Why Is the PC vs Consoles Debate So Heated?

GeekParty writes: "Recently, a buddy of mine posted something on Facebook claiming Sony was crazy for passing on EA Access. He was over the moon about the service, and couldn’t believe Sony doesn’t offer it to their consumer base. As his friend, I was excited for him, even if I personally wasn’t interested — at least not yet — in signing.

But then who just had to step in with his two cents no one asked for? You guessed it, Mr. Petulant PC Gamer, that’s who."

[fonger08]

Because it's in our nature, "only the dead see the end of (fanboy) war" -Plato

[darthv72]

up until the original xbox came out, i used to game on a PC with titles like half life and counter stike. But I never would say that PC was better than console as they are two very different environments.

there are a few crossover titles but if i was playing a console it was either dreamcast or ps2 as well as older systems. Then when the xbox came out, I just sort of stepped away from the PC during that time. I must say that the port of doom 3 wasnt half bad and was much easier to play than rebuilding my PC to play it.

half life 2 was the game that brought me back to playing on the PC. i remember getting an ATI Radeon 9800 pro for that game (still have it). juggling between Pc and console was tough. Ultimately i still have my gaming PC but i dont play on it like i do 360 and ps3 and the sort.

I like all types of gaming platforms and just felt that (for me) being able to just pop in a game and play and not have to worry about "minimum system requirements" was the way to go. I may be missing out on maxed out graphics of PC versions but Im okay with that.

[traumadisaster]

There should be no fight only consumer vs corporate. If on a budget consoles are perfect, if larger budget and enjoy tech pc is a hobby.

[XisThatKid]

All in all I say it's the nature of the industry or us as consumers we convict to our habits and are passionate about their personal choice and culture. I Don't think it's wrong for PC gamers to have an elitist complex and for gamers to defend their personal choice. just like the "Console War" in general We just like to defend out personal choices in life and this is no different and both sides have great points to argue their sides. The competitive nature of out communities is the blood that drives our industry we love. Like it or not. Although some can take things a bit too far I'm sure everyone can agree...

[DevilOgreFish]

I have my feet in both realms, and to tell you the truth i use my PC way more. i only switch over to play them exclusives. Unlocked gaming experience + Steam + Game Pad usage + the MODing community; completes the package to PC gaming and keeps me very attached.

[iceman06]

I LOL'd at that quote! Are you sure it was Plato and not Sun Tzu!?!

[fonger08]

I'm pretty sure it was Plato... I remember seeing it at the begining of either COD Modern Warefare or Fallout, can't remember which.

[Corpser]

" And I’m sure that for the folks that game on them, a keyboard and mouse is the only way"

Wow at the ignorance

[aquamala]

I think the average PC gamer is more familiar with console gaming than how the average console gamer is familiar with PC gaming, you see ignorant comments like that all the time: you have to spend $2000 on a gaming PC and upgrade every 6 months, you can't play on a couch, you cant' play on a TV, you have to play games with mouse/keyboard, etc etc etc.

[Oschino1907]

Well when they (pc fanboys not every pc player) always bring up top of the line setups and such it takes away most of that.

It goes both ways but it's odd to me how many bring up rigs and components they don't even have or use when trumping PC as if a majority do use them.

They brag of hundreds of millions of PCs but only reference and tout what the top 1% are using. And honestly, if some console guy really is so clueless and ignorant why even give him the time of day or acknowledge their comments.

I feel like I see more PC people in debates/discussions/arguments with the clueless and ignorant over those with valid points and good knowledge.

But the main point of the author was why does it always seem when people are positive and excited for something on console some PC player shows up and starts going way of topic waving his e-peen.

Oh and I am surprised no one speaks of all the pc vs pc hate that goes on. Whether it's custom vs pre built, this companies components vs that companies components, laptop vs tower, etc... It's just as bad in many cases I have seen.

[ABizzel1]

@Corpser

I think he/she was simply referring to the fact that many PC gamers, do play with Keyboard and mouse, and say controllers don't offer the same precision, but personally I use 360 controller for most of my PC gaming, and only go to the mouse and keyboard for competitive play.

