Which PC gamer are you?

[tential]

Lol what's this thread trying to prove? Is anandtech representative of all types of pc gamers?

Is op still going to ignore the obvious focus on bring pc gaming to the living room that has been shown from Intel, amd, Microsoft, nvidia, valve, numerous case makers, numerous games that come with subpar mouse/kb or even basically no support as its meant for a console, etc.

I guess games are primarily designed for pc gamers who desktop game only which explains why games like darksouls, Skyrim, etc. were made with amazing pc controls,

 

[Headfoot]

I guess games are primarily designed for pc gamers who desktop game only which explains why games like darksouls, Skyrim, etc. were made with amazing pc controls,

I'm sure the fact they were console ports had nothing to do with it

 

[bystander36]

Lol what's this thread trying to prove? Is anandtech representative of all types of pc gamers?

Is op still going to ignore the obvious focus on bring pc gaming to the living room that has been shown from Intel, amd, Microsoft, nvidia, valve, numerous case makers, numerous games that come with subpar mouse/kb or even basically no support as its meant for a console, etc.

I guess games are primarily designed for pc gamers who desktop game only which explains why games like darksouls, Skyrim, etc. were made with amazing pc controls,

It does show what most people use, and that you aren't alone in using a TV.

 

[Lorne]

KBM, desktop w/ monitor and a 42" tv next to the desk, have to tv/movie on same time as playing on puter.

 

[bystander36]

A more interesting poll would be whether people use M/KB, controller, or both. Any serious gamer should have a controller on hand, regardless of whether it's used on a TV or on a monitor.

No serious PC gamer uses a controler

Seriously, PC gamers of the past almost never used a controller. Just because console ports are taking over, doesn't mean they want to use one.

 

[Golgatha]

Racing games, platformers, and 3rd person RPG/Adventure games typically get the couch, TV, and controller treatment.

Everything else is played at a desk on a monitor.

The one exception. Titanfall. It gets played at the desk and TV, although mainly at the desk anymore as my son got bored with it finally.

 

[Termie]

I was hoping this wasn't going to be brought up in this thread so I am just going to say it now...

Please don't even discuss Fury in this thread. Once this topic has been said, it will spur an argument and we don't need that. Stick to the topic or this thread will be locked.

Silverforce11 - please update your poll to include both or I will.


-Rvenger

Do not start with Fury, it was NEVER about Fury and the lack of HDMI 2.

It was a statement that "PC Gaming has moved to the living room, period" that threw me off (I was thinking maybe I've been out in the loop too long and PC gaming went all Hipster!) because most PC gamers I know IRL are still the typical desk/monitor kb/mouse type. I do know some with an optional TV which takes PC/console inputs as well but its not their main PC gaming setup.

@Rvenger
Change it please. Option #3: Both, depending on the game.


Changed, thanks.

-Rvenger

Sorry about that, folks.

I just wanted the third option.

Voted.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Since more and more games become "consolish". And we have new features like steam streaming, steam controllers and all kinds of other things. It just becomes easier to do now and then. But it depends on the game.

 

[RussianSensation]

I prefer watching all media/movies/shows on my Panasonic plasma in the living room. In my office, I have a rather large office desk on which sits a Westinghouse 37" that's currently used for both work and gaming. Since I am not satisfied with LCD/LED IQ for my living room TV, but working on a plasma 10-12 feet away is impossible, I need to have both a TV and a PC monitor. Even when I eventually get a 4K TV/monitor, it will be kept in the office as I do not have any desire to bring PC gaming into the living room. For the living room, I am hoping to upgrade to an OLED display if the tech proves itself reliable and prices come down in the next 3-4 years. For 4K PC monitor, I will really want FreeSync/GSync since 4K gaming is so demanding which means FPS in 30-60 fps range a lot of the time. I do not see any desire of TV manufacturers to add FreeSync/GSync to TVs so I pretty much accepted that I'll continue to have a split between my media TV and my PC monitor and I am cool with that because I'd rather have 2 separate devices that do their job really well than 1 device that's not great at either gaming or work or movies. I find doing any type of work on a PC monitor larger than 42" on my office desk basically unusable too but for movies 42" or below is too small for the living room. That's another major reason I will continue to keep TV and PC monitor as separate specialized items for their intended strengths.

