Is It Unhealthy To Be A Multi-Format Gamer In 2020?

Grant Taylor asks: Is it healthy to try to game on every platform, or is it time to pick one format and stick with it?

[NecrumOddBoy]

Healthy?

[Godmars290]

Financially.

[Gaming101]

Quite frankly time is the biggest limiting factor for me. I have a backlog of games on just one console to get through, I don't have time to buy every single game on every single console, one is enough.

[Profchaos]

Looking at the average adult wage and hobby cost it's probably the cheapest hobby I have.

[rainslacker]

@Gaming

I should feel the same way. But I like to play games, and will play a newer game despite my backlog if it's more appealing to me. This is mostly because starting a new game is not always a linear progression for me, and what I may have been excited to play when I brought the game, may not be what I want when it comes time to actually play it.

System isn't important to me, but I prefer console, and PS4 provides my home gaming needs well enough. Switch, and sometimes Vita, serves my portable needs. Vita is now mostly to play a game in my backlog, which is pretty extensive on the system. I play a few select games on PC....either because that's where they're available(SimCity being a big one), and sometimes games I get from codes given to me by developers that I worked with during their production....although I'll usually buy it if it's available on the console instead.

[darthv72]

I love gaming too much to limit myself. Playing the field is part of the fun.

[RosweeSon]

Agreed I love great games currently Xbox isn’t offering any I can’t get elsewhere so 2 consoles is more than enough for me. I had an S for 4 months did all the exclusives I wanted and they haven’t launched any more worthwhile since so missed nothing except maybe gears5 can’t see it being that life changing tho

[Double_O_Revan]

"Playing the field is part of the fun."

For some reason after I read that I just starting hearing some Jersey Shore dude going "What's up Switch? Wanna play? I'll cheat on my Playstation, I don't care"

[AspiringProGenji]

PC is too expensive

Better stick to 2 consoles that do 90% of the same that cost me more than a high end PC including md gen upgrades too

[TheOptimist]

My PC was twice the cost of my PS4, but my PS4 is sitting there unconnected because I tend to do a lot of my gaming on PC. And my PC is around 4 years old at this point. PS4 comes around for the exclusives, so it has pretty much been disconnected after Spiderman and God of War.

[yoshatabi]

Same lol

[MadLad]

You're PC gaming wrong.

[Tross]

Agreed.

[AspiringProGenji]

you’re politics wrong

[GameBoyColor]

90% at 30 fps

[AceRimmer302]

If you're lucky. So many FPS dips.

[SegaGamer]

"PC is too expensive"

But then goes on to suggest buying two consoles, which will cost a lot of money brand new. Even more money this gen because of mid gen refreshes.

The parts for building a pc are expensive to begin with, but once you have them, everything about pc gaming becomes cheaper than console gaming. The games alone are much better priced compared to what they are on consoles. The deals from Steam, Humble Bundle, Fanatical, GOG, games with Twitch Prime and free games with Epic just can't be beaten by consoles.

There is also Game Pass on pc, so that is more cheap ways to play games, and even PS Now if game streaming is something people are interested in.

Then you have the bonus of doing so much more than just gaming on pc's.

I'm happy to pay premium for the parts, I get so much more out of a pc than I ever have with a console.

[Larrysweet]

I wish that were true everyone I dont flame these such wars...but I own owned it all ps4 ps4 pro xbox one x and 2070 super pc...what i have left is my ps4 pro pc has lots of advantages this gen anyway...but theres alot of hassel in pc gaming...me I'd load up my pc now I'm kill all background stuff I'm load the game launcher..i gotta load my temp reading tools afterburner..then i click on my game now i gotta get the setting i want for the 60fps or whatever..and this repeats every single game so console is just by far the best to myself even knowing limitations this gen...next gen 4k 60 all ya need pc console wont matter

[ninsigma]

@larry
If you gotta check your PC temps every time you turn it on, it might be in the wrong place or wires not letting enough air flow through.

Granted you gotta fiddle with game settings so that each game is running optimally on your rig but that happens once per game. Most games will set recommended setting based on your hardware anyway so you could just leave those 🤷‍♂️

That being said, if you're all round happier playing only on PS4 I'm not going to tell you that you're wrong 😂

[SegaGamer]

"me I'd load up my pc now I'm kill all background stuff I'm load the game launcher"

If you need to kill all background stuff when you load up your pc, then go into task manager and turn off apps that auto start. Also, loading a game launcher takes seconds, that isn't a hassle at all, it's nit picking.

