Pros to PC Gaming?

[BondExtreme]

Obviously many of us here at TPU are huge PC gamers as well as myself. I just wanted to know your opinions on any pros you can think up of being a PC gamer compared to console gaming. Thanks guys!

 

[Jstn7477]

The ability to play an FPS properly using a mouse and keyboard without "auto aim" on a console controller? Upgrade-able graphics and CPU so you're not eventually stuck with 10 year old hardware?

I'm curious as to what the next Playstation and XBOX bring to the table, but the two points above will likely still apply.

 

[[Ion]]

I prefer using a keyboard to a controller. A mouse, too, is great. And computers are generally more powerful, and you can replace individual parts when they wear out or are out-of-date.

 

[digibucc]

pc = graphics, modding, customization of experience
console = ease of use, less error prone for the average user, smoother more streamlined experience

 

[xxdozer322]

I too prefer using the mouse and keyboard for FPS games, but I also have an xbox controller connected to my PC for those games like GTA, I also prefer the controller when flying in the jets in BF3...my cousin has his ps3 here in my room where he plays on my tv, he'd rather be playing BF3 on my PC.

 

[DannibusX]

In the modern era, massive discounts to games with Steam sales and such. If there's a game I can wait a month or two to grab, then I wait for one of Steam's seasonal sales and pick up AAA titles for way less than retail.

I gimp myself by playing most platforms, the precision of a mouse and keyboard vs a controller for FPS is nice, plus I like a lot of games that are (for now) PC exclusive like Diablo 3, Starcraft, etc.

The lack of network fees (XBL) to play online is a bonus, but DRM is an issue and a lot of developers and publishers are starting to go with a persistent internet connection to play their games.

 

[entropy13]

KB+mouse really is one of the biggest pros for PC gaming.

And there are still certain genres (and thus games) that are still dominantly PC-only. RTS and sports management games like Football Manager (albeit there is now 'FM Portable' games, they're obviously not as extensive in detail as the PC versions).

 

[Nordic]

What about all the other uses a pc has besides gaming? Do those count.

 

[btarunr]

Consoles play FPS and RTS like poop.

 

[silapakorn]

Better graphics for sure. Next is flexibility; you get what you paid for and can do virtually anything with it.
You can keep throwing money at your console and it won't produce any better graphics or performance. Everything is standardized and almost no reconfiguration is allowed.

Also PC games are cheaper!

 

[Jetster]

porn between rounds of gaming

But seriously I spend more time working on it which is what i like

 

[de.das.dude]

pc gaming = 100% more realistic.

console is just all about autoaiming and stuff.


also PCs get us a much larger scope of interactive elements.

 

[Animalpak]

Im so PC gamer that i use razer nostromo and my mouse playing dead space 3.

I have the x360 wireless receiver but still i prefer to play 3rd person shooter with keyboard and mouse.

Better aim, overall faster movements. The priceless advantages that PC gives to you.

 

[nt300]

I'm curious as to what the next Playstation and XBOX bring to the table, but the two points above will likely still apply.

By the time they hit the street they will be about 2 generations behind the PC. I read it take about 18 months to create the final design and to bring them to the retail. In order to meet the time table, they would have to use new parts of last year for example. The PC will always rule.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Option of many, many peripherals including keyboards; mice; imitation PlayStation, Wii, GameCube controllers; Xbox 360 controllers; excellent deals on games; capable of unofficial modding; memory hacking; ability to run dozens of programs simtaneously; capability of running two+ screens at little to no extra cost; upgradable; the list is virtually endless.

The only advantages to console is that you can easily have 2+ people playing the same game in the same room which goes to the deeper reason there are very few games on computer that support four controllers even when their console brethren do. If more developers stopped removing features (like multiplayer without networking) in the computer version, consoles wouldn't have any advantage at all except maybe power draw and initial cost.

