What's the Point of Console Gaming Anymore?

GeekReply sheds some light about the recent wrongdoings in Console gaming compared to PC gaming.

[starboy11]

Yeah, I'm not sure. I own both, but hardly use my PS4 except for exclusives

[MagicBeanz]

Then why wouldn't you use it to play multi-plat as well?

[agent4532]

Maybe because he has a gaming rig.

[Eonjay]

Non sense. Also this topic is dumb because and no how mean it will never be more popular than consoles.

[zackeroniii]

what's the point of this garbage article?

[Exari]

@starboy11 so you started your sentence saying "not sure" if there is a reason to buy a console, then follow that with a valid reason (exclusives). Dude, you cant even support your own argument lol..

[WilliamSheridan]

I use Xbox for multi platform games because Live is so superior. I use my Pro for exclusives. HZD is great although I'm struggling to finish it. Same with Uncharted. I think I've hit fatigue level with Uncharted. Both are amazing games thought. Sony has the single player experience locked down. MS has the online multiplayer experience perfected though. Plus I still prefer MS controller. Both great systems though, so save the down votes for something important...

[indysurfn]

This article is full of hiprocrasy for instance it complains you have to wait and download and install games. Guess what I have to do all that with the pc PLUS a bag of chips. For instance My steam takes forever to wait on it to update itself every time I sign on to my pc. I have to also download game fixes for games, or for games on steam, and I have to keep checking to see if there is a fix for the game just suddenly crashing ( and no it does not save before chrashing). Consoles are not exspensive compared to PC including the x1x they used as an example. I have a 2 thousand dollar gaming laptop that hardly gets used. Yes consoles lost some advantage because of day one fixes. But PC needs the day one fixes too! soooooo.

[Sono421]

This article is idiotic, more like that is the point of dedicated portable gaming devices? Outside out Japan most people play their portable gaming devices at home.. so whats the point of the portability? Isn't much more than a gimmick. Not to mention mobile gaming is mainly done on phones, but phones aren't a dedicated gaming platform anyway and that is mainly why it is so popular, it's multipurpose. It really wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo's next console is a phone the size of maybe the Iphone plus or galaxy note and you can slide controllers into the side just like the switch. It would be a gaming focused phone, now I know this has already been done before but not by Nintendo.

[XisThatKid]

Console will have a stake in this market for a long time unless consoles become branded PCs
The convenience and brand recognition is to strong plus think about this globally. Not just in your countries and territories. Not to mention the actual console benefits devs do get from console. Console isn't going anywhere in a console to PC to console convert

[NewMonday]

Nintendo and Sony are creating the point by making many great exclusives, for Xbox there relay is no point anymore since all games including exclusives are coming to PC.

[sampson3121]

and that is a great point. you answered the articles question.

[R6ex]

Same here. PC for everything except PS4 exclusives. Can't stand 30fps!

[tontontam0]

Same

I only have consoles because they have games I "WANT" to play which I "CAN'T" play on PC.

[starchild]

PC has games I want to play that aren't on consoles. Not to mention there are so many games in general on the PC. The PC shares exclusives with both the PS4 and XB1, as well as having PC exclusives and all the multiplatform games. No other platform lets me play such a wide range of games.

[TheSaint]

I don't believe, even for a second, that you own a PS4.

[BWTrail]

PC for me for over 10 years.

[R6ex]

I started on Xbox & PS, then switched to PC for good as it has better visuals and framerates.

[TacoTaru]

visuals and framerates sure but nexusmods.com FTW. I'm playing Fallout New Vegas again and nexusmods makes it look like a new game and the modders have added amazing things. My PC is at my desk with an hdmi cable running to my TV system. Plug in a controller and you have the couch experience of a console with the flexibility of a PC. Sometimes just widening the FOV make a world of difference. .

[WilliamSheridan]

I had my PC phase. Lasted about ten years also. When it was time to build my third gaming rig. I was done.

[Major_Glitch]

So...how much money did you spend upgrading your pc over that decade?

[Yo Mama]

Umm, the best exclusives. The fact that you know every game is gonna actually work. Less cheating. This article is horse manure. And PC gamers wonder why they're stereotyped as pompous assholes.

[porkChop]

"Best exclusives" isn't a fact though, that's entirely up to each individual. As far as games actually working go, this has been the worst console generation for crashes, game-breaking bugs, unfinished games, etc.

As for cheating, sure, it's definitely easier on PC but not as common as you'd think.

[MrFisher21]

And even though this is our worst generation. Isn't the pc suffering more? Lol. Hmm.

[porkChop]

Solid, reviews are opinions. It's perfectly fine to have the opinion that exclusives are better on consoles. However, stating it as a fact is not. Opinions and facts are entirely different. I prefer the exclusives from Sony and Nintendo, over almost anything on PC, but that's just an opinion.

[JackBNimble]

I can't believe this is even an argument ... pick the platform you prefer to play your games on .

Hey , crisis over... now you gamers play nice ya hear

[Domovoi0ng]

Anyone talking logic on this forum gets downvoted. Nevertheless we need to continue doing our part in the hopes of a future where people can have a rational discussion here. Its just people that dont know anything that keep flinging shit at eachother, and even shittalk their own console's fellow owners that dare criticize it .

[starboy11]

Best exclusives are entirely subjective and a part of the argument of the article focuses on exclusives. I think its trying to say that Consoles have become basically prebuilt PCs

[Mr_Writer85]

@starboy
"Consoles have become basically prebuilt PCs"

Just as PC have basically become consoles as well.

There will always be a gap between the 2, one being open and upgradable whilst the other is closed but requires less effort.

But everything else (architecture, price, digital pricing, boot time, social etc) the gap will get smaller and smaller to probably none existing.

[MrFisher21]

What top 10 exclusives came out on pc in the last 3 years?

[Imalwaysright]

"Just as PC have basically become consoles as well."

http://www.reactiongifs.com...

[Mr_Writer85]

@imalways

So you're saying that Valve aren't trying to match the console in the living room experience?

Steam machines
Steam Controller
Steam big picture mode

PC's are getting quicker at starting up, smaller form factors and can be plugged into a TV's hdmi.

Consoles have always been that way, but now PC gaming is heading that way.

But yeah you just posts a gif rather than discuss...

[EatCrow]

@mr writer

PCs have been used for gaming for a long long time.
Consoles came out to make that easier and more accessible to people.

Not sure what you're talking about.
PCs have always allowed gaming and other media. Consoles started allowing other media around the time the Xbox came out i think.

You're information is backwards.

[Imalwaysright]

Emulators, mods, costumization, choice of imput devices, 60+ fps, true 4k, free online, cheaper games, more features, BC with all pc games. All you need to know is that consoles are closed platorms controlled by the platform holders and PCs are open platforms to know that PCs offer a diiferent experience than consoles do so "basically" my ass.

"PC's are getting quicker at starting up" "smaller form factors"

What does this have to do with consoles?

"Steam Controller" PCs have gamepads since early 90s

"can be plugged into a TV's hdmi." Consoles can be plugged to monitors, so what?

"Steam machines" Which are PCs, not consoles...

[UletheVee31]

Problem is, the article doesn't even talk about which one is better. It's about how consoles can improve instead of trying to be PC's. And even those exclusives aren't really that big, or what? Are you going to tell me that Cuphead is something we should celebrate and fangasm over?

