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[Protagonist Jake]

I feel like a lot of people get into PC gaming trying to replace or supplement their console gaming experience with a superior one. After all it's often claimed to be a plain upgrade to gaming on a console. It is in many ways too thanks to flexible scaling allowing games to reach technical achievements they wouldn't else achieve. Not having to pay for online and having sales more often arguably makes it a better investment too.
However consoles are still more popular in nations like Japan, a big source of many popular and acclaimed games. They still treat porting their games to PC as just that, after thought ports. That's assuming if they do at all. It's hard to deny that it seems only specific genres seem to have any notable success on PC. It's hard to find actual numbers, but we know the PC version of MHW is the SECOND most popular behind the PS4 version, for example. That's a game with a popular PC user base too thanks to it actually being able to hit a decent frame rate unlike its console original. This is the case for most games and as a result games are usually developed with the lead machine in mind first. Even traditionally PC studios like CD Projekt are bending the knee to consoles.
However you have exceptions like Riot Games that focuses entirely on PC still roaming about and with huge success.
I think that P.C. rather than a straight upgrade from consoles, is more of a different platform. Like an Xbox to a PS.
Like with other competition it has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some that certain regions and developers are gonna favor.
What do you think though? Do YOU think someday PC gaming will replace console gaming? Is it still an upgrade to you?

 

[ManaByte]

Ever since the Xbox One and PS4, consoles are just very low cost PCs with a custom locked-down OS. They're x86 CPUs with PC GPUs.

 

[Virex]

Probably not

 

[Musky_Cheese]

No. Console is a nice low cost option.

 

[daninthemix]

PC will never replace the convenience of a plug-and-play box that goes under the TV - whether that's a console or a streaming box.

 

[TLZ]

Hell no. Consoles are convenient.

 

[scalman]

pc is console. its conencted to home HDTV and is played with PS4 controller. no need to be near pc or touch it at all. and all xbox games are now on pc too.
And doesnt matter at all what runs game as long as it runs well , pc ,console or stream in future. what matter is GAME, and to play it with comfort, not leaned to keyboard and mouse.

 

[Warnen]

For me I don't think it will ever. I keep trying but end up bouncing off.

Maybe when I can get a gaming laptop that's IPad/surface size I might be interested again. I don't game all that much any more (especially after falling off destiny) so having something bulky around just to play games on is a big waste to me.

Also my fav games lately seem to be made by Sony so always going to have to get what ever console they make anyways.

 

[JordanN]

There is no plug and play console. Those days haven't existed since the PS2 and Dreamcast era.

Modern consoles still require game installation, patches and updates.

The only difference comes down to the games and the community. If you like consoles exclusives and playing with other console players, then you get a console.
For everything else, there is nothing the PC can't do that is not also cheaper and more powerful/better.

 

[Petrae]

I used to think no, because consoles were far more simple to use and shit just worked.

Now, it doesn't matter which way you go, you're burdened with bullshit. Game installs, firmware updates, patches... a lot of the shit console warriors used to dump on PC users for now poisons their own well.

Now, it's just a matter of how much money you want to spend. With consoles getting more and more expensive and carrying many of the same issues as PCs, I could see some shift. PCs don't require $60 per year to play online, either.

If I didn't think that modern video gaming on the whole was a blatant cesspool of greed and had decided to keep buying new stuff, I probably would've considered switching to PC myself next gen instead of dumping $500+ a pop for PS5 and Xbox Whatever. Instead, I'll lean on my backlog of what I already own.

 

[JordanN]

For me I don't think it will ever. I keep trying but end up bouncing off.

Maybe when I can get a gaming laptop that's IPad/surface size I might be interested again. I don't game all that much any more (especially after falling off destiny) so having something bulky around just to play games on is a big waste to me.

Also my fav games lately seem to be made by Sony so always going to have to get what ever console they make anyways.

There are PC's that are literally smaller than launch PS4 is.
It's a myth all PC's require big humongous towers.

 

[Hendrick's]

Not if you have to run Windows.

