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Forum Thread

How many of you still play games using computer

1,058 391 January 27, 2011 at 11:34 AM in Chat (2)
I was just wondering that this might be an interesting topic to talk about.

I used to play games using my PC 3 years ago, The trouble I found was the constant requirement for upgrades. New games keep demanding more computing and graphics power to play. Finally I gave up on the PC and bought the PS3 instead. Now I feel much happy as I don't have to go through hardware requirements once again.

I still see some sder's interested in powerful graphics card even today.

So the question is...how many of you guys still use the computer to play video games, If yes, then how do you guys keep up with the constant upgrades demanded by the new games these days? If you keep on upgrading, don't you think thats not economical?

Do you guys think switching to XBOX or PS3 makes sense?

Note: Consider only games that require high end graphics like MOH, COD, etc.....

Advantages on using PS3/XBOX 360

1...No need for any hardware upgrade.
2...Games can be easily resold on ebay. No DRM problems.
3...Can use this sitting on a couch and play using a big screen TV. More comfort.
4...Get more controllers, then the whole family can have a very good time with games. More suitable for time pass during special occasions like friends get togethers.

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Joined Dec 2008
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> bubble2 1,058 Posts
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steal
01-27-2011 at 02:43 PM.
01-27-2011 at 02:43 PM.
Quote from J Macker :
Console vs. PC game debate? I don't think I've seen that discussion on the internet before. Big Grin

RTS games will always be better with a KB / mouse. That's a major backbone of the industry, and the #1 reason why they won't be successful on consoles; consoles don't come with a KB/mouse.

PC games have MUCH higher resolution and look MUCH better. PC games are easier to distribute and require no licensing fees to Sony, MS, or nintendo.

I own an Xbox 360, a PS3, 2 original xboxes, a GC, and 3 desktop computers running Win 7 and a desktop running Win XP.

Flexibility is great. Own them both! Play games on the computer most of the time though!

You have a good point on RTS games. I agree with you on that but not sure if RTS games demand heavy graphics requirement.

Regarding resolution, PS3 can play 1080P resolution on some games smoothly, why is the PC better on this stand point? I find it more relaxing to play the game looking at a big flat screen TV from the couch than sitting close to the computer screen. May be this is just an individual preference.
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Last edited by steal January 27, 2011 at 02:49 PM.
Joined Jan 2008
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> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-27-2011 at 02:47 PM.
01-27-2011 at 02:47 PM.
Quote from steal :
I believe the days of PC based games is coming to an end from economical stand point.
Technological history is replete with this prediction.
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Joined Dec 2008
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> bubble2 1,058 Posts
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Original Poster
steal
01-27-2011 at 02:53 PM.
01-27-2011 at 02:53 PM.
Quote from RefCache :
Technological history is replete with this prediction.

The reason I mentioned that is because I had seen graphics cards worth $200 in SD front page deals, now add motherboard, memeory (atleast 4GB), processor, etc..., but the PS3 console is only $300. Economically the game console are winners I believe. They even have built in DVD/Blu-Ray Players.
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Joined Oct 2004
Geek Chick
> bubble2 10,953 Posts
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someone28624
01-27-2011 at 03:06 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:06 PM.
I'm all about Peggle, Bejewled 3, Plants vs. Zombies, Quinn, and Snood!
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Joined Jun 2006
Jambi-rific in Seattle!
> bubble2 31,436 Posts
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Zoe Moon
01-27-2011 at 03:07 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:07 PM.
Quote from General Ghoul :
The problem is you don't buy games from Steam, you only lease them for as long as Steam exists. Once they go out of business, you are SOL.
Meh, I by most of my games from Steam for $5 or less when they have a sale. DH is the big spender, he bought one that was $14 on sale. I already got my moneys worth out of playing them.

Quote from someone28624 :
I'm all about Peggle, Bejewled 3, Plants vs. Zombies, Quinn, and Snood!
Have you ever tried Bookworm Adventures or Zuma? Very addictive.
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Last edited by Zoe Moon January 27, 2011 at 03:09 PM.
Joined Jul 2009
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> bubble2 15,176 Posts
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PaintTheSkyGrey
01-27-2011 at 03:14 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:14 PM.
Quote from steal :
The reason I mentioned that is because I had seen graphics cards worth $200 in SD front page deals, now add motherboard, memeory (atleast 4GB), processor, etc..., but the PS3 console is only $300. Economically the game console are winners I believe. They even have built in DVD/Blu-Ray Players.
Except you have to buy a new $3-400 game console every two years, when you can incrementally upgrade your computer.

