So what is the advantage of a console?

[MysticToast]

Just thought I'd point this out to all of you arguing about running Sleeping Dogs on a PC:

I just looked up the spec requirements and they're not very high at all. Might wanna keep that in mind when saying "build me a $300 computer that will run Sleeping Dogs."

The specs are almost last gen.

 

[GonzoGamer]

With a console, I can pop in a game and, with near 100% certainty, not have to do anything beyond that to be able to play. With PC games, I constantly have to optimize, fix, patch, etc. to even be able to play at all. After all, making games that run on multiple operating systems (or different versions of operating systems) and across all different hardware configurations is difficult. Also, you don't have to upgrade the hardware on consoles. In general, a console won't match the capabilities of a top-of-the line PC but you'll never have to worry about whether or not you can cool your GPU or whether or not you need to upgrade your power supply. Some people like tooling their computers; some don't. For those that don't, we have consoles.

This exactly really. Sometimes installing a game on PC can be exasperating!
If a game comes out for ps3 I know that if I buy it and stick it in my ps3 its going to work whereas for PC I've got to check whether I have the requirements to play it, what graphics settings it'll play on etc...

The other big plus for consoles in my opinion is controllers. I know you can argue that with a mouse and keyboard you have more control and more functionality but I prefer the more simple approach of a controller - that and i don't like sitting on my chair at my desk for any length of time as its uncomfortable.

You haven't tried to play any Bethesda games on your PS3 have you?
Not that they work great on the PC at launch either but at least the mods get the games working quickly. On the ps3, you're at the mercy of the publisher who (let's face it) doesn't usually set the ps3 high on the list of priorities.
I agree that used to be the case (the console was the option to just pop in and play) but there's always patches to wait for now.

As for the controller issue, it isn't one. I sometimes hook a controller into my pc.

Consoles used to be the cheaper option with hardware and used games but that's all changing.

For a while I felt like the only advantage to the console was splitscreen but you don't see that on too many console releases anymore AND we are starting to see the function integrated to more PC games; so even that advantage is starting to even out. Consoles are becoming obsolete.

 

[smearyllama]

Snip

Quoted for Having the best avatar and would like to ask if there is an Alphonse Elric version of it

I actually had a friend draw that for me on commission. I'm sure you can find a picture online, though. Also, I'm not especially a Brony, either. I just like both shows to some degree, and I found the pun funny.

 

[Neksar]

Consoles have simplicity over the PC, because you never have to worry about compatibility for a 360. I buy 360 games, put them in my 360, then play them.

On a PC, I would have to check specs, tweak graphics, etc. If I had the money for parts to build a good PC, I wouldn't mind it, since I have fun doing that kind of stuff. For many, though, that's all they need - plug 'n' play.

I hold nothing against PCs, but lately I've been more of a console-fellow myself, since my friends prefer them.

 

[ElPatron]

Because 300 bucks is a ridiculously tight budget

Well it's what I paid. And it's the ceiling of what I'll pay for a toy.

Yeah, there is also the part where a computer isn't just a "toy", it's also something people need for school/work or just surf the web with.

Personally I need a powerful computer for Inventor/CAD work. Some people do video editing.

One thing I havent seen anyone mention regarding the price point:

Most console gamers own PCs (Or Macs) as well.

PC gamers typically only really need their PCs.

It's something to consider.

This.

 

[Naeras]

Convenience*, and a game library that involve certain genres that are lacking on PC(platformers and fighting games primarily).

*that is to say, fuck Rayman Origins for requiring an internet in order to save the game.

 

[HalfTangible]

You can plug it into a TV, pop a disc (or cartridge, cassette, possum skull, etc.) in, and play.
No having to be connected to servers, no having to wait for patches to download for hours, no having to deal with compatibility issues (unless you're trying to ram a SNES cart into a PS3), and you can just play.
Also, consoles are cheaper and require less work to maintain than a PC. A gaming rig needs upgrading every couple years with at least one or two new parts, and you've got to deal with all the issues of a PC as well as a console.
Sometimes, a consoles is just easier.

This isn't really true anymore, though, with online passes and s***.

 

[smearyllama]

You can plug it into a TV, pop a disc (or cartridge, cassette, possum skull, etc.) in, and play.
No having to be connected to servers, no having to wait for patches to download for hours, no having to deal with compatibility issues (unless you're trying to ram a SNES cart into a PS3), and you can just play.
Also, consoles are cheaper and require less work to maintain than a PC. A gaming rig needs upgrading every couple years with at least one or two new parts, and you've got to deal with all the issues of a PC as well as a console.
Sometimes, a consoles is just easier.