 

[DetectiveBananas]

I'll answer with: Not any time soon. Too easy to hook up and play. People (including myself) still like having a controller in their hand. Exclusive games keep people interested and coming back for more. Lots of collectors out there who fill their game rooms with lots of consoles. Fear of games becoming unavailable due to licensing rights (PSN scrubbing a game from their service). Game prices of console discs drop faster then online.

 

[Fake]

Nah...

 

[Elenchus]

PC will never replace the convenience of a plug-and-play box that goes under the TV - whether that's a console or a streaming box.

This. Valve's failure with steam machines ended any hope of PC ever challenging consoles in the living room. Number of gamers with living room PCs has to be well under 1% of the PC gaming population because the PC becomes useless as a work platform once it's hooked up to a 75 inch tv sitting 8 feet from the user. Imagine working on a term paper in the living room on a wireless keyboard with your documents littered all over the couch. It's not happening. And how many can afford to spend $1000 for a PC that is only used to play games in the living room? It's beyond impractical. PC is a desktop and monitor experience and will never advance beyond that.

 

[rofif]

For me, pc has kinda became a place for older games and ports. I barely play anything new since new interesting games are usually console exclusives (ps4).
It was the same with 360. Many games came to 360 first and years later I replay them on pc with much better resolution, graphics and usually tons of issues.
I have pc since 1997 and always was a pc gamer first. but since I've got 360 when it came out and ps4 this gen, I have realized(as said above) that currently I am using pc to play older games that I initially played on those consoles but in 4k60fps.
I love pc gaming but there is ALWAYS something wrong. Rtx2070, ryzen 3700x, 4k freesync monitor and nvme ssd is a great pc but sometimes I just wish to boot the game and play. Sure, all games run amazingly but often they are so old it requires a lot of tweaking and new games often just suck and are not for me. Still - Steam library, just downloading the game and checking pcgamingwiki for workarounds made pc gaming much better. Recent EDF Iron Rain is locked to 75% of 1080p on pc... but with little tweaking I am running it at 4k 60fps no problems.
Pc is an elite, very enthusiast platform now in my opinion. It is more expensive than ever, more difficult to build than ever(compatibility of parts is an issue) but in return = offers 4k60fps (or more) graphics and performance on almost any game released on windows. It's a shame that many games are very broken or still stay exclusive to consoles.

Edit: It's never smooth on pc. Oh, this game stutters with 58fps limit (which I use to stay in freesync range), this game has a ton of pop up windows, this game starts windowed for some reason, this game flashes the screen when starting, this game don't support mouse properly, this game don't support controller properly, this game needs a lot of .ini tweaking, this and that. ALWAYS something. But as a reward You can set the games to what YOu want and achieve much better experience than on consoles... maybe. What I am saying is = I've paid 2k usd for this pc and it's too much

 

[JordanN]

I'll answer with: Not any time soon. Too easy to hook up and play. People (including myself) still like having a controller in their hand. Exclusive games keep people interested and coming back for more. Lots of collectors out there who fill their game rooms with lots of consoles. Fear of games becoming unavailable due to licensing rights (PSN scrubbing a game from their service). Game prices of console discs drop faster then online.

There have been PC game controllers since the 90s....

And the Xbox controller is already compatible with Windows....

 

[Warnen]

There are PC's that are literally smaller than launch PS4 is.
It's a myth all PC's require big humongous towers.

yeah but I meant portable like a laptop. Since I mostly use my iPad Pro for everything. That google stadia thing might be what I want if it works. Just a controller and an app.

 

[Quezacolt]

I don't think it will, for example, my Pc is more powerful than any of the current gens so far, and yet, in the past couple of months, most of my gaming time has been on my switch or ps4, i even buy mulpiplat games for those instead of pc, where i know they could run/look better. It feels different to me.

 

[Warnen]

I don't think it will, for example, my Pc is more powerful than any of the current gens so far, and yet, in the past couple of months, most of my gaming time has been on my switch or ps4, i even buy mulpiplat games for those instead of pc, where i know they could run/look better. It feels different to me.

I have Witcher 3 on Pc and Xbox one x yet I'd still rather play on switch since I can bring it to where I am instead of going to it.

