Trying to be a PC gamer but can't

[Belvadier]

Just wondering if anyone else has this problem:

I bought this killer bleeding-edge gaming PC about 4 months ago with anticipation for Dragon Age since I really didn't want to play a game that was really designed with the PC in mind on my xbox 360.

Now, i have this killer computer and i got a 24 inch 1080p monitor for christmas and I still find myself buying games that are released for both pc and 360 for 360. Now, i don't REALLY think that the console versions are superior but all my friends are on 360 already so i just find myself buying the games for 360 to have people to play with. MW2, Borderlands both bought for 360 for playing with my friends.

and in the future i have bioshock 2 preordered for 360 instead of pc since it will have multiplayer and i'll want to play with my friends. Unfortunately i also am getting mass effect 2 for 360 instead of pc because i played mass effect 1 on xbox and i want the whole "carry-over" thing to take place.

it's just so hard to break out of the "console" frame of mind. at present i do have some pc games reserved but that's because they are pc specific (star wars: the old republic and starcraft 2) and i also will be getting fallout: new vegas for PC but...

just can't break the cycle of console gaming!

 

[SirDerick]

Yes, games are always more fun with friends. Thankfully my friends asked me to build them a pc so that we could all play together.

 

[Burst6]

well there's the problem, you need to lose your friends.

Seriously though, buy a game like fallout 3 or oblivion and explore the hundreds of good mods out there that add a lot more to the game. Buy team fortress 2, it's multiplayer is much much better on the PC.

if you don't already have steam, download it. It's the best place to buy games online.

 

[Souplex]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors, a larger price tag, associated with obnoxious elitists, generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore. I used to be something of a PC gamer until I realized the console is the better experience and noticeably cheaper.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Yah, I'm having problems switching gaming platforms too. I have the Orange Box for both the PC and PS3. On the PC, while there are achievements, console cheats, and better multiplayer, I played it on the PS3 and found the game much better, easily controlled and animated. Ugh, I blame Golden Eye '64 for this.

 

[LordWalter]

Well, to be fair I also own/am going to own Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2, and Modern Warfare 2 on 360 despite the fact I have a sweet PC. I play those on 360 but I still play Dragon Age, Starcraft, Sins of a Solar Empire, Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, Age of Mythology, Deus Ex, Team Fortress 2, Plants vs. Zombies, Elder Scrolls III, World of Goo, *pauses for breath*

lmao. You get the idea. There's nothing wrong with console gaming but some things are just vastly superior with a mouse and keyboard (RTS especially.) I would also recommend you get Left 4 Dead (one or two) on the PC, as it is a more enjoyable experience.

 

[Belvadier]

well, i know which games are "supposed" to be for pc, despite being released on console also. That's why i have dragon are for pc. I play dawn or war 2 and company of heroes for pc also, rts is just always going to be better on pc so that's a given. i suck at fps shooters despite the fact it sounds like i play them a lot from my purchases of mw2 and bioshock 2, etc, so i really am not interested in tf2 or l4d.

I have oblivion for pc and really enjoyed it but haven't played it much because i got it as a gift after i had already beaten it for 360 =P.

i have fallout 3 on 360 but that's only because i didn't have a computer good enough to run it at the time it came out...i would agree that it is likely MUCH superior on pc but i have no interest in re-buying games that i already own...

 

[toapat]

Buy Starcraft
get home
install it
find out you have been declared legally dead
cry with joy

 

[UKLooneyJr]

In my opinion most games that are released on PC are far superior than their console counterparts and I don't understand why people still play console games. On PC's you have about 85 buttons whereas console controllers only have about 20 max. And it is also a lot easier to make and get mods for PC games which are, for some games, very high quality.

 

[similar.squirrel]

You could always donate it to me as I can't afford to build one ;].

Um..PC..There are lots of great exclusives. Often indie things. Take a look at Zeno Clash, M.O.B and Torchlight, because I can't =/

 

[SideSlyGuy]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors, a larger price tag, associated with obnoxious elitists, generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore. I used to be something of a PC gamer until I realized the console is the better experience and noticeably cheaper.

