Traitor to the Cause

[saregos]

because the arrow keys or wasd are inherently analog

I think you mean digital... keys are either on or off, which means they're a binary input. Whereas a joystick has a large range of outputs.

Really, though, when's the last time in any game you didn't constantly run? Walking in a game is pretty uncommon, and I'd say it's harder to mess up holding down a button than the fiddly little "hold the joystick halfway angled" method on console.

That said, I have a 360 controller on my computer that I use for everything but shooters, RPGs and RTS games. Those three genres, though... mouse and keyboard is king.

Now, to state what should be obvious from my above post: I'm a PC gamer. I love my PC. But that doesn't mean I have some inherent issue with people who play games on a console. As I said, for a lot of games I think a 360 controller is probably the best input scheme possible.

I built my PC as an academic exercise: I'm an engineer, so I wanted to see if I could pull it off. And I did, although I messed up a couple times. But building a computer, or even tinkering with the insides of one, is not and should not be a rite of passage. Having done so doesn't make you a better or superior person any more than your ability to purchase fruitcake does. (Edit, changed the analogy here, baking cookies actually does make you a better person)

There's this perception on the part of PC gamers, I think, that we somehow have a more "intimate" experience with the games we play. That because we have settings to tinker with, occasional issues with getting the game to run, and things of that nature, we somehow get a better game. Graphically, we do, and sometimes the controls work out better (As with this article and Dragon Age). But the percentage difference there doesn't justify some sort of superiority complex.

Part of it's simply cognitive dissonance- We spend, typically, more money on a computer than others do on a console, and the further hiccups we run into every once in a while cause us to try and dig deep in search of some justification for why we have a system that cost 3-4 times more and yet in a lot of ways behaves worse than it's console counterpart. So we convince ourselves that we play PC games because we're better people than those fraternity rejects who play on consoles.

There are many reasons to play games on a PC, but most of them only apply if you're a legacy PC gamer (backwards compatibility, mods, expandability, things like that). Playing newer games, there's really no reason to choose one or the other except personal preference, and there's definitely no reason why either group would be justified in feeling superior to the other.

 

[saregos]

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 )

Just to point out, Ghostbusters was released on PC the same day as it was released on console, although we did get a gimped version (no multiplayer, I guess they already knew that we're social rejects with no friends.)

Still, I can understand and relate to the point here... it's minorly annoying when PC doesn't get some of the better games, or gets them massively behind console gamers. I would probably take this route, but I haven't seen more than 1 or 2 console-exclusive games that really made me drool, so to me the price of a console isn't justified... yet.

The one other thing I will say is that games are almost always cheaper on PC than console. But even in extreme cases (say, $30 vs. $60, which was the price difference for Ghostbusters when it came out) it takes a rather large number of games to even the difference in entry costs out.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

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.

Didn't Root just ask if someone could tell him, admitting his own bias?

This thing is a bit symptomatic of the last few days of discussions of IW and so forth. When a pc gamer asks how it can be so difficult it is taken as an insult automatically and as a statement of said pc gamer claiming to be smarter than a console gamer. I have, in this case, the same problem as Root. I can't see the problem. That does not, however make me smarter or superior. It means I most likely have a blind spot due to my own experiences.

These last years there has been a creeping thing going on. It's no longer allowed to be able to do things that others can't. It all has to be so damn egalitarian. A politician can't admit to being smarter than most people (I think he should be. Why would I want my stupid neighbour running things), pc gamers are elitists for enjoying freedom and complexity, scholars are just wind bags (I mean, what does a historian know about history after all, that my stupid neighbour does not?) and so forth. Expertise and intelligence have become bad words. Now is the rule of the lowest common denominator.

I know I am smarter than some people. That's not bragging I think. But I also know that there are a LOT of people who are much smarter than me. I think we could all benefit from looking things squarely in the face, rather than forcing a fake egalitarianism on everybody.

To attempt to tie a bow: Saying that one does not understand how people cannot put together a computer does not (in all cases make one an elitist). But on the other hand, those that cannot put together a rig should not make it sound like a bad thing when people can. As an example.
In my case I'm a PC gamer because I want the best experience when gaming. I think that a pc gives me that. That does not mean that is the objective truth. I think consoles (including my PS3) are crap compared to a pc but that is still not truth. I don't understand how people cannot build a pc. That is bias. I don't understand how people can fix a car. That is ignorance. I don't understand why people prefer consoles. That is preference.

Look at things the way they are. *sigh* What a rambling mess.

