PC is the most 'dominant' it's been this decade as two-thirds of devs say they're targeting the platform
PC is the most 'dominant' it's been this decade as two-thirds of devs say they're targeting the platform
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1: you get to own your games
2: the graphics are way better
3: you can do other shit with a PC like work or school
4: All games from forever to now are compatible.
5: You can emulate any games from older non-pc systems.
Did I miss anything?
Mods? Unless consoles these days have that too, I've admittedly not used console since the ps2.
Consoles are absurdly scared of any type of remote or external data loading. The 3DS was hacked by scanning QR codes, loading themes, loading audio files. The Wii was hacked by literal Bluetooth packets, messages, JPGs.
Some games, in some consoles, allow "mods" which are essentially a pre-curated selection of scripts that reuse the in-game assets or, if they are new assets, are already uploaded to Sony/Microsoft and get downloaded as if they were DLC.
Actual mods only exist on PC.
I know Skyrim has a limited selection of mods over on Xbox, but it's really tiny compared to the PC offerings, due to hardware and file size limitations. I think Fallout 4 has some, too?
Nothing on Sony or Nintendo's side, as far as I'm aware.
Yeah, Nintendo is definitely not a fan of mods, so I would be very surprised if they ever allow it.
No SKSE either
On Xbox One at least, Skyrim and Fallout 4 both have 5gb storage caps for mods. True, no SKSE or SkyUI, but you can still get almost every other mod that's available.
On oldrim I used 30 gigs of mods like a decade ago. 5 gigs seem super low.
At least in my experience, it was my first time really modding anything. I had had access to a PC years ago when I was a small child, and I played stuff like Garry's Mod where I'd just build crazy contractions (dare I say I got kinda good at it, who knows how much better I'd be now if I was able to keep up with it).
After a while I lost access to the computer, but I still was able to play console games, so that's what I mainly gamed on for a very long time, up until just a couple years ago when I finally got a PC.
So I'd say if anything, it's a great introductory to the possibilities of mods to console players, and like me, it may push some to actually get a PC to do more with their games. In all, I'd say it's a positive thing regardless.
No, not almost every other mod. Only small ones. Total conversions like Enderal are not possible:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/976620/Enderal_Forgotten_Stories_Special_Edition/
This mod is essentially a massive (50 hours just for the main story) free AAA RPG with its own world, story and mechanics. It even comes with professional voice acting in German and English.
At least in my experience, it was my first time really modding anything. I had had access to a PC years ago when I was a small child, and I played stuff like Garry's Mod where I'd just build crazy contractions (dare I say I got kinda good at it, who knows how much better I'd be now if I was able to keep up with it).
After a while I lost access to the computer, but I still was able to play console games, so that's what I mainly gamed on for a very long time, up until just a couple years ago when I finally got a PC.
So I'd say if anything, it's a great introductory to the possibilities of mods to console players, and like me, it may push some to actually get a PC to do more with their games. In all, I'd say it's a positive thing regardless.
This reminds me of so many Japanese dev only release their games on Switch because they don't want people to mod them.
...especially for family-friendly games or something based off popular IP (e.g. SPYxFAMILY).
They are cash-grabs anyway.
Not really, some of them are actually well-crafted and has fun gameplay.
- you usually don't own your games, you just own a license; they can't take away a console disk, but they can revoke a digital license
I agree with the rest, and here's a few more:
- games are typically cheaper because of #4
- lots of form factors - can use controller, kb+m, handheld PC, etc
- repairs are easy - if my PS5 breaks, I need PS5-specific parts; if my PC breaks, I can get anything off the shelf
- streaming is easy peasy (related to your #3) - I don't stream, but on PC, you just install something and click "go," on console, you need hardware capture cards and whatnot
- storage is a non-issue - can have multiple TB of space and store every game I own if I want to, whereas I'm stuck with whatever capacity the console comes with
All in all, it's a way better experience for me, though it is a bit more complicated. It's hard to beat "plug and play" like with a console.
they can’t take away a console disk,
Technically not but you still only own a license and those walled garden platforms of consoles can easily be used to block you from using that disk for anything meaningful.
You can always play the version shipped with the disk with the game unplugged from the internet.
On PC, you'd have to pirate if a game is taken down.
On PC, you could pirate, but you could also buy DRM free games from GOG.com and keep a copy locally backed up.
It's also worth noting that optical media will delaminate over time, rendering them unusable.
