Let talk about the 3 most used reasons why people don't game on PC's

pc gaming is for nerds

I really don't understand why this thread is made every other day, the arguments are so simple to understand.

1) $500-600 is a lot; remember the PS3 launch? People were totally unwilling to pay that much for a PS3 at launch; that's arguably the primary reason why Sony is in 3rd place this console generation.

2) It's more comfortable to sit on a couch and look at your TV. I also find using a game controller (Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3) much more comfortable than using a mouse and/or keyboard for certain games (e.g. Super Meat Boy). It's very simple; the keyboard is a great input device for games that need a bunch of different input options that function as simple button presses, but that's it. Sometimes it's nice to have analog sticks, D-pads, and triggers.

Yes, I know you can buy game controllers. But the end of the day they don't feel as good as console game controllers because PC games aren't ever designed with one specific controller in mind, since there is no standard like there is on consoles. Aside from a couple genres (FPS, RTS), console game controllers are a lot more comfortable to use. This isn't even going into the fact that, now with motion controllers on the market, it isn't even possible to play some console games on PCs now (without a large amount of hacking).

3) Look again at your solutions to 1) and 2). You mentioned that you can upgrade your video card every few years, figure out what settings to run at to make the software run properly, buy VGA cables to hook up to your TV (and possibly figure out a place next to it to permanently house your computer, if it's a desktop), get wireless keyboards and mice... that's a LOT of things to do. Alternatively, you could just... buy a console.

Yes, there are ways to make PC gaming less expensive and (almost) as comfortable as playing on consoles - but in most cases, it's just easier to buy the console. All you have to do is plug it into the wall, hook it up to your TV, and you're good to go. That's it.To my knowledge, few Xbox 360 games and zero Wii games require you to install or patch them, so I don't know what you're talking about here.

4) (I'm adding this one because it's important) Multiplayer.

I love playing games by myself, but sometimes I want to play with other people. I like inviting people over and playing together, all of us in the same room trash-talking to each other playing Smash Bros. or Halo. If you want to do this with PCs, the only way to do so is have LAN parties. Which are fun, sure - but everyone needs to bring their computers, you need to set up stuff on battle.net... it all becomes much harder than just sitting on a couch and putting in the disk and playing on one TV screen. Yes, you can play with your friends online, but it's not the same. And sometimes you want to just spontaneously decide to play something without the planning that's involved in a LAN party.

What it comes down to is that PC gaming is just more inconvenient than console gaming, so for those that aren't interested in making the money/time investment, it makes more sense to get a console.

pc gaming is for nerds

meatgrinderz

Might wanna head back to the WoW thread bud! ;)

Yes, I know you can buy game controllers. But the end of the day they don't feel as good as console game controllers because PC games aren't ever designed with one specific controller in mind, since there is no standard like there is on consoles.

PoindeJ

There is a standard for PC controllers: the 360 controller. Few games support anything else (the exceptions are mostly flight sims and racing games). The controller code is copied from the 360 version, so everything works identically (rumble, sensitivity, aim assist, correct on-screen prompts, etc.); the presence of mouse and keyboard controls as an option doesn't influence how well the 360 controls work (if anything it's the other way around).

With a handful of exceptions (such as Dragon Age) you can pick up any non-RTS/MMO PC game and it will work fine with the 360 controller right out of the box (even some PC exclusives support it, e.g. Crysis). The whole experience feels identical to the 360 version--as long as you don't touch the Guide button ;) (the PC's Live interface is a bit different)

I really don't understand why this thread is made every other day, the arguments are so simple to understand.

1) $500-600 is a lot; remember the PS3 launch? People were totally unwilling to pay that much for a PS3 at launch; that's arguably the primary reason why Sony is in 3rd place this console generation.

PoindeJ

You will buy a pc either you game on it or not. So you buy a 300$ pc, throw 300 more (the cost of new console) and there you have a pc gaming + a faster pc for other needs + cheaper games.

You will buy a pc either you game on it or not. So you buy a 300$ pc, throw 300 more (the cost of new console) and there you have a pc gaming + a faster pc for other needs + cheaper games.

edidili

The major issue behind this is whether you need a laptop. That idea doesn't work for me, as I needed a laptop for school, thus I bought a gaming rig and laptop.

pc gaming is for nerds

meatgrinderz

Dunno what is more nerdy, having a dedicated gaming machine in the middle of your livingroom linked up to the TV or gaming on a desktop wich u can use for all sorts of things and is a common thing in householding.

