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[NastyPasty]

The fact anyone has to ask this question wierds me out. It's obvious. Consoles are a turnkey solution. Parent buying for the kids room, and already pissed off being the families tech support? Console. Marriage falling apart because you're spending to many hours in your computer room playing WOW (a fried of mine got divorced for exactly that)? Get in from a hard day's work knackered and and just want to bang out a few games of FIFA before getting the tea on? Got other interests beside gaming that compete for your time?

Don't get me wrong, I was a primary PC gamer from 89-07. Loved it. But it always amazes me that hardcore PC types don't get console gamers. Just can't conceive what it's like to have a partner, kids, a career etc. Maybe the caricature of the corpulent pasty faced nerd in his parents basement surrounded by crusty socks isn't that far off the mark.

 

[chokotoureiki]

Maybe bc some ppl don't want to game with condescending dicks like some PCMR folks can be.

If you have friends who's main gaming platform is console, then chances are you don't want to feel left out, so you buy a console in order to game with them.

If you have a PC while every one of your friends has a console, it can be lonely at the top.

 

[Fess]

My argument is mainly about the things I posted above that quote. There was a thread a while back you might wanna glance at though about this topic:

GAF how do we turn a PC into a full console experience?

So I have a pc that I want to turn into a console. I want it to be as console like as I can possible get. I want to be able to navigate all the menus open all the applications, and launch all the games via controller from a couch. I want to be able to use other sources besides Steam, big...

www.neogaf.com

PCs are big square boxes, which are in most cases too big for any custom shelving (e.g. floating), which means flooring it next to a subwoofer (or looking at new units). Arsing about with lots of third party apps, or resyncing controllers to switch on from the couch, or using mobile apps is just a poor experience too. Then we get into the other argument of sff or micro atx which pushes prices higher and limits compatible/powerful hardware.

I agree you can get an approximation of the experience but realistically on average once a month you're going to have to do some tampering for a number of various reasons, not always related to steam of the game itself.

And to go back to my original point, none of that effort improves any of the quality criteria I mention. Playing Cyberpunk? Man it looks great with that RT but wtf is with those walking animations. A premium to still see peds walk like they shit themselves? A premium to still see the same A.I. in Far Cry 6? With those mentioned sacrifices and the tending overhead? Just ain't worth it for most of us.

I would be interested in how many of those preferring consoles now are fatigued techies/developers etc. as that seems to make up a large contingent.

I saw that thread, was one earlier where I decided to build my PC in the living room. I basically did this, and it solves everything:

+

And the keyboard is almost as dusty as my Stadia controller so I wouldn't say it's a problem that it's sometimes needed, it's extremely rare for me unless I do it deliberately to install mods.

And there are good looking cases. And I never resync any controllers. Mobile apps? When?

I can't relate to that. I'd say it works great as long as you stay within Steam at least. Other launchers are awful, then you need a mouse. The thread you link to mention Playnite, it sync the library of all launchers. But for me it was a downgrade in usage from Steam big picture mode so I simply stay in Steam.

As for the other things about not taking advantage of the better hardware. I agree on that. Maybe PC needs exclusives, and higher minimum requirements, no holding back because things need to run on some laptop CPU.

 

[jm89]

Marching. Orders.



Citing Alex for a totally disingenuous comparison.

Yup they are so transparent, all singing from the same hym sheet at the same. Seems like what Heisenberg said a few months ago was spot on.

 

[Radical_3d]

Where is the pain the ass then?

I use my PC every day:

1. push power button
2. power on the controller
3. use the controller to flick through the games
4. click on a game and it starts
5. play the game
6. exit the game by clicking quit in the menu
7. back in the games library again

Is this painful?

This is Steam big picture mode.

I try to avoid other launcher's games or set them up to start from Steam. Can start Gamepass games from Steam, Epic games.

In rare occasions when a keyboard is needed I use a wireless keyboard with touch pad. That's annoying. But hardly a pain in the ass. And it's rare enough that the keyboard is always dusty.

Yeah. You're totally right. I've never used a Windows machine so this must be true.

 

[The_Observer]

Why is this questioned every week? PC fanboys are like a cult who want to recruit people and who can't understand that not everyone wants to spend a fortune for marginally better graphics struggling with drivers and constant problems and stuttering games. Half of the posts when a game releases is about problems different pc users have + about stuttering. Ridiculous.

