Traitor to the Cause

[MagnusX7]

We all have our moments. My 360 breaking no less than twice has me thinking it may be time for a change.

 

[Lordpils]

I honestly don't get that whole PC gamer vs. Console gamer bullshit. I have both, I play both. If I don't feel like upgrading my computer I'll get the console version, if it only comes out on PC I'll suck it up and buy more shit for the computer. I don't think PC gaming is superior or inferior to console gaming and I am baffled that anyone else would.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

 

[A.I. Sigma]

Some people (like me) can't afford to buy all the equipment needed, as well as the high-powered computer, needed to run computer gaming. Sure, console gaming isn't exactly cheap either, but prices go down, and one model of console last for a long, long time. I didn't get my Xbox 360 until around the time Oblivion was released, and I'm still happy with it. I've heard nothing about a new Xbox being developed (but I've been out of the loop for a while, so I may be mistaken), and it still supports the graphics.

PCs, from what I can gather, need updating much more regularly than consoles, and are much more fiddly. I'm clueless when it comes to technology, so consoles are much easier for me.

But if it's easier for you, then you're not a traitor. Your console is betraying you for not being as good as the PC. XD

 

[thiosk]

I beckon the gamers to come to the darkside of the mouse and keyboard.

A more elegant control scheme there is not.

Take the cost of the console, add it to the minimalist cost of your computer (which you likely own and are typing on) and you have a computer capable of playing new games. Sure, you can't necessarily run antialiasing at the highest value, but the consoles don't do that either

 

[teisjm]

Don't feel sad, i prefer some games on my consoles even though i'm primarily a PC gamer.

(read: i'm so awesome full of myself Megalomanic that i assume you'll be fine with "betraying" your prefered platform as long as i'm doing it as well

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

Hey c'mon, what I was saying was "I find this easy and because of that, I can't see why people find it difficult, can you tell me?". There's quite a difference in how it was put.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

This is about as exciting a revelation as the fact that I had soup for lunch...

I gotta say, Susan--that is exciting, and no joke. It might be that I'm absolutely ravishly hungry, or maybe it's that I'm a soup aficionado, it might even be that I'm sitting here trying to figure out which type of soup that you had, but it is definitely exciting.

And even if you did wander off to the PC, we don't think less of you! You're still a console gamer by heart and by hand, so we know you'll come back. Everyone's allowed to branch out now and again, experience their own taste of the computer, get their fill of exotic, international flavor, but we console gamers know that they'll still want the delicious hamburgers and tacos that is the console. The gaming PC for us is like trying to make a meal you've only ever heard of when you're an inexperienced cook, to continue this metaphor that's making me want to eat my own mouse, in that you have to supply everything, mix and match components, and hope that they work well enough together to not catch fire in the pan, whereas console gaming is more akin to going out to eat--it's just as tasty (if done right), but someone else had to worry about the whole exploding-and-dying-painfully bit--it comes prepared when you ask for it, and even with some mashed potatoes on the side.

And I'm gonna go get something to eat before I fantasize myself to famine.

 

[Izerous]

Been in Edmonton for years and had conversions with their developers in some the events around town for developers etc. Each one I have talked to so far have been higher up in the ranks and on the personal level definitely a great group of people.

Back on topic been waiting for this game with quite a bit of excitement kind of figured the controls would be easier for a PC however. Something to keep in mind however if you wish to keep still to your console roots is that this generation does accept mouse and keyboard input for some games quite well. That may be the route a few people take if the console controls are that difficult, assuming the console version accepts it.

Edit: Wireless keyboard/mouse plopped down on the couch doesn't work quite as well as just a controller but ti does work.

 

[Spitfire175]

Looking at a game and on which platform it will be most enjoyable is very logical, and acutally, the smartest option. I'm a PC gamer trough and through, but I still choose to play Halo games, driving games and some others, like Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 on a console. Why? Because it's more fun that way. Of course, I'm absolute rubbish with a controller, but the gaming experience is much more enjoyable that way.

No one is going to hold making a smart decision against you. I think.

 

[Gyrefalcon]

Susan, you mentioned the difference in graphics and a vague hint at control differences. Was there a dramatic difference between one and the other? Or is your decision strictly because you believe it is best to experience the game from the platform it was originally designed for?

If the former, I'd like to hear more. If the latter, I can understand and respect that. Thanks for discussing this game though. I didn't know they were making another and was recently wondering where the title had gone. Thank you!