:D

[QUOTE="edidili"]

You will buy a pc either you game on it or not. So you buy a 300$ pc, throw 300 more (the cost of new console) and there you have a pc gaming + a faster pc for other needs + cheaper games.

lundy86_4

The major issue behind this is whether you need a laptop. That idea doesn't work for me, as I needed a laptop for school, thus I bought a gaming rig and laptop.

Of course there are exceptions. I bought a 1000$ pc because I use 3d for work. So I now have a gaming pc as a bonus.

Of course there are exceptions. I bought a 1000$ pc because I use 3d for work. So I now have a gaming pc as a bonus.

edidili

Exactly. Still, I wasn't gonne let the need for a laptop stop me from buying a gaming desktop :P

Don't those huge TV's wich console gamers buy cost hundreds ifnot thousands of dollars? How can they simply say PC gaming is to expensive lol when they have to get a whole cinema set to be able to play their games.

I don't have a TV at home so just asking..

Don't those huge TV's wich console gamers buy cost hundreds ifnot thousands of dollars? How can they simply say PC gaming is to expensive lol when they have to get a whole cinema set to be able to play their games.

I don't have a TV at home so just asking..

Fusiondonut

We don't usually count the cost of a tv/monitor in either setup as you can use either/or for both consoles and PC's. There is also the point that a lot of homes have capable displays in them, for either of the systems.

Don't those huge TV's wich console gamers buy cost hundreds ifnot thousands of dollars? How can they simply say PC gaming is to expensive lol when they have to get a whole cinema set to be able to play their games.

I don't have a TV at home so just asking..

Fusiondonut

A lot of people use computer monitors with their consoles or tvs with their computers.

A better discussion point would be egocentrism and why some PC gamers tend to suffer from it._Cadbury_

It's not just PC gamers my friend, a lot of people tend to have an egocentric point of view, consolers as well.

My 3 Reasons

- Consoles have better games then PC (at least for me). Consider you can buy all three consoles for the price of one gaming PC. 3 Consoles > PC for overall games. And its not close.

- I work on a PC for 8 hours a day I prefer not to game on one.

- Almost all my friends game on consoles.

[QUOTE="_Cadbury_"]A better discussion point would be egocentrism and why some PC gamers tend to suffer from it.lundy86_4

It's not just PC gamers my friend, a lot of people tend to have an egocentric point of view, consolers as well.

There just aren't any good games on PC

I have played the most popular games on my PC like farmville and mafia wars but they sucked

Dunno why PC gamers love those games

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

[QUOTE="_Cadbury_"]A better discussion point would be egocentrism and why some PC gamers tend to suffer from it._Cadbury_

It's not just PC gamers my friend, a lot of people tend to have an egocentric point of view, consolers as well.

It does? The amount of Pro-PS3/anti Wii-360 threads (or any derivation thereof) is astounding in this forum. PC gamers tend to mostly react upon an individual posting false info or flamebait remarks. The console vs. console egocentrism has the foothold in this forum. Now, that's not to say PC gamers can't be just as bad, but this is definately a console vs. console place with regards to most debates.

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

[QUOTE="_Cadbury_"]A better discussion point would be egocentrism and why some PC gamers tend to suffer from it._Cadbury_

It's not just PC gamers my friend, a lot of people tend to have an egocentric point of view, consolers as well.

Yes, it is possible to set up your PC in your living room. But chances are, unless you have a very creative furniture arrangement it's going to look bad. And that kind of scenario only really works if you're turning your PC into a console. Do you really want to do your banking in your living room? The thing about computers is, we use them for so much more than gaming. Unless you already have another designated computer for doing those things, then it seems impractical to do so. And then you have to deal with the mouse and keyboard. You know, those "superior" control devices that weren't designed to be used outside of work environments? That's always going to be awkward coming from the couch.

Yes, you could use your PC like a console. But you would have to give up some of the functionality of the PC in order for it to make sense.

[QUOTE="_Cadbury_"][QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

It's not just PC gamers my friend, a lot of people tend to have an egocentric point of view, consolers as well.

It does? The amount of Pro-PS3/anti Wii-360 threads (or any derivation thereof) is astounding in this forum. PC gamers tend to mostly react upon an individual posting false info or flamebait remarks. The console vs. console egocentrism has the foothold in this forum. Now, that's not to say PC gamers can't be just as bad, but this is definately a console vs. console place with regards to most debates.

