The only thing I have upgraded is the video card and that was like two months ago to a 7600 GT for like $100. It can play any modern game and look better than a console doing it. I will probably be able to use this computer another 3 years with this video card.
I really highly doubt that that video card will last you another three years.
My 5200 lasted me for almost 5 years.
4 players on one console is good, but that is really the only reason I have them is for when I have non-gamer friends over and we have nothing else to do. My gamer friends have their own gaming machines, as long as you arn't 12 getting your money from mom and dad then a gaming machine won't be a real big chunk out of your money. $800 you can get one that will play any modern game, not on highest settings, but that isn't a big deal.
Consoles will always have a market, we always want local multiplayer and there will always be kids. When they get older though they move up to a PC, that's just how it is.
Your mind is like a parachute, it's only useful when it's open. Don't forget, you can use the block function on trolls.
Another thing to consider when it comes to the PC vs. consoles debate is the game lineup. There are just less games released for the PC than there are for consoles. PC games are an order of magnitude more complex to develop and therefor take longer to make and cost more to produce. There's also a much smaller audience for high end PC games than for consoles and the end result is that less and less PC exclusive games get released year after year.
Currently I need a new graphics card and another Gig of memory to bring my computer up to speed. This would cost me about $100 to $150. Thing is, there just aren't any PC games that I'm willing to spend $200 (upgrades plus box price) in order to play.
Yes, most PC games are infinitely replayable due to online play, but online gaming has left me as empty as a used beer can. I left "hardcore" PC gaming about six years ago and I just find playing face to face with other people to be more enjoyable. Not to mention the fact that I still occasionally drag out the N64 to play Goldeneye with friends. Multiplayer games on consoles can last just as long as any online PC game.
The only games that have held my interest on the PC have been freeware and indie games that don't take anywhere near top of the line hardware to run. I guess when you aren't paying millions of dollars to make a game and aren't under constant pressure to make money or cave to the marketing monkeys, you gain the freedom to make games that are both original and fun. Good luck finding that in the handful of AAA PC games that come out over the next decade or so.
As for controls..... My first blog covered most of my thoughts on the canned "dumbed down controls" argument. Currently I'm waiting for my Blue Tooth USB thingie to come in so that I can make a video of me playing Eve Online with a Wiimote and put this stupidity to bed ONCE AND FOR ALL. Then again, I've seen videos of people playing Flight Gear with a Wiimote and wouldn't have thought that possible.
Another thing to consider when it comes to the PC vs. consoles debate is the game lineup. There are just less games released for the PC than there are for consoles. PC games are an order of magnitude more complex to develop and therefor take longer to make and cost more to produce. Really? That's news to me. Even if it's true (which i'm not arguing) It's just a shame most of the console games are budget, and/or are so short or simple that you are done with them within a matter of hours. Also, how many of them were MMO's? RTS? They are all usually simple FPS/Action/Arcade style games...all of which suck on a controller IMO - except for the simple arcade ones that is. I honestly can't remember the last console game I really enjoyed...GOW was 'ok', but still much better on the PC (except for the live BS), as was Bioshock, mm...probably mario kart, secret of mana...& that back when I was like 10. Currently I need a new graphics card and another Gig of memory to bring my computer up to speed. This would cost me about $100 to $150. Thing is, there just aren't any PC games that I'm willing to spend $200 (upgrades plus box price) in order to play. Then don't? But IMO there have been plenty of great PC games released lately ( inc. supcom, cod4, ut3, crysis) that would justify an upgrade, at least in my OPINION. However, I usually am able to right my pc off as a tax deduction anyway, so meh, anyway I look at it the PC is way better value, even if I upgraded it every single bloody week.
As for controls..... My first blog covered most of my thoughts on the canned "dumbed down controls" argument. Currently I'm waiting for my Blue Tooth USB thingie to come in so that I can make a video of me playing Eve Online with a Wiimote and put this stupidity to bed ONCE AND FOR ALL. Then again, I've seen videos of people playing Flight Gear with a Wiimote and wouldn't have thought that possible. Play with your wiimote all you want (weeeeee - sure sounds like fun! can't wait for the video lmao), it doesn't change the fact that k/b and mouse gives you much better control than any controller - and why most console games have simple interfaces and autoaim to help level the field. Oh, and isn't Eve Online a PC game...hmm...
Consoles are becoming more expensive. PS3 $699. Dell $539. When do we get to the point where we have to get a new console every so often to keep up with the new games? Or upgrade console parts?