"i gotta load my temp reading tools afterburner"

If you need to mess around with that every time you load up your pc, then there is something wrong with it.

"then i click on my game now i gotta get the setting i want for the 60fps or whatever"

Well, yeah, but I don't see how this is a bad thing. With a console, you can't adjust anything, and most games on them are 60fps. With pc gaming, you have a choice. You can stick with the games default settings, which is 99% of the time what your pc can handle. If you want to push for 60fps, then you can lower certain settings to achieve it. I have seen people use this excuse to criticise pc gaming a lot, and I have never understood it. Having the choice with graphics settings is a massive bonus, not a hassle or inconvenience.

[yoshatabi]

@larry lmao you're nitpicking way too much

[sibyl1]

Larrysweet, that was all BS, you should never need to check your temps, and I almost never close anything. Thing are just off loaded from ram and cached onto the hard drive by Windows and Windows will just prioritize the games active process as a basic function.

You just over dramatize and make PC seem more complicated than it actually is.

[Profchaos]

If you're buying a PC solely for games yes it's expensive but games are only 20% of what I use my gaming rig for I also work on it and use it for furthering my career which is why I'm happy to spend 2000 every 5 to 10 years and just buy a new graphics card every 3 or so I can still play everything and do all I need.

It's a multi purpose tool but if you only need it for gaming I'd agree it might not justify the cost

[PCpower]

Im glad you understand this. Me as a pc gamer think everyone should be able to play. If you can't afford pc then go console. The issue i have is when sony fanboys get angry when i say sony should release TLOU on pc too. They act like that game is their little precious and think it would hurt sony somehow, when it would double their sales!

[froy402]

@PCpower
It is and it will, exclusives is a major factor when deciding on a new console, just look at xbox now that you can play everything on PC a lot of people are just going to stick with their PC and not have to go buy the console, where as if xbox hadn't done that and some really good exclusives came out (wishfule thinking) they would be tempted to go out and buy the console.

[PCpower]

Froy402, except the console is not where sony or ms make their profits, its GAMES. Sony owns Naughty dog studios. They would still get profit off that game whether it was on pc or ps4.

[AspiringProGenji]

Guess some here didn't get the sarcasm Lol

[Felix_Argyle_Catbro]

You don't have to keep upgrading your PC. Invest 800-1000 bucks now and you're still enjoying it when PS6 comes out. Better graphics, framerates and cheaper games.

[CaptainHenry916]

If you already have a game PC you already know what console you'll be buying

[ocelot07]

PC gaming is to expensive? I's sorry but what? Almost 5 years ago I built at the time a budget gaming PC for around £500. It has a GTX 960, 8GB DDR3 RAM and a i5 6500. It outperformed the base Xbox One and PS4 . Guess what? It is still out performing them today. Sure the initial price of the system was higher at the time (£500 for PC vs £299 for XB1 or PS4 at the time). But the money I saved on buying the PC games cheaper and the money I saved on not buying PS+ or XBL.

Plus if I wanted to upgrade this PC right now I can. As the CPU is still really good for gaming so I don't have to touch it. The CPU is better than what's inside the XB1 X and Pro. So if I was to rip the GPU out and sell it for say £50 and put a extra £250 towards a new GPU (price of a PS4 Pro or a XB1 X these days). I could buy my self a GTX 2060 Super or a RX 5700 XT which destroys the PS4 Pro and XB1 X.

So yer in the long run PC gaming is cheaper. By the way I have a PS4 Pro my self and it's my main gaming system spite me also owning a PC with a GTX 1080ti and a Ryzen 2600 CPU and 16GB 3000mhz RAM.

[nirwanda]

I bought a PS4 at launch over 6 years ago, I have owned psplus since launch and have well over 150 games in my library possibly closer to 200 with all free to play stuff.
Psplus I have got on deals either by cdkeys wallet top up or cdkeys psplus top up roughly around £35 per year
My point is pc gaming for me with a family isn't cheaper
£35 X6 years = £210 + £325 I think it was at launch is £535 plus a small hand full of second hand games you can pick up for pennies cex something you can't do on pc.
To be honest I haven't needed to buy a game for ages I have such a big back log of stuff.

