Are you uninterested in console games?

[JackSpadesSI]

Really, it sounds like some people just don't know how to use a controller. I've also played Dead Space on the Xbox 360. I thought the controls were just fine and I beat the game easily.

I'm not wrong because clearly your experience with Dead Space went beyond your ability to aim well (what I was getting at). You, yourself, noted that you loved the atmosphere of the game. I'm pretty sure you didn't really read what you quoted from me: I agreed, whole-heartedly, that mouse aim is more accurate than thumbstick aim. My point, again, is that one’s ability to aim should not (and does not) sum up the entire experience of gaming as a whole.

To use an analogy: I’m decent at Rock Band 2 with the guitar controller. However, I can’t play an actual guitar to save my life. Does that mean that a real guitar is an inferior musical instrument to the RB2 guitar controller? Of course not! Having a lack of skill in something does not condemn it, innately.

The thumbstick is very good at what it is designed for, which is often more than precision aiming (which a mouse, as a specialized device, is better at). There are plenty of cases where a mouse is an INFERIOR input device: racing games, sports games, platforming games, action/adventure games (I’m thinking the newer Prince of Persia’s here). Sometimes the two devices are equal, for instance some RPGs (such as KotOR). Mice really only prevail over thumbsticks in shooters and RTS games, which while great genres, do not encompass the entirety of gaming.

 

[tviceman]

When the end-goal of all games becomes one's ability to snipe from 1,000 yards away with a headshot you'll be right.

Until then console games sell SO well because, simply, they work. Console games aren't just for kids: the vast majority of my games are rated either T or M. Console games also enjoy a significant early release period for many high profile games (examples off the top of my head = GTA IV and Mass Effect). Then, of course, there are the games that are exclusive to consoles which you miss out on entirely.

Off the top of my head in the last two years and upcoming:

Stalker 1 & 2? Crysis? Warhead? Command & Conquer 4? Dawn of War II? Torchlight? Penumbra? Shattered Horizons? World of Warcraft and pretty much 90&#37; of every other MMO game? The Sims 2 and 3? Starcraft 2? Diablo 3? Civilization IV (Civ Revolution is != < Civ 3 & 4)? Total War: Empire? Total War: Napolean? The Witcher? Cryostasis?

Can I stop or would you like me to keep going?

So while you're obsessing over aim down to the accuracy of a pixel, I've already beaten the game on my Xbox 360 and moved on to the next great game. I'm also playing these games on a MUCH bigger screen and with an audience of friends and family because I'm playing on a couch... not a chair in the corner of a room.

Did you know that there has been some really amazing advancements in the past... I don't know... seven years or so that has allowed PC's to be easily connected to Televisions? Seriously, all it takes is a small little HDMI cord. And BOOM! And did you further know that your family has no desire to watch you play xbox for hours on end?

 

[exar333]

Mostly a PC gamer here, but I would much rather pop in a FF game on my PS3 or X360 rather than use my computer. FPS and RTS are strictly PC for me, but group games (Wii MarioKart for example) sports games, or action/RPGs are sometimes better on a console. I may be biased because my PC monitor is smaller than my TV (24 vs. 46) and I have couches to sit on in front of my TV.

 

[Red Storm]

Really, it sounds like some people just don't know how to use a controller. I've also played Dead Space on the Xbox 360. I thought the controls were just fine and I beat the game easily.

I'm not wrong because clearly your experience with Dead Space went beyond your ability to aim well (what I was getting at). You, yourself, noted that you loved the atmosphere of the game. I'm pretty sure you didn't really read what you quoted from me: I agreed, whole-heartedly, that mouse aim is more accurate than thumbstick aim. My point, again, is that one&#8217;s ability to aim should not (and does not) sum up the entire experience of gaming as a whole.

To use an analogy: I&#8217;m decent at Rock Band 2 with the guitar controller. However, I can&#8217;t play an actual guitar to save my life. Does that mean that a real guitar is an inferior musical instrument to the RB2 guitar controller? Of course not! Having a lack of skill in something does not condemn it, innately.

The thumbstick is very good at what it is designed for, which is often more than precision aiming (which a mouse, as a specialized device, is better at). There are plenty of cases where a mouse is an INFERIOR input device: racing games, sports games, platforming games, action/adventure games (I&#8217;m thinking the newer Prince of Persia&#8217;s here). Sometimes the two devices are equal, for instance some RPGs (such as KotOR). Mice really only prevail over thumbsticks in shooters and RTS games, which while great genres, do not encompass the entirety of gaming.