Need a better graphics card? Pay $150-$200. Need more ram? Pay $50. Need a better processor? Pay $200, maybe $300 with a new motherboard if your current socket doesn't support a newer processor. It should be noted, also, that a high-end processor negates the need for a crazy-powerful graphics card.

In any case, I'd prefer to incrementally upgrade a system that's not crazy locked down than have a dumbed down machine that can do only what the manufacturer tells it to do, otherwise I'm breaking the warranty and who knows what else is in the EULA.

Can your PS3 run an SSH server on stock firmware? What about rip DVDs for future playback? Store and transcode video for playback on multiple types of devices? Can you surf the internet easily? How often does the PS3 store have crazy discounts on games like Steam does?
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Joined Jan 2008
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> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-27-2011 at 03:18 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:18 PM.
Quote from steal :
The reason I mentioned that is because I had seen graphics cards worth $200 in SD front page deals, now add motherboard, memeory (atleast 4GB), processor, etc..., but the PS3 console is only $300. Economically the game console are winners I believe. They even have built in DVD/Blu-Ray Players.
There's no single choice that is more economically superior to the other. It all depends on the individual users needs and how he/she/they plan on accomplishing those needs.

To state "the days of PC based games is coming to an end from economical stand point" is to say one set of needs supersedes all others enough to create a huge shift in the market. I just don't believe that's the case yet and likely won't be anytime soon.

The inclusion of a BD-ROM drive have been a strong point for the PS3 in the past, but SATA BD-ROM drives are regularly what now? $30 to $50? There's also increased utility by utilizing the drive in a computer rather than in a console.
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Joined Dec 2008
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> bubble2 1,058 Posts
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Original Poster
steal
01-27-2011 at 03:30 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:30 PM.
Quote from RefCache :
Technological history is replete with this prediction.
Quote from PaintTheSkyGrey :
Except you have to buy a new $3-400 game console every two years, when you can incrementally upgrade your computer.

Need a better graphics card? Pay $150-$200. Need more ram? Pay $50. Need a better processor? Pay $200, maybe $300 with a new motherboard if your current socket doesn't support a newer processor. It should be noted, also, that a high-end processor negates the need for a crazy-powerful graphics card.

In any case, I'd prefer to incrementally upgrade a system that's not crazy locked down than have a dumbed down machine that can do only what the manufacturer tells it to do, otherwise I'm breaking the warranty and who knows what else is in the EULA.

Can your PS3 run an SSH server on stock firmware? What about rip DVDs for future playback? Store and transcode video for playback on multiple types of devices? Can you surf the internet easily? How often does the PS3 store have crazy discounts on games like Steam does?
The discussion is not about the functions of a PS3 alone, If a PS3 does all the work you mentioned above then it should be called a computer not something else. The discussion is only about games demanding high end graphics and which is the best one to play it.

The advantage in console based games is that you can resell them with a fraction of cost loss. The same is with PC games too, but not the ones you buy from steam or similar ones.

For classic games, the computer is still the winner. I do have a computer but without high end graphics on it. When it comes to games I prefer the PS3.

Even if a new version of game console comes out, selling the old version and getting the new version is still economical.

Quote from RefCache :
There's no single choice that is more economically superior to the other. It all depends on the individual users needs and how he/she/they plan on accomplishing those needs.

To state "the days of PC based games is coming to an end from economical stand point" is to say one set of needs supersedes all others enough to create a huge shift in the market. I just don't believe that's the case yet and likely won't be anytime soon.
The inclusion of a BD-ROM drive have been a strong point for the PS3 in the past, but SATA BD-ROM drives are regularly what now? $30 to $50? There's also increased utility by utilizing the drive in a computer rather than in a console.