[Profchaos]

The CPU you have is about three generations behind now it's still a good performer but comparing it to the base Xbox and PS is unfair as they were older than the 6500 if they were mobile CPUs form 2013.
Personally.i.just got a 8700k about 12 months ago.

But regardless I think the comparison to PC from console isn't a fair one as Devs can and do spend more time optimising for the console base hardware than PC plus the overhead of the os is more on PC. So in pure specs console always loses but looking at developer optimisation and the playing field changes somewhat.

I had a gaming PC with equivalent base ps4 specs in 2013 and it couldn't play the same games that the ps4 could by 2016 it was struggling on medium for most games

[AceRimmer302]

You do realize that some people actually make a good living, right? Thus they can afford the latest and greatest.
You do also realize that a PC isn't only for gaming, right? They can do A LOT of other things a console can't do.

[MadLad]

Yeah. I mean, I know not everyone gets to wake up and not necessarily worry about finances. I make good money; nothing insane, but when people go on about dropping 1K + on a powerful gaming rig, acting like it's this roadblock to PC gaming, I guess I should count myself blessed.

[bluefox755]

I do pc and Playstation. With a little patience and research, $500 can get you everything a console can give and more, exclusives being the exception. If Sony exclusives and jrpgs were all on pc, I likely wouldn't own a Playstation

[FreeFallFrenzy]

This may be a contentious viewpoint, but get a gaming laptop. Tons of awesome options from $800-$1300 these days and you can take your gaming wherever you want to go, and can play every game that comes to PC. Plus, you get all of the other multipurpose features of having Win10. I take the thing everywhere and game everywhere I go. Just keep an HDMI and gaming controller in your bag and you're all set! I also have a PS4 but don't play it much right now because of the laptop.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

PC is cheaper than console in the bigger picture. You don't have to have the most powerful card on the market just because some internet nerds say so. There's many more options available to you first of all, but even if you get a top of the line rig, it might be more expensive upfront, but games cost less, are more frequently on sale and found cheap online, and you don't have to upgrade on anyone else's schedule but your own. There is no "mid gen" upgrades on PC. I get to play every game I want with my PS4 next to my PC, including "Xbox" games. How is PC too expensive, but you justify getting 2 consoles, that apparently cost more than a high end PC, and also do 90% of the same thing?

[shauzy]

once you get past the cost of the systems, pc and console, then its a matter of purchasing games only, thats why i advise buying a high end pc so it can last pretty long, alongside the console

[brrdat]

nice joke

[dcbronco]

You haven't been watching the hardware side of gaming. AMD is releasing some really good apps this year and next year with the move to 7nm+ Zen 3 core and navi on their apps we'll probably see gaming laptops that easily compete with Switch HD for $400-600. And it will still be useful for plenty of non gaming needs.

[RevXM]

A reasonably capable pc is only a few hundred dollars.
More expensive than a console? sure. but a Pc is what you make it. 600bucks or 2 000 bucks.

Also games on PC are pretty much always cheaper than the same title on console and you dont pay to play online unless the game is a pay to play subscription service like WoW.

Im guessing you already have a computer so you have most of the accessories needed but to get going a cheap mechanical keyboard and cheap mouse go a long way. Monitors are one of my biggest gripes with pc gaming though as well ass overpriced graphics cards.

You dont need the most expensive card just to be able to play games at a reasonable framerate 2-300 dollar card absolutely does the job and a HD/4k TV works with a computer too and entry level monitors are like what 100 bucks just to get going and play games.

From zero to entry having a smooth reasonable experience with current games Id wager were looking at computer 590 dollars(assuming none of the parts are on sale)
Keyboard and mouse 50-80 dollars depending on preference of keyboard membrane/mechanical.
Monitor 100-150 dollars.