Edit: and it was a very good article as well.

 

[Tharticus]

If this is referring to the latest news from Infinity Ward's response for having no online servers for CoD: MW2 on the PC, I wouldn't be surprised.

People love playing on the Personal Computer because there's more than just having one game. Of course this comes at a cost since PC cost more than a Console. Considering to have better graphic cards, better system geared for better game. Consoles, don't require anything else besides peripherals and game itself.

Then again, this game industry always give the crowd they usually want.

As for me, I wouldn't really care what system I'm playing as long it's enjoyable. I played PC and consoles.

Anyone want to raise the flag saying that "PC is a dying breed"? Certain games are leaving the PC platform, especially FPS.

 

[Ancientgamer]

In real life PC gamers get the nerd shit beaten out of us, at least let us bully you on the internet.

 

[ryai458]

i vpredict i will come down with a horrible illness around november 10, am i physchic I dont know.
oh and dont feel bad if its better on a pc than a console thats fine

 

[A Weary Exile]

Consoles, to me at least, seem so sterile that I really can't get used to them. If I've not got Firefox getting me Escapist updates, Thunderbird/Skype and Steam bringing me messages, Yedit/Ywrite poking me to write something there instead of the forums and Winamp tootling away while I play - it just doesn't seem like it's working.

And talk about confusing...two joysticks, 7 buttons, two shoulders and a tilt monitor? I used to get confused with Defender or Asteroids; what's so hard about mouselook with cursors and twin-fire?

I hope you see the irony in this.

OP:I've always preferred consoles, I don't think that I could ever get into PC gaming.

 

[toapat]

unfortunately i cant read this post for one reason:
you have nearly as blatent a grammatically mistake as "Wal*mart has MTG Zendikar Fatpacks in stock."
Console gamer: true gamers only play computer, and more specifically StarCraft

 

[Caliostro]

but I do identify myself as a console gamer

And this is your first mistake. I never understood this mentality. "Console gamer", "Sony gamer", "Nintendo gamer"... I'm sorry, is anyone being sponsored or something?

Now, I openly admit I prefer PCs to consoles for most games. Just as fast as I'll tell you it's not due to favoritism of any kind. I judge things by their own value, and I refuse to identify myself over such trivial and shallow matters. I think shooters on consoles are stupid and dumbed down versions of their PC counterparts... But I'll take I'll gladly pick beat'em ups on a console.

Why must we always roll down the same identity-crisis bs? Can't we judge things by themselves? If you honestly enjoyed your experience on the PC more, so? If you generally prefer your experience on the console... So?

Console gamers take a lot of crap: We get called stupid, we get blamed for the great "dumbing down" of the industry, we're charged with making the gaming space a low-brow, hostile environment.

And PC gamers get called elitist, etc. Here's the thing:

While there's a grain of truth in each and everyone one of those claims

Even you admit there's truth to this. It's not true for everyone, but it is true for some. Why get upset over it if you know it's not really entirely false, but also doesn't apply to you?

 

[Logan Westbrook]

*snip*

Fun fact: Telling people that the way they feel is wrong and stupid is not the correct way to win them over to your cause.

Just an FYI there.

 

[Fearzone]

I'm a PC gamer. I have a PS3, but I'm a PC gamer. Those things in the main article about how PC gamers feel about console games and console gamers... all true. Except for the trolls... there are plenty of them on our side of the fence.

But I'm really looking to playing my first MMO on the Playstation 3. I don't know what it will be, but I'm really looking forward to playing it. I'm tired of having to find new and unusual ways ways to sit at my desk so that I don't get bed sores. I would LOVE to sit on my couch, Indian style with my dual shock controller in my lap, gaze affixed on my big screen TV across the living room, with a drink and some chips on the coffee table. I dream of that.

Okay, now for controls, making the transition from my mouse and QWERTY keyboard full of hotkeys, to the two sticks and 16 buttons of the dual shock controller.

Here's my recommendation to developers: don't over-think this.

1. Naturally, you can't have the 60 powers or so I have hotkey'd in WoW. It would need to be closer to 12 to 16, but that would still make for a perfectly fine MMO. Even in WoW I barely used more than that on any kind of regular basis.

2. Set one stick to movement, one stick to look, allow us to pick which is which and invert axes as we please, maybe offer some default options--and then lets users map all actions, targeting functions, and abilities as we please. Allow us a ridiculous degree of customizability such that we could set nearly any button or button combo to the diffuse array of commands that MMO's have. Let us do the dirty work. Allow us a WoW level of interface customization.