No serious PC gamer uses a controler

Seriously, PC gamers of the past almost never used a controller. Just because console ports are taking over, doesn't mean they want to use one.

Your post is off-topic but your statement is totally ridiculous. Racing games, sports titles, fighting games, 2D side-scrollers/platformers and many 3rd person action games (AC, Batman) provide a superior feedback/control and experience than using a keyboard and a mouse. Not everyone wants to invest $$$ into a racing wheel or a fighting joystick. I would not play any racing or fighting games with a mouse and keyboard and I am confident a lot of PC gamers would agree with me. Some PC gamers would argue that mouse and keyboard is better for every gaming genre but they are simply 100% wrong.

 

[tviceman]

I choose both, but it's not dependent upon the game. It's dependent upon my mood, and I also hate having to switch settings going from a 1440p monitor to a 1080p TV screen.

 

[bystander36]

Your post is off-topic but your statement is totally ridiculous. Racing games, sports titles, fighting games, 2D side-scrollers/platformers and many 3rd person action games (AC, Batman) provide a superior feedback/control and experience than using a keyboard and a mouse. Not everyone wants to invest $$$ into a racing wheel or a fighting joystick. I would not play any racing or fighting games with a mouse and keyboard and I am confident a lot of PC gamers would agree with me. Some PC gamers would argue that mouse and keyboard is better for every gaming genre but they are simply 100% wrong.

I wasn't being serious noted by the wink, followed by the seriously part (that is in response to no serious gamer doesn't have a controller). Not all serious PC gamers play those games anyway and those who are serious and play racing games, simulators and the like, don't often use controllers, but use wheels, flight sticks and the like. Even Batman games works very well with a speedpad and mouse.

PC gamers have options, so many serious PC gamers do not use controllers. Whether by using other options, or simply not playing those genres.

 

[exar333]

Looks like on this forum at least, the assertion "PC gaming has moved to the living room. Period." is completely off base. One wonders how people arrive at such conclusions

As the person who was quoted, it is true.

Just to clarify, It doesn't mean is has 'replaced' the offce/gaming room/etc. but the living room (or den, whatever) is a legitimate PC gaming location now. Many people use controllers, and we get a lot of cross-platform games that I would rather play in my living room than on a console. GTA V comes to mind. I can still play on the couch, if I wish, with a controller and have way better graphics vs. console.

To say no one games in the living room or plays their games on a TV is really crazy. If you asked people 10 years ago, or 20, I am guessing it would be smaller than the 20% you see so far in the thread.

(I know I didn't have much of a thought to connect a PC in my living room 15 years ago, except for media playing).

Times are a changing.

 

[KingFatty]

Depends on the game. I install Injustice Gods Among Us on the TV computer and use 2 logitech gamepads for 2-player 1v1 fighting on big screen. But RTS or FPS games or others that need high precision or twitch are on desk with triple-screen goodness.

 

[Headfoot]

As the person who was quoted, it is true.

Just to clarify, It doesn't mean is has 'replaced' the offce/gaming room/etc. but the living room (or den, whatever) is a legitimate PC gaming location now. Many people use controllers, and we get a lot of cross-platform games that I would rather play in my living room than on a console. GTA V comes to mind. I can still play on the couch, if I wish, with a controller and have way better graphics vs. console.

To say no one games in the living room or plays their games on a TV is really crazy. If you asked people 10 years ago, or 20, I am guessing it would be smaller than the 20% you see so far in the thread.

(I know I didn't have much of a thought to connect a PC in my living room 15 years ago, except for media playing).

Times are a changing.