Thats 740-820 bucks for a somewhat compoimized (8GB ddr4 and 400-500GB sata SSD) but reasonable and smooth pc experience nonetheless, if you have a powersuply and cabinet and perhaps some already decent components that can still handle gaming you can slash off a lot there and buy whatever youd need at a sale for even lower entry price. if you go with a hardrive you get more storage for the same price but youll be waiting a bunch and might experience some more jank from stuff loading in or stuttering where an ssd would alleviate those issues, but a 400-500 GB drive will do the job and have room for say 4-40 AAA games depending on which ones you pick and when they released. 7th gen era games typically had to fit on dvd's so those will roll in mostly between 5-15GB depending on optimizations, compression, how much extra detail devs put in in terms of assets resolutions and quality, multiple languages etc bit size still varies outside of that like Rage which is 25Gb and Wolfenstein new colossus 40 some GB.(Granted new collosuss was a cross gen game, but still)

This theorethical computer will surely be outdated and perhaps not to happy playing all the coming games when the new consoles come around, but a couple years after they drop you should be able to put a fairly inexpensive computer together again that will play most if not all new releases for a few years as long as those consoles are relevant.
But for now its very doable for every current game and you can pick between waiting or uppgrading this theorethical computer later. if you pick a motherboard supports PCie 4 for perhaps 150 bucks more you are all set and will likely only need to change the gpu, the drive to a faster pcie4 nvme one and add a another ram stick, but you dont have to swap everything at the same time.

Now to offsett the price of the computer the game prices are lower and for most games a subscription fee isnt required
Lets for arguments sake say XBLG and PS+ both are 45 bucks a year while Pc is free.
New AAA releases typically isnt a whole lot cheaper on PC and it fluctuates back and forth between retailers/launcher platforms. funnily enough physical copies tend to be cheaper than the digital one on console.
but older releases are very much cheaper and on steam sales AAA games can be ridiculously cheap.

For example on walmart sniper ghost warrior is like 15 bucks. not an awful price, but its on sale on steam for roughly 5 bucks.
Spec ops the line is like 5 bucks too today, not released on the current systems though but a ps3 boxed copy

[TheOptimist]

Not really. For me, it is about the games. This generation has seen a lot of games come to PC because of how niche they were on consoles. I am not a fan of mainstream titles, so it doesn't matter if I get to play the Uncharteds or the God of War games or Gears of Wars or whatever MS publishes these days, but games like Nier: Automata, Nioh, Yakuza etc wouldn't have come to PC in earlier generations and those games I have adored this gen

Yes PS4 has those odd exclusives like Bloodborne, Persona 5 (PLEASE SEGA MAKE THIS HAPPEN ON PC), Resogun, Spiderman (Yes I know tropey open world, but good Spiderman story after a long time) a few others that I would love and hence own a PS4.

But if I were to choose one platform, it would either be PS4 or PC.

As for Switch, I am kind of mixed on it, because portability doesn't appeal to me and the games I really want on the Switch (Metroid Prime 4, Bayonetta 3 and SMTV) haven't released and don't even have a release date.

[syphon32]

Hey gamer, Don't worry about it. Do what you can do and have fun.

[Godmars290]

Problem is not everyone who wants or may want to game is a "gamer". Yet many console and even single game makers have the mentality that they deserve "all the monzies". Want recurring fees and see no issue with "a whale" out tens of thousands over MTs.

[RazzerRedux]

"At the moment, I use Xbox for exclusives and multiplayer, PS4 for exclusives and single player, and PC for miscellaneous bits and pieces. Can I narrow it all down to PS4? Xbox One?"

Why not narrow down to PC and PS4? You have the vast majority of games covered with those (outside of Switch). If you already have a gaming PC then Xbox One is largely redundant hardware and you are not limited to just to Microsoft's marketplaces. PC opens up a whole new avenue for gaming.

[Psychotica]

exactly..

[coolastheycome]

Why limit to just two platforms? You're still missing out on great games by doing that.

[RazzerRedux]

Why buy a third platform when the vast majority of games are available on the two you own? It is redundant and a waste of money unless there is some other need for it.

[LordJamar]

Pc to expensive I’d rather just get xbox series x Insted of paying over 1000$ for the same performance and I’m get a lil discount by selling my old Xbox one s in for credits towards the series x.

