PC Gaming Doom & Gloom Thread

[Bateluer]

The only genres that are better on consoles are fighting games, such as Dead or Alive or Tekken, and racing games. Every other genre is far superior on the PC, for varying reasons. Better control, better customization, superior hardware, more hardware options, etc.

Though, the line between console and PC is blurring. The next console generation, several years from now, will see that line blur even more. Someone on these boards said that the only difference will be in the OS you choose to run.

 

[Ramma2]

I've been a die hard PC gamer for years, since perhaps 1990ish. Ever since I got the 360 at launch my PC has been sitting all alone. I agree that some of the most indepth and graphically impressive games are out only on the PC, but you do have to pay a heavy price to play them.

However nothing seems to beat being able to pick up a wireless controller, sit on the best piece of furniture in the house and play games on a 42" plasma with 5.1 surround sound.

I'll keep the PC around for the blockbusters (awating Spore atm) but I am a console gamer now, and I love it!

 

[Regs]

I would love to play both PC games and Consoles.

Though adjusting time and money between two or more systems for even a game geek like me is difficult.

If I can spend 3 hours on one game alone each day...how would anybody have a life playing two?

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: CP5670
If they ever get mouse/KB support on consoles (seems like only a matter of time), I'll probably switch over to them too. I still play PC games a lot but mostly titles that are several years old.

That being said, C&C3's release has rekindled my interest in modern PC games. It's the first game I've played in years that I think will hold my attention for a long time.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/...mouse-adapter-available-now-223087.php

mouse/KB adapters have been out for a while now... just fyi

Plus I really like the online play of PCs. I don't want to pay $10-$15/mo for something that's free on PCs. Sure Live works better in general, but I really shouldn't have to pay for something like that.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Originally posted by: CKent

Originally posted by: Ramma2
However nothing seems to beat being able to pick up a wireless controller, sit on the best piece of furniture in the house and play games on a 42" plasma with 5.1 surround sound.

You can do this on a PC quite easily. Seems like consoles thrive on FUD more than anything else.

Great, more PC-only brick walls. I'll try to keep this simple then.

There are a few facts you techno-nerds fail to grasp about your average consumer. First, most people buy off-the-shelf PCs that have integrated graphics and often minimal RAM. These PCs typically ARE NOT any better than the modern console. Second, most of the consumers ARE NOT interested in buying and installing new graphics cards and RAM. Third, many people wind up with their PCs getting bogged down with spyware and they run slow as sh!t anyway (I'm sure many of you have had the pleasure of cleaning such PCs for friends and family).

Fourth, most people DO NOT place their PCs in their primary entertainment centers. Sure, as CKent pointed out above, you can buy wireless controllers for your PC and connect it a modern HDTV. The problem is that, believe it or not (!!), that's NOT where most people want their PCs (shock!). Which brings us to my next point... even if you can convince people to put one there (since, believe it or not, many people prefer the casual gaming environment of their den/living room... another shock, I know!), people actually do work on their PCs too! What a concept!!!! So what do you do when daddy needs to do some work and the kids want to play a game or simply watch TV? And, get this (you may want to sit down for this), most people don't want to maintain two PCs!!! That's right... most people aren't interested in having both a gaming PC and a work PC.

So what could possibly solve these issues? Oh yeah, they are called consoles! And the reasons I listed above are the reason they aren't going anywhere and the reason why PC are not automatically the best gaming machines simply because you can drop $300-500 on new video cards and have better graphics.

Get over it.

Nothing quite like being called a nerd with derogatory intent on a PC tech forum. I never claimed it was a mainstream solution, as you would know if you did nerdy things like... oh I dunno, read posts before spewing your idiocy in them?

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: CKent
It's not mainstream because FUD is mainstream. Look at Geeksquad, they charge 3 digits to install ram ffs. I've had 5.1 sound for years on my PC. I've used wireless kb/mice as well, though I currently have a wired setup. And I've outputted to a standard TV (which is just a monitor with a scan converter) as well as having a tuner card in my PC. None of that requires anything more than hooking up cables, but without knowing that you sure were quick to assume it wasn't possible. The only caveat is that HD i/o requires specialized hardware for now, as far as I know. Still, installing one is little different from installing ram and costs less than a console. I expect video cards to include HD support soon if they're not already (I haven't been following the industry).

PS - Funny how anyone who knows less than you is stupid and anyone who knows more is a nerd, eh?

See, you only prove my point further. Most people are not interested in buying surround sound for their PCs. They don't give a sh!t about that. They don't want to take their PCs in for upgrades. Many people are luckly to get them set up correctly in the first place, much less being asked to unhook everything, haul it in for an upgrade, and then hook it all back up. Also, I never stated you couldn't hook up PCs to standard TVs... not sure where you are going with that. The point I was trying to make it most people wouldn't have the first clue how nor would they even want to. What so hard to grasp about that? Seriously. People's PC generally aren't even near their primary entertainment centers. And before you go off talk about how there are ways around that too... I know! But people aren't interested in crap like that either. To think they are is to flat out miss the point of consoles!