Another thing to consider when it comes to the PC vs. consoles debate is the game lineup. There are just less games released for the PC than there are for consoles. PC games are an order of magnitude more complex to develop and therefor take longer to make and cost more to produce. Really? That's news to me. Even if it's true (which i'm not arguing) It's just a shame most of the console games are budget, and/or are so short or simple that you are done with them within a matter of hours. Also, how many of them were MMO's? RTS? They are all usually simple FPS/Action/Arcade style games...all of which suck on a controller IMO - except for the simple arcade ones that is. Being done with games quickly has more to do with the nature of single player games. I can breeze through the single player segment of most PC games pretty quickly as well. Most PC games include online multiplayer as the main course, so of course the games are going to last a bit longer. Most of the console games that keep me occupied for months on end are also multiplayer, but they're meant to be played in the living room and not online. As for the types of games, that's all just your preference. FPS games aren't quite as accurate on consoles, but I have yet to see a decent fighting game on the PC while racing and sports games are about the same whether they're on the PC or on consoles. On the other hand, develpers are begining to get a clue when it comes to making RTS games on consoles. Command and Conquer 3 plays pretty well on the 360 and Battalion Wars 2 offers an entirely new approach to RTS games. MMOs suck regardless of platform (EQ Online Adventures sucked just as hard as EQ). I honestly can't remember the last console game I really enjoyed...GOW was 'ok', but still much better on the PC (except for the live BS), as was Bioshock, mm...probably mario kart, secret of mana...& that back when I was like 10. Ah the maturity argument. Funny thing about getting older, you do what you want and don't care so much how others perceive you. Give it a few years and you'll care quite a bit less about "catching the gay." Currently I need a new graphics card and another Gig of memory to bring my computer up to speed. This would cost me about $100 to $150. Thing is, there just aren't any PC games that I'm willing to spend $200 (upgrades plus box price) in order to play. Then don't? Huh? But IMO there have been plenty of great PC games released lately ( inc. supcom, cod4, ut3, crysis) All available on consoles with the exception of Crysis. that would justify an upgrade, at least in my OPINION. Thank you for emphasizing that. However, I usually am able to right my pc off as a tax deduction anyway, Good for you. so meh, anyway I look at it the PC is way better value, even if I upgraded it every single bloody week. I see it as more of a law of averages. I only buy about one or two PC games a year so the amount that I spend per game is way higher. I genreally rent several console games over the course of a year and buy three or four used that I know I'm going to play for awhile. The cost per game is an order of magnitude lower. It's not that I can't afford, it's that I get more for less with consoles. Again, mileage may vary.
As for controls..... My first blog covered most of my thoughts on the canned "dumbed down controls" argument. Currently I'm waiting for my Blue Tooth USB thingie to come in so that I can make a video of me playing Eve Online with a Wiimote and put this stupidity to bed ONCE AND FOR ALL. Then again, I've seen videos of people playing Flight Gear with a Wiimote and wouldn't have thought that possible. Play with your wiimote all you want (weeeeee - sure sounds like fun! can't wait for the video lmao), it doesn't change the fact that k/b and mouse gives you much better control than any controller Opinion - and why most console games have simple interfaces industry shortsightedness actually and autoaim to help level the field. You can actually turn autoaim off in many current console games. It's not really accuracy that's at issue with controllers, but rather your turning speed. I can flip around instantly with a mouse, you can't do that with an analog stick. Oh, and isn't Eve Online a PC game...hmm... Yes, Eve Online is a PC game. There have been Blue Tooth drivers for the Wiimote out for about six months now. They were originally coded for Linux, but I think that they've released the Windows version. Either way, I can just run the drivers in Cygwin and everything should be just fine.
The whole "which is best" argument is a wast of time to be honest for a moment. When someone declares "this is the best" my first reaction is to ask "for whom?" The concept of "best" is completely reliant on the person who is choosing what is best and no one else. That person will choose the best based on what they like and / or need. But alas, that's getting a little off topic.
Consoles are becoming more expensive. PS3 $699. Dell $539. When do we get to the point where we have to get a new console every so often to keep up with the new games? Or upgrade console parts? So to answer the question. No.
That totally depends what you're going to do with your PC. If your PC is for websurfing, emailing, music , microsoft office etc. you can do all of that on very, very cheap computer. you don't need an 1000$ rig to do the things the average family will use it for. Only if you're going to do things that require a high end PC next to gaming is a high end rig really worth it imo.
Yes, but you can get cheap PC's now days (or take a family pc) - throw in a $100 video card, then run games well and do a lot more things than any console. As for a High end Gaming Rig - it will still handle everything else you throw at it, unlike a console.
