Console vs. PC: Why Consoles Are Here To Stay

Many gamers out there have chosen the PC as their weapon of choice. Afterall, its difference from a console is undeniable: customizable controls, better graphics, faster loading times, and exciting multiplayer gaming. But then if that’s the case, then why do console games still outsell PC games by 5:1? Bill Selles of DPAD tries to answer this question.

In his analysis, he has pointed out many factors that may have contributed to the popularity of console games over the years. For example, the fact that a console cannot be upgraded may be seen as a hindrance by some, but as a blessing by others. A PC can be configured with a powerful processor, gigabytes worth of RAM and a stunning video card, but then again, not a few have experienced the time when a new game is released and you discover that compared to its system requirements, your PC build which once seemed top-of-the-line, now looks prehistoric. So we trek off to the PC shop for that ultimate gaming video card. However, with console games, one doesn’t have to worry about this since the game has been especially developed for the console that you already own. There’s no need to cross your fingers that its graphics engine doesn’t eat up all your memory and freeze your system. No more fiddling with the settings just so your game would run sans lag.

Many gamers out there have chosen the PC as their weapon of choice. After all, its difference from a console is undeniable: customizable controls, better graphics, faster loading times, and exciting multiplayer gaming. But then if that’s the case, then why do console games still outsell PC games by 5:1? Bill Selles of DPAD tries to answer this question.

In his analysis, he has pointed out many factors that may have contributed to the popularity of console games over the years. For example, the fact that a console cannot be upgraded may be seen as a hindrance by some, but as a blessing by others. A PC can be configured with a powerful processor, gigabytes worth of RAM and a stunning video card, but then again, not a few have experienced the time when a new game is released and you discover that compared to its system requirements, your PC build which once seemed top-of-the-line, now looks prehistoric. So we trek off to the PC shop for that ultimate gaming video card. However, with console games, one doesn’t have to worry about this since the game has been especially developed for the console that you already own. There’s no need to cross your fingers that its graphics engine doesn’t eat up all your memory and freeze your system. No more fiddling with the settings just so your game would run sans lag.

Another thing to factor in would be the cost involved. With a PC, once your system can’t handle the latest game system requirements anymore, the ultimate video card that you need to buy would also most likely have the ultimate price tag. And just how many of us would be willing to pay $500 for a piece of hardware just so we could enjoy the flawless graphics and eye candy that game developers have promised? With a console, however, you buy the console, buy some peripherals, an extra controller, a memory card and some other small things maybe, and that’s it. The rest of your money could go towards buying the games themselves.

A console has also been considered as “friendlier” upon set-up. You just take it out of the box, plug things where they belong, pop in a disc, and you’re up and running. Because of this, new players, or people who have never tried gaming before can afford to try their hand at it and they would be less afraid or intimidated of picking up that controller; again, unlike a PC wherein a degree of advanced technical know-how may be required.

And lastly, there’s the social factor. PC gamers have often been wrongly typecasted and associated with the image of a group of nerdy kids in a basement with PC’s networked for a LAN party. It’s also difficult for group play to happen since every participant will be required to have his own unit. For others to watch someone else play, others would have to be, more often than not, standing behind the person at the keyboard, something which is reminiscent of a group huddling by the warmth of the fire. On the other hand, the image of a player sitting on a couch in the living room, controller in hand and surrounded by friends seemed to have cast a totally different light on console enthusiasts. His or her friends could easily join in as well, just by picking up the spare controller.

All in all, one can already assume that this debate is far from ever seeing an end since PC gamers would most likely accuse console lovers as simpletons, while console lovers retaliate by calling the other party elitists. But in this age that consoles are starting to be able to do things that PCs are capable of, who knows?

Personally, however, it is quite possible to have the best of both worlds especially since many people, including myself, have attested to the convenience of owning both a PC and a console.

Via DPAD