To me, the 3 main genres are RPG, RTS, and FPS. All of them work much better with a keyboard & mouse than a controller. For the handful of other games I've played in the other genres over my lifetime, I have a $20 controller that does the job just fine.

I do agree with the OP that if there were no PC games (never going to happen), I probably wouldn't play any. Spending over $400 for a system (that includes controller costs, and then you've got the extra $10 for games) that does nothing (with some exceptions, most of which can be done with much cheaper PCs) but play games is a lot to me. I enjoy great graphics on my high end PC and I've never spent more than $200 for a video card, and it's actually much less than that since I sell my old card every time I upgrade.

Console gaming is definitely fun when you've got 3+ friends right there in the room with you, but that only happens every so often, not everyday. The day I become interested in console gaming is the day consoles become full fledged PCs.

 

[KeithTalent]

Really, it sounds like some people just don't know how to use a controller. I've also played Dead Space on the Xbox 360. I thought the controls were just fine and I beat the game easily.

I'm not wrong because clearly your experience with Dead Space went beyond your ability to aim well (what I was getting at). You, yourself, noted that you loved the atmosphere of the game. I'm pretty sure you didn't really read what you quoted from me: I agreed, whole-heartedly, that mouse aim is more accurate than thumbstick aim. My point, again, is that one’s ability to aim should not (and does not) sum up the entire experience of gaming as a whole.

To use an analogy: I’m decent at Rock Band 2 with the guitar controller. However, I can’t play an actual guitar to save my life. Does that mean that a real guitar is an inferior musical instrument to the RB2 guitar controller? Of course not! Having a lack of skill in something does not condemn it, innately.

The thumbstick is very good at what it is designed for, which is often more than precision aiming (which a mouse, as a specialized device, is better at). There are plenty of cases where a mouse is an INFERIOR input device: racing games, sports games, platforming games, action/adventure games (I’m thinking the newer Prince of Persia’s here). Sometimes the two devices are equal, for instance some RPGs (such as KotOR). Mice really only prevail over thumbsticks in shooters and RTS games, which while great genres, do not encompass the entirety of gaming.

That analogy is terrible. If you were using a real guitar to actually play Rock Band, then maybe the analogy would hold, but you are not. In the case of PC vs. consoles, the games are pretty much the same, you are just using different tools to play them and the tools for the PC are vastly superior and are therefore a major pro for PC gaming.

KT

 

[gorcorps]

IMO, I think the keyboard/mouse argument is overblown to cover up other glaring issues. Yes a mouse is better than a gamepad, and it took a while for me to get used to a gamepad, but now that I have I have no issues playing competitive FPS well.

The other problems are what made me turn away from PC gaming, the biggest of which would be instability in a number of games. I remember not being able to play Oblivion for more than 30 minutes before it crashed to desktop. Even after a number of patches I had problems, and I know I wasn't alone. It didn't affect the majority, but it made enough of an impact to get me to consider other options. I got it for the 360, which controlled a tad worse and looked worse due to no mods, but at least I got to PLAY the damn game. I haven't upgraded my PC since and I'm perfectly happy with that choice.

Nevermind having to wait longer to play games like GTA4 and Assassins Creed 1 and 2, dealing with sloppy ports like Rainbow 6: Vegas, and configuring your firewall and router way too much to get multiplayer on Borderlands working. The bottom line is that consoles look good enough for most people, and that they just work. I had a RROD and it was still less of a headache than dealing with PC issues.

I do miss PC gaming a bit, and chances are I'll build another one when I get a real job, but until then I think consoles have come a long way. This generation by far has given the PC the biggest run for their money and the next ones will be even better, barring they don't all use some ridiculous motion sensing controls that developers can't figure out how to use.

 

[KeithTalent]

Maybe it is overblown. I saw Drake's Fortune used for $10, so I may pick it up and see if I can handle an entire shooter on a console. $10 is not much for a little experiment.

KT

 

[tokie]

In my view I see a natural distinction between console games and PC games. RTS and FPS I enjoy on a PC, while all other games I enjoy on consoles.

The problem is that ALL games coming out are pretty crappy. The last great game I played was FEAR. To this day, I still play the occasional Warcraft 3 + Counter-Strike + Team Fortress Classic + Quake 3 + Unreal Tournament 99/04 + Battlefield 2. That is IT. No recent games have any appeal that suck me in like those games have. Only looking forward to Battlefield 3 + Rage + Doom 4.

What is scary is that I started playing the Counter-Strike betas in late '99. Here we are, 10 years later and I still play maybe once a month. Nothing against consoles, since I still fire up Mario Kart 64 with some friends once in a while.

