gaming Why do PC gamers get so frustrated with console gamers? (mild rant)

[TenorSounds 832]

Wow, are we really bringing up graphics? Please provide a better argument. 

 

I mean if you all say that PC games are being "held back" by console games (Not our fault by the way) then there really doesn't seem to be that much of an advantage going with a pc in the first place. 

 

What's wrong with using graphics in an argument? Some people care quite a lot about graphics. I don't think they'll make a bad game good, but saying it doesn't matter is disingenuous. A PC gamer making the argument that "PCs are better mainly because of graphics" is kind of missing the point, in my opinion, but the effect consoles have on the graphical potential of games being released is worthy of the discussion. Saying "gameplay is the only thing that matters" is just as extreme as saying "graphics are the only thing that matters".

[Panne 1,342]

The Wii U is horribly underpowered, but it has achieved something the other consoles have sadly missed . It's not pretending to be a PC in any way. At no point does it pretend to do the things a PC can do, and it doesn't try to have the best graphics. It embraces aesthetic beauty rather than a polycount which makes its games look much better than they are. It's designed from the ground up to be used for multiplayer with friends in your lounge room, and that I can approve of.

 

Sure, it's not going to be pushing 60fps @ 1080p any time soon, but when all I care about is stealing the last jelly snake while my best friend tries to hit me with a pogo hammer, it doesn't matter. If I were playing solo though, It would be a different story.

Actually the WiiU does run 1080p 60fps... It more of depends on the game though. Buy a cheap little indie game for 10 bucks no, buy any first party game and you have a crisp image and no lag because they don't try to have strong graphics. The weaker graphics are what let it run 60fps. Edited December 17, 2014 by Panne

[AEDAZ 176]

Would you rather I argue the myriad of uses other than gaming a PC has, or the plethora of input and display options? Printers, scanners, graphics tablets - your console can't use any of those. I chose to argue graphics and gaming because that is what this topic was about, and is the only field consoles can even pretend to try to compete in.

 

My 'better argument' is Maya. Photoshop. Illustrator, After Effects, 3DS MAX, literally hundreds of thousands of programs to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It is free access to the internet and online services. It is replacable parts, upgradable parts, and almost infinite customisaton. It is the power to create rather than consume. It is freedom to operate with whatever operating system you want. It is the ability to have multiple displays, the ability to host servers, make websites, host said websites, It is the ability to mod your games and overclock your hardware to get the last drop of power out of your hardware. It is the ability to connect people in hostile countries to the outside world via encrypted network protocol and give them hope. 

 

Should I keep going? No. I'll stop there to give you a faint hope of a chance. What can your console do?

No, we aren't talking about 'graphics and gaming'. We are talking about gaming specifically. My OP never mentioned graphics. Where is all this about "creating rather than consuming" coming from? As an avid Photoshop user I get exactly what you are saying, but that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with gaming. Neither is giving these people in bad countries hope. I'm not saying this isn't important, I'm just saying you're getting off topic. Anyone with a pc can do those things - and I imagine everyone here has one, right? You don't have to be a gamer to help someone like that, or create things with photoshop.

 

"I'll stop there to give you a faint hope of a chance". See, THAT is the attitude I'm talking about. There's nothing practical about thinking that way. It is as if you can't just enjoy your pc as it is, you have to MAKE me realize that console gaming is inferior - which is sort of a jerk move if I say so myself. Maybe I'm just misreading you though. 

 

What can my console do? It plays games, good sir. Yes, games - the most important aspect of gaming which many of us seem to have forgotten about. Everything from my NES to my 360 does what I want them to, and that is simply to play games. Nothing more, nothing less. And, heaven forbid, I am perfect content with that. 

 

Now, having said that.....

 

I'm sorry that this thread derailed into a huge argument. I should have seen it coming. If I said or did anything that legitimately offended you, I'm sorry. 

 

And to the rest of the people here: I want to ask if there is any hope of us just leaving it all behind us and just accept the fact that some people prefer what they do for reasons that we sometimes can't understand ourselves? I mean where is this discussion going to get us...? No one's opinion ever get's changed like this. Everyone just leaves frustrated, defending their point all the more. 

 

Again, I'm sorry. 

[TenorSounds 832]

And to the rest of the people here: I want to ask if there is any hope of us just leaving it all behind us and just accept the fact that some people prefer what they do for reasons that we sometimes can't understand ourselves? I mean where is this discussion going to get us...? No one's opinion ever get's changed like this. Everyone just leaves frustrated, defending their point all the more.