Edit: and all these fanboys will deny that they have to fight with hardware and software issues to play the game. Truly like a cult.

 

[GoldenEye98]

There is just something nice about a device that just does the thing it's supposed too seamlessly. It's slightly less true than it used to be(downloads, updates, more complicated OS/UI's). But still more seamless experience than a PC.

 

[BlackTron]

The fact anyone has to ask this question wierds me out. It's obvious. Consoles are a turnkey solution. Parent buying for the kids room, and already pissed off being the families tech support? Console. Marriage falling apart because you're spending to many hours in your computer room playing WOW (a fried of mine got divorced for exactly that)? Get in from a hard day's work knackered and and just want to bang out a few games of FIFA before getting the tea on? Got other interests beside gaming that compete for your time?

Don't get me wrong, I was a primary PC gamer from 89-07. Loved it. But it always amazes me that hardcore PC types don't get console gamers. Just can't conceive what it's like to have a partner, kids, a career etc. Maybe the caricature of the corpulent pasty faced nerd in his parents basement surrounded by crusty socks isn't that far off the mark.

We both know why he is really asking this.

When Xbox was all about traditional game consoles he would have hammered home every point you just made. Now that they're doing expensive Xbox branded PCs he has to ask why you would ever not want a PC.

 

[Boss Mog]

There are many reasons why I prefer gaming on a console (PlayStation this gen and last, XBOX 360 before that) rather than on a PC.

Convenience / Ease of Use

Consoles are always hooked up to the TV ready to go. Just plop on the couch grab the controller and you're gaming in seconds. UIs are usually pretty straight-foward and do a good job. No separate storefronts or launchers, no drivers to constantly update, it's just much simpler in general.

Gaming on a big screen TV

Most people don't have their gaming desktop PC in their living room so you can't always play on the big screen and if you want to you either gotta move it or have a long HDMI cable depending on how far it is. TVs have managed to catch up to monitors a little bit thanks to HDMI 2.1 with features like 144Hz refresh rate, VRR and ALLM so console gamers can now enjoy these features on top of the big screen size. Even if you game on your TV using your PC, this is only due to consoles existing, because that's what pushed TV manufacturers to include such features.

I prefer to game using a controller rather than mouse/keyboard

Controllers just feel great to me, particularly the DualSense, I love the haptics. Aside from Football Manager and RTS games, mouse+keyboard gaming just doesn't feel right to me. Thankfully PC games have been supporting controllers for sometime now, with big publishers recently even including support for DualSense features when using one on PC. Playing any competitive multiplayer game using a controller on PC though will be challenging to say the least which brings me to my next point.

Online / cheating

Online may be free on PC but cheating is so rampant that it's not worth it to even play. You need to pay on console but the closed environment gives you a better shot at enjoying the online experience, plus you get 30+ free games per year with PS+, sure a lot of them are meh, but there's always a few good ones that make it worth the 5-6 bucks per month it costs. I'll admit that crossplay has definitely hindered console multiplayer and so has the advent of hardware based cheating devices such as the Cronus Zen. Overall I still enjoy the online experience more on console.

Games / Exclusives

Many games I enjoy are timed exclusives on PlayStation compared to PC, be it PlayStation Studios games or franchises like Final Fantasy and GTA.

Dealing with PC Hardware

If you game on PC because you want the best graphics and performance it almost requires you to update your hardware every 2-3 years at least otherwise there's no point. Even it you can afford it, it's costly and troublesome. Not to mention you can run into issues such as coil whine on a new GPU, which happened to me twice. When I was younger it was fun to tinker in my rig but these days it's more of a hassle than anything else. Upgrading a console is much simpler, just sell the old one and buy the new one and you're good to go.

Dealing with PC software

On top of all the launchers, drivers etc... I mentioned earlier, another issue I have with PC gaming is DRM software. Some like Denuvo have been proven to reduce performance, giving paying customers a worse experience than pirates. I had a very bad experience with one called StarForce back in the day when I bought Splinter Cell Blacklist. After I installed the game I noticed that my PC started to feel sluggish and crashed often. As soon as I uninstalled StarForce everything went back to normal. That's when I mostly gave up on PC as my main gaming platform and focused more on consoles. Launchers and other gaming apps have been shown to be spyware that collects data off of computers and people generally have their whole lives on their computer so it's not the same as a console gathering data on you. The games themselves often have issues too like micro-stuttering which isn't present on consoles. Games on PC are un-optimized compared to console versions which are designed to be run on specific hardware that is the same for everyone. PC ports are often an afterthought for publishers, as console sales will generate far greater revenue, an as such can be very poor.