[RazzerRedux]

The initial investment in PC is high, but then you have the ability to upgrade whenever you want and are no longer subject the console generation cycle. I can skip the Series X next year and use that money to upgrade my current PC's GPU to something much better (and then selling my old GPU elsewhere). Or wait another year get the newer PC tech. The fact that PC hardware is progressing every year means even if consoles are able to have more bang for your buck at launch, it is only temporary. So no, PC gaming isn't really that expensive ultimately and the competition of gaming markets in PC make games even cheaper.

Having said all that.....some just prefer consoles and that makes perfect sense.

[Santouryuu]

Pc games are cheaper too

[RangerWalk267]

Anybody disagreeing with you has to be a Sony Fanboy. Because what you said makes absolutely perfect sense

[RangerWalk267]

PC and Xbox is the same ecosystem. At least when it comes to the games they produce. Just like their marketing slogan goes. Play anywhere. Hell, I play their games on my phone. Microsoft is flexing pretty hard this time around. They even have Sony asking them to use their infrastructure

[RazzerRedux]

"PC and Xbox is the same ecosystem. At least when it comes to the games they produce. "

No they are not. The Xbox ecosystem exists within Windows. It is not the "same ecosystem". Windows is an open platform operating system and has multiple gaming ecosystems available including Microsoft's own. Microsoft's ecosystem doesn't extend into Steam, GOG, Epic, Ubisoft, Origin, RockStar, etc. Those are all independent. You have many different games coming from many different devs and publishers, most of which have nothing to do with Microsoft or Xbox at all. The Xbox ecosystem is just another part of a much bigger picture when it comes to gaming on PC.

[conanlifts]

"The initial investment in PC is high, but then you have the ability to upgrade whenever you want and are no longer subject the console generation cycle"

This is true but I think people often overlook game purchases on PC. Games are admittedly often cheaper on PC, but they are digital only. On console I can resell my games which mitigates the cost further. For those that resell games consoles can be an more enticing.
Pros and cons to both in the end though.

[RazzerRedux]

True. Used games are not a thing on PC. Definitely an advantage on console for those who buy physical. But then no online gaming fees for PC. Like you said....pros and cons.

[TheEnigma313]

These articles are getting more outlandish by the day.

[annoyedgamer]

The decline in Ad revenue has given rise to clicl bait.

[Father__Merrin]

The best option is 1 console of your choice plus a pc

[JonTheGod]

Not really. If you have a PC, why bother with Xbox? The PC will play all the Xbox exclusives, so if you stick with the PC plus one console, it should really be PlayStation or Ninty.

[RangerWalk267]

You have to remember that every game you buy the Xbox has is through the Microsoft store. Therefore it might as well be called Xbox series PC

[RazzerRedux]

"You have to remember that every game you buy the Xbox has is through the Microsoft store. Therefore it might as well be called Xbox series PC"

Every game? What about all the Xbox games Microsoft is selling on Steam? lol

[RangerWalk267]

Nah, I'm not a PC gamer. I have a gaming PC... But I'd rather use a console if possible.

[RazzerRedux]

"Nah, I'm not a PC gamer. "

Clearly

[FanboysKiller]

It's hard I've tried it especially with the ps and xbox combo ,it's not about how much you could afford, it's about is it worth the effort to support both systems?, I'd recommend pc/ps or with the switch as the best combo you could get otherwise buy the system when you're ready to beat all its exclusives and switch to the other one etc...

[Silly gameAr]

So many dumb articles lately.

[jaymacx]

Having multiple platforms helps to have a diverse library. Unhealthy spending is not exclusive to video games but can be managed by budgeting.

[gamer7804]

I have all of them but to me, subjective analysis of games aside, Xbox with gamespass is financially the best route. Switch is the most costly (other than pc of course) due to the accessories and Nintendo tax on games.

[william_cade]

If I had the money I would buy all of them, but since I don't PlayStation is the best option.

[RangerWalk267]

Then Xbox should be your opinion. My aunt just bought my cousin and Xbox X and it came with 3 months of Xbox Gamepass. So he got a console with over 200 games. That's saving in anyone's eyes.

[william_cade]

I like my PS4, I tried the box but I'm not into sub services.

[xXMessiah23Xx]

A Gamer games. He or She likes to game they may have a console they prefer to play on but a gamer hates to miss out on a good game no matter what platform it is on. Sony and Nintendo are my Exclusives only consoles and XBOX X is my primary console but this year as with most end of console cycle years I chose to game mostly on PC .