 

Well, it depends on how one views "gaming". For me, it's my main hobby and I am heavily invested in the industry and as such I want to see it grow and evolve; that makes the particular discussion about console's limitations and how it affects game development relevant and important to me, and so a call of "eh, we'll all just like what we like and buy what we buy" rings sort of hollow. I dislike PC elitists as much as the next guy, but the discussion itself is worth having.

[ShadowPirateX 600]

Because of DA SUPARIOR HAWDWARE! CANSOLES HOLD BACK GAMEZ! STEAM! DADICATED SERVAHS! AMAZING GREPHICS!

All of which I couldn't give a shit about.

[Skeleton Kin 385]

Well consoles need PC and vice versa so that there is competition of quality and price, if there were no console who would stop companies form raising prices ridiculously? You can't go to another platform for better prices because there would be no other platform.

[long gone 8,929]

Ya know, on the whole "consoles hold back the PC" thing, I've been wondering if Windows XP is even more guilty of doing just that.

 

It:

• Is still on the DirectX 9.0c API, so games that still support XP are designed around DirectX 9 when the latest version is 11.2 and DirectX 12.0, a major rewrite of the entire API, is around the corner,
• Relies on programming techniques that were top-of-the-line in 2001, but are horribly outdated today,
• Still has 22% market share worldwide, which, while less than Windows 7, is still a lot, and
• Has been around a lot longer than the PS3 and Xbox 360 have.

Sure, consoles hold back game standards for a few years, typically 5 years (or 7 in the 7th generation's case). But Windows XP has been holding back game standards for 13. Honestly, I can't wait for the OS to die.

[ShadowPirateX 600]

Would you rather I argue the myriad of uses other than gaming a PC has, or the plethora of input and display options? Printers, scanners, graphics tablets - your console can't use any of those. I chose to argue graphics and gaming because that is what this topic was about, and is the only field consoles can even pretend to try to compete in.

 

My 'better argument' is Maya. Photoshop. Illustrator, After Effects, 3DS MAX, literally hundreds of thousands of programs to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It is free access to the internet and online services. It is replacable parts, upgradable parts, and almost infinite customisaton. It is the power to create rather than consume. It is freedom to operate with whatever operating system you want. It is the ability to have multiple displays, the ability to host servers, make websites, host said websites, It is the ability to mod your games and overclock your hardware to get the last drop of power out of your hardware. It is the ability to connect people in hostile countries to the outside world via encrypted network protocol and give them hope. 

 

Should I keep going? No. I'll stop there to give you a faint hope of a chance. What can your console do?

None of that has anything to do with gaming, however.

[Sir Hugsalot 9,349]

Would you rather I argue the myriad of uses other than gaming a PC has, or the plethora of input and display options? Printers, scanners, graphics tablets - your console can't use any of those. I chose to argue graphics and gaming because that is what this topic was about, and is the only field consoles can even pretend to try to compete in.

 

My 'better argument' is Maya. Photoshop. Illustrator, After Effects, 3DS MAX, literally hundreds of thousands of programs to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It is free access to the internet and online services. It is replacable parts, upgradable parts, and almost infinite customisaton. It is the power to create rather than consume. It is freedom to operate with whatever operating system you want. It is the ability to have multiple displays, the ability to host servers, make websites, host said websites, It is the ability to mod your games and overclock your hardware to get the last drop of power out of your hardware. It is the ability to connect people in hostile countries to the outside world via encrypted network protocol and give them hope. 

 

Should I keep going? No. I'll stop there to give you a faint hope of a chance. What can your console do?

I think we are dealing with PC Master Race guy here. Proceed to evacuate.

 

Now in all seriousness...

 

You can play games on them - this is what they are designed for and nobody says they are designed for other purposes. So stop acting like ridiculous fanboy. Nobody uses photoshop etc on consoles. You know, why? IT IS NOT what they are for. Neither do people use them to make websites, host servers, it is not what they are for neither.

 

You give all functions PC has but forget that nobody ever said consoles are made for that. 

 

 

Also no offence, but last statement was just so bad even I felt embarassed by reading it. lol. 

[honk friend 1,978]

Both sides are completely stupid, you play video games to have fun and if you're letting the platform others play on ruin your fun, you're a complete idiot. 

Edited December 18, 2014 by Kitty.

[YouAreWorthSoMuch 102]

Wow, are we really bringing up graphics? Please provide a better argument. 

And somehow when I throw in a passive aggressive dismissive line you're all up in arms.

 

You wanted a 'better argument'. Graphics is most definitely a huge part of modern gaming. Does the phrase "Next Gen Graphics" sound familiar? Of course it does. It was one of the main 'selling points' of the PS4 and Xbone. If you are going to put your fingers in your ears whenever the words "graphics" comes in to play and outright request something less topical, I'll give you something less topical. 