[MrFisher21]

Why reference to an Indie exclusive. Why not use uncharted or horizon as an example?

[Princess_Pilfer]

Every game is gonna work? Lol. Go tell that to AC Unity, Fallout 4, and Borderlands the Pre-Sequel. Not to mention things like the sometimes dismal cross console ports (like say, Bayonetta and Dragon's Dogma.) Games that can be fixed, often within hours, on PC via mods.

Best Exclusives? Have you even played 1% of the sheer volume of PC exclusives? I'm going to assume the answer is no, and ask you how you would know then? What you mean is the exclusives with the biggest marketing pushes from console manufacturers. Have you played Tyranny? Have you played S.T.A.L.K.E.R.? Have you played Guild Wars 2? Have you played Civilization 6? CS:GO? Dota 2? Are you interested in Divinity Original Sin 2 or BattleTech? Then you don't really know how good they are do you?

These are just some of the higher profile/relatively recent examples btw, there are plenty of excellent games that are lower profile and/or older. If I were to just list everything I'd be here literally all day just typing, even if I excluded the flood of Steam Greenlight asset flip garbage.

[MrFisher21]

Good attempt but an obvious fail.

[Princess_Pilfer]

I'm glad you think so. If it's so obvious you shouldn't have any trouble explaining why. I'm an idiot see, so I don't already know and I'd like you to justify your claim.

[EatCrow]

Don't bother. Console only gamers are narrow minded. Especially if you add in brand loyalty.

Practically every mmo out there is a pc exclusive. And they're a tremendously good time with friends. Then you have things like starcraft and tons of Diablo esque games that were and most still are exclusives. Then you have a ton of other games that many many years later are finally making it to consoles.

On the other hand you have Xbox and Ps4 games showing up in one way or another on pc so it's a win win for pc gamers.

[Major_Glitch]

LOL! As if I haven't been on Steam before. I've seen their offerings. Noticed A LOT of console games on the top selling list. The rest? Mmos and mobas. Not impressed.

[Princess_Pilfer]

WHAT? You mean to tell me that AAA multiplats with multi-million dollar marketing campaigns tend to sell better than PC excluives of any production value without said campaigns!? I'm shocked!! Shocked I say!

[DeadManMMX]

Man, agreed. I remember buying Star Wars - The Old Republic to play on my PC a few years ago. I figured I'd give another go at an MMO a try. No matter what i did after installing it simply would not load. Uninstall, reinstall go over all of the forums. I knew before I bought the game that I had well over the requirements. I've been building and troubleshooting PC's and electronics and software most of my life. I can usually solve any PC or tech based problem with enough research, but this time it just simply would not work. Something some bad interaction between something I had installed previously and the game just wouldn't make it work. No body had an answer for this problem, and the only option that it came down to in the end was a clean install. Hell no I wasn't doing that so i wasted the money on the game and never got to play it. This although a rare occurrence just wouldn't happen on a console. The game would just play.

[Doomeduk]

Same here I tried the steam demo of shogun total war loved it bought the game and the thing would just not run, flash bios, new gpu and read every forum but still refused to run even though the demo still ran... 3 years later I just clicked on it in steam library. And boom it ran that's just pc gaming

[EatCrow]

Wow. That's a shame. The best experience I've had of an mmo was in fact the old republic... Real shame you couldn't get it to play.

The Flashpoints were all pretty awesome and the first raid I did the most memorable raid in my life. Don't get me started with me and my pro owning the entire server in pvp. Such good times.

[EatCrow]

"the fact that you know every game is gonna actually work."

The majority of pc games work fine. That's a stereotype.

"less cheating"

I hardly ever encounter cheating on any game. That's another stereotype.

All I see is a bunch of ignorance from console only gamers looking at pc gamers.

[Domovoi0ng]

If you support games to be hostaged on a platform you are anti-consumer. If you dont know that games are BUILT on PC's and only have performance issues when developers dont care beyond consoles, you are uninformed. If you think every PC game is a cesspool of cheaters, you are dead wrong. If your immediate reaction is to call the article shit you cannot have a logical argument. And PC gamers wonder why so many console players are uninformed fangays that get scammed by MS/sony again and again and still talk shit.

[PhoenixUp]

I'll always remain a console gamer

[Kavorklestein]

Same. Until console sales drop to under 10 mil for any console in an entire generation and ultra hyper gangster super mega master race PC users outnumber world population by 200% this will always be a retarded argument.

[UletheVee31]

And that's good. I just hope they stop trying really hard to be PC's because NOBODY wants that

[P_Bomb]

Point is games. PC is still missing many of my favourite games this year.

[TheOptimist]

Point is games. Both PC and PS4 are missing games that I wouldn't be able to play without each other. So having both is a plus for me.

[UletheVee31]

Well, the games aren't the problem. It's the systems that's playing them that are.

[SaveFerris]

For the games, and the accessibility.

[isarai]

I play both, but PC just can't beat the ease of use consoles have, at least not yet. even with how streamlined steam has made it, i still commonly have to deal with games just not working having to hunt down drivers and .dll files not to mention many PC games just launch with issues these days. consoles are just plug and play, and you get a lot more performance for the price due to consoles being a static and closed system allowing games to be optimized far closer "to the metal" than PC games can be. i mean seriously how much of a beast would you need to run something like uncharted 4 on a PC with the same silky smooth performance and resolution? it'd cost a hell of a lot more than $300 that's for sure.

still love both, but console has many pros PC doesn't have, just as PC does that consoles don't.

[agent4532]

The only pros consoles have is maintenance, not dealing with hardware compability, and same online play field (no worries about competing a gamer in a rcaing game with a steering wheel while you are stuck with a gamepad). The ease of use of consoles is gone and buried, the simplicity of consoles is gone and buried. The price advantage consoles had is gone and buried. The variety in gaming is gone and buried. Go play a PS2 game on PS2 compare that to today's consoles and you will see which one has ease of use and simplicity.

[letsa_go]

Just because your head is filled with stupid thoughts like this, it doesn't mean it needs to be an article! You can keep your stupid thoughts to yourself, ya know?

[agent4532]

He brought out facts. When I owned a PS2, I inserted the game and start playing no EULA agreement, no license agreement, no need to install game to hard drive no need for patches or useless updates. It was simple and to the point. Today's consoles were nothing more nothing less than a cashgrab. Sony's tv division knew about 4K by 2010 could of easily inform Sony's gaming division to make the PS4 Pro from the start. But greed and knowing that console gamers would gladly buy a 2010 gaming low end pc release the OG PS4. Even worse Sony is selling an overclock OG PS4 for $400.00 and people are eating it up. Microsoft is at least changing some parts except for the APU and GPU lame. Let's be honest at least Nintendo tried something new in regards to the switch

[yomfweeee]

You're so backwards about 4K. You're right Sony knew about it, but what they knew was it wouldn't be adopted fast. It has low adoption now in 2017, let alone in 2013. If Pro cost $400 in 2016, it would have cost over $500 easy in 2013 and that would have been a big mistake.

[rainslacker]

4K has very little market penetration right now in the TV market. Projections for 4K were not all that great when Sony was designing or releasing the PS4, so there was really no reason for them to target it just for the relatively small portion of the market which had those TV's. On top of that, the 4K display market hadn't even settled on it's standards yet, making it risky to try and support a single format. With Sony not having it's own stake in the market, they had nothing to push like with Blu-Ray.