This isn't really true anymore, though, with online passes and s***.

A lot of people have pointed that out, but most consoles don't follow the "always online" rule that some PC games have, where you HAVE to be online to play. That's mostly what I meant.

 

[james0192]

Snip

You haven't tried to play any Bethesda games on your PS3 have you?
Not that they work great on the PC at launch either but at least the mods get the games working quickly. On the ps3, you're at the mercy of the publisher who (let's face it) doesn't usually set the ps3 high on the list of priorities.
I agree that used to be the case (the console was the option to just pop in and play) but there's always patches to wait for now.

As for the controller issue, it isn't one. I sometimes hook a controller into my pc.

Consoles used to be the cheaper option with hardware and used games but that's all changing.

For a while I felt like the only advantage to the console was splitscreen but you don't see that on too many console releases anymore AND we are starting to see the function integrated to more PC games; so even that advantage is starting to even out. Consoles are becoming obsolete.

Actually Skyrim, Fallout 3, New Vegas and Oblivion are amongst my favourite games and I've played them all on PS3 and I've never really understood why people complain about so much - I've never had any real problems with them. Okay so they crash marginally more than most things but it's never really bothered me.

 

[ElPatron]

Yeah, there is also the part where a computer isn't just a "toy", it's also something people need for school/work or just surf the web with.

My GF's work computer is fully compatable with all her necessary for work programs, yet can't even run World of Warcraft.

Work PC's =/= Gaming PC's.

Which is why they use the exact same platform, software and architectures.

Unless I am mistaken, a PC that you use for work also costs money. For a little more (or even the same price) you can have a better rig.

Because what I need to surf the web, do text files and some ancient throwback games doesn't cost me several hundred dollars. It does what I need it to, and that does not include running current day games.

So it costs you several dozen? No, it still costs you several hundred dollars.

I'm sorry, but any mid-range machine you buy today (or even half a decade ago) is able to play WoW. Your GF's computer is probably just too old.

I have a 2004 laptop that can play CoD4 at min settings.

Becuase you have technical know how that a lot of us don't.

Yeah, ignore what I just said about me not being technologically heads and shoulders above everyone else.

I know that assembling a PC is something I could learn in 15 minutes in a YouTube video, but I had very poor motor skills during my teens and a huge phobia of fucking up hardware. I'm not proud of not knowing how to assemble a computer but to be honest - I never needed to.

 

[Triforceformer]

A console will never cost you $1200 and need a $200 update every six months before promptly becoming entirely obsolete and requiring another $1000.

You almost always know that a game will fucking WORK when you buy it on a console.

You don't have to do extensive research on every fucking piece of your console to ensure that it does what it fucking says it does.

You don't have to worry about your console catching a virus.

When a console breaks you can just grab the memory unit (On the 360, at least) and plug it into a new one, if a PC dies you have to painstakingly backup and reinstall all your games, and even then you sometimes lose progress.

Games are less buggy in general on consoles.

There are many things to love about PC gaming, but there's a reason that consoles exist.

If you're anywhere in the ballpark of good at managing money, a decent PC wouldn't cost that much. Top of the line maybe, but if you just want something good enough, you're fine.

While true, unstable PC games aren't extremely common even still.

If by extensive research you mean making sure you have good slots, then yeah.

Don't have to worry about PCs catching viruses if you don't download any and everything without scrutiny.

Fair point.

Define "Less Buggy."

The only truly valid reason I saw was regarding memory backup on consoles being less of a hassle. Everything else was either inaccurate or only true if you're lazy.

 

[darth gditch]

I recently have seen many threads pop up about the whole PC vs. console debate and they always shift within a few posts to a PC focus, i.e. why the PC is not better than the console. It seems that PC gamers are gung-ho about how great their platform is, while console gamers are mostly just playing defense by attacking the PC.

So what is the other side? Is there any possible advantage consoles have that PCs do not? Because I honestly can't think of any. The only one I've ever seen brought out is "simplicity" and while that argument maybe had some ground to stand on in 2001 or so, it doesn't stand up at all nowadays.

I guess what I'm asking is, does the console user have any recourse in this eternal debate besides convincing us that the PC is "just as bad" as their chosen system, or do they really have some ace up their sleeve I must be missing that keeps them with consoles?