 

[mooncancook]

Stupid double post

 

[mooncancook]

I have PS3 and Wii, but I play the majority of my games on PC. My PS3 is mainly for playing movies. There are few games that interest me on the PS3, and the few that interest me are too expensive. And since my htpc is much more powerful that the PS3 there's even less incentive for me to play PS3 games. On the other hand I really like most of the Mario Wii games as there's no PC games quite like them, but I like them mostly for multi-player only.

I think there are less quality games today, I still have more fun playing old games like Transport Tycoon and Jagged Alliance 2 than most of the games today.

 

[TheSlamma]

I used to play console games back in the Atari 2600 day up to when the PS1 came out, that's when I lost interest as the games all seemed to walk you through exactly what you are supposed to do.

JRPG's to me are just a bunch of guys who couldn't make it in Tokyo making films so they turned to the video game world instead, there is zero role playing to it, you press the button and let them do all the talking in a preset story that's already done for you. The only control you get is the combat and even there it's limited.

The action games they like to make look like movies but when it comes down to it you are just following a specific set of buttons to make them do a predetermined move, it's basically Dragons lair from the old arcade with new age graphics.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

Can I stop or would you like me to keep going?

Read what I actually wrote or don't comment. If I had said "Console games also enjoy a significant early release period for ALL high profile games" then you'd be right to attempt to refute it. Of the games I play, many are either released first on Xbox 360 or day-and-date with the PC version. Obviously that isn't true for ALL games.

Seriously, all it takes is a small little HDMI cord. And BOOM! And did you further know that your family has no desire to watch you play xbox for hours on end?

I've already re-addressed the screen size issue... console gamers enjoy a bigger screen than PC gamers ON AVERAGE. Also, my wife loves watching me play Fallout 3 as well as many other games I’ve already played through.

IMO, I think the keyboard/mouse argument is overblown to cover up other glaring issues. Yes a mouse is better than a gamepad, and it took a while for me to get used to a gamepad, but now that I have I have no issues playing competitive FPS well.

The other problems are what made me turn away from PC gaming, the biggest of which would be instability in a number of games. I remember not being able to play Oblivion for more than 30 minutes before it crashed to desktop. Even after a number of patches I had problems, and I know I wasn't alone. It didn't affect the majority, but it made enough of an impact to get me to consider other options. I got it for the 360, which controlled a tad worse and looked worse due to no mods, but at least I got to PLAY the damn game. I haven't upgraded my PC since and I'm perfectly happy with that choice.

Nevermind having to wait longer to play games like GTA4 and Assassins Creed 1 and 2, dealing with sloppy ports like Rainbow 6: Vegas, and configuring your firewall and router way too much to get multiplayer on Borderlands working. The bottom line is that consoles look good enough for most people, and that they just work. I had a RROD and it was still less of a headache than dealing with PC issues.

I do miss PC gaming a bit, and chances are I'll build another one when I get a real job, but until then I think consoles have come a long way. This generation by far has given the PC the biggest run for their money and the next ones will be even better, barring they don't all use some ridiculous motion sensing controls that developers can't figure out how to use.

Exactly my point. THANK YOU!

Does anyone else want to read only every-other word from one of my posts, completely fail to comprehend what I meant, and then come back with some snide comment?

To sum up my ENTIRE argument: Yes, PC gaming is fun (I just picked up The Witcher last night and look forward to playing it) but console gaming is a completely viable - and very much desirable - gaming platform. It would be regrettable to be uninterested in console gaming, as that would cause you to miss out on a lot of quality entertainment.

 

[JoshGuru7]

Maybe it is overblown. I saw Drake's Fortune used for $10, so I may pick it up and see if I can handle an entire shooter on a console. $10 is not much for a little experiment.

KT

I like the "Tomb Raider meets Gears of War" analogy for Uncharted. If you like it, make sure you pick up the sequel which improves on the original in every way.

 

[JoshGuru7]

Also, my wife loves watching me play Fallout 3 as well as many other games I’ve already played through.

This may come as surprising to the PC only crowd but co-op via passing the controller is one of the best parts of console gaming. Furthermore, there are a lot of people who like watching games more than they like playing them.

 

[tviceman]

Read what I actually wrote or don't comment.

I did read what you wrote. You wrote this exactly:

Then, of course, there are the games that are exclusive to consoles which you miss out on entirely.

To which I replied a laundry list of exclusive PC games that consoles miss out on entirely. Thanks!

 

[JoshGuru7]

To which I replied a laundry list of exclusive PC games that consoles miss out on entirely. Thanks!