The most important reason: Physical releases aka actually owning my games

If I'm going to pay for my games I would like to actually own them, be able to lend or give them to friend, or even resell them if I choose to do so. Digital doesn't let you do that, in fact you don't own digital games you just own a license to playthem which the supplier can take away from you at any time for any reason they see fit. So again, legit PC gamers are getting a way worse deal than pirates who can never have their pirated digital versions taken away. There is no convenience in digital over physical other than not having to get your ass up off the couch to swap discs, but with obesity rates the way they are these days, getting your ass off the couch can only be a positive. Paying as much or more to not actually own something while being at the mercy of corporations is ridiculous and I will think less of people who do it for anything over 10 bucks. This brings me to my last reason.

Pricing

Pricing for Physical games are way cheaper at launch than MSRP if you buy from certain stores depending on where you live. Even Amazon can be way cheaper than MSRP at launch sometimes. Physical prices drop much faster as well as stores and warehouses need to clear space for newer products. Waiting just 4-5 months for a sale can yield 75% off MSRP or more in most cases. There are ways to get new digital games for less on PC, but it often involves purchasing keys from gray market sites, which are pretty much stolen and for which, in most cases, the devs/publishers will not be compensated. I'd rather buy from real stores so I know the people who made the game are being compensated.


So there you have it, those are my reasons. PCs definitely have some advantages over consoles, but for me, the advantages of consoles have over PCs outweigh them.

 

[Clear]

Yup they are so transparent, all singing from the same hym sheet at the same. Seems like what Heisenberg said a few months ago was spot on.

Are you sure its not just simple "dog in a manger"-type bitchyness?

As in, if my console of choice can't be successful I'm going to make sure yours isn't either.

 

[HeWhoWalks]

Why is Jez singling out the PS5?

 

[DinoD]

I CBF to game on a PC since 2006. Jez is a effin' wanker.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Are you sure its not just simple "dog in a manger"-type bitchyness?

As in, if my console of choice can't be successful I'm going to make sure yours isn't either.

Not at all.

The big hint is the highest tier of Console gamepass; it comes with compulsory PC gamepass as a bundle. This is completely bizarre on its own and made no sense.

I interpret that as Microsoft's way to try to maintain the subscribers by forcing Console subscribers to have PC Gamepass too. Thus forcing them to move over once the switch happens.

Basically it is all about "why not try out PC?". To soften the blow that the next Xbox is a PC with an Xbox sticker.

 

[HeWhoWalks]

MS knows they will hold an advantage if they can help facilitate a transfer of users from Sonys closed console ecosystem to PC. 'Change the battlefield' so to speak. Not to mention that such a shift, a marginalization of consoles, will only weaken Sony.

"IF" "IF" "IF"

If one hasn't learned yet that Microsoft has done the Xbox no real favors in recent years, you would never put any faith in some proclaimed 4D Chess nonsense. Everything they've tried has failed, and by "weakening Sony", they'd be weakening themselves as their games are also launching on that platform [PS5]. Not exactly the Stephen Hawking moment they'd think it would be.

Fortunately, no such weakening has even begun to occur, so what is all this actually? Jez Corden using his bunghole. Nothing more.

 

[Sanepar]

I don't know who that guy is, but it seems he's not very popular here. The obvious answer is: That's none of your business or because i don't want to.

Some other common answers to make this thread at least somehow useful::

- Convinience
- I need 3 Master's degrees in order to operate it (exaggeration)
- I need to manually install patches every 5 minutes (exaggeration)
- I don't want to upgrade every 6 weeks (exaggeration)
- I can't use it on my couch
- All my friends have a console
- Pc is full of cheaters
- I would miss my achievements or trohies
- I invested too much into the ecosystem
- I want to collect, trade and sell discs
- I don't want to spend that much money

You clear doesn't know how a pc gaming works nowadays and you are stuck in 2000 pc gaming.

