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[silentstorm]

Nope, PC just has a worse rep for being much harder to get into and just start playing, there is the image of constantly having to build or upgrade PC's every few months, messing around with files, the idea that being on a couch or bed playing is better than a desk(even if you can connect your PC to a TV) and even the idea of using a controller for a PC rather than a TV isn't as attractive to people.

Consoles are just a lot easier and simpler, and not everyone cares about incredibly complex simulation or RPG games which are the PC's strength, and even then they are getting ported to consoles nowadays, don't know about the quality of the ports, but pretty sure Megaquarium and Two Point Hospital are on Switch or will arrive soon, and you can play Prison Architect on one...heck, you can play Prison Architect on your phone.

Granted, not all games like it are on consoles, Oxygen Not Included is exclusive to computers for example, but it shows that even traditionally PC-Only genres are appearing more and more on consoles and smartphones/tablets, because, you know, they are just more convenient, heck, i don't even have a tower PC anymore, just a laptop, and not a powerful one either, and it can run all the indie games or non-AAA games i want, but don't feel any reason to upgrade while the upcoming PS5 looks really good, and i am kinda thinking about a Switch Lite.

Not interested in Google Stadia though, but that's mostly because i don't think we are at a point where streaming games can work that well everywhere in the world, it will be pretty much great for people with amazing Wi-Fi, but i worry that quite a few gamers will not have the best experience streaming games that are remotely intensive.

 

[Dibils2k]

hell no, as someone who went to PC gaming earlier in the gen because of how underpowered the consoles were... it just isnt a couch experience, no matter what you try

sold my PC and never looked back, eventhough the high frames were great

 

[Myths]

Consoles are for those who want to get straight to the entertainment. They’re streamlined in accessibility and low cost compared to jumping over many hurdles to get going on PC. It serves that specific purpose for the most part - which means it most likely won’t be replaced.

Not many are interested in using your typical peripherals (mouse+keyboard) to game, although many forget you could just... buy a controller. Adding to that, they aren’t entirely sure about how to assemble a PC from hardware to software.

Yet PC is the powerhouse to it all, from scratch to finish. It might cost an arm and leg (and a decade) to get the same software running on a console on a PC. Between devs and dedicated communities of “modders” and hobbyists, we’re seeing that content released on PC too.

The capabilities of a console will probably expand over time giving more to its purpose, but it probably won’t replace the other and vice-versa.

Edit: I probably won’t ever pick up a home console again but handheld? Most definitely. While we’re at it... will smartphones replace handhelds? Or might they already have?

 

[Stuart360]

hell no, as someone who went to PC gaming earlier in the gen because of how underpowered the consoles were... it just isnt a couch experience, no matter what you try

sold my PC and never looked back, eventhough the high frames were great

I game on PC exclusively on my couch (and bed), i even control my whole PC from my XB1 controller.

 

[silentstorm]

I don't mind playing on a PC, but damn me if i don't feel like playing on other systems instead, i recently thought about playing Half-Minute Hero again since i liked both games a lot on the PSP, but dear God, playing the PC versions made me just want to see if my PSP still works and play those games on my bed instead, they just feel better on the tiny screen.

There is a different feel to them even if you go with the process of connecting your PC to other devices, for better or worse, you really do feel that consoles were made with video games in mind unless a PC game was made with the very absolute intent of being played on a PC and only on a PC.

 

[Lux R7]

sorry but someone here still thinks that pc = desktop. My gaming pc is under my 4k tv (like the ps4) in a cube case. I play on my sofa, everything is wireless, everything is fine.
However like someone said, if you can afford it, the combo "pc + console that you like" is the way to go.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

That's such horseshit. I've been on Windows 10 from day one and it's been fine.

thanks for posting this. Sometimes it feels like I’m the only person who hasn’t had any issues with W10 and has never looked back since upgrading

 

[Katsura]

thanks for posting this. Sometimes it feels like I’m the only person who hasn’t had any issues with W10 and has never looked back since upgrading

While i hate the telemetry in windows 10, i've never had any issues with how the OS runs. Sometimes i get the feeling it's a PEBKAC issue to be honest

 

[CJY]

If we're not careful, PC culture will end up replacing everything we care about.