@aquamala

Unfortunately your statement is true, and most console gamers are ignorant of PC gaming (learn the definition of ignorant vs. stupid before disagreeing trolls). They don't know about specs., they don't know of the advantages, they don't know about pricing, they simply don't know much of anything about PC gaming simply because they're use to buying their console which generally has a set price, and plug and play.

OT: I think the hostility of many of these so called PC Master race gamers, are simply for the fact of trolling. As I pointed out in a previous comment, most Steam gamers have systems on par with the XBO specs, while this might not represent the majority of PC gamers, or the majority of steam users it's a clear indication that PC performance isn't all GTC 780 Ti in SLI running games in 4k, that my friend is what we call BS for most of these trolls, especially when they list supposed framerates and resolutions and never any hardware to back it up.

Competition can be fun at times, but in the gaming industry it goes to far to the point of alienation over which platform you like best. Tomorrow I will have all 4 platforms (only need my XBO), and I will game on all 4 of them. Just because my PC has vastly better specs than my PS4 / XBO / Wii U doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy them any less, and the same goes for the PS4 vs. XBO / Wii U. Enjoy what you have, and when fallacies are presented against your platform of choice simply post truths with links and evidence and go about your business.

[stoney101]

I guess it's because when someone spends a lot of time and money on something they want to show it off and boast about it as much as possible and the only thing you can compare a gaming PC too are the consoles because they all share the same functionality of actually being able to play games.

[WeAreLegion]

The reasons have been posted and talked about over and over again. We already know the reasons.

I personally just try to ignore the elitists. Most people I know game on at least one console and at least a halfway decent PC. Most people own PC's. You might as well make it a gaming PC for a little more money.

I'm rocking the PS4/Wii U/PC/Vita combo this gen. Might get the XBO later.

[incendy35]

Anyone who labels themselves is probably a tool anyhow. There are gamers and then there are jerks. It isn't some sort of religion.

[uth11]

while debates about console vs console are about which is the better platform.

It seems that in the PC vs console it gets more personal. Some of the PC elite make themselves out to be better people.

I think nearly every console player would concede that PCs can have better hardware (if you spend the money) But PC gamers can't comprehend that there are legitimate reasons many people still prefer consoles

[Software_Lover]

It really isn't. It's the console vs console debates that get ridiculous. The only time PC gets ragged on is when someone comes in and tries to throw it in there.

For example: someone says "I got the ps4 because I want the best version of all multiplats. Someone from the PC side says......"well, get it for the pc" THEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!!!!!

That's really the only time PC gets into the mix. Oh, and paying for online play but that rarely gets talked about.

*Edited for grammer and I took out a line that was unnecessary)

[Th4Freak]

I'll disagree i've seen tons of PC fanboys get into console vs console discussion and not to count that if you check any console exclusive video on Youtube you will see a lot of PC fanboys in the comments trash talking. So no, PC fanboys are no different than any other fanboy, actually i'd say they're the worst right after Nintendo fanboys.

[CJDUNCAN]

Think about it though, PC gamers have it better in those regards. They already get the games cheaper and even for free if they were into torrentz, plus modding which can dramatically improve a game, and free online play.

Graphics - PC wins
Versatility - PC wins
Free Play - PC wins

So when a PS4 gamer gets on their high horse and starts browbeating the prowess of the machine, to me it's funny when they get put in their place by the facts that even a 3 or 4 year PC is able to do more than the PS4 can.

It makes the ps4 vs xbox one wars laughable. We're behind technically still and will never catch up to the abilities of a PC. So if we truly want power and versatility, then who can sit there with a straight face and say PC isn't the best way to go?

[StockpileTom]

I really love my PC and it takes up most of my non-portable gaming time but unfortunately as long as consoles even exist there will be a reason to buy them due to exclusives.

Shitty game communities exist on both ends but I personally have run into more of them on PC. This leads me to choose multiplatform games based upon which side has the better community.

(of course if it is single player/co-op only then I choose PC)

With all of that being said ideally ALL games would be multiplatform and that is why we as (PC) gamers detest consoles. I however am not willing to pass up great games based upon this.