In my situation even if my PC cost 20x more than my console and was replaced every year - my PC is still by far better value, and is also much better at gaming.
You're not going to find a 100$ video card that can do what a console can do, nor is that video card going to last for 5 ~ 7 years like a console will, as newer games require stronger video cards.
Imo, Consoles are simply better for games. They offer more games and often better games than the PC. Gaming is the main focus of consoles, Gaming on a PC is not.
Originally posted by Gameloading You're not going to find a 100$ video card that can do what a console can do, nor is that video card going to last for 5 ~ 7 years like a console will, as newer games require stronger video cards. Imo, Consoles are simply better for games. They offer more games and often better games than the PC. Gaming is the main focus of consoles, Gaming on a PC is not.
IMO PC's are simply better for games...PC's have more variety of games, more complex games, more mod's available for games, graphically superior games and better peripherals for gaming (read: mouse and kb).
But it's all a matter of taste. Though please feel free to hug your console now, I think it's getting jealous that you're spending so much time on your PC.
MMOs suck regardless of platform "catching the gay." Good for you.
Such a quality post, thank you.
Ad Hominem Brute?
Now that's ironic.
Oh, and you do realise this is mmorpg.com, right? If MMO's suck so much, what exactly are you doing here?
Great question and I'm glad you asked
I see a lot of potential in MMOs and I keep an eye on the genre in hopes that one might inch a little closer toward that potential. Thus far, there are only two MMOs that are even justified in being MMOs.
Planetside - When this game opened up and the population was high, this game was the shit. Massive battles with no bullshit time sinks to make you feel like you were working a second job. Too bad it dried up.
Eve Online - The only game to get the "living breathing world" thing right. Money is fairly easy to get with minimum grind (provided you take the time to read the forums and learn about the game) and the slow stately combat has a very RTS feel to it. The slow pacing and lack of any animations outside of your ship turns people off to this game though.
Back on subject, I didn't attack you as a person nor did I avoid your talking points with quotes out of context. I simply clarified that your preference was simply your opinion and that it didn't apply to everyone or in all situations.
Originally posted by Jimmy_Scythe Great question and I'm glad you asked I see a lot of potential in MMOs and I keep an eye on the genre in hopes that one might inch a little closer toward that potential. Thus far, there are only two MMOs that are even justified in being MMOs. Planetside - When this game opened up and the population was high, this game was the shit. Massive battles with no bullshit time sinks to make you feel like you were working a second job. Too bad it dried up. Eve Online - The only game to get the "living breathing world" thing right. Money is fairly easy to get with minimum grind (provided you take the time to read the forums and learn about the game) and the slow stately combat has a very RTS feel to it. The slow pacing and lack of any animations outside of your ship turns people off to this game though. Back on subject, I didn't attack you as a person nor did I avoid your talking points with quotes out of context. I simply clarified that your preference was simply your opinion and that it didn't apply to everyone or in all situations.
Agree with you there - though the only two MMO's I really enjoyed were AC1 & UO, and to some degree SWG pre cu.
And your response to mine was simply your opinion with what I perceived as attacks thrown in, thus why I didn't see a reason to justify your post with a long reply - and even if I had, it would have only boiled down to a difference of opinions, perceptions, tastes and circumstances - much like this entire thread.
Originally posted by Gameloading You're not going to find a 100$ video card that can do what a console can do, nor is that video card going to last for 5 ~ 7 years like a console will, as newer games require stronger video cards. Imo, Consoles are simply better for games. They offer more games and often better games than the PC. Gaming is the main focus of consoles, Gaming on a PC is not.
IMO PC's are simply better for games...PC's have more variety of games, more complex games, more mod's available for games, graphically superior games and better peripherals for gaming (read: mouse and kb).
But it's all a matter of taste. Though please feel free to hug your console now, I think it's getting jealous that you're spending so much time on your PC.
I think consoles have a much wider variety of games, since a keyboard limits the controls a lot. On a console you'll get a lot of FPS, Fighting games, RPG's (both japanese and western, which are significantly different from each other), and just about every other genre. On a PC I feel that too many games are FPS, RTS and MMO's. A game like Ninja Gaiden would be really hard to play on a PC, that's why most games like that won't get ported to PC and as a PC owner the vast majority of games will be FPS and RTS games.
Originally posted by Gameloading I think consoles have a much wider variety of games, since a keyboard limits the controls a lot. On a console you'll get a lot of FPS, Fighting games, RPG's (both japanese and western, which are significantly different from each other), and just about every other genre. On a PC I feel that too many games are FPS, RTS and MMO's. A game like Ninja Gaiden would be really hard to play on a PC, that's why most games like that won't get ported to PC and as a PC owner the vast majority of games will be FPS and RTS games.
