PROACEX1's Random Thoughts, Ideas, and Opinions...

I used to think consoles were the only way to go, but now I am not so sure. I enjoy both for many different reasons. However I think consoles still have an edge because the are just simple. Meaning I can load the game in the tray and play. I had a problem with the pc the other night. Prey was installed and worked prior to this day, but for some reason this time it got corrupted and kept crashing even after a clean uninstall and reinstall, CRASH, extremely cumbersome. With a PC it is nice knowing however if something is wrong, hardware and/or software, I can troubleshoot and 9 times out of ten find a quick solution.

I personally am I PC Gamer, but I admit each have their pros and cons.

PC pros:

Better graphics then consoles

Upgradeable

Customizable

PC cons:

Compatability

Not as large of a selection in games as consoles

Console pros:

Your games will always run

More popular then PC Gaming

More games, as well as the "better" and "more popular" games

Console cons:

Not upgradeable

Harder to develop your own games for

Gamepads suck in FPS games compared to keyboard + mouse ;)

This is my opinion solely, of course.

To add to what JohnM said, I prefer computers. Only ever had original Nintendo. But for his list:

Console Pros:

Cheaper than computer of comparable power

Better/easier potential to hook up to a big TV/projector (PCs can, but tend to have resolution issues)

Wii controller

Console Cons:

Less controller options (meaning, you can get a steering wheel, joystick, yolk, etc for PC and only 360 has steering wheel)

Only runs games

PC Pros:

Added to better graphics, better resolution (TVs can't get as good as monitors)

More options, consoles just play games for the most part, which makes up for the cost

PC Cons were covered well.

And Proace, you're cases must be made out of lead because they don't weigh 75 pounds much anymore; I'm not sure even a steel case would bump you that high. If you buy an aluminum or plastic case, they're less than 50. Good LCD monitors are pretty cheap nowadays (mine was around two hundred on Newegg) and weigh about 10 pounds.

I think it is agreeable that some games are alot better on the PC and eventually there are games that just go better on a console.

For example,

I would definetly prefer a RTS and FPS game on a PC. In the same light, I'd prefer playing 3rd person shooters/racers/and sports games on a console.

Also, the next gen of consoles are upgradable, just not by us. XBOX 360 has their releases of XBOX Live everynow and then as well as new game content. So the console is moving toward the age of being dynamic like the PC.

The console I think is going to work out better in the long run because the average joe won't know how to upgrade a PC vs. a console which the update and game content can be downloaded and installed very easily.

I've always been a Console Gamer, Nintindo, Gamecube, PS1, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 36. I just recently got into PC games. mostly because of WOW. I'm also particular about the console games I pick up. Theo worst thimg every is buying a game blind and it turns out to suck  (ie some of thoes X-men games) But I can't honestly say I perfer one oer the other I play gitar hero while i wait for AV ques. Not to mention I'm a Final Fantasy and Grandia fanatic, and now a WOW addict. So I say why chooes play both, and you'll be a very happy gamer :)

Consoles are great for FPS & some RPG's.

PC's are great for Strategy & MMORPG's.

well i like consoles overall the main reason is that i dont have to upgrade, but FPS and Strategy games are better on a pc than a console

I like pc much better, but mostly because of RTS games.  They're my favorite and even Guitar Hero doesn't compare.

Halo wars (an rts) is coming out for xbox 360, but i dont see how that can succeed even IF it has halo tagged onto it's name.

Easy answer:  BOTH!

I used to fight that in my head a lot too.  Bottom line, a world with only one or the other is simply missing out.

Nuff said.

It depends;

I would play skateboard-games on the console but that's it. I think for sports consoles are a bit better just because of joysticks. But, you can get one for PC as well :)

PC are much better and widely used for more than just a gaming. That's why you can just buy expensive graphic card and have much more than a console. PCs are better because they are upgradeable. Consoles are not!!!

I would, in the past, told anyone to go with the console. However I now would have to say if you are a serious gamer that you should go with the PC.

In the past PCs didn't have good controllers or a wide selection of games.

Now however games are multiplatform and the PC has a wide variety of controllers available.

Also when it come to upgrading a console, you can't really do much.

The PC can be set up, then upgraded to play more games as they come out.

Lets face it ALL your electronic toys get replaced in around 5 years or so. The PC can at least extend that 5 years to have a full life.

The console can not.

New processors come out every year (or faster) I know, but in 5 years from now that PS3 will have been replaced with something better (PS4).

New graphic technology come out just as fast as CPU's and when the time comes to see a better picture of your favorite games, with the PC again you can upgrade. Leaving the console in the dust.