 

[Logan Westbrook]

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

Hey c'mon, what I was saying was "I find this easy and because of that, I can't see why people find it difficult, can you tell me?". There's quite a difference in how it was put.

Not really; my version is just shorter.

 

[Swaki]

i know how you feel susan, or well, i feel the opposite.

i have been playing (gaming is beginning to sound elitist to me,psh, we don't play we game) on a pc since forever, and the xbox joystick feels as unnatural in my hands as a hat does on my foot, but sometimes a game comes out for both consoles and the pc where the console version is superior to the pc version, and admitting that i wished i had a ps3 (i just really cant handle the xbox joystick) makes me feel like a traitor.

 

[paragon1]

Dammit! Why did I read this article? I knew it would tell me something I didn't need to hear. That it would reveal horrid terrors against which I could avail nothing, and yet still I read it! Why do I torture myself so?

 

[Byers]

I agree, but my agreement extends to just about any game. Everything's better with a mouse and keyboard. 'Cept Street Fighter and racing games. Both of which, to me, have the lasting appeal of a mayfly.

 

[Spleenbag]

However the quality of my PC decrees that I purchase it on console, maybe when I'm a rich bastard and/or can actually afford a new PC I'll pick up Dragon Age for it in the bargain bin.

Similar story here. Would like to play it on PC, but A) the 360 is in my room, whereas the PC is not and B) the PC is not going to be able to handle the game well.

 

[bobknowsall]

I'll never understand the mindset behind the PC/console rivalry... I play games on the PC, but I also play console games with my mates. We never argue over which is better, we just accept that each platform has its own advantages. I like modding, mouse aim, and freely accessible patches. They like hassle-free splitscreen, being able to rent games, and lack of compatibility issues. I can see why people like both, so why bother joining one side full stop?

By the way, I object to the labelling of console gamers as "stupid" and responsible for the "dumbing down" of games. The only reason multi-platform games have slightly less complicated (Note: Complication in game controls is not always a good thing. Arma II's interface was maddening for the first few hours) controls is because the controller has fewer buttons.

Number of buttons on controller =/= IQ of person who uses said controller.

 

[DanDeFool]

Yes, control complexity has always been an issue when considering console vs. pc. To be honest, I actually prefer recent console controls to pc controls on most games because the arrow keys or wasd are inherently analog (EDIT: Sorry, I meant to say they were digital, thanks saregos), and holding down the shift key to walk or just tapping the keys really fast gets annoying quickly. I remember the original Mechwarrior 2, and how they expected you to torso twist with the keys. Yeah, I recommend growing an extra arm before you try that one.

Meanwhile, when I was playing Halo 3 and Gears of War on my friend's X360 I found the dual analog sticks method for looking and aiming in console FPS's works much better than I thought it would. With enough practice, it'd probably be just as functional as a mouse and wasd.

The only type of game which will never work well on a console is the RTS. Without the fluidity of mouse selection and 1-9 for group assignments, the experience is always going to be more cumbersome than on a PC.

My little rig here, which I can play anything up to Crysis on, cost me £400. (about $650)

Really? I thought that would have been closer to $800-$900 US. I think you ought to check your exchange rates there...

EDIT: Nope, he was right. I thought the exchange rate was closer to $1 = 0.5£, but it's more like $1 = 0.6£.

 

[LazerFX]

Just wanted to say thanks very much... interesting article.

I come at the whole thing from a slightly different angle - I'm a PC gamer through-and-through, who's gone to the console (PS3 in this case) out of desperation for games that will never be released on the PC - things like Gran Turismo, (at the time) GTA IV, Ghostbusters and Brutal Legend. Of course, GTA IV eventually got released on the PC, but still...

I enjoy it for more than just a console though, and now I've kind of accepted that it doesn't matter where you play or what you play with... though the Xbox sucks (Until I buy one for Forza III and Fable III )

 

[Kuliani]

As someone who has made the choice not to get one, not through loyalty, it confuses me why there's such an animosity still.

Seriously Root, look back at your posts in this thread. Essentially what you're saying is "This stuff is easy, I can't figure out why you all find it difficult."

Now tell me you can't figure out why it might rub people up the wrong way.

Hey c'mon, what I was saying was "I find this easy and because of that, I can't see why people find it difficult, can you tell me?". There's quite a difference in how it was put.

Not really; my version is just shorter.

Inflection and timing, the written word has stricken us to assumptions of what was actually implied.