For those who refuse to game on a PC, what holds you back?

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To be honest I really just don't care. I've never really fallen victim to the whole "performance" obsession, (unless the game is literally unplayable I typically am able to just ignore performance issues), I don't care much about resolution or framerate (years of playing games at 720p/30fps will do that to you, I suppose), and I extremely dislike playing games with mouse and keyboard. I feel no particular draw to switch from my ps4 to PC, and I already have a MacBook I'm happy with for most non-related things. I also prefer sitting on a couch and playing on a TV to sitting at a desk and playing on a monitor (yes, I KNOW you can do that with a PC but cmon, who actually does that).

On a side-note, I also find it REALLY annoying when people act like I'm not a real gamer because I don't play on PC, or when they talk down to me like I'm inferior because I play on console. I'm currently majoring in Game Design & Writing, so I get that a lot from my friends and classmates, and I'm getting pretty freaking sick of all the PC master race nazis. Games are games, people should be able to play where they want and enjoy them however they prefer.
 
SeeNoWeevil said:
It's like owning a performance car that's expensive to run, noisy, impractical and uncomfortable and then being confused/irate with people who choose to own regular cars.
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Good analogy.

I remmeber on JRE podcast a few years ago "pc celebrity developer" cliff bleszinski admitted he didn't bother with a gaming PC since he was young and and just had an Xbox 360 in the house. This was when 360 was getting a bit long in the tooth too.
 
univbee said:
I might blow your mind here but have you considered maybe this is a good thing?

When I start up a PC game and it's slow/doesn't work that could mean an hour or two or more of messing around with all sorts of different things in an attempt to correct the errant behavior...and then it's revealed it was a bug that needs fixing anyway because how dare my PC have this really specific combination of hardware which messes it up.

At least when a game on PS4 runs like dogshit I know there's nothing I can do about it on my end and can spend the hypothetical hour or two of troubleshooting on something else (which is extra-important in my old age while raising a kid, having very limited time in which to game), and know the onus is on the dev to do something about it (yes they might not, but the same is frequently true for PC too).
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That's not a good thing.

Having the option to do something about it means you can have a better experience with the game way faster than if you had to wait for a patch. If you don't want to mess around with settings then you can still play it sub-optimally just like on console.
 
About that car analogy, nobody is irate over someone else's choice so let's cut that snippet out. But the confusion part yes can happen when it's been said millions of times and shown that people can plug in a single controller, sit on their comfy couch and game and folks still say they don't Pc game for that specific reason, how does that not spark confusion?

I think the one thing that I find interesting in this conversation every time is when people say they aren't concerned about graphics or performance, really?

So when new games come out and games look awesome, exciting, flashy, they aren't like "OMG you see that new game?" referring to how good it looks?

I'm not saying I nor anyone else should enjoy a game that looks pretty but plays like shit, controls are a must...But we all want good looking, performing games.. Nobody wants a choppy, bad performing or ugly game, am I correct in that? So why do some casually say they aren't concerned about that stuff, there's no way people aren't wanting games to always look and play awesome
 
Vipu said:
Did you know about this https://www.epicgames.com/unrealtournament/
I know its not ut99 but very close to old UT.
Its worth checking at least, its FREE.
Click to expand...

It is abandoned.

Epic pulled resources and attention prematurely, they left the barebones game in the hands of the community which was both small and unqualified to push it further. The game being barely played ensures that no user can make any profit creating content for it.

Better wait for Quake Champions.
 
Three things really. Initial outlay, space and i'm not fussed by performance.

I used to play a fair bit on pc as a teenager (late 90's, 2000's , black and white baby!) but even then most of my gaming time was on a console.

Also a PC back then were a part of our day to days lives, whereas now, laptops and tablets have replaced that functionality. Perhaps if i had my own place again (moved back in with parents at the moment) i would consider it, but i'm not interested in performance and most games come out in a reasonable state on consoles. It is easier to have a console under the tv. Its sociable, comfortable, and just easier.

I am very much interested in the Steam service though, and i like the idea of it. I am thinking of upgrading my MBP soon ( but you mentioned price at the top you fool!) as it is 6/7 years old so thinking of maybe downloading the odd game from steam (like sunless sea) and those games typically you don;t need performance rigs to play.
 
