Consoles Vs PCs: Why I'm A PC Gamer

Lifehacker: "I haven’t bought a console since the original Xbox back in 2001. Why? I already have a gaming machine with better graphics, a better controller and more flexibility… and it didn’t cost much either. I’m talking, of course, about a PC."

[masterfox]

" I already have a gaming machine with better graphics, a better controller and more flexibility".....Ok I get it so just shut and go and play your awesome games on PC like Arkham Knight....oh wait!!

[DevilOgreFish]

Pc has more games than that, and Those developers already said they were at fault and have been talking care of it.

[xHeavYx]

I've heard that "PC has a lot more games" thing before, but when I ask what pc only games there are that are worth playing, I get lists that include mostly point and click games.
Thankfully for me, I'm not into those games.

[nowitzki2004]

@X

Arma 3? Amnesia? Assetto Corsa? Cities Skylines? Elite: Dangerous? The Forest? Race Room?

And "point and click games"? Like Dota 2? LOL? This War of mine?

Theres many many more. If you cant find them then you are not looking. And by the way.. Most of the games you play are multiplats which are on PC and run much better on a PC that has the right hardware.

[xHeavYx]

@Dirk
That's the best you have to offer?
So, yeah, you PC guys have prettier graphics, personally, I prefer console games. To each their own though.
Oh, and by the way, GO SPURS.

[nowitzki2004]

OMG a SPURS fan? When did you jump on that bandwagon?

Best I got? I got a PS4 and only buy exclusives and games I will play MP with friends. Face it, most of the time you game its multiplats. Exclusives aren't the only thing, last great one either console really had is Bloodborne back when? and those multiplats look much better than any PS4 game I have owned. Saying PC does not have exclusives is like saying xbox one or PS4 doesn't. Those point and click games? cant work on consoles. Check out Total War Rome or Atilla and just look at how many units there are on screen and when you zoom in the detail is still amazing. That's why I game on PC. Love my PS4 but its second to my PC.

Edit: Back to basketball. Am I supposed to hate the Spurs? Or feel like I am below you somehow? lmao. Im a huge basketball fan and respect the Spurs. Tim Duncan is one of the nicest guys to ever play the game and he was an even better basketball player. Love the Spurs, one of the greatest teams in NBA history is the Tim Duncan era Spurs. And they win because just about every player is an international player... Tim Duncan as well.

[xHeavYx]

Did you just say that multiplat games look better than exclusives? I think you got your wires crossed.
Also, I didn't say that PC has no exclusives. I said that PC exclusives are mostly (and it sounds redundant, yes) PC type games, like point and click games (Like Total War), or MP 1st person shooters (before you say anything, if you research my comment history you'll see that I don't care for 1st person shooters, even though I got a bit hooked with Destiny) and, personally, I don't care much about those games.

About your little basketball rant, it was just a little joke from a Spurs fan to a Mavs fan.

[fermcr]

Yep... and mutiplatform games always run perfectly on consoles... oh wait!!

[WellyUK]

he's hardly missing anything tbh it's not like AK is masterpiece. Now TLoU and Uncharted etc yes.

[Stapleface]

TLOU was not a masterpiece. It used a recycled storyline and nothing in that game was new to gaming. No new mechanics, no new physics, nothing ground breaking at all, and it only looked good for a console game at the time. It's was an ok game that the devs cut out part of the storyline to sell as dlc. The only dev that gets praised for that. You cut away as the girl at that part. Then start up exactly where you cut off when you start the dlc. lol

[nowitzki2004]

@Stapleface

So you must not have played TLOU? Anyone who says its not a masterpiece, I would bet did not play it.

[Highlife]

@staple
Yes it's a masterpiece just because you don't like it doesn't change the awards and acclaim the game received. Mario Galaxy is considered a masterpiece I don't like it but know that it is. You don't have to hate on things you don't like.

[Ceaser9857361]

Funny part is most PC gamers whine about 4k setup when they only play games at 1080p.. PC is up gradable so its obvious that it will always be ahead but then Consoles has the best games and all i have seen is pc gamers need to write petitions that those games should release on PC... I am a console gamer and i see no reason why i should invest so much on a pc... Also most devs supports Consoles over PC.