So what if consoles now do a lot of things that PC's do now? It works better for the console. You saying all the stuff you have to endure on PC is reason enough to get a PC? If it's OK for PC, it's perfectly fine for consoles. I have to install a game or download some updates? Oh dear.....time to buy a PC I guess to get the same thing. Truth is, for the most part, you put a game in a console, and it works. Updates aren't mandatory, although some games run horribly without them, but many games play fine without them.

I think you're overexaggerating how many people are eating up PS4P. It's selling decently, but that's because it does what it promises, and that's provide a better experience for the games at only a bit more of the cost. MS isn't doing anything different, except their better experience is much more over the base unit.

[letsa_go]

Until you can sell your used games on PC, I will always buy my games on console first.

[fenome]

It's convenient and I like it.

[Elda]

Personally for me I prefer a console for their unique & interesting exclusives.

[agent4532]

Same can be said for PC like "To the Moon", Fran Bow, Cayne, The Longest Journey, etc. What is your point.

[Elda]

&? What exactly is yours...smh.

[starchild]

@elda

His point is that all platforms have exclusives. I would miss out on a ton of games if I didn't have a PC.

[steveo123456]

ya all 5 of them, I prefer the 30 odd year pc back catalog, but hey, each to their own

[rainslacker]

I'm fine with either PC or console. I just prefer to play on console. The point of console gaming is to play games. If it does that, it serves it's point. I don't need to consider PC vs console, because I just don't care to. Consoles are fine. PC's are fine. Console is what I play more. PC I play at times when I feel like it.

[Istolla]

I kinda regret buying the PS4. The PC and Switch are more than enough for me. I bought into the PS4 hype and so far I'm playing "The last of us" (a PS3 game), Infamous Second Son (which I find terrible compared to the first two games), Horizon (Zelda has made me not really want to play this game). Thankfully I'm enjoying "The Last of Us" at least. Hopefully, Spiderman is good because that's the only Sony exclusive I'm going to purchase next.

[InTheLab]

Zelda should make you appreciate Horizon more....

[Istolla]

Nope, the opposite (we're all different that way I guess). I get that lots of effort went into visuals (it's beautiful) and AI but the world feels very limited. The physics is laughable compared to Zelda, and NPCs don't react to anything you do unless it's required by the story. Zelda has spoiled this game for me.

I'll give it another go at some point, but for now, I'm not enjoying it.

[InTheLab]

NPCs in Zelda mumble at at you were as in Horizon they have dialog. What interaction are you talking about.?

The physics ...always boils down to physics. The only good thing about Zelda.

[P_Bomb]

That sounds depressing. Liking one game (Zelda) shouldn't make you not want to play anything else. Cheer up lol!

Try a different genre that's not so commercial. Persona, Nier, Yakuza. Gravity Rush 2 or Last Guardian could probably pass for Nintendo games in an alternate universe. Try something Japanese.

[Istolla]

Lol, I'm not depressed. I just can't get into the game. It happens. You missed the part where I said I'm enjoying The Last of Us.

[P_Bomb]

I didn't miss that part. But like you said it's a PS3 game.

All I can suggest is if you're bored, try something off the beaten path you might not normally play. It's helped me through slumps.

[steveo123456]

when your done sell it, plenty of sheep will buy it for you for those amazing must have exclusives, use the proceeds for more games

[Istolla]

I'll most likely end up doing this.

[yomfweeee]

You played 3 games on PS4 and you're trying to trash it and you favor the Switch which has like literally 1 good new game? Wow.

[Istolla]

Which of my statements trashed the PS4 exactly? I'm not going to apologize for enjoying PC or Switch games. It just happens to be that the PS4 isn't for me. I'll try God of War and Spiderman and sell it to someone who will get more out of it than I would.

[pingthing]

Hmm, suggestion, if that's not the case you're trying to make then maybe use a less click bait header.

[Petebloodyonion]

How about different options?
PC gaming isn't simple, it requires optimization, Drivers downloads, and a good knowledge of computer to make sure that you meet requirement each time (ram, CPU, graphics card, etc.)
Console gaming on the other offer a simple reliable solution that you know will work instantly.

[LandoCalrissiano]

Especially when gifting. Whether you're giving to your grandparents, parents, or kids, it's incredibly easy.

[agent4532]

You talking hardware compatibility and that I agree with. When it comes to motherboards must look which CPUs are compatible with say motherboard. When it comes with PC cases will the size of the GPU and Octa CPU fan fit into an ATX case or not. That is a major issue with PC gaming

[steveo123456]

you don't have to build it yourself you know. plus its not really rocket science. most shops will advise on what cpu fits what board and you can buy bundles with board chip and ram.

That said, if your not a techie, maybe its worth just keeping it simple like you say

[Cobra951]

You don't need to build your own. There are good sources for pre-built gear. But he's talking about software issues--drivers and such. Even that is so much easier now than back in the old days. I've yet to touch the drivers in my system since I got it late last year. Everything just works. If I want a different resolution, or other graphics settings in a game, sure, I'll tweak. But so far, games work right after I install them. Missing DLLs and other such complaints come from not doing a complete installation, which includes redistributables for MSVC or other tools used to build the game. Those come with reputable game installers. Pirates are on their own, and their difficulties don't matter in this conversation.

[steveo123456]

You have no idea about pc gaming. Driver downloads are as automated as your ps system updates, and a lot faster.

'and a good knowledge of computer to make sure that you meet requirement each time' - ahh sorry your illiterate. Yes console for you, next.

[rainslacker]

So....you admit that consoles have a point then? For those that don't care to deal with what a PC has to offer? Build a PC yourself, you have to set up those automatic updates, and often times, those updates take time while the GPU makers get their heads out of their a**es. Then of course, maybe in a few years when MS comes out with a new DX, and decides they need to push some new OS, we can deal with upgrading or keeping the old system. You know...simple. But sure, MS isn't doing that anymore because they said so....amirite?

Buy a prebuilt....then you have to go through and remove all that bloatware which slows down your system, and if you're lucky, the PC maker will keep updates rolling in.....which is exceedingly rare.

Some people just don't care to learn how to use a computer. A console offers the ability to just play a game without all the hassle. Yeah, PC gaming isn't that much of a pain if you know about computers, but it's still not as fluid as consoles. Treating people like they're somehow less intelligent, so should chose a console because it's the gaming device of dummies, is just elitist, and does nothing to make people keen on PC gaming.

So, good on you. You have all that pride, console gamers get most of the focus from game developers for the high profile AAA games. PC may get those ports eventually, and PC users can go on and on about all those exclusives they have which most people never heard of if they aren't LOL, or something from Blizzard.

[Petebloodyonion]

You're right I know nothing about PC gaming so plz find my nick on Steam and you can tell me all about it :)
(and plz don't mind the 11 years of service award cause I got it on Ebay).

[objdadon]

Simple, ps4 exclusives. I'm building a pc but there's no way i miss out on those.

[steveo123456]

all 5 of them? Ask yourself this, would you buy a $350 (plus online subs) pc component to play 5 games?