Lady Gaia said:
The exaggerations are usually a way of trying to get a point across, and it doesn't help that there are counter-exaggerations to try to dispute the principal points.

As you say, no sane person would make such an argument. On the other hand it's absolutely true that a lot of PC games don't have controller support, especially exclusives, or you have to use some combination of mouse / keyboard to get started before you can switch to a controller. There aren't any console games without controller support, and you can navigate the entire system UI with a controller.
Click to expand...

Actually, Steam recently extended their SteamController-configuration support to all controllers.
Which means it's now effectively possible to play even games that don't support a controller right out of the box with a controller - and it works with XBox 360, One, DS3, DS4 and every generic controller.
It even allows you to navigate your desktop if you want (clunky unless you have a DS4 or SteamController, but it works)

It's obviously not as convinient as on consoles since you do have to make a few clicks (or button presses) here and there, but just pointing out that it's now possible. And stuff like this is what I presonally like about PC gaming, when someone implements a new feature or program and suddenly all games benefit, even really old ones.
 
The Dude said:
About that car analogy, nobody is irate over someone else's choice so let's cut that snippet out. But the confusion part yes can happen when it's been said millions of times and shown that people can plug in a single controller, sit on their comfy couch and game and folks still say they don't Pc game for that specific reason, how does that not spark confusion?

I think the one thing that I find interesting in this conversation every time is when people say they aren't concerned about graphics or performance, really?

So when new games come out and games look awesome, exciting, flashy, they aren't like "OMG you see that new game?" referring to how good it looks?

I'm not saying I nor anyone else should enjoy a game that looks pretty but plays like shit, controls are a must...But we all want good looking, performing games.. Nobody wants a choppy, bad performing or ugly game, am I correct in that? So why do some casually say they aren't concerned about that stuff, there's no way people aren't wanting games to always look and play awesome
Click to expand...

Games on PS4 already look great, games as far back as the ps2, even some ps1 games are functional and sometimes look great. We got to the point where in my opinion, it is a bit silly arguing about performance when Uncharted 4 runs on the ps4. Anything else is a bonus. I appreciate the passion for performance, and glad that people enjoy building pcs to extract every ounce of performance they can , but for some people it simply does not matter. And yeah i do get excited sometimes when a game looks great. But it looks great. It doesn't always play great or makes a good game. Exhibit A) Watchdogs. The best trailer i have seen in a good while? Zelda Botw, running on lower powered hardware.

I have spent a good chunk of this current generation playing old games, resi Evil reMake, Metal gear Hd collection, god of war collection, chrono trigger, Final fantasy 4, etc. All fine games and just as playable now as they were when they were released. I would say the only era where that doesn't apply to is some ps1 games. G-police for example i can never remember looking and playing like that. But at the time...
 
I can see how performance doesn't matter and validly so for a massive audience.

My front room PC cost me about £1,000 all in all in its current guise. I love it in spite of the idiosyncrasies.

This solution would be terrible for my father and my sister. For them, laying out £1,000 on a system which has all the games that they want to play on an alternative platform for considerably less fuss is a bad choice. The PC is worse than a PS4. And it is ok that is the case for them.

They don't want a multipurpose unit, they don't want a continually modular approach to their platform. They want a cheap and easy to use machine that plays the games they want. Christ, I gave my dad's PC a lift halfway through last year - 1060 and an intel processor amongst other things stuck in there, Skyrim Remastered put on it. What is he doing when I visited this weekend, playing Skyrim Remastered on the PS4 that he bought in the interim. It's just simpler for him.

How many other people are like this? Refusing to game on PC and holding back? Are they wrong? Do they need to be shown the light? Of course not. The PC is worse than a console. It is valid and it is ok.

Swap to me and the PC is prime. I've got 300+ games, I'm enjoying using it as an all conquering media box (although I am considering relegating media duties to a Fire TV or Chromecast, because less faffing around with keyboards and OS), and I love having my favourite games perform at top spec, I love cheap gaming on Steam and Humble Bundles. It works for me. Sure, I get fed up with games not running correctly (it happens more than you admit to), I "get by" with a user experience that can be a bit clunky, but it is a trade off that I accept and I'm happy with. Totally unacceptable for many others.