[Lexreborn2]

Multi-platform gamer here and I found my balance

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

It's very healthy to game on PlayStation and PC, why wouldn't it be?

[TheRealHeisenberg]

Play as much as you can afford on whatever platform(s) you choose.

[Hedstrom]

If youre a big time entusiast and gaming is what you do i woukd assume you have as many consoles as possible. For most people however i think 1 console or a gaming pc is enough. I have a gaming pc and a Ps4. But i could do without the pc, i just dobt think its fun playing on a pc. I game maybe 8 hours a week. I dont think i would have time to invest more time than that, and with the time i play 1 console is enough.

[hiawa23]

Been a multi console gamer since the 80s as I am now. Currently gaming on Xbox1X, PS4 Pro, Switch. I buy all multiplats on Xbox and enjoy the Sony exclusives. Nintendo games speak for themselves. Between the three consoles, there is simply too much to play. That is healthy to me. I enjoy what all three platforms bring to the table and can't get with the single platform fanboy mindset of many gamers who cheer for one platform while bashing the others. That is unhealthy to me, as I believe the gaming industry is better for all gamers when all platforms perform well.

PC gaming, I have never been into as the consoles are enough for my tastes, but I also want it to do well for the benefit of the industry.

[Orionsangel]

Hahaha! I've owned multiple consoles at a time my whole life. In fact it seems weird to me not to. I currently own the Xbox One, PS4 and I'm a PC gamer. For me If you really love video games you wanna play everything and not feel left out. I even have video proof I owned multiple consoles back in the day. Behold... https://bit.ly/2TdQ9d7

[Dovergamer]

"Is It Unhealthy To Be A Multi-Format Gamer In 2020?"

Let me reformulate the title of that article.

"Is it economically viable to a multi format gamer in 2020?"

Answer no. Why? Redundancy of material, multi platform games. What people are searching for is OPTIMIZATION. More value for their money. In this case PS5 offers PS4 library off the bat, they will go backward compatible with PS2 and PS1 games. They will try to include PS3 library and provide a hybrid of digital and physical distribution. The other value will be defined by the exclusives. Power will be fair but the product will hit the floor running since day one. Sony is playing a Magnus Carlsen rapid transit chess against Hikaku Nakamura at launch. Sony will continue making their product unique with their EXCLUSIVES. Sony knows how to gain market share with extreme finesse and fitness.

[Cmoney007]

If you can afford it, then I would suggest always going with options in gaming. It is always the best answer IMO.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I think the reality we are moving into is people can invest in their main system and then supplement with game streaming in a pay per use fashion to play exclusives they may have missed out on on other systems. This pretty much holds true for every system now including playstation As long as you're willing to be a bit patient and let the games come to the service. I think the lone exception really is nintendo.

[Toiletsteak]

I mainly game on my PC but I do have every console. I have my PS4 Pro for exclusives only, my Switch is for exclusives and some multiplatform if I think I would like to play it handheld and my Xbox has become my 4K player now that you can play all of Xbox exclusives on PC. My backlog is ridiculous and it's only gonna get worse.

[matt139]

The best combination will be a high end PC and a ps5, same as this generation but with ps4. All of the exclusive titles on xbox are available on PC.

[Tross]

I’m a multi-format gamer who currently has a PS4, a PC and a Switch in addition to all my older systems. I just like having the option to play whatever I want to play. They were all a one-time cost. What can be unhealthy from a financial standpoint is over-spending on games that just get backlogged indefinitely, but who does that? *Looks at backlog.* Hmmm...maybe I do have a problem.

[xenz]

Yes it is fucking unhealthy. Are people really that stupid?

[Kumakai]

Unhealthy? Is it unhealthy to have a hobby you’re into? Should I only buy one kind of camera? Only one kind of baseball? I actually just love games on any platform and want the best of all worlds I own a ps4 pro and 2 one Xs and I will definitely buy both the ps5 and the series X for the same reasons.

Furthermore, each platform has advantages. Sony scratched that epic single player itch like god of war and horizon, and the Xbox scratched my racing sim itch w/ forza ms and multiplayer with a little extra power for good performance.

