PC Vs Console Gaming

In the gaming world, there are several options to choose from when it comes to the platform the game is being played on. There are PC games, and there are console games. The difference lies within the way the game is played.

Gaming is literally a lifestyle choice so each person prefers a slightly different approach when it comes to the way they play a game. Some like computer games, because computers allow them to customize the way they play the game along with certain tweaks in visual details and controls.

Consoles don't demand that you make such tweaks, since they're built with only games in mind. So when a game comes out and it's destined for PlayStation, then, if you own such a console, you're certain you can play that game.

But when a game comes out and it's made for PCs, then you have to check on what the system requirements that game has in order to be played properly. Since games rely heavily on the specs, or hardware of the "console" they're run, for PC users this would mean there's a constant struggle to stay ahead of the gaming developer world and build or purchase the ultimate gaming computer.

In certain cases, it's a lot easier to escape this struggle by purchasing a console and not having to worry if your system meets the necessary minimum hardware in order to run a game.

The downside to consoles is, in my opinion, the lack of precision in movements and control. For instance, if you were to play a shooter game or FPS for short, it would be really hard to aim at the opponents using a game pad.

On the other hand, when using a computer, it's really easy to aim using your mouse at the opponents since you can fine tune the mouse sensitivity and actually get the mouse to work at what speed you require.

Some peripherals allow you to adjust that sensitivity right in the gaming environment and those are called gaming peripherals. These are built only with PCs in mind.

Consoles on the other hand have developed in recent years to create a more engaging environment for the player.

We have seen a lot of new advancements in this area from the Wii remote, allowing you to physically "swing" a golf club, or in the Kinect world, actually detecting your body movements to interact in the gaming world. This means that a console user might get a bit more exercise than a regular PC gamer.

Also, there are certain games which might not work on consoles, like strategy games. These games rely heavily on the use of a computer mouse for unit selection and issuing commands.

There are a lot of advantages to PC gaming as well as console gaming, and there are specific games that can be played on both platforms, without the possibility of moving from one type to the other. It's a matter of level of engagement or immersion that each gamer requires that he get from the game itself.

We, Markets, have made a page about this specific topic entitled: PC Versus Console Gaming with more detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of both types of platforms.

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PC vs. Console

It wasn't that long ago that the PC was the only choice you had if you wanted to play games online. The first console that included a modem for online play was the Sega Dreamcast, which launched in Japan in 1998. The Dreamcast wasn't a big success, however, and went out of production in 2001. It wasn't until the second half of 2002 that PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube introduced online capabilities. Naturally, the latest generation of consoles all have features that use the Internet to enhance gameplay.

Today, online console games are quite common, with Microsoft's Xbox Live service leading the way. Sony also has big plans for online content for the PlayStation 3, and consoles are now starting to get game downloads and other applications formerly only available on the PC, such as Web browsers. A few titles can now be played across platforms, such as Final Fantasy XI, in which PS2, Xbox 360, and PC users explore the same online world.

That said, PCs still offer the largest selection of online games, and some of the most popular online games, such as World of Warcraft, are exclusive to the PC. Of course, there are many things to consider before deciding on a gaming platform. Foremost among these is deciding which games you want to play, how much money you want to spend, and whether or not you need a PC for other purposes. Ideally I suppose we would all have both a console and a PC, but if that's not an option, here is quick comparison of the two.

Console Advantages
The most obvious advantage consoles have over PCs is cost. The majority of consoles sell for well under $500, often with a couple games in the bundle. A PC adequate for running the latest games can easily cost twice that much.

The second most obvious advantage is simplicity. Let's face it, PC gaming can be a technical nightmare compared to console gaming. People can actually take a console home and be playing a game within minutes. No operating systems to configure or drivers to update, and better still, no purchasing a game only to find out that it isn't compatible with your PC for some obscure reason.

Multiplayer gaming is also made easy with companies like Microsoft offering online services for their product. The Xbox, which came equipped with a network card, raised the bar for consoles in this regard, making it a simple matter to hook it up to a DSL or Cable Internet connection and get into a multiplayer game on Xbox Live, complete with voice chat.

Another appealing thing about consoles is that many people prefer to play games sitting on the couch, or they want to play with friends in the same room. While these things are possible on a PC, consoles are extremely well-suited for this right out of the box.

Console games are more readily rented than PC games, and more easily returned to the retailer if you're not satisfied with them. Generally speaking, it is difficult to return PC games because they are easy to copy.