 

[The_Mike]

be that as it may, there's several million like-minded users that will never forfeit their digital stamp collections just to see sharper shadow textures

Yet many did it in this generation. I think you are overrating e-penises.

 

[Myths]

I don't mind playing on a PC, but damn me if i don't feel like playing on other systems instead, i recently thought about playing Half-Minute Hero again since i liked both games a lot on the PSP, but dear God, playing the PC versions made me just want to see if my PSP still works and play those games on my bed instead, they just feel better on the tiny screen.

There is a different feel to them even if you go with the process of connecting your PC to other devices, for better or worse, you really do feel that consoles were made with video games in mind unless a PC game was made with the very absolute intent of being played on a PC and only on a PC.

It’s funny cause I actually want a PSP again. For me, the exception are games running at such a low res that I’d prefer a handheld console or smartphone/mobile platform in favor.

 

[Thaedolus]

be that as it may, there's several million like-minded users that will never forfeit their digital stamp collections just to see sharper shadow textures

This is a silly way to boil down what a PC can do. I wasn't playing The Witcher 3 as a stuttering mess on a console when it came out like my buddy was, I had it going at 60FPS. Now with a better PC it runs at >100FPS. These are huge upgrades in comparison to console performance.

Others in here have mentioned how there's just "always something" to fix with the PC...I'd say that's your OCD kicking in, combined with the fact the PC lets you do something about it. Don't like the performance of a console game? Tough shit, it's a closed system, that's how it runs. On the PC? Well I could configure this ini file to do this or that and reduce this setting here or that setting there and.....

...yeah, it's a bit of a conundrum because you've, theoretically, bought a PC to not have compromises like you do on consoles, but the fact is compromises will always exist. So you've got to get to a mindset where when something is looking good and running well, you can just shut that off and enjoy it for what it is. That's apparently too much for some people to handle though.

 

[Shangounchained]

Please tell me you're joking lol.

That is the naked truth I had a 360 and a PS3 and mostly played exclusives on consoles and multiplats on pc but now I don't see why I should spend fortunes on pc when consoles look good enough! Like the only reason I'll build a pc today is for extreme professional stuff maybe game development which I've been planning to do and other stuff but I'd be the biggest idiot to build a 1000£ pc just to play control with raytraced shadows and reflections I'm sorry if Ur one of this people.

 

[Kenpachii]

be that as it may, there's several million like-minded users that will never forfeit their digital stamp collections just to see sharper shadow textures

Better settings and 190 fps.

Vs medium / high settings and 20's fps dips.

Also PC has tons of exclusives you can play on it that consoles don't have. Lots of emulation, lots of everything. endless amount of free games with it.

"just a bit sharper shadows"

 

[KungFucius]

I can't have a TV without a PC hooked up to it. Smart TV interfaces blow. With the PC I get everything I want plus I can game on it too with an xbone controller. Logitech sells decent wireless keyboards, trackball mice and an OK illuminated combo so I can easily see the thing in a dark room. The only reason for consoles is exclusives. So for me, a console can never replace the PC. It just becomes this annoying thing I have to buy if I want to play some of the exclusive games. The switch is pretty sweet though because my kid can mess around with it without needing the TV.

 

[Kenpachii]

I feel like a lot of people get into PC gaming trying to replace or supplement their console gaming experience with a superior one. After all it’s often claimed to be a plain upgrade to gaming on a console. It is in many ways too thanks to flexible scaling allowing games to reach technical achievements they wouldn’t else achieve. Not having to pay for online and having sales more often arguably makes it a better investment too.
However consoles are still more popular in nations like Japan, a big source of many popular and acclaimed games. They still treat porting their games to PC as just that, after thought ports. That’s assuming if they do at all. It’s hard to deny that it seems only specific genres seem to have any notable success on PC. It’s hard to find actual numbers, but we know the PC version of MHW is the SECOND most popular behind the PS4 version, for example. That’s a game with a popular PC user base too thanks to it actually being able to hit a decent frame rate unlike its console original. This is the case for most games and as a result games are usually developed with the lead machine in mind first. Even traditionally PC studios like CD Projekt are bending the knee to consoles.
However you have exceptions like Riot Games that focuses entirely on PC still roaming about and with huge success.
I think that P.C. rather than a straight upgrade from consoles, is more of a different platform. Like an Xbox to a PS.
Like with other competition it has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some that certain regions and developers are gonna favor.
What do you think though? Do YOU think someday PC gaming will replace console gaming? Is it still an upgrade to you?