80% haven't moved to the living room. PC Gaming has mostly stayed on the desk, period. (at least on this forum)

 

[Gikaseixas]

I do have a HTPC connected to a 50inch 1080p LED TV in my office but i rarely use it, when i do is mostly racing games, nothing else

 

[tential]

I wasn't being serious noted by the wink, followed by the seriously part (that is in response to no serious gamer doesn't have a controller). Not all serious PC gamers play those games anyway and those who are serious and play racing games, simulators and the like, don't often use controllers, but use wheels, flight sticks and the like. Even Batman games works very well with a speedpad and mouse.

PC gamers have options, so many serious PC gamers do not use controllers. Whether by using other options, or simply not playing those genres.

I'm happy most pc gamers don't own controllers. In mmos I found controllers had different button options so I'd use a controller and keyboard so that I'd have access to commands no one else did or even knew about since they never bothered to try a controller

 

[bryanW1995]

haha, I can see this poll ruffled a few feathers.

Yep. The first few comments seemed to imply that everybody is moving to the living room, but the poll numbers are 90/10/10 as of this post (in favor of traditional kb/m desktop setup).

heh - i recently tried console gaming with some friends (havent played on one since the sega mega drive days) - and i wanted to smash the controllers on the wall. it was literally infuriating to use. i think im happily sticking with a k/b&m for a while to come.

I hear you. My wife got me a wii U for my bday last year. The only newer game I ever play on it is Mario Brothers, all of the others I play are old nes/snes titles like zelda and metroid. I just use the big control bad like a traditional SNES controller, it took a bit of getting used to but those games are pretty simple.

Lol what's this thread trying to prove? Is anandtech representative of all types of pc gamers?

Is op still going to ignore the obvious focus on bring pc gaming to the living room that has been shown from Intel, amd, Microsoft, nvidia, valve, numerous case makers, numerous games that come with subpar mouse/kb or even basically no support as its meant for a console, etc.

I guess games are primarily designed for pc gamers who desktop game only which explains why games like darksouls, Skyrim, etc. were made with amazing pc controls,

No need to get all worked up about it. It's just a poll, and no, it's probably not representative of the entire market. Still interesting though, I would have figured that the % of living room gamers was higher even on an AT poll.

 

[Gikaseixas]

I have both a controller (MS xbox) and a Logitech Wheel hooked to my HTPC for my racing addiction. Steam's big picture mode works very well on a TV and i think more and more PC gamers will find out that using a TV is not that bad at all.

 

[bryanW1995]

KBM, desktop w/ monitor and a 42" tv next to the desk, have to tv/movie on same time as playing on puter.

I had literally never heard of "Inland Empire" until I just googled your "location" info. I should probably get out more...

I have both a controller (MS xbox) and a Logitech Wheel hooked to my HTPC for my racing addiction. Steam's big picture mode works very well on a TV and i think more and more PC gamers will find out that using a TV is not that bad at all.

I disagree. M$, Sony, and the big TV makers want this to be a big trend, and it's heated up lately b/c of the lack of any other content for 4k tv's...but once we start seeing more 4k content then video games won't be taking center stage anymore. We are still a long way off though, I said 5 years earlier and even that might be optimistic.

A nice benefit from all of the 4k/video game stuff is that NV and AMD should see higher demand for their most profitable cards going forward, and there should now be more of a mainstream impetus pushing AMD/NV to keep up their development cycle. Not saying that there was no incentive before ofc, but the average Joe is at least somewhat aware of 4k these days.

 

[Silverforce11]

Did you guys buy a bucketload of games during the Steam sale? I bought heaps. Most of them didn't even have gamepad support.

Sure, we get console ports, and some of them do play well on gamepad, but still inferior to the control offered by mouse/kb. IMO, only the genres racing or fighting plays better with a gamepad.

I also find that sitting so far away on a couch loses a lot of the immersion. Then there's surveys that show the average PC gamer is quite mature (mid 30s!), I would imagine most of these individuals have a family with kids... the very thought of having the main gaming/work PC in the living room is abhorrent under those situations.

 

[IGemini]

I put both. My HTPC is also working as a frontend for Steam on my 42" TV.