 

 

 

What can my console do? It plays games, good sir. Yes, games - the most important aspect of gaming

 

Playing games is the most important aspect of gaming. And graphics is not an issue, apparently. So therefore an android phone is as good a gaming device as a console and a PC, because they can both "Play games" 

 

I disagree. Strongly. Graphics are a HUGE part of gaming. Having 60 fps allows for much more responsive and fluid gameplay. Running at 1080p allows me to use every pixel on my primary display and actually see what's going on in the game world. Anti aliasing makes the edges of the hard objects render softly and lets me see details round those edges. From Doom to Halo to GTA V, developers are constantly trying to achieve the best graphics in their games, and for good reason. Good gameplay is your meat and potatoes, but graphics are the difference between having that tough piece of steak dropped onto half cold mash and served on a metal tray and having the finest quality, tenderest steak imaginable served sizzling from the grill onto a bed of fluffy, buttery mashed potato goodness.. It's possible to have a good, filling meal of a game without them, but the difference is blindingly obvious. 

 

If all anyone cared about were the mechanics not the graphics, we'd still be playing with goldeneye and super mario 64 levels of graphics because they're cheaper to make. The fact that we have games that look good and realistic is proof that graphics are a huge part of gaming. I still enjoy Sim City 2000 (1994) cause it has great gameplay, but when I got a copy of Skyrim I didn't rest until I got it looking amazing.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Bandersaur

[Envy 6,169]

And somehow when I throw in a passive aggressive dismissive line you're all up in arms.

 

You wanted a 'better argument'. Graphics is most definitely a huge part of modern gaming. Does the phrase "Next Gen Graphics" sound familiar? Of course it does. It was one of the main 'selling points' of the PS4 and Xbone. If you are going to put your fingers in your ears whenever the words "graphics" comes in to play and outright request something less topical, I'll give you something less topical. 

 

 

 

 

Playing games is the most important aspect of gaming. And graphics is not an issue, apparently. So therefore an android phone is as good a gaming device as a console and a PC, because they can both "Play games" 

 

I disagree. Strongly. Graphics are a HUGE part of gaming. Having 60 fps allows for much more responsive and fluid gameplay. Running at 1080p allows me to use every pixel on my primary display and actually see what's going on in the game world. Anti aliasing makes the edges of the hard objects render softly and lets me see details round those edges. From Doom to Halo to GTA V, developers are constantly trying to achieve the best graphics in their games, and for good reason. Good gameplay is your meat and potatoes, but graphics are the difference between having that tough piece of steak dropped onto half cold mash and served on a metal tray and having the finest quality, tenderest steak imaginable served sizzling from the grill onto a bed of fluffy, buttery mashed potato goodness.. It's possible to have a good, filling meal of a game without them, but the difference is blindingly obvious. 

 

If all anyone cared about were the mechanics not the graphics, we'd still be playing with goldeneye and super mario 64 levels of graphics because they're cheaper to make. The fact that we have games that look good and realistic is proof that graphics are a huge part of gaming. I still enjoy Sim City 2000 (1994) cause it has great gameplay, but when I got a copy of Skyrim I didn't rest until I got it looking amazing.

 

It's not necessarily that graphics are not important at all (at least not in my case), it's that all modern systems are running with graphics at such a level that the differences are becoming more and more insignificant.

 

As I've said before... The games on the Wii U run, look, and play beautifully. What more does one need? Seriously.

[AEDAZ 176]

And somehow when I throw in a passive aggressive dismissive line you're all up in arms.

 

You wanted a 'better argument'. Graphics is most definitely a huge part of modern gaming. Does the phrase "Next Gen Graphics" sound familiar? Of course it does. It was one of the main 'selling points' of the PS4 and Xbone. If you are going to put your fingers in your ears whenever the words "graphics" comes in to play and outright request something less topical, I'll give you something less topical. 

 

 

 

 

Playing games is the most important aspect of gaming. And graphics is not an issue, apparently. So therefore an android phone is as good a gaming device as a console and a PC, because they can both "Play games" 

 

I disagree. Strongly. Graphics are a HUGE part of gaming. Having 60 fps allows for much more responsive and fluid gameplay. Running at 1080p allows me to use every pixel on my primary display and actually see what's going on in the game world. Anti aliasing makes the edges of the hard objects render softly and lets me see details round those edges. From Doom to Halo to GTA V, developers are constantly trying to achieve the best graphics in their games, and for good reason. Good gameplay is your meat and potatoes, but graphics are the difference between having that tough piece of steak dropped onto half cold mash and served on a metal tray and having the finest quality, tenderest steak imaginable served sizzling from the grill onto a bed of fluffy, buttery mashed potato goodness.. It's possible to have a good, filling meal of a game without them, but the difference is blindingly obvious. 