I bet with just that, the complexity of MMOs and their RPG cousins would port just fine onto the consoles. It would be a bit of a learning curve for our console brethren to have more than four abilities, but I have faith they can adjust.

 

[Poopie McGhee]

I agree, Dragon Age will probably be better on PC, no question.

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.

Same here... Untill then I must suffer with never having to update graphics cards... or install patches... (Which, I'll admit isn't a big deal)...

I've often thought that in the near future the current "Uber" computers will be the "Basic" ones, and I'll be able to play Crysis on a NetBook...
One can dream...

 

[Caliostro]

*snip*

Fun fact: Telling people that the way they feel is wrong and stupid is not the correct way to win them over to your cause.

Just an FYI there.

Fun fact: I never called anyone stupid.

I said she was wrong, stated why I made such a claim. Difference.

Clearly this is causing her unnecessary grievance and is, or should be, an entirely moot point. It's the same as the "HARDCORE VS CASUAL GAMERS!!!111" tiresome argument... No such a thing.

 

[RabbitDynamite]

One of us, one of us, one of us, one of us, one of us, one of us, one of us.

Yeahhh, as someone who mostly plays purely PC, I have to say I do it more from the practicallity standpoint than any ideology. Its true there are some genres where PCs get all the cheese, and some things they are just naturally better at, and some times where they are a pain in the ass. If there is indeed a "dumbing down" attributable to consoles, I choose to think this is due to developers and publishers essentially lacking chutzpah rather than any inherent difference in platforms.

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

I couldn't possibly care less about fiddling around with a PC's innards. If you enjoy it, great, rock on with your bad self, but I simply have no interest. Never have. If you don't like consoles, fine, don't play on them, but kindly don't look down your nose at me simply because I do.

Knowing that this post will lead me to losing my account, in all good grace I've decided to share some truth with you Susan, no matter how painful it may be.

The sole reason PC gamers (and yes, WE GAME - WE DO NOT PLAY, the latter is for mouth breathers) look down upon someone who states that she never fiddled with PC innards is that such statement is like saying: "I have never changed batteries in my TV remote control." With that said, how would you like us (the avid pc gamers) to look upon you? How can we possibly respect a game journalist who has the audacity to rate games and make her living, without fully experiencing those same games?! Didn't it ever occur to you that reasons the PC gamers are so displeased with anything that deals with consoles, might ring true?

I suppose you typed your flamebait article on a computer of some sort, yet you do not care about history of technology and that same machine which allows you to be what you are.

I'm done wasting words on you, Susan. You are a sad reminder that this site only has Yahtzee and a bunch of retards. Please, stick to consoles. The keyboard might be too much for you to handle.

Normally I wouldn't dignify a post like this with a response, but I just find it so hilarious that you claim Susan's article is "flamebait" and then move on to call the entire staff "a bunch of retards."

How much do you know about the history of indoor plumbing? I assume you use the crapper everyday like most everyone else, no?

 

[Logan Westbrook]

*snip*

Fun fact: Telling people that the way they feel is wrong and stupid is not the correct way to win them over to your cause.

Just an FYI there.

Fun fact: I never called anyone stupid.

I said she was wrong, stated why I made such a claim. Difference.

Clearly this is causing her unnecessary grievance and is, or should be, an entirely moot point. It's the same as the "HARDCORE VS CASUAL GAMERS!!!111" tiresome argument... No such a thing.

You might not have said the word, but your tone conveyed the message well enough.

 

[raxer92]

Traitor to the Cause

Dragon Age: Origins just may make Susan Arendt turn her back on her console gaming ways.

Read Full Article

Does anyone care? Put on some news or something that matters.

"remember its only the fans that create these wars, the companies are merely enjoying the profits"

 

[Areck]

I read, about all I can say. Never really heard of this PC vs. Console thing, sounds like a holy war though. I can understand wanting to represent something, but I think in the end its only to relate yourself to others who think alike. People who reach out across this divide, jeering each other, are just trolls looking to start something. Then those who wouldn't normally do that pick up the fight as a sort of sense of loyalty to those people they want to relate to and it becomes a large argument. We're all just here to play games so why do we got to hate each other? If you haven't guess I'll say it, I play WoW (Horde ftw) and I've been able to get along with Alliance. I'd defend myself when attacked but if I saw someone being mobbed I'd give them a hand. Generally what I'm saying is world peace, but like hell that'll happen. I just wish the gaming community wasn't so broken...