[SilverDemon]

5?
Lets see:bloodborne,horizon, persona5, uncharted4,r&c,knack2,GoW, daysGone, infamous,TLoU,TLOU2,matterfall , dreams, uncharted lost legacy,nioh,yakuza0,yakuzaKiwa mi, gravity rushremastered,gravity rush2,spiderman,drawn2death,st ar ocean5,until dawn

Yup....only5

[objdadon]

Only 5???😂😂 stop the trolling bruh

[Quatron]

Jesus H Christ, both you and agent are just trolls. Just spewing bullshit bias and trying to say that it's fact. Fuck off back to /v/, we don't need you asshole losers.

[jznrpg]

For XBOX who knows , but for Sony and Nintendo they have great exclusives

[spartan112g]

Because of price. Need some critical thinking classes?

[QUIMICOMORTAL]

Price, comfort and the best exclusives!

[Derceto]

What's the point of clicking on an article with such a fundamentally retarded topic?

[Sokol]

I have had custom built PC since 1998 together with different consoles to this day.

In 2008 I stopped putting money into my PC outside of simple daily usage. Little extra RAM and larger HDD for my video files. That's about it.
I found little need to play games of PC anymore.
Consoles have caught up and in my opinion matched and to some extent overcome PC gaming issues.

The time eventually comes where simplicity, easy of use and comfort of console/handheld became more important to my busy lifestyle then tinkering with the PC.

[steveo123456]

I went that way during last gen, 360/ps3, soon sorted that out though when a £99 gtx750ti laid waste to both current gen consoles

[Sokol]

I have had 750ti few years back it cant match current generation console. It comes close if you have seriously powerful CPU to pair it with.

It still doesn't match or exceed current consoles especially with later games - horizon, Uncharted 4, etc.

750ti is a great card however I only replaced it with 970gtx that I still use today and will for years to come.

[rainslacker]

There are a few games I really like which are only on PC, but they all run on my relatively old PC. Nothing wrong with either system IMO. But I generally do just prefer to turn on a console and play a game. PC has a few steps to just turn on and play, which is OK and all, but since I"m not going to build a dedicated PC just to stick under my TV, and instead use my PC for general purpose work at a desk, consoles offer much more convienance for most of my game time.

[Tross]

Well, PCs are for the "techy" crowd who probably have a $5000 4K TV and the best gaming rig they can afford. Money is no object for them, so console gaming isn't for them either. They're also more about counting pixels than actual gaming. Ok, I also know quite a few people who won't touch consoles because they like the convenience and vast library of Steam, and they're not those so-called "techy" types as they are truly gamers in every sense of the word and don't have infinite amounts of wealth to dump into some rig, nor the desire to spend more than is practical.

PC gaming is something I felt compelled to try after being surrounded by PC gamers for so long, and I think it's alright. I sprung for a $600 budget gaming laptop during this past Boxing Week that's probably closer to a $1000 laptop at full price. I have no delusions about it being the most powerful PC or anything, but it seemed like the best I could get with my budget, and no I don't have room for a desktop or the desire for one. I'd almost say Steam has too much choice, lol, and I often end up not making a decision and just not buying anything, but yeah, it has a lot of exclusives and I can just use it for that...once in a while.

At the end of the day, I'm just more comfortable playing my consoles and handhelds, especially my PS4. It's a regular PS4 by the way, and I only have a 1080P TV, and no desire to spring for a Pro or an X. I own multiple systems so I might approach my PC the same way I do one of my secondary systems like my 3DS. I'll check something out on it that I can't play on my PS4, but I'll default to my PS4 wherever possible. For me it's about comfort and just enjoying the games I love in the most enjoyable way possible. I'm not about counting pixels. I am glad I have my gaming laptop now, but I'm still a Console Gamer through and through.

[Mr_Writer85]

Price, PC gaming isn't hugely expensive but console gaming is still cheaper on the hardware side especially over life of a console.

Exclusives, again it's not that PC DOESN'T have exclusives, but console manufacturers have to invest in exclusives in order to appeal to more potential consumers.

Still much more "just power up and go" feel to them, PC gaming is closing this gap but it's still not console level.

Second hand market, you can't trade in digital games when complete.

Physical games, most gamers like something to hold.

Whilst not a PC gamer I fully appreciate what PC gaming does for gaming. Console gamers should want PC gaming to stay healthy, same as PC gamers should want console gaming to do well.

More gamers = more reason for developers to try and produce great games.

[Princess_Pilfer]

No, it's not cheaper. As has been demonstrated repeatedly (googole it) you can match PS4 price for similar performance, and on top of that PC online is free and it doesn't have forced hardware upgrades that require you to buy a whole new system.

As an example, Modern AAA games minimum requirements are the GTX 660 or better (which includes the GTX 480.) These cards were released in 2012 and 2010 respectively. So if you bought a really good GPU in 2010 or a mid range GPU in 2012 you can sill play modern AAA games. At great settings? No. Did you have to install an extra 2 GB of ram in that time? Probably. So if you put together a ~500 USD PC in 2012 or a ~ 900 USD computer in 2010 you can still be using it for modern AAA games.

So, numbers wise, that $500 PC with say a $50 ram upgrade after 5 years has worked out to $105 per year. To date the PS4 with it's $400 launch and $50 PSN (200 so far) works out to 150 per year. Over the same 5 year period it's $130 per year.

Also worth noting, the price per year will decrease faster on the PC because there isn't an extra charge for online, so the gap will continue to widen. Because games still have to run on the underpowered PS4 and Xbone, there will be no need to add further upgrades or a new machine to the cost of PC gaming until AAA games stop releasing on the PS4, and that's only if you want AAA games as most other games are far less demanding and will continue to work on that old PC for a long time (Pillars of Eternity, for example, will run on an HD 4850, released in 2008, and my search suggests it will actually run on even older cards if you tank the visual quality settings.

So no, PC gaming isn't more expensive than console gaming unless you want it to be. Otherwise, it's cheaper.

[Mr_Writer85]

" it doesn't have forced hardware upgrades that require you to buy a whole new system"

Thats a lie, if I bought a PC 10years ago I can guarantee that I would have to either buy an entire new system or upgrade it so much that's its practically a new system...

Didn't read the rest of your post as you're clearly talking out of your backside.

[Princess_Pilfer]

djy

[Princess_Pilfer]

If you didn't read my whole comment and so don't actually know what I said, saying that I'm lying is, charitably put, fucking stupid.

I'd ask that you read my actual comment so you get the context and respond to that.

[Princess_Pilfer]

For proof, here is a Rise of the Tomb Raider on a Q6600 (2007) and a GTX 560 (2010)
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Here's Watchdogs 2 on a Q6600 and a 450 (also 2010)
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

So no. you'd probably need to upgrade to more ram and replace the video card on a 10 year old PC, but if your PC was high end 10 years ago, with those caveats, it actually will still play modern AAA games.

[UletheVee31]

I like you. You at least understood the argument in the article

[gangsta_red]

PC gaming is increasingly becoming more and more popular and the go to platform. I see a lot of examples on this site of people who are either going to get a game for PC or are saving their money to upgrade their machine when a particular game is going to release.

It is definitely a more flexible aspect of gaming.

[GNCFLYER]

Lol.. Not everyone are PC guys. Not even close.

With 60 million PS4 sold and 30 million Xbone sold it's pretty alive. That's not counting older consoles and Nintendo.

Geez..

