Main advantage for Consoles over PC

All discussions on this board compairing PC and console gaming usually boil down to two things, price and power. But while these may be the main issues for a lot of people on this board, the real reason why console versions of games sell more is because of convenience.

While it is not an issue for most people here, including myself. A lot of people don't have the skills required to get the most out of PC gaming. People want to be able to buy a game, take it home, stick it in the system and play, they don't want to have to worry about system requirements or installing or dealing with free hard drive space.

Although, even though I have a pretty good computer that I spent a lot more money on than I did my Xbox 360, and do a fair share of gaming on it, I do more gaming on my 360, because it is easier to just put the disc in and play than to boot up the computer go into the game, make sure the settings are correct, and depending on if I have added anything new lately, make sure there are no hardware conflicts or any other such issues. I know that I won't have those issues, so I just play games on the 360.

This is how I feel about it. What do you guys think? Both PC and console gamers?

Well I choose consoles for the games,but that's not a choice...so I chose convience.

Genre's and game series that are still alive.

I choose PC because its Gaming components are quite handy for purposes such as autocad.

PC has power, but power never matters to success.

All discussions on this board compairing PC and console gaming usually boil down to two things, price and power. But while these may be the main issues for a lot of people on this board, the real reason why console versions of games sell more is because of convenience.

While it is not an issue for most people here, including myself. A lot of people don't have the skills required to get the most out of PC gaming. People want to be able to buy a game, take it home, stick it in the system and play, they don't want to have to worry about system requirements or installing or dealing with free hard drive space.

Although, even though I have a pretty good computer that I spent a lot more money on than I did my Xbox 360, and do a fair share of gaming on it, I do more gaming on my 360, because it is easier to just put the disc in and play than to boot up the computer go into the game, make sure the settings are correct, and depending on if I have added anything new lately, make sure there are no hardware conflicts or any other such issues. I know that I won't have those issues, so I just play games on the 360.

This is how I feel about it. What do you guys think? Both PC and console gamers?

iamdanthaman

You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interaction.

In college, my roommates and I only ever played console games when we wanted to hang out. Of the four of us, the only time any of us gamed alone was me on my PC, and one of my roommates playing a soccer game. The rest of the time we gamed, we played Soul Calibur on our Dreamcast and Mario Kart and SSBM on our GameCube.

It's a big reason why the Wii and DS are popular among all ages. Hell, one of my friends works at an office that holds Mario Kart DS tournaments every week!

You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactiomjarantilla

How can convienence be considered an advantage if you lose customization abilities? Console games are harder to mod than pc games, that not convienient at all.out0v0rder

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactioVandalvideo

How the hell am I supposed to socialize if none of my friends have PCs? What I supposed to do, buy extra machines for them to use?

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactioVandalvideo

Ugh, I knew you'd get into this.

You know what I mean. Apart from LAN parties, which have to be planned, spontaneous same-room social interaction is only really possible on a console.

[QUOTE="out0v0rder"]How can convienence be considered an advantage if you lose customization abilities? Console games are harder to mod than pc games, that not convienient at all.lowe0

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactioVandalvideo

How the hell am I supposed to socialize if none of my friends have PCs? What I supposed to do, buy extra machines for them to use?

How the hell am I supposed to socialize if none of my friends have PCs? What I supposed to do, buy extra machines for them to use?

lowe0

Eh that argument is flawed considering all my friends have PCs and only 2 have consoles :X

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"]You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactiomjarantilla

Ugh, I knew you'd get into this.

You know what I mean. Apart from LAN parties, which have to be planned, spontaneous same-room social interaction is only really possible on a console.

How the hell am I supposed to socialize if none of my friends have PCs? What I supposed to do, buy extra machines for them to use?

lowe0

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"]You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactioVandalvideo

Ugh, I knew you'd get into this.

You know what I mean. Apart from LAN parties, which have to be planned, spontaneous same-room social interaction is only really possible on a console.

Of course it makes it LESS social. If the PC is incapable of types of social interaction that are easily accomplished on consoles (especially newer consoles), that makes it LESS social than consoles.

Maybe back when consoles didn't have online you'd have a point, but not now.