With a mouse and keyboard you have MORE control if you ask me, and PC gaming can be cheaper if you happen to be a pirate. But I have to agree with you that because of all the piracy there are becoming more and more console exclusives.

 

[FactualSquirrel]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors, a larger price tag, associated with obnoxious elitists, generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore. I used to be something of a PC gamer until I realized the console is the better experience and noticeably cheaper.

With a mouse and keyboard you have MORE control if you ask me, and PC gaming can be cheaper if you happen to be a pirate. But I have to agree with you that because of all the piracy there are becoming more and more console exclusives.

ARRRRRRRRRRRHH. oh, the other kind of pirate. for me it really depends what genre you're talking about. RTSs and RPGs almost always control petter on pc, while action and adventure games are better on consoles. FPSs are completely down to personal choice.

 

[iTeamKill]

If they only thing you and your friends have in common is xbox live, then they are not your friends. Just start playing on pc and use their xbox 360 and their controllers and go to their house to play when they want too. If they are real friends, you won't need an xbox to find something to do. Play the PC when you want to play.

Maybe 5 of my friends play pc. Mostly tf2, killing floor, Unreal III. Everyone else is MW2 and halo fan boys. I compromise by being good at forza 3 and good at rockband drums. but outside of games, I got Down hill mountain biking, (real) drums and they play guitar, SCCA auto-x, alcohol... Lots of other stuff to do besides games.

Just go with PC, you'll save money in the long run. Besides, why do you need a console that does "everything" when you could have a pc that does everything and is a fucking PC... Go ahead and act like you DON'T need a pc. I say you are killing two birds with one stone. Why buy a console when you have to have a pc too. Get a pc that fills the spot for the console.

 

[Luke5515]

You have to find some really good one player games, or games that work better on the P.C.
For me getting started, it was Team fortress two that really pushed it. the I got some good one player games. Bioshock and such. Then I realized that the Computer has so much extra power you can play with, so I got unreal 3 and I'm now learning to use the unreal engine and level creator.

 

[sgtshock]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors,

Meh, PC gaming is by nature more prone to errors than consoles, but I wouldn't say "hundreds", and most of them are easily solvable or patchable.

a larger price tag,

He's already put the money down for the PC, so if anything gaming will be cheaper. Most PC games still cost $50 as opposed to console's $60 games. Besides, this late into the current generation, you don't need as powerful a machine as you used to. My PC is >4 years old and it runs all new games fine.

associated with obnoxious elitists,

This is unfortunately true.

games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore.

This is sometimes true. Developers like Infinity Ward and Rockstar seem to have turned their back on PC gamers, but then you have developers like Valve, Blizzard, and Bioware who still care about the PC market. Services like Steam also make gaming a lot more convenient by making old PC games cheap and easy to find.

I hope that didn't come off as obnoxious, but PC gaming still has a lot of advantages over consoles. I have a 360 and a decent gaming computer, and I love them both, and see that some have advantages over the other.

 

[Bretty]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors, a larger price tag, associated with obnoxious elitists, generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore. I used to be something of a PC gamer until I realized the console is the better experience and noticeably cheaper.

With a mouse and keyboard you have MORE control if you ask me, and PC gaming can be cheaper if you happen to be a pirate. But I have to agree with you that because of all the piracy there are becoming more and more console exclusives.

ARRRRRRRRRRRHH. oh, the other kind of pirate. for me it really depends what genre you're talking about. RTSs and RPGs almost always control petter on pc, while action and adventure games are better on consoles. FPSs are completely down to personal choice.

Umm PC FPS dont need auto aim??? So umm.. M/K is obviously alot more accurate.

"generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore"

Two things.... you sound like an elitest. And how about Dragon Age, with a INFERIOR console port. You say you were a PC gamer but since you obviously have little clue about much I cant say you were ever much of one.

The OP said it best. The only reason he is buying the games now for the 360 is because all his friends are playing on that... that is all. I am a PC gamer through and through. If I bought a 360 I would never use it as I know no one that has one.

Oh and before someone brings up MW2.... you can have it 8)

 

[reyttm4]

You should try out any of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R Series. It sounds like you like those kind of games.

