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15 Reasons PC Gaming Beats All

pcworld.com — Consoles and handhelds and mobile phones certainly earn their plaudits, but PCs are still the heartbeat of the games industry, and here's why.

Who dugg this? Made popular Dec 30, 2008

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  • holyskeleton, on 12/30/2008, -22/+3765. Keyboard and mouse beats all.

    Amen.
  • mwalker05, on 12/30/2008, -6/+19616. the pc gaming community is generally made up of older players.
    i never noticed the difference so much until left 4 dead. i bought it on pc, and after seeing me play the hell out of it for a month my roommate rented it on xbox 360. the difference between the skill level and maturity of the players was staggering.
  • rakeshishere, on 12/30/2008, -29/+214Real Men Game on PC
  • reyalp, on 12/30/2008, -8/+128As long as there are people working at jobs with computers, there will always be things I would rather do while I'm at work than actually doing work.
    Thus, PC Gaming lives forever!
  • acid_jazz, on 12/30/2008, -24/+101As much as I love PC gaming, I'm always going to choose the console as my preferred medium. I agree with every single point, but the fact is that I'm grinding at a computer desk all day long at work, and I can't stand to spend anymore time with that configuration. I'd rather just sit on the couch and chill.
  • messiah420, on 12/30/2008, -6/+69PC is better for games no way around it. Want a controller instead of mouse/keyboard? Plug one in. Want to play on your tv? Plug it in. It is a media tool 100x more powerfull then any console out there. Console's are computers stripped of there usefulness.
  • diggduggDOOM, on 12/30/2008, -4/+65"I still think using a controller in a game like Call of Duty takes way more skill than a keyboard and mouse."

    It 'takes way more skill' to put a nail through a board with a cheese grater than a hammer, but that doesn't mean you should take pride in using an inferior tool.
  • georgemason01, on 12/30/2008, -4/+59don't give us too much credit. real men do more manly things than playing computer games. i'm not one of them, and i don't know any, but i imagine they do.
  • max420, on 12/30/2008, -6/+60PC's generally provide me with a more entertaining experience anyway.
  • rowlodge, on 12/30/2008, -14/+67reason 16: and you can torrent everything too.
  • ScubaShneve, on 12/30/2008, -5/+53The only genres that are better when played with something other than a keyboard and mouse are:
    - Fighting
    - Racing
    - Shooters (i.e. Duck Hunt, Area 51, RE: Umbrella Chronicles)
    but, like the author of the article pointed out, you can use a 360-like controller and Wii-mote on your PC. (or steering wheel if you like)

    The only thing I see the console having better, is quick, easy, in person (not online) multiplayer. Although this could be done on the PC by hooking it up to the TV and having 4 USB controllers, most people do not have their PCs set up this way. Just slightly easier.

    There are many genres that the keyboard and mouse just dominates.
    - FPS
    - MMORPG
    - RTS
    just to name a few.

    My Wii comes in 2nd tho.
  • patriotsfan82, on 12/30/2008, -8/+49One important thing that keeps me away from PC gaming: Its the uncertainty.

    If I go out and buy Fallout 3, I know it is going to play on my PS3/Xbox 360. This is not the case on PC. Sure it will probably run. Maybe it doesnt like my configuration however and the framerate is pathetic. Maybe it doesnt start up at all. All these factors drive me away from PC gaming.
  • Scrappy1850, on 12/30/2008, -6/+43the pc plugs nicely into your TV. i played fallout (on my PC) with my 360 controller on my couch all night last night. fun!
  • Hale, on 12/30/2008, -12/+4716. You don't have any friends to play with on a console.
  • inactive, on 12/30/2008, -4/+39Why do so many people feel such a need to say PC IS BETTER CONSOLE SUCKS. I play both and I like both for separate things. The hardware involved with PC's is a lot more diverse and you basically pay to get better parts so it's obvious PC gaming should be superior. There was an article a couple weeks ago comparing PC graphics to consoles. If PC wasn't the best, I'd say something's wrong. If you pay a couple hundred for a console or you buy a PC, the PC is going to be a lot more expensive and obviously should perform better. It's really not a contest.
  • Astark, on 12/30/2008, -6/+38If you have the time, money and technical proficiency, PC gaming can be superior to console play. Let's be real though... You can plug in your $300 Xbox 360 in 5 minutes and have a gaming experience as good or better than what the average PC can provide, and do it on your 50" plasma screen in Hi-Def. That being the case, why bother spending a couple of grand on a souped-up PC rig, which will have to be updated every year at least? If that's what you enjoy doing, that's one thing, but otherwise it doesn't really make sense in light of the current generation of consoles. It's not like we're arguing pentiums versus Nintendo 64's anymore.
  • TommyTikal, on 12/30/2008, -6/+37You forgot:

    Wrath of the Lich King - PC Exclusive
    Sins of a Solar Empire - PC Exclusive
    Audiosurf - PC Exclusive
    Fallout 3

    And regarding Left 4 Dead...this is one of the greatest games yet made. And the PC version is the true experience. I played it on the console and it seemed crippled.

