Console only gamers, what keeps you from PC Gaming?

[entremet]

I'm primarily a console gamer, but I've been very curious of entering, or re-entering the world of PC Gaming. I was last into PC Gaming in the late 90s--yes, I'm old at least by GAF Standards. Mostly, my interest have been sparked by Steam--the sales, the ever improving client, DD, which I prefer in almost cases these day as I don't care for having more plastic discs cluttering my home.

However, to answer my own OP, what keeps from PC Gaming are a couple of things.

--Lack of standardization in certain areas. I would love if every game had 360 controller support. ME2, one of my favorite games this generation, does not have this support out of the box. I would love if more PC developers would include 360 controller out of the box, especially for multiplats, since the controller is already mapped.

--Distractions. I actually find it hard to game for extended about of time on my PC due to the other distractions available. PC are multi function devices and the onslaught of RSS feeds, Twitter feeds, general surfing and chatting, really mess with my ability to get in longer sessions.

--Genre interests. The biggest exclusives still tend to come from genres that aren't my primary interests--JRPGs, Fighters, and character actions games. While multiplats are always superior, it's not enough for me to overcome the inertia of just getting a console version.

I do see myself building a new rig eventually as there are some things that I feel console gaming is just so far behind--day and date DD releases for example. But for now I still primarily a console only gamer.

So, what keeps you from PC gaming?

 

[bengraven]

You mean "WRPG" right?

Or are you talking about console exclusives?

 

[pr0cs]

No sense of community, none of my RL friends have capable gaming PCs.
I still play the occasional game on PC since Steam/GoG/D2D regularly have deals too good to ignore.. but while playing the game I always wish I could share the experience with friends which I regularly do on XBL.

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

Nintendo games, mostly. But also just a matter of how much I have to play on the consoles I have already. Guess I never really saw the need to move over entirely when I can just keep around a terrible computer that I upgrade years too late for games I'm always LTTP for.

So I'll be enjoying The Witcher 2 in 2020 at this rate.

EDIT: Oh, and an irrational fear of Digital Distribution with DRM.

 

[manzo]

I'm primarily a console gamer, but I've been very curious of entering, or re-entering the world of PC Gaming. I was last into PC Gaming in the late 90s--yes, I'm old at least by GAF Standards. Mostly, my interest have been sparked by Steam--the sales, the ever improving client, DD, which I prefer in almost cases these day as I don't care for having more plastic discs cluttering my home.

However, to answer my own OP, what keeps from PC Gaming are a couple of things.

--Lack of standardization in certain areas. I would love if every game had 360 controller support. ME2, one of my favorite games this generation, does not have this support out of the box. I would love if more PC Developer would include 360 controller out of the box, especially for multiplats, since the controller is already mapped.

--Distractions. I actually find it hard to game for extended about of time on my PC due to the other distractions available. PC are multi function devices and the onslaught of RSS feeds, Twitter feeds, general surfing and chatting, really mess with my ability to get in longer sessions.

--Genre interests. The biggest exclusives still tend to come from genres that aren't my primary interests--JRPGs, Fighters, and character actions games. While multiplats are always superior, it's not enough for me to overcome the inertia of just getting a console version.

I do see myself building a new rig eventually as there are some things that I feel console gaming is just so far behind--day and date DD releases for example. But for now I still primarily a console only gamer.

So, what keeps you from PC gaming?

I'm in the same boat. I'd love to do multiplatform gaming on the PC, but until Valve gets out it's consolized UI for Steam, I won't be migrating.

I work nearly 10 hours a day with servers and on my PC, so I don't want to sit in front of it unless I really have to.

 

[CadetMahoney]

No sense of community, none of my RL friends have capable gaming PCs.

+ I can't be bothered upgrading to a gaming grade pc.

 

[heringer]

Convenience. Same reason I'm playing a lot more handheld games lately.

 

[Always-honest]

i would love to, but in the quality that i want it, it's really expensive and then i still wouldn't have al the games i'd like to play. Some of the best games this gen were NOT on pc.

AND, most of the friends i game with don't have one.

 

[Fersis]

+ I can't be bothered upgrading to a gaming grade pc.

