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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 2007
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,296 Posts
68 Reputation
trima
01-28-2011 at 12:01 PM.
01-28-2011 at 12:01 PM.
Quote from steal :
Ok the PC can scale up to 1920x1200, But I play at 1920 x 1080. Fine

How about the quality of the graphics ( miniature image details ), Is the PC better than the console on that too....
It be set to whatever your computer's specs are. Also, as azianai says it consistently has better frame rates, textures, post processing effects, etc. There's really no comparison if you are just looking for eye candy.
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Joined Sep 2007
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 24,000 Posts
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Kolto
01-28-2011 at 12:07 PM.
01-28-2011 at 12:07 PM.
also those comparison screens aren't even with all the eye candy turned up fully for PC version
(16X AA, 16X AF)
COD Black Ops is also a DirectX9 game, so its not even utilizing the best graphic engine available now
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Joined Mar 2009
Schrödinger's Frog
> bubble2 19,435 Posts
2,134 Reputation
Frogstar
01-28-2011 at 12:19 PM.
01-28-2011 at 12:19 PM.
Quote from steal :
Ok the PC can scale up to 1920x1200, But I play at 1920 x 1080. Fine

How about the quality of the graphics ( miniature image details ), Is the PC better than the console on that too....
Very few console games actually render at 1080p.
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Joined Jan 2008
the Drunken Snowman
> bubble2 10,780 Posts
154 Reputation
Phrozt
01-28-2011 at 12:29 PM.
01-28-2011 at 12:29 PM.
OP - feel free to check out my sig.
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Joined Sep 2007
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 24,000 Posts
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Kolto
01-28-2011 at 12:38 PM.
01-28-2011 at 12:38 PM.
guess us gamer loungers shouldn't invade over when some lounger posts a nubbish comment.
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Joined Oct 2006
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 423 Posts
91 Reputation
J Macker
01-28-2011 at 01:02 PM.
01-28-2011 at 01:02 PM.
Quote from steal :
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.
I enjoy my 3x 22" lcds which give me a resolution of 5040x1050. That's quite a bit higher than the standard 1920x1080. Also, a single 27" or 30" at 2560x1440 or 2560 x 1600 is simply amazing.

I'm not sure what you're trying to argue regarding "RTS games demand heavy graphics requirement". Are you trying to interpret my previous post as "computers are better for RTS games because they have better graphics and are therefore not suited for consoles"?

Games will alwys look better on a $1000 gaming computer than a console. Yes, RTS games will take advantage of that. Civ 5 (yeah, I know it's turn based strategy), has very demanding requirements. Starcraft 2 recommends [blizzard.com] a 8800GTX or Radeon 3870. The Xbox 360 has the equivalent of a Radeon 1900XT Pro. So yes, RTS games are "demanding" and the consoles couldn't handle them.

Posture and sitting position are a preference of course. I don't mind sitting at a computer. Get a more comfortable desk & chair. I like the environment that a small LAN has with 5-6 computers and a bunch of guys. It's more fun than console games to me. My xbox 360 collects dust and my PS3 is used almost exclusively for streaming. Console games just don't spark my interest very often. I played Uncharted and Uncharted 2, played GoW, Halo 3, MW and pixeljunk monsters.

Consoles are good at arcade style and fighting games. Leave the FPS and RTS games to the computers. Racing can be fun on either. More immersive with an Eyefinity setup, and you can still use a real steering wheel and pedals. Can you do that with a console?
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Joined Jan 2008
L68: OWS
> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-28-2011 at 01:41 PM.
01-28-2011 at 01:41 PM.
Quote from dlarge :
I work on a computer all day. I just don't find PC gaming appealing anymore. It feels a bit like work.

Now, the PS3 on my big-screen TV with the couch right in front is a different story...
Quote from steal :
This is the exact message I was trying to convey to my fellow Sder's....Keep it coming. Thanks.

So far most of the posts were defending to keep alive a dying trend, eventhough they realize the truth.
The message that seems to elude many - including you both above - is the percentage of users only utilizing the computer at a desk has significantly decreased.

Paint mentioned it earlier in the thread.

Desktops are now workstations, media servers, and DVR's/PVR's/HTPC's, in addition to gaming platforms - all simultaneously often. All from the comfort of the couch if one desires. Nearly all video cards have some level of digital output - either DVI, HDMI, and/or DisplayPort.

As many including myself have mentioned in this thread your prediction is not a new one. I've been alive for the entire span of modern day technology and I've been literally hearing about the impending death of computer based gaming for well over 20 years.

Consumers want options. What works and thrives for one set of users might not for another. And many consumers simply want multiple options simultaneously!

You unfortunately aren't stating some new and revolutionary truth that the rest of us are too blind to see. It's just most of us have seen and heard this prediction for a long, long time now.

I'll make a bolder, more personal, and likely more accurate prediction.

I'm in my mid 60's now.

I predict I'll be dead long before computer based gaming is!!
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Last edited by RefCache January 28, 2011 at 03:34 PM.

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Joined Jan 2008
L68: OWS
> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-28-2011 at 01:44 PM.
01-28-2011 at 01:44 PM.
Quote from azianai :
guess us gamer loungers shouldn't invade over when some lounger posts a nubbish comment.
We welcome you rejects differently abled non-Loungers over here any time! Wink5
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Joined Jan 2008
L68: OWS
> bubble2 2,911 Posts
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RefCache
01-28-2011 at 01:57 PM.
01-28-2011 at 01:57 PM.
Quote from PaintTheSkyGrey :
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.
One of the things my senility failed to mention yesterday was with regard to something like the PS3 and Cinavia*, since we're specifically mentioning consoles.

Things like this raise my eyebrow.