[steveo123456]

60 million concurrent users in steam last month

[GNCFLYER]

PS3, DS, 360, PS4, X1, Switch, WiiU. Console gaming isn't close to being in trouble.

Not going to debate who has more users because I don't know.

http://store.steampowered.c...

[ziggurcat]

What's the point of PC gaming anymore?

[SinkingSage]

Better visuals? Better performance? Better and free online? More options? More games? More compatibility?
Gee, I dunno.

[SilentSolid]

Pssst.. SinkingSage! ppl around here like being delusional.. stahp making sense!

[PaulFiend]

PS4 has lots of exclusives, are you ok there, geeksmth? PC + PS4 FTW!

[Destiny1080]

the only reason there are pc gamers because daddy wouldn't buy them console

[Kingdomcome247]

I'm strictly a console gamer, though, it's not out of any kind of disdain for pc gaming. With that said, this has to be one of the silliest comments that I've ever seen, and that's saying a great deal. Considering the higher cost on average of pc gaming, and an ecosystem that lends itself to being heavily involved in the choice and assembly of one's preferred pc components, I'd say if it was going to be anything at all similar to the situation you've described, it would be other way around, which it's not. I'll tell you, the comments on here are enough to make one's head hurt.

[agent4532]

Agreed with the author of this article, I miss the simplicity/ease of use of last generation of consoles. When consoles were not part of multibillion corporations, the variety in gaming, the free stuff gamers would get was unbelievable. The moment consoles went corporate, that is the moment consoles died. I said that all Sony needs is improve PS Now and Microsoft release and improve xbox game pass. The console hardware is done and buried.

[XStation4pio_Pro]

for me its this: i don't want to worry about components beyond an initial purchase. i don't have the time or patience to tinker. i like the convenience and relative problem-free experiences and services that consoles provide, in simple, hassle free UI's. i like the idea of it just simply being an appliance or piece of electronics, like the stereo or an apple tv that fits in my media console. i want the best performance i can get without having to jump to a pc. I FREAKING HATE WINDOWS and everyone knows you don't game on a Mac... and while some say the xbox one x is too expensive at 499, well... 499 is bargain bin pricing for a crap pc that won't outperform the one x, or the ps4 pro for that matter so you're going to have to spend more to make it worth your while. and speaking of more, just a single, kick-ass graphics card will cost more than an entire console - and you still need the rest of the computer after that.

I like good performance but I'm not gonna be the guy that spends $2000 on a rig and then injects how much better it is into the comment section of every console related article that talks about performance. do. not. care. no interest. i equate it to the guy that buys the big truck then jacks it up and puts even bigger tires on it and big exhaust and then tries to race every single person at every single stop light even tho they're just driving to work. no thx. my self esteem is just fine.

[FGHFGHFGH]

okay i've seen you comment plenty of times about 4k performance for a console that isn't even out yet. So don't try to act like its only pc gamers that do that. A 10 year old pc runs games better that the xbox one, isn't that the console you are using right now?

[steveo123456]

even pc gamers think people who spend $2000 on a rig have more money than sense mate

truth of the matter, if you spent $1000-1500 on a rig, over 5 years and at least 50 games later, the pc will have cost you less and youll have got more bang for you buck

[nucky64]

what's the point? geekreply must not be very smart. the point is to sit down in a comfortable chair and have fun gaming. and geekreply, I have NO desire to game on pc and a have to worry about what the pc requirements for a game will be, EVERY time a new game comes out. btw - I've never waited hours to play a game.

edit: also, if I was a pc gamer, I'd STILL be waiting for red dead redemption (with no realistic chance it EVER comes to pc)

[SinkingSage]

Nothing's stopping you from sitting down on a comfortable chair and have fun gaming on a PC.

[Nsayno]

Pc gaming is meh at best. If you play 1 pc game complete before you start another maybe, if not you are constantly having to switch drivers, display resolution, font size, or a crap ton of other misc bs to get games to run. Most of the time its not a big deal but sometimes I just get tired of having to jump through hoops to play games I own. I see some argue the price of games is better for pc, wrong again I can buy a console game play then turn around and sell it for almost as much sometimes more than I paid for it. Try doing that with pc games now. Consoles will play the game that you buy for it. I am sure someone will say I don't know wtf I am talking about but if they say these issues aren't real they are full of it.

I have been pc gaming since the gold box DnD games and have owned just about every console that has ever came out. My pc is rated in the top 7% and I still game on pc and console but much prefer console.

[steveo123456]

your talking rubbish - font size?? Sure believe every word you say

[Nsayno]

You should because its all true! In some games if your font size in display properties is higher than 100% you can't see the mouse pointer. So fun playing with an invisible mouse pointer. Not one thing I said is debatable. If you think it is you are clueless

[starchild]

You greatly exaggerate issues and misrepresent the experience of gaming on PC. We get it, you're a console fan, but that doesn't mean you have to twist the facts to turn people away from PC gaming. I've been playing on consoles and PCs since nearly the beginning of videogames, so I have decades of experience with both and I much prefer the PC for gaming. To each there own. But just be honest. The picture you painted of PC gaming isn't accurate and you left out many of the negatives of console gaming.

[jc12]

Umm, simple, ease of use. Period.

[Shadyceaser]

Not going to be bothered reading an article with a stupid headline

[reaper602]

Because mabey I enjoy it??/

[Seamaneating]

My Xbox One is used as my gaming console, 4K movie player, as well as my tv, movie and internet streaming box. I still see a point in consoles :)

[DeadManMMX]

I didn't know gaming anything needed a specific point, besides to play games wherever and however you choose. Imagining sitting down at my PC to game just doesn't appeal to me. Right now I"m sitting here with 3 monitors and not a single itch to load up Steam and play anything. For me it has just never felt right. Then I look over at my 4k Tv and I start to get the itch to play a lil more Zero Escape Nonary games to complete my platinum or a lil Prey or Injustice 2 on my Xbox One. Everybody's different.

[slasaru01]

are you kidding me? Steam shows stats, it's like 1.5% of users having GT1080, same for 1070 and like 3% having 1060. the rest are sitting either with the low end or integrated graphics with both of them worse than consoles. And this situation have been for years, i.e. trend obvious. Very small percentage has PCs capable or running games at consloe quality or better. so please stop these "why have consoles" articles. With XoX out, it will be a reinforcement of console gaming, because it's very powerful console at the price

[SinkingSage]

Anything above a GTX 560 is better than consoles.
Try again.

[Einhander1971]

What's the point of PC gaming, and this shit article.

[Scatpants]

It's so that you can easily play video games on your TV. Seems like an easy point to see.

[Artemidorus]

What's the point? To play games, the foundations of what it is.

[frostypants]

Such a tired, cliche topic. Is geekreply the new gamingbolt or what? Consistently idiotic fluff.

[BenRC01]

What's the point of reading every crappy opinion from wanna be journos. The internet has given every dickhead a voice.

[Miacosa]

PC gaming is still clunky in the living room until it's PlugNPlay without the maintenance needed for a PC (updating drivers, troubleshooting dll errors etc., and so on) there will always be room for consoles even if they're not the cut edge tech.

[_LarZen_]

Oh man. This was painful to read. Even for me as a PC gamer. This has to be a attempt to trigger console users. But if that is not the purpose then I employ the writer to stop writing articles about things he then clearly has no insight to write about.