1. Too Expensive

Yeah some of us like to blow money on our systems. We are in it to win it. Performance comes with a price but at the same time performance is in the eye of the beholder as well. A retail Gaming PC should never cost you more then 1800 for a system and monitor that will max out any game and run at 30 fps plus. Spending more is ensuring the future for years and for bragging rights. Of course if you build your own systems like most of us then that same 1800 dollar system is going to run you about 700-1000 dollars and two hours of build time. For example my sig rig with all three 22" monitors and surround sound cost me 1200. Now that being said spending 1800 on a retail gaming pc is crazy and some are intimidated to build there own gaming pc's. So what can those individuals do.......buy an emachines desktop at bestbuy or the equivalent for literally 320 and a monitor for not even a 100 along with a 70 dollar video card and have the geeks squad install it and you got a full blown computer that can game at or slightly above a consoles performance at a cost of somewhere between 500-600 bucks with tax.

Now you say that's much more then it would cost me to buy a console. That is true but everyone needs a computer and now you have a full blow computer that will also game for a couple years. You don't have to keep your settings at high. A game that comes out now that you're playing on medium or high settings will hold up for the couple years playing newer games on lower graphical settings. You don't have to upgrade every six months to play new games. You just might have to turn down a couple of two or three settings down a notch to get better performance. Which generally you don't even notice these changes for a couple years until your games are playing at low settings and lower resolutions. By this time graphics cards that cost 300 dollars are now 50-100 so why wouldn't you buy a new one to keep you playing for another two years until its time to buy a new computer anyway.

Games are cheaper as well. Not to mention the massive sales that occur through out the year for digital downloads. My buddy just picked up BFBC2 for 6.87 right before Christmas and I got it for 30 bucks at release on a sale from steam. Accessories are cheaper as well. You have such a huge market of companies that make accessories that everything is cheap. Yeah you can get into the really expensive stuff but why unless your really serious about your equipment.

2. Comfort

I don't understand the whole "I don't like sitting in a chair and gaming at a desk, I like my couch" There is nothing stopping you from playing your PC on your couch. I built a media PC for my living room that I use for Music, Radio, TV, Netflix, Gaming, Internet and Porn.....LOL just kidding!. Graphics cards are made with HDMI ports, VGA ports as well as DP, DVI and some have "S" connectors. So every TV input port is basically covered and if not they make an adapter for it. Every PS3 and Xbox 360 controller can be used on a PC for gaming. Wireless keyboards and wireless mice can all be used. So why can't you be chilling on your couch?

3. Ease

I hear too much that it is so much easier to put a console game into a disk tray and go. Well no not always especially with PS3 you have to install 50%. of PS3 games. Even when it is that easy as just sticking the game in the tray, are you so lazy that you can't put a DVD into adisk tray on your computer and have your computer say "I'm going to install this game here!, do you want me to put a shortcut to start the game on your desktop"? then just hit "ok" and wait for five minutes while you hit the bathroom and grab something to drink. Once installed we start Patching. Same goes for consoles. When was the last time you bought a console game you didn't have to patch at release. Same goes for PC you install then patch. That's Just the way it is. Updating drivers can occur, its the same thing as updating console firmware. Every so often you have to update the firmware or drivers on your computer. Difference is generally you don't have to update drivers on your pc to play the game it just might give you better performance as where consoles you have to update. "PC games don't always work on your computer" some say. Well I've never had this problem other then having out of date equipment. I've never had a game not work because of what some say are software conflicts and such. Read the minimum specs for heaven sakes. No person under the age of 30 should not know a little about computer specs and hardware. Seriously you were born in the age of computers and you see what operation system your running every time you boot up your computer so if you're buying a game that does support it you should know by looking at the box.

streetridaz

Now this is just me -- but all three of these reasons you gave are justifiable as to why people may choose one form of gaming over PC gaming. For myself, my gaming-quality PC will always be a computer first and a gaming platform second (or third or whatever it is) I have Excel and Word files on my desktop (which is what I am typing from now) that are immensely more important to me than all the PC games in the world.

As for your reasons:

1. Cost: At least for me, my PC cost me more than both my PS3 and 360S combined.
2. Comfort: My couch and lazy boy are more comfortable than my straight-backed desk chair. I used to chill on my couch when I used my PC (before I moved out of the dorms) and I would never go back getting comfortable while still having complete control over the keyboard and mouse was not possible.
3. 3. Ease: For me, console games are easy to use and manage. I don't have to do anything special to play a 360 game. No poking around spec sheets before I play the game to make sure I am getting the most out of the game, just slap it in and go.