If I had only enough budget for 1 console or mid range gaming PC I would likely choose PS4. I don't agree with what MS tried to do and there are exclusives that I just can't pass on.

[livininsin]

@stockpile
Isn't playstation now planned for pc though?

[Sitdown]

Perhaps I'm out of the loop..... but I never really considered them to be heated.

[Software_Lover]

That's how I feel.

[user5669510]

Because pc have all the bases covered and it pisses console fanboys off. Options are the biggest pro of pc while console gamers have to eat whatever console makers give them.

I think another reason is that they're mad that pc gamers point out their constant flip flopping and contradictions. We don't do those because like I said we have all bases covered. Each platform have their exclusives so in the end it's what games you want to play. A lot of ps fanboys constantly post ps exclusives like it suppose to mean something to others, when others post exclusives that's on another platform they stated that it's not worth playing only to contradict themselves when it comes to a ps platform. THE CONTRADICTIONS ARE ENDLESS.

Let's not get started on console fanboys constantly spreading bs and disinformation. Yeah that's our biggest problem. No. 1 suspect uth11

@sitdown
Its more of stating facts then console fanboys get mad because they don't have anything over us. So they spread bs and post their dumb lists. You notice they only appreciate other exclusives on different platforms they hated on when it comes to pc gamers. They never gave these games any amount of credit until an argument with a pc gamers. More hypocrisy.

They say 4k is not going to matter til next but fail to realize gfx card markers continue to make better card and that they said the same thing last Gen. How many people have a 1080p TV? Going by their logic people only brought a 1080p TV because of the new consoles. Even though I brought one when ps3 first launched.

Flip subjects. Spin negative. Deny facts. Praise things that's old like their new. Justify when getting nickel and dimed. Say games are trash and boring until it's ported. That how you play the console fanboys games

[Software_Lover]

I can strongly agree with that. The contradictions are ENDLESS. I know I told you guys this before but I did get an A on my research paper last year because of this site. I used it, and some members, as a case study. I don't even think people realize their contradictions or remarks.

It was great though.

[yezz]

Master race people are just as bad as console fanboys, they're basically PC fanboys. Both of them love to spread annoying comments around the web..

[uth11]

well you called me out, but neglect to mention that I'm a PC gamer since the MS-DOS days. I just correct the misinformation PC fanboys spread about how great the PC is.

They always understate the costs (they will have you believing you can have a 4K rig for $500 or so) , always downplay the need to upgrade, and downplay OS & driver problems that windows is infamous for.

They also don't grasp the optimization advantage that PS4 & XB1 have being fixed hardware- According to John Carmack (not me) this will allow these console to perform at around twice what their specs suggest they should.

If you enjoy gaming on a PC- great! But graphics aren't the only thing that makes a great gaming experience. I used to game on PC. PC related headaches killed that joy for me.

Finally for 4K-
you do realize that HD TV was in the works since the 1980s, it around 20 years for it to become standard. You needed not only the TVs, but HD programming, the bandwidth to support HD programming. blu-ray players, etc.

4K has none of that. 4K TVs are still around $1500-2000 as are monitors. 4K graphics cards are several hundred. The cost of a fully 4K PC is not cheap. 4K is not about to go mainstream in the next few years, like it or not.

[StockpileTom]

Also many of the entry level $4k monitors (aka the ones that are in a sane price range) have horrible latency.

[SPAM-FRITTER-123]

"I'm a PC gamer" "I used to game on PC" "PC gamer since the MS-DOS days" "PC related headaches killed that joy for me"

STFU and move along you Pretend PC gamer. Your history shows you hate PC and love your PS4.

[user5669510]

Suddenly we have been saying a $500 rig can do 4k, we need to constantly upgrade are rig. And suddenly we downplay problems that rarely happen. Suddenly we don't see that console games are more optimized. Suddenly all we care about is gfx when ps fanboys like you always use them as ammo against other when we always had great game play and gfx. What's the top games on steam? It's not the top because of gfx. Suddenly we shouldn't care about new tech because it's not cheap and you can afford it.