[2pacalypsenow]

The point is you dont have to deal with PC's

[kevnb]

Is that even a sentence?

[steveo123456]

my gaming pcs connected to my 4k hdr panel a few feet from my leather couch. This pc I'm on like you is just for pc stuff. But if I get the urge I can always stream a game from the gaming pc to this one for all the bells and whistles

[RosweeSon]

Same as always.. gaming.

[lio_convoy]

Console gaming and PC gaming are two very different things. Just like mobile gaming is very different from either PC gaming or console. Even if it's the same game, like Overwatch, it's a totally different experience on PC vs. console. It's a different set of skills you need to use to be good. So what's the point? Cheaper hardware, less upgrades, and less compatibility issues. Instead, the developers customize the game for a set platform, which in the long run, saves money to the gamer. And like I said before, it's a totally different experience, so there's that too. You could argue what's the point of mobile gaming? You're playing stripped down, simplified games on a sub-par system. Why not get the full monty by just playing PC exclusively and not bothering with either console or mobile? Cus, (and here I'm sounding like a broken watch) it's a different experience. Anyone who doesn't get that really hasn't played enough on all the different gaming platforms, or they're banboi's of a certain platform. I play mobile games, console and PC and I appreciate each for what they offer. I like different experiences and the different challenges, that each offers.

[sampson3121]

the point? Horizon Zero Dawn, Nioh, Uncharted 4, God Of War, Spider Man, The Order 1886, Infamous Second Son, MLB The Show, well sports games in general because you can't get most titles on pc.

simple.

[spartan112g]

Take The Order 1886 off your list.

[sampson3121]

whether you like the game or not, i loved it like many others did. even if someone honestly didn't like the game, graphically it has some of the best ever seen in a game.

I would have loved to have seen a sequel https://www.youtube.com/wat...

not my fault the gaming community fell for the bullshit reviews.
complaints; too many quick time events.

all tell tale games = quick time events 9/10

the order = some quick time events 5/10

the irony.

[Bobafret]

Even though I have been building gaming rigs since the Voodoo days, there is always some little issue or problem to iron out with PC gaming. My point is that I know what I an doing, and even I still run into problems.

[jojo319]

One word for me: Couch

[TheOttomatic91]

Stability and slot of devs focus on making games for consoles as primary as opposed to PC.

[Zjet]

Consoles excel because you don't have to do anything, you put the game in at it runs optimized....every time.

Sure PC can push graphics etc, but i really can't be fucked anymore, get home from work and i want to play a game....a console does that job.

Regardless of which platform you play on who cares? if you enjoy PC play on PC if you enjoy console play console

[SilentSolid]

''runs optimized'', I wouldn't say sub 30 fps or bad frame pacing or other problems in genral is being optimized. Very rarely I see games on consoles being stable 30 with good frame pacing. bf4 was so good at launch. bloodborne is so beautiful being stuttery. AC unity.. etc ...etc . Every time my ass

[starchild]

Exactly. If games really did run without issues on consoles consistently I would probably game on consoles a lot more than I do. But the fact is, a lot of console games have stuttery framerates and it completely damages the fun and immersion for me. Aliasing and screen tearing are other issues that bother me.

[zerocarnage]

To play games lol

[joab777]

The point of consoles is that there are millions of gamers who don't want to deal with a PC for gaming. They just don't! For hardcore gamers, PC is obviously the best platform. But Sony, for example, has done an amazing job walking the line B/w their casual fanbase, while also providing a great experience for everyday gamers. Consoles are just too easy, and relatively cheap. And Sony, again, has made a great case for its purpose by supplying us with some of the greatest IPs ever made.

Is PC gaming great? Of course it is! But it has a lot of drawbacks for many people!

[Game-o-holic]

Sounds like click-bait.... lol got my attention. :) I can play too. "I play games on machines that exclusively run games."

[UletheVee31]

Not Clickbait m8

[SyWolf]

People think PC gaming is hard and expensive for some reason.

[Protagonist]

I just do not feel like gaming on a PC simple as that!

[MrCrabPuss]

Consoles are always compromising, they are utilitarian devices. Having TRUE freedom with a PC is unrivaled.

[NotanotherReboot]

Once you play Dark Souls at 60fps you never go back

[Raiden]

Sorry but want to own a high end PC every time a new piece of hardware is available, that is wasting even more money, how many times are new graphic cards and CPU released, at least with a console it's headache free, so sorry I don't care how powerful a PC is I'll stick to my consoles until PC's are less work, you see I'm a hard worker and I don't want to spend anytime figuring out the best setting to playing my new games, I just want to get on with it, I have nothing against PC gaming far from it but it's not for me, for others maybe and I respect that too.

[NotanotherReboot]

This is garbage article though. i like both my PC and Ps4 for different reasons

[gleepot]

To play Nintendo games, you idiot.

[jasonpugh]

Waste of time article. Why be bent out of shape because $400-500 consoles are encroaching on your $2000 PC.

[Segata]

I like exclusives. Hardware I don't have to maintain or worry my system won't run it. I like a controller. I like having a physical version of my game in a case. I pretty much never touch Steam anymore. Yeah I played the games I have on steam but digital feels so hollow to me.

[KickSpinFilter]

A lot, after being on a pic all day last thing I wanna do is game on a pic. Period! And yes I have a powerful pic rig at home but it's for graphic design and animation, never care to game on it. Need separation. Also exclusives and yes ease of use, and where are all my friends...consoles. And I can still buy games on disk which I prefer.

[Mithan]

Consoles have a place, at least for now. My 7700k/1080 ti is my main rig, but I do like playing exclusives on my ps4 pro and switch. I'm getting a new Samsung 4k in the fall, so that will support steam streaming.

Anyways, I see a place for consoles, but I see a future when that place could be gone, or merged with the PC more directly.

I think it's only a matter of time before somebody takes a smart phone /switch hybrid.

[UletheVee31]

Problem is, as much as console elitists like to brag about their plug&play availabaility (Which really isn't true when you consider the issues I spoke about in the article) you'll see that the merging with PC is already starting to happen. And I'm sure console gamers don't want any of that happening.

Which is why I suggested it to be a future where consoles are their own thing rather than trying to Emulate PC's

[Phill-Spencer]

There will only be no point in consoles anymore when the high profile exclusive instantly hit pc. Ms already started it with xbox. Hope sony doesn't follow.

[UletheVee31]

Consideirng rthe backlash they got with the Cross play removal and no-mod support. Sony is starting to get flack for trying to be exclusive like I mentioned before

[FPS_D3TH]

Used to be a pc gamer up until shortly after the half life 2 and CS source days. I just can't be bothered anymore. From maintaining your pc and keeping it clean of viruses to upgrading it once every two years or so I just said screw it and got into console gaming. It's better to play with friends too than a bunch of randoms since good PCs aren't very affordable, as simple to use, or even worth it if all you're ever going to do is game on them 95% of the time.

[LastCenturyRob]

The point? Free market. Capitalism. Choices for consumers. Maybe that has something to do with it.

[InTheZoneAC]

because exclusives and multiplats...

I don't even play games on my pc

[Fritzwochel]

I work in front of computer for ~8 hours a day. When I come home I do NOT feel like sitting in front of a monitor. I like sitting in the couch and play. Why not connect the PC to the TV you say? Well, it is always a hassle.