The big issue I have with the constant PC vs. Console discussion that crops up is the assumption that the PC is best at everything for all people, and most people just don't know it yet. It isn't. It is a terrible platform for some people.
 
toasty479 said:
On a side-note, I also find it REALLY annoying when people act like I'm not a real gamer because I don't play on PC, or when they talk down to me like I'm inferior because I play on console. I'm currently majoring in Game Design & Writing, so I get that a lot from my friends and classmates
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To be fair, if you want to make this your profession, not playing on PC does seem like a bad decision.

The vast majority of all novel movements in the past decade of gaming -- be they in gameplay genres, game distribution, or funding -- have started on PC. It's the place where experimentation happens.

JustSomeone said:
Unfortunately the pc exclusives lack the mass appeal of console exclusives, so they are often overlooked.
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I don't think this is true. Some of the most widely-played games in existence are PC exclusives (League of Legends etc.), or started as PC exclusives (Minecraft).

What is certainly true is that the vast majority of PC exclusives never reach remotely the marketing saturation which is common for large-scale multiplatform games or console exclusives.
 
I havn't read the 18 pages, I settled for the first and laast page so forgive if this is a repeat.

I'm someone who has built my own gaming pcs, my first pc was an 386 back in the early 90's.
I've had to deal with slave and master drives and I've installed Windows 95 when I didn't have enough floppy discs so I had to create a few from my pc. Run to my friends house, install the first parts, reuse the same discs to create the following discs in the install sequence and rinse and repeat.

That said, pc gaming and overall usage has vastly improved it's convenience for me and every other level of user out there.

I also work with helping customers with their faulty products. Be it a waffle maker or having user errors on a pc.
A lot of things can go wrong when using a pc that can be a pain to figure out.
Many people don't understand that if you plug a printer out from a usb port and plug it into another one it probably wont work. Even if the printer installs itself, the windows default printer will still be the memory of it beibg plugged into the other port.

Did you know that if your date and time is wrong in windows it can cause your ethernet to not work?

And yes, there still are driver errors and poorhardware optimization that pop up.

At most I have to patch a game on console. Usually it has updated automatically while I was at work (not saying pc doesn't have these features). After a 9-12 hour workday it's nice to just grab a controller, sit down and play.

And then comes the cost. Pc is not an affordable hobby in Sweden. My last gaming rig was higher end of mid range and it still ciat me around 1000 US dollars at the time. A console costs me less than half and plays games for as long if not longer.
 
Evolution of Metal said:
It is abandoned.

Epic pulled resources and attention prematurely, they left the barebones game in the hands of the community which was both small and unqualified to push it further. The game being barely played ensures that no user can make any profit creating content for it.

Better wait for Quake Champions.
Click to expand...

Its not abandoned, its still in very early alpha and in development.
Of course there is not much players, lets see again when it releases some year.
I feel like Quake Champions is gonna fail horribly by gameplay and simplify too much aka get tons of players, just like OW.
 
Vipu said:
Its not abandoned, its still in very early alpha and in development.
Of course there is not much players, lets see again when it releases some year.
I feel like Quake Champions is gonna fail horribly by gameplay and simplify too much aka get tons of players, just like OW.
Click to expand...

I have played the game in early 2015. Wiki says that the game was playable in 2014.

How many years are you going to wait for the skeletal Epic crew to finish the game?
 
Yesterdays PC gaming experience with RE7:

1) Press the button on my PC to turn it on.
2) Wait 20 secs or so to make it load up.
3) Write in password for Windows user.
4) Press Steam button in taskbar (Windows 10)
5) Once Steam is up and running, click library tab, click "Play" on RE7.
6) Nothing here.

I guess Im a lucky fucker.
 
fantomena said:
Yesterdays PC gaming experience with RE7:

1) Press the button on my PC to turn it on.
2) Wait 20 secs or so to make it load up.
3) Write in password for Windows user.
4) Press Steam button in taskbar (Windows 10)
5) Once Steam is up and running, click library tab, click "Play" on RE7.
6) Nothing here.