Consoles have a wider variety of games?
PC's have too many MMO's?
PC's have limiting controls?
Wha-wha-WHAT?
This is COMPLETELY the opposite experience than what I've had.
To bring this back on topic, here are the new releases slated for November.
PC games:
* Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess
* The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
* Imagine: Fashion Designer
* Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
* Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
* Sega Rally Revo
* Unreal Tournament III
XBox 360:
* Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth
* College Hoops 2K8
* Final Fantasy XI Online: Vana’Diel Collection 08
* Final Fantasy XI Online: Wings of the Goddess
* Mass Effect
* Rock Band
PS3:
* College Hoops 2K8
* Medal of Honor: Airborne
* Rock Band
* Soldier of Fortune: Payback
* Time Crisis 4
* TimeShift
Nintendo Wii:
* AMF Bowling Pinbusters!
* Geometry Wars: Galaxies
* Ghost Squad
* Link’s Crossbow Training
* Monster Jam
* Showtime Boxing
* Soul Calibur Legends
* Star Trek: Conquest
* Trauma Center: New Blood
From the looks of things, the PC is no better off than any other platform. Although I think that the PC has more cross platform games than the consoles have. I'll keep searching for a more comprehensive list though. The new release list for November and December should be a pretty good indicator of how well the PC is being supported by game developers.
It would be really helpful if we could track both exclusive PC games and sales over the last five years. For the love of God will somebody get us some visual aids?!!
Originally posted by Gameloading I think consoles have a much wider variety of games, since a keyboard limits the controls a lot. On a console you'll get a lot of FPS, Fighting games, RPG's (both japanese and western, which are significantly different from each other), and just about every other genre. On a PC I feel that too many games are FPS, RTS and MMO's. A game like Ninja Gaiden would be really hard to play on a PC, that's why most games like that won't get ported to PC and as a PC owner the vast majority of games will be FPS and RTS games.
Consoles have a wider variety of games?
PC's have too many MMO's?
PC's have limiting controls?
Wha-wha-WHAT?
This is COMPLETELY the opposite experience than what I've had.
Well yes. Consoles have a healthy selection of just about any genre while the PC is dominated by FPS and RTS games and is lacking entire genres such as fighting games. For example action games and platform games are very few on the PC. has there even been a high profile platform title been released on the PC the last 4 years at all? I don't remember one.
I also think PC's controlls are very, very limted to compared to a controller. a controller is clearly build with gaming in mind, a keyboard and mouse isn't and it shows. Just the thought of playing a fast paced action game like Ninja Gaiden 2 or Devil May Cry 4 or a fighting game like Virtua Fighter or Soul Calibur on a keyboard gives me nightmares, and I'd say it's nearly impossible to play these titles well with a keyboard. the keyboard lacks an analog stick to move the camera for one and a good button lay out.
to be fair playing a very fast paced FPS on a console isn't the best way to play a FPS but it isn't by far as bad as playing a fast paced action title on a keyboard.
Since 1998, retail sales of PC games have declined from $2 billion domestically to under $1 billion now, even as console sales have soared. The conventional claim is that this is because gamers have flocked to consoles–but I believe that’s wrong. Household penetration of PCs has increased over the period, and a priori, there’s no reason to believe the PC game sales shouldn’t have increased.
I believe the main reason for the decline is that PC gamers are not being adequately addressed by the conventional publishers. The problem is that with today’s massive budgets, you need to release over multiple platforms, so games are developed with console controllers in mind, and don’t work as well on PCs. Or as I’ve sometimes said, PC gamers are getting Xbox’s sloppy seconds. Similarly, many game styles that fine on PCs but don’t with console controllers–e.g., graphic adventures–have been abandoned by the publishers, because it’s awfully hard to generate 1m unit sales if you’re releasing on PC only.
In short, I think there’s a huge latent demand for PC games that’s being untapped, because of the publishers’ relentless pursuit of best-sellers and their inability to address niche audiences. So: How big can this get? I’d argue that the $1b drop in PC game sales says that the publishers are leaving a cool billion dollars on the table. -Costikyan
Not so long ago, PC titles were the mainstay of video gaming, but they have slumped in recent years, overshadowed by a new generation of game consoles. Now they are showing signs of a comeback.
Most prominent has been the strength of one of the most popular video games ever for PCs, World of Warcraft, a role-playing online adventure game that now has more than eight million subscribers.