I also keep and collect my consoles when a new gen comes out. No suicidal thoughts yet....

[coolastheycome]

I'm not a fanboy of a platform. I'm a fanboy for video games. I'll never limit my options by just picking one platform for gaming.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Only for Sony diehards.

[NeoGamer232]

This next gen I intend only to buy one console rather then three. With streaming services available on PSNow and then xCloud later this year the need to buy more than one console is done. I will just stream one or the other on my PC.

As for Nintendo, I have a Switch but the games and additional hardware required has turned me off as too expensive.

So, I am down to either PS5 or XSX. I will probably buy XSX as my primary gaming platform for multi-platform titles is XSX. And then I will stream PS5 games through PSNow and play certain PC Games on my PC. Nintendo can either start streaming or lose my interest completely. I am done with supporting every console every generation as I have for the last 4 generations.

[FlyingFoxy]

My consoles have often collected dust after the n64/dreamcast and Xbox, this is why i mainly stick with PC now.

If you own a good PC it will also outperform Xbox, plus all the games you get there will be on PC anyway so it's almost pointless to own an Xbox then.

[Outlawzz]

I play on all platforms. You have to know how to limit yourself just like anything else. It's only as unhealthy as you make it.

[Giblet_Head]

I've always preferred multiplat, but it's always been obvious which one I tend to focus on.

[Thundercat77]

If you can maintain financially all those ecosystems and have a lot of free time to be on all of them, then go ahead.

I don't have all the time in the world and I am good having a primary ecosystem where all my stuff is at.

[RosweeSon]

Dont think 1 is the best course but need all 3 I sure don’t. Barely have the time for 1-2 let alone 3 systems especially if 2 are doing pretty much the same thing I’ll go for the one that has the better exclusives sorry Xbox ps5 for me not day1 currently got plenty still on my PS4 and no nothing about what’s coming for ps5 so I’m in absolutely no rush. Got my Switch for all those exclusives.
Never been a fan of PC gaming enjoyed counter strike etc for a while but essentially too much faff and upgrading to keep up so to see Xbox adding PC mode sounds cool for those who enjoy PC gaming for those who prefer their consoles and already swerving Xbox as it’s essentially a pc in a games console with same games being as they share exclusives absolute a no from me currently get some banging games I can’t get elsewhere and I’ll struggle to ignore. Currently tho Microsoft is zzzz

[Skuletor]

PS4 for the exclusives, PC for the third party and Xbox games.
PC also has the advantage of not having to pay a subscription to play online like the consoles, better sales, more customizable, I can connect my PC to my TV with one hdmi cord and play that way too if I want, you don't have to be stuck behind a desk and that's just scratching the surface.

[Elda]

I wouldn't have mind owning multiple consoles but this gen there was no need for me to own multiple consoles because my PS4 Pro takes care of all my gaming needs when it comes to exclusives,multiplats & indies. The other consoles just don't have the exclusives I'm interested in so in the long run it works out better for me that I don't have to buy more games just the games for the console I own & from what next gen is looking like so far the PS5 will be all I need for my gaming needs as well.

[Da12RespectA]

Cripples your wallets. Massive money hemorrhaging.

[TheHunter81]

PS4(eventually 5) and PC is all I need. I enjoy switching between both. Currently playing No Mans Sky on PC.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

What a stupid question

[ziggurcat]

All depends - all of the platforms or just 2 of them?

[Orionsangel]

I own everything but the Switch, but I do hope to eventually buy one.

[amazingmax7]

No, you can do whatever you want, your money.

[Nacho_Z]

I'm a pretty simple guy. I pick one console that best meets my needs and I only play games on that. Not interested in PC gaming it's not for me.

Whatever console you choose there's no shortage of games for it if you aren't afraid of digging a little deeper than the obvious attention grabbing options.

[DVAcme]

I think the default for an adult gamer (one who has enough disposable income to be able to buy their own games, i.e. not children) is to have at least a PC and a console. I'd dare say most gamers have at least a medium-powered PC at home, if for nothing else than general household PC needs (Word, Acrobat, Powerpoint, Excel, Photoshop, etc.), so they might as well use it for gaming too. That puts multi-platform gamers in the majority. So why would it be unhealthy?