 

[Aquinus]

I've gotten used to playing FPS with a controller so I'll plug a 360 controller into my machine if I play something like TF2. I do not use auto aim, I just feel I have more fine control with a controller. Not to say I don't use a mouse, I did get a G500 for a reason, but in general I like a machine that can do everything I need it to. It's not just about games, but the fact that it has my music and video on it as well. It enables me to multi-task by having a second display. Also having a nice setup you could have stuff be running in the background (like trans-coding a video or downloading something while I play a game or something like that.)

It's what the PC enables me to do over a console that makes me favor the PC, however sometimes you need a 360 for games like Geometry Wars 2. One of my favorites.

 

[Drone]

There's only one obvious pro - hardware (which means faster and better graphics and more memory). The rest is irrelevant.

If pc is old and has weak hardware it's doomed, in this case console wins. Keyboard and mouse are irrelevant. Because consoles do support k+m too.

It depends on games too. Some games have better controls on console versions, and even exclusive levels. And I'm not even talking about console exclusive games.

It also depends on how you play video games and personal preference. I don't give a shit about FPS games, graphics, mods and multiplayer. Because I like games based on adventure and exploration and I never care about custom levels or maps. There's a lot of amazing games that never got pc version (Metroid Prime, P.N.03, Eternal Darkness, Perfect Dark and many others). So personally for me there's no real pros in pc gaming.

 

[Fourstaff]

At the end of the day its mostly about different tastes (prefer kb+m for shooting, rts games, etc). All the rest is fairly equal except pc games can be of higher quality due to the fact that it gets major updates every year or two whereas consoles get one every 7 years or so.

 

[Mindweaver]

I prefer PC over console, because of the computer chair and the distance between your head and the monitor. Growing up I was told to not sit so close to the TV it will ruin your eye sight... Now I can sit as close to the monitor as possible and I look smart doing it... hehehe Being a parent now.. I know when they told me to not sit so close was, because they wanted to see TV as well.. lol

Oh and I can't play FPS's with a controller for shit.. I look like a retard running around looking up and firing my gun at the sky or ground.. lol Even with auto aim you have to get some what close to the targets.. lol I play all of my games with a mouse and Keyboard, but flying games.. My trusty Microsoft Sidewinder is awesome... So, awesome they broke the mold and don't sale it anymore.. I did pick one up at a yard sale for 2 bucks.. I walked out of there yard like I sold something!..lol I got to the edge of the yard and ran to my truck.. lol Before that I hated yard sales and never when to them.. I was at my dad's house and he always goes and dragged me out of the house.. hehehe

 

[brandonwh64]

I cant use controllers with joysticks anymore since discovering PCs in my youth. My last console that even meant something to me was nintendo 64 and even though people thought the controller was dodgy I thought it was beast for FPS like goldeneye.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Let's not forget the Major amount of modding that can be done on many PC games by the end-user, not just some of the few big mods that sometimes consoles can install.

 

[brandonwh64]

Lets not forget the Major amount of modding that can be done on meany PC games by the end-user, not just soem of the few bif mods that sometimes consoles can install.

This would actually come to my next post since the n64 was my last console, I can find every game for it and all other nintendo consoles as roms so PC was just the best choice for me.

 

[Cotton_Cup]

well for me I grab both pc and consoles when I have the money, except on certain games like bf cod and such. I like to play them on pc but the game I used to play on ps2 ./hack was nice. had all their games XD

 

[jihadjoe]

Being able to give a big F... err friendly gesture to EA when you help friends yarrr their games.

 

[RCoon]

well for me I grab both pc and consoles when I have the money, except on certain games like bf cod and such. I like to play them on pc but the game I used to play on ps2 ./hack was nice. had all their games XD

Similar sentiments for me, i still think PC = master race, but baldur's gate dark alliance 1 & 2, jak and daxter, legacy of kane, shadow of the colossus etc were games i loved to play on the consoles they were on, but then again, they were all on older generation consoles. New gen in MEH for me