Of course it makes it LESS social. If the PC is incapable of types of social interaction that are easily accomplished on consoles (especially newer consoles), that makes it LESS social than consoles.Maybe back when consoles didn't have online you'd have a point, but not now.mjarantilla

[QUOTE="lowe0"]

[QUOTE="out0v0rder"]How can convienence be considered an advantage if you lose customization abilities? Console games are harder to mod than pc games, that not convienient at all.Vandalvideo

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]You forgot what is probably the most important reason any "regular" (non-hardcore) gamer owns a console: social interactioVandalvideo

How the hell am I supposed to socialize if none of my friends have PCs? What I supposed to do, buy extra machines for them to use?

I am in belief that more people think consoles when wanting to play video games with friends. The age group for that may differ, however. Especially in my experiences a lot of my friends PC game, but even more play on consoles and it is more enjoyable. Besides my personal experiences I just feel like I gather socializing on consoles is more preferred. No way to prove it either way, though.

And how am I supposed to socialize on consoles if none of my friends play console games? Thats a VERY casuistic arguement right there.Vandalvideo

well for me its PC-Games....but thats not there. im hardly going to say PC-Cost either so i voted for the first option.

i have a few disagreements with u on ure last paragraph though TC.

1) if ure using steam, its a case of start up steam, double click an icon and ure off. if ure using a disc then its a case of putting in the disc and pressing play once the splash screen comes up.

2) a games settings only need to be configured once...and its usally a quick process. settings dont need to be constantly changed every time u start the game. its a one off.

3) the days of hardware conflicts died with XP. unless u put in conflicting hardware (like trying to SLI and radeon and geforce card) hardware conflicts are a thing of the past. also if u have a hardware conflict with one of the major components that a game uses then ull know about it long before u even try to start a game. also hardware conflicts only need to be ckecked for once after a change. its not something that needs constant monitoring every timeu try to start a game.

4) on ure last line of ure second paragraph....all 3 consoles now have built in storage. we hear constant demands from wii players wanting more space. alot of PS3 games also need installs (some of them quite big). the 360s drive can also fill up fast with demos and movies and such like. hard drive worries and maintanence are now a factor for every console as well as the PC.

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"]And how am I supposed to socialize on consoles if none of my friends play console games? Thats a VERY casuistic arguement right there.lowe0

I am in belief that more people think consoles when wanting to play video games with friends. The age group for that may differ, however. Especially in my experiences a lot of my friends PC game, but even more play on consoles and it is more enjoyable. Besides my personal experiences I just feel like I gather socializing on consoles is more preferred. No way to prove it either way, though.LTomlinson21

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]Of course it makes it LESS social. If the PC is incapable of types of social interaction that are easily accomplished on consoles (especially newer consoles), that makes it LESS social than consoles.Maybe back when consoles didn't have online you'd have a point, but not now.Vandalvideo

No, that doesn't work in reverse. You admitted that it's not possible for people with PCs to have completely spontaneous, same-room social interaction. Is it equally impossible for console gamers to hold conventions like what you describe? Obviously not, since you just said that they still do exist, even if they aren't as popular as PC conventions, but then again, popularity has nothing to do with the product's capabilities for social interaction.

Not to mention how small is the percentage of people who would regularly participate in those events. Certainly nothing, percentage-wise or numerically, compared to the number of console owners (not just hardcore gamers, but ALL console owners) who enjoy same-room multiplayer.

Well I choose consoles for the games,but that's not a choice...so I chose convience.

killab2oo5

Same for me, i like let say "console-genre" of games.

No, that doesn't work in reverse. You admitted that it's not possible for people with PCs to have completely spontaneous, same-room social interaction. Is it equally impossible for console gamers to hold conventions like what you describe Popularity has nothing to do with the product's capabilities for social interactionmjarantilla

[QUOTE="LTomlinson21"]I am in belief that more people think consoles when wanting to play video games with friends. The age group for that may differ, however. Especially in my experiences a lot of my friends PC game, but even more play on consoles and it is more enjoyable. Besides my personal experiences I just feel like I gather socializing on consoles is more preferred. No way to prove it either way, though.Vandalvideo

Ok. Out of all my friends, no has ever suggested a LAN party for PCs. It's the consoles. I do have a lot of friends who PC game, but more would prefer consoles anytime. I am in highschool, so for more people maybe it is because consoles, like the 360, are ready for everything online right out of the box. The mic and everything. The genre difference, like sports games. PC gaming is more expensive then console gaming, whether you want to really believe or not. That is if you want a decent PC with some decent parts. It may not be much more, but the console is easy and ready for every game. They don't want to install games or set-up a PC. No one wants to go to gaming conventions or any of that stuff. A lot play games for fun, but leave it at that.