I guess Im a lucky fucker.
Click to expand...


I do it faster.
1) Press my wireless PC button to turn it on.
2) Wait 15 second to arrive on a fonctionnal desktop.
3) Press the guide button on my XB controller to launch Steam Big Picture.
4) Press Play on RE7.


You can cut one extra step by booting into BPM with Windows.
 
I think Pc and a console of choice is the ultimate gaming setup, personally. I get the exclusives aspect, but there's something about multiplatform games and being able to say hey I want to get the Pc version and run it the best that it can be run , while still enjoying a console for exclusives.
 
Where are the players of old, tolerating the most infuriating stuff, reformating Windows, compressing multiple floppy drives, tinkering with hardware and software, buying crap arcade ports etc..


All I see is now is a bunch of wussies (console and pc players included).

PS:kudos to the mods for keeping thread alive. Prevents spawning of countless similar threads in which I'd itch to respond anyway.
 
PC

1. Turn on TV
2. Turn on receiver and set it to the right input
3. Turn on PC
Grab mouse
4. Start appropriate game client if not Steam
5. Turn on controller
5. Start game and click on any dialog that pops up

Console

1. Turn on controller (Console and AV all turn on and switch to the right input)
2. Start game
 
Games I want to play in 2017:

Persona 5
Resident Evil 7
Yakuza 0
KH 2.8
Nioh
Nier
Ni No Kuni II
GT Sport

Comparatively, the PC exclusive list is barren for me. PS4 Japanese support is just too good, combined with some of my picks from SCE's 1st party, PC is not even a consideration for this sole point. Only gets worse if I include points such as my PC being work only, living room placement, friends being on PS4, ease of use etc.
 
The Dude said:
I think Pc and a console of choice is the ultimate gaming setup, personally. I get the exclusives aspect, but there's something about multiplatform games and being able to say hey I want to get the Pc version and run it the best that it can be run , while still enjoying a console for exclusives.
Click to expand...

This is my view too and why I want to finally upgrade my PC later this year :). I'll play certain games on the PC (especially big RPG titles) and exclusives on my consoles. Surprised you have never turned off your PC! Nice that it's still running fine still after all the time since you built it. I'm always paranoid and turn everything off, don't even use rest mode on the consoles.

SeeNoWeevil said:
Console

1. Turn on controller (Console and AV all turn on and switch to the right input)
2. Start game
Click to expand...

HDMI control loveliness :).
 
SeeNoWeevil said:
PC

1. Turn on TV
2. Turn on receiver and set it to the right input
3. Turn on PC
Grab mouse
4. Start appropriate game client if not Steam
5. Turn on controller
5. Start game and click on any dialog that pops up

Console

1. Turn on controller (Console and AV all turn on and switch to the right input)
2. Start game
Click to expand...

Your whole Pc technique needs so much work
 
Getting a PC game up and running is quicker and easier for me than playing on PS4 and Xbox One since the process is just as simple only I have a SSD on my PC. I play the majority of my games through a Steam Link. It couldn't really get any easier for the majority of games.
 
SeeNoWeevil said:
LOL. Care to suggest how to streamline my workflow? (p.s I've probably been gaming on PC much longer than you have/owned many more livingroom PCs)
Click to expand...

Well I been gaming on the Pc since Mid 80s, started with Wizardry. Built my first Pc in 91 from computer show parts. I'd like to think I've had a few rodeos.
 
SeeNoWeevil said:
LOL. Care to suggest how to streamline my workflow?
Click to expand...
Here is my workflow to start playing a PC game:

1) Press windows key.
2) Enter a few letter of game name, press enter.

Here is my workflow for playing a console game:

1) Start PtBi to actually display the HDMI video feed.
2) Find controller, switch on console.
3) See if I need to do any updates.
4) Navigate to game using slow interface.
5) Launch game.

Now, my point is not that one is invariably or objectively easier than the other. I do not assume that my situation to represents everyone's.

What my point is is that these types of listing are utterly useless. They represent the characteristics of your personal setup far more than they do an objective overall "truth".
 