 

If all anyone cared about were the mechanics not the graphics, we'd still be playing with goldeneye and super mario 64 levels of graphics because they're cheaper to make. The fact that we have games that look good and realistic is proof that graphics are a huge part of gaming. I still enjoy Sim City 2000 (1994) cause it has great gameplay, but when I got a copy of Skyrim I didn't rest until I got it looking amazing.

*Sigh* Yes, graphics are a very important aspect. But i think the difference between the graphics of a pc and the graphics of a console aren't as dramatic as you imply in your metaphor. Oh yes, there's a difference, but not a matter of heaven or hell as you seem to say. 

 

And while you were at such unrest trying to get your Skyrim game looking real shiny (which I commend you for) I was, nevertheless, perfectly content with my Skyrim experience as I was already slaying dragon and looting dungeons. Are you going to say I'm wrong for that? 

 

So what if you spent ages trying to get Skyrim to look good? What's that got to do with me? Why are you even bringing that up? Are you trying to impress me? 

 

Look I don't care what you play on. I'm more curious about why you have the attitude you do. Am I as a primarily console gamer just making things that difficult for you? 

[long gone 8,929]

The games on the Wii U run, look, and play beautifully. What more does one need? Seriously.

 But why stop there, though? What if people want more? Frankly I'd like it if people abandoned Windows XP already for the reasons I posted above so more games would be designed around DirectX 11/12 rather than 9, but you can't just assume that "Oh, this looks good enough, therefore it must be good enough for everyone." There is no such thing as "good enough" for everyone, really.

 

As for Skyrim graphical modding, I could have my Skyrim look like this or this, but my GPU isn't powerful enough to run the game with an ENB mod at more than 31FPS, so I stick to the stock graphics. I'd rather take frame rate over fancy graphics, so yeah.

[Lucky Star 972]

as I PC gamer, I prefer using the PC since most of the games I play have more content.

partly because they started out on PC.

things get taken away when they move to console.

 

but I don't see what there is to be elitist about, in my opinion it's more about what you're comfortable with, the controls on console are far easier to learn than on pc, or at least in my experience. 

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

And while you were at such unrest trying to get your Skyrim game looking real shiny (which I commend you for) I was, nevertheless, perfectly content with my Skyrim experience as I was already slaying dragon and looting dungeons. Are you going to say I'm wrong for that? 

 

So what if you spent ages trying to get Skyrim to look good? What's that got to do with me? Why are you even bringing that up? Are you trying to impress me? 

 

Look I don't care what you play on. I'm more curious about why you have the attitude you do. Am I as a primarily console gamer just making things that difficult for you? 

 

Modding and tweaking with things is half the fun. Personally, I don't understand how it's possible to be satisfied by putting a disc in and letting it run. That gets boring after a while.

 

 

The games on the Wii U run, look, and play beautifully. What more does one need? Seriously.

 

What more does one need, y'say? Okay, I'll humor you.

 

I need a hydroelectric power plant capable of producing a continuous ~10 GW of power, ~100 acres of river-front property, ~20,000,000 AMD Opteron 16-core CPUs,  and ~20,000,000 Nvidia Tesla K20X GPUs. Oh, and... I'll be using that water for my custom-built liquid cooling solution.

 

No, I'm not crazy, I'm just saying it like it is. Belive me, I've put plenty of thought into this. Since the Amazon is the only river big enough to be viable for this project, it looks like I'm moving to South America. I'm also going to need roughly a thousandth or two of the world's entire GDP, which is also totally reasonable.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Regulus

[Plageius 263]

Modding and tweaking with things is half the fun. Personally, I don't understand how it's possible to be satisfied by putting a disc in and letting it run. That gets boring after a while.

 

 

 

What more does one need, y'say? Okay, I'll humor you.

 

I need a hydroelectric power plant capable of producing a continuous ~10 GW of power, ~100 acres of river-front property, ~20,000,000 AMD Opteron 16-core CPUs,  and ~20,000,000 Nvidia Tesla K20X GPUs. Oh, and... I'll be using that water for my custom-built liquid cooling solution.

we both shrekt her didnt we

[Rainbow Batman 16]

In my opinion anyone who bases their identity over a game console needs a new hobby. PC gamers just feel superior because they can play games "better than you" and to them that's important.