[Father__Merrin]

What's the point? Great games & affordability. Simple no nonsense plug in and play, obviously great online gaming and community. Also has brilliant identity especially for younger gamers.

Ps4 is £249 with uncharted
You will never find a capable pc for £249

I think articles like this are trying to make pc somehow relevant, a good gaming pc is still expensive and will never have the cheap price of a console

[UletheVee31]

Mine is 175 and I can play Resident Evil 7 at 1080p 60 FPS. What's your point?

[Dragonscale]

Its better than pc gaming lol.

[brave27heart]

Because I can walk I to a shop, put down a relatively small amount of money, walk away with a single box, plug it into my tv and I'm good to go.

PC gaming doesnt match that, for all the benefits it does have.

[windblowsagain]

PC / PS4.

Most game on Console for convenience

[FyBy]

Using PC only for some fps games or realtime strategies like Starcraft. For everything else PS4: platformers, party games, kid games, etc... pc is great but can't imagine to buy it for kid. On consoles it's super easy to set rating. Also for parties...on pc we always have problem with something. On console never. So that's it. On the other hand I love building high end pc rigs. So I will always have good gaming pc at home :-)

[thisismyaccount]

What is the point of PC Gaming, when ya ain´t buying any games?!

this is just in America alone :

January 2017 results
Console software: $312.5 million (up 14 percent from $273.9 million)
PC software: $16.1 million (down 12 percent from $18.3 million)

February 2017 results
Console software dropped 14% to $344.2 million
PC software fell 26% to just $25 million

March 2017 results
Console software: $612 million (up 5 percent from $585 million)
PC software: $29 million (down 25 percent from $39 million)

May 2017 results
Console software: $271 million (down 20 percent from $339 million)
PC software: $12 million (down 48 percent from $23 million)

June 2017 (gotta wait til the 11th of July), keep in mind that digital data has been included to NPD since the end of 2016 i believe. Anyway ... what is the point of PC Gaming again, when EA, Activision and Ubisoft the big 3 Publishers of Destiny 2, Battlefield, Battlefront, Mass Effect and pretty much 60% of the games we all play still make more money thanks to the consoles? In some case A LOT more ...

EA revenue 2016 http://imgur.com/GhAeMD5
Activision, Blizzard 2016 http://imgur.com/WX9CwV6
Ubisoft 2016 http://imgur.com/hCio17V

Why are there more people playing Rocket League on consoles, when da PC market is sooooo big and stronk :
https://pbs.twimg.com/media...

Sony 2016 - SIE's Game & Network Services division : $14.7 billion in revenue

Sony dominated the game console hardware, software, and service market in 2016, capturing a total of 57 percent share, or $19.7 billion of spending by gamers, according to market researcher IHS Markit. The overall console market hit $35 billion in revenues in 2016, counting hardware, software, and services. Sony’s share was almost double that of Microsoft and its Xbox One. The PS4 ended 2016 with an installed base of 53 million consoles sold to date, compared to 27.6 million for the Xbox One.

The PS4 was responsible for $17.8 billion of sales value, or 51 percent share of the total console hardware market with Microsoft’s Xbox One at $9.1 billion and a 26 percent share.

Interestingly : World console hardware spending in 2016 fell to $10.5 billion from $12.8 billion in 2015. Even though Sony shipped/sold more PS4s in 2016 than in 2015.

Games content spending helped mitigate the decline in hardware spending, as both physical media and digital content combined reached sales value of $21.6 billion. Sony’s digital games content business is now worth $4.4 billion excluding platform subscriptions and is forecast to break the $5 billion mark during 2017. PlayStation Plus subs to generate $1.2 billion for Sony by 2017 (thanks Microsoft!). Microsoft has been charging a subscription for Xbox Live since 2002 and has made $4.7 billion through subscriptions during that time.

[thisismyaccount]

Now let´s compare the $35bill. console market to the $37bill. PC market and see where each strength are :

Console market
pro:
- AAA titles sell the best by a huge margin (see every publisher, except chinese ones ...)
without the console buyers ... there would have been no Witcher 3
- former PC die hards swallow their own pride now, annoucing games that were pc exclusive now for the consoles like Kingdom come deliverance.
- Sony alone generated more money by selling software (around $5.5bill.) than Valve ($3.7bill) did in 2016 by up to 50% more .... and that with a fraction of the games available on the PS4 (Steam 15k games vs 2k on PS4). Even Microsoft made more dough than Valve in 2016 (Software and Hardware), with even less games available on the XB1 (around 1.5k)
- people actually buying games
con:
- F2P scames not working yet, sadly it is growing though ...

PC market
pro:
- biggest market for F2P scames, as of the $37bill. China made nearly $20bill. themselves. Of the $37bill. a whooping $22bill. where made thanks to F2P scames (selling virtual keys for virtual chest, for virtual skins, weapons and all that shaite). In other words : without the F2P Boom happening around 2008, the PC market would have been dead ...
https://www.superdataresear...

"PC gaming consoles to do well, earning $34 billion and >>>>driven largely by free-to-play online titles and downloadable games<<<<. Incumbents like League of Legends together with newcomers like Overwatch drive enthusiasm."

con:
- where it really matters, selling AAA games ... the PC has been dead for at least a decade (see EA, Ubisoft and Activ. report of the past years, console > pc)
- PC shippments dropping hard for years ... Lenovo and Co. buring money.

In short :

- Sony made more (software) revenue than Valve did in 2016 ($5.5bill vs $3.7bill) with a fraction of the games
- Microsoft made more (software) revenue than Valve did in 2016 (ca.$4.0bill vs $3.7bill) with a fraction of the games
- PC market strong thanks to its F2P suppository pill, generating up to 80% alone.
- China makes up 2/3 of the PC market
- the consolero finances the pc copy, has been like that for decades ...
- remember when Battlefield was played by millions on the pc? Now both PS4 and XB1 have bigger numbers ...
- Steam´s top 10 games for years now consists of F2P games (Dota, TF2 etc.etc.)
- AAA titles from EA, Ubisoft and Activion sell like cr_p on the pc
- Console Software Sales >>>>>>> PC Software Sales (AAA market)
- F2P scames on PC >>>>>>>&a mp;g t;>>>>>>> & gt;>>>>>>> ; >>>>> Console F2P scames, main force behind the pc market
- mobile already the biggest market ...

So why should we give a wet hoot about PC Gaming, when AAA titles sells like shit on it? The PC without the F2P trojan would be dead ... F2P on the PC makes up ca. 80% of the PC market.

[Phill-Spencer]

Great analysis, thanks.

[Kamuze]

On point
bullseye

[FyBy]

Lot of people around don't want to buy console simply because you have to also buy games instead of copy them. I also did it earlier, but one day realized, it's good to buy games and support developers. But not so many people think that way .

[thisismyaccount]

I do think that there´s a viable market on the PC, where many buy games. But i´m pretty certain, without working in the industry that consoleros are the ones investing more DAY1 full price than someone playing on the PC.

Everyone on the PC prefers to wait for game X to drop ... while the console player has no issue? no problem? to invest $60 for a game day 1. Hence why EA and Co. made more money with their console copies, EA´s and Ubisoft´s PC division is frighteningly low compared to the console revenue.