Controller support on Steam can widely vary. I played the entire FFXIII series on 360 and really want to continue (re)play on my PC, but controller support via Steam just isn't there..at least not when streaming. It's fine on the main computer. However, Witcher 3 controller support works perfectly. My wired 360 controller is plugged into my frontend and the host recognizes the controller, even though it defaults to KB+M on my main computer.

 

[ozzy702]

Did you guys buy a bucketload of games during the Steam sale? I bought heaps. Most of them didn't even have gamepad support.

Sure, we get console ports, and some of them do play well on gamepad, but still inferior to the control offered by mouse/kb. IMO, only the genres racing or fighting plays better with a gamepad.

I also find that sitting so far away on a couch loses a lot of the immersion. Then there's surveys that show the average PC gamer is quite mature (mid 30s!), I would imagine most of these individuals have a family with kids... the very thought of having the main gaming/work PC in the living room is abhorrent under those situations.

Yep. Mid 30's here and with three small children there is no way I could game on our TV. Not to mention I'm near sighted so unless I want to wear my glasses the picture looks like crap, even from 10ft away (way less than our couch sits from the TV).

I prefer mouse and keyboard for everything but fighting, racing and to some extent 3rd person games. For those situations I use a gamepad. These days I'm strapped for time so I typically play games that allow my attention to be somewhat split between the game and watching a show on my 2nd monitor.

 

[kasakka]

I tried to do the living room gaming thing but just couldn't stick to it. Any first person games just aren't that comfortable to play with a controller (hopefully Steam controller will change that) and now I don't feel like giving up my 144 Hz display either. I also tried having a mouse and a half keyboard on the sofa but not that comfortable either.

I wish there were TVs catering to gamers - 144 Hz G-Sync 1080p at 50" would be pretty nice.

 

[BHZ-GTR]

Desk is Better , According to me

More control and comfort

 

[Pseudoics]

I have a dedicated room with a 50" Panasonic plasma with a PC desk and monitor right next to it.

There's no argument KB+M offers finer aiming precision in games, but with quality wireless-everything peripherals available these options are no longer limited to a compact 'PC desk area' as they were in years past. Neither is PC gaming in general. High end SFF and HTPCs are why 'PC gaming has m̶o̶v̶e̶d̶ spread to the living room'. Common display connector standards (HDMI/DP) across the industry means you can hook a PC up to any modern display in your house with the same cable. Digital signalling allows long cable lengths that extend through walls/roof space into other rooms with a wall socket without signal loss. Wireless and Networked display signals aren't exactly pro gaming standard to put it softly, but these do have a future also. So even a full tower PC under your desk can be hooked up to a TV elsewhere simultaneously.

TVs are in lounge rooms; bed rooms, man caves, basements, sheds/garages etc more than just in a busy living room. Do you really need a desk in all these places to be a PC gamer? I think polls like this are more so subtle arguments for control preferences (KB+M v Controller) than what type of PC gamer you are. The modern gaming experience is highly adaptable. I'm not evening mentioning the merits of either technology or non-gaming uses. High end monitors can be excellent, high rez, high Hz, low IL competitive weapons. TV setups are mostly bigger, can be HUGE, have superior IQ (Plasma/OLED) and be loud centerpiece experiences that more than one person in the room can comfortably enjoy. It's very easy to enjoy both these things as a PC gamer.

Anyway, personally... I game on my plasma where ever possible for most single player experiences. Most console ports with a controller but older games with KBM. I sit about 2 meters back on a cinema lounge. Witcher 3, Crysis 3, GTA V - just beautiful on the big screen, especially downsampled. I won't change my plasma until 4K OLED is affordable as the IQ with LCD (black levels, motion blur) is simply not up to standard for me even with 4K. For RTS games or shooters that require split second mid-air 180's, I'll sit at my desk with a serious look on my face and mouse in hand. Really looking forward to a decent selection of adaptive sync monitors next year. Keeping 60fps locked at high settings is getting harder.