Console games tend to have a relatively low learning curve. You might need fast thumbs, but you certainly won't need to spend hours in a "tutorial" trying to learn how to operate basic game functions.

Console Disadvantages
Although sealing everything into one unit does keep it simple, when some of the components inside the box become dated there's no way to solve the problem without replacing the entire console. In most cases, upgrades that could prolong the life of the system are not an option.

Consoles perform only one task really well, where PCs can be used for an extremely wide range of things. Some console manufacterers are trying to make them a little more flexible, but it will clearly be a long time before they support the staggering variety of applications that can be found for PCs.

There is a distinct lack of inter-connectivity between the different console brands. Many games are available for one type of console but not others, and when it comes to online play, each is typically restricted to its own network. This means that people with Xboxes can usually only play against other people with Xboxes, so, for example, there is no way for console gamers to jump into a fray on one of the countless PC Counter-Strike servers available. The PS2 has made some progress in this area, forging the way for cross-platform gaming between PS2 and PC users, but only a few titles support this right now.

While the PS2 network adapter supports both 56K modem and broadband connections to the Internet, broadband is required for Xbox online play. As well, Microsoft charges a yearly fee for use of the Xbox Live service.

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DISCover - A Console for PC Games

Aug 18 2003

The most appealing thing about console gaming, aside from the relatively low cost, is the convenience of being able to simply insert the necessary game disc and start playing, without ever having to address all the technical complications that can arise when running games on a computer. While life in PC game land has been getting a little easier over the years, it's still only a matter of time before one has to deal with dated drivers, game patches, software incompatibilities, and so on. Nevertheless, PCs have thus far always led the way in video gaming for a number of reasons. There are more games available for the PC than any single console platform, PC hardware is always on the cutting-edge, and monitors provide higher resolution images than most televisions, among other things.

Well, what if you could plug your TV into a console designed specifically to "drop and play" PC games? Make way for a new concept in game hardware, coming in the form of a "PC game console" called DISCover, created by Digital Interactive Systems Corporation of San Gabriel, California.

The DISCover Console (Photo Courtesy DISCover)

Revealed at the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo, DISCover is essentially a PC with a TV output and a customized version of Windows XP preinstalled. It is designed to install, configure, and load PC games automatically without any user input, including Internet-only PC titles such as EverQuest and Dark Age of Camelot. The units will come in several different models, and will also play DVDs and MP3s. Prices are expected to range from about $300 for an entry-level version, to $700 or more for a high-end model.

The software for the system will also be available separately, for those who wish to convert an existing PC into a drop and play console, and for PC manufacturing partners who want to market their own DISCover-based systems.

The makers of DISCover are hoping it will appeal to console gamers who want to step up to PC games without the PC headaches, and PC gamers that want to play sitting on the sofa in front of the TV.

There is some impressive hardware inside the more expensive models, which feature a 3 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 120 GB hard drive, and GeForce4 TI or better graphics. Although you could build a faster PC with the latest technology, the DISCover will carry considerably more computing power than the next generation of PlayStation and XBox consoles.

All models will have modem and broadband capabilities. As well, the boxes can be connected to each other for the purpose of LAN games. Some of the component parts of premium DISCover consoles will, allegedly, be upgradable, and there are a full set of standard PC ports on back for keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals.

Game patches and driver updates are to be handled automatically over the Internet. The system will connect to the DISCover network regularly, and, if necessary, download and install any new files that your games or hardware require.

It's an interesting, and daring, venture, but, like many people, I am a little skeptical about how successful the DISCover will be. Given the nature of personal computing, getting it work as seamlessly as advertised could be a challenge. Consoles have so far adhered to rigid specifications and allowed little or no upgrades to ensure reliability. DISCover will have to run hundreds of games on a number of slightly different system configurations, which is no small task.

As for playing PC games on a television in the living room, many computers already have TV outputs that make this possible. That said, many PC games built around the mouse and keyboard don't adapt particularly well to couch play, for which a game pad controller is better suited. Then there is the fact that, unless you have a high definition TV, games just aren't going to look as good on a television as they do on a monitor. Of course, the option to use a monitor does exist, and DISCover's ease of use could be exactly what some gamers are looking for, perhaps in addition to their current computers.

Considering that premium DISCovers are likely to be priced in about the same range as an entry-level PC that will do much more than just play games, it will be interesting to see if this console can carve out a place in a very competitive market. Expect to see DISCover consoles on store shelves sometime early next year.

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