What is the value proposition of a modern game console over a PC?
this post was submitted on 22 May 2024
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If it's a Playstation or Nintendo you get exclusive games, Xbox you don't really, these games are available on Windows or cloud. Though a lot of exclusives do get re-released on PC so not sure how much of a benefit that is.
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It's about a third of the price.
There are cheaper and decently powerful mini PCs for about the same cost as a console, probably even a bit cheaper than a game console if you get a deal.
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Ps5 is a decent media center if they didn't fuck over streamers.
Can't get flac to play when it is supported because fuck you peasant.
If you consider hardware functionality, IDK why people buy consoles at all. The sky is the limit for what I can do on even a low end PC and there are significant limits to functionality on consoles. Not to mentioned the walled garden you're forced into with consoles.
Make money from software, there's little profit in hardware.
I don't have a need for a computer and I enjoy using a controller to easily navigate the system. I can toss the controller just about anywhere without it being in the way. I don't have room for a dedicated desk so the mouse would get lost and the keyboard would be cumbersome for me to set somewhere out of the way.
I like to sit down, turn the console on, recline, turn the TV on, play, toss the controller in or on the coffee table after.
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For some people, the walled garden and the "it just works" is a feature, when compared to the potential mine-field of building your own PC (or the increased cost of a pre built).
Some people have some money but not time, so a console a couch and a TV is easier to get into for the few hours a week they have.
Value for money, a build-your-own PC is better.
I don't get why people buy iPhones. But if you go all-in on apple, the ecosystem is very attractive.
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The fact is is that all 3 console manufacturers charge monthly subscriptions for you to play games you bought with anyone outside of your room. (Nintendo Switch Online, Playstation Plus, Xbox Live).
Guess how much I have to pay Steam every month to play games in my $3000 library with my friends across the country? (A: nothing!)
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Not surprising to me given my own personal experience. I only really use my PS5 for exclusives now and there haven't been many of those being released recently that I've been interested in. Plus new playstation games are expensive which has made me a more patient gamer. So if a non-exclusive game interests me it's probably going to be cheaper on Steam. I used to be more of a console gamer but these days if you have a decent pc there isn't much that a console can offer over a pc.
The last two generations of consoles were just PCs but worse. Now nearly all games are coming to PC anyway, what's even the point? Just to pay them $70/year for the privilege of playing multiplayer?
Now to be fair, the Switch was a fancy cellphone, but worse
I'm assuming they're requiring a PSN account for PC ports so they can eventually put a subscription on having a PSN account.
I wouldn't be surprised if they want to push their own launcher to bypass Steam's 30% cut
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I bought a PS5 thinking I would play more games and end up just using the PS5 controller on my 7 year old gaming laptop with steam.
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The mainstream consoles nowadays basically are locked-down computers anyway, so makes sense that people are skipping the live-services middleman and going straight to PC
Unless you care about exclusives, then PCs are the better all-rounder IMO, and don't need a yearly payment on top of your internet bill
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Considering most mainstream consoles are essentially shitty PCs, I'm surprised it took so long. An actual PC is a far more useful and flexible device.
Despite being declared death or dying several times over the past couple decades.
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The way I see it, the future of consoles for Sony and Microsoft is to become simplified computers with games made to run well on them but developed to easily be ported to PC. Imagine a "Steam Deck" but more powerful, it can be used as a PC for school stuff or going on the internet with a mouse and keyboard, but the main UI is the game launcher.
I think you're absolutely right. Personally