I am not saying this is gonna happen immediately, but I feel the trend had started already, its just a matter of time, may be some years...
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Last edited by steal January 27, 2011 at 03:32 PM.
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> bubble2 15,176 Posts
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PaintTheSkyGrey
01-27-2011 at 03:36 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:36 PM.
Quote from steal :
The discussion is not about the functions of a PS3 alone, If a PS3 does all the work you mentioned above then it should be called a computer not something else. The discussion is only about games demanding high end graphics and which is the best one to play it.
No, the discussion is about
Quote from steal :
I believe the days of PC based games is coming to an end from economical stand point.
When your game console also doubles as a workstation, which also doubles as a media server, which also doubles as a TVR, which also doubles as a jukebox... I'm pretty sure that you've got more value out of that than something that can only play blu-rays, certain video games, and some formats of music.

Quote from steal :
The advantage in console based games is that you can resell them with a fraction of cost loss. The same is with PC games too, but not the ones you buy from steam or similar ones.
When you buy $5 games from steam, I don't think you're too concerned about losing any money. What's the average loss from reselling your old games anyway? $10-$15? I think I'm coming out ahead on that front...

Quote from steal :
For classic games, the computer is still the winner. I do have a computer but without high end graphics on it. When it comes to games I prefer the PS3.

Even if a new version of game console comes out, selling the old version and getting the new version is still economical.
I'm not saying that the computer is for everyone. I'm simply stating that your conclusion was wrong.
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Joined Jun 2007
Not Banned! :)
> bubble2 16,282 Posts
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Clivefrog
01-27-2011 at 03:38 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:38 PM.
Quote from someone28624 :
I'm all about Peggle, Bejewled 3, Plants vs. Zombies, Quinn, and Snood!
High Five HELL YEAH High Five
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Joined Jan 2008
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> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-27-2011 at 03:40 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:40 PM.
Quote from steal :
I am not saying this is gonna happen immediately, but I feel the trend had started already, its just a matter of time, may be some years...
I refer you again to this previous point.
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Joined Jan 2009
I’m evil.....
> bubble2 12,738 Posts
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cupcake42
01-27-2011 at 03:48 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:48 PM.
Quote from marg_fan :
Does spider solitaire count?
Harhar Old peoples games...
Quote from coulditbeSatan :
No pole?




Also do I have to upgrade for a different version of Frogger?
Love Frogger heart

I still have a Atari game system. Never needs upgraded.
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Joined Mar 2007
Password: ••••••••
> bubble2 20,914 Posts
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redmaxx
01-27-2011 at 03:49 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:49 PM.
Quote from Kabn :
  • buy two gaming rigs (along with peripherals for at least one; we don't even have an external monitor right now).
  • This depends on the person. I always have a need for a desktop computer, so making it a "gaming" rig means sticking in a graphics card that costs half of what a PS3 does.

    Quote :
  • hope my wife can get through the initial frustration of getting used to the keyboard/mouse control scheme.
  • Why not plug in a controller?

    Quote :
  • buy two copies of each game unless it support non-tethered local multi.
  • This goes for consoles too, depending on the game. If I want to race Forza or Need for Speed against someone else, they need their own console and copy of the game.

    Quote :
  • realize that i'll have to upgrade core components once every 3-4 years.
No, you really don't have to.

Quote :
initial cost: a couple thousand
This is SD, it should only cost 1/2 to 3/4 of that (tops!) if you built both systems from scratch.

Quote :
ongoing costs: $60+ for two copies of many games, several hundred on upgrades every 3-4 years
Why are you listing retail for PC games but discounts for console games? Confused

Quote :
[*]buy one copy of each game.
This depends on the games you want to play.

Quote :
[*]realize i'll have to buy the new version of the console once every few years (actually not as true nowadays).[/list]
Don't forget buying a replacement when it fails.

Quote :
ongoing costs: $30-40/game
Many games cost $60 for the console.

Quote :
a few hundred each time a new console comes out.
Coverlaugh Yeah, plus new controllers and accessories, downloadable content, etc.

Quote :
pretty easy decision from a financial standpoint.
Not by a long shot.
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> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-27-2011 at 03:52 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:52 PM.
Quote from cupcake42 :
Love Frogger heart

I still have a Atari game system. Never needs upgraded.
You're not old enough to have one of those!!!
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> bubble2 12,738 Posts
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cupcake42
01-27-2011 at 03:54 PM.
01-27-2011 at 03:54 PM.
Quote from RefCache :
You're not old enough to have one of those!!!
Never said I got it new! Harhar
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