 

[Cakeboxer]

You clear doesn't know how a pc gaming works nowadays and you are stuck in 2000 pc gaming.

You clearly didn't understand that i was just listing up popular answers from people.

 

[ArtHands]

This thread basically demonstrated why he asked that question; there's really no real reason

 

[BattleScar]

Most people will play a handful of games.
It doesn't make sense to pay the upfront cost and go through the effort to get a gaming PC, if all you do is play COD or Fortnite on weekends.
Just plug the console in the TV after dinner, play a few rounds of COD or whatever, and fall asleep on the couch go to bed.

People act like gaming is the be-all-end-all form of entertainment.
The vast majority of people who play games will do a number of things for entertainment. Play games, watch TV with their partner, go watch a movie, go OUTSIDE, work, gym, sports etc. Gaming is just one facet of their life.
Do they really need to spend hundred's of dollars up front for a PC they'll rarely use and sit a desk, when they could sit on the sofa with their flat screen TV and get 95% of the same enjoyment?

Only people who play way more games than the average person will ever care to min-max or optimise their cost of ownership. And even then, are you really saving money if you spent $1000 on a PC, KB+M, gaming monitor and then spend $200+ every year on various Steam sales and Humble Bundles, season passes and DLC to have thousands of games in your library that you'll never play, or spend $600 on a console, pay $60 for the annual online play membership and $60-180 on the 2-3 games you play each year?

Your mileage may vary.

 

[welshrat]

My argument is mainly about the things I posted above that quote. There was a thread a while back you might wanna glance at though about this topic:

GAF how do we turn a PC into a full console experience?

So I have a pc that I want to turn into a console. I want it to be as console like as I can possible get. I want to be able to navigate all the menus open all the applications, and launch all the games via controller from a couch. I want to be able to use other sources besides Steam, big...

www.neogaf.com

PCs are big square boxes, which are in most cases too big for any custom shelving (e.g. floating), which means flooring it next to a subwoofer (or looking at new units). Arsing about with lots of third party apps, or resyncing controllers to switch on from the couch, or using mobile apps is just a poor experience too. Then we get into the other argument of sff or micro atx which pushes prices higher and limits compatible/powerful hardware.

I agree you can get an approximation of the experience but realistically on average once a month you're going to have to do some tampering for a number of various reasons, not always related to steam of the game itself.

And to go back to my original point, none of that effort improves any of the quality criteria I mention. Playing Cyberpunk? Man it looks great with that RT but wtf is with those walking animations. A premium to still see peds walk like they shit themselves? A premium to still see the same A.I. in Far Cry 6? With those mentioned sacrifices and the tending overhead? Just ain't worth it for most of us.

I would be interested in how many of those preferring consoles now are fatigued techies/developers etc. as that seems to make up a large contingent.

Yep same been there done that. I just don't want a PC back in the living room. It's also has a lot to do with the whole ps eco system, trophies, friends etc. Love my PC especially for survival, and RTS games but also not getting rid of my PS5.

 

[Bonfires Down]

go OUTSIDE, work, gym, sports etc. Gaming is just one facet of their life.

 

[wizaga]

I sold my pc 3 years ago with a rtx 3080 and a 10900k, So top end specs at the time. Biggest problem with pc gaming was that I never/or almost never finished a game. Just played around with the settings and after a few minutes i got bored and jumper to the next game and did the same thing. My backlig was massive and it was frustrating. Strange i know but on consoles i atleast finish the games i start/buy

 

[Fafalada]

I can't relate to that. I'd say it works great as long as you stay within Steam at least. Other launchers are awful, then you need a mouse.

The keyboard you posted works fine - you don't need a mouse to navigate the UIs (and even works for a fair few mouse and KB only games just fine).
But other launchers are 'functionally' awful - most things either don't work, work inconsistently or not the way you'd expect them to (referring to controller support and other big-picture quality of life things). Basically - launching a game from anything that isn't Steam BP or Geforce Now - has a 50% chance it just won't work without fiddling (and in some cases - not at all - I'm looking at you Amazon Prime).
Steam isn't 100% either (way too many games run into issues of their own - from dodgy full-screen support, to broken HDR, to broken VSync behaviours and the list goes on) but it's something like <10% of the cases as long as you stay inside Steam (not counting M&KB only games in here - that's a big pool of its own issues), so to your point, a lot better indeed.