Anita Frazier, an industry analyst for the NPD Group, a market research firm, noted that in the first two months of 2007, domestic retail sales of PC games reached $203 million, a 48 percent increase over the $136.8 million in the period a year earlier. She noted that these figures do not include revenue generated by PC game sales online, or online subscriptions to play PC games.
Basically, it looks like the PC market is going to remain largely the same subsisting on the holy trinity of FPS, RTS and MMORPG. Personally, I like to have more than three choices in genre.
I also must say I personally favor competitive games, which is usually made up of:
(in order of importance / time played)
PVP in MMO’s
Deathmatch or CTF in FPS games.
RTS tournaments.
PVP in RPG’s.
For me PC gaming is currently the only platform that allows me to satisfy this thirst, and yet another reason why my consoles don’t get used that often.
And even if these types of games became primary genres on consoles, with all the online features to boot (etc etc)...before I would even consider switching to a console as my primary gaming device they first need to find an input device that rivals that of the trusty old k/b mouse, until then..
Basically, it looks like the PC market is going to remain largely the same subsisting on the holy trinity of FPS, RTS and MMORPG. Personally, I like to have more than three choices in genre.
Add RPG and Racing games to the list - as I play them frequently on my PC.
Actually, those 5 genres are the only one's that really interest me - and primarily RTS, MMO, FPS.
The PC might stop being the holy trinity of FPS one day. PC exclusive FPS games like Call of Duty and Half Life are now released on game consoles.
But the problem is still the controls / auto aim garbage and online support of consoles.
Besides, for anyone playing competitively in these genres controllers are big NO NO.
I'd love for a FPS to disable auto aim and allow console players and PC players to face off with each other...you know who would get slaughtered right :P
PS remember i'm referring to competitive multiplayer fights, not single player.
And MMO's are still my favorite genre by far, and PC's is where it's at.
I also must say I personally favor competitive games, which is usually made up of:
(in order of importance / time played)
PVP in MMO’s
Deathmatch or CTF in FPS games.
RTS tournaments.
PVP in RPG’s.
For me PC gaming is currently the only platform that allows me to satisfy this thirst, and yet another reason why my consoles don’t get used that often. And even if these types of games became primary genres on consoles, with all the online features to boot (etc etc)...before I would even consider switching to a console as my primary gaming device they first need to find an input device that rivals that of the trusty old k/b mouse, until then.. PC still has it's Mojo, at least IMO.
What? No fighting or racing games?
....
Carebear.....
Seriously though, the Keyboard and mouse aren't suited to every kind of game. Try playing Virtual On with a keyboard and mouse as an example. Or just play a random "hardcore" combat flight sim. It's almost impossible to play most flight sims without forking over some serious cash for a "flight yoke" (A joystick and throttle with about a gazillion buttons between them).
Of course, it's not like you can't go out and buy a $20 USB gamepad for your PC. With as many emulators floating around I'm kind of surprised that more games don't have options for using a gamepad. I was shocked, SHOCKED that I couldn't use a 360 controller with the PC edition of Jade Empire. That's just wrong! Sick and wrong!!
What? No fighting or racing games? .... Carebear..... Seriously though, the Keyboard and mouse aren't suited to every kind of game. Try playing Virtual On with a keyboard and mouse as an example. Or just play a random "hardcore" combat flight sim. It's almost impossible to play most flight sims without forking over some serious cash for a "flight yoke" (A joystick and throttle with about a gazillion buttons between them). Of course, it's not like you can't go out and buy a $20 USB gamepad for your PC. With as many emulators floating around I'm kind of surprised that more games don't have options for using a gamepad. I was shocked, SHOCKED that I couldn't use a 360 controller with the PC edition of Jade Empire. That's just wrong! Sick and wrong!!
I play racing games occasionally, but that's when I hook up my trusty 5 year old FF steering wheel on my PC, or admittedly pull out the 360 for a bash (it has to get used for something right! lol). As for fighting games, they bore me to tears...the original SF and MK kicked arse though!
And like you mentioned, I simply plug my 360 controller into my PC if i need to - it worked well in lego wars, and various console -> pc conversions like some of those more recent 'cheap' need for speeds
The PC might stop being the holy trinity of FPS one day. PC exclusive FPS games like Call of Duty and Half Life are now released on game consoles.
But the problem is still the controls / auto aim garbage and online support of consoles.
Besides, for anyone playing competitively in these genres controllers are big NO NO.
I'd love for a FPS to disable auto aim and allow console players and PC players to face off with each other...you know who would get slaughtered right :P
PS remember i'm referring to competitive multiplayer fights, not single player.