Again another reason the stadia thing might be cool for me if it works but until then I got the switch.

 

[Gargus]

Nope, they will never replace consoles. Ever.

Consoles are priced lower, easier to maintain, easier to use, the games on them have post retail value because they are physical, etc because they are designed for one universal purpose and that's to play games. Also there is no upgrading or worrying about driver versions or compatibility because if it says ps4 then it will work and be the same experience for all ps4s.

What I see happening is gradually consoles in their current state start to disappear and become more like streaming and digital boxes where hardware isnt a factor, then pcs start down that path. Eventually pcs as we know them stop existing as generations grow up where a phone is basically their PC. And places like a business or a company will be the last ones with the standard pc format.

 

[LazyParrot]

I don't think it'll ever happen in Europe or North America, and most definitely not in Japan. There are markets like Korea and China where PC has always been more popular, though.

If consoles ever disappear it'll be because of mobile games and streaming, and in that case they won't be replaced by PCs for most people.

 

[Holammer]

I went with PC because I'm worth it. *cue the famous l'oreal commercials*

 

[GustavoLT]

probably streaming will... 20 years from now!

 

[Makoto-Yuki]

as much as i love PC i do think consoles have their place.

some people just don't have the brains, money, time or patience to use a PC...and that's fine.

probably streaming will... 20 years from now!

no.

 

[Hulk_Smash]

There is no plug and play console. Those days haven't existed since the PS2 and Dreamcast era.

Modern consoles still require game installation, patches and updates.

The only difference comes down to the games and the community. If you like consoles exclusives and playing with other console players, then you get a console.
For everything else, there is nothing the PC can't do that IS NOT ALSO CHEAPER more powerful/better.

Other than free internet, this is simply not true. What about PC gaming is actually cheaper? There is no piece of hardware or peripheral that is actually cheaper on PC. And don't say games because unless you are pirating, the days of 90% steam sales are long gone. And I've got a backlog of great games on my PS+ That only cost me the cost of ps+.

No, there is nothing cheaper about PC gaming. Every generation it seems we've tried to build a PC to the specs of a current console for a similar price and we couldn't do it.

PC enthusiasts need to quit with this "it's cheaper in the long run." It's never been true.


And alongside that: They need to quit saying it's as convenient as plug and play. Or that you don't need to tweak it to get some games running right. Every PC only friend I have claims this and I've caught each of them At some point tweaking something to get a game to run right.

Just this week, I installed Metro Exodus on my PC using game pass (all my specs are current. I can run any current gen game no problem) and it wouldn't run. It goes to the title screen and quits. Download gears 5 instead and it runs like a champ. Why one and not the other? I can't tell you. But what I can tell you is that shit almost never happens on a console.

Consoles are closed systems, PCs are open. This means shit will go sideways more often on a PC.

Instead of trying to say PCs have all the same features and bullet points consoles have (they don't) they should stick with what makes owning a PC truly great:

-backwards compatibility forever
-MODS
-free internet
-1,000s more games
-superior graphics
-free multiplayer

 

[ChrisB]

There are PC's that are literally smaller than launch PS4 is.
It's a myth all PC's require big humongous towers.

Spoiler

Come on now, S4 Mini is first cost 225.00..


Consoles offer a competitive package, small size, decent power, low price.
They also still offer a level of plug and play, I haven't seen an update on my XB1X besides turning it on the first time (Auto updates are a thing). There are no settings to tweak to get acceptable frame rates.

And before you label me I have 2 gaming PCs and currently planning out a 3rd one.

 

[Woo-Fu]

PC won't replace console for the simple reason that the platform holders are the driving force behind the existence of the console. They need a walled-garden-in-a-box for their business model to work.

 

[fermcr]

For me it's PC. Gaming, working, WEB surfing, etc, do it all on PC.
Had a PS4, PS3, X360 and other consoles before that, but most of the time they were collecting dust under the TV.

 

[mejin]

nope

 

[Vawn]

Never. Consoles are so much more convenient than PCs. I really tried getting into PC gaming for a couple years. It just isn't worth the hassle.