Not a troll thread, just wondering.

Well, you said it right there: simplicity.

Now I game on both XBox 360 and my beloved monolith, but I tell ya, figuring out how to upgrade video cards, processors, motherboards, downloading the right patches, dealing with a keyboard and mouse for a ton of games (e.g. Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Hitman, Skyrim) are just maddening for me.

If you're an avid PC gamer and have been for while, you probably think that stuff is easy, but I didn't really get into PC gaming until recently (around 4 years ago) so a lot of it is still mind-numbingly complex. I mean, you can't just go out and buy any old graphics card, it needs to be compatible, then you need to install it or pay someone else to, then you need the drivers for it, ect. That kind of stuff takes time that I just don't have. I have a console that simply plugs into my large screen TV (situated in front of my Lay-Z boy recliner) and will play EVERY 360 game a stick in it, without a fuss. I will never need to worry about fiddling with the insides, updates download automatically, and it will never get a computer virus.

The only other advantage to a console is on the development side. You know EXACTLY the specs you're developing for; you don't have to worry about certain machines(sometimes a large number of machines) not being able to run your game. You don't need to make your graphics scaleable to accommodate lower end machines. Every 360 can run Halo 3 at close to optimum levels. Not every computer can.

 

[zelda2fanboy]

It's easier and arguably lazier. "Hey, I want to play my PC game on my big screen television with surround sound." *insert 15 step process and buying more equipment* "Hey, I'm playing a PC game on my big screen television with surround sound." Meanwhile, you can just plug in a PS3 or Xbox or Wii and you immediately have access to games. Little to no compatibility problems, no direct need for internet access, and no need to buy a gamepad.

This is a little childish and I'm sure going to raise some ire, but I don't want to game on a PC. A PC does too many other things. I'd never get to the games. I need something that for the most part does just one thing. Hell, my PS3 has been used more for netflix than actual games lately. It reminds me of what Penn Jilette said in a video blog about e readers. When he got his nook, he read more than he had ever read in his life. When he got an ipad (arguaably a better e reader), he couldn't focus on books anymore because he had e-mail, apps, newspapers, websites, or anything else to do literally right at his fingertips.

Basically, I can't use the same machine that I can watch kinky porn on to play Plants Versus Zombies. It just isn't going to happen.

 

[zelda2fanboy]

Oh, here's a more practical one I didn't think of that game consoles are gradually losing: local multiplayer. Playing with friends is fun, but on PC you have to hook up LAN, sit apart from each other, and truck expensive equipment from house to house. Meanwhile, I might be showing my girlfriend to a round of Streets of Rage or Space Channel 5 later without the need for her to invest in it at all.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Actually Skyrim, Fallout 3, New Vegas and Oblivion are amongst my favourite games and I've played them all on PS3 and I've never really understood why people complain about so much - I've never had any real problems with them. Okay so they crash marginally more than most things but it's never really bothered me.

It annoys the hell out of me: not only does it halt the experience but it isn't exactly good for your console either.

 

[sumanoskae]

But if you're working from a budget, then what's the benefit of using a PC? If you can't spend the money to get a rig strong enough to work better than a console and go without upgrades or make use of mods, then why do you want a gaming PC in the first place?

Why do you assume you don't get a significally stronger machine by actually using your brain when spending money?

My now 3 year old machine costed 300? to upgrade (the only thing I used again is my trusty old dvd drive). I can play about anything on nearly the highest setting where even low is better than anything consoles can produce nowadays. The only thing I'm thinking of upgrading is the graphics card because I really saved a lot of money by buying a rather bad one and I want two monitor support now.

So why don't you inform yourself about the subject you are talking about before repeating the old lie that you have to spend stupid amounts of money to enjoy PC gaming?

When the PS3 released (8 fucking years ago) you could get a machine with better power by investing just a little more. The upgrades since then would have been completely optional because the PS3, the strongest machine of them all, is still running on hardware that my rig has surpassed 7 years ago.

So your PC cost you how much up front? I'm honestly curios as to what you paid for a machine that can run "Nearly anything on high settings"

And more power to do what with, run the same games? If a game can only be released on PC, wouldn't that make it demanding by default?

So if all you want is to run games, why pay more for a PC that will make them look a little bit better?

In the end, it sounds like all you did was pay a little extra (And when the PS3 came out, "A little extra" was still like $600) for the same games with a slight graphical upgrade.