PC will not replace consoles

Consoles will be phased out and PC is the only thing that will be left as consoles are a dying market on the dedicated hardware market.

Dunno why you look at japan tho, these guys haven't been valid for a while now when it comes to the west. China is more interesting then japan will ever be at this stage.

Project CD isn't bending any knee, witcher 3 wasn't running for shit on PS4 when it released. It barely runned so to speak. It's like saying cd red bended the knee for nintendo because it runs on the switch. The game was a mess on consoles and pushed PC to the absolute limit at the time.

Riot games isn't a exception, there are tons of games that do incredible well on pc and jank in far more then console games will ever do already for ages. it's like saying entire blizzard is a exception, riot is a exception, pugb guys are a exception, valve titles are a exception, world of tanks are a exception, crossfire is a acception, dungeon fighter is a exception, lineage 2 is a exception, fortnite is a exception etc etc. Then u got the entire e-sport and streaming market that consoles are not even remotely a factor on. Which is massive and growing drastically everywhere. That fills stadions. ( think about 250 million players just for 1 game, or even 600 million players, it dwarfs consoles entirely )

People that think consoles are still the power houses they where are delusional.

PS4 sold what 100m? and is at its end of the its life time, PS5 is around the corner. Nintendo ditched consoles entirely and xbox aint selling anything. Everybody and there mom is pushing there games on PC and other platforms xbox, nintendo on mobile ( yet everything is emulatable on PC anyway what they make ). Everybody now is focusing on mobile and china PC market and mobile. Nobody is busy with consoles other then sony and even they start to create streaming solutions for PC for there games.

The future of consoles is a app that you install on your mobile to stream your games with and get access towards your games on multiple platforms including PC. XBox already figured that out, nintendo is about to figure that out as they try to create a life line with subscriptions through there switch and sony is also busy with it and will push this more forwards the moment there next console isn't selling. It's just a matter of time.

Most-played video games by player count, if you google that, u will see how consoles are simple not a factor anymore.

It also doesn't help that consoles are mostly hooked up to tv's ( nintendo actually figured that problem out ) something that will get less and less populaire the time goes on. As kids barely use tv's anymore.

Honestly consoles are a afterthought these days in the industry, its trying to hold on towards the 30 years old people that eventually will drain up completely as they get older. I just don't see kids moving towards consoles anymore these days. they all have mobiles / ipads that replaces there introduction with consoles and handhelds and maybe are interesting in a more indept experience but they rather move into PC gaming because of streaming at that point which can create them money, and with e-sports and people winning bank on PC it's a far more interesting shift to make.

Pretty sure japan consoles are non existent, china same deal, europe is moving away from them, US probably will still work for another full generation as they are behind the curve on these type of things. The same as people honestly still clamp with discs even while the entire world already moved over to digital on every platform.

It's just a matter of time before those consoles disappear completely. Subscriptions is where it's at and playerbase and that's where sony focuses on the same with microsoft and nintendo will also move in on it.

 

[MeatSafeMurderer]

PC will never replace the convenience of a plug-and-play box that goes under the TV - whether that's a console or a streaming box.