 

[Chastten]

I doubt it. As an IT guy, I see more and more people who don't even have a PC anymore in their homes because everything they did on their computer, they can now simply do on their tablet, including playing games.

PC-gaming will keep it's place among enthusiasts, but it will not replace anything.

 

[Hulk_Smash]

There are PC's that are literally smaller than launch PS4 is.
It's a myth all PC's require big humongous towers.

And how much is that thing? Now try doing small form factor for the cost and specs of a PS4.

 

[dirthead]

Uh the PC already replaced consoles. I haven't given a shit about consoles for years.

Think about it. The best version of Street Fighter is on the PC now. Can you imagine making a statement like that in the early 90s? Consoles are already done. They're just shitty budget PCs themselves now.

 

[MiguelItUp]

Lmao, no. Not everyone wants a desktop PC at home. Plus consoles provide an experience some may be looking for, as they're more convenient for some, and at a lower price point.

 

[The_Mike]

Consoles are literally just low budget PC's with locked input support, closed ecosystem and exclusives to actually make the product attractive.

Neither will replace the other, and there is a market for both products.

 

[dirthead]

Consoles are literally just low budget PC's with locked input support, closed ecosystem and exclusives to actually make the product attractive.

Neither will replace the other, and there is a market for both products.

Nah exclusives are slowly being phased out. Yes, they're still here and there, but the percentage of good exclusive games today compared to like 15 years ago is way less.

Game devs are slowly wising up and realizing that they can make a lot more money by releasing on as many platforms as possible. There's no money in hardware. Consoles only benefit the platform owner--not game developers or consumers.

 

[Consumer]

nah PC's achievement system is worthless due to ease of hacking. unless they implement a way to port over my 600+ platinum trophies, PC will never be viable

 

[dirthead]

nah PC's achievement system is worthless due to ease of hacking. unless they implement a way to port over my 600+ platinum trophies, PC will never be viable

More like achievements are worthless period.

 

[The_Mike]

Nah exclusives are slowly being phased out. Yes, they're still here and there, but the percentage of good exclusive games today compared to like 15 years ago is way less.

Are you sure about that? I keep hearing that Xbox One has no games and literally the only good thing people can say about PS4 and why it's selling great is because of the exclusives, so it seems like it is the case.

 

[Consumer]

More like achievements are worthless period.

be that as it may, there's several million like-minded users that will never forfeit their digital stamp collections just to see sharper shadow textures

 

[PerfectDark]

I been a main PC gamer up until XB1 and PS4. But mainly due to my kids. I built a few $1500 gaming PC's inbetween but sold them after a few months. I spent the last 2 years with no PC in my house and used a Samsung Chromebook. For video games I had two nice 4k tv's and 2 xb1x's for me and my kids.

My brothers are stubborn PC gamers. I just built a $1800 PC. Such a waste of money. I built it because my kids want minecraft mods and game with my stubborn PC bros.

Monitors are such crap and every monitor I have bought or tried in the 1440p 144hz for $500 range has been hot garbage. HDR is a buggy mess on PC and broken.

My opinon on someone who grew up with consoles and when I was in highschool became a PC only gamer for 15 years. Consoles are outdated right now. But TV's blow monitors away. Especially for price. Next year I think consoles will pass PC. New hardware will release and bring PC ahead of consoles but they should be prety even goign foward. You get more for your money with TV and console.

 

[Holammer]

nah PC's achievement system is worthless due to ease of hacking. unless they implement a way to port over my 600+ platinum trophies, PC will never be viable

Just because your Dick hat won't be worth anything on PC?
If I had a Dick hat for all the games I played since the Atari 2600 it would be so big, I would require a retinue dedicated to hauling it around. It would put Liam Neesons actual penis to shame.
It would fucking pierce the sky.

 

[Birdo]

Nope. If anything I think PC gaming will die before consoles.

Average Joe doesn't want to fart around with building systems and managing ten seperate launchers. Especially now that consoles are catching up with power.

"But......but, but MODS!". Nobody gives a flying shit about mods, outside of a very small group of people.