Same here.

My PC is good enough to run Visual Studio and thats it.

 

[Stallion Free]

Mass Effect sticks out like a pretty sore thumb like a sore thumb in this era of PC gaming with it's lack of 360 pad support.

 

[daviyoung]

I don't have a comfortable enough desk setup to warrant hours of PC gaming. My PC is for work. My couch is for play.

 

[metareferential]

Convenience. Same reason I'm playing a lot more handheld games lately.

It all depends on when you buy the game/system you want.

And it even applies to pc hardware.

 

[Rad-]

No PC exclusive games that I'm interested in. I used to love PC gaming scene but that's because back then it was WRPG golden age.

Though I still play some PC exclusive games but only very few, mainly Civilization and Football Manager.

 

[Princess Skittles]

I play both, but as a primary fan of Japanese developed games, there isn't a lot on the PC.. and what is there are usually doujin games which, while can be cool, are usually not very good.

There are a lot of cool small indie games PC only though, I was playing Noitu Love 2 last night (which was SUPPOSED to get a WiiWare version.. but.. that seemed to fade away).

 

[TheExodu5]

I work nearly 10 hours a day with servers and on my PC, so I don't want to sit in front of it unless I really have to.

I really don't understand this train of thought at all. I program for 9 hours a day at work, and I have no issues sitting in front of a PC gaming for hours on end.

Do you need a comfier chair? Do you need a bigger TV? Why do you find PC and console so different...why does playing on a PC make you uncomfortable?

 

[mxgt]

$6000
I like to play on my comfy couch with my HDTV
games look too clean and sterile
consoles offer a more 'cinematic' experience
don't want to update drivers every 3 hours

Spoiler

is that all of the usuals out of the way?

 

[Fersis]

I really don't understand this train of thought at all. I program for 9 hours a day at work, and I have no issues sitting in front of a PC gaming for hours on end.

Do you need a comfier chair? Do you need a bigger TV? Why do you find PC and console so different...why does playing on a PC make you uncomfortable?

I had the same problem i stopped playing on PC when i became a game programmer. :s

 

[Foorbits]

I work at a PC all day (programmer) and I don't want to sit at a PC all evening. Also, got tons of real life friends and family who own Xbox 360's now so it's always cool to try and get some game time in with them.

10 years ago I was an exclusive PC gamer... how times have changed. :\

 

[CountAntonius]

Few reasons. I started on console. Moved over to PC after the first xbox. Built a great gaming rig played it like crazy. But got extremely burnt out. Sold my rig and didn't game for a few years. Then they announced Street Fighter IV and it reminded me what I loved about gaming. Bought a console for it and use it primarily for fighting games but I'll throw the occasional shooter in there.

I just don't care enough about genres which would benefit from a good PC and all of my friends are on consoles.

 

[T Ghost]

For me is very simple why I'm not in PC gaming:

Price - Whenever it becomes possible to put together a rig (i do not have a use for a tower PC so I only have laptops. When I'm talking about building a rig for me I'm talking about "from scratch) that does significantly better than Xbox 360 and PS3 for $300, I'm jumping head first into PC gaming and flipping 2 birds to console.

Lots and lots of PC gamers from here underestimate the price factor for PC gaming. Yes, you can put together a rig that is consistently and significantly better than consoles for $600 to $800 But to do that you have to have certain tech knowledge and free time for the project. I know that if I put my back into it I can figure it out on how to get the parts and put a gaming rig together. it would take me some time, but as a tech fan I would enjoy it. I Did it in the nineties, could do it again with some friend's support. But for mainstream consumer I think that the extra $300 investment, tech savvy and time requirements are not worth the extra oomph that PC game has over console. If they only sold a gaming-PC-rig-in-a-box at Best Buy for $199 that can beat xbox 360/PS3... Console game would be dead.

$0.02

 

[Salsa]

--Lack of standardization in certain areas. I would love if every game had 360 controller support. ME2, one of my favorite games this generation, does not have this support out of the box. I would love if more PC developers would include 360 controller out of the box, especially for multiplats, since the controller is already mapped.

