5 Reasons you still need to be a PC gamer

[shakey]

Well, for a good Corei7 computer, you would only spend around $1,000. if you go to extremes, which are not even necessary, then yes, you can spend more, same with a console. Someone with a console getting all 4 controllers, headsets, and whatever to maximize it would spend roughly the same amount. and if your xbox, you gotta pay for live, which is an extra charge, that just keeps charging you.

The only thing you need to really upgrade on a pc anymore after you have purchased one of the decent processors of late, would be the video card. And now you can get great video cards for roughly 100-150, which is the price you pay for a years worth of xbox live anyway right? So even if someone had to ultimately upgrade their video card every year, it is the same as for most to just play online.

Ultimately, since the pc gives users more flexibility and control of their experience, it will be better. You are basically talking about the king of consoles.

[ObiWanToby]

I do not run into as many douches on the PC gaming side. I play mostly MW2, TF2, and BFBC2 beta. Meet some great parties for TF2 and MW2. That is particularly nice for TF2, since it requires teamwork.

Xbox Live, almost everyone claims their pro, then someone will try "no you're not" then they scream they're pro....they then claim to go pro on your mom....etc. I meet decent parties on XBL still though. I am sure the experience differs greatly. Someone will claim that Xbox Live is almost exclusively full of mature gamers.

Waiting for the final release of BFBC2 and Supreme Commander 2 for PC. I much prefer the keyboard and mouse for FPS and RTS..

[Wyrdstorm]

I have and always will prefer PCs to play a game i really get into...however for fun and laughs...consoles are amazing! and as all round entertainment systems u cannot fault them!! e.g PS3 and WII....PS3 has so much more than gaming functionality...e.g bluray, bbc iplayer, chat downloads etc....WII is just FUN as anybody who has 1 will know!!...

i was shocked when i went into a games shop after my new PC wanting a game that day...to find they had about 3 shelves only for PC games...and they were all budget games except for the top 3 games in charts...that was a SAD day for me!!!

PC all the way!! :)

[spenser.d]

Well, a PC can do everything a Console can do, not almost everything, but everything. Well maybe except for that Wii crap, but who the hell plays that anyway ? :)

:rolleyes:

A PC can't comfortably support more than one person playing on it at the same time (i.e. split-screen co-op/multiplayer).

-Spenser

[fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj]

Heck, can you play Halo 1 on a 360 after April?

Uhm... yes actually. You misinterpreted that news post.

[Setnom]

Can a console multi-task? Like playing two games at once? Or playing a game while watching a movie? A PC sure can. :)

[S00N3R FR3AK]

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/5-reasons-you-still-need-a-gaming-pc/5-reasons-you-still-need-a-gaming-pc/1389019

Summary:

1. Cheaper Games

2. Better Controls

3. Play the classics

4. Online Worlds

5. Play the bleeding edge

more details in link

1 Not always anymore.

2 Opinion

3 I'm looking forward to new games not old ones.

4 Both have them now.

5 $400 will not get me anywhere near the bleeding edge.

I do not run into as many douches on the PC gaming side. I play mostly MW2, TF2, and BFBC2 beta. Meet some great parties for TF2 and MW2. That is particularly nice for TF2, since it requires teamwork.

Xbox Live, almost everyone claims their pro, then someone will try "no you're not" then they scream they're pro....they then claim to go pro on your mom....etc. I meet decent parties on XBL still though. I am sure the experience differs greatly. Someone will claim that Xbox Live is almost exclusively full of mature gamers.

Waiting for the final release of BFBC2 and Supreme Commander 2 for PC. I much prefer the keyboard and mouse for FPS and RTS..

The XBL jerks I can stand, they are funny most of the time. I didn't play AA3 past a week because of the community and I don't bother with TF2 or CS:S anymore for the same reason. IMO they all have the jerks with Battlefield having the least for both.

[Spookie]

A PC can't comfortably support more than one person playing on it at the same time (i.e. split-screen co-op/multiplayer).

Neither can most console games without dropping to 25 frames! Zing! :p

[Sethos]

No matter what I've said, done or implied around here, I'm a PC gamer at heart and that's because I can afford

a very capable gaming PC and I don't mind spending a huge chunk of money to keep it upgraded as it'll give me the best

experience graphical wise and performance wise.

I'd what you call a 'performance enthusiast', a person who will spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars

to keep my computer up to date - However, I don't jump on the first boat passing by, buying every

single new CPU, GPU or HDD technology because I still have a bit of sense to wait for all the kinks

to be worked out and for the market to settle.

