PC Gaming Renaissance?

[jayrabbit]

There's another reason why console is more popular than pc: the price

I mean a top graphics card costs more than two x-boxes. you need also a fast cpu, a shitload of ram, a big harddrive, and more...

[Thrik]

I really don't think that many people refuse to buy console games because of that reason at all, Reno. At least, I haven't heard of many using that reason. It's usually down to the following factors:

- Simple controls.

- Affordable.

- No installation.

- Quick to get into.

- Very portable.

- Generalized specs.

The only way for PCs to really take ground on consoles is to make them far more accessible to your average retard. Sure, we can all use PCs, but most people just find them confusing as hell with all the different pieces of hardware out there and such. Hell, even computer-savvy people find it difficult to choose new hardware these days. Things need to be labelled better, although I do believe that Microsoft are planning to work with publishers on that one so that they're given more general specification ratings.

Also, things such as installation could be a bit more streamlined. If computers came with a fast enough dvd drive by default, there wouldn't even be a need for installation -- it could just run off the dvds, with the hard-drive being used for data storage only. The 'insert and play' concept of consoles is what attracts a hell of a lot of people to them. Most people give me that excuse when I'm all 'y not pc m8?'.

The cost is a big issue, though. PCs generally require a monitor, keyboard, pc, sound system, tower, sound card, graphics card, mainboard, memory and hard-drive. That's a lot of stuff and a lot of money for most people, and when they go to buy a 'bundle' PC where it's an all-in-one type thing, they don't even know what the hell it all means. I always get people asking me stuff like 'is 1.1ghz gud?'. Things really need to be made easier to understand for people, although the ratings thing I mentioned two paragraphs up could tie into this.

[jfas]

another thing is games and computers are always evolving, how many times have you upgraded your computer just for a game? how much money did that cost? how many state of the art pc games just run like shit on the computer your dropped loads of money on? you dont need to worry about fps in consoles...

plus for the average joe, its cool to just sit with 3 other friends and play whatever game because its social, computer games are not

[Kosmo]

Cost is a big factor, but then again there are people who enjoy the bleeding edge hardware, I guess people like me, I die a bit every time inside when I pick up a PS2 controller, the games are fun and entertaining, but I actually like the physics, more dynamic surroundings and great graphics that you can just stand around and admire.

Sure I own a console, GameCube is my man, and I enjoy games like Super Smash bros. Melee with couple of friends, Mario Party is a blast. The console cost me 199,- and games usually go for 20-30,- piece when I buy them used or from the discount bin. I used 590€ for my GeForce 7800GTX so it's a nice change to buy something that didn't cost me arm, leg and then some.

And one reason consoles are gaining popularity is tied to one variable that many might not see fit at first. The popularity of Macs, yup, it's one variable, maybe a small one but it counts. Many friends of mine got sick of the security issues, and tedious work to keep your computer clean, most of these people don't have the time, or the knowledge, a photographer friend of mine was a big gamer and he even was in my NS clan, but then he just dropped the PC gaming because half of the work was just keeping the machine running. It was easier for him to toss the PC from the roof and buy a Mac and Xbox, now he doesn't have to fool around with his computer, he can still play WoW and UT2k4 with me and the rest of the games are on the console.

Sure the fat cats at Valve are not aware of the ever increasing market they could grab by porting their Steam to Mac OS, but to hell with those lazy bastards.

The bottom line is, consoles fit the bill if you are a gamer, I have always had a PC and a console from 8-bit nintendo to this day. PCs do FPS/RTS/MMOGs so much better than consoles, and for the simple reason of two pieces of hardware, mouse & keyboard, isn't that strange? They could grab a huge market with just having M&K combo and supporting them in their games. What a bunch of idiots, both console makers and Valve.

[Section_Ei8ht]

the m&k combo is what kept me from buying a console for the longest time. Went from SNES to xbox with no in-between. only reason i bought the xbox was so i could play the games i wanted to play that werent available for pc (Ninja Gaiden, Halo 2, Jade Empire, etc). If I have the option to buy a game on console or on PC, I'll take the PC any day.