 

I still play games a lot, and I'll probably end up getting an Xbox One eventually, but I think I've gotten too old to really care about the console wars and honestly I don't miss them.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

In my opinion anyone who bases their identity over a game console needs a new hobby. PC gamers just feel superior because they can play games "better than you" and to them that's important.

 

By that same logic:

• Football players just feel superior because they can play football "better than you" and to them that's important.
• Race car drivers just feel superior because they can drive cars "better than you" and to them that's important.
• Italian chefs just feel superior because they can prepare lasagna "better than you" and to them that's important.
• Writers just feel superior because they can tell stories "better than you" and to them that's important.
• Artists just feel superior because they can create sketches "better than you" and to them that's important.
• Space agencies just feel superior because they can land probes on comets "better than you" and to them that's important.

Pretty ridiculous, right?

 

Whatever happened to that human spirit? What happened to passion, the desire to grow, explore, and create... does that all mean nothing to you? Very few people do things just to be "better than you," and I encourage you to see the realm of PC gaming as no exception. A custom-built PC is like an artist's creation; it's an expression of pride. The thrill of gaming isn't just a high score... it's a shock to the soul. It's who you are.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Regulus

[Rainbow Batman 16]

But playing a game on a computer instead of on your TV doesn't make you a football player, race car driver, chef or astronaut.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

But playing a game on a computer instead of on your TV doesn't make you a football player, race car driver, chef or astronaut.

 

No, of course not. PC gaming can't teach me how to intercept an asteroid in an eccentric orbit. PC gaming can't teach me how to properly apex a corner to maintain momentum and stability. I've never developed patience, persistence, or other useless traits from PC gaming. Oh, no, of course not. It can't teach me how to write computer programs, create models and animations, work with computer hardware, and all that other stuff that isn't important.

 

Yeah, PC gaming is a pointless hobby. I've totally gained nothing from wasting my life doing it. I'm glad you've made me realize this, so... y'know, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. Tomorrow, I'm going to go out and sell my PC. I'm going to sit my ass down on the couch all week and play PS4 instead, because that's what the successful people in life do.

[Rainbow Batman 16]

No, of course not. PC gaming can't teach me how to intercept an asteroid in an eccentric orbit. PC gaming can't teach me how to properly apex a corner to maintain momentum and stability. I've never developed patience, persistence, or other useless traits from PC gaming. Oh, no, of course not. It can't teach me how to write computer programs, create models and animations, work with computer hardware, and all that other stuff that isn't important.

 

Yeah, PC gaming is a pointless hobby. I've totally gained nothing from wasting my life doing it. I'm glad you've made me realize this, so... y'know, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. Tomorrow, I'm going to go out and sell my PC. I'm going to sit my ass down on the couch all week and play PS4 instead, because that's what the successful people in life do.

No...successful people don't care as much about video games as you do.

 

I work a full time job. I'm training to be a firefighter. I don't have that much time to play video games and I honestly don't care that much about them at this point in my life. Why are you taking this so seriously dude? This is a forum about a cartoon pony show.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

No...successful people don't care as much about video games as you do.

 

Look! The successful one has spoken again!

 

I'm sorry, my great Rainbow Batman, sir.  I had no idea I was doing everything wrong. But I promise, now that I know, I will remove all the preconceived, erroneous notions I've carried throughout my life, and listen to the wisdom of a much more successful man. My mind is open and awaiting your profound wisdom!

 

Please, enlighten me! Tell me how to live my life! You, sir, should write a book; I'd be so delighted to read of your story of a more successful life, I'd buy ten copies! May your light shine upon my soul.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Regulus

[Rainbow Batman 16]

Dude...calm down. Why are you trying to start a fight? Just because I don't have much time for gaming that's some kind of personal attack on you?

 

At no point did I call myself more important or successful than anybody. That was the point of my first post. You SHOULDN'T consider yourself superior to someone based on the console you use. Why are you flipping out over that?

[Mouse 302]

The way I see it, the people who react to PC gaming elitists are just as big of a problem. By doing so, they're unknowingly playing the devils advocate; they're arguing about which one is better for the sake of proving the elitists wrong even though they claim to not care who chooses which. Some people react as so, which is kinda hypocritical if you think about it.

 

Either way, I don't see this whole console hating thing as a problem. Lots of people enjoy PC more than console gaming (as do I), and some even think of themselves as better or more sophisticated for it. But you know, just let them do their thing of praising PC, their choice of gaming platform doesn't effect you in the slightest and arguing with them is just going to make things worse. Some people just get their panties so much in a knot with this whole "PC Master Race" thing.