Like an example of the 'games that should just work but don't - decently high profile release on Epic (and eventually - after a long wait, Steam) - Horizon Chase 2. Original game was fantastic and ran great on anything - but it did have an issue with VSync that meant you had to use external VSync tools/driver hacks for it to not play like Bloodborne, except in a racing scenario, which is just - eugh.
The new game inherits all the problem of VSync(because of course it does), but then adds all the standard UE4 issues (from shader stutter to traversal issues etc). So to 'fix' it you now have to resort to DXVK hacks, setting tweaks that minimize stutter and more.
The same two games work on console (or indeed, a mobile phone) without any of the faffing about.
Now - the problem isn't that 'every' PC game is like this - the problem is that enough of them are - so everytime I pickup a controller on PC, I am subconsciously not comfortable that it'll go smoothly. It's never a given.

As for the other things about not taking advantage of the better hardware. I agree on that. Maybe PC needs exclusives, and higher minimum requirements, no holding back because things need to run on some laptop CPU.

That ship has sailed 25 years ago. It's never coming back - PC exclusives will always exist, but they usually have the lowest minimum requirements because developers want to SELL the software, not cater to the 5 5090 owners for the glory of the master race.

 

[Trilobit]

...

I don't want to game on a PC. So I game on a console. That's my reason, I don't understand the title, am I missing something?

Either way, I think it's stupid to have these format wars. We're all gamers and that hobby unites us, whether we enjoy RTS, platformers, shooters or RPGs. The only ones that benefit from people taking sides are the big companies.

 

[Northeastmonk]

I work with computers all day. The thought of sitting at one and then configuring one to play games doesn't sound fun. I'd much rather have that plug and play feature. Plus I actually like the console makers that exist today. I use my Deck for Steam. It doesn't exactly feel like a PC. I had a gaming PC back with The Witcher Enhanced. Before that I had a laptop for Diablo 2 and StarCraft. I have been gaming on and off of it for many years. The last two big games I played on my full sized Desktop were RE7 and Wolfenstein II. I play quite a lot on my Steam Deck though. My gaming desktop hasn't been plugged in for playing games since RE7 though.

I love working on computers. If I'm on one for gaming, I need something to remind me that it's not just a PC with a keyboard and mouse. Which is why Big Picture Mode, SteamOS, and etc are great on the Steam Deck.

I just recently got a new GPU, but I don't exactly want to hook up this giant case to play a game I can easily enjoy somewhere else.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

...

I don't want to game on a PC. So I game on a console. That's my reason, I don't understand the title, am I missing something?

Either way, I think it's stupid to have these format wars. We're all gamers and that hobby unites us, whether we enjoy RTS, platformers, shooters or RPGs. The only ones that benefit from people taking sides are the big companies.

It is NOT stupid to have format wars. It is a fact that there is not enough space for most people to justifying owning multiple consoles with overlapping capabilities and similar 3rd party software. Since the hardware is sold at near loss, they need to get enough software profits via a breakeven point of platform size.

This is not about formats. This is about survival. if you don't sell enough hardware then you don't get to live. And if the player bet on the wrong horse then their entire game library dies. if you are on PC you wouldn't care, but Console gamers war to survive.

Xbox is now in a position where they are an afterthought, where third parties would release on Xbox if they don't have obstacles. But even memory issues on Series S is now causing games to delay indefinitely on Xbox. That is the physical consequence of losing the war, the same feeling Nintendo felt when 3rd parties abandoned the Gamecube.

 

[Trilobit]

It is NOT stupid to have format wars. It is a fact that there is not enough space for most people to justifying owning multiple consoles with overlapping capabilities and similar 3rd party software. Since the hardware is sold at near loss, they need to get enough software profits via a breakeven point of platform size.

This is not about formats. This is about survival. if you don't sell enough hardware then you don't get to live. And if the player bet on the wrong horse then their entire game library dies. if you are on PC you wouldn't care, but Console gamers war to survive.

It's games. Not the final fresh water source on Earth. Gaming changes all the time and not even Playstation is the same kind of gaming platform that it was in the 00's for example.

 

[Skifi28]

Why is this questioned every week?