Not because I support piracy or the kind. But the fact that after the hardware purchase, required firmware updates are now altering the functionality. This is a development worth noting, and an issue in my mind because the console user is at the mercy of the console manufacturer for software/firmware much more so than with a computer owner might be.

More than this topic that is something worth discussing or at least watching closely. It will be interesting to watch developments such as this with regard to digital rights and how tight or loose the restrictions ultimately become.

* Cinavia also affects some stand-alone Blu-ray players presently as well, but I limited this discussion only to the PS3 since we're discussing computers versus consoles.

Quote from Zoe Moon :
Join Date: 06-01-2006
Time spent: 9 Months 2 Weeks 10 Hours 6 Minutes 54 Seconds
Avg Timespent: 27 Minutes 17 Seconds

That comes out roughly to 6,826 hours. Divide that by 40 and you get 170 work weeks. Divide that by 52 and you get 3.28 years of 40 hour work weeks. SD is a job that I don't get paid for! BigeyeEmbarrassment

Granted, I wasn't actually looking at the site for all 6,826 of those hours but you get the drift.

hopes someone comes in and tells me my math is way off laugh out loud
Your math is way off!!!

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Last edited by RefCache January 28, 2011 at 01:58 PM.
Joined Jun 2006
Jambi-rific in Seattle!
> bubble2 31,436 Posts
2,810 Reputation
Zoe Moon
01-28-2011 at 02:05 PM.
01-28-2011 at 02:05 PM.
Quote from RefCache :


Your math is way off!!!

hug
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Joined Jul 2005
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 525 Posts
38 Reputation
dlarge
01-29-2011 at 08:03 AM.
01-29-2011 at 08:03 AM.
Quote from RefCache :
The message that seems to elude many - including you both above - is the percentage of users only utilizing the computer at a desk has significantly decreased.

Paint mentioned it earlier in the thread.

Desktops are now workstations, media servers, and DVR's/PVR's/HTPC's, in addition to gaming platforms - all simultaneously often. All from the comfort of the couch if one desires. Nearly all video cards have some level of digital output - either DVI, HDMI, and/or DisplayPort.

As many including myself have mentioned in this thread your prediction is not a new one. I've been alive for the entire span of modern day technology and I've been literally hearing about the impending death of computer based gaming for well over 20 years.

Consumers want options. What works and thrives for one set of users might not for another. And many consumers simply want multiple options simultaneously!

You unfortunately aren't stating some new and revolutionary truth that the rest of us are too blind to see. It's just most of us have seen and heard this prediction for a long, long time now.

I'll make a bolder, more personal, and likely more accurate prediction.

I'm in my mid 60's now.

I predict I'll be dead long before computer based gaming is!!
I get it man. There are two sides to the story. Just expressing my personal opinion.

When I get home after a long day of work, the less options (or things to think/worry about) the better. Wink
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Joined Sep 2007
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 24,000 Posts
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Kolto
01-29-2011 at 10:13 AM.
01-29-2011 at 10:13 AM.
where, oh where did our OP go....
Reply
Joined Sep 2003
Rotten Apple
> bubble2 30,883 Posts
appleyum
01-29-2011 at 09:38 PM.
01-29-2011 at 09:38 PM.
Quote from steal :
Once I bought Half life 2 4-5 years ago, It had a serial code in it. It demanded me to install steam, then thats it the game got stuck with my user id. I cannot sell the same game on ebay anymore as the serial code was already redeemed.

I never had this problem with any console games so far.
That's why I generally don't buy Steam base games.

Majority of PC game release do not requires Steam so you are cherry picking the comparison
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Joined Sep 2003
Rotten Apple
> bubble2 30,883 Posts
appleyum
01-29-2011 at 10:03 PM.
01-29-2011 at 10:03 PM.
Quote from redmaxx :
TWhy are you listing retail for PC games but discounts for console games? Confused

Many games cost $60 for the console.
Iagree

That one boggles my mind. Generally same games for PC are $10 cheaper because they aren't force to follow console pricing scheme.
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Joined Dec 2008
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,058 Posts
391 Reputation
Original Poster
steal
01-30-2011 at 09:51 PM.
01-30-2011 at 09:51 PM.
Pretty good answers I found so far from you guys...hmmm sounds like the PC is better in graphics capability than the consoles...let me be honest..I thought of one more advantage of the PC, Both XBOX and PS3 games are available as PC games. I have a PS3, So I can't play games offered by Microsoft ( XBOX).

There is one thing I would like to ask all the PC platform lovers.....are you guys sure that you guys aren't "creatures of the habit". You guys got used to one habit for a long time and now find it difficult to come out of it and get adapted to a different habit. May be if you don't have a gaming rig, then you will adapt forcibly to the consoles.

The reason I say this is because the consoles are new additions to the gaming world, It has lots of user friendliness and advantages....one thing I can think of is sitting far away from big screen TV and playing it as if watching a movie. I always wanted this feature since sitting close to a computer screen for a long time makes my eyes hurt.

Some of you may argue that gaming computers can be connected to big screen TV with wireless controllers, but I don't think that is possible with every PC based game or just not as easy as playing the game on PS3.

The graphics from consles can be inferior to PC...but it isn't that bad either.

Let me ask the PC platform lovers...If you gaming rig breaks down sometime in future...then will you spend money again and get/repair/upgrade to another gaming rig, or think about consoles from an economical standpoint?

In my case...my computer motherboard got fried 2 years ago...I bought a PS3 for games and I assembled a low end PC for normal home use. I am done, no more minimum system requirement checking when I buy my games now. I know what I am buying and I know for sure that my harware will play it on my big screen TV flawlessly. No more trouble with hardware update. I achived my gaming comfort with just $300.
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Last edited by steal January 30, 2011 at 11:26 PM.
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