PC vs. consoles.

[Sepho]

I'm a console gamer. There's no compatability issues when developing a console game, because of the common medium you're developing for. They're not upgradable, but that can empty out someone's savings account. I'd say the typical 5 or so year lifespan of a console warrants the few hundred dollar purchase. I don't think either format is really superior, but I like consoles because I'd much rather sit down in a comfy chair with a controller and play my games on a good-sized TV and not have to worry about installation or upgrading because my console isn't powerful enough. It's hard for me to play any games on a monitor. It's tough to even play emulated versions of old classics sometimes.

With that said, some of the funnest gaming I've ever experienced was back in the day playing LAN Half-Life deathmatches and LAN co-op Counter-Strike. A couple genres, namely FPS and RTS, really shine on the PC platform with a keyboard and mouse, though I do have plenty of fun playing Halo and the like. The other thing I like about PC gaming is the potential that each and every game has for 1st party expansions and even 3rd party mods etc. You can effectively play a game forever if you can find good expansions to keep you interested.

[Cloud No.9]

i have never had a problem with analog controls for fps's on consoles. sometimes i actually prefer it.

one question how did first person shooters do aiming on consoles before analog?

[Sepho]

They didn't really. Sure, there was DOOM for the SNES, but DOOM didn't have a Z-axis anyway.

[Cloud No.9]

i never played doom. was everything on a flat plane then?

[Sepho]

Yeah, it was a first person shooter like any other FPS you've played, but there was only two dimensions. You could walk forward and turn (and strafe while holding an extra key), but manual aiming (up and down) was absent.

[GooeyToast]

I play mostly all consoles because the PC is mainly for FPS's and MMORPGS, and I'm not really all that into either of them.

[Fithos]

You CAN'T get a PC for the same price. Consoles launch for $300-$400 usually. Computers can launch for $2500, and that's not even cutting edge. Even reasonably priced computers go for about $1000. Consoles typically reach the end of their lifespan at around $90.

i got my computer for around $600 which is in the guessed price range for the xbox 360 and it works really well for most games. i will agree with you that most people who buy computers for games however will generally spend well over $1000 on it.


i really would rather play on a keyboard and mouse the a controller. i mean you have quick keys for everything. and it just feels eiser to me. but thats my opinion. i also like the ability to mod and download like new maps and whatnot. but again thats just me.

[DJZen]

Ah, but the PS2, GC and Xbox all have keyboards, and many games even support hotkeying when that sort of thing is remotely useful! And with the hard drives and internet connectivity that the Xbox and PS2 have, you can download mods and extras! Heck, even the Dreamcast let you do that much.

AND PS3 IS TEH 256 BIT OMFGLOLWTFASLBBQ!!!!!!!!111!!!!!!!1!!!!!111one1!!!!!

[Shoeberto]

And with the hard drives and internet connectivity that the Xbox and PS2 have, you can download mods and extras! Heck, even the Dreamcast let you do that much.

AND PS3 IS TEH 256 BIT OMFGLOLWTFASLBBQ!!!!!!!!111!!!!!!!1!!!!!111one1!!!!!

Extras, maybe. When I say mods, I'm thinking fan-created freely-released mods.

And even though I detect your sarcasm in the latter statement, I still feel the need to state that those numbers are pretty much insignificant these days.

[bipper]

There were tons for FPS that dont use analog controls, analog is a fairly new implimenation (PS 1) but there were tons of fps pre analog.

The only appeal of consoles is the fact that a cpu is more $expensive to keep up with gaming standards. Consoles will always be milked for as long as possible.

bipper

[Yamaneko]

How would PC gaming ever die out? The PC itself would have to die out.

Anyway, console and PC gaming are geared for different people. FPS, RTS, and RPGs (debatable) will always be better on the PC. Platformers, Sports, and Racers will always be better on consoles.

I prefer the PC as a gaming medium. Sure it can be frustrating at times, but PCs will always be a step ahead of a stagnant console.

[Raistlin]

I mostly play RPGs. I stick to consoles for those, because that's how I grew up playing them - with a controller in my hand. However, when I played MMORPGs, I always played on the PC. I also recognize that most other online games and other genres such as FPSs are better played on the PC, but I don't play most of those games. I play one-player RPGs and the occasional sports title, so I stick mainly with console gaming.

[Captain Maxx Power]

There's a few reasons why PCs are better than consoles:

- Upgradable
- Moddable
- Self-Moddable
- Emulation
- Internet
- Mouse: You can't play an FPS properly with a D-Pad Yes, I know there's mouse adapters, but the number of people I know with consoles + mice are ridiculously out of ratio.
- PCs got Diablo

So PC all the way without question.

[bipper]

All the above can be done to most other consoles... save for diablo.

Well you could if you had a lot of time, but the game aint worth it

Bipper

[Endless]

Here are similar reasons why consoles are better than PCs:

- moddable + roms/isos
- emulation
- internet play
- 46313564565464 RPGs to choose from.
- 45555444679831 Fighting games to choose from
- repeat for plenty of game styles
- Katamari Damacy, Disgaea, Makai Kingdom...
- cheap
- handeld consoles.
- the ps2 I bought a couple years back was playing the first games released for it, plays the games released now, and will play the games released in a couple of years. No need to get a new 3D card because 2 years passed.
- On a GC for example, I can play a 4-player game with one TV and one console. No need for 4 monitors and 4 central units


Anyway, all this is ridiculous. The console won't kill the PC as a gaming device, nor will the PC kill the consoles. I've been hearing that for years, and there's no sign it'll ever happen.