Video games blow movies away for 2013 revenue: $100 Billion vs. $10 Billion.

[GDS_Starfury]

I would agree with racing games unless you get the wheel/pedal controllers for the pc.

[LongBlade]

I was a console-only gamer for a few years, at one point.  While it was somewhat enjoyable, it was ultimately very disappointing in comparison and I couldn't wait to get a capable PC after my short stretch of being force-fed the same few brainless games & genres repeatedly.  The software variety, and versatility in general, is still unmatched when compared to that available on consoles. 

Well, what we ought to recognize is the difference between consoles and PCs.

At their heart, both are computers. The major differences between them is what you can do with them.

Consoles have an operating system, but it is nowhere near as robust as that of a Windows, Apple, or Linux OS. They can do many things, but their hardware and software is designed to do one thing primarily: gaming. They do it well enough. Their interface is a controller and a motion sensitive device.

PC's on the other hand can accept pretty much any hardware you want to plug into them. Mice and keyboards are standard, but if you want a console controller it's easy to plug in. Joysticks, HOTAS, Track IRs, Occulus Rift, your cellphone....the list is almost endless as to what you can plug into your PC and interact with.

So both are computers but the console is deliberately handicapped in what it's designed to do. That doesn't make them "bad" but it does mean that PCs are capable of vastly higher levels of of software crunching as well as a much greater variety of hardware inputs and outputs.

Does that make them "better" than consoles? Yes and no.

Consoles provide a "good enough" gaming experience (I've said that above in a previous post). For ~ $300 you can get a lot of love for your console. However, for three to ten times that cost you can get a PC which will play the same games - and better - and even be able to run a spreadsheet or two at the same time. The difference between the two is cost and quality. Some people drive VWs. Some drive Mercedes.

[W8taminute]

I won't get into the question of which platform is better; console or PC?  What I will say on the matter is for those of us that can afford it both platforms offer gaming goodness on different levels.  A well rounded gamer will enjoy both platforms.  An elite gamer will also enjoy console and pc gaming in addition of cardboard board wargaming.

So I'll add to LB's comment on VW and Mercedes drivers.  You also have jack of all trade gamers master of none and you have specialists.  Some jack of all trades are masters of any form of gaming while others are gaming gods of their chosen platform.

The bottom line is this:  In the twilight of 2013 it is truly great to be a gamer!

[Grimnirsson]

Consoles provide a "good enough" gaming experience (I've said that above in a previous post). For ~ $300 you can get a lot of love for your console. However, for three to ten times that cost you can get a PC which will play the same games - and better - and even be able to run a spreadsheet or two at the same time. The difference between the two is cost and quality.

The difference is 'focus' - as you said consoles are built as gaming machines (ok, with the XO that is not true 100% anymore ;) ), while a PC is an all-rounder that can also play games. Of course a PC can do more things but on the other hand all the processes that run in the background of a PC makes it necessary to have more powerful hardware to achieve a good gaming experience. To achieve that you must, as you said, cash out 10 times more. Console gamers usually also focus on games only so we don't need to run a spreadsheet or two at the same time. This 'focus' aspect is what made the new Xbox such a weird thing in the eyes of the console crowd. Especially the MS PR events that endlessly talked about TV, Sports, Kinect, Skype, movies etc.. and even stressing the fact that you can do all this at the same time (who wants to do that???)...left the impression it is a multimedia machine that can also play games - like a PC. Sony realized that such talking and losing focus is alienating the console gamers who want a game machine and so they concentrated on that aspect with the PS4. And the gamers liked what they saw and heard. This focus of the machines and the gamers also seems to evoke a certain feeling, an emotion connected with the console of your choice, a PC is just a machine to run programs. I still can remember and actually feel my excitement when I played games on the Dreamcast, my first game on the Xbox was Halo and it's still there, this feeling I link with certain games and a certain console. Even the N64 had that, e.g. Turok. Consoles feel different to me, I have an emotional attachment to my PC (Nb actually) like I have with my toaster, nothing, it's a machine. And such 'emotions' count when you define for yourself (!) what is the 'better' game experience. I look forward to many cool games on my big HDTV with ambilight and a good surround system while sitting in a comfortable chair, enjoying a glass of good wine and I simply disagree that this is an inferior gaming style :)

[MuzzyDev]

Consoles have become very powerful and begun to equal the graphical quality of PC's (and I think the current consoles do come pretty close, and likely surpass the quality of gamers on lower end PC's).  The new consoles are also keenly aware of enhancing the multiplayer experience, which has been so much better on PC--the exception being the type of game where two people can play together, like a fighting game.

For many gamers, it's not a competition at all, as they have both a PC and one--or more--consoles.  It's more a matter of what type of game and the experience.  It's great to be able to sit in a comfy chair playing on a big screen.  It's also great to be able download a game instantly to play on your computer, then use tools to mod the game you like.  PC's also offer a great chance for small, indie developers to create games and distribute them in a way they just can't for consoles.  Consoles, OTOH, offer excellent games that are proprietary.  You won't be playing Red Dead Redemption on your PC.