--Distractions. I actually find it hard to game for extended about of time on my PC due to the other distractions available. PC are multi function devices and the onslaught of RSS feeds, Twitter feeds, general surfing and chatting, really mess with my ability to get in longer sessions.

--Genre interests. The biggest exclusives still tend to come from genres that aren't my primary interests--JRPGs, Fighters, and character actions games. While multiplats are always superior, it's not enough for me to overcome the inertia of just getting a console version.

1) and 3) We're getting there. Starting to see some fighters on PC, and other genres are gaining a greater focus. 360 pad support is starting to appear almost anywhere, and if a game doesnt support it, Xpadder/JoyToKey is your friend. Complaining about no-gamepad on PC is just a matter of downloading a freeware program.

2) this is a non-reason, kinda, considering you still have your computer when you are playing your console. Even more so, you have it just standing there, one step away from opening GAF/whatever and get distracted. This is a personal matter, nothing to do with the platform.

edit: wait, i got that wrong? you're saying there's fighter exclusives on PC?

 

[bengraven]

I bought my first "gaming" PC a few years ago and never looked back. I was already getting sick of the bad framerates and the concept of mods and Steam sounded exciting.

Once I got my PC and found out that even the weaker console ports were usually so much better (and with most big games being on all systems including PC) there really was no reason for me to start buying console games again: especially since PC games were cheaper.

Cheaper, better looking, better performing and with the concept of mods? It was only natural.

I've bought only one console game in the last 3 years: RDR. The one before that was Mass Effect at day 1.

2) this is a non-reason, kinda, considering you still have your computer when you are playing your console. Even more so, you have it just standing there, one step away from opening GAF/whatever and get distracted. This is a personal matter, nothing to do with the platform.

I never found distractions that big of an issue: if you want to play a game you usually play in fullscreen anyway and becomes out of sight out of mind.

I think using an E-reader as a gaming/internet browsing device is more of a distraction issue than using a PC as a gaming device.

 

[SmokyDave]

The only thing that kept me from PC gaming was the control method. After decent support for the 360 pad emerged, I jumped into the world of PC gaming and it is glorious. My first stroll through the Steam store was mind (and wallet) blowing.

 

[Stallion Free]

$6000
I like to play on my comfy couch with my HDTV
games look too clean and sterile
consoles offer a more 'cinematic' experience
don't want to update drivers every 3 hours

Spoiler

is that all of the usuals out of the way?

You forgot:
-Don't want to have to write custom drivers
-Controllers feel more authentic/immersive
-Better online support on consoles

 

[Hagi]

If i had the money i'd like to upgrade my laptop but to be perfectly honest there's not a whole lot of games that warrants the purchase. I wouldn't mind playing Witcher 2 but not so much i'd drop £700 upwards to get the chance.

 

[Walshicus]

I've never been console-only as I've always played Paradox developed games on PC... but for the most part the reason I don't play FPS and other multiplayer games is the bloody hassle involved. Yes, it's a lot simpler than it has been in the past, but it's still nowhere near as simple as putting the disc in the 360 and going from there.

 

[RuGalz]

I really don't understand this train of thought at all. I program for 9 hours a day at work, and I have no issues sitting in front of a PC gaming for hours on end.

Do you need a comfier chair? Do you need a bigger TV? Why do you find PC and console so different...why does playing on a PC make you uncomfortable?

It's nice to change the environment a bit after a full day in front of computers.

 

[Electivirus]

--Distractions. I actually find it hard to game for extended about of time on my PC due to the other distractions available. PC are multi function devices and the onslaught of RSS feeds, Twitter feeds, general surfing and chatting, really mess with my ability to get in longer sessions.

--Genre interests. The biggest exclusives still tend to come from genres that aren't my primary interests--JRPGs, Fighters, and character actions games. While multiplats are always superior, it's not enough for me to overcome the inertia of just getting a console version.

This for me. Also, a lack of cash to keep continually upgrading my PC or even to buy one of the higher-end ones. Add to the fact that I don't feel like worrying about whether my PC will be able to play any given game or not or having to mess with a bunch of PC/game settings before being able to even start playing.