You might have missed it, but his point was that this isn't a thread about console vs. PC, it is a thread about owning a console and a PC. The reason your list of exclusive PC games is not appropriate to the discussion because it gets added to the benefits of both sides. On the othe hand, exclusive console titles are relevant because they get added to the "Console and PC" side and not the "PC only" side. Does that make more sense?

 

[JackSpadesSI]

On the othe hand, exclusive console titles are relevant because they get added to the "Console and PC" side and not the "PC only" side.

JoshGuru7 = smart!

 

[Malladine]

Not a few certain Wii games, no, since they offer something different. The rest, yeah i kinda am...

 

[KeypoX]

I think console gaming is better and worse in many ways.

Some FPS have been more fun on console. Since its an even playing field it doesnt matter the input. Either way you fanboys will disagree one way or another.

 

[NoSoup4You]

Let's not forget how much better the matchmaking is on console FPS games over PC. It makes jumping into a game so simple and easy, unlike pouring through endless lists of dedicated servers each running a different mod or only one or two maps...etc.

As for the controllers, they're an even playing field and that's important to remember. Just because you can't aim as well doesn't mean you can't aim...etc. And having played a lot of Halo 3 on Xbox 360 with friends, I can tell you there are tons of people out there that have no trouble at all aiming with a controller.

 

[JoshGuru7]

I can understand somebody preferring PC over console for a genre independent of fairness concerns when they've spent thousands of hours honing their mouse+kb skills and don't want to start from square one.

What I find less credible is:
1) That they feel this way about all of the genres they like
2) None of the platform exclusive titles interest them at all

If nothing else, I would have thought that a lot of people in this forum would be looking forward to Heavy Rain (same developer as Indigo Prophecy).
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3169463

 

[spittledip]

Let's not forget how much better the matchmaking is on console FPS games over PC. It makes jumping into a game so simple and easy, unlike pouring through endless lists of dedicated servers each running a different mod or only one or two maps...etc.

As for the controllers, they're an even playing field and that's important to remember. Just because you can't aim as well doesn't mean you can't aim...etc. And having played a lot of Halo 3 on Xbox 360 with friends, I can tell you there are tons of people out there that have no trouble at all aiming with a controller.

Matchmaking is one of the worst aspects of console gaming... it is too limiting.

 

[jinsaotomex4]

The action games they like to make look like movies but when it comes down to it you are just following a specific set of buttons to make them do a predetermined move, it's basically Dragons lair from the old arcade with new age graphics.

This is a silly point to make, in all video games all you are doing is pressing buttons that will just send out a predetermined command. These commands that are limited to what the developers programmed and wanted in the game for the most part. Even with mods you are still limited to what the modder wanted to implement. You also should take into account that these action games usually feature multiple sets of weapons, each weapon will have a series of commands, as well as things like stances and other universal tools (dodging, running, rolling, sidesteps, etc). Put them all together and you're looking at hundreds of possible combinations and play style possibilities, add specific enemy strategies and that goes up even more. Hardly a limiting factor in the long run.

In fighting games, where the movelists are even more limited, people are still finding new stuff for 10 year old games. For a lot of video games, the limiting factor is the player.

 

[ShawnD1]

Matchmaking is one of the worst aspects of console gaming... it is too limiting.

This pisses me off as well. Why can't COD 4 or Halo 3 have a standard server list? When I first played Quake online about 10 years ago, this was one thing that really blew me away. I really liked how I could get a good overview of who's playing and join whatever server is available.


I've lost most interest in console games because I don't like the controls. Using a controller greatly improves the playability of 2D games like Contra or Streets of Rage, but it feels frustrating when I'm trying to play a 3D game like Portal.

Microsoft brought the Xbox controller to the PC and that works great so far. I don't know why they won't bring the keyboard and mouse to the Xbox.

 

[pathos]

I used to consider myself a "pc gamer". Now, however, I'm just a gamer.

Currently I have a pc (well, 4 actually, but 2 are file servers, and 1's a htpc), a 360, a ps3, a wii (with 2 games that never get played). I also still have my ps1, ps2, xbox, and n64 sitting in a closet somewhere. Heck, if I searched hard enough, i could probably find an old super nintendo somwehere. Pretty sure I sold the nintendo though.

I also own a psp and ds, although those don't get nearly the playtime as everything else.

Currently, I'm playing Aion, Dragon Age, The Witcher, Ar Tonelico 1 (second playthrough), Hotshot Golf - Out of Bounds, and Valkyria Chronicles, as the mood takes me.

If I stuck to 1 device, then I wouldn't be able to play all that.