PC graphics vs Console graphics

[freedquaker]

ZenfoldorVGI said:

This is an age old argument. Yes, PC gaming has its flaws. Halfassed unfinished ports like GTAIV, general non-userfriendliness, PC requirements, cost, elitist snobbish fanboys, ect.

There are also many apples/oranges aspects between PC and console, such as non-userfriendly interfaces verses dumbed down userinterfaces, couch verses computer chair, patch-hunting verses autoupdate, lack of first party exclusives, stability issues, lazy ports, and secuROM.

The PC also has many advantages, such as user-mods, controller options(in some cases), and graphical potential.

There is no doubt that PC fanboys have damage control for every negative, but it's usually bullshit:

1. PC and console cost is comparable because of addons to the console

2. PC doesn't require upgrading that often to play latest games

3. Console gaming is as patch reliant as PC gaming

4. PC stability is usually as good and only as buggy as console gaming

All bullshit

5. PC gaming doesn't have a high barrier to entry - megabullshit

PC gaming will always have the highest potential. It has the "potential" to hook up to your television, but really....give me a break. It has the potential to have the best graphics. Certainly. You pay for it though. PC gaming has a completely different feel to it than console gaming, and in the end, it's apples and oranges, and no amount of know-it-all PC elitism can fool Zenfoldor. Basically, it all stems from an inferiority complex. Console gaming has always been looked down upon by the PC faithful, ignorantly. Afterall, when they were playing Doom, we were playing LttP and Mario Brothers 3, and they thought we were the dumb ones.

Anyway, yes, PC gaming has the highest potential, but it's usually not the best choice for the average gamer, unless you like to play MMOs, in which case you'll probably want the interface the PC has to offer.

The crux of the matter is, PC gamers spend upwards of 2-3 THOUSAND dollars on their gaming rigs. They are proud of them. Thus, they ascend to a super-fanboy state of cognitive dissonance. Any anti-PC rhetoric is smoten by the capabilities of their mighty rig, with which they also purchased a 42" samsung HDTV as a monitor for.

The simple truth is, they probably aren't getting a better gaming experience this gen, than someone with a PS3 or an Xbox 360 and a HDTV, unless they really hate Japanese games, all console exclusives, and are all about some RTS and World of Warcraft.

This isn't an anti-PC post, but instead look at it as a more balanced look at PC gaming. I actually went out and built a PC recently, and it's actually significantly more badass than most other PC's built in the past year, worldwide. However, PC gaming isn't something you have, it's something you chase. It's not all green grass and lollipops, and if it were, then the PC fanboys would be so damn defensive.

Don't mistake my tone here. PC gaming is great. It's just not the end-all be-all that most PC gamers adamantly project it as. Especially when you look at an upcoming exclusives list, and you see the way the industry is treating multiplats, while treating the PC version of those multiplats as a red-headed stepchild.

/respect

Man, I couldnt aggree more, its like you read my mind!!!

A couple of points I'd like to add though... The main advantages of PC gaming imo are those:

- Strategy games will always be much better on PCs, mainly because of very high res monitor, input devices (keyboard and mouse), the target demography (PC community is usually older and prefer less action, more strategy etc) and the key concept of playability (PC gaming is generally a more adult environment, while video games are more action oriented and preferable for fast and simpler action).

- Online Gaming is always pioneered at PC. You have in control of the intantenous download and all the internet stuff. Even though the gap has drastically narrowed down this generation, the PC is still and will always be the leading medium.

- Flexible and Independent Gaming is thriving on PC as there are no loyalty fees etc.

- The PC audience is too large compared to consoles and the environment is very flexible, so there is always a big audience over there if you know how to reap the benefits. Also PC is a future-proof environment, at least for the foreseeble future.