 

[Clear]

Nah. PC's are bound to Windows and that's a huge overhead that'superfluous to the experience of playing games.

Also, all the things that makes PC gaming great also makes it undesirable to huge swathes of the audience who just want a satisfying pick-up-and-play experience.

 

[diffusionx]

The problem is consoles have lost a lot of their advantages over PC. For example, price. PS2 started at $300 and was down to $150 within a couple of years. Meanwhile the PS4 started at $400 and is $300 now after six years, but they're also selling a system in the $400 range. It's still cheaper but like it used to be.

The systems are also not as convenient or easy to use as they were even last gen. Massive hard drive installs, patches, system updates, in some ways it's more annoying than the PC (although Windows 10 doesn't help). You also don't get the massive list of exclusives like you used to - I'm really hesitant to buy a PS4 version of a game when I can get one that runs better and looks better on PC. You don't even have the advantage of a fixed piece of hardware anymore, with the X and Pro, and now they have graphics/performances modes that are basically simpler and less flexible option menus. So consoles aren't what they used to be. You'll always get the advantage of a giant company backing it, and if they're competent, you'll get something good, but yea, it's not what it used to be. PCs also haven't really lost the advantages they had over consoles, they're super easy to hook up to a TV and use as a console, and for the most part, I think it's a way more attractive proposition than it used to be.

 

[The_Mike]

Nope. If anything I think PC gaming will die before consoles.

Average Joe doesn't want to fart around with building systems and managing ten seperate launchers. Especially now that consoles are catching up with power.

Consoles never have and never will catch up in power. Sorry Bro, but when the console is being mass produced the hardware is already dated, and when they are out on the shelf they are really dated.

 

[bilderberg]

You'd need a dedicated gaming os for pc's to ever have a chance replacing consoles. Windows 10 has just been awful for games.

 

[Digity.exe]

Some of the comments in here are absolutely gold.

 

[existensmaximum]

No? I mean, it's not like there aren't already small, cheap PC:s or that they are difficult to use?

There are obvious advantages to both dedicated gaming consoles and PC:s, and to me it's just so much more appealing to play on consoles. Of course there's lots of people with the opposite opinion! But there are many, many others like me.

I get much more of a "gaming feeling" with a console. To me, a PC is first and foremost a work tool. I don't want to feel like I'm at work when I'm playing a game. I've been using both PC:s and consoles since the late 80's, I've built lots of computers and played a lot on them too. Still do sometimes, for the record.

As soon as you need to boot up and use Windows and use a mouse + keyboard, you've lost me. It's not as fun, convenient or appealing. Or when you need to fiddle around with settings, update drivers, download different downloaders to download and play games (...) + there's no physical media which is really important to me. I'm a collector + I want to be able to sell games I don't like or that I am tired of.

Plus the exclusives.

It's not like people don't understand that a PC gives you a ton more options! Mod support, upgradeable parts, plus you can use the computer for a million other things besides playing games.. but that's part of the problem to me. It detracts from the "feeling", from the complete gaming experience.

I bought GTA V on PC a couple of days ago. First, I had to download Rockstar Launcher, get an account, log in then download the game. Then when I booted it up, Windows Defender blocked the game from starting, so I had to fix some settings and make an exception for the .exe file. Then, when I finally got into the game, the resolution was set to 800x600. So I played around with the settings for maybe 15 minutes to optimize..

After that, I really didn't feel like playing anymore. Totally lost any inclination to play.

Sure, it's not always like that! When I play Skyrim through Steam, I just fire it up, no problem. But still, there's almost always something... some shit that just makes PC gaming less appealing than just popping in the disc and start playing. Oh, and being able to put the console in sleep mode and start the game right up in a couple of seconds is just too much of an advantage.

And even if there are small, cheap PC:s, you really can't buy one that is as small, cheap, quiet, looks as nice in your living room, is as powerful (relative to the price) as the PS4 pro with games as good looking as the Sony exclusives. Or the X1X for that matter. Especially not if you include a controller and Windows. At least not easily or conveniently. No, you can't.

So, why would PC:s "replace" consoles? It's obvious that there are plenty of people that prefer both options.