I game on mine occasionally. I had my PC fanatic friend build me one. But it'll never replace my consoles for me because the type of games I love the most (JRPGs) either hit PC so late in the game or generally end up with unoptimized ports.

And I continually see issues pop up with every major AAA release about PC ports, and I'd prefer not to have to endlessly tweak settings, update drivers, or buy new parts etc every time a new game comes out.

Steam is my friend though, and I usually grab games years down the line after they are cheaper and patched to hell and back.
 
I remember buying dark souls for steam. Trying to play it a few months later, but some old Microsoft games for windows thing was fucking with it. So I had to download some program and change some files or some shit.

It's at that point I bought dark souls on PS3 and gave up on pc. Now I just play indie games on it.
 
The Dude said:
Well I been gaming on the Pc since Mid 80s, started with Wizardry. Built my first Pc in 91 from computer show parts. I'd like to think I've had a few rodeos.
Click to expand...
Then surely you could tell me how I can get into a PC game in the same 2 steps as my PS4? All with my XB1 controller. And no, I don't just mean Steam games. Steam/Origin/uPlay/W10.

I find it hilarious how much of an affront people find it to admit their choice of platform isn't all things to all people. Seriously, would it kill you to say "PC gaming is great, but all these perks come with compromises"? It just goes to show how you really shouldn't take advice from people on a gaming forum. They're not interested in giving you a balanced view, at all.
 
Widge said:
I can see how performance doesn't matter and validly so for a massive audience.

My front room PC cost me about £1,000 all in all in its current guise. I love it in spite of the idiosyncrasies.

This solution would be terrible for my father and my sister. For them, laying out £1,000 on a system which has all the games that they want to play on an alternative platform for considerably less fuss is a bad choice. The PC is worse than a PS4. And it is ok that is the case for them.

They don't want a multipurpose unit, they don't want a continually modular approach to their platform. They want a cheap and easy to use machine that plays the games they want. Christ, I gave my dad's PC a lift halfway through last year - 1060 and an intel processor amongst other things stuck in there, Skyrim Remastered put on it. What is he doing when I visited this weekend, playing Skyrim Remastered on the PS4 that he bought in the interim. It's just simpler for him.

How many other people are like this? Refusing to game on PC and holding back? Are they wrong? Do they need to be shown the light? Of course not. The PC is worse than a console. It is valid and it is ok.

Swap to me and the PC is prime. I've got 300+ games, I'm enjoying using it as an all conquering media box (although I am considering relegating media duties to a Fire TV or Chromecast, because less faffing around with keyboards and OS), and I love having my favourite games perform at top spec, I love cheap gaming on Steam and Humble Bundles. It works for me. Sure, I get fed up with games not running correctly (it happens more than you admit to), I "get by" with a user experience that can be a bit clunky, but it is a trade off that I accept and I'm happy with. Totally unacceptable for many others.

The big issue I have with the constant PC vs. Console discussion that crops up is the assumption that the PC is best at everything for all people, and most people just don't know it yet. It isn't. It is a terrible platform for some people.
Click to expand...
Good post. I guess you pretty much stated all things that's need to be said. People are so trapped in numbers mindset to the point they think higher numbers instantly mean objectively. Well yes it is, but when it come to decision subjective factors play large part and there's nothing wrong to subjective reasons. You can't berate people for choosing something "inferior" from their subjective reasoning unless you want to be a dick and show how superior you are.

I do wonder though why people conveniently ignore your post.
 
Living in Japan makes it prohibitively costly to put together a gaming PC. Newegg, Tiger Direct...what I wouldn't give for a Japanese equivalent.
 
Shengar said:
Good post. I guess you pretty much stated all things that's need to be said. People are so trapped in numbers mindset to the point they think higher numbers instantly mean objectively. Well yes it is, but when it come to decision subjective factors play large part and there's nothing wrong to subjective reasons. You can't berate people for choosing something "inferior" from their subjective reasoning unless you want to be a dick and show how superior you are.

I do wonder though why people conveniently ignore your post.
Click to expand...

