Console vs. PC: What Type of Gamer Are You?
There are a number of age-old questions that have challenged man since the dawn of time:
Questions like these tend to create fierce debate among even the best of friends, and our answers to these questions can divide us into camps of people who share the same ideas. When considering such weighty and life-altering questions, it is imperative that we listen carefully to everyone's thoughts and make a respectful, informed decision on where we stand.
The War
While obviously silly in nature, the debate between console and PC gamers genuinely exists and sometimes manifests itself in fierce arguments or demeaning posts online. Some elitist PC gamers have taken to calling themselves the "Glorious PC Master Race" while referring to their console-gaming counterparts "console peasants," a practice that shows their belief in the superiority in PC gaming. You might be asking, "Why even have a debate about gaming in the first place? Aren't all gaming experiences the same?" Well, questioning a serious debate about games is quite valid, but if you think all gaming experiences are the same then you are very mistaken, my friend!
Experience
The first major point of contention between consoles and PCs is in the so-called "gaming experience." Current generation consoles have undeniably inferior graphical performance compared to even moderately equipped PCs, both in frame rate (how many times per second the display updates the onscreen image) and in the graphical quality (the level of detail in the onscreen images). Additionally, PC games give users the option to tweak graphics settings for the best experience possible.
However, many console gamers would argue that frame rates and graphics don't make a gaming experience -- fun games do! They'd much rather have an easy, plug-and-play couch gaming experience with their favorite games (some of which aren't released for PC)! Sure, PCs can be set up for use in the living room and yes, PCs are technically portable, but consoles come premade just for those uses. Small and easy to set up anywhere without much technical knowledge, consoles are an undeniably more convenient gaming experience.
Cost
The second major consideration is cost. Most people don't have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on their own entertainment, and gamers want the best bang for their buck. Which platform is really a better value?
A large portion of this question depends on what you value from the first consideration, but if you find yourself on the fence or on a tight budget then cost may be a major factor for you. There are a few main things to consider:
Conclusion
Gaming with a PC or a console personal choice, and most of the rhetoric surrounding the debate is crafted in jest at the absurdity of arguing over games; however, legitimate cases can be made for either side. Some people even make the choice to purchase both a console and a PC! It ultimately comes down to every gamer's personal desires, preferences, and budget.
What side will you choose?
"Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"Where did humans come from?"
"Console or PC?"
Questions like these tend to create fierce debate among even the best of friends, and our answers to these questions can divide us into camps of people who share the same ideas. When considering such weighty and life-altering questions, it is imperative that we listen carefully to everyone's thoughts and make a respectful, informed decision on where we stand.
The War
While obviously silly in nature, the debate between console and PC gamers genuinely exists and sometimes manifests itself in fierce arguments or demeaning posts online. Some elitist PC gamers have taken to calling themselves the "Glorious PC Master Race" while referring to their console-gaming counterparts "console peasants," a practice that shows their belief in the superiority in PC gaming. You might be asking, "Why even have a debate about gaming in the first place? Aren't all gaming experiences the same?" Well, questioning a serious debate about games is quite valid, but if you think all gaming experiences are the same then you are very mistaken, my friend!
Experience
The first major point of contention between consoles and PCs is in the so-called "gaming experience." Current generation consoles have undeniably inferior graphical performance compared to even moderately equipped PCs, both in frame rate (how many times per second the display updates the onscreen image) and in the graphical quality (the level of detail in the onscreen images). Additionally, PC games give users the option to tweak graphics settings for the best experience possible.
However, many console gamers would argue that frame rates and graphics don't make a gaming experience -- fun games do! They'd much rather have an easy, plug-and-play couch gaming experience with their favorite games (some of which aren't released for PC)! Sure, PCs can be set up for use in the living room and yes, PCs are technically portable, but consoles come premade just for those uses. Small and easy to set up anywhere without much technical knowledge, consoles are an undeniably more convenient gaming experience.
Cost
The second major consideration is cost. Most people don't have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on their own entertainment, and gamers want the best bang for their buck. Which platform is really a better value?
A large portion of this question depends on what you value from the first consideration, but if you find yourself on the fence or on a tight budget then cost may be a major factor for you. There are a few main things to consider:
- Consoles are, in general, cheaper than PCs. The average console costs around $300, while a good-enough-for-gaming PC costs around $600. (Due to their customizable nature, PCs can cost thousands of dollars, but good gaming PCs can also cost well below $1000).
- PC games are, in general, cheaper than console games. Many PC games are free-to-play, and the vast majority of PC games are subject to major price cuts.
- PCs obviously come with additional functionality over a console and can be used for a variety of non-gaming tasks that consoles can't be.
Conclusion
Gaming with a PC or a console personal choice, and most of the rhetoric surrounding the debate is crafted in jest at the absurdity of arguing over games; however, legitimate cases can be made for either side. Some people even make the choice to purchase both a console and a PC! It ultimately comes down to every gamer's personal desires, preferences, and budget.
What side will you choose?
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