And, damn, I really got you with the techno-nerd comment. Haha... you just can't let it go. I'm a techno-nerd! But you have to try and think like your average person that doesn't give a crap about these things to understand this debate and why consoles thrive. But you can't seem to do that as you have proven once again.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
I dunno, there really wasn't anything for me to buy the last couple of years. But there's been some good stuff rolling out lately. Oblivion was released which got me excited again. Dark Messiah I really enjoy, I don't care what any of the reviewers say...this is a good game. It needs co-op badly though. With STALKER and Shivering Isles out I'm actually struggling to decide what to buy next. Left 4 Dead needs to hurry up and come out already, it looks promising and its exactly the kind of multiplayer I'm looking for these days. And then Bioshock is coming out later this year.

If things go according to plan, I should be all gamed up for the rest of the year at least.

i see there was a little *heat* already here when i posted the thread with Romero's prediction that the high-end console is going the way of the do-do

gotta agree ... STALKER was an *extraordinary* experience ... as is Oblivion
[and WoW ] ... even 05 Fable looks better on the PC and has extra content ... not to mention the *mods* that are simply not available for the consoles

PC gaming is going thru a resurgence .. finally we have games that are at least the equal of the consoles .. and late this year, certainly next - we will have *much better* ...

--evidently HW is going to get really cheap with multicore CPU and AMD's "plan" to have an affordable x2900xt. Since games are now made for multicore, we will see the real advantage on the PC - next year ... with better AI, much better GFx including higher resolution and better physics ... each core of the PC devoted to making the game run perfectly - as Alan Wake is planned for 4 cores.

next year ... there will be *no comparison* and the console makers will be thinking about their nextGen ... a very expensive next gen if this one is any indication

PC gaming has to reinvent itself to survive and prosper

Console gaming will be next to reinvent itself

 

[skace]

Steam, STALKER, WoW/EVE, Ventrilo, Xfire, C&C3, CIV4, PC Gaming has been really great lately.

 

[NanoStuff]

Your loss. Try and find advanced and involving games like Medieval, Flight Simulator, Silent Hunter, 1702 AD, Civilization on a console.

Guess what, you can't. Consoles must dumb things down to a level on which any fuckwit can play the game. Maybe you're one of those fuckwits, I for one choose the only game system out there that pushes the limits, the PC.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

that's how most games seem to be coming out these days, regardless of the platform (minus the wii).. the emphasis has largely been on graphics rather than gameplay.

edited for spelling

That is entirely false. The problem is that nothing "seems" fresh, however on average gameplay these days is in a whole different category compared to games 10 years ago.

I've been playing some old Genesis and SNES games, and over 90% of them are outright horrible compared to today's games. They held my attention for only a few minutes at times.

"Classic" games are mildly entertaining, but once your standards go up, its hard to move backwards. And I'm not talking about graphics.

Its the same reason that I can't stand most classic movies. Their production value is low, and visuals are retarded even if they were top notch at their time.

HAHA

I guess you just need flashy graphics to entertain you..

I enjoy playing old games.

Right now I'm playing Syndicate.

One of the best games ever!

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
However nothing seems to beat being able to pick up a wireless controller, sit on the best piece of furniture in the house and play games on a 42" plasma with 5.1 surround sound.

You can do this on a PC quite easily. Seems like consoles thrive on FUD more than anything else.

 

[apoppin]

howdy Fern

long time

if you like FC and PK ... you will *love* STALKER
it tied with "Riddick" as my fav FPS - ever
:heart:

i think you can play it on your current rig ... just without the full dynamic lighting

 

[QuantumPion]

The last console I played was the N64 (although I am considering getting a Wii)

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

I also hate the correlation with games and upgrades.

People shat bricks for the Geforce 8800 because it is dx 10 compatible which is what Crysis has and guess what? Crysis is not coming out until the end of the year.

This happened with Unread Tournament years ago I believe?

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: CKent

Originally posted by: Ramma2
However nothing seems to beat being able to pick up a wireless controller, sit on the best piece of furniture in the house and play games on a 42" plasma with 5.1 surround sound.

You can do this on a PC quite easily. Seems like consoles thrive on FUD more than anything else.

sure, keep telling yourself that. I need to get that xbox 360 elite already so i can play some dead rising, gears of war, rainbow six and that guitar hero 2

 

[TallBill]

I'm gaining more interest in computer gaming. As mentioned before, so many genres suck to control on a console at this point. Allow me to plug in a usb keyboard and mouse and we'll talk.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth

Originally posted by: CKent

Originally posted by: Ramma2
However nothing seems to beat being able to pick up a wireless controller, sit on the best piece of furniture in the house and play games on a 42" plasma with 5.1 surround sound.