First up...if today's consoles, with all their system updates, game patches and installs, count as "plug-and-play", then so is PC. Manual driver updates? A thing of the past. In the case of 99.9% of devices Windows will take care of it and in the case of stuff like GPU drivers, which really want to be up-to-date, all it takes is downloading and double clicking on an executable...hell once you've done that once they can auto-update! You don't need to mess with the settings in most games either, unless you want to, since they'll automatically set themselves to something sane. PC is every bit as plug-and-play as a console. Secondly small form factor is a thing so why not put your PC under the TV? A plethora of controllers are supported and Steam big picture mode basically turns your PC into a super powerful console.

PC probably won't replace consoles any time soon...but it's not because of "convenience"...it's because people still fear monger by peddling horribly out of date myths about PC as a platform.

 

[Keihart]

I laughed at "riot focuses on pc" As if making only one game in like a decade that is based on a mod of a pc game is focusing on the platform somehow, if anything, they are focused on League.

 

[ZenTheShogun]

It's entirely dependent on your use scenario...what do you want out of a gaming device? A PC will always offer the best fidelity. It comes at the cost of money, space, power requirements, size, etc. If I had to pick one end all, be all device right now out of all the devices I have...it'd probably be the Switch. It can run any retro legacy shit, and it can play modern stuff acceptably well, and do so anywhere. It's the jack of all trades. But recognizing I have a home office and space and money isn't a huge concern, PC is always going to give me the best experience when I'm in my house. My GPU is like 4x the mass of a Switch, and my PC basically heats the office I have in my basement by itself. But goddamn if 144hz and 1440p and all that shit isn't worth it when I'm not worried about lugging it around somewhere. And I can output to my TV + surround sound plus have wireless Xbox controllers for comfy couch gaming with friends too if need be.

The only thing holding PC back as a platform is 1st party support from companies like Sony and Nintendo. Microsoft getting on board has been great, I wish the other companies would follow suit though I doubt it will ever happen.

Agreed.

To people claiming PC has no good exclusive games - you're right. There are great exclusive genres. Hell, Total War as a series alone is worth PC gaming IMO.

 

[Keihart]

First up...if today's consoles, with all their system updates, game patches and installs, count as "plug-and-play", then so is PC. Manual driver updates? A thing of the past. In the case of 99.9% of devices Windows will take care of it and in the case of stuff like GPU drivers, which really want to be up-to-date, all it takes is downloading and double clicking on an executable...hell once you've done that once they can auto-update! You don't need to mess with the settings in most games either, unless you want to, since they'll automatically set themselves to something sane. PC is every bit as plug-and-play as a console. Secondly small form factor is a thing so why not put your PC under the TV? A plethora of controllers are supported and Steam big picture mode basically turns your PC into a super powerful console.

PC probably won't replace consoles any time soon...but it's not because of "convenience"...it's because people still fear monger by peddling horribly out of date myths about PC as a platform.

I game on both platforms and it is often more hassle to game on PC, there is always something to troubleshoot.

 

[Zaffo]

It does for me, once you grow up and get some disposable income and some technical know how, it's really a no brainer doing the leap and going full PC gaming.
Still own a Switch for the novel form factor and some exclusives, but the emulator scene is really making a strong argument for me to play even switch games on PC.

 

[MeatSafeMurderer]

I game on both platforms and it is often more hassle to game on PC, there is always something to troubleshoot.

I game pretty much excusively on PC. Outside of known terrible ports I basically never have any issues. Had my current PC for 3 years now...probably troubleshot as many as 4 or 5 times in that time, and each time it was because I fucked up (pushing my OCs too far or a game not liking settings being forced upon it in NVCP...neither of which is part of the plug-and-play experience). Doesn't exactly sound like "always" something to troubleshoot.

 

[The Bloody-Nine]

The only times I've had to troubleshoot is when I've been messing around with mods.

 

[Myths]

It does for me, once you grow up and get some disposable income and some technical know how, it's really a no brainer doing the leap and going full PC gaming.
Still own a Switch for the novel form factor and some exclusives, but the emulator scene is really making a strong argument for me to play even switch games on PC.

Same especially on the disposable income bit. Since I can now build a powerhouse of a PC, I don’t even bother really breaking my neck about a home console. Just as you said, the only other platform/console would be handheld devices (or similar). The Switch truly has an awesome form factor which I might go for actually.

