Pc for MMOs but I prefer consoles to most other games especially sports games.

I greatly prefer PC gaming, but I feel like I'm basically being forced to console gaming.

More and more non MMO game companies (and from all the press releases now MMO companies) are focusing their energy on console games because of the market size and ease of productiong (since they know what specs they're working with and don't have to do all the compatibilities). Because of this it just seems like there will be fewer and fewer options in PC games as the years tick by and the only way to keep gaming will be to have to use a console.

But as long as console games all start supporting the keyboard and mouse like they are working towards then I will be more ok to be a console gamer. Only problem now being I'd have to get two TVs side by side because for some types of games I like to watch TV while I play.

I think the part that seems silly to me is that I have to own a computer no matter what. The majority of the population uses the internet, and in fact needs the internet for some things. So we tend to all have a computer anyways, so being able to play games on something you already have to own is great. There is no point to a console other then playing games (some use it as a DVD/Blue Ray player but once again PCs can already do that). So as companies switch to console games, you are basically forced to buy a product that serves no other purpose.

Controls

Console: An ergonomic pad with a few digital/analog controls for the left hand, and 4-6 buttons for the right hand, and 2-4 shoulder buttons. Fine for 2D games, some simulation games, but generally has inaccurate tracking. Recent motion control advancements are fun for certain games, but until next generation the Wii corners the market, which means you're stuck with casual in-mind (still awesome).

PC: Keyboard and Mouse -- standard. A million possible buttons, macros, extremely sensitive movement capability with mice, joysticks are easier to come by... Need I go on?

Online Play

Console: Certainly does better than it used to, but it truly didn't reach ubiquitous levels until XBOX360. And even now, it's not free on some networks. $50+ per year to play online for games that you already have to pay for in-store, and an internet connection? Weak.

PC: Online gaming took off while your SNES was still in diapers and has only grown over time. Seriously... World of Warcraft, Counter Strike, L4D, Warcraft 3, UT3, etc., etc., etc.... MMO's usually only have a pay-for-play option, few of which you'll also see on consoles.

Graphics

Console: "Next Gen" consoles always debut with great graphics that look great on modern televisions. Continued tweaking of software capabilities leads to a console's graphics looking minutely better over time, but that can only go so far...

PC: GPU's will dominate any console's graphics even just a few months after the console hits the markets. Discrete graphics cards have always pushed the envelope with every new generation that hits the market, not only with resolution, but quality as well (think 8xAA, filtering, v-sync, etc.).

Games

Console: Here's where consoles really shine (and fail). There are so many titles available for consoles. Many are just amazing, while others are utterly terrible. This can be said about any system, of course, but since the typical sonsole title is likely to be Triple-A, you've got a real expensive duds-to-stinkers ratio. Console-exclusivity is a big deal if you're looking for a certain game however, as they typically have many non-PC titles out at any given time.

PC: Not as many Triple-A titles (anymore), but almost anyone (depending on type and skillset) can make one. How many flash games, Steam games, indie titles, etc., do you own? How many are good? Even if it's not nearly as many as consoles, the games are usually either free or inexpensive. If games are released for console and PC, the PC version is often (lately anyways) a 'lite' version of the console (Ghostbusters was a perfect example... Seriously, no multiplayer?).

Upgradeability

Console: N/A for most, maybe a hard drive for PS3? New SD card? Very weak indeed.

PC: Infinite. There are always new technologies you can buy, assuming you can afford it, that will alter the gaming experience in some positive way or another; graphics, controls, more bandwidth, etc.

Cost

Console: You buy it for $300, and you don't need another one for the better part of a decade. The games are typically more expensive ($10-20 more compared to their PC counterpart).

PC: Expensive, expensive, expensive. Even to get a modest gaming computer, be prepared to spend $500 (without a monitor...). Upgradeability is amazing, and likewise usually pretty expensive. A solid GPU can run upwards of $200. Games are less expensive, typically, and are more likely to be free vs. console games.

Overall

Console: Good variety of Triple-A games, adequate graphics for modern/yesterday's TV's, great value. Since they're meant to be decade-long machines, you're looking at decade-dated technology. Online play is still evolving, games are more expensive, and upgrades are nil.

PC: Larger variety of game types, fewer Triple-A titles. Constantly improving graphics and games. Modern computers will look good even on next year's "new thing" TV. Bleeding-edge tech (if you choose), better control in games, online play is amazing and always built-in. Computers aren't just for gaming, and because of this you're paying a good size premium.

Verdict: PC (my opinion of course ;)

I am a PC gamer but I do have a PS3 with Guitarr hero and Soul Calibur 4 on. We usually play those with a few beers before or possibly after the pub.

As for MMOs is my main choice PC but if a good console only MMO actually showed up I would at least try it.

It do make sense to make a console MMO, a really good PC is expensive and you will have to spend a lot of time making things work on all hardware. It would also force the devs to make a more interesting combat system then the usual fast keyed system most games had since EQ.