Also, my internet connection is shit.

It just seems like a massive hassle to me.

 

[daviyoung]

Once I got my PC and found out that even the weaker console ports were usually so much better

This is worded awkwardly. I take it you mean the weaker PC ports of console games are better than the original console games.

 

[bengraven]

You forgot:
-Don't want to have to write custom drivers
-Controllers feel more authentic/immersive
-Better online support on consoles

"Write custom drivers"? I've never had to do that. Hell, my PC downloads all the most updated drivers for almost every component I have.

"Better online support"? Really? I don't find that at ALL.

This is worded awkwardly. I take it you mean the weaker PC ports of console games.

I do.

 

[Lazy Jones]

Games that I want to play.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

1. I don't want to invest in a gaming PC when I'm perfectly satisfied with my consoles and handhelds. (Plus I have a decent laptop that can play mid-level PC games).

2. I like sitting on my couch in front of a big TV to play games. I realize that this is possible with a PC but the trouble (and investment) isn't worth it to me.

3. While I realize that M+KB allows for more precise and quick aiming (which I enjoy well enough for games like TF2) I actually prefer playing FPS's with dual analogs. I know that some PC games support this but you wouldn't stand a chance using it online.

4. I like JRPG's, TRPG's, Character Action games, and TPS's like Uncharted.

5. I love the portability of my DS, PSP, and 3DS. Sometimes I like playing a handheld on the couch while watching TV.

6. I am not worthy of joining the master race.

 

[entremet]

You forgot:
-Don't want to have to write custom drivers
-Controllers feel more authentic/immersive
-Better online support on consoles

This is false, but I think the argument about where your gaming friends play is valid. For a person that does not want to play randoms and friends have consoles, switching to PC may not be the optimal thing for them.

 

[Stallion Free]

"Write custom drivers"? I've never had to do that. Hell, my PC downloads all the most updated drivers for almost every component I have.

"Better online support"? Really? I don't find that at ALL.

Man, I wrote the most ludicrous things I could think of and you responded seriously? I mean better online support? Fucking lol I mean look at Sony.



My reputation does not proceed me I guess.

 

[Electivirus]

5. I love the portability of my DS, PSP, and 3DS. Sometimes I like playing a handheld on the couch while watching TV.

Also this. I fucking love my handhelds.

 

[watership]

I work nearly 10 hours a day with servers and on my PC, so I don't want to sit in front of it unless I really have to.

It's simply this. Couch for relaxation. PC for work. I game on the PC too, but when I really want to kick back and relax, it's the couch and TV.

 

[Krev]

I play both, but as a primary fan of Japanese developed games, there isn't a lot on the PC.

Pretty much this.

PC gaming is nice every now and again, but despite all the "GLORIOUS MASTER RACE" posts I see around here all the time, I'm pretty happy with consoles.

I'm more likely to go handhelds only than to become a PC-only gamer.

 

[scitek]

Honestly, I don't know if or when I'll jump into the next generation when the consoles arrive. I'll probably only have a gaming PC for the first couple of years into it.

 

[BobsRevenge]

+ I can't be bothered upgrading to a gaming grade pc.

PC gamers are a weird type. I remember upgrading my computer and that being a social experience. haha

Even people who used to be PC gamers but gave it up in high school or college were like, *bro-smirk* "nice." People who were into gaming but not PC too.

And texting friends while upgrading. "Love the way the CPU just falls in like that. So hard right now." First contact online with them afterwards. ":|, didn't even troubleshoot. I feel like a God."

But yeah, most of my older friends are on steam more often than anything else. Its become an IM program akin to AIM for me, even moreso than a machine that dispenses cheap games.

 

[Nirolak]

I never understood this odd conception that you can't hook a PC to a television.

 

[neorej]

Comfy couch. Seriously. I have my entire setup hooked up to my PC, everything is working flawlessly, except game-developers forget to keep in mind that not everyone is sitting at 30cm from their screens.
With a nice res of 1920x1080 and a distance of 5.6 metres, the texts become unreadable.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

I don't have a comfortable enough desk setup to warrant hours of PC gaming. My PC is for work. My couch is for play.