The majority of people in my office have gaming PC's and at least two consoles, plus mobile platforms like iPads.  All have their uses if you like to play games.

Chris--

[Bison]

For many gamers, it's not a competition at all, as they have both a PC and one--or more--consoles.  It's more a matter of what type of game and the experience.  It's great to be able to sit in a comfy chair playing on a big screen.  It's also great to be able download a game instantly to play on your computer, then use tools to mod the game you like.  PC's also offer a great chance for small, indie developers to create games and distribute them in a way they just can't for consoles.  Consoles, OTOH, offer excellent games that are proprietary.  You won't be playing Red Dead Redemption on your PC.

This is why I use a Lazy Boy for my computer desk chair.  It's all apart of the Bison Command Center (BCC) concept that I've been pushing here for the last few months.  Better gaming with Lazy Boy.  The motto's not catchy but it gets the point across.  :D

[Grimnirsson]

Chris,

The new consoles are also keenly aware of enhancing the multiplayer experience, which has been so much better on PC--the exception being the type of game where two people can play together, like a fighting game.

Why do you think so? What's better with MP on PC? Otherwise I agree with your post  8)

[GDS_Starfury]

The controls. You get far more precision with a pc and those controls are more comfortable to use.

[Grimnirsson]

This is just a matter of personal preference and being used to one or the other. I suck with k/m, but I don't even realize anymore that I have a controller in hand, I just move in character so to say...I suppose someone used to k/m will say the same and suck with a controller...so this has nothing to do with 'better'.

Btw you seriously say that the Multiplayer experience is better on the PC because of the tool you use in a game? Huh???

[GDS_Starfury]

thats exactly what Im saying.  you may be stuck in an office with nothing more difficult then a pen or phone to hold all day long.  I play with power tools, brushes, screwdrivers and things that wear out your hands.  the last thing I feel like doing after that is holding a console controller with silly button placement.
you didnt agree with the pc vs console fps article but thats hardly the first time that tests been conducted.  players are more accurate with a keyboard and mouse.

[LongBlade]

For many gamers, it's not a competition at all, as they have both a PC and one--or more--consoles.  It's more a matter of what type of game and the experience.  It's great to be able to sit in a comfy chair playing on a big screen.  It's also great to be able download a game instantly to play on your computer, then use tools to mod the game you like.  PC's also offer a great chance for small, indie developers to create games and distribute them in a way they just can't for consoles.  Consoles, OTOH, offer excellent games that are proprietary.  You won't be playing Red Dead Redemption on your PC.

This is why I use a Lazy Boy for my computer desk chair.  It's all apart of the Bison Command Center (BCC) concept that I've been pushing here for the last few months.  Better gaming with Lazy Boy.  The motto's not catchy but it gets the point across.  :D

Gaming laptops are lovely for this purpose, too!

[Grimnirsson]

thats exactly what Im saying.  you may be stuck in an office with nothing more difficult then a pen or phone to hold all day long.

Yes, indeed :)

I play with power tools, brushes, screwdrivers and things that wear out your hands.  the last thing I feel like doing after that is holding a console controller with silly button placement.

Pretty much supports my view that you use what you are used to, what feels right for you...you k/m, I the controller...preferences, taste, style, whatever...not 'better' ...

you didnt agree with the pc vs console fps article but thats hardly the first time that tests been conducted.  players are more accurate with a keyboard and mouse.

It doesn't matter how many times a silly 'test' is done, if it is silly it doesn't say anything...Players who are used to keyboard and mouse and have no experience with a controller are more accurate with k/m...than a player who is not used to k/m and who is used to a controller...and vice versa.

[MuzzyDev]

Chris,

The new consoles are also keenly aware of enhancing the multiplayer experience, which has been so much better on PC--the exception being the type of game where two people can play together, like a fighting game.

Why do you think so? What's better with MP on PC? Otherwise I agree with your post  8)

The ability for individuals to create and moderate their own servers, which is finally available with XBox One.  Cross-platform MP: PC and mac users in the same game.  Plus just general widespread use.  If one of your friends has an Xbox and you have a PS4 you can't play together.  Ability to find players.  Steam has 65 million users now, chances are whatever game you play there's an  MP community.  Performance -wise the consoles should be comparable to PCs.  The 360 had fine MP but Sony not so much.  They definitely want  to show they've improved it.

[GDS_Starfury]

It doesn't matter how many times a silly 'test' is done, if it is silly it doesn't say anything...Players who are used to keyboard and mouse and have no experience with a controller are more accurate with k/m...than a player who is not used to k/m and who is used to a controller...and vice versa.

um... no.  no matter how good the controller user is they arent as accurate as a similarly skilled keyboard/mouse player.  you simply cant get the refinement of a 6000+ dpi mouse in a console controller.

[Staggerwing]

This may be a trivial detail in the Console v. PC/Mac/Linux debate but with Steam and Gamers' Gate (as well as Greenmangaming et al) I can pay through the nose at release day for The Big Hit Game on either the PC or my PS3 or I can wait a few months (or sometimes weeks) and  for the PC version I'll pay less than half or even a quarter of what the console version of The Big Hit Game is still selling for.