[nowitzki2004]

1080p on PC plus 60 fps.. You usually get 900p and barely manage 30fps. Plus that's just a small part, loading distances are greater, textures are better, there can be more npcs on screen, shadows, lighting, and any other detail you can think of is better... and my 970 does all that at 1080p at a smooth 60fps on a game like the Withcer 3. Been a console gamer my whole life, got a PS4 and love it, best exclusives. Built my first rig in Feb and its the best thing I have done as a gamer, for far more reasons than 1080p and 60fps.

1080p on PC and 1080p on PS4 are far from the same thing... UC3 was 1080p on PS3... SO it looks like 1080p PS4 games then right?

[ShottyGibs]

@ nowitzki2004

Said it all. I'm in the same boat and couldn't agree more.
PC Multiplatforms from the last generation still look better than the vast majority of games on my PS4.

@ Masterfox

Hmm troll much lately?

[fermcr]

Have a PC and consoles, but I'm mostly a PC gamer. Consoles are only for exclusives.

[TwoForce]

Yeah, but not everyone have enough money to build a powerful pc. Other people prefer console because it's very easy to set up, plug in an play. I prefer console because opinions. I play multiplatform games on PS4. It's just a opinion. No hard feeling, will ya ?

[freshslicepizza]

this is the ideal situation imo. you get the best of both.

[nowitzki2004]

Same here. Love my PS4 but I only buy exclusives and games I will play with friends online. Witcher 3, MGSV, Mad Max, Fallout 4 etc PC ONLY!

[OldDude]

Ditto. There is another article on how The Orders engine runs at 60fps on PC on N4G right now. That's why I game on PC and exclusives on Console. PC is for those that want the highest graphical fidelity and best frame rate. I am tired of shoddy ports however on some games.

[Stapleface]

Same. I can't see having only one. Currently I have a pc, and ps4. Hopefully by the end of the year I'll have an XB1 added to that list. Too many good games on all platforms to choose only one.

[zsquaresoff]

You can't have a website name like "lifehacker.co," and expect people to come visit your website mate.

Also, play and enjoy what you want, no need tell people what they should be doing.

[IrishSt0ner]

FYI lifehacker is a very popular decade old tips website, which is ranked 400 globally in all internet traffic.

N4G is ranked 4230.

I've seen tonnes of cool information coming through lifehacker over the years.

But but, one regional post doesn't prefer my console which is objectively inferior, those damn hacker pirates /smh

[duplissi]

Lol, Lifehacker is a very popular website... Irish already stated the facts.

[aquaticDonut]

I used to be really ignorant teacher and thought made fun of my friend who was a PC gamer in middle school, because I thought PC gaming was impractical and ridiculous. Now, I realize how ridiculous I was and have been a PC gamer for several years now. Except for the odd console for exclusives.

[slasaru01]

You are obviously not a trophy / achievement hunter, that's what I say. I don't want to play any games on PC because they won't contribute to my score. Nintendo games don't contribute either but still... you understand me, right?

[mixelon]

Steam and Origin both have achievements, but like the ones on PSN and XBL, most people really don't care. :)

[Volkama]

And U-Play! Bet you can't find anyone that cares about their U-Play achievement points.

[iistuii]

Already in the comments you can see the double standards. Everyone claims to be able to see the difference between 900p & 1080p yet nobody cares or it's a master race when we can play 1440/4k. Of course if the game isn't ported like AK & is done right PC versions are superior.

[dudebrokiller]

What really makes consoles stand out are their exclusive, Which pc doesn't have a good foot in if you ask me.

[VJGenova]

Serial? Let me name a few that people still play or will be releasing soon:

1. World of Warcraft, maybe you've heard of it. Highest grossing game ever.
2. Starcraft 2
3. Civilization, pretty much all of them if I'm not mistaken.
4. Arma 1-3
5. Heroes of Might and Magic
6. Star Citizen
7. Path of Exile
8. Counter Strike
9. Dota 2
10. The Sims series, a lot of them anyway
11. Total war series
12. Divinity Series

Not to mention a plethora of indie and adult games you can't get on consoles. Also, 4k gaming is "exclusively" a pc concept at the moment.

[Lordani66]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H...

And its only 2012-2016 games, if you wanted me do do this list since 2005, there would be gazilion console exclusives.

[VJGenova]

Well sure if we're just talking AAA games ... I'd contend that Path of Exile is the best game of its genre. Better than diablo, dungeon siege, gauntlet, etc. Didn't make the list because its an amazing free to play game.