I really think it comes down to how much you plan on playing the game, and which option has the game tittles you will most want to play. And all while keeping a budget in mind.

Just my two cents.

-BrimmStone

I prefer PC games just because they are cheaper, better massive mutliplayer, games can be modded, and can have better graphics, it depends on how much work the makers put in to the game of course.  Also nothings more fun then playing over a lan with two or more computers in the same area so you can yell at your friends when you head shot them.  So much better then split screen, they know where you are in split screen (plus it's so small especially since consoles are wide screen and stay wide screen even in split screen).  Another thing is paying for multiplayer really erks me.  I love how CS:S you just find a server and play, and you can change your name if you want you don't have to stick to something like you do on Xbox Live.  Also PC have typing which is a great way to talk to people.  I know you can use your voice on Xbox but you can too on your PC, and xfire is an awsome instant messenger program for gamers.  The fact you can't type messages or commands in a console to change game settings I think is a console weakness.  

However,  Proacex1......I must correct you.  FPS are not good on consoles at all.  In fact FPS are the worst on console, more then any other genre, nothing can beat the WASD controls teamed up with accuracy and ease of use of a mouse.  If a console person fought someone on a pc, if this was possible, there would no doubt the PC would win.   Mice are  just more accurate, the joystick is so touchy and can't be adjusted.   Only reason halo went so well on console was because it had vehicles and a good entertaining story and was first released on console.

Console is great for sports, and fighting games like dead or alive.  I think racing games and sims of that sort work better on console.  RPG's work alright on both I say, really depends on the game.

FPS and RTS are where computers def shine.

Your forgetting the MAIN aspect of PC's when comparing to consoles. Consoles can not become a PC. But a PC can emulate a console. Thus any DC, PS, PS2, and other systems become optional seeing as how the emulators themselves are not illegal at all as long as you own the game. Also, in the case of a PS2, with current PC specs (E6300 @3Ghz and 1GB of ram @ 880Mhz) you can emulate at full speeds. A small upgrade and you can surpass that. Has anyone realized that the PS3 has a linux operating system so you can use it as a PC?

correction :

Also, in the case of a PS2, with current PC specs (E6300 @3Ghz and 1GB of ram @ 880Mhz) you can emulate at full speeds (60fps). --- Noted for PS2 emulation

With current specs a playstation emulator runs at roughly 500fpsand speeds depend on the system being emulated.

Upgrading the CPU to a E6420 or E6700 would likely increase fps on the ps2 emulator ~30-40%

To be honest, I have been out of the act of gaming for a little bit now, but I still follow the tech.  If you look at it from the perspective of someone who is just debating one or the other.  Assuming they have neither.  The PC route would be initially much more expensive.  A good gaming PC could easily cost over $2k.  Where the latest consoles are between $250 (if you can find the wii) and  $600.  The consoles life span will be around for about 4-5 years,  Where you would have to upgrade your system two-years down the road.

Another thing about console is, since the platform is common, there will be many less glitches.

I love my computer and I feel FPS are better on a PC.  But to have some friends come over and play some vids, a PC just does not cut it for me.  Smaller screen and also a more complicated controller setup a makes the PC not very multi-player friendly.  Now I can just see the flames from that comment but with out a network/internet that is true.  A lan party is cool and all, but that take a lot more effort and some planning.

PCs are much better for gaming, and there better at all games

mmorpgs need mass amounts of buttons and hot keys

an FPS is much easier with a mouse

RTS also needs the precision of a mouse and hot keys

driving games can be played with a after market game pad

and flying games to, or you can get your self a nice joystick

also you have to remember a good gaming pc is not just for gaming, for it can be used as a media center, web surfer, video streams, home work helper, video editing, or music editing, photoshopping,  graphic designing, web design, and etc lol, once a pc is built for gaming it will deliver excellent performance in every other field that the pc is used for

while the console, is much cheaper but it's aimed more towards the mass of the market and parents who dont want to spend a few grand for a game machine for their kids, or adults who just want something to do on some days

the pc gamers are the more hardcore gamers who simply want the best of performance and the best possibly graphics

if you ask me i like both i think that other than halo and cod 2&3 the pc has the better FPS game as well as RTS games i tried to play c&c3 on a x box and didn't like the layout for the controls

I used to be a Console-only gamer, until a couple years back. Now i play both just about equally. But i have to say im more of a PC gamer.

I enjoy both for many different reasons...

I enjoy consoles mostly because of their controllers...  I find it easier to play with a controller in my hand than to consistantly find buttons on a keyboard.  In most games that isn't an issue with the PC of course, it's just the really good ones, lol.