Sounds like a bad excuse to ignore a more than viable platform.

I've had a gaming rig for about 5 months now and it cannot be any other way. Now, if you have friends on XBL or PSN then I understand wanting to play with them. If you don't need that then PC offers the same but in most cases offers mods, much better visuals, and community fixes.

There's absolutely no excuses to use for ignoring PC games. Did I also mention the awesomely spectacular deals on PC?

You can get comfy couch gameplay if you want to. I have my DS3 sync'd via BT and still play on my desk.

The biggest detractor may be the cost or work into putting one together but from someone like me who put his first rig together without help, I can tell you it's overblown.

I love my PS3 and friends but one cannot ignore the fact that PC gaming has elevated beyond and unfortunate for us, consoles have been keeping PC gaming down due to their more aged HW. Not that you can't get great experiences or good visuals on consoles but it can be that much better on PC.

The Witcher 2, come on son.

 

[Aegus]

I started playing PC games when I was 8 years old or so. Windows 3.1/95. I figured this shit out as a child so I really don't get people's complaints about it 'being too complicated'.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

I don't have a comfortable enough desk setup to warrant hours of PC gaming. My PC is for work. My couch is for play.

I think this is some weird psychology thing, because I feel 100% comfortable in office chairs at my PC and in fact it is my preferred way to relax. If you had been gaming PC all your life you'd probably be the same way.

 

[LEGGZZZZ]

For me is very simple why I'm not in PC gaming:

Price - Whenever it becomes possible to put together a rig (i do not have a use for a tower PC so I only have laptops. When I'm talking about building a rig for me I'm talking about "from scratch) that does significantly better than Xbox 360 and PS3 for $300, I'm jumping head first into PC gaming and flipping 2 birds to console.

Lots and lots of PC gamers from here underestimate the price factor for PC gaming. Yes, you can put together a rig that is consistently and significantly better than consoles for $600 to $800 But to do that you have to have certain tech knowledge and free time for the project. I know that if I put my back into it I can figure it out on how to get the parts and put a gaming rig together. it would take me some time, but as a tech fan I would enjoy it. I Did it in the nineties, could do it again with some friend's support. But for mainstream consumer I think that the extra $300 investment, tech savvy and time requirements are not worth the extra oomph that PC game has over console. If they only sold a gaming-PC-rig-in-a-box at Best Buy for $199 that can beat xbox 360/PS3... Console game would be dead.

$0.02

The straight truth for real imo. The only game really making me consider pc is Battlefield 3, the multiplayer on PC sounds like a dream.

 

[TheExodu5]

It's nice to change the environment a bit after a full day in front of computers.

You'd think these people are so sick of computers that they wouldn't post on GAF in the first place, unless they did it via console.

I mean really, there's no difference in between sitting in front of a TV with a controller than sitting in front of a screen with a mouse. Also consider that with a PC, you can still sit in front of a TV and use a controller while you play.

 

[InfiniteNine]

Over 95% of my gaming library doesn't have a PC counterpart aside from these games: Bioshock, Portal 2, BlazBlue Calamity Trigger, Tears to Tiara (HD Remake not port of PC version), and Steins;Gate. (360 version actually has a higher resolution than the PC version)

If I had more games that I really wanted to play I'd probably would have a rig already instead of spending my planned budget on it for more console games. I've spent my planned PC budget at least 6 times on games that are console only. Since most of the stuff I actually play on my computer can be run on a machine made about 10 years ago there isn't really anything pushing me to go bigger.

 

[BobsRevenge]

You'd think these people are so sick of computers that they wouldn't post on GAF in the first place, unless they did it via console.

*looks at watch*

Dude probably is at work. haha. I know that's where I do most of my posting.

 

[Aegus]

You'd think these people are so sick of computers that they wouldn't post on GAF in the first place, unless they did it via console.

I think this needs one of those memes that go something like


'Complain about PC gaming at desks'

'Complain while at desk'

 

[zomgbbqftw]

Money, no comfy couch. Though I have been considering an upgrade to play Civ 5 and Shogun 2