With all that said, being a performance enthusiast and a PC gamer also brings a bunch of

headaches the consoles aren't plagued with. The constant tweaking of games to get the

best performance / visual ratio, the updating of drivers and software, the troubleshooting

when problems arise and the recent lack of support by developers for the PC, because

the consoles are such a focus point and even setting up controls can become a pain

when you play a heap of games and you feel like you are constantly changing the exact

same controls. This also just gets weary when you do the same thing described

above in hundreds of games over several years.

My very first HD console was the 360 and I must admit, I instantly fell in love.

A platform that allows you to jump in so easily without changing controls because

the only real thing that needs changing for me is the look inversion, and I can change

that for all games on the dashboard. You don't need to worry about spending the first

15-20 minutes messing around settings, launching the game 14 times and running third

party software to see what kind of frames per second you are getting.

You also don't have to install 5 different kinds of software to communicate with your

friends. Like, you have them on Messenger and you'd like a decent voice communication

software to be in lobby with them and have great voice quality at the same time. Also,

you have to plan out everything to join each other and everything has to be such a

drag at times just to be social.

On the consoles, you have a very streamlined interface that is all gathered in one social list.

I can join my friends, send a quick message, they can join me and it even keeps a track of

the games I play and what I've accomplished.

Then when you've done that for a year or so, you suddenly start appreciating

the 1920x1200 resolution and 60FPS+ on the PC again, the ability to customize your

gaming experience and everything is upgradeable through software, like the voice quality

on consoles is usually rubbish and on PC, it's fantastic.

So basically, both platforms have annoyances and niggles but you can easily switch

between the platforms and then you come to appreciate the little things, that used to

annoy you ... So I'm very happy that I joined the console generation as it gave me great

experiences while teaching me to appreciate the better but a tad more 'advanced'

features of the PC.

Best of both worlds (Y)

[Pablo2008jedi]

I hate the argument "You don't need to spend much to get a proper PC to play games".

To reply the simple thing is a Console, right now, will cost £150-£250 (360 or PS3), capable of 1080p gaming (although not every game run native)

I bought my PS3 when it was £299, the older 40Gb version. I had purchased a PC earlier that year at £250, now this was from Dell Outlet and would propably have cost about £500 about 6 months earlier.

Now the PC has Dual Core AMD 5600+, 2GB and a GF8600 GT and at the time it was perfect for me to play the games I was playing (Eve-Online, Americas Army, Half Life 2 and TF2 to name a few), while these games still run very well other new games aren't, like Mass Effect 2. I'm running ME2 on default settings at a resolution of 1152 x 864, on a 4:3 19" Monitor and it runs OK, note I say OK and not great. 2 weeks ago I was lucky to try the game on a 360, in a store on a 24" TV. The resolution was likely to be 720p so not much of a difference. I noticed slightly better textures and a better overal performance.

So I could either buy a 360 @ £150 or a new GFX card for the PC £110-180. Now some would say that this is a trivial cost, for me its something I simply can not afford.

More developers are concentraiting on console gaming, and leaving the PC version till later, canceling them all together or intruducing very bad DRM into them.

I don't think I'll buy another PC game now, its sad as I did enjoy it, especially since the PC is in a seperate room and I don't disturb the wife from her TV viewing :p

[Hedon]

Well, a PC can do everything a Console can do, not almost everything, but everything

So with a PC, I can buy a game, stick the DVD in the tray and press start to begin playing? I thought an install was required on PC? How many games on the PC support 4 player split screen? Where do you rent games for the PC? I haven't seen any game rentals at any video stores. Can you bring games back and forth to friends/relatives homes to play them, or do you need to install them all and uninstall them when you are done? Can you buy any PC game for your PC for the life of your PC without upgrading hardware or drivers? With a console I know that you never have to upgrade the hardware, and every game will run the same, at the best possible resolution over it's life cycle.

I'm pretty sure you can hook up a keyboard/mouse to consoles these days.. maybe I'm wrong, no one of checking it out for me..

You can do this, yes. However, very few games support it. The Xbox 360 doesn't support any keyboard/mouse in any games (besides Final Fantasy XI Online), except for when you are in text modes in the user interface and media center extender. I believe the PS3 is the only console with a current gen game that supports the keyboard/mouse (Unreal Tournament).

Well, for a good Corei7 computer, you would only spend around $1,000. if you go to extremes, which are not even necessary, then yes, you can spend more, same with a console. Someone with a console getting all 4 controllers, headsets, and whatever to maximize it would spend roughly the same amount. and if your xbox, you gotta pay for live, which is an extra charge, that just keeps charging you.

The only thing you need to really upgrade on a pc anymore after you have purchased one of the decent processors of late, would be the video card. And now you can get great video cards for roughly 100-150, which is the price you pay for a years worth of xbox live anyway right? So even if someone had to ultimately upgrade their video card every year, it is the same as for most to just play online.

