Do Console Gamers get the Shaft?

[Peench]

There are a great number of console gamers out there in the world, in fact, I'd dare say there are far more console gamers than PC gamers. The console world has taken off and sold games far in excess of what PC game manufacturers had seen in the past.

All that being the case, do you all think console gamers are getting the shaft? How often are games on consoles more expensive than on the PC? How often are additional packs available for the PC for free, but must be purchased for a console?

Let us know what you think and why.

[dmiller68]

Too me the only issue is the price. This goes for games that come out for multible consoles as well... Come on we all know the Transformers and other movie titled games are the same across all platforms there is no reason they cost $10 more and $20 more then the PC version.

[Crippler]

Yes.

They can spin it all they want. Bandwidth this and that. Simple fact is we pay for WAY more shit on the console side than our PC counterparts. As if the fact that the same game game is $10 cheaper wasn't enough. Live Marketplace has only fueled the fire. It could have been FAR better if it wasn't just a place for nothing but nickel and dime activity.

[D_Litch]

I say no. Console gamers get a lot of stuff PC Gamers don't get as well. I think it balances itself out.

[Gordon]

Well I believe that PC gamers out number the console gamers. It really just depends on what you consider are official games. Plenty of parents do not go and play the BF2's, though they can be drawn into Bejewelled or even some of the Newgrounds games. I could go with the consoles having more of the hardcore gamers though.

I do believe that console gamers do get screwed over with the extra cost of their games, but that could be attributed to having to pay for licensing to be able to be ported to a console.

[grife]

considering the "extra cost" of games is new to this generation of consoles I think we are getting screwed because they decided it was time to raise the average price. bent over a barrel and enjoying it apparantly as console gamers are buying this stuff in the millions. so no, console gamers arent taking it in teh pants, we WANT it in the pants, according to our buying trends

[lovekeiiy]

I think Console gamers do get shafted in some aspects compared to PC gamers. We have to pay extra $10 to $20 for the same games. Part of the costs, as DLitch said is the fees paid to the console manufactures to have the games on the consoles. There could be more time in developing for console games, since it's not like you force people to get new hardware. To make the game "prettier" and stuff, means you have to push the hardware that is there. And XBL DLC is a bit of joke. $10 for extra multiplayer maps, whereas the same content is free. And we've all heard that MS put a big "no" on the new GOW maps being free from the get go. Gee, the gold membership pretty has just been for the ablity to play multiplayer games online. Very little free DLC.

PC gamers get screwed too. Game developers do not try to optimize game code or hardware usage. Instead, they just make gamers buy the newest hardware, or get more memory and so on. And how long can you use that computer, maybe two years before there is significantly noticable slow down, assuming you didn't buy upgrades and got a top line machine. You might get luckily and squeeze four years if you upgrade. Considering the cost of the computers and hardware, it gets very expensive very fast. Outwieghs the extra cost of games, and some DLC. Nevermind the issues of hardware and conflicts to make a game work. One thing with consoles, we know the games will work; 360 is not a question if the game will work, it's a question will console will work. And for online gaming, there are plenty of free online servers to play multiplayer, including silver members for XBL; gold membership on the PC gives you gamerpoints and player matching.

I still think console players get screwed, despite PC gamers may pay more. We all know that buy the time you get to your car with your new computer, something better has come out, so it's a matter of choice to do it or not. Console gamers have no choice, per se. They can either get a game or not. There's no alternative for games for consoles, other than renting them.

[Crippler]

Case in point, Gears of War for the PC. Five new single player levels, new multiplayer game types, achievements, etc. So for $10 cheaper and a yr later, PC gamers get more again. You know we'll be paying for that shit if it hits Live.

[D_Litch]

Originally Posted by Crippler

Case in point, Gears of War for the PC. Five new single player levels, new multiplayer game types, achievements, etc. So for $10 cheaper and a yr later, PC gamers get more again. You now we'll be paying for that shit if it hits Live.

What about the Half-Life 2 Orange Box? If a game comes out on PC first, the console rendition gets extra shit. If a game comes out on console first, the PC rendition gets extra shit. The shank works both ways.

[Crippler]

Originally Posted by D_Litch

What about the Half-Life 2 Orange Box? If a game comes out on PC first, the console rendition gets extra shit. If a game comes out on console first, the PC rendition gets extra shit. The shank works both ways.

Well, the HL2 Orange Box will be hitting the PC too at...you guessed it...$50.

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=646931

[D_Litch]

I do think that PC games being $50 is bull. I think that all games, console or PC, should be $50.

[Thornes70]

I don't think either is really getting screwed - you game on whatever platform works for you, knowing full well the pros & cons of both. You also don't have to use everything either one offers.

Still, consoling is a bit better imo - just turn on & play. No trying to fix the pc for this or that, d/l that or this, or upgrades. simple.

[AZRaiderH8r]

I voted yes, primarily because of the pricing issue. That being said, I never game on my PC. After spending all day in front of a computer, the last thing that I want to do is spend more time on it at home, even if it is gaming. I only surf PGL and do "business" stuff at home (well, and the occassional session of full tilt poker, of course).

[Jon Liu]

I used to be a huge fan of PC gaming, until every time the newest game I wanted to play came, I "had to" upgrade parts of my PC.

The console gamers definitely get the shaft, though. The options alone for setting a game up makes PC gaming better. Being able to customize video settings to allow you to run at a smoother framerate, is one example. If a game on console doesn't have a good framerate, you're stuck because you don't have any options.

Also, going back to the age-old debate, Keyboard & Mouse or Controller... I still firmly believe that Keyboard & Mouse is better. A lot better control overall and more options. I've gotten very used to using a controller to play, but keyboard and mouse still work best. It's a big debate and most times, people debate one side because mainly because they're used to that specific and haven't adjusted to the other.

[Desi Cuse]

Originally Posted by D_Litch

I say no. Console gamers get a lot of stuff PC Gamers don't get as well. I think it balances itself out.

Agreed