Comments on: 15 Reasons Console gaming is killing PC gaming

By: lmacinnes

lmacinnes — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:10:21 +0000

I don't know about that. I have 2 360's and neither has had any problems scratching disks. I've never had to replace a single console game I've owned going all the way back to the Intellivision (a 1979 vintage) one of my 360's did RRoD (the one I got at launch) but was fixed for free where did the $100 come from. A quick look around the web will show that PC DVD drive actually have a fairly high DVD Drive failure rate as well. Not to mention that 25% of PC's require a major component to be replaced in the first year (eg, Hard Drive, Monitor, RAM, Processor, Motherboard, Graphics card). Most of the 360 DVD failures are related to people running the 360 standing up which should never have been marketed as a "installation option" but that's a marketing/aesthetic issue not a technical one. Saying that Playstation 3 games are crap is a highly opinionated argument and one people often fall back on when they can't find Something else to argue. Batman Arkham Asylum is awesome on the PS3, Uncharted 2 is awesome, Metal Gear Solid 4 was awesome, Little Big Planet NEVER stops being fun, Wipeout HD is incredible, Echochrome Pixeljunk Eden and FlOw are all great downloadable titles. And you're right the Cell Processor is hard to learn to program for but it's also a lot more powerful and they don't expect programmers to even take full advantage of it for several years yet which means better looking games to come. What you're forgetting is that for all intents and purposes the 360 and the PS3 ARE computers and they have the advantage of only having to do 1 thing well. No task managers windowing system nothing but what is essential to run games. There is simply less overhead. I really struggle to see any real tangible difference between most console games and their PC counterparts. Now ya if you're the type of person that pauses the game and grabs a picture of the same frame off the other platform and compares them side by side you're probably going to notice a difference. This would never hold up in a double blind test though.

By: TheOmegaShadow

TheOmegaShadow — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:01:27 +0000

I agree too, Cost of ownership hmm, I could buy an xbox 360, but have to pay for replacement game discs when it scratches them because of defective design, or have to pay over $100 for repairs if the dvdrom fails, RROD, etc Xboxes are a liability. the Playstation 3 has crap games and any ports to it are second rate and in some cases playable, the controller sucks -still, no one gains anything useful by learning to code for the cell processor unless you happen to own an IBM bladeserver with cell processors in it.

PC gaming is what it is, you get what you pay for. you want it to look good and play smooth, you pay for it. Much larger number of titles than any console, more controllers available. They just gotta get piracy sorted so it doesn't hurt the buyer, and in turn sales.
I think EA and other PC game publishers should start using dongle technology like the Pace ilok or Syncrosoft usb Key for licenses to their games. there are mac and windows drivers for them, so you would not have to worry about having to revoke or uninstall games to install on another machine/OS what PC doesn't have a spare USB slot nowadays? even those pesky consoles have em.

By: :

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:58:02 +0000

^^i agree.

One gtx260 can play everything maxxed (higher quality than console) except for crysis and that abomination called grand theft auto 4.

Since most games are gpu intensive all it takes is a midrange CPU, spend, what is it, $190 now for a 260, when you already needed a computer, $200 for a gpu is better than $300+ for a console

Next point nobody has brought up: PC Parts drop in price faster than consoles, that means we’re getting quicker and more efficient over the 5 years that a console is out for.

Put the same game next to itself, on a decent pc and on a console. Doing that alone has converted some people.