And MMO's are still my favorite genre by far, and PC's is where it's at.
I own both Half Life 2 and Call of Duty 4 on Xbox 360 and neither of them have auto aim.
I also wouldn't consider the PC the holy trinity of racers, especialy when Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport and project Gotham racing 4 are all console exclusives.
Comments
I really highly doubt that that video card will last you another three years.
My 5200 lasted me for almost 5 years.
4 players on one console is good, but that is really the only reason I have them is for when I have non-gamer friends over and we have nothing else to do. My gamer friends have their own gaming machines, as long as you arn't 12 getting your money from mom and dad then a gaming machine won't be a real big chunk out of your money. $800 you can get one that will play any modern game, not on highest settings, but that isn't a big deal.
Consoles will always have a market, we always want local multiplayer and there will always be kids. When they get older though they move up to a PC, that's just how it is.
Your mind is like a parachute, it's only useful when it's open.
Don't forget, you can use the block function on trolls.
Another thing to consider when it comes to the PC vs. consoles debate is the game lineup. There are just less games released for the PC than there are for consoles. PC games are an order of magnitude more complex to develop and therefor take longer to make and cost more to produce. There's also a much smaller audience for high end PC games than for consoles and the end result is that less and less PC exclusive games get released year after year.
Currently I need a new graphics card and another Gig of memory to bring my computer up to speed. This would cost me about $100 to $150. Thing is, there just aren't any PC games that I'm willing to spend $200 (upgrades plus box price) in order to play.
Yes, most PC games are infinitely replayable due to online play, but online gaming has left me as empty as a used beer can. I left "hardcore" PC gaming about six years ago and I just find playing face to face with other people to be more enjoyable. Not to mention the fact that I still occasionally drag out the N64 to play Goldeneye with friends. Multiplayer games on consoles can last just as long as any online PC game.
The only games that have held my interest on the PC have been freeware and indie games that don't take anywhere near top of the line hardware to run. I guess when you aren't paying millions of dollars to make a game and aren't under constant pressure to make money or cave to the marketing monkeys, you gain the freedom to make games that are both original and fun. Good luck finding that in the handful of AAA PC games that come out over the next decade or so.
As for controls..... My first blog covered most of my thoughts on the canned "dumbed down controls" argument. Currently I'm waiting for my Blue Tooth USB thingie to come in so that I can make a video of me playing Eve Online with a Wiimote and put this stupidity to bed ONCE AND FOR ALL. Then again, I've seen videos of people playing Flight Gear with a Wiimote and wouldn't have thought that possible.
Consoles are becoming more expensive. PS3 $699. Dell $539. When do we get to the point where we have to get a new console every so often to keep up with the new games? Or upgrade console parts?
So to answer the question. No.
The whole "which is best" argument is a wast of time to be honest for a moment. When someone declares "this is the best" my first reaction is to ask "for whom?" The concept of "best" is completely reliant on the person who is choosing what is best and no one else. That person will choose the best based on what they like and / or need. But alas, that's getting a little off topic.
Such a quality post, thank you.
PS3 is 399$, not 699$
Yes, but you can get cheap PC's now days (or take a family pc) - throw in a $100 video card, then run games well and do a lot more things than any console. As for a High end Gaming Rig - it will still handle everything else you throw at it, unlike a console.
In my situation even if my PC cost 20x more than my console and was replaced every year - my PC is still by far better value, and is also much better at gaming.
You're not going to find a 100$ video card that can do what a console can do, nor is that video card going to last for 5 ~ 7 years like a console will, as newer games require stronger video cards.
Imo, Consoles are simply better for games. They offer more games and often better games than the PC. Gaming is the main focus of consoles, Gaming on a PC is not.
IMO PC's are simply better for games...PC's have more variety of games, more complex games, more mod's available for games, graphically superior games and better peripherals for gaming (read: mouse and kb).
But it's all a matter of taste. Though please feel free to hug your console now, I think it's getting jealous that you're spending so much time on your PC.
Such a quality post, thank you.
Ad Hominem Brute?
Such a quality post, thank you.
Ad Hominem Brute?
Now that's ironic, bad pot!
Oh, and you do realise this is mmorpg.com, right? If MMO's suck so much, what exactly are you doing here?
Such a quality post, thank you.
Ad Hominem Brute?
Now that's ironic.
Oh, and you do realise this is mmorpg.com, right? If MMO's suck so much, what exactly are you doing here?
Great question and I'm glad you asked
I see a lot of potential in MMOs and I keep an eye on the genre in hopes that one might inch a little closer toward that potential. Thus far, there are only two MMOs that are even justified in being MMOs.