Being pro console or pro pc doesn't make you egocentric. Refusing to accept that people can prefer console gaming to pc gaming is egocentric._Cadbury_

I never specified that it did. That's usually where I see the most egocentric individuals though.

Why do we constantly have these justification threads? Whether its about Live or gaming on PC can't people just be under the conclusion that people perfer it? Why does there have to be a 100 page thread on why or why not?

1. RTS sucks

2. I'm not paying $500 for crysis.

1. RTS sucks

2. I'm not paying $500 for crysis.

2-10-08

1. K?

2. Or the plethora of other games.

Wait, why am I bothering with you... I've seen your posts hundreds of times before :roll:

How about games? The best games are on the console.Mr_Cumberdale

According to whom? The best are wherever the individual prefers to play them. For me, it's on all the systems.

[QUOTE="Mr_Cumberdale"]How about games? The best games are on the console.lundy86_4

According to whom? The best are wherever the individual prefers to play them. For me, it's on all the systems.

Hassle is another big one. PC gamers almost never mention that PC gaming, and heck, PC use in general, oftentime comes with a great deal of hassle involved. Take the recent launch of Civ V, for example. Civilization, one of the true flagship titles for the PC, in its fifth iteration. Well, I was certainly stoked, and am now enjoying the game - months later. But of course, as isn't uncommon for PC exclusive launches, the game was released *horribly* buggy. For me, personally, the game could scarcely run for 10 turns without crapping out on me and forcing me to restart and reload. The first major patched fixed *most* of the very common problems for most hardware configurations, but the Civfanatics tech support forum is still littered with similar issues to mine, and some people who can't get the game started at all on hardware that should have no trouble with it. And keep in mind, this isn't some little mom-and-pop developer of whothehellcares the series - this is a flagship PC exclusive series that is about 20 years old. But, the hassle isn't just confined to buggy software. Oh no. I just recently picked up an ASUS G73 laptop and, let me tell you, it's pretty sweet. It runs Crysis on max settings with ease, blows Civ V out of the water (NOW at least). Sounds wonderful, eh? One might think so, but... I bought a Lexmark S605 printer over the holidays, installed it, and registered it for the extended warranty. It now asks me to register it every six hours despite having already done so. Also, a recent problem I'm still googling around for and am going to call ASUS over soon... Upon restarting - every single time - the computer chugs. Or, at least, parts of it do. It gets to the desktop, the overlay, mouse, and icons seem perfectly responsive, but for roughly 10 to 15 minutes after reaching the desktop, I can't actually start any programs. I'll double click on Google Chrome/Windows Media Player/Whatever, and it says it's working and... Nothing. The desktop APPEARS perfectly responsive, but nothing whatsoever will launch... For 10 to 15 minutes, I can basically do nothing. If I do pull a manual restart during the period, or manage to wrestle through it to SOMEHOW get the restart prompt to come up, it'll just do the exact same thing upon the restart. I foresee 20 minutes on hold for the distinct pleasure of talking to some guy in India until he gives me to his manager in my near future! This isn't even mentioning my previous Qosmio laptop and the recent joys I'd been having with Nvidia's latest drivers and dealing with overscan when outputting to an HDTV, where I'd set it to compensate for overscan and it would immediately reset to some freakishly low resolution and Windows basic coulour scheme upon doing so... Just for giggles, as far as I could tell. Was fun messing around with that for hours only to roll back to outdated software that caused me graphic glitches with Civ V. And that's not even mentioning pissing around with firewalls for the inevitable detection issues, keeping virus software up to date, checking and rolling back drivers. I've been PC gaming for over 20 years now. I have NEVER had these types of problems with console gaming, and I have NEVER had a PC machine - laptop or desktop - that didn't have a host of hiccups in the ballpark of what I've described. PC gaming snobs around here will *never* mention it, or even go on and on about how those types of things are what make the hobby so wonderful because it's just so much fun to work around crap like that, but it's a fact that if you PC game, you'll likely get stuck dealing with a host of hassles you'll never even have bad dreams about with consoles. And don't get me wrong - I bought a new gaming laptop because I enjoy PC gaming and consider it worth the hassle - but the hassle is there, and it's a *huge* turnoff of the platform.Boomshaffted

I kinda feel that this may be a little inappropriate as this could spurn a great deal of intelligent conversation due to the truth of the argument (if you would call it that) but....\

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

[QUOTE="Mr_Cumberdale"]How about games? The best games are on the console.xscrapzx

According to whom? The best are wherever the individual prefers to play them. For me, it's on all the systems.