Out of all my friends, no has ever suggested a LAN party for PCs. It's the consoles. I do have a lot of friends who PC game, but more would prefer consoles anytime. I am in highschool, so for more people maybe it is because consoles, like the 360, are ready for everything online right out of the box. The mic and everything. The genre difference, like sports games. PC gaming is more expensive then console gaming, whether you want to really believe or not. That is if you want a decent PC with some decent parts. It may not be much more, but the console is easy and ready for every game. They don't want to install games or set-up a PC. No one wants to go to gaming conventions or any of that stuff. A lot play games for fun, but leave it at that.LTomlinson21

but watching out for viruses, finding emulators to run older games that don't run on current operating systems and such, and obviously, not everyone is capable of that, and requires more time.SOedipus

[QUOTE="LTomlinson21"] Out of all my friends, no has ever suggested a LAN party for PCs. It's the consoles. I do have a lot of friends who PC game, but more would prefer consoles anytime. I am in highschool, so for more people maybe it is because consoles, like the 360, are ready for everything online right out of the box. The mic and everything. The genre difference, like sports games. PC gaming is more expensive then console gaming, whether you want to really believe or not. That is if you want a decent PC with some decent parts. It may not be much more, but the console is easy and ready for every game. They don't want to install games or set-up a PC. No one wants to go to gaming conventions or any of that stuff. A lot play games for fun, but leave it at that.Vandalvideo

Exactly as you had stated in your last quote. You stated how your friend prefer PC gaming over playing console games and "lawl fighters." So where are you getting the popularity of the PC over consoles? More mini-tournaments? Yeah, not everyone is involved with that stuff. Actually, almost everyone isn't.

[QUOTE="SOedipus"]but watching out for viruses, finding emulators to run older games that don't run on current operating systems and such, and obviously, not everyone is capable of that, and requires more time.Vandalvideo

Tell that to all of the casuals out there.

Exactly as you had stated in your last quote. You stated how your friend prefer PC gaming over playing console games and "lawl fighters." So where are you getting the popularity of the PC over consoles? More mini-tournaments? Yeah, not everyone is involved with that stuff. Actually, almost everyone isn't. LTomlinson21

I didn't admit you couldn't do it, I was just giving you some leeway.Vandalvideo

You did admit it, actually:

mjarantilla: "Apart from LAN parties, which have to be planned, spontaneous same-room social interaction is only really possible on a console."
Vandalvideo: "Of course,but that doesn't necessarily mean that the PC is any less social."

But anyway....

Since you took advantage of it, I'll call you out. There are plenty of PC games that actually work with multiplayer splitscreen and can be played on ONE COMPUTER with multiple gamepads from a 360, PS3, or even a Wii. you CAN do localized multiplayer on PCs. There, not that thats out of the way;Vandalvideo

Perhaps for a very small minority of games, but in any case it's not anywhere near as accessible to take advantage of those games on a PC as it is to do it on a console.

And just a question, but exactly how many games and what variety of games are available on the PC that actually support local multiplayer?

The consoles don't have NEARLY as many conventiosn as the PC. So it evens out.Vandalvideo

No, it doesn't even begin to even out. Unless a huge fraction of PC gamers participate in those kinds of events, the numbers involved those events doesn't even compare to the number of people who play local multiplayer on a console.

Perhaps for a very small minority of games, but in any case it's not anywhere near as accessible to take advantage of those games on a PC as it is to do it on a console.And just a question, but exactly how many games and what variety of games are available on the PC that actually support local multiplayer?No, it doesn't even begin to even out. Unless the vast majority of PC gamers participate in those kinds of events, the numbers involved those events doesn't even compare to the number of people who play local multiplayer on a console.mjarantilla

So where are you getting the popularity of the PC over consoles?

LTomlinson21

[QUOTE="LTomlinson21"]Exactly as you had stated in your last quote. You stated how your friend prefer PC gaming over playing console games and "lawl fighters." So where are you getting the popularity of the PC over consoles? More mini-tournaments? Yeah, not everyone is involved with that stuff. Actually, almost everyone isn't. Vandalvideo

How would console gaming be a small social gathering? Are you going just by your personal experiences as I did? Oh, and by PC gaming I am sure they mean over the span of these past few console generations or by gaming they include the Solitare players. Then again, I don't have the info your looking at.