Unless you somehow built a machine that can run top of the age PC games on high settings. for a lower price than a console.

 

[AntiChri5]

Well, i would love to play PC right now i really would.

But Steam is having some sort of bitchfit, so i can't.

Back to playing Xbox.

 

[sumanoskae]

A console will never cost you $1200 and need a $200 update every six months before promptly becoming entirely obsolete and requiring another $1000.

You almost always know that a game will fucking WORK when you buy it on a console.

You don't have to do extensive research on every fucking piece of your console to ensure that it does what it fucking says it does.

You don't have to worry about your console catching a virus.

When a console breaks you can just grab the memory unit (On the 360, at least) and plug it into a new one, if a PC dies you have to painstakingly backup and reinstall all your games, and even then you sometimes lose progress.

Games are less buggy in general on consoles.

There are many things to love about PC gaming, but there's a reason that consoles exist.

If you're anywhere in the ballpark of good at managing money, a decent PC wouldn't cost that much. Top of the line maybe, but if you just want something good enough, you're fine.

While true, unstable PC games aren't extremely common even still.

If by extensive research you mean making sure you have good slots, then yeah.

Don't have to worry about PCs catching viruses if you don't download any and everything without scrutiny.

Fair point.

Define "Less Buggy."

The only truly valid reason I saw was regarding memory backup on consoles being less of a hassle. Everything else was either inaccurate or only true if you're lazy.

But if all you want is good enough, why do you need a PC? If you can't get the cash to afford all the bells and whistles, what's the advantage of not just playing on consoles.

Your PC doesn't have to be unstable, it just has to function a differently than the developers assumed it would.

To the average person the words "nVidia GeForce 680" or "Intel i7 2600k" don't mean anything, so when all your cables are listed with bizarre abbreviations, it's pretty easy to connect one of them incorrectly.

Are you honestly going to tell me you've never had a virus on your PC? Even if you haven't, other people who use your PC might. Some default security programs are useless, and I've heard a couple even lie to you.

All 360's are essentially the same machine, this isn't true of PC's, so there are always more variables for the developers to overlook.

Or if you don't want to set time aside to learn how to set up a game you already parted with $60 for.

 

[Triforceformer]

But if all you want is good enough, why do you need a PC? If you can't get the cash to afford all the bells and whistles, what's the advantage of not just playing on consoles.

Your PC doesn't have to be unstable, it just has to function a differently than the developers assumed it would.

To the average person the words "nVidia GeForce 680" or "Intel i7 2600k" don't mean anything, so when all your cables are listed with bizarre abbreviations, it's pretty easy to connect one of them incorrectly.

Are you honestly going to tell me you've never had a virus on your PC? Even if you haven't, other people who use your PC might. Some default security programs are useless, and I've heard a couple even lie to you.

All 360's are essentially the same machine, this isn't true of PC's, so there are always more variables for the developers to overlook.

Or if you don't want to set time aside to learn how to set up a game you already parted with $60 for.

Because "Good Enough" will still play any game you want at much better graphical settings. That and all the work stuff you'd do on a computer anyway is going to go by faster. I spent about $500 total on my PC and I can run damn near anything.

Seeing as how most video cards and processors come from the same few companies nowadays, and are all really similar anyway, you'd have to get some really obscure stuff for the game to freak out over your parts being too weird.

That's why you look up simple guides on parts that can be confusing at first. Or just look at the slots and see what prongs fit where. If you're putting the wrong plug in the wrong hole, the plug won't fit. The only way to REALLY fuck it up would to try and force it in like an idiot and crack something. It's not that hard if you just observe things a little closely and plug things up where they fit.

That's why you don't download things willy nilly or go places you don't trust. Google Chrome has a built-in feature that says "Hey now dude, you SURE you wanna go here?" when you go to places that are reported as sketchy. Just have a little scrutiny when you go to places you don't know that well for downloads.

And still, most PC ports turn out just fine and can run well on anything built within the last 5 yearsish. The only real issues are in regards to optimization for the REALLY poor rigs, poor selection of options for graphics and meh mouse settings. Sure you'll have the odd shit port, but generally those kinds of games aren't worth your time anyway.

Buy game. Hit install/Download depending on whether you go digital. Tweak whatever settings in the menus if need be. Done.

 

[Arina Love]

5 years ago i bought mid-range PC for 740$ and later that year i bought PS3 for 650$. 5 years later my PC can't run new games at playable fps in 720p but my PS3 runs every new game perfectly fine.