As a sOny die hard Fanboi i decided to skip the PS3 because of the €600 it cost over here when it launched (roughyl $700 back then). Went PC only and fell into the PC trap of upgrading constantly my hardware, pirating like an asshole (funny with a 500mbit connection i´m not doing any piracy anymore, 10 year ago with 1mbit internetspeed my pc would run 24/7) .. and now where you can download even more, eventually ppl. will understand that this is pointless. Why even bother ripping DVD/BDs ... when everything can be watched via streams?!

Yes the PC had always 1,000 times more stuff than consoles, but with the console one had more self-control as games can not be pirated and there are only about a 10th of games available compared to what Steams offers. So that temptation to "try out" everything is finally gone. No more sitting in front of a puny 24" or 30" monitor bent like that monster of Notre Dame.

I quit PC once and for all and gonna stick with Sony+Nintendo as both have all the games i care. I might even drop the PS4 and stick with Nintendo (better half prefers party games).

Do you have to play everything?
Do you have to watch everything?
Do you have to listen everything?
Do you have to read everything?

[FyBy]

@thisismyaccount Yeah exactly. I love Nintendo, but don't know if I buy switch. For PS4 (and also Xbox and pc) there are ton of games. So I will be unable to play them all. Now I choose only big ones or great indies .

[FloydianAndroid]

I'm so tired of this rumor and innuendo. Consoles are not going anywhere and that's a good thing. The fact of the matter whether pc people want to accept it Or not is that some people want to sit on their couch with a controller and play games on their 60 in tvs. That's not going to change.

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

Screw PC gaming. Consoles will always be top dog in my home.

[inxine]

consoles are cheaper, pretty straight forward when it comes to stuff, and easier to operate for the mainstream audience.

[Raiden]

This Pc vs Console bs is out of control, firstly what is a pc (personal computer) it is something we can game on, let's go back to the last 80's and mid 90's high end cards where available back then but were not refreshed (a newer/updated version) like we have today, the pc technical evolution was every 3-5yrs or so, who remembers the GeForce and Voodoo series of card, ATI, NVidia and the smaller producers like powerVR, these cards were available and expensive (GeForce and Voodoo) anyway my point is the release time for these cards allowed value for money, intel vs AMD vs Evergreens also allowed value for money, but in todays gaming everything is for the extra edge in performance and rightfully so but at what cost, gaming is addictive and so is fun, you don't need a high end rig to have fun or do you

[EatCrow]

Ease of use. I'm a pc gamer but I don't recommend pc gaming to anyone unless they're willing to go through some frustrations every now and then.

[Kazkyuu]

Exclusives isn't the only reason why console gaming is a thing. Not everyone can afford to build a gaming rig, and the simplicity of buying a cheaper device built exclusively for gaming is probably the best option for many. I built my gaming pc, and I've built dozens more at the shop I work at, and you just cant compare the price/performance you get out of each. Sure you can build a budget gaming pc, but they suck and don't perform nearly as well as a console. It's just a great option for most people and for the looks of it, i doubt they'll be leaving us anytime soon.

[dcbronco]

This site is the new go to for worthless click bait articles. I bet it's one paragraph of rehashed nonsense. Another group of opportunist clowns looking to exploit the fanboys of gaming.

The point of consoles is a cheaper option for quality gaming without need for any particular expertise in selecting parts. It's allowing experts to design and choose your parts, package it in a small self contained unit and subsidize it for mass consumption.

Before you write stupid articles ask yourself why Steam tried Steambox? Because some just what a no fuss option.

[sdplisken]

PC has no exclusives.
Console FTW
Ask those PC F***heads how nioh, horizon, bloodborne, uncharted, demons souls, MGS4, god of war, infamous, red dead redemption etc ( I could go on) run on their $1000 rigs lol

How long did it take GTAV to come to pc????
Whats the point of pc gaming anymore?

[Cobra951]

To play console games. If you like them, get a console. If not, don't. Simple.

". . . those digital goods need to be downloaded, installed on the hard drive. Then when the game is executed. They have to be installed AGAIN because what you downloaded was the compressed package of the game you initially wanted to play."

That's false. Games do run directly from their images, and the images have to be on the hard drive. The source of the images can be digital or disc. Otherwise, there is no difference.

You picked the wrong time to talk about a "price-point debacle" if you're pushing PC gaming. Because the debacle is all on the PC side right now, thanks to crypto-currency miners gobbling up video cards in massive quantities. Two months ago, I would have agreed with you. In a few months, I may agree with you again.

Intel i9? What does that have to do with graphics performance? I think you need to study up on the tech a bit.

[UletheVee31]

But what about, say the GTX1050Ti which can basically run all the games in Steam at 1080 60 FPS?! It's not even that expensive on its own. Same as the 1080Ti

[FATHASUN]

There is a multi billion dollar point in console gaming every year.

[The_Kills]

As a PC gamer, let me tell you the point. Memory and GPU prices are a nightmare right now. Horrible and unfortunate time to be a new system builder.

[UletheVee31]

I think this is the point where I say nobody read past the title

[Domovoi0ng]

N4G comments : "sony fans talking shit" VS "xbox fans talking shit" and "everyone downvote PC" and "downvote anyone who criticizes their own platform" . Talk to eachother like decent people!!!

Todays consoles are boring. Sony/MSFT wanted X86 since its easy to develop / cross port games. Intel with dGPU was to expensive. Nvidia could not legally sell a X86 compatible CPU because of the settlement with Intel. Thats why AMD got this contract. AMD got a straight design fee + a 50 cent fee per system. (and its telling that AMD uses TSMC for this. Thats the reason why AMDs graphics card sux today at high end. AMD uses low power Samsung/GloFo nodes for Vega. If they used TSMC they could compete at high end).

Consoles actually serve no purpose today. Sony/Xbox could sell an "emulator" for PC easy. Even Nintendo could do it with switch games. The only reason for consoles is that Sony/MSFT/Nintendo gets it 50% cut from games.

Gaming companies like EA/Ubi should band together and put a minimum PC spec + sell controllers and have its "own" compatible console that can use any standard PC with minimum specs. Cuting the clutter of extra hardware and 50% cut for MSFT/Sony.

Before consoles pushed the limits of gaming. Today its a minimum standard that makes them the most money.

When ps5 , xbox 2 release in 2020 using latest AMD 7nm processors, that will be a whole lot of power. Xboxone and ps4 were trash hardware. Ps4pro as well.

Lets be honest: Todays Xbox/PS are standard PCs. MSFT/Sony design nothing. XboxS / PSpro / PSmini/ XboxOne X are all die shrinks.
7 nm is the next node AMD will use. Its easy to understand that the next bump comes then.

Remember historically consoles used exotic hardware, RISC CPU, advanced graphic, CD/DVD/Blu optical media. Consoles where sold at huge loss (PS3 at 600 dollar lost Sony 300 dollar per unit. Put remember what you got 2006: Bluray drive, 8 core RISC CPU, Nvidia 7800/7900 graphics. We talk higher end PC specs in 2006. Xbox360 tricore / 6 thread RISC 1.1-1.8ghz in 2005)

Consoles where subsidized and therefore games had to be certified to run on consoles: Thats why there is a 50% licensing fee/game and Console games where always more expensive than PC. This gen have no subsidising, still MSFT/Sony takes 50% cut on games.

- quoting /u Howards_cat_Tarzan