Planetside - When this game opened up and the population was high, this game was the shit. Massive battles with no bullshit time sinks to make you feel like you were working a second job. Too bad it dried up.
Eve Online - The only game to get the "living breathing world" thing right. Money is fairly easy to get with minimum grind (provided you take the time to read the forums and learn about the game) and the slow stately combat has a very RTS feel to it. The slow pacing and lack of any animations outside of your ship turns people off to this game though.
Back on subject, I didn't attack you as a person nor did I avoid your talking points with quotes out of context. I simply clarified that your preference was simply your opinion and that it didn't apply to everyone or in all situations.
Agree with you there - though the only two MMO's I really enjoyed were AC1 & UO, and to some degree SWG pre cu.
And your response to mine was simply your opinion with what I perceived as attacks thrown in, thus why I didn't see a reason to justify your post with a long reply - and even if I had, it would have only boiled down to a difference of opinions, perceptions, tastes and circumstances - much like this entire thread.
/wave
IMO PC's are simply better for games...PC's have more variety of games, more complex games, more mod's available for games, graphically superior games and better peripherals for gaming (read: mouse and kb).
But it's all a matter of taste. Though please feel free to hug your console now, I think it's getting jealous that you're spending so much time on your PC.
I think consoles have a much wider variety of games, since a keyboard limits the controls a lot. On a console you'll get a lot of FPS, Fighting games, RPG's (both japanese and western, which are significantly different from each other), and just about every other genre. On a PC I feel that too many games are FPS, RTS and MMO's. A game like Ninja Gaiden would be really hard to play on a PC, that's why most games like that won't get ported to PC and as a PC owner the vast majority of games will be FPS and RTS games.
PC's have too many MMO's?
PC's have limiting controls?
Wha-wha-WHAT?
This is COMPLETELY the opposite experience than what I've had.
To bring this back on topic, here are the new releases slated for November.
PC games:
* Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess
* The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
* Imagine: Fashion Designer
* Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
* Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
* Sega Rally Revo
* Unreal Tournament III
XBox 360:
* Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth
* College Hoops 2K8
* Final Fantasy XI Online: Vana’Diel Collection 08
* Final Fantasy XI Online: Wings of the Goddess
* Mass Effect
* Rock Band
PS3:
* College Hoops 2K8
* Medal of Honor: Airborne
* Rock Band
* Soldier of Fortune: Payback
* Time Crisis 4
* TimeShift
Nintendo Wii:
* AMF Bowling Pinbusters!
* Geometry Wars: Galaxies
* Ghost Squad
* Link’s Crossbow Training
* Monster Jam
* Showtime Boxing
* Soul Calibur Legends
* Star Trek: Conquest
* Trauma Center: New Blood
From the looks of things, the PC is no better off than any other platform. Although I think that the PC has more cross platform games than the consoles have. I'll keep searching for a more comprehensive list though. The new release list for November and December should be a pretty good indicator of how well the PC is being supported by game developers.
It would be really helpful if we could track both exclusive PC games and sales over the last five years. For the love of God will somebody get us some visual aids?!!
Consoles have a wider variety of games?PC's have too many MMO's?
PC's have limiting controls?
Wha-wha-WHAT?
This is COMPLETELY the opposite experience than what I've had.
Well yes. Consoles have a healthy selection of just about any genre while the PC is dominated by FPS and RTS games and is lacking entire genres such as fighting games. For example action games and platform games are very few on the PC. has there even been a high profile platform title been released on the PC the last 4 years at all? I don't remember one.
I also think PC's controlls are very, very limted to compared to a controller. a controller is clearly build with gaming in mind, a keyboard and mouse isn't and it shows. Just the thought of playing a fast paced action game like Ninja Gaiden 2 or Devil May Cry 4 or a fighting game like Virtua Fighter or Soul Calibur on a keyboard gives me nightmares, and I'd say it's nearly impossible to play these titles well with a keyboard. the keyboard lacks an analog stick to move the camera for one and a good button lay out.
to be fair playing a very fast paced FPS on a console isn't the best way to play a FPS but it isn't by far as bad as playing a fast paced action title on a keyboard.
BTW, I just found this interview of Greg Costikyan dated Feb 14, 2007. Here's a highlight:
Since 1998, retail sales of PC games have declined from $2 billion domestically to under $1 billion now, even as console sales have soared. The conventional claim is that this is because gamers have flocked to consoles–but I believe that’s wrong. Household penetration of PCs has increased over the period, and a priori, there’s no reason to believe the PC game sales shouldn’t have increased.