One thing GOG doesn't do is allow me to sell older games. I can do that just fine with physical media on a console. AFAIK, it's also legal to make physical backups of physical media you own, so it can theoretically live forever (not sure if you can sell backups if the original dies though).
That said, I'm still almost 100% on PC. Cheaper games and being able to upgrade on my schedule is way better than the overall experience on consoles.
I suppose not but every time I went to sell console games the prices were insultingly low at every store and not much better selling it online.
Idk, Switch games hold their value pretty well. I buy mostly used, and it's rare to find anything under $30. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd be able to play for just the cost of shipping.
Hmm, I should sell my Switch games. I haven't played since I bought my Steam Deck.
Permanently Deleted
The version that shipped with the disk? It's not 2005 anymore gramps.
Either there's no disk but a redeemable code (for a license), or there's a disk but without even the day 1 patch (which requires a license and the game probably runs like shit without it).
Piracy is WAY superior in those aspects. At least a repack had all the game updates bundled in.
Pretty much every game released on console, even today, can be completed just using the disk. Check out the Someordinarygamers YouTube video about playing Cyberpunk 2077 all the way through on the disk version, and that game was "literally unplayable."
Yeah, you could probably get the full pirated version for most games, but with physical media, you at least know you can play that version of the game. There's value there.
That said, I mostly play on PC because I trust Steam enough.
No, you don't own a license if you have physical media. This is a myth that's totally unfounded and needs to die.
When you buy a physical book, you don't have a license to read that book.
When you buy a physical movie, you don't have a license to watch that movie.
When you buy a physical game, you don't have a license to play the game.
In all cases you have a copy of the copywritten work that you can use under the copyright agreement, you can resell it, you can use it as many times as you like, they can't take it away from you. This is all enshrined in various copyright protections throughout the years in every juristicion.
You own a physical production that is a copy of a copywritten work. It can't be taken away.
Aren't there games where the physical disc doesn't have the entire game on it or won't even run without a patch? Wouldn't that effectively be the same thing if they decide to stop providing the patch?
The only one I can think of was the Spyro trilogy remaster, which had games 2 and 3 as downloads.
In any case I think there's more chance of Valve going bust than Sony or Microsoft...
If you buy DRM free games. you effectively "own" them not in a legal sense, but in a practical sense.
Sure, and that's only mostly true if you back them up.
That said, I can't sell a DRM free game, so I don't really own it like I do with physical media.
Nothing's stopping you from copying the game onto a flashdrive and selling it to a friend
What are you talking about selling it? We share our games with friends.
Before online DRM, we used to buy games once among friends, dividing the cost, and then share them. At first, everyone got the disc for a few days each, but then we figured out how to remove the copy protection...
So you're going to put your USB stick on eBay? Because that's what I do with old console games
you usually don't own your games, you just own a license; they can't take away a console disk, but they can revoke a digital license
This is partially offset by the fact that most PC games are purchased through Steam, which stands above all other digital storefronts as the most trustworthy and customer-focused. Playstation is certainly no longer trustworthy after the whole Discovery debacle, Xbox is owned by Microsoft, so you know you can't trust them, and Nintendo has infamously outdated online practices and subpar customer support.
Yup. I play almost exclusively on PC and I have absolutely no worries about my Steam games disappearing. Even if they do, they're still way cheaper than on console, and I'll have the piracy option available.
So it's a mixed bag. If you're buying digital, PC is better, hands down. If you're buying physical, PC is essentially a non-starter because few games are still available on physical media.
So true. The only physical media I have for PC is the micro-SD card I have in my Steam Deck.
Streaming is easier on PS5. You hit the button on the controller, link your YouTube or Twitch account, and go.
You can also retroactively save a decent bit of gameplay and put it on your phone via the mobile app.
Interesting. I haven't actually used a PS5 or XBox Series console.
Thanks for the correction!
They've really streamlined the process. I just checked, and it will let you save the last 30 minutes of gameplay after the fact. Random sample of quality, though streamable probably compresses it too It also has a a slot for just a standard nvme pcie 4 SSD that's as simple as sliding a side panel off, and between the hardware decompression and the universal nature of using their APIs, loading is blazing fast. It's not quite as fast for PS4 games without the software support for the new capabilities, but it's a complete gamechanger for games that used to punish me with a 5+ minute loading screen when I died, making playing at the difficulty I prefer an extremely frustrating exercise at times.