Ultimately, since the pc gives users more flexibility and control of their experience, it will be better. You are basically talking about the king of consoles.

No doubt that PC's offer more user control and flexibility. But for the average gamer, they can run into the store, drop $199 on an Xbox 360 and play Alan Wake on their home TV. 5 years from now, they will be able to buy Alan Wake 3 and play it on the same $199 Xbox 360. No upgrades needed....just $60 for the game.

The nice thing about PC's is that every home pretty much has a PC now. Since they have a PC, why not throw in a game. PC's are all in one and they have that advantage. Though, most homes are not going to put their PC tower in their living room in the entertainment center. PC's are USUALLY sitting at desks (as you can see in the majority of the game setup pictures here on this website...and we are the hardcore gamers).

It really all comes down to opinion, and what suits YOU best. Console gaming suits me best, but I have a PC and I run games on that as well.

[forster]

So with a PC, I can buy a game, stick the DVD in the tray and press start to begin playing? I thought an install was required on PC?

More and more PS3 games require an install to start, you can also install on the 360 although it's not mandatory. I wish installs on all games were mandatory, that would mean less loading times across the board.

You can do this, yes. However, very few games support it. The Xbox 360 doesn't support any keyboard/mouse in any games (besides Final Fantasy XI Online), except for when you are in text modes in the user interface and media center extender. I believe the PS3 is the only console with a current gen game that supports the keyboard/mouse (Unreal Tournament).

You can also use a pad on the PC, if anything this is a knock on consoles as they arent flexible enough.

No doubt that PC's offer more user control and flexibility. But for the average gamer, they can run into the store, drop $199 on an Xbox 360 and play Alan Wake on their home TV. 5 years from now, they will be able to buy Alan Wake 3 and play it on the same $199 Xbox 360. No upgrades needed....just $60 for the game.

That's a bit of an overexageration but I see what you're getting at - unfortunately I cant think of any game that Ive played on both 360 and PC where the PC doesnt come up ahead of the graphics, yeah the 360 might be able to play Alan Wake 3, but will it be the best graphical experience you can get? Computer says no. So long as you have a decent base system you can upgrade the graphics card, install more memory/hard drive space. The control interface is usually a moot point, as you can use either pad or keyboard. You can also add modded content (Im thinking Dragon Age / Oblivion) that can improve over the original game for console that the 'average gamer' will never see, but would really like.

It really all comes down to opinion, and what suits YOU best. Console gaming suits me best, but I have a PC and I run games on that as well.

I very much agree! I have a tendancy to do both. I dont think game installs are beyond the 'average gamer' or that the 'average gamer' wouldnt be made happier by some of the flexibility the PC offers. As you said, it's about opinion and choice.

[ylcard]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but PS3 games don't work on a PS2, or Xbox360 games on an Xbox.

Every 4 years (give or take a year) you need to buy a whole new system, unless you're content with your PS2/Xbox games, because you're not going to be playing Alan Wake 1, let alone Alan Wake 3 on them.

I do like the consoles because you don't need to buy new hardware for them, because every game designed for that specific console will work perfectly fine (unless developed by Bethesda or something.)

About game rentals, it's physically impossible (or just isn't financially viable, I don't know) to rent PC games, but I'm sure that we'll get over this, we can rent digital versions, while installation might still be required, it's still renting..

There are some games that work from the CD, mostly old games, so there :p

"Upgrading" drivers is irrelevant as it's free, it's like updates for Xbox360 (I'm assuming that there are software/firmware updates available ?)

Usually, it takes like 5 years for a PC to become obsolete, that's purely from my own experience (and my friends here), it's basically the same as consoles.

Oh yeah, split screen sucks ass, how can this even be a pro here ? On another note, there's always LAN, granted a PC (not a laptop!_!) isn't really portable, but it IS quite possible to play with your friends (not online).

So basically.. a PC can do anything a console can..

[Hedon]

So you guys just confirmed that PC's CAN'T do everything consoles do, which was my point (because that poster said they do).

[Massiveterra]

Oh yeah, split screen sucks ass, how can this even be a pro here ? On another note, there's always LAN, granted a PC (not a laptop!_!) isn't really portable, but it IS quite possible to play with your friends (not online).

Because some people actually have IRL friends

[Duality]

This whole argument doesn't seem to have any point to me - does it really matter what platform you play games on? It seems to me that the only reason people argue this is so if one platform is decided to be "the best" then the "victors" can stand and gloat over those that chose a different platform - viciously ripping them apart with witty repartees concerning differences in clock speed and graphics processing ability. PCs and consoles suit different people with different requirements from their chosen platform.