By: adamos

adamos — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:42:56 +0000

1. PC gaming dont cost thousands. An 800 euro pc with an 8800gt (which today cost only 90 euros)can play all today’s games at max at 1680×1050 with 2xaa( except crysis which i play at 1440×900 without AA at high details ). May i remind consoles play 95% of their games at 720p( 1280×720).
2.Pc’s are a necessity You have a cheap 400-500 euros pc why not give 80-150(the range that a midrange gaming vga cost this day more upgrade it and play games instead of byuing a more expensive console
3. like i said before you dont have to get that gtx280 ( which btw is about 350 and not 579) to play games ( a freaking ati 4670 will play ALL todays games at 720p with all settings set at high and with 2 or 4xAA). A 150 480 will play all games at 1080p with AA( crysis at 1680×1050)
4. You CAN connect a pc to a TV a Projector and plug in any controller you want ( there are far more controllers available for pc than consoles available) or a driving wheel or a flight controller or a joystic and play games from the couch
5.. PC games cost either $40( dow II for instance or FEAR 2) or $50 console games cost $60 ( let alone in europe which in many cases cost 70 euros)
6. PC’s can do a lot MORE than consoles
7. Can you play ps2 games with xbox 360 or gamecube games with ps3? I CAN with my pc
8.Most games are better with keyboard and mouse ( especially RTS and FPS) but even if you dont like it like i said you CAN plug any gamepad in your PC ( even a dual shock from ps3( there is a sixaxis usb driver for that) for that
9.graphics on pc are better ( can you play fallout 3 at 1920×1080 with 4xAA)
10. MODS( user created content). For instance in killzone you are stuck with what sony will release while in crysis if you go to crymod there are 300single player maps along with about 300 multiplayer maps and tens of total conversion of crysis. An other example is Half life 2 ( there is even a startrek or a goldeneye total conversion ). All these mods are 99% of times free
11. It doesnt have to be a geek to play pc games. All it takes is reading skills and IQ of 60 or more. 2 -4 clicks for installing a game ( if a new dx version is needed 80% of times the installler will do it automatically ). Also you dont have to update vga drivers all the time only once or twice a year Download new driver (takes 2 clicks ) install driver ( another 2 clicks) restart pc and is all done). Also correct me if i’wrong but many console games do need patches while there are some games they need installing

By: Andrew Littler

Andrew Littler — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:26:42 +0000

I damn agree, but nothing I have to say hasnt been said before

By: LiamM

LiamM — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:06:08 +0000

Awesome and oh so true.

By: Edge of Blade

Edge of Blade — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:02:51 +0000

If it pleases the court, I would like to present an analogy to arguing with a PC nut about control being a matter of preference and game design:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJJA1vvMc4I

By: LiamM

LiamM — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:40:56 +0000

You’re absolutely correct Jim. Despite the stance I take in this post I don’t think PC gaming will ever die completely ( especially for the casual or occasional gamer ) but I think it is definitely going to (If it hasn’t already) lose the focus as the “serious” gamers in the 20-35 year old crowd realize the cost of keeping their PC’s in tip top shape to run things like Crysis or whatever the next big graphics powerhouse is come out. That being said everything has it’s place. If the old school text/point-and-click adventure games like Kings Quest, Space Quest, Police Quest, Zork, etc ever made a comeback the PC would be the ONLY place to play those, and I don’t see things like World Of Warcraft hitting the consoles anytime soon. Thanks cor the comment Jim

By: liamm (liamm)

liamm (liamm) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:06 +0000

New blog post: 15 Reasons Console gaming is killing PC gaming http://tinyurl.com/a47oe5

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:45:06 +0000

This is a well written argument for consoles. However, that being said… I’m not going to be doing any gaming on a console? Why? Why should I? I already own a computer (which should be relatively obvious to everyone), and I see no need to spend hundreds of dollars more for something that can only play games.

You’re quite correct about the difference between a low end computer and a gaming computer. However, my 3 year old computer plays the games I want it to and all I did was spend $100 on more RAM (which I would have done even if I wasn’t using it for games). No, the graphics are not awesome. In fact, I’d admit they’d barely be considered “passable” – but what can you expect for free?

Yes, free. I spent $0 on additional game related hardware. I spent no more money on games than I would have if I owned a console.

The problem in the industry is that all the designers are writing games that value glitz over substance. The games themselves really aren’t any better, the differences are merely cosmetic. And for this they want me to buy a new video card and even more RAM – assuming the CPU could even handle it if these changes are made? I’m sorry, I just won’t do it.