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

It's games. Not the final fresh water source on Earth. Gaming changes all the time and not even Playstation is the same kind of gaming platform that it was in the 00's for example.

Games might not be required for survival, but it IS "personal". People are emotionally associated with their hobby, unlike things like their jobs. You might as well tell Brazil it is "just football".

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Looking through the X comments just cements my perception of PC gamers as being obese neckbeards

 

[Moridianae]

I like the simplicity of plugging in a console and that's it. I've been a console gamer my entire life.

It's not that I couldn't get a PC. I just don't want to spend the money. I don't know--its always been a situation where I *felt*(possibly illogical these days) even if I spent a ton of money to build a top-end PC, it would be "obsolete" within 6 months with how fast newer components release.

That's why I haven't done it.
.
If Microsoft wants to go this route, we shall see how it works. I once said that a $1000 system(like Xboxs rumored thing) was DOA, but it seems despite the PS5 Pro backlash for $699, it's selling very well. I could be mistaken .

 

[diffusionx]

I have a PC in my office and a PS5. I tried doing the connect PC to TV thing for years and it's just annoying and awkward and clearly isn't designed for it. I'd rather play PC games on a desk and console games on a TV. they are different devices for different purposes and nothing is ever going to change that.

 

[Lunarorbit]

I didn't own a computer until after I graduated college back in 05. Don't want to deal with drivers or constant updates that could destabilize the performance or crash a game. I'm just not really into PCs.

Have had a console since 1988 in some form. Ps and Nintendo provide more than enough games for me. Looking on steam I see tons of cool games and mods but I can't be bothered. The selection is quasi overwhelming.

 

[Fess]

Why is this questioned every week? PC fanboys are like a cult who want to recruit people and who can't understand that not everyone wants to spend a fortune

This is actually a new question since it's skipping the cost issue and ask why you aren't playing on PC even when you can afford it.

I'd say that it's a very interesting topic.

And no offense but bending the knees to some corporation keeping you hostage on a closed box with limitations everywhere and lashing out at those trying to essentially wake you up seems more like cult behaviour to me.

PC gamers usually want freedom, open platforms, if possible get everything under the same roof, no artificial walls and subscriptions, no limitations, just highend hardware and games running the best way they can on the hardware of your choice and having full file access and customization freedom. Doesn't sound like a cult to me.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

If Microsoft wants to go this route, we shall see how it works. I once said that a $1000 system(like Xboxs rumored thing) was DOA, but it seems despite the PS5 Pro backlash for $699, it's selling very well. I could be mistaken .

It's performance per $ will be compared to PS5 Pro

If it's a PC that runs Steam then there's no way they can subsidise the purchase price.

It'll also be met by a valid "just get a PC argument"

It'll be a niche product

 

[splattered]

Because i work all day every day on this gaming PC and don't feel like playing actual games on it.

I appreciate the separation of work and life hardware experience.

Pretty simple really.

 

[PandaOk]

This is actually a new question since it's skipping the cost issue and ask why you aren't playing on PC even when you can afford it.

I'd say that it's a very interesting topic.

And no offense but bending the knees to some corporation keeping you hostage on a closed box with limitations everywhere and lashing out at those trying to essentially wake you up seems more like cult behaviour to me.

PC gamers usually want freedom, open platforms, if possible get everything under the same roof, no artificial walls and subscriptions, no limitations, just highend hardware and games running the best way they can on the hardware of your choice and having full file access and customization freedom. Doesn't sound like a cult to me.

Yet PC gamers try to push everyone to game solely on PC and throw fits when another store (platform) dares to present itself as an *option*, or a game requires a log in.

PC gamers pretend it's about wanting people to wake up, but that's a lie they tell themselves. They are often by far the most cultish and tribalistic of any group.

And 99% of actual PC exclusives run on potatoes. Aside from you pirating everything you're only buying a lisence on steam, where as on consoles you at least still have the option of owning your media.

Who needs to wake up again?

 

[reinking]

I saw that thread, was one earlier where I decided to build my PC in the living room. I basically did this, and it solves everything:

And the keyboard is almost as dusty as my Stadia controller so I wouldn't say it's a problem that it's sometimes needed, it's extremely rare for me unless I do it deliberately to install mods.

And there are good looking cases. And I never resync any controllers. Mobile apps? When?