Also you maybe own a pc. Maybe but we all know your a ps fanboy. I also find it funny how yall play the gfx is all pc gamers care about when console fanboys FANBOYS constantly bring it up. Then when we put yall in check yall spin and contradict yall selves. Pc gamers constantly state how mmos moba f2p, rts, survivors, Rouge like, sim, etc(now for some reason it's good, we know why) with OK gfx is good and fun, but yall say we only care about gfx. Funny huh. Keep pulling sh*t out your @## we know why. People on this site constantly downplay games that don't look so called next Gen yall even down play pc game that don't have crazy gfx. As soon as it get ported it's now good

Try again

[Drithe]

The PC Master Race must die!!!

End of line.

[CYBERHATER]

We made you. Don't you remember? lol

[OC_MurphysLaw]

It's heated because many people feel the need to pull out their e-Penis and measure as though it matters.

[ArtificiallyYours]

More people want to argue statistics, than actually play the games they wax lyrical about.

As is the internet as a whole. Why embrace the positive, when you can cling to dire negatives?

[Workshyskiver]

I would guess mainly from console fanboys claiming victory over tiny difference between either 360-PS3 or XOne to PS4, sparking PC players to point out how miniscule the power difference between any of the consoles is...

[AD705]

The first time I ever saw the PC being mentioned in a console war/debate or whatever you want to call is by the console fanboys themselves. Every day I see fanboys from all side of the fence claiming they have gaming pc's

sony fanboys have gaming pcs to play project spark, ryse, DR3 etc

xbots claim that they have gaming pcs to play no mans sky, planetside 2, warframe and others

wiiu fanboys claim that they have gaming pcs for the 3rd party games that aren't coming to the wiiu like dragon age, batman, fallout etc etc...

console fanboys can call pc gamers elitists all they want but they will always make those dumb claims about having some gaming pc when in reality 99% of them probably don't have a pc. PC is only brought up when it benifits them. When it doesn't they go around claiming that pc gaming is dead or dying, pc is too expensive, you have to upgrade every year, everyone online is a hacker and a bunch of other lies.

PC gaming is great when a consoles exclusive goes to the pc so they can brag about how they can play it there instead of buying the other guys console then pc gaming to them is great. But when it's not PC gaming sucks and irrelevant in console discussions.

console fanboys bring the pc into this and pc fanboys mostly seem to jump in to debunk their lies.

[jwm2]

You know I used to be a PC gamer. Back in the 90s it was the best way to play. Home consoles were so far behind on graphics it wasn't funny. But the tables have turned. What I used to enjoy with PC's are now a hassle to deal with. Upgrading your equipment every year or two just isn't in the budget. But thats why its great to have the best of both worlds. Just grab a Titan One and use a keyboard and mouse on your console. You don't have to upgrade your rig every few years and you can still enjoy the style of controls you've been used to. Nuff said.

[InTheLab]

There's no console vs Pc war and there never was. It's nothing but PC elitists inserting themselves into the war of consoles. Maybe they feel left out. Maybe they do it to troll. Who knows.

So how many times have we been in a thread about a comparison of two consoles when out of the blue, some PC guy shows up and say "dat 4k rez tho. Been doing 1080p since 92'. Or PC is the superior version". They say all of this as if there was ever a question if a system that can be updated regularly doesn't trump a system with cannot.

It's stupid and more ridiculous than console vs console. At least Ps4 vs XB1 makes sense...

[Tzuno]

Plug in 2 Xbox Controllers in your Pc and you have the best experience, the rest is just exclusives and nothing more.

[Spotie]

I hate the Xbox controller, and PC lacks my favorite genre in jrpg.

I would not have a very good experience.

[CYBERHATER]

We have sony controllers to. As well as anything else you want to use lol

[Seafort]

I'm a PC gamer primarily but I also have a PS3 besides me as well.

I used to game on console all the time when I was younger but now I prefer the PC. The games are more my taste. I still do play a select few of the console exclusives like Uncharted, The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption, Beyond, GTA5 etc.