Obviously in terms of MMORPGs I am more of a fan of the PC because I find a keyboard is much better than a controller could be.  Mostly due to the macro space that the extra keys on a keyboard can provide.

Console games seem to have a larger selection of games...  However most become rather stale over time with lack of interest.  I can only play a single player game after beating it only very rarely and PC games have a large focus on Multiplayer content.  Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, they all come to mind.

I enjoy the simplicity of the Console and the challenge of the PC.  It all depends on my mood at any given time.  Also simple fun games such as Mario Party, Fuzion Frenzy, Super Smash Bros, etc..  are amazingly entertaining to play with friends around.  It's just not the same on the PC I guess because your friends aren't usually in the same room with you to share the experiences or excitement.

The only reason I ever pick up a console (though be it a couple years after it comes out when the price has gone down a lot) is for when I have friends over. Consoles are incredibly awesome for that (ex: Mario Party).

But when it comes to gaming on my own, I prefer the PC hands down. Nothing beats the mouse / keyboard combination.

I went from console to PC and now back to console. I got tired of dumping money to make my system compatible with the next big game. Realizing I could buy a game console with a game and possibly an extra remote for the cost of a video card changed me. not to say I won't go back, I like how my money stretches over 4-5 years. I can even get some of it back if I chose to sell it at that point.

Same here im tired of dumping alot of money into my PC plus some of the games for console that do not get released for the PC are fun.  Now its all DX10 and cards are expensive so im kickin the old PS2 and Dreamcast around until i can aford another card.  

Pros for PC

Multiplayer is better

Graphics are better

Controls for most games are constant

Cons for PC

Hardware is expensive

Configuring your games sometimes takes forever

Pros for console

Consoles are cheaper

Games Hit 19.99$ quicker

Cons for Console

Controls vary too much

Too many titles that are console specific

Load times are awfull

Graphics not so good sometimes

These are my opinions

I play both PC games and console games. I've been buying a lot of NIS games lately, though  I'm planning to buy Overlord for the PC since it looks awesome.

Consoles:

RPGs, action, and fighting games.

Innovative uses of the Wiimote.

PCs:

Strategy games like Civ 4 and Starcraft.

First-person games. I preferred playing Oblivion on a PC, even though it's requirements are high.

Also, games that require really fast response. You can do so much more in this regard on a complicated game map on a game like Starcraft with a 108-key keyboard and mouse than a 10-button gamepad.

Overlord I would lean towards the PC, but I can see where they can make the 360 version work.

Also PC games tend to be $10 cheaper than the PS3 and 360 versions (though sometimes the tech support on them aren't very good).

The PC gamepad support has been weird since the Win9x days. I haven't liked Microsoft's interface for gamepads, though I do have a controller on my PC.

Adventure games depend on the interface. Strategy games depend on how the game is designed. Like I wouldn't play Civ 4 on a console but I would rather play Disgaea on a PS2. Also, I wouldn't play Rayman Raving Rabbids on anything other than a Wii or a PC. I played it with a regular controller and it just sucked. I actually found myself using the keyboard/mouse, which amazed me since I usually favor the gamepad! This was before I owned a Wii, so I may pick up the Wii version later. Lego Star Wars II had a good controller interface, so the PC version actually was the best for me because the Geforce 6600 at 1024x768 I had at the time beat all of the current consoles (remember, no 360, PS3, or Wii versions out yet).

The Wii hopefully will change gaming for the better. I hope that not all Wii games will use the swinging Wiimote functions just because they can. I hope traditional games will tend to show up on the Wii and I just play the game like I would an XBox 360 game. There are days where I'm just like "There's no way in Hell that I'm going to be swinging that Wiimote today". However, some of those Wiimote games are just a lot of fun. I'd like a good mix of games.

Some game companies like to make console games because lets face it: PC games are easier to pirate. With consoles, you sometimes have to modify your hardware, potentially damaging it. With the PC, you modify the executable and voila! You can run it. Also, more Japanese console games make it to the states than Japanese PC games, so you'll need a console for those.

Right now I can't afford a 360 or PS3. If I want some of these new games, it'll have to be on the PC version for now. I want a 360 later this year, and a PS3 when the price drops low enough. I just wish I had the $400 already. Of course, a 360 price drop would also be nice.

I'll say game consoles. I just prefer them more than PC's for gaming. I use my PC's for everything else though.

I believe the next Gen console in 4 to 5 years will basically do every thing a PC can do just not as well or as fast. But the line between PC & console will definately be blurred.

PERSONAL

Simply put I am an older gamer (40+) I just can't get the controls on the consoles down for FPS action.  Must have a M/K combo to aim and shoot... dunno what that says about me.

