CONSOLEs vs PC

[Pemalite]

MDMAlliance said:

  It's not at all the same context we're talking here, because comparing a console and PC, the only point for doing that is saying "look how much better my PC is than your console."

Righto' and Playstation and Xbox Gamers have never done the same to Nintendo gamers or Playstation to Xbox gamers when graphics debates rage on, good to know that things are fair and dandy here. (This is sarcasm.)

MDMAlliance said:

Though before I would go further on this, I would need clarification on what you mean by "tax" on the software.  Do you mean that the big 3 make their money by selling their software?  Or that they increase hardware price due to their software (OS) being on the hardware? 

Publishers/Developers are required to pay a fee to the platform holder in order to have their games released on those particular platforms, Microsoft at one point stated that it can be as much as 60% of the sale, which is determined at it's own discression. (I.E. When it becomes a "featured game".) - I'm not entirely sure if that amount has changed in the last few years, haven't checked and would be more than happy to be proven wrong on the percentage front.
Such costs are then passed onto the consumer via higher game and DLC prices.

Also, a large percentage of console sales are still physical, retailers also take their cut.

On the PC, that particular "Tax"can be removed entirely, heck, not only do I get cheaper games by default in the range of $10-$20 per title, but an additional 30% off per game at green man gaming, even more during a steam/origin/uplay/desura/gog.com and many more's sales.

Converesly, the console manufacturers do this to not only subsidise their hardware, but to bring in some hefty profits.

On the flip side, I recall Valve having a 30% take per sale, but unlike consoles you can shop elsewhere, most developers/publishers allow purchases directly from them.

Again, the cost burden of consoles is shifted from the hardware to the software in order for the platforms to be a viable business and look attractive to consumers, the PC is completely in reverse.

MDMAlliance said:

Eitherway, you don't need to make a comparison to consoles if you want to analyze a piece of PC hardware that clearly trumps a console one.  That's why you need to compare similar products to each other if you want it to be meaningful.  

I agree to a point, but again, do read above on why it's not an accurate represenation of the entire picture, thus a cost analysis (With similar hardware, if that is what truly floats your boat, but I would like to see what kind of PC hardware+games you can get at various price points and have those data points compared to consoles.) is truly required for a complete understanding of the cost-issue in a fair and competent manner, otherwise it's like peeing into the wind, hardly ideal.