 

[FactualSquirrel]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors, a larger price tag, associated with obnoxious elitists, generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore. I used to be something of a PC gamer until I realized the console is the better experience and noticeably cheaper.

With a mouse and keyboard you have MORE control if you ask me, and PC gaming can be cheaper if you happen to be a pirate. But I have to agree with you that because of all the piracy there are becoming more and more console exclusives.

ARRRRRRRRRRRHH. oh, the other kind of pirate. for me it really depends what genre you're talking about. RTSs and RPGs almost always control petter on pc, while action and adventure games are better on consoles. FPSs are completely down to personal choice.

Umm PC FPS dont need auto aim??? So umm.. M/K is obviously alot more accurate.

"generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore"

Two things.... you sound like an elitest. And how about Dragon Age, with a INFERIOR console port. You say you were a PC gamer but since you obviously have little clue about much I cant say you were ever much of one.

The OP said it best. The only reason he is buying the games now for the 360 is because all his friends are playing on that... that is all. I am a PC gamer through and through. If I bought a 360 I would never use it as I know no one that has one.

Oh and before someone brings up MW2.... you can have it 8)

You don't need auto aim on consoles, and it often breaks console FPSs. In fact, I didn't even insult your precious K/M, I said it was down to personal choice. Also, while I agree that a lot of pc games are better than the console versions, creating for one system then moving to another makes it a worse game (in general) and most games are created first for consoles which have very similar control schemes.

 

[Belvadier]

all the people that i play games with over xbox live are my real life friends, none of which has a gaming computer to really play with me on. I have and use steam and, to the guy that said to get starcraft, i've been playing that ever since it came out 1999, though i've moved on to some more recent rts like company of heroes and dawn of war 2 recently.

i just wish there was a more centralized "friend" or pc community center. Like, steam is great, but not all games are on steam, same with games for windows live...

i will continue to play both my pc and xbox but i know there are some games that i should just bite the bullet and get the superior (and cheaper) version for pc but my lack of pc-gaming friends just holds me back a bit.

 

[Woodsey]

Kid it ain't worth it. You get hundreds of little errors, a larger price tag, associated with obnoxious elitists, generally inferior controls, games that are released as inferior versions for the PC because the developers don't care about that pirate ridden group anymore. I used to be something of a PC gamer until I realized the console is the better experience and noticeably cheaper.

100s of little errors? Really? I must say, I've been a PC gamer for 8 years now (15 - measuring from when I got my first PC) and 'little errors' aren't exactly prevalent - and if they do occur, they're fixed in about 5 minutes (with prior knowledge or Google).

The large price tag is a frame of mind - initially, yes, the price is a lot more (note however, that gaming PCs do not cost £2000, not even £1000). However, buy 10 games and you've knocked off £150 easily - not to mention I often see PC games getting higher discounts in sales. Then there's Steam, which is currently having an up to 80% sale on games (some of which are pretty recent releases). Oh and Steam is free, XBL isn't - PSN looks ever more likely to be charging in the future.

Generally inferior controls? If you don't appreciate accuracy you can plug just about any gamepad you like into a PC. (Note that was a joke, not 'elitism').

With multi-plat games I half (HALF) agree with you. It's not often multi-plat games are actually badly optimised - some are certainly not as optimised as far as they could be (considering they've got it working on the 360). Some naturally, will suffer - like the PS3 seems to when a game is for PS3/360 (although this seems far less prevalent).

We are inhabited by dip shit pirates who will use any excuse possible to justify what they do - I'm 100% with you in that respect, but the consoles are hardly free from pirating. And you make it sound like the majority are pirates, which is wrong.

Oh, I forgot 'obnoxious elitists' - you're right, because console gamers are far less prevalent when it comes to "y0uR PLTfRM suX LULZ" (/sarcasm). And don't get me started on the ones that try to claim the 4-year-old 360 is more powerful than a PC I could build today (or even the day the 360 was released).

Oh, and the only thing I've done to my PC in 2 years is move from 2GB of RAM to 4GB (which I did yesterday) and I can still run any new game on virtually maxed-out settings (and it only cost £650 to build - bargain).