC elitism" is really non existent...

First, "PC" is not well defined. It could include or not, laptops & tablets, linux machines & macs. It could even include consoles, which are expressly purposed for games, because they are computers and they can be, personal.

Secondly, elitism really only applies to people, so the term "PC elitst" would mean that the person feels superior to other people because they use "PCs." Not, which in practice it gets referred to as, the person thinks that "PCs" are superior to other game platforms.

Mac's don't count

Well not for good gaming, even though they are now essentially PC hardware (intel cpu based)

PC, normally when you hear it means Window's Based Computers.

Alright, this noob will shut up now. (Mac's still don;t count )

 

[The Madman]

You're trying to rationalize something that's irrational. For the vast majority of people who use terms like 'PC elitist' or any other platform-based derogatory term like 'wiitard' or 'payslave' and the like, just enjoying one platform over whatever their particular choice happens to be automatically makes you the internet equivalent of some sort of monstrosity.

You for example have an avatar from Age of Empires 2. That's a relatively (By gaming standards) old PC game. Thus you are an elitist, because there is no other explanation for your enjoyment of older PC titles. That I've recognized it makes me just as horrific.

So join me, brother, and we shall be PC elitist together and RULE THE INTERWEBS!!

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

I play my PC games on the same HD TV as my consoles. I also use the same controller. So for me, the PC is just like a console. With much, much better graphics. And super cheap games via Steam that require no disc swapping. And easy access to the original version of Live/PSN (aka the internet), which is also infinitely more feature-rich and completely fucking free.

Can someone tell me again why a gaming PC isn't objectively superior to any console?

Does this post make me a PC elitist? Or does reality have a distinct pro-PC bias?

 

[jawakiller]

PC gaming is better than consoles and its the future... Yep.

Just cuz we're better doesn't mean you can hate, you lowly console gamers.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

We just get kinda pissed about not really getting the attention we deserve and take it out on the console gamers. It's pretty standard human nature.

 

[Snotnarok]

'Eff' that noise the best platform for games is the floor.

Which is totally lava right now btw.

Lava? You loser it's crocodiles! Lava isn't cool the floor is crocodiles! And you totally stepped in it I saw you!

OT: There's fanboys of everything and some fanboys are louder than others. No one is right because it's all based on opinions which isn't a subject you can really get into right or wrongs with.

 

[PayneTrayne]

'Eff' that noise the best platform for games is the floor.

Which is totally lava right now btw.

My reaction upon reading your post was immediately to pull my legs up onto my chair, just so you know.

That being said, slang does not have to mean what you think it means, even though it's pretty close. I'm tired of Console and PC fanboys though, can't we just fucking get along? Sure my console has expensive games, but it doesn't break when I watch porn on it.

 

[QuadFish]

I'm not an elitist. I just know my system is better than yours.

 

[Orc Town Grot]

The term PC elitist suggests not exactly PC limited gamers so much as older gamers with many years of PC games under their belt, who prefer this platform and have a derisory view of consoles (X-box, play station, etc). As elitist, a PC eltist feels the PC is the superior platform for gaming, and enjoys a sense of superiority akin to the driver of a new BMW on the highway passing a cheaper, less powerful and less prestigious car.The sense of being superior/ more experienced, more knowledable and both more discriminating, and being able to know the difference between gold and drss. All of these. It makes little sense to either believe oneself superior because of a platform, or to deride players who claim this superiority. Some PC elitist are actually older and wiser, but its a function of age not the platform. Anyway anything which inspires a fight can be a source of amusement online lol.

 

[Frotality]

i find the whole concept of elitism applied to artistic mediums to be a fallacy. can you really say that baroque is 'better' than impressionism? that jazz is 'better' than country? that film is 'better' than theatre?

the mouse and keyboard have a very different control style than a console; not 'better' but different. the problem most PC gamers have is that not only are fewer and fewer games being made with the PC in mind, but game series' ALREADY made with PC in mind are switching to serve consoles better.

imagine the entire history of theatre and film condensed into 30 years, now imagine what an avid theatre goer would feel. in this case, we have the knowledge that eventually both mediums would exist side by side, but there would be a period where theatre was snubbed by society and producers in favor of a new medium, and all the theatre fans that had lead to its success would be left in the dust.

the gaming industry is going through a rough patch, true, what with shitty economy and all, but that doesnt make it any less frustrating when we are constantly snubbed by publishers and forums for our preferred system. i hope -hope to high heaven- that gaming is going through a similar transition, and a nice little niche will once again form for PC gamers to enjoy. given how quickly gaming has developed relative to virtually every other artistic medium, that seems likely, but neither i nor any other PC gamer should take that as an excuse to act like a doormat while we hope things will get better.

if your gonna put us down for not liking the bottom of the food chain... well frankly, fuck you. i dont like being ignored anymore than you do. it isnt about having a more important position in the minds of developers than console gamers, its about having a place in the minds of developers AT ALL.

 

[Orc Town Grot]

Oh yeah, Since I'm 46, with a professional career and can afford a $10,000 rig I guess I would be an UBER elitist if I cared too, but frankly games is for fun, and I don't wanna quarrel with folks, and why get phased by teen and infant bleeting..? When the discussion degenerates leave the room and do something more substantial. Its easy to stay calm and cheerful in the wildest flame war. Tis only fun. PC Elitists! Good on em! Fan boys Good on em! Game lovers Good on em! Game haters! Good on em! No problem with real passion and a little bad grammar in there. Real Trolls, flag em, tag em and kick em out. All fun.

 

[Orc Town Grot]

Great comment. Spot on. If the PC itself begins to decline due to smart phones etc, the obvious danger for PC games is that more effort will move into supporting apps for the portable tech. This is highly likely. On the other hand, it seems Eastern Europeis developing its own PC player and Development base now, so we may still have good product just coming from new sources.

 

[instantbenz]

'Eff' that noise the best platform for games is the floor.

Which is totally lava right now btw.

Totally safe! I'm on a chair. However I'm very tired and need to sleep soon. How ever will I get to my bed?

Chair with casters!

Booyah.

I don't mind the term pc elitist. I know I exhibit such characteristics and I don't care.

 

[octafish]

Is the PC (Windows machine for arguments sake) superior? Undoubtedly, it can do more than the consoles that are quite honestly dinosaurs. You can build a PC that can game as well as a console and it won't cost the earth, but it will also do all the things a PC can do.

Is the PC more important? Not according to the big developers and publishers. Thank goodness for Eastern European developers and their love of the PC. Thank goodness that the PC is the easist platform to develop mods and indie games for.
EDIT: Ninja-ed on Eastern Europe, so it goes.

'Eff' that noise the best platform for games is the floor.

Which is totally lava right now btw.

Oh, I've got an empty iron bucket somewhere here, I'll scoop it right up. Damn, it's full of water, looks like I'm going to have some obsidian to clean up.

 

[Phototoxin]

PCs - better graphics, better interface, customisability, less buggy, can be patched...

 

[Meatspinner]

Could somebody point me to these elitists on the escapist? Almost every other thread is about these people. Or is this site some safe haven for others to vent there frustration about them.