[Gaming4Life1981]

I always have and always will own all systems because I'm a true gamer and want to play all the good games. I dont see anything wrong with owning just the system of your choice but it becomes a problem when you bash good things just because it's not on your preferred system. Anyone who loves games doesn't care where they have to play a game, all that matters is that they play the game.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Only for your wallet.

[Sokol]

Personally, I can't find the time to play three major consoles. With full time work, family, obligation and hobbies it's hard to devote time to more then a single console.

Its unhealthy to spend too much time with any medium or multiple ones.

That being said if your have the luxury of time I salute you. :)

[jmtstan]

if you own 2, it should be ok financially.... I own a ps4 and a switch, my pc is a meh.... only use it for photoshop, and only able to get high setting at last gen discounted steam games.

[Chaos_Order]

*Buys multiple systems*
*Immediately puts on 100lbs*
"They tried to warn me it would be unhealthy..."

[DCarnage]

I have a backlog that goes back to the PS1... I also have a Turbografx CD game I haven't finished... But picking and choosing across all of the platforms I own gives me choice and I have enjoyed my gaming life. Healthy? If you mean financially, I'm good. Physically, no. I don't get the sleep I need because I'm always gaming; after family time that is.

[Knightofelemia]

I like collecting and its great to throw multiplatform games on other machines and if the game sells out on one machine you can always buy it for the other machine.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Who actually writes these dumb ass stories and worse post this shit here.

[3-4-5]

* I have a XB1, Switch, PS4, PC, 3DS, PSP & Vita.........I don't have a ton of games for each, but there are unique experiences I can only get on each, and I love games...I'm not a fanboy, but I do have preferences.

You can't get everything on one gaming device....You don't HAVE to buy any or all of these though, and articles like this are stupid.

And no I'm not rich...opposite...I just save money smartly plus returning stuff at Gamestop will net you more than the internet might have you think.

[NonPartisanGamer]

No.

[TengHu]

I have a PS4 and a mid-range PC. I haven’t touched my PS4 in months. My PS4 friends think I’m dead.

[RangerWalk267]

What's unhealthy is pretending that one device will give you all the best choices you can have. If you don't mind being limited... Then just pick one and go on. That's not me or any of my friends and colleagues. In fact everyone I know purchases every console. Because we all have one thing in common, we like gaming

[BlaqMagiq1]

I have PS4 and Switch combo. I'm covered on games.

[ShadowWolf712]

...no?

What an objectively silly question.

[Da_Ocsta]

PC for MS exclusives, Ps4 for the best exclusives.

[AriesBear]

Hell no it's not unhealthy. I have all consoles, but never put my loved ones last. Moderation. If you have the money go for it. Life's short, do what you love. I love gaming. It's interactive art. Don't ever let anyone tell you what you can and can't do, but take suggestions if it's interfering with your personal life and causing problems. Game on.

[jznrpg]

Time is my problem. I mainly play my PS4 and occasionally my Switch. I have piles of games I probably won’t ever play or not until I retire because I don’t have time. I have children so they take up most of my free time . I don’t play until they are win bed 90% of the time .

[Max_Eckhardt]

Pick... one? Are you INSANE?!

[bahabeast]

IDK how you find the time. My backlog of games is huge. And that's just one consoles, I want to get a switch for the family Soo time will be even less for me.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

For me, I just bounce between the Switch/PC/PS4 all the time, I have plenty to play, and each time there's a sale, I just add more to the collection. Time is pretty much my main limiting factor now.

[Gravesinger_]

Yes

[eamonn79]

I play on every one PC, Xbox one and PS4. PC and Xbox for power in cross platform titles and Ps4 for exclusives. Back in the day it used to be Xbox for Kotor, game cube for metal gear remake, rouge squadron etc. Ps for all the titles at that time, basically if it’s a big game I want to play I’ll get the platform, another example was mostly on 360 last gen but got my ps3 for the Last of Us, no way I was missing that game. It’s up to the individual we can do what we want when we want....

[TheEroica]

I say spend your money however you'd like, but for me it's become pointless to own all the consoles anymore. I have a very busy lifestyle, between work, travel and my family, so I need something that streamlines the experience of gaming for me. The switch was a godsend and has probably extended my life with games by another decade.