You can do this on a PC quite easily. Seems like consoles thrive on FUD more than anything else.

sure, keep telling yourself that. I need to get that xbox 360 elite already so i can play some dead rising, gears of war, rainbow six and that guitar hero 2

Lol, I used to wonder how those "Hi, I'm a PC. I can only do pie charts" Mac commercials were successful... now I know

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth

Originally posted by: VashHT

Originally posted by: Bateluer
The only genres that are better on consoles are fighting games, such as Dead or Alive or Tekken, and racing games. Every other genre is far superior on the PC, for varying reasons. Better control, better customization, superior hardware, more hardware options, etc.

Though, the line between console and PC is blurring. The next console generation, several years from now, will see that line blur even more. Someone on these boards said that the only difference will be in the OS you choose to run.

I can't agree with you at all, there are many many games that suck ass on PC but work great for consoles. Platformers, both 3d and 2d, hack and slash games and such are all much better with a controller. I would never want to try playing ICO or Shadow of the Colossus with a keyboard it wouldn't work at all. Same thing for games like mega man and such.

Back onto the main topic, why do people feel the need to choose one side or the other in this? A lot of people are die hard into consoles or PC, I enjoy both a ton and hope neither of them ever die. Like a lot of people on here I can't really stand shooters on consoles, but a lot of games I love for consoles would never work out on a PC without a gamepad. There are a lot of elitists on both sides, console gamers saying PC gaming is dead and likewise PC gamers saying consoles are pathetic and only for kids and such. I think if anyone would consider themself a real gamer they would try to do both, even if hard strapped for cash.

I agree that one day consoles and PC's will be basically the same platform someday, and I can't say I like it. In the past PC and consoles were very different in terms of games, and if the platforms converge theres a good chance a lot of those past genres will disappear.

Have to agree with you on that. Ever since i sold my xbox 360 its been leaving me gap in gaming that i need to fill. Sad that i wont be able to afford it as im going to be buying a westy 37inch in a few weeks.

Just wanted to respond becuse I also just bought a 37" Westinghouse LCD, LVM-37W3 I think. I have my PC, 360, ps2, and gamecube all on it right now and its fantastic so far. I've grown up with PC's and consoles my whole life, I would rather not do away with either one, but from the craziness in this forum it sound like people are ready to get into physical fights over it which is totally ridiculous. I'm more worried about PC's and consoles converging than which one is better, but thats just me.

 

[PingSpike]

Yeah, but has anyone actually used those KB/M adaptors? Some on this thread said it sucks because of input lag, but outside of that and a youtube video I haven't seen anything. I know there's no official support for them and since they use a controller passthrough its definately kind of hacky.

 

[apoppin]

glad to see you are OK and doing fine

i am "playing" TaxAct with the "F&S" 'expansion' ... right now ...
damn those "puzzles" :|





anyway, don't sell your rig short ... STALKER and Oblivion run very satisfactorily on your rig ... albeit with mid details

i had a *blast* with Oblivion for over 1250 hours ... with a x850xt

and i really think you';d like STALKER wich would also be 'ok'

forget Vista till you *need* it for gaming

 

[CP5670]

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: CP5670
If they ever get mouse/KB support on consoles (seems like only a matter of time), I'll probably switch over to them too. I still play PC games a lot but mostly titles that are several years old.

That being said, C&C3's release has rekindled my interest in modern PC games. It's the first game I've played in years that I think will hold my attention for a long time.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/...mouse-adapter-available-now-223087.php

mouse/KB adapters have been out for a while now... just fyi

Plus I really like the online play of PCs. I don't want to pay $10-$15/mo for something that's free on PCs. Sure Live works better in general, but I really shouldn't have to pay for something like that.

I don't know about that particular one, but I've heard that those adapters don't work very well and exhibit input lag compared to the normal controller.

In any case, if it was that simple, I don't think there would be so many people complaining about it.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: CKent
Nothing quite like being called a nerd with derogatory intent on a PC tech forum. I never claimed it was a mainstream solution, as you would know if you did nerdy things like... oh I dunno, read posts before spewing your idiocy in them?

Hmmm....

Originally posted by: CKent
You can do this on a PC quite easily. Seems like consoles thrive on FUD more than anything else.

I just told you why they survive. It's not FUD nor idiocy... at least not on my part.

 

[mad0maxx]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Not yet, but I'm getting there. If I wasn't such a die-hard shooter fan I wouldn't have such a death grip on PC gaming. Consoles are better for most stuff but not shooters, which is what I care about most. And of course no strategy games on consoles, but I'm not big on those anyway.

I felt the same way as you as most of my time on the computer when I was doing PC gaming was ethier on a FPS or a MMO and I played alot of MMO's. But when you acutally do make the switch and force yourself to get use to the controller vs keyboard and mouse the game is still much fun. To me about as much fun as I had on a computer because I have alot of real life friends on the 360.

 

[CKent]

I'm the other way around, I had a few consoles when I was younger but lost interest in them as I learned more about PCs. A console is essentially a PC, but one you can't upgrade or do any other tasks on. I don't see why I should spend hundreds of dollars on one when I already have a PC.

 

[AbAbber2k]

I like PC for RTS and MMOs.
Consoles for platformers and adventures.
And FPS and RPGs on both.