I never said otherwise, thus why do I need the explanation? I simply took Mr_Cumberdale's generalized statement and further corrected it.

I kinda feel that this may be a little inappropriate as this could spurn a great deal of intelligent conversation due to the truth of the argument (if you would call it that) but....\

R3FURBISHED

Now if anybody wants me I'll be perusing my system configuration startup tab to see if anything looks like it may be causing my problems upon startup...

I dont use any of those reasons. straw man, much? my reasons are totally different.

being the sony-fan/trophy-whore that I am, any multiplat games will be played on my PS3, without exception. there isnt much reason for me to play the PC when it comes to multiplats. the slight, slight graphical upgrade isnt enough to draw me in.

I have no serious interest in any of the PC exclusives, nowadays. not one of them. they all seem rather "meh" to me. Im not interested in

-over-hyped FPS games. we all know what im talking about

-derivative RTS games. this is a genre that has totally burnt me out. I used play quite a few RTS games, but it has grown stale. I usually dont say this about entire genres but I will say it here.

-logistical strategy games. "logistical," theres a word that really describes the PC library as a whole. it seems that practically every non-FPS PC exclusive has vast elements of numbers, stats, puzzles, and/or strategy. it becomes rather grading. in only a nerd to a certain extent. sometimes I want to play games like "uncharted 2." games that actually capitalize on "gameplay."

-sterile simulators. from my experience, simulators are fun for only about 15-30 minutes at a time. I have yet to see a title that breaks this rule for me.

-time consuming MMOs

-yet another medieval/sci-fi RPG. this demonstrates another key problem I have with the PC exclusive library. it has a serious lack of style diversity.

I could get any game that I wantedon the PC for free (through means that will not be discussed further here) and my computer could run them with ease. I just choose not to. there are better games that are worth my time. PC gaming has nothing to offer me.

[QUOTE="jalexbrown"]The reason I don't play many games on PC is because the two are fairly seperate in my life. I prefer to use my PC for productivity purposes, so I don't really install a lot of games - albeit I do have some older games (Baldur's Gate1 + 2, Neverwinter Nights, Half-Life, Morrowind) and a few MMOs (Everquest 2, Asheron's Call, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online) installed. I have a desktop hooked up, and I'm getting ready to upgrade it and use it solely as a gaming machine, so then I guess it will more fall in line with my preference since I can have a PC dedicated to gaming and don't have to mix the two together.carljohnson3456

too expensive.

PS3 cost $600 on 2006.

can a 2006 PC run mutiplat games until 2011? most likely not.

a 2006 PS3 can run Uncharted 3 on 2011, or a NBA 2K11. a 2006 PC can't. just saying. you'd have to spend a ton of money in 006 to play games for the next 4 years.

tell me, in those 4 years how many iterations of Nvidia graphics cards did we get? not only that, but minimum PC game requirements get higher almost every year.

too expensive.

PS3 cost $600 on 2006.

can a 2006 PC run mutiplat games until 2011? most likely not.

a 2006 PS3 can run Uncharted 3 on 2011, or a NBA 2K11. a 2006 PC can't. just saying. you'd have to spend a ton of money in 006 to play games for the next 4 years.

tell me, in those 4 years how many iterations of Nvidia graphics cards did we get? not only that, but minimum PC game requirements get higher almost every year.

rawr89

Consoles are easyer and cheaper and for comfort that is subjective .

dontshackzmii

Consoles are easyer and cheaper and for comfort that is subjective .

[QUOTE="rawr89"]

too expensive.

PS3 cost $600 on 2006.

can a 2006 PC run mutiplat games until 2011? most likely not.

a 2006 PS3 can run Uncharted 3 on 2011, or a NBA 2K11. a 2006 PC can't. just saying. you'd have to spend a ton of money in 006 to play games for the next 4 years.

tell me, in those 4 years how many iterations of Nvidia graphics cards did we get? not only that, but minimum PC game requirements get higher almost every year.

soulitane

but will it run on 720p with a stable framerate? no, it won't. much like other multiplat. yes, PC can run it, but not on 720p, not on 30+ fps. that's why you need to upgrade. how many times have you upgraded your PC ever since 2006? it's 2011 now. i never upgraded my PS3 and yet it can still play mutiplats, and upscale them to 1080p.