I have a mid range PC and just bought my first major upgrade in 5 years which was the graphics card. The CPU will be next when I can afford it :) I guess my PC is just a little bit more powerful than the PS4.

I don't have a 1080p monitor (1680x1050) but it's close enough.

I just enjoy the freedom and openness that the PC allows. My PS3 feels too closed off to me as none of my friends game on consoles. They all game on PC. We seem to have a hardcore survival fetish atm with Rust, Unturned and the upcoming H1Z1, Survive the Nights and Miscreated.

The indie game scene on PC is amazing and I get AAA games cheaper than I would on consoles. So it's a win-win for me.

I will probably get a PS4 in the near future when I've finished upgrading my PC to last me for the next 4-5 years :)

I do sometimes get involved in the debates but only because I hate Microsoft and everything they stand for. I don't hate the Xbox One just Microsoft :)

PC gaming is going from strength to strength with the recently announced Dead Rising 3, Ryse, MGS5 and Ground Zero all coming to PC in the near future. Did not expect MGS5 to come to PC at all.

[Lou Ferrigno]

PC masterrace is a disgrace to PC gaming and it's community..They quickly gave a bad name to PC gaming in general with their spewing garbage..
I play on my gaming rig often and the majority of the PC gamers are nice open minded mature individuals (even the younger ones), not starting wars, complaining or talking trash but working as a team, co0mmunicating and having respect.
Something that the so called "masterrace" completely avoids and does the opposite.

Console gaming is put gamers and everything gaming on the MAP! since day one..conosole gaming started it all for gamers, brought them into this world and kept them there..PC gaming is also awesome and has it's place among gamers, but both are COMPLETELY different ..one is a computer made for everyday use regardless of the parts you put in it, and the other is SOLEY for gaming and entertainment.

BOTH are here to stay, so it is entirely pointless to argue between eachother. :)

[Pandamobile]

You know that the whole "PC Gaming Master Race" thing is just PC gamers making tongue-in-cheek quips to rile console gamers up for laughs, right?

[AKissFromDaddy]

It's because we can't all play together.

If we all could play together through Steam, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, there would likely be little to no debates.

[Oschino1907]

Some PS games can be played with or in conjunction with PC players. It's not bad at all, mostly good experiences.

An example with War Thunder since it shows who is playing on what, I have met some nice people to play with, mostly PC players since they tend to be far more invested having the game before console. I have received advice and help while even helping and giving pointers to PC players looking for it as well.

But every so often you get a person or group who just starts whining and talking crap the second they notice a console player. They don't look at stats, experience or give you a chance, they just see that * and know it's a console player and just start stuff for no good reason.

Those kind of rude people also tend to be the ones busting on a guy for playing on a laptop, in anything not above 1080p, not at max settings, use the wrong brands, don't have high end peripherals, or god forbid a pre built pc because it's okay to pretend that consoles are just for poor people but not okay to spend more money to have a high end PC and not have to do any of the work.

Funny how some bust on and talk down to people not building their own PC yet talk about how they build them for friends/family and other people. Those kinds of PC people are like a bunch of snobby car mechanics.

[AKissFromDaddy]

There are people with horrible lives in everything that's fun or good. Thank goodness mute and block exist.

Nonetheless, if Black Ops 2, Ultra Street Fighter IV, BattleBlock Theater, Left 4 Dead 2, Garden Warfare, TitanFall, Borderlands 2 and most, if not all, multiplatform games had cross platform multiplayer or co-op, our community would be unrealistically united.

Platforms wouldn't matter outside of exclusives. That'd be nice.

[Dynasty2021]

Oh I'm sorry, we're too busy proving console owner bull****.

"Uncharted 4 is the best looking game ever."

Err, nope.

"Console is more powerful than PC."

Err, nope.

"Consoles have more, better exclusives".

*Checks PC games list* Err, nope. We even have MGS5 now. So that's like 1 of maybe 3 reasons taken away for me owning a PS4.

We PC crowd are angry. Because we get broken ports of games that were made on PC anyway. We get shafted.

And most insultingly, the second a PC series comes to console, it gets ruined.

Thief? A joke. Witcher 3? Could be so much more.