[ylcard]

So you guys just confirmed that PC's CAN'T do everything consoles do, which was my point (because that poster said they do).

Err, can you please explain what we've just confirmed ? I'm at loss here..

Because some people actually have IRL friends

Yeah, those people.. No, seriously, how does it make split screen any decent ? Well, it's your opinion, so be it, I don't consider it as a pro.

This whole argument doesn't seem to have any point to me - does it really matter what platform you play games on? It seems to me that the only reason people argue this is so if one platform is decided to be "the best" then the "victors" can stand and gloat over those that chose a different platform - viciously ripping them apart with witty repartees concerning differences in clock speed and graphics processing ability. PCs and consoles suit different people with different requirements from their chosen platform.

I like both PC and consoles, I just argue for the sake of argument, you know, to be right :)

I'm not choosing sides, well there's only one side for me nowadays, but generally I'm neutral, it's not like I boycott consoles ^^

[Hedon]

Err, can you please explain what we've just confirmed ? I'm at loss here.

A poster said PC's do EVERYTHING that consoles do. I just pointed out some things that PC's don't do. Overall, PC's do MORE than consoles, but they don't do EVERYTHING.

Seems that consoles are getting all the best games anyway, so it would probably pay to be a console AND PC gamer like me.

[Sethos]

Seems that consoles are getting all the best games anyway, so it would probably pay to be a console AND PC gamer like me.

That's stretching it a bit :laugh:

[Hedon]

That's stretching it a bit :laugh:

Maybe. But I can't play Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain, Forza 3, Halo Reach, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 2, Gears of War 2, Alan Wake, Resistance, Metal Gear Solid 4 or Fable 2 or Fable 3, MLB The Show etc on PC.

There are some games on PC we can't play on console either, but lately, the console has been getting most of the love, and the PC has been getting the shaft.

[Sethos]

Maybe. But I can't play Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain, Forza 3, Halo Reach, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 2, Gears of War 2, Alan Wake, Resistance, Metal Gear Solid 4 or Fable 2 or Fable 3, MLB The Show etc on PC.

There are some games on PC we can't play on console either, but lately, the console has been getting most of the love, and the PC has been getting the shaft.

Thought you said the best, not just every hyped exclusive ranging from absolute trash and upwards.

[Hedon]

Thought you said the best, not just every hyped exclusive ranging from absolute trash and upwards.

Besides maybe Halo 3 ODST and Resistance, which of those games are considered trash by the majority of the population? And what games have we got on PC lately that are not on console that are "the best"? WoW, Guild and Sims 3?

So you agree that the list of titles I mentioned are NOT on PC, and you agree that if you want to play them, you need a console?

The last good game I have seen on PC would be any SIMBIN title, and Crysis on a good day. Oh..and ARMA II rocks.

[speedstr3789]

I choose console.

In those famous words spoken by every mac enthusiast, they just work.

[Sethos]

Besides maybe Halo 3 ODST and Resistance, which of those games are considered trash by the majority of the population? And what games have we got on PC lately that are not on console that are "the best"? WoW, Guild and Sims 3?

That's totally down to personal opinions, out of the list you mentioned only 5 of them I have any interest in and only 2-3 I actually played / will play.

As for exclusives, there's Starcraft 2 coming up, Diablo III in in the distance, World of Warcraft expansion ( You may not like it but the number one most popular game on earth? ), got the expansion to a game in my all-time favorite series, Operation Arrowhead and a Men of War sequel / expansion. I will however agree, the PC isn't getting much love but you can't deny there are some serious heavy-hitters bound ( most likely ) exclusively for the PC.

Also, to be honest, the new trend of every developer having the console is their main development platform annoys me, of course. But when they choose to not release the game at all, it makes me glad, so we don't have to wade through their rubbish ports when selecting games. Seems these days the PC is getting quality titles mainly while the consoles are getting both exclusive gems and A LOT of trash.

Steam is slowly making the PC attractive again.

[shakey]

There are actually a couple of games on PC that do allow for you to do split screen or same screen co op, you just have to find the games. Probably the same amount of co op pc games as there are truely 1080p hd games on the consoles..... Lets not call them HD performers until all their games do it. Until then, it's a mute argument.

PC's can do everything a console provides, assuming the software is made for the pc side, just as it would need to be made for the console. Steam does everything xbox does, and is just 1 of the examples.

And if you can't get a game to work on your pc, its your fault. All you do is pop in a dvd, install, and play. If a update comes out, you download it, run a exe, and its done. If that is too complicated, maybe you are better off with the console.