I can't relate to that. I'd say it works great as long as you stay within Steam at least. Other launchers are awful, then you need a mouse. The thread you link to mention Playnite, it sync the library of all launchers. But for me it was a downgrade in usage from Steam big picture mode so I simply stay in Steam.

As for the other things about not taking advantage of the better hardware. I agree on that. Maybe PC needs exclusives, and higher minimum requirements, no holding back because things need to run on some laptop CPU.

I am glad it works for you. I have had a PC hooked to TV for well over 10 years. I use it for probably about 2% of my gaming time. You can talk about how easy it is to launch everything from Steam but you still have to spend some time upfront to set up overlays, add non steam games to the library, etc.. While none of these things are complicated but there are additional steps to get things set up as an all-in-one "console-like" solution on PC. I have been researching it for a few months now and it is not at that console experience yet. With a console, it is a one or two step process. Download the game, update the game if needed (which does automatically), launch the game. Is gaming PC on the couch in a better place these days? It is getting there but it still has a few things to work out. I really hope XB comes out with their rumored OS or Steam OS solve these final few quirks.

 

[Maestr0]

Power consumption, with inflation, the price of electricity is kind of a pain in the butt right now

 

[PectacularOz]

Convenience plain and simple.

Big screen TV, quality surround sound, comfortable couch.
I know everyone will say *you can do that w/pc* - but they still dont because its just not *convenient*.

Also every PC player forgets that it isnt just about RAW POWER. Games engineered FOR the system go a lot further than sheer brute force from annual $2K gpu upgrades.

 

[Felessan]

PC gamers usually want freedom, open platforms, if possible get everything under the same roof, no artificial walls and subscriptions, no limitations, just highend hardware and games running the best way they can on the hardware of your choice and having full file access and customization freedom. Doesn't sound like a cult to me.

Trying to persuade everyone that they are better with some bullshit words when clearly they are not can be considered cult mentality.
PC has too many issues, even if cost is not included, for mass market to be willing to play on it.

 

[ReBurn]

I don't really enjoy sitting at my desk playing anymore and I don't want to move the PC between the desk and the comfortable couch with the large TV, so most of my gaming is on console or Steam Deck. I mostly play older games like Populus on PC because it's the best way to play them.

 

[Buggy Loop]

FFS yes, stay on consoles if « ease » of use and no comprehension you can plug a PC to a TV or comfy couch are your arguments still in 2024. Whatyearisit.gif

We don't need more rofif

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

The whole 'you can build a PC for almost as little money as the Ps5 Pro' is so fucking stupid. No you can't. That's never been possible with a brand new console.

The gap has certainly narrowed over the generations, and the amount of horseshit you now have to go through with consoles (downloading updates, graphics settings getting more granular etc.) has narrowed that gap further, but the PC still remains a more complicated thing to use for gaming.

Personally, I've moved over just to PC gaming (or laptop in my case) because that gap really isn't enough for me any more.

Gap hasn't narrowed.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I don't really enjoy sitting at my desk playing anymore and I don't want to move the PC between the desk and the comfortable couch with the large TV, so most of my gaming is on console or Steam Deck. I mostly play older games like Populus on PC because it's the best way to play them.

I on the other hand hate the thought of having to turn on my TV and squinting from the sofa 3 meters away.

 

[poppabk]

Trying to persuade everyone that they are better with some bullshit words when clearly they are not can be considered cult mentality.
PC has too many issues, even if cost is not included, for mass market to be willing to play on it.

Steam monthly active users - 132 million.

 

[PandaOk]

Steam monthly active users - 132 million.

It's also the only ecosystem of the three that's growing. There's a reason Sony is planning full PlayStation integration.

 

[TintoConCasera]

I tried doing the connect PC to TV thing for years and it's just annoying and awkward and clearly isn't designed for it.

Dude, it's just an hdmi cable.

 

[Cakeboxer]

Dude, it's just an hdmi cable.

Don't lie, you also have to switch the tv to that hdmi port!!!

 

[TintoConCasera]

Don't lie, you also have to switch the tv to that hdmi port!!!

 

[diffusionx]

Dude, it's just an hdmi cable.

It's really not and that's just a lie.

For example, if you ever tried to get HDMI working with RE7 PC on a tv, you'd know it.