Nobody should be pushed in one direction or another, it's all personal choice. Trouble is even reading some of the responses here there is still a lot of misinformation and ignorance towards PC gaming.
 
I game almost exclusively on pc these last few years but there's no denying that the initial cost and upgrade costs just don't make it a viable option for a lot of people. Sure I like to have the best shit, spent like £3.5k on all my stuff and when you can game just as easily if not easier for a fraction of that then people are going to choose the cheaper option no matter if you can sit on a couch or not.
 
I have a small gaming PC, but it rarely if ever gets used as I prefer the ease of console use. I end up spending too much time fiddling with settings on PC games in an attempt to maximize performance. I doubt I will buy another gaming PC again.
 
Friends.

All my friends are on consoles and that's not changing anytime soon. So unless I don't want to play with them it's console only for me.

I would enjoy the better graphics and being able to play strategy games again but with work and commitments my 'game time' is so short these days that I'd rather spend the little time I have playing with my friends.
 
Durante said:
Here is my workflow for playing a console game:

1) Start PtBi to actually display the HDMI video feed.
2) Find controller, switch on console.
3) See if I need to do any updates.
4) Navigate to game using slow interface.
5) Launch game.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you were on an Xbox One? (Hate the UI). I mainly use my PS4 and the UI is pretty damn speedy and clean (and updates can be done in a rest state whilst you are away). Just turn the console on, press right to select the game I want, press X. Done. The controller is usually on the sofa so I just sit down after work, press the PS button and I'm straight in :).

Oh what happens during certain PC games when there are QTE events or menu options? For example if you're using a PS4 controller, I presume it won't display the correct buttons will it? Or depends on support of that title?

Also, I can't stand PC only gamers giving it the whole "PC Master Race" bullshit.
 
Durante said:
Here is my workflow to start playing a PC game:

1) Press windows key.
2) Enter a few letter of game name, press enter.

Here is my workflow for playing a console game:

1) Start PtBi to actually display the HDMI video feed.
2) Find controller, switch on console.
3) See if I need to do any updates.
4) Navigate to game using slow interface.
5) Launch game.

Now, my point is not that one is invariably or objectively easier than the other. I do not assume that my situation to represents everyone's.

What my point is is that these types of listing are utterly useless. They represent the characteristics of your personal setup far more than they do an objective overall "truth".
Click to expand...
Your list has taken considerable setup, requires you to leave your PC on all the time, limit yourself to certain storefronts, not use an AV receiver, not use a controller. Oh and this 'Navigate to game using slow interface.' pretty much sums it all up. I don't know what PtBi is.

This conversation is aimed at console gamers. Who obviously will be playing in the livingroom, quite likely with AV equipment. My steps are almost certainly going to match this use case. Your list is a prime example of trying to bend the truth for seemingly no reason. In no way did I ever suggest starting a game on PC is a massive ballache, but the differences are going to be there.
 
SeeNoWeevil said:
Then surely you could tell me how I can get into a PC game in the same 2 steps as my PS4? All with my XB1 controller. And no, I don't just mean Steam games. Steam/Origin/uPlay/W10.
Click to expand...
You presuppose a much larger extent of functionality and customization for PC than for your console.

On PC, you desire to be able to select your input device freely (you choose a XB1 controller) and to select your marketplace, distribution platform, and gaming community of choice freely.
I agree with these desires, and the fact that they are possible is among the many things that make the PC platform such a wonderful place for gaming.

However, both of them are a-priori impossible on a console. You are restricted to a very specific set of input devices, and only one centrally managed marketplace, distribution platform and community.
These restrictions in turn make providing some user conveniences easier. That is obvious.

But what is important is recognizing that what we have here are fundamentally diverging objectives. Sure, you can make PCs easier to use (and this has absolutely happened since the 90s and continues to happen), and you can extend some PC features and possibilities to consoles (like [almost] universal screenshots this gen, or mid-cycle HW upgrades).

But there will always ultimately come a point where you have to make a hard decision between either valuing user choice and flexibility or convenience and uniformity of experience.

And that is the true divide.
 
Marty Chinn said:
Not anymore...

image.jpg
Click to expand...
It's still the best performance based on a few preferences.
 
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