I won't buy a game on PS5 over PC or anything. Unless it uses the PS5 triggers, but only on PS5, maybe. The controller is the shit. But it's sincerely a nice piece of hardware. You trade a couple freedoms I'd rather not, but it's overall pretty nice and a big step forward for gaming (especially as the consoles set the standard for what developers do, and having real CPUs enables a lot more mechanics).
Well, you can use the PS5 controller on PC, so at least there are no downsides there. I use a PS4 controller myself.
My only console is a Switch, which I got for exclusives and family games, but the PS5 actually does sound really nice.
I know Sony supports the triggers on their ports (only wired, but I don't like the latency of Bluetooth anyways, so that's how I use them on PC anyways), but I don't know if third parties offer parity between platforms. I haven't been in a position to consider that yet. I've only had the PS5 a few months and my purchases have been exclusives and sports games that are windows only to run root kits on PC.
In terms of anti-features, you need plus for online, to back up your saves, and I think you can't get digital keys for anything but the games they bundle with consoles.
I've mostly noticed Xbox controls for on-screen prompts, but a few have PS prompts. So I'm guessing most ports won't take advantage of PS5 controller features.
However, Steam Input configuration is awesome so you can probably get a similar effect even if the game doesn't have explicit support on PC.
need plus for online, to back up your saves
Yeah, I really hate that about consoles. Both are free on PC (at least saves are on Steam, not sure about others).
Steam input is awesome.
But a game changing resistance on the triggers based on what's happening in game can't really be replicated by a software layer.
Yup, and I'm not sure if Steam Input can control that part of PS5 controller yet. But it at least gets pretty close.
You can choose whichever input methods suit you best. I’ve always been a controller kind of guy. As someone left handed I always struggled with keyboard and mouse setups.
I think you missed the biggest one which is PCs don't have a profit driven life cycle. You update hardware when it no longer suits your need. Not when some predetermined life cycle expires and its time for the brand new thing.
streaming games to other devices too.
you can make your phone into a poor man's steam deck
I first streamed from PC to a portable device with my PSP way back when. It did not work very well, but it was a neat proof of concept.
That said, Playstation consoles have had this ability since the PS3 as well.
Life/support expectancy between console and PC, PC wins hands down. Consoles release the next $500+ish version every 8ish years where a PC can pretty easily outlive at least 2 generations of console with minor upkeep and maybe some minor upgrades that cost less then the shitty controllers you have to replace every 6-12 months for $50 - $80
Life/support expectancy between console and PC, PC wins hands down. Consoles release the next $500+ish version every 8ish years where a PC can pretty easily outlive at least 2 generations of console with minor upkeep and maybe some minor upgrades that cost less then the shitty controllers you have to replace every 6-12 months for $50 - $80
And they can get 'downgraded' into other purposes, such as a childs first PC (take that mf'r apart and make them build it again), or a home server, or a media console.
You can also emulate a lot of newer games and they run better than in their native hardware.
playing online games for free and not needing subscriptions is a huge one. these days they try to justify it with attaching free games or some other kind of live service so i don't discount the value of them nowadays but it's still mind blowing to me how for almost two generation they got away charging for online play without barely doing anything but being the monopoly man.
the great thing about PC is its flexibility and if you don't want or need flexibility consoles are a good choice but i think more and more people are appreciating the flexibility PC platforms have.
You don't own your games on PC, unless you mean gog. Which you likely do not. You have an account and you pay to add games to that account. That is all.
1: you get to own your games
*Citation needed.
You absolutely do not. Even GOG is just a license to the game.
How is point 1 in favor of PC? A physical console disc gives you far more ownership than a steam game. PC would be equal to consoles, but not better than them, if you exclusively buy games on gog. But then you miss out on most new games.
And it’s only marginally more expensive.
The hardware, yes. You can build a console-equivalent system for only a little bit more. It is far cheaper in the long run though. Games cost less, after all.
A mid-low end GPU is the same price as a console right now.
Mixing used and new hardware is the cheat code. A used RTX 2080 beats Xbox Series X and PS5, yet it can be found for only about 200 bucks. The rest of the hardware can be new. That's how I did it.
I account for the online cost where you have to pay to play on servers the console creators don’t run.
You don't own games on Steam. You licence them - at any time they can be removed from your library.
Flexibility. Huge and/or expensive with glitter and better than every console in games, smaller than half a shoebox for everyday tasks, mobile and batteries included as notenook and/or touchscreen as convertible, with huge storage as a server. Can even run on other platforms like smartphones (PostmarketOS & co.).