  • leif77, on 12/30/2008, -0/+30most kids ask for a 360 for Christmas before they ask for a PC...
  • ProfessorLX, on 12/30/2008, -9/+36both your answers are wrong to an extent. can you pc game with a bunch of friends in the same room? hell ya, lan party, and better games more viewing are although more difficult to setup i will admit.

    and do you have to worry about drm on a pc? not really.. either download game and crack it, or buy game and crack it with easily found cracks. i will admit here as well a bit more of a pain, but ill take a slight inconvenience over a 399 ps3, 60+ games, extra controllers etc etc
  • Scrappy1850, on 12/30/2008, -4/+30you know they sell CoD for the PC, right? $10 cheaper too. and do you know what happens when you plug a 360 controller into your PC with CoD on? magic, thats what.
  • Renton, on 12/30/2008, -5/+31The skill level may be due to them using those archaic analog nubs instead of mouse and keyboard.
  • theguesser10, on 12/30/2008, -0/+26... grandpa?
  • gothelium, on 12/30/2008, -7/+33Obviously you have never been to a LAN party. You're missing out.
  • dracflamloc, on 12/30/2008, -5/+28*cough* fallout 3, sins of a solar empire
  • reyalp, on 12/30/2008, -0/+23This is why I purchased an Nvidia 9800GT for my work PC.
  • Serveck, on 12/30/2008, -1/+22you're doing it wrong if you're spending 4K on a computer. i can build a high-end gaming machine for under 1000$ that can run all the high end games. i built my machine for 700$ and it can run crysis on high. and completely trumps the PS3 and X360 in terms of visual quality. not to mention if you build it right you only have to spend about 200$ every 2 years to upgrade. far cheaper in the long run IMO.
  • dalittle, on 12/30/2008, -1/+22It means he is a noob and gets smoked when he plays anything with a PC online.
  • VinnieDaMac, on 12/30/2008, -7/+27Piracy is actually a benefit if you ask me.
  • Scrappy1850, on 12/30/2008, -6/+25you can get a 9800gt for around $150. that will play anything better than a console.
  • PhoenixAvatar2, on 12/30/2008, -1/+20Controllers take more skill? What the heck is that supposed to mean?
  • theguesser10, on 12/30/2008, -0/+18I get carpal tunnel from all the porn I watch on my pc. So you're right, I can't get carpal tunnel with a console game.

    Except guitar hero, my left wrist always kills me after that game...
  • EmperorAwesome, on 12/31/2008, -2/+20http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...

    This will run any game currently available. If you've never built a PC, please don't quote prices from an alienware ad.
  • thebza451, on 12/30/2008, -0/+18too bad there's not an age where you automatically stop being a douche bag.
  • Nauree, on 12/30/2008, -4/+22All console FPS games are watered down. After one plays computer FPS one wouldn't want to even regularly play console FPSs. Its like having sex with a super hot chick then the next thing your offered to have sex with a super fat chick. Ya, its there for you but do you really want it?
  • MRintheKeys, on 12/30/2008, -2/+19As is your spelling of the word "whole."
  • xancel, on 12/30/2008, -7/+24I've been playing the same PC game for over 5 years... DOTA.
  • diggduggDOOM, on 12/30/2008, -1/+18It does not take "four or more thousand dollars" to have a PC that can play ALL current games.
  • latova, on 12/30/2008, -0/+16Have you ever seen videos of the best skilled PC and console players? Probably not. But I have. PC wins.
  • Stemnin, on 12/30/2008, -1/+17YDKJ! Forgot about that game.. it was awesome. L4D can be played cooperatively split screen on the PC. (mentioned above, link to the steam forums post)

    http://tinyurl.com/5lnoec
  • Cockslap, on 12/30/2008, -1/+17No, YOU have less skill. Don't get the two confused.
  • awtripp, on 12/30/2008, -0/+16even console devs are gimping non-lan multiplayer. one HUGE fail is resistance 2.

    but, LAN parties? i mean come on, you're not a true PC gamer if you don't enjoy a good LAN party.
  • Azathothh, on 12/30/2008, -3/+17PC's FTW
  • 2Bnor2B, on 12/30/2008, -0/+14PC games also evolve with hardware!
    Going back and playing an old PC game is a different experience after a hardware upgrade. You can turn the settings to maximum. Games like Supreme Commander are a whole new experience when played on a dual monitor setup with a multicore CPU. Previous games, which slowed down to 20-40fps, now blaze away at >70fps. You can appreciate the time and details which may have been previously overlooked with your older machine. Texture mods also allow you to push the games graphics above the designers original limitations when the game was released.
  • artofwot, on 12/30/2008, -1/+15I consider myself a fairly hardcore PC Gamer. I've built my own computer, know my way around the mod scene, and I don't even own a console. I'm a huge PC Gaming fan.

    BUT...I realize that PC gaming is not for everyone. In fact, I've talked friends *out* of buying a gaming PC, simply because I know they would enjoy a console more. All of these stories, whichever way they lean, are designed to get fanboys all riled up, and I'm tired of it. To each his own. Different platforms have different benefits. 'Nuff said.
  • lxevolution, on 12/30/2008, -3/+17Indeed. My thumb was not designed to construct nanotubes; that's the precision needed to control a thumbstick.
  • isunktheship, on 12/30/2008, -3/+17omg nintendo 64 starcraft = FAIL
  • latova, on 12/30/2008, -0/+14Because DRM has been such an effective weapon against piracy.
  • YouRookies, on 12/30/2008, -3/+17I believe the PC will always have a place for MMORPG, RTS and FPS. You can't play those games on a high level on the consoles. "But but but....Halo?" No, then why does the game have auto aim?
  • theguesser10, on 12/30/2008, -4/+17So.... pc graphics get significantly better every 2 years while console graphics stay the same for the whole life of the console? Yep, seems about right. But you can just get a high end videocard and keep that for 4 years, turning the video settings progressively down and down as time wears on until you get a new card. End result: your graphics stay the same... hmmmm
  • reed311, on 12/30/2008, -5/+18I definitely prefer gaming on the PC, due to the better graphics and the higher customization. However, PC gaming has sucked in the past couple of years. I don't have any interest in WoW or the Sims or the generic RTS games. I'm hoping this year will be a better year if Starcraft 2 and possibly Diablo 3 come out. Valve and Blizzard are doing good work, but they can't save the industry.
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