Now for other flavors of games the console controls are great, driving, fighting, etc.  It is just the shooters that bugger me.  Maybe the Wii controller will help me.

TECHNICAL

The console's can't hold a candle to the resolution of the PC based games.

But the reliability of the consoles is better. IMO  (Please remember that it was Whoopi Goldberg who said "My opinion does not have to be based in facts because it is my opinion.")

COST

Console's hardware can't be beat.

Game cost is a wee bit higher on the console.

OVERALL

Sort of a Blondes verses Readheads argument... it only matters if you don't have one of them, but you really want BOTH!

PC Most of the way.

Consoles are created for the lowest common denominator, so monkeys could work them, and mostly monkeys do

One might have to know something about your PC for it to do some serious gaming. but not necessarily.

The controls on the PC M/K are unmatched in accuracy, dexterity, and agility.

PC hardware is on a constant slope upward where consoles jump one as a new console comes out, then 6 years later you can upgrade.

Your forgetting the whole point in having a computer. what can you do with a console...game what can you do with a pc...game but their are so many more things you can do with a pc than a console and even though a console like the ps3 can have an os and surf the web think before that when you couldnt check email and suck on a console theirs the main reason why we have computers in the first place. and the way were heading now console could be classified as pc's. so my final verdict ..undecided becasue im thinking of getting a ps3 for putting an os on it plugging in a keyboard and playing games and watching blu-ray all for about 650 now thats not that bad.

and i would always choose a keyboard and mouse over a dinky controller

PC all the way!,

better games

easier to mod

can use key board and mouse also game pad

can do work

if a laptop then ultra portable

and just plane sexy

Since the Atari 2600 days (old game console for you youngsters), I have long believed that a console is best for dedicated gaming. The PC is the flexible choice for those who would like to game a lot and still be able to surf & e-mail. It really all boils down to what you want to do more of - gaming or general purpose computer tasks. An upper-middle class computer can well serve both needs these days, and can save money in the long run by giving you a one-stop machine to do all for you. Granted, the gaming experience is better on a console, but they are strictly for gaming/multimedia.

Actually consoles are just old pc technology modified to a specific task... gaming.  The hardware is older and many of the game tittles are old pc games that have been reformated to optimize on the old hardware.  Some of the old Origin fans remember the days when Wing Commander programs ran on PCs, yet, today even Wing Commander Prophecy enjoys an extended life on a game boy.

What are some of the unmeasured costs of console gaming.  When we buy a New PC and get a few New PC games we have to learn the operations of the PC and the compatabilites of the hardware to a game spec.  Today most of this is automatic, however, in the day many an anguished fan spent much time changing and configuring his hardware to match the compatability of certain game producers products.  Even today we are somewhat concerned with hardware compatability with respect to our gaming experience.  It is the process of learning about PCs and how to operate them for more productivity through our initial gaming experience that really pays off big.  PC gaming is in fact a direct contributer to my ability as a systems and network builder.  It is also an outlet for my creative writing skills as a game reviewer and beta tester.  All of these parts of who I am as a person would be greatly hampered had I been a console gamer.  This is the light in which I view console gaming, a way to keep game developers from folding with aditional money from old game tittles and a way for the unwary to miss the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to learn and grow in a this amazing technology.  As Todd Mashal(Maniac) put it in Wing Commander 4," Your either an eagle or an earthworm, what's it going to be Colonel"!!

I lean toward consoles, for two reasons:

1) Comfort.  I work on a PC all day at work, sitting in a desk chair typing, mousing.  It's too much to sit at a desk all day working and then sit at a desk all night playing.  With a console I can recline on my couch while I save the world.  It's an entirely different posture and set of motions, so I'm not crippled by the end of the week :)

2) Cost.  PC tech advances very quickly, and I just don't pick up new games quickly enough.  I play two or three (or, rarely, as many as four) games a year.  I found myself replacing my processor and video card and adding more memory about once a year to keep up.

I typically will buy PC games for a year or so after I upgrade my PC, and then focus on console games.

Well, it all depends on what you want. I can pay $600 for a PS3 and play Games as well as DVD's including Blu-Ray.

I spent over $6k onmy new Rig because PS3's etc can't edit Video nor can it edit Photographs. Savy PS3 users can check their e-mail but they can't  work in MS Word or print out their work either.

Botom Line:

If you're going to just play Games and watch Movies, save your Money and get a PS3. If you want a powerful system for editing and Word prossesing, get a PC. Better yet, buy the PS3 and get a really cheap PC for e-mailing, LOL!

