http://www.rahulsood.com/2010/07/console-gamers-get-killed-against-pc.html I don't know how to quote a partial article, but I do remember a debate against console vs. pc for FPS shooters. Microsoft wanted to integrate XB360 and PC gamers so that both communities are united and can play each other, but after putting the top console gamers against pc gamers, this is what they came up with (from the article): The console players got destroyed every time. So much so that it would be embarrassing to the XBOX team in general had Microsoft launched this initiative. Is this why the project was killed Who knows, but I'd love to hear from anyone involved --- what happened? Not trying to re hash the debate, but the writer of the article makes a good point. The PC is so much more capable of delivering stunning games that it is a wonder why devs don't focus on the PC industry. Pirating, ok, that is a big part of it, but look at Steam. They have a great system and I don't think it has been hacked, at least widespread. Valve set a great example with online clients and verifications that I think can set a standard. PS. The same goes for PS3 as well. I have PS3 but it is the same as XB360 really, perhaps a slight advantage in graphic potential.
the issue is its must more expensive for the sonsumer to maintain upkeep on a computer. A good gaming rig costs a lot, esspecially if you dont build it yourself like most won't. And when new games come out, if you want to p;ay them at max capacity, you have to further upgrade your rig. People just dont want that kind of investment in their device, thats why consoles are such money makers, people buy the console and they dont need to worry about replacing it until the next generation 5+ years later comes out.
PC gaming is much more annoying overall experience. My PC is much more temperamental than my ps3. When my PS3 crashes I am surprised. I am not surprised when my computer crashes. That is what PCs do. Also to maintain a good computer to play the latest greatest game in its peak potential, is freaking expensive. For $400 dollars I have a ps3, and for the PC that is for the video card alone. In the next 10 years the lines will be blurred, I think. Gaming will look entirely different, imo.
I guess I see your points, but there is a big enough PC gaming community that will support devs and their efforts. Take a look at some of the biggest communities. Battlefield, Half Life, Starcraft, WoW, Eve, etc. If done right, there is plenty of money to be made in the PC world. For that to happen though, source code has to be released to maintain the community with mods, upgrades, etc. For example, there is one Formula 1 racing game out there that has been modded with new car models and better graphics every year. I don't know the name, but that is just an example of how hardcore and profitable the PC community can be for gamers.
It's a bunch of things. Pirating, PC requirements, smaller market. As games get higher and higher tech, the user needs better and better computers to run it. For $300 a person can have aPS3 or 360 and never have to worry about requirements. For $300 you cant buy a PC that'll run.... anything. Steam and D2D are great systems, but once you do that, you just cut you market down to a small few (when compared to how many people play PC games) that are going to use Steam to get your game. Either way, Pirating is just running too rampant on PC. If you don't have an excellent Multiplayer that forces users to authenticate online (Starcraft2), usually PC games are cracked and passed around like candy within minutes of a games release. It's just too easy. I know 360 games can be ripped off too. But there's wok to be done that most people won't do. I personally think PC gaming as a mass market dies a slow death in the next 10-15 years. Soon, it'll be soley comprised of a few A+ titles (1-2 per year) and a crap load of console ports.... wait.... that's now. Even the advantage graphically you get from a PC isn't worth giving up gaming on my bed or couch for. The screen shot at the top for example. For slightly nicer snow I'm gonna get the PC version and be bound to a desk or laptop? Nah, console.
PC community overall is much larger vs in particular console. I grew up in europe, traveled alot in europe. Consoles are still greatly outnumbered. I am a PC player formost. I like both consoles, but If I had to chose one, id pick 360 over ps3. Overall, PC hands down.
PC community might be much larger, however most of them are casual gamers who play bejeweled. Once and a while there is a few titles that buck trends, however if you are not one of those trend setting titles there isn't a lot of money to be made in PC. If there was, there would be more. People do not throw away money.
I used to PC game when I was in school, because I had to share TV time and living areas with other people, so being in my room on the computer was no big deal. Now that I have my own house, I want to be in my living room on the big TV, so console gaming is perfect. That and coputers are way over my head and I don't really want to learn about them, I'm still using a Mac I got in college 10 years ago, all I need is word processing and internet and I'm fine. I spend too much time at work on computers to want to spend more time on them when I get home.
See, all my TVs can handle PC gaming but I still prefer consoles due to cost of entry. A lot of the stuff I like isn't on PC anyways. Plus, my fiance would never really play PC games like she does console stuff, aside from stuff like Dupree mentioned (bejeweled)
You guys should see Bioshock, Crysis 1 and 2, Bad Company 2, Gears of War, Dirt 2, Grid, COD 4 and 5, Force Unleashed, etc on full graphics DX10 though. I don't mind sitting in front of a desktop to play a game. I like FPS shooters and will never be able to play with a console controller anyway. I have PS3 and play sports games on it mostly although I do have Batman which I haven't touched yet, and looking forward to Force Unleashed II.
Personally, I'd take 1080p 360/PS3 version on my 42" wall mounted TV in surround sound over a super pretty DX10 game at my desk.
Just curious as to your age. I find (including myself) that once people get around 25-26 with a place of their own they move away from PC to console more. Myself I barely play games on the computer anymore unless it's an MMO (a market consoles haven't cracked well at all) at the age of 33. As you get older I find couches are way more beloved then computers And this is a guy who made his living off PC gamers for about 8 years until 2008 when MMO's not named WoW started going through a very rough period that they are still in. Other reasons tend to be cost of keeping a good gaming rig going, huge install times, major bugs and glitches, system requirements, generally piss poor customer service, lack of using keyboard/mouse from a couch etc
I'm 29 and have my own place but I'd much rather not sacrifice playing on lower set graphics and or playing a FPS with a joystick. I just can't do that. From Wolfenstein 3d, to Doom, Rise of the Triads, Duke Nuke Em, all the way to Bad Company 2. Mor, You can hook up desktops to 60" tvs if you really want to, and then plug in a wireless usb PS or XBox controller and play on your couch or bed, with the better graphics. Either way, that is your preference and you are probably the majority. And the thing about 1080p I find is BS. I may not know any better, but when the boxes say 1080p compatible, my tv settings are always adjusted to 720p. Madden for the last two years. What's up with that? I did some reading and ppl told me it is the same thing, just that it can be up converted to 1080p or something, but ultimately the same.
Games like Madden are maximized for 720p so that is their natural setting. If you want a game in 1080p (and it normally is in 720p), just go to the display settings of the ps3 and de-select everything but 1080p.
Is it any better in 1080p? You mention 720p is the natural setting, so will I see a difference if I bring it to 1080p or should I just leave it? EDIT. 52" Bravia 1080p 120 Hz
Yes it's the natural setting. I don't know if it is any better looking, I just run natural most of the time because I don't feel like adjusting the display settings all the time. Just for reference, if you're sitting more than 7ft away, you likely won't be able to get the benefit of 1080p anyway.
Thanks, Can't play on a 52" sitting closer than 7' anyway. Just reminds me of watching Saving Private Ryan in the FIRST row 3 seats from the END! That wasn't fun.
I personally much prefer PC. Better graphics, better controls, and of course, modding. PC will never be as popular as console though, as people said, costs a lot more.
