PCs and Consoles

[Lionx]

I started out as a console gamer on the NES back in the days when i was a lil kid. However, nowadays i play more things on the PC rather than the console. The last console i got was a PS2/GC, and i have not found much reason to get another console. In fact i feel consoles are inferior presently outside of the games available for them. The reason for this is many:




-HDTVs:

Not wanting/needing to get those new HDTVs for the new games. My PC has a Flat Screen that has lasted me since the early 2002 and works great still. This is a huge reason for me, because i want to play Street Fighter HD Remix, but after seeing it look really weird on a normal TV i went...nvm.

Its easy to say get a HDTV and its inexpensive. But not everyone can afford one nor want to spend so much money on something when my other TVs are working fine. Its like adding on another expense just for console gaming.

A PC i believe does not fall under this category of limitations from all the games that i have played so far. Correct me if i am wrong though.



-Online play:

This one is suspect because all consoles have online capabilities now. However playing on the PC is free(unlike XBL, although i heard the playerbase is good), and designed that way for the most part.

An example is Street Fighter IV. I got this game for the PC, and from reports of people who have all versions of the game, this version's online play only falls behind the XBL's version. Meaning that it outdoes the PSN in terms of quality of players(!), and lag(unless your PC sucks, but mine barely fits the requirement and its awesome).

Its hard to say on this one, but the fact that i played online games on my PC more makes me more at home here. Chatting with text is easier on PC, there are cheaper headsets for PC that is used more than JUST talking to people unlike console versions, and if there are net errors, i believe its easier to fix than on consoles.



-Versitility:

Everyone has a PC, EVERYONE else you wont be online right now!

The PC has a much wider base of audience imo because there are more people with computers nowadays than those without. With a console, you are limited to those else who have the same console. For instance, only 3 of my friends have a PS3, and only 2 have Street Fighter IV. However with the release of the PC version, i can play with my entire circle of friends because, again, everyone has a PC!

Even my friends who have PS3s either did not get the PS3 version of the game, or returned it because why play with only one other guy on PSN when on GFWL everyone else is there because of accessibility?

Also controllers are a one time thing on PC, get a converter if you have to, but once you buy ONE controller/joystick, you probably wont need to buy another one (or SET if you want more than one) for the Xbox720 because the Xbox360's/Xbox controllers dont work on the new console. I have one PS2 controller+Converter, and one Joystick for fighting games, thats it, no more needed. You save more money this way.

Desktop computers, if you build one yourself, and upgrading your Graphics Card is about the same in price of a console, and last just about as long imo. My computer from 2004 can play any PS2 type game fine, like RE4 with no fuss. I can even play Street Fighter IV on this thing. However newer games i like to purchase like RE5 require a new card. But this card lasted me this long, and only now do i feel like i need a new one, with the price equivalent to that a console.

RAM, and other things are cheap nowadays too, with only Graphics/Motherboard costing a bit, so if you build your own, and upgrade smartly, you wont be spending more than what you would pay for a console. So i don't believe that consoles are there for affordability if you know what you are doing from the way i see it. Though...i could be wrong.

This does not include that your PC can be used for other activities, and games designed for PC,like FPS, and RTSs(....i mean seriously would you ever play Starcraft 64 or Halo Wars? Really?). FPS i know some people want a controller, but guess what? You can use one too for the PC! Whereas the console i am forced to use a pad.

As for those who like to sit in front of a TV instead of their monitor, i think a console is indeed preferable because it can squeeze into your DVD player or VHS player or whatnot easily. There ARE TV Tuners and other things though that you can hook your PC up to your TV however, which is another thing going in for them for versatility.

Bottom Line: It feels like a one time cost if you maintain your stuff right.

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Personally i see no reason for console gaming to exist, and the only reason it is, is the consumers are buying it for some reason, and developers devoting money to making games on it instead of the PC, then releasing the ports it at a much later date. I mean seriously, it takes 5 months to translate a game(SFIV) onto PC? When the arcade version is made from a Windows XP board? GTFO, thats bs, the game would have done even better if it werent for this stupid business sense.

EDIT: If anything i think they were afraid the PC version will outsell the console ones.

That and its easier to say LOOK AT MY SHINY NEW PS3! instead of showing off your PC's specs (which i believe some consider nerdy or unappealing). But prove me wrong I like to see other views.

I will say that PSP/DS is awesome because of its portability. The PSP sleep mode is also GODLIKE. Can't live without it!