 

[Hulk_Smash]

I game pretty much exclusively on PC. Outside of known terrible ports I basically never have any issues. Had my current PC for 3 years now...probably troubleshot as many as 4 or 5 times in that time, and each time it was because I fucked up (pushing my OCs too far or a game not liking settings being forced upon it in NVCP...neither of which is part of the plug-and-play experience). Doesn't exactly sound like "always" something to troubleshoot.

This is not everyone’s experience. It’s certainly not mine and I love gaming on PC.

And I think that there are things you know how to adjust or troubleshoot quickly you don’t even think about that you just “do” and you don’t consider that troubleshooting.

I have a friend that has been gaming with me on PC for years and swears he never had a problem and every time I’ve complained about my PC interrupting my gameplay experience his response is always “I don’t know why you always have problems. I never have any problems.”

And I always have to remind him: “Oh really? What about when you had issues with steam voice chat? What about that time you couldn’t get a controller to connect? What about when your driver wouldn’t update? Or the time when it did update and it screwed up a bunch of your settings? What about when we couldn’t connect on MP in Serious Sam and we just had to give up?”

I swear some people have selective memory loss.

Again, I love gaming on the PC but you do have to have at least a little bit of a tinkerer in you because things can go sideways on a PC. Even with all the major advancements they’ve made to smooth out the experience.

 

[Protagonist Jake]

Dunno why you look at japan tho, these guys haven't been valid for a while now when it comes to the west. China is more interesting then japan will ever be at this stage.

Because all of my favorite games ever come from there. Small market or not, they matter the most to me.

 

[New Yorks Finest]

Ohh God, I hop not never, ever, ever..I wouldn't go near Peecee with a 20 inch pole...@#$% that..you guys trying to give me nightmares with this ridiculous idea .

 

[Collz69]

As much as I love my PC, the answer is no, cost of PC parts is prohibitive and people are generally lazy, sad but true, plug & play wins every time.

 

[Protagonist Jake]

I inquired Mr. Matosis' thoughts on idea. Here's his response:

 

[Negotiator]

Cloud streaming will replace both energy-guzzling PCs and consoles. Cloud server blades are closed platforms, so you could argue that (cloud-based) "consoles" will eventually replace PCs.

Companies don't like open platforms, whether it's PCs or Android, they want to have everything under control (not just for piracy reasons).

Don't flame me, I like hardware ownership and I will keep buying my own hardware (as long as it exists), but it is what it is. Resistance is futile.

 

[Protagonist Jake]

Resistance is futile.

This is such bullshit.
Nah thanks man I'm actually not gonna spend money on inferior shit I dont want like a mindless sheep.
What boot licking, patronizing garbage.

Streaming wont replace shit until Google learns to literally move mountains. If you're saying Stadia will fail but others will replace it, I fucking laugh dude.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

As long as the average consumer balks at the initial cost of getting a PC, no. However, a counterpoint to that is a video from JayzTwoCents. He makes a good point in these days, almost any PC is a "gaming" PC (as long as the computer doesn't rely on Intel graphics on the GPU side).

In addition, the savings you get from PC games is fantastic largely thanks to competing game distribution and key distribution services. For example, earlier this week, you could get a key of Soul Calibur VI and the season pass for $30 from Fanatical, which is a third of what you would have to pay full price. And if you're not satisfied with Fanatical's offerings? There is CDKeys, Chrono.gg, and GreenManGaming. GOG and Steam will have frequent sales, too.

 

[jono51]

yes ps4/ps5 and x1/scarlet are literally lazy pc rebrands in a custom case.

pc is inside everything

 

[petran79]

Just a glimpse of how it is to play on PC. I use an ultra wide monitor Asus rog but set the res at HD for recording purposes. After 27 years of dos/win PC gaming, this is how I ended up. The amount of games, emulators and options might drive console players crazy, so in terms of convenience, consoles are necessary. Last game was fullscreen but it was scaled by the recording software.

Still, I would not trade this experience with any console or exclusive

There have been PC game controllers since the 90s....