I do 100% of all my gaming on PC.

PC, what do you need a console for? Don't like using the mouse/keyboard, buy a gamepad. Simple. More customizable, usually better multiplayer, better graphics. Consoles are for the mainstream that don't know how to use a PC >_>

The only games I play on Consoles are exlcusive RPG's like FInal Fantasy XIII or some of the Tales games. Other than that I can see no reason to purchase a console.

Originally posted by Aemi

PC, what do you need a console for? Don't like using the mouse/keyboard, buy a gamepad. Simple. More customizable, usually better multiplayer, better graphics. Consoles are for the mainstream that don't know how to use a PC >_>

The only games I play on Consoles are exlcusive RPG's like FInal Fantasy XIII or some of the Tales games. Other than that I can see no reason to purchase a console.

Well, you said you play console games as you like exclusive RPG´s.

Exclusive and polished games are the main points of console gaming. This idea that consoles are for the mainstream that don't know how to use a PC is false, especially when you have much more interesting titles on consoles when we talk about single player games.

Honestly I do prefer  games like Folklore, Tales of Vesperia, God of War, Little big Planet, Soul Calibur, Ninja Gaiden etc than the unpolished version of Mass Effect (yes ME on the PC is full of issues in most configurations) or FPSs like Call of Duty 123.

Consoles are the main focus of almost all game developers today for single and multiplayer games (non MMO games) and the quantity and quality of console games today is far superior than we see on PC.

Yes techinically PCs are more powerful but consoles have much more variety and quality games, especially if you are not into war/fps/pseudoprgsthatareinrealityonemorefps.

PC gaming is really good for MMO/MMORPGs, RTSs and some FPSs (consoles today have all FPSs plus exclusives like Killzone2)...and The Witcher :) . But for RPGs, JRPGs, Plataform, Fighting, Racing, Adventures, 3Paction, 3Pshooters, Arcade, Horror consoles are superior.

...

PC's only for me. I bought an Xbox 360 for my deployment just to have something to play with but haven't touched it since I got home.

PC definitely! You can do almost anything with your PC.

Originally posted by Aemi

PC, what do you need a console for? Don't like using the mouse/keyboard, buy a gamepad. Simple. More customizable, usually better multiplayer, better graphics. Consoles are for the mainstream that don't know how to use a PC >_>

The only games I play on Consoles are exlcusive RPG's like FInal Fantasy XIII or some of the Tales games. Other than that I can see no reason to purchase a console.

It doesn't quite work that easily.

Just because you plug in a gamepad doesn't mean that the games are optimized for use with the control pad. This is why genres that don't work too well without a gamepad, such as platformers, fightig games and hack & slash games, are almost non - existant. The only PC games that are well optimized for controller play are ports of console games which usually arrive on the PC months later.

PC gaming for me. Two words, "mods" and "emulators". However, I'm not picky. I do console gaming as well. If there's something I want to play, I buy the game - having watched friends play it, of course, to make sure I'm not buying something I'll regret.

I don't have to "decide" or "make a choice" on what I want to play on. Limiting yourself like that is just stupid. Play what you want to play, not what people tell you to play. It's your own money, it's your own entertainment.

I find myself playing more and more consoles since my last post in this thread.

I've purchased a whole bunch of Rpgs for my 360 and would rather just sit on my nice sofa and enjoy a game and a beer.

I love my PC for things like MMOs and Mods but I'm starting to totally swing toward Consoles.

Once my Fallout Goty edition comes in the mail it's game over for me. You probably wont see me on the forums anymore.

personally i play my pc the most.. but i have my wii for fun, and my xbox for some serious shooting story lines and guitar hero...

fps multiplayer games i only play on pc...

 For me it goes like this - PS3 then Wii then PC.

I mostly really like playing xbox360. both online or offline. My fav games are halo,call of duty and guitar hero games.

i still cant wait for FF13 to come out for it ^^

but i do usually play my computer for mmorpgs.

I like both but prefer fps on PC. It realy depands on what game it is.

Originally posted by majicebe

Controls

Console: An ergonomic pad with a few digital/analog controls for the left hand, and 4-6 buttons for the right hand, and 2-4 shoulder buttons. Fine for 2D games, some simulation games, but generally has inaccurate tracking. Recent motion control advancements are fun for certain games, but until next generation the Wii corners the market, which means you're stuck with casual in-mind (still awesome).

PC: Keyboard and Mouse -- standard. A million possible buttons, macros, extremely sensitive movement capability with mice, joysticks are easier to come by... Need I go on?

Go play Devil May Cry 4 on your PC and see how well your mouse and keyboard holds up.

Mouse & Keyboard only works well with a few genres. A keyboard is actually very unprecise as wasd can only move in 4 directions.

i like and play both. Although i usually only play MMOs, RTS and the occasional FPS and rpg on the pc. While my consoles are mainly for RPGs and FPSes.

only pc gaming for me.

I'd say consoles own every genre of game out there.