How would console gaming be a small social gathering? Are you going just by your personal experiences as I did? Oh, and by PC gaming I am sure they mean over the span of these past few console generations or by gaming they include the Solitare players. Then again, I don't have the info your looking at.LTomlinson21

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]Perhaps for a very small minority of games, but in any case it's not anywhere near as accessible to take advantage of those games on a PC as it is to do it on a console.And just a question, but exactly how many games and what variety of games are available on the PC that actually support local multiplayer?No, it doesn't even begin to even out. Unless the vast majority of PC gamers participate in those kinds of events, the numbers involved those events doesn't even compare to the number of people who play local multiplayer on a console.Vandalvideo

*sigh*

Whatever. You're impossible to argue with when you fall back on what's possible instead of arguing what's practical.

My only point was that a lot of REGULAR GAMERS buy consoles because they like to have the ability to play local multiplayer built in, rather than having to reconfigure things first.

Oh, and as many PC tournaments as there might be, local multiplayer games on consoles happens FAR more frequently than tournaments and are likely played by the vast majority of console owners. So no, it does NOT even out.

My only point was that a lot of REGULAR GAMERS buy consoles because they like to have the ability to play local multiplayer built in, rather than having to reconfigure things first. mjarantilla

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"]Perhaps for a very small minority of games, but in any case it's not anywhere near as accessible to take advantage of those games on a PC as it is to do it on a console.And just a question, but exactly how many games and what variety of games are available on the PC that actually support local multiplayer?No, it doesn't even begin to even out. Unless the vast majority of PC gamers participate in those kinds of events, the numbers involved those events doesn't even compare to the number of people who play local multiplayer on a console.mjarantilla

*sigh*

Whatever. You're impossible to argue with.

My only point was that a lot of REGULAR GAMERS buy consoles because they like to have the ability to play local multiplayer built in, rather than having to reconfigure things first.

dont bother arguing with him, he'll choose facts and evidence that support his claim but choose to ignore others. you can't exactly argue with a hermit.

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"]Perhaps for a very small minority of games, but in any case it's not anywhere near as accessible to take advantage of those games on a PC as it is to do it on a console.And just a question, but exactly how many games and what variety of games are available on the PC that actually support local multiplayer?No, it doesn't even begin to even out. Unless the vast majority of PC gamers participate in those kinds of events, the numbers involved those events doesn't even compare to the number of people who play local multiplayer on a console.Arjdagr8

*sigh*

Whatever. You're impossible to argue with.

My only point was that a lot of REGULAR GAMERS buy consoles because they like to have the ability to play local multiplayer built in, rather than having to reconfigure things first.

dont bother arguing with him, he'll choose facts and evidence that support his claim but choose to ignore others. you can't exactly argue with a hermit.

Hey, I'm a hermit, too.

[QUOTE="LTomlinson21"]How would console gaming be a small social gathering? Are you going just by your personal experiences as I did? Oh, and by PC gaming I am sure they mean over the span of these past few console generations or by gaming they include the Solitare players. Then again, I don't have the info your looking at.Vandalvideo

Yeah, you are going to conventions. I believe there are large conventions for consoles as well that MLG provides and all that. The thing is, not everyone does that, especially your average gamer, even your somewhat hardcore gamer. Most gamers wouldn't and aren't in the same boat as you. From the article I just read, which does stick to about 260 million PC gamers, also says how it is hard to know exactly the revenue and all that due to a lot of PC games being free. It doesn't say the time period these sales numbers are over, but I assume it has been a lot longer then this generation, which would make the total sales of all consoles from previous gens probably somewhere near it, right? The PS2 sold 100+ million alone last gen.

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"]My only point was that a lot of REGULAR GAMERS buy consoles because they like to have the ability to play local multiplayer built in, rather than having to reconfigure things first. Vandalvideo

theres splitscreen gears of war, halo 2, call of duty 4? the fighting games (e.g. tekken, smash), racing splitscreen, fight night, sports games (far more popular on consoles). this is what he was talking about.

this is what he meant by better social interactivity. your friends come over, grab a controller, sit on the couch and play. no fuss, no hassle. you really think that after school or work my friends would bring their pc over to my house for some LAN, set it up. in my house and im sure in many others, there isnt another table to put the second pc on in the same room, so you would have to move it to another room where there is. hassle much.