And the Xbox controller is already compatible with Windows....

Had that controller. Unfortunately they intentionally did not make it DOS compatible unless you run DOS games inside W95, which was so inconvenient.

 

[Negotiator]

This is such bullshit.

What boot licking, patronizing garbage.

I fucking laugh dude.

Is it so hard to be respectful towards others?

Let's have this talk in 20 years from now, young man. Until then, you can stay in my ignore list and cuss at yourself.

 

[silentstorm]

I have to admit, can't recall the last time i had problems starting or running a game on PC, at most, i just get annoyed at how some games only have menus with Xbox controls, or that i can't resize the window if i play in windowed mode, but never problems actually running stuff.

Then again, i tend to stay away from buggy games, never pre-order or buy on day 1 without looking at reviews and Steam forums just because of that.

 

[MeatSafeMurderer]

Cloud streaming will replace both energy-guzzling PCs and consoles. Cloud server blades are closed platforms, so you could argue that (cloud-based) "consoles" will eventually replace PCs.

Companies don't like open platforms, whether it's PCs or Android, they want to have everything under control (not just for piracy reasons).

Don't flame me, I like hardware ownership and I will keep buying my own hardware (as long as it exists), but it is what it is. Resistance is futile.

Cloud streaming will never replace PCs and consoles. Companies might not like open platforms...but consumers do. Even console gamers like the idea of actually owning their games...and even if they don't actually own them physical copies gives them the impression they do. Streaming services offer no security. Physical copies are relatively safe. On PC you can back up your games. If a streaming service closes its doors its users are shit out of luck. Furthermore streaming services will never be successful as long as they are threatening to be "cable-ized". Nobody wants to pay $150 a year per publisher.

 

[Zaffo]

Cloud gaming will eventually replace consoles since streaming it's the ultimate convenience, but it won't do much to PC gaming because it's an enthusiast market for people who gladly trade convenience for better performance and a custom experience already.

 

[Negotiator]

Cloud streaming will never replace PCs and consoles. Companies might not like open platforms...but consumers do. Even console gamers like the idea of actually owning their games...and even if they don't actually own them physical copies gives them the impression they do. Streaming services offer no security. Physical copies are relatively safe. On PC you can back up your games. If a streaming service closes its doors its users are shit out of luck. Furthermore streaming services will never be successful as long as they are threatening to be "cable-ized". Nobody wants to pay $150 a year per publisher.

Believe me, I want you to be right, because I don't like this total control thing. Having options is good for the consumers, but corporations don't want that.

It's the same thing with money, they want to make everything digital-only and abolish cash. Tax evasion is merely an excuse (just like piracy in video games). It's the same pattern everywhere.

The truth is they want total control and if the masses accept it, we won't have any option. Imagine games like TLOU5 or GTA8 being cloud streaming-only in 2040+, with no option for physical/digital copies.

 

[Spukc]

There have been PC game controllers since the 90s....

And the Xbox controller is already compatible with Windows....

I can still remember when i was little and the xbox 360 came out.
First thing i got was the controller pc version.
Never went back.

What an amazing controller that was for pc gaming. And the support was crazy too!
And.. rumble!!

 

[silentstorm]

Believe me, I want you to be right, because I don't like this total control thing. Having options is good for the consumers, but corporations don't want that.

It's the same thing with money, they want to make everything digital-only and abolish cash. Tax evasion is merely an excuse (just like piracy in video games). It's the same pattern everywhere.

The truth is they want total control and if the masses accept it, we won't have any option. Imagine games like TLOU5 or GTA8 being cloud streaming-only in 2040+, with no option for physical/digital copies.

I mean, console gamers have been the most resistant to digital, but digital stores are popular, Netflix and Hulu became so huge every other company is starting to get into streaming and PC gaming is really digital dominated right now.

People just really like the convenience of just going to an account and downloading something, many people don't want tons of boxes or cases in their home for various reasons, many people just want to play a game and go for what is easier, i swear many PC gamers don't even think about not actually owning a game or DRM, the thought never even enters their minds.