I believe the main reason for the decline is that PC gamers are not being adequately addressed by the conventional publishers. The problem is that with today’s massive budgets, you need to release over multiple platforms, so games are developed with console controllers in mind, and don’t work as well on PCs. Or as I’ve sometimes said, PC gamers are getting Xbox’s sloppy seconds. Similarly, many game styles that fine on PCs but don’t with console controllers–e.g., graphic adventures–have been abandoned by the publishers, because it’s awfully hard to generate 1m unit sales if you’re releasing on PC only.
In short, I think there’s a huge latent demand for PC games that’s being untapped, because of the publishers’ relentless pursuit of best-sellers and their inability to address niche audiences. So: How big can this get? I’d argue that the $1b drop in PC game sales says that the publishers are leaving a cool billion dollars on the table. -Costikyan
Of course, the New York Times is predicting a rebound in PC game sales....
Not so long ago, PC titles were the mainstay of video gaming, but they have slumped in recent years, overshadowed by a new generation of game consoles. Now they are showing signs of a comeback.
Most prominent has been the strength of one of the most popular video games ever for PCs, World of Warcraft, a role-playing online adventure game that now has more than eight million subscribers.
Anita Frazier, an industry analyst for the NPD Group, a market research firm, noted that in the first two months of 2007, domestic retail sales of PC games reached $203 million, a 48 percent increase over the $136.8 million in the period a year earlier. She noted that these figures do not include revenue generated by PC game sales online, or online subscriptions to play PC games.
Basically, it looks like the PC market is going to remain largely the same subsisting on the holy trinity of FPS, RTS and MMORPG. Personally, I like to have more than three choices in genre.
I also must say I personally favor competitive games, which is usually made up of:
(in order of importance / time played)
PVP in MMO’s
Deathmatch or CTF in FPS games.
RTS tournaments.
PVP in RPG’s.
For me PC gaming is currently the only platform that allows me to satisfy this thirst, and yet another reason why my consoles don’t get used that often.
And even if these types of games became primary genres on consoles, with all the online features to boot (etc etc)...before I would even consider switching to a console as my primary gaming device they first need to find an input device that rivals that of the trusty old k/b mouse, until then..
PC still has it's Mojo, at least IMO.
The PC might stop being the holy trinity of FPS one day. PC exclusive FPS games like Call of Duty and Half Life are now released on game consoles.
Actually, those 5 genres are the only one's that really interest me - and primarily RTS, MMO, FPS.
Probably explains why I love my PC
Good post though, good reading.
But the problem is still the controls / auto aim garbage and online support of consoles.
Besides, for anyone playing competitively in these genres controllers are big NO NO.
I'd love for a FPS to disable auto aim and allow console players and PC players to face off with each other...you know who would get slaughtered right :P
PS remember i'm referring to competitive multiplayer fights, not single player.
And MMO's are still my favorite genre by far, and PC's is where it's at.
What? No fighting or racing games?
....
Carebear.....
Seriously though, the Keyboard and mouse aren't suited to every kind of game. Try playing Virtual On with a keyboard and mouse as an example. Or just play a random "hardcore" combat flight sim. It's almost impossible to play most flight sims without forking over some serious cash for a "flight yoke" (A joystick and throttle with about a gazillion buttons between them).
Of course, it's not like you can't go out and buy a $20 USB gamepad for your PC. With as many emulators floating around I'm kind of surprised that more games don't have options for using a gamepad. I was shocked, SHOCKED that I couldn't use a 360 controller with the PC edition of Jade Empire. That's just wrong! Sick and wrong!!
I play racing games occasionally, but that's when I hook up my trusty 5 year old FF steering wheel on my PC, or admittedly pull out the 360 for a bash (it has to get used for something right! lol). As for fighting games, they bore me to tears...the original SF and MK kicked arse though!
And like you mentioned, I simply plug my 360 controller into my PC if i need to - it worked well in lego wars, and various console -> pc conversions like some of those more recent 'cheap' need for speeds
But the problem is still the controls / auto aim garbage and online support of consoles.
Besides, for anyone playing competitively in these genres controllers are big NO NO.
I'd love for a FPS to disable auto aim and allow console players and PC players to face off with each other...you know who would get slaughtered right :P
PS remember i'm referring to competitive multiplayer fights, not single player.
And MMO's are still my favorite genre by far, and PC's is where it's at.
I own both Half Life 2 and Call of Duty 4 on Xbox 360 and neither of them have auto aim.
I also wouldn't consider the PC the holy trinity of racers, especialy when Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport and project Gotham racing 4 are all console exclusives.