Graphics and consoles

[mgoblue]

Re: Graphics and consoles

That pretty much sums it up for me. I used to dabble in PC gaming, but now I'm strictly console because I can just pop the disc in and know for sure that the game will work.

Also, most OS'ers play online via consoles...Yeah, we could somehow set up our PC's to play on the big tv's and have a controller, etc, but it's not worth it. I wanna play L4D with OS'ers, not random people. I go where my online friends are, that's why I'm primarily 360 instead of PS3

[ProjectRipCity]

Re: Graphics and consoles

Don't forget:

Consoles
- cost around $500 and has an average life span of 5 years.

PC's
- Graphics Card alone cost around $500 and has an average life span (before being outdated) of about a year.

I used to be a PC gamer. The graphics were just that much better compared to the PS2 and I wanted the best. But the cost just got too much. The PC I am typing on, I built in '05. New MB and everything from the ground up. It was outdated in a year, when PCIexpress came out. There was no way I was building another one. The other thing I love about Consoles is there is no need to worry about your configuration and min requirements. Pop it in and it plays. PC's are gorgeous to play on, if you can keep up, but it is a very expensive hobby.

Sorry I will have to disagree that consoles cost less.

My friend bought the computer to start out with for under 900 dollars. It last him 4 years so far. Everything runs perfect on the highest settings. (he made it himself) The only upgrade he has to make is a $180 graphic card. I am not sure what you meant by $500 bucks. lol. That graphic card will last him another 4 years.

Plus PC games cost typically $40 dollars as the console games costs $60. It adds up people.

You can argue that it would be the same price, but no way no how consoles cost any less. Because I know for a fact that's false.

[Cebby]

Re: Graphics and consoles

PC's
- Graphics Card alone cost around $500 and has an average life span (before being outdated) of about a year.

A 500 dollar graphics card will last you about 3-5 years.

PC gaming is more expensive to start out with, but with the costs of new consoles, it's only a bit more (300-500 dollars more or so) and you can basically get the games for free.

My computer gaming generally goes that I buy an 800 dollar computer, play the games of the last 3 years, then buy another 800 dollar computer and play the games from the last 3 years, but at this point, my most recent prebuilt 800 dollar laptop runs an unpatched Crysis at almost max settings. I think the days of "I NEED MOAR RAM!" every other month are over.

[pfunk880]

Re: Graphics and consoles

Sorry I will have to disagree that consoles cost less.

My friend bought the computer to start out with for under 900 dollars. It last him 4 years so far. Everything runs perfect on the highest settings. (he made it himself) The only upgrade he has to make is a $180 graphic card. I am not sure what you meant by $500 bucks. lol. That graphic card will last him another 4 years.

Plus PC games cost typically $40 dollars as the console games costs $60. It adds up people.

You can argue that it would be the same price, but no way no how consoles cost any less. Because I know for a fact that's false.

1. I have no idea how this example proves that consoles don't cost less.

2. I have a hard time believing that the system cost $900 and can play everything maxed out. Even so, that's still significantly more expensive than a console. The graphics card takes the price up to almost $1100, and I doubt the system will last another four years as-is without something else needing an upgrade.

3. That price difference for the games is only on new titles, and even if you bought all games new, it would take a long time for that difference to add up.

[Chizzypoof]

Re: Graphics and consoles

A 500 dollar graphics card will last you about 3-5 years.

PC gaming is more expensive to start out with, but with the costs of new consoles, it's only a bit more (300-500 dollars more or so) and you can basically get the games for free.

My computer gaming generally goes that I buy an 800 dollar computer, play the games of the last 3 years, then buy another 800 dollar computer and play the games from the last 3 years, but at this point, my most recent prebuilt 800 dollar laptop runs an unpatched Crysis at almost max settings. I think the days of "I NEED MOAR RAM!" every other month are over.

I admit I exaggerated the price of a good video card, it was used more to drive my point. But the quality ones run you around $150 - $250. And the top of the lines are upwards to $400. On the other hand the price of consoles are no joke either. The $50.00 controllers get on my nerves the most. I'll let Pfunk's post explain why I think PC gaming is still more expensive as I agree with what he said. Either way gaming is an expensive addiction.

But the graphics on the top of the line PC are very comparable to that of the consoles today. Graphics are reaching a peak in gaming now and the consoles seem to be doing well handling them. I think developers will continue to get better at programming for this generation of consoles and hopefully unlock some power to get the FPS up to what you saw on your friends PC. FPS are the biggest problem that I can see on these consoles because of the limited RAM in them and the inability to upgrade it.

[allBthere]

Re: Graphics and consoles

the best things new consoles bring is innovation and imagination. Every new cycle the first games, although they might not be amazing, they have a very fresh feel. GOW, That sega game with all the druggies lol.

The problem is after the first year or two max, developers settle into neat and tidy genres and just throw-up sequel after sequel.

with new consoles, people get creativity buzzing in them "what can we do now?" it's like an empty canvas. It's like it goes from brilliant indi movies to huge blockbusters that stagnate and dissapoint.

there are suprises here and there, but the longer into the cycle, the safer everyone plays, the risks taken diminish.

[jmood88]

Re: Graphics and consoles

the best things new consoles bring is innovation and imagination. Every new cycle the first games, although they might not be amazing, they have a very fresh feel. GOW, That sega game with all the druggies lol.

The problem is after the first year or two max, developers settle into neat and tidy genres and just throw-up sequel after sequel.

with new consoles, people get creativity buzzing in them "what can we do now?" it's like an empty canvas. It's like it goes from brilliant indi movies to huge blockbusters that stagnate and dissapoint.

there are suprises here and there, but the longer into the cycle, the safer everyone plays, the risks taken diminish.

You have that in the wrong order. The beginning of a console cycle just has the same games we've always seen but later on once the developers know what they're doing you start getting great games.

[Cebby]

Re: Graphics and consoles

You have that in the wrong order. The beginning of a console cycle just has the same games we've always seen but later on once the developers know what they're doing you start getting great games.

Yeah.

The peak of a console is generally 3 years into its lifespan.

[choadler]

Re: Graphics and consoles

The hardware outlay for PC's is a bit more money than consoles. I built my PC for about 1000.00 and it can handle everything and looks great doing it (looks better than consoles). However, PC games in general drop in price much more quickly than consoles. It is not uncommon to see PC games drop from 40 to 19 dollars after a few months. Gears of War was $60 a year after it came out on the console (or at least it seemed that way). Besides, my computer can do things that a console can't do, work and internet browsing. A good graphics card will last you at least 3 years if not longer. If you choose the route of upgrading to a mid to high level (just below cutting edge technology) you may have to upgrade a little sooner; however, you don't have to spend $500.00 to do that.

[Jonesy]

Re: Graphics and consoles

For you guys that are "pro pc" for lack of a better term: do you guys sit at a desk playing your computer on a regular pc screen? One thing i hate about Pc's and love about consoles is that i can kick back on my couch and play a 1080p game in 55' glory while drinking a beer and munching some nachoes. I simply can't do that (in comfort) on my pc.

I totally agree that PC is superior it terms of graphic quality, awesome online communities and patches etc but it's just not as relaxing if that makes sense.

[Cebby]

Re: Graphics and consoles

For you guys that are "pro pc" for lack of a better term: do you guys sit at a desk playing your computer on a regular pc screen? One thing i hate about Pc's and love about consoles is that i can kick back on my couch and play a 1080p game in 55' glory while drinking a beer and munching some nachoes. I simply can't do that (in comfort) on my pc.

My laptop is placed right next to my game screen and about 2 feet up from my TV.

Then again, I don't have some lame, uncomfortable PC setup.