Many people just don't care for how owning a physical copy feels, or having a manual to read(why manuals become rarer and rarer) and etc, heck, mobile gaming is HUGE, there are people who spend outrageous amount of money on In-App Purchases and there are no physical copies of those games as far as i know, people just leave the preservation of games to...pirates, really, i think any removed Android/iOS game can be found online for example.

Quite a few people don't even think about control, they just want to play games or watch something, it's a completely different mindset to how it was a few decades back, and i notice the younger someone is, the less likely they are to even care or think about this, as far as i know, the only medium where people aren't all going digital crazy for is literature, that's about it.

 

[Tesseract]

already has

 

[iconmaster]

people are generally lazy, sad but true

I make no apology for being lazy about my leisure time.

 

[Negotiator]

That's such horseshit. I've been on Windows 10 from day one and it's been fine.

Windows 10 problems are ruining Microsoft’s reputation – and the damage can’t be understated

Reputation deflation is the path to damnation…

www.techradar.com

Former Microsoft Employee explains why bugs in Windows updates increased - gHacks Tech News

Has the number of bugs in Windows updates increased in the past couple of years? If so, what is the reason for the increase in bugs?

www.ghacks.net

As someone who played Keen and the NES platformers side by side growing up, I agree that PC couldn't cut it in a lot of areas. I also agree that some of the more modern consoles are to some extent just cheap PCs with less flexibility than a PC.

To say they have "no value" is naive. This is why I pointed out that you don't seem to grasp the basic concept of a commercial product. Let's say I own a bar where I serve beer and liquor to my customers. I make $x.00 minus all the upkeep and the cost of beer that I'm buying from the various brewers. In this way, I am like Steam or a streaming service. I just deliver the content and take a slice for myself. However, this means that the patron (the gamer) is going to spend more money to have an inferior product. They could instead stay home and spend their money on much nicer alcohol (high end PC) and drink it there instead.

"Why drink at the bar at all?" This is the conclusion I came to when I was in my early 20s, as an aside.

But what if I decide to purchase equipment and open a microbrewery in the back of my bar? Instead of buying beer and paying the middle man, I can brand my bar and sell the beer I create at the cost of labor, water, and brewing material. Not only is my profit margin significantly higher, but I can offer an experience that a lot of people can't get when they buy a 6-pack and drink at home. Maybe you have a dedicated bar at your own house with better stools, a bigger mirror, and finer-quality alcohol. Like a high-end PC, this is indeed in one's reach to make in their own home if they so wish.

However, most people can get a comparable experience for a much lower cost by visiting my bar. Not everyone is going to build their own home bar.

Furthermore, if the big beer manufacturers aren't making the flavors (exclusives) I want, I can make my own. This attracts more customers to my brewery, both to drink in my bar and/or to buy alcohol and bring it home with themselves. Maybe barkeep wasn't my true talent and brewing beer is. Maybe my beer is so good that I start gaining national notoriety.

At this point, I have a choice: I could sell this really tasty beer to other bars and other stores, or I could keep it to my bar and only serve it at my locations.

Consoles are a brewery. You come for the brand and for the craftmanship.


There's nothing "artificial" about the exclusivity at all. You're buying a brand. When you buy a PC, you're buying a PC and your gaming experience depends on the user's pluck. If you're a dullard who can't figure it out, then you'll have a mediocre PC gaming experience. The end user has no guarantees. This is a flaw, by the way, not something to wear as a badge of honor. PC gamers seem to relish the feeling of talking down to "casuals", and it has been this way since the NES.

Other than an NES (briefly) and a Game Boy, I've exclusively been a PC gamer for more than half of my gaming career.


The code base for a game is only one facet of software quality. You know this. I know this. Therefore, I don't understand your point in the quotes above.

Excellent post!

I'd argue consoles are like food in restaurants, while PCs are like homemade cooking.

Will homemade cooking replace restaurants? Obviously not. People are inherently lazy and/or they love curated experiences, even if they have to pay more for it.