Well, I've always been a tweaker, so I lean toward the PC. I love being able to tweak a game's graphics to my heart's content (when I play xbox360 games, I'm like, "what the heck, no command console?")

For example, I own Oblivion on both the PC and the 360. I played it the first time on the 360, and loved it. But then I played it again on the PC, and the superior graphics--combined with the "tweakability" and third-party mods--made the PC version a superior experience.

Lately though, they've done some pretty amazing things with the 360's graphics, namely Gears of War. Even as a PC gamer, I stand in awe of a console pumping out graphics like that.

As far as cost, it's not always as clear of a victory for consoles as you'd think. Sure the console itself is cheaper, but then what about accessories? Controllers these days are $40 or more a pop. What about subscriptions like Xbox live? And then of course if you really want it to look good, you need to invest in an HD display (unless you have a Wii).

When all's said and done, if I had to pick one, I'd still go with the PC. However I've had a lot of fun with my 360, too.

I think both platforms have their place.  I love playing Civ4 on my PC and that would really suck on cosole, but I enjoy Halo better on the console than on the PC...which is TOTALLY my personal preference.  I really like one thing that consoles do that PC's can't...level the playing field.  

On a console, you know that everybody has the same disadvantage...your own skill or lack thereof.  If you suck at the game, you can't blame your video card's poor quality or GPU generation or say "Of course you won!  You've got a 3Ghz processor and I'm playing on a 486!"  If you suck, you suck.  That's it.

in my opinion, consoles are better gaming platforms. to build a computer that can output equal or better graphics than the $280 xbox 360 would cost at least $1500, probably more. its true that you save about $20 bucks a game with the pc, but youd have to buy a whole lot of games to make up the initial price difference. and, by the way, the 360 is customizable you just have to be decent at soldering and not afraid to break your warranty (which is up to 3 years now). i have my 360 outputting to my 20" lcd monitor over a vga cable and its pretty much the LAN party master, the monitor and system together weigh like 20 lbs and can fit in a pretty small case.

although rts on a console does blow, and there arent any good mmorpgs yet but when/if those come out, ill be all over that.

$.02

I have gamed on PC for years.  I loved it and I still love it.  I used to play the old NES and SEGA consoles and had a great time as well.  Currently I play mostly on a Nintendo WII.  

PC: I like that I can customize the controls, tweak certain files to my liking and use my own chosen gaming devices.  I like the updates and mods that I can get in PC games and how fast new environments can be built by fans.

On the other hand, some don't like having to tweak certain files to get exactly what they want.  Some don't want to put money into devices (better keyboards, fancy mice/trackballs, etc.) for enhanced and extended comfortable gameplay.  Then you have to be able to invest real money into graphics cards, faster hdds, ram, processors, monitors, etc.  It takes a lot of money to keep up w/ the games constantly increasing demand to maintain high frame rates and fast loading.  

Console:  I enjoy this because basically all I have to do is plug it in, insert a game and begin playing.  Some games offer more options than others as far as controls.  The control devices don't vary by much when they have any options at all.  It is nice that I can connect a console to my TV w/out as much risk of damaging the display as a PC.  Everyone playing has the same hw as the next person so there is no high end hw advantage.  

Still, the games themselves aren't in such abundance in every gametype (FPS, RPG, RTS and so on).  You don't get patches so often in console games and even when there are updates for the system on the disk it is not as safe to apply as you can't change back to the old sw so easily.  It also seems to me (not that I have done so much online console gaming) that you can cheat more easily on a PC online game than you can w/ a console.  This, once again, levels the playing field and players do have to rely more on skill (sometimes a bit of luck) to win the match/game.  

I guess, in a sense, it's the difference between simple (plug and play type, if you will) gaming and advanced, high maintenance gaming.  There are many options out there for all types of gamers.  Just choose your flavor.  Personally, I like both.  

That's my opinion.

PCs are better, but it's just a matter of tastes.

If you have quick reflexes it really doesn't matter. I'm not bullcrapping. Not a lot of people are Fatality but from growing up on consoles (First FPS played was Goldeneye) to a friend helping me at LAN parties with (Counterstrike) I can flipflop with ease. I really want there to be more crossplatform games. Yeah, shadowrun kinda blows but there are some kids out there that can manipulate those two Joysticks faster than someone who could move that mouse around a pad. I'm just waiting for the day for a great game a lot of people would play together and it not have Halo, UT, Quake, Halflife, Counterstrike, in the name.

RTSs, that right now is a different story. I played both C&C 3 on PC and X360. My brain was about to explode cuz I had no hotkeys on the console. Plus, it looked alright since I had a 1080p HDTV but looked better on my high-end monitor for my PC.