Dead or Alive 5 is on PC.
Final Fantasy VII is on pc, unless you're talking about the remake.
Gears 4 may very well come to pc. 4k textures in the remaster to not 4k textures seems silly, imo.
Halo 1 was on pc ...
Wrestlemania 14 was on pc

Also, no guild wars? No command and conquer? Come on man. Very slanted list.

[Stapleface]

Talking before thinking is a terrible habit many have on this website. Or you did think and this still came out which makes it even more sad.

[mayberry]

Nope

[Tzuno]

I switched to PC after Xbox 360 and never looked back. My choice.

[Lordani66]

So what? After I sold X360 and only had PC for a brief period of moment (early 2015) I had nothing to play, then I bought a PS4, and this is where I spend my time gaming only. Do you care? No. Does anybody care about your preferences? No.

[LightofDarkness]

Seems like you do. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. And it'd great if you could keep your homophobia to yourself on a gaming forum. I'm sure there are plenty of conservative echo chambers you can sound off in about that, if it irks you so much as people talking about what they love and their preferences in an article about what someone loves and their preferences. No one pointed a gun to your head and said "read this and irrationally respond (foaming at the mouth, preferably) to the comments."

[Lordani66]

Next time you speak to me, use proper english, not this gibberish that you got using google translate. It's hard to read.

[LightofDarkness]

Perhaps it is hard to read, for someone with the intellectual capacity/reading comprehension with which you so audaciously champion yourself. Ah, "reductio ad grammar-um." It's like watching a child abandon all hope or genuine belief in there being a worthy rebuttal, thus passing through quivering lips "I know you are, but what am I." Except it's more pitiful, because it's probably not a child...

[XSpike]

Love my console for controller - couch - TV, same specs & no hackers (for the most part - them damn PC players on Rocket League)

Love my PC for them awesome titles not on console (a few heading towards console like Kerbal Space Program) but many other titles which are only on PC.

Have the best of both worlds, each with positives & negatives.

[VJGenova]

I pc game on a 4ktv in my living room from my recliner. It's great for 4 player games. I have many controllers that the pc supports. Not sure this is often overlooked. Pc games support controllers if that's what you like. I play all tps and adventure games with a controller. Those and mkx. Fps, rts though, m&k all day.

[XSpike]

I do use a controller on my PC, but for online games I'm totally not using a controller to vs K&M so I'd rather go onto console where everybody has the same stuff or use K&M on PC.

Stapleface, meh to CoD who blamed Sony/MS for the hacks being in the game yet CoD was like the only game to have hacks on console.

[Stapleface]

No hackers on console you say? Enjoy... https://m.youtube.com/watch...

[isarai]

I was avid PC for a few years, but i kept running into too many hinderances from having to manually find and install drivers and updates all the damn time to just plain incompatibility issues that i could never solve. Hell i even had to update/flash my bios and in trying to get steam to not completely hard crash my PC throu official steam support ended up needing to completely restore my PC to factory settings (not my fault they gave me shit advice, they admited so and game som free games to make amends, pretty sweet). After all that shit i only play simple indy games on it now and appreciate the immediacy and simplicity of a console even more now. Also not being a graphics whore or glutton for diminishing returns makes the slightly lesser graphics a complete non-issue for me

[mixelon]

That's a very unusual fringe case. We all know many more PC gamers who don't have any such problems.

[isarai]

Yeah i know know it's not a common experience, call it bad luck or whatever but that was the consistent experience i had for about 5yrs till i finally just gave up on having PC being my primary game source. I've since then solved the steam issue after years of trying, was due to my PC having two audio drivers from realtek. Now i just play ps2 emulator, lots of indies, and triad wars beta. Also play a lan session of S.W.A.T. with some friends from time to time

[kratoz1209]

...Fair enough, Never been really into PC gaming

[lemoncake]

Gotta have them all.

[TwoForce]

Yeah, if you're rich, of course.

[ShaunCameron]

Like Apple's fanbase.

[lemoncake]

I don't think it's about being rich it's more about priority, I am not a rich person. if you like going out for a meal once a week for example you quickly spend more than what these devices would cost.

[windblowsagain]

I use both a PC AND PS4.

PC-Some games suited better to mouse and keyboard. Photography photoshop and many other things.

PS4- Exclusives, games I want to play with friends on PS4, Streaming to tv, etc.

Both have their uses.

4K is excellent, but just like anything else, once 4k has been done to death 8k, or some other thing will be pushed to consumers.

Tech is always held back, 5-10 years.

[VJGenova]

Well sure. 4k is the "next" standard, not the last. I will say that it is pretty freaking impressive, but it's not cheap. I have roughly $4k of hardware in my 4k machine. Would anyone really think a $400 console could compete with that?

I probably won't upgrade my pc for a couple years now. I think I'm finally "done". I certainly won't be buying a new tv for at least 3 years (seems to be the cycle I've been on for the last decade).

I forget what my point was ...

[_LarZen_]

Saltines level 200 achieved.

[boing1]

I'm too old for PC gaming. With family over my head and a newborn, convenience of consoles is a godsend in my case. I use PC for work though.

[Seafort]

Hehe lots of console fanboys here more or less saying STFU PC gamers I wanna talk about my console 24/7/365 and compare it to the other low end console.

I guess it's hard to share the limelight when PC platform is becoming more and more popular with gamers of all ages :)

For me I won't be getting a console this generation. They don't have any games I want this time around and I've always preferred PC gaming to console gaming. I feel so closed off when playing on console. It's like the Truman Show where everything is decided for you all in a little bubble as the overlords (Sony and Microsoft) watch over you.

@masterfox

If you want to keep bringing up Batman AK all the time and associate it with how great PC gaming is I can do the same with the consoles too. Like how Halo MCC launched on Xbox with the multiplayer not working for weeks after release or how most Bethesda games have major problems on Playstation especially Skyrim.

This isn't a platform problem this is a lazy developer and publisher problem but keep flogging a dead horse when you have no more arguments left.

[Kane22]

sorry i will never stay exclusive to pc. i want to play all kinds of games. and pc doesn't get everything. i like having choices its fun:)

[cd1]

Not gonna click this article as it sounds like the "author" is having a slow day and just wants to see fanboys give each other abuse.

PC and Console both have pros and cons, everybody knows this. Its just personal preference at the end of the day.

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Why limit yourself to one platform? Why miss out on so many great exclusives?

[nix]

why i am a Playstation only gamer?

well.. i have long list but i don't think anyone would give a hoot..

as for the PC loving journo. good for you.

[parentsbasement]

If Candy Crush counts , I guess I'm a PC gamer...

[Flyingdog670]

Why not both?

[airshiraz]

pc means anti aliasing and anti aliasing means pixar quality .
just imagine animation movies without this post effect called antialiasing .those are garbage without antialiasing

[TheCaptainKuchiki]

PC gamers... *sigh* They always have to justify their choice. Cringe

[Takwin]

Any serious gamer MUST have a PC along with AT LEAST one console.

I play everything I can at 1600p on my PC.

I play all Sony exclusives and the many great free PS+ games on PS4.

I play Nintendo exclusives and lots of Virtual Console on Wii U.

I still love my New 3DS XL for JRPG and other Ninty exclusives.

And I use my iPad for *good* mobile games (maybe 20 or less).

[cd1]

Nah - built my last gaming rig about 5 years ago, played PS solidly ever since and i couldn't be happier.

Each to their own...like in every aspect of life really.

Edit: Cant miss out on Zelda so will have to pick up a Wii U too at some point.

[Youngindy21]

Do you have a life?

[Takwin]

A family, a good job with 50+ hours a week, and a happy life.

My only hobby is pretty much video games. And I'm totally ok with that. And so is my wife. It's all good!

[Gigus]

Click bait. Seriously, why are articles like this being promoted? We all know Gamers have a preference (choice of platform), but I'd rather read about video games than someone's preferred platform.

[pabadamus1]

I appreciate both preferences. I have solely been a console gamer for 30 years now and I don't see that changing...ever. That doesn't mean that I haven't periodically envied the additional functionality and strengths that are inherent to the PC. What I don't envy are all of the additional, cumbersome, extraneous housekeeping activities outside of the gaming experience.

With that said I will concede that consoles are more PC like than ever before but as it stands today they are still a closed platform with no customizable paths for hardware or firmware. I like it like that. I would presume that 70 to 90 something percent of the people who will buy MGS5 and SF5 like it that way as well. Some times simplicity is more compelling than power, complexity and versatility.

[LightofDarkness]

"What I don't envy are all of the additional, cumbersome, extraneous housekeeping activities outside of the gaming experience."

This simply hasn't been an issue for a good few years now. Consoles have just as many tedious housekeeping chores as PC now, which comes primarily in the form of patches/updates. Drivers are now downloaded and updated automatically (without requiring a restart, unlike consoles), pretty much every game supports mouse and keyboard or any controller out of the box and most games will automatically have their settings adjusted in accordance with the hardware detected in your machine.

If you want to tweak things further than that, you have the option to do some "cumbersome" .ini/.cfg tweaks. But this is an advantage over consoles, because you can tailor your FPS vs. quality settings to your personal preference, or do other nice little fixes like removing the intro videos/credits (of which there are far too many these days) or inject mods and scripts. The only other thing I can think of is upgrading components, but that is once again a clear advantage. With regards to the two games mentioned, Ground Zeroes was flawless out of the box on very modest hardware, and USSF4 on PC is the best available version of the game, which means SFV will likely be the same. There would be almost no discernible difference with regards "simplicity" or "extraneous housekeeping."

Seldom do we receive ports these days that require extra tweaking to work without issue, with the exception of some very lazy ports that lock framerates or resolutions, or very old games that need to be adjusted for modern resolutions and aspect ratios. The only other exception is those running multi-GPU setups, but those are edge cases that most users do not experience.

[pabadamus1]

I only argue that consoles, as PC like as they've become, are the simpler alternative. Put aside the "advantages" and look at it from a pure A to B perspective.

Consoles do not have graphic fidelity or frame rate options. There is only one output setting across every respective manufactured unit. Therefore, consoles do not have a minimum or maximum spec requirement to achieve x or y experience. There is never the question "can I even run x game?" or " can I run x game @ y resolution and z fps?" Also, if things go awry, software wise, consoles have fewer "moving parts" to consider (console OS is singular purposed).

Outside of simplicity, there is the whole issue of costs (actual, long term and perceived). As of today you cannot buy a PC from a retailer that offers the same or superior experience as a PS4 or X1 and is the same price or cheaper. You might be able to build one but there goes that simplicity. The Steam Boxes are getting close but they aren't there yet.

Now, will a good gaming PC cost more up front? Most likely. Will gaming on a PC over the long term be less expensive when we factor in software purchases? Variables equal...probably. Do the 70 to 90 percent of the people I spoke of prior perceive it that way? Well, they haven't yet. Most will play those games on consoles without any thought of the experience to be had on the PC. Mods, scripts and m&kb superiority mean nothing to a gamer who just wants to sit and play with what they have. This is where I stand. It's well known that most console gamers see PC gaming as a complicated and uncomfortably expensive endeavor...true or not.

Again, I concede that consoles are becoming more PC like in functionality but they are still not multipurpose and they are easier to maintain.

[Youngindy21]

I get that PC gamers get better graphics, resolution, FPS, etc. But PC gaming rigs are kinda expensive to the average person. I mean who wants to pay 1000+ bucks for a gaming PC, when they can pick up an Xbox One or PS4 for 300 to 400 bucks, all the while getting access to the biggest AAA blockbuster games that sometimes never appear on PC. To most gamers it simply doesn't make sense to spend that much money on a video gaming hobby.

[buttcheeks]

Pc just doesn't have any games I'm interested in and games are the only reason i would buy any hardware

[endzeitkind]

because youre a bimbo

[cd1]

endzeitkind: Did you just question somebody's IQ due to them not wanting to game on PC?

[FreddyFazbear]

Like I said a dozen times the people who are the "Loudest" are the most insecure. You guys gives a list of great PC exclusives. Most of those games are way too old, Starcraft 2?? Arma?? So where are the "New" AAA exclusive PC games?? I say Exclusive not multiplats. Everytime there are game awards like VGAs and BAFTA console exclusives always gets the honor. YOu guys may have an overpowered machine but you still play the same game with prettier resolution and FPS. thats it. You guys just wants to justify your Gaming PCs which you think every PC gamer has. Whether you like it or not Publishers earn more money from releasing AAA exclusives on consoles because people can easily pirate PC games. Why do you think MS, Nintendo and sony are all bothering for the videogame market?? Common sense. Please brush away the insecurities. No need to boast how pretty your PC is

[leemo19]

Who cares if you play on PC or consoles, just enjoy the games you play on them. Both have its pros and cons for gaming.

[ATi_Elite]

I switched to being an Exclusive PC gamer before the PS2 faded away and never looked back.

Consoles still have NO game that can match Arma 2 or Stalker or Elite Dangerous let alone the upcoming StarCitizen and Total War Warhammer 40,000!

PC just has different games.

Mount and Blade 2 is gonna RULE!