 

[MeatSafeMurderer]

Believe me, I want you to be right, because I don't like this total control thing. Having options is good for the consumers, but corporations don't want that.

It's the same thing with money, they want to make everything digital-only and abolish cash. Tax evasion is merely an excuse (just like piracy in video games). It's the same pattern everywhere.

The truth is they want total control and if the masses accept it, we won't have any option. Imagine games like TLOU5 or GTA8 being cloud streaming-only in 2040+, with no option for physical/digital copies.

If it happens then humanity is more retarded than I give them credit for. I'll retire myself to my back catalog, which is getting quite large. It took the freedom of PC to get me to embrace digital downloads, I never did that on console. Unlike downloads though, which can be mitigated by an open platform, there's no way they can get me to embrace streaming.

 

[Katsura]

Fuck streaming. I rarely play AAA games anymore anyway and if Nintendo goes streaming only, i'll simply play on PC. Decades worth of great games and i'm sure lots of indie developers will still support the platform

 

[FStubbs]

An off the shelf Dell PC is a better gaming system than the Playstation 4. They have no value anymore.

PS4 1TB = $281.95 (Amazon)
8 GB RAM
AMD Graphics - 1.8 TFLOPS (quick google search)


For best bang/buck, let's go for a desktop. The cheapest one I could find on Dell's site:

Inspiron Small Desktop $329

1 TB HD (same as PS4)
4 GB RAM (Half PS4)
Intel UHD Graphics 610 - 211.2 GFLOPS (source)

No. An off the shelf Dell PC is not giving me the same gaming value as a PS4 for the same price.

 

[Elenchus]

I can't have a TV without a PC hooked up to it. Smart TV interfaces blow. With the PC I get everything I want plus I can game on it too with an xbone controller. Logitech sells decent wireless keyboards, trackball mice and an OK illuminated combo so I can easily see the thing in a dark room. The only reason for consoles is exclusives. So for me, a console can never replace the PC. It just becomes this annoying thing I have to buy if I want to play some of the exclusive games. The switch is pretty sweet though because my kid can mess around with it without needing the TV.

How much work do you do on that PC while it’s hooked up to your TV? Just curious.

 

[dirthead]

PS4 1TB = $281.95 (Amazon)
8 GB RAM
AMD Graphics - 1.8 TFLOPS (quick google search)


For best bang/buck, let's go for a desktop. The cheapest one I could find on Dell's site:

Inspiron Small Desktop $329

1 TB HD (same as PS4)
4 GB RAM (Half PS4)
Intel UHD Graphics 610 - 211.2 GFLOPS (source)

No. An off the shelf Dell PC is not giving me the same gaming value as a PS4 for the same price.

Can you emulate virtually every 2D arcade game, NES, SNES, Genesis, Turbo Grafx 16, GB, GBA, and Playstation 1 game with a PS4? Does literally every game you bought since the 80s still run on your PS4 without having to buy some shitty "remastered" re-release? Does the PS4 have constant game sales where you can buy basically any game at 80% off within a month of release?

An off the shelf Dell PC is an exponentially better gaming value than a PS4. No one factors in the backwards compatibility, scope of software, and price of software when they talk money.

 

[ZenTheShogun]

Not gonna lie - own all 3 consoles (X and Pro versions + OG Switch) and a super good PC and I prefer PC gaming in pretty much every way. Prefer M/KB for pretty much every game barring straight driving sims (which I hardly play) and TP non - shooter combat (i.e Dark Souls).

It can definitely take a while to start up some games but that's why I have a second screen where I catch up on my shows while fucking around with settings. Aiming with a controller makes me want to punch everyone and everything in the face.

Games are factually cheaper when looking at Cdkeys, GMG, Eneba etc... There are many of my favorite games of all time that only exist on PC - Total War, CRPGs, the bulk of the Civ series, CS etc...

I love gaming in general - hell, I own every console too - but PC is where it's at. If I was forced at gunpoint to pick one forever it's PC.

That being said - it will not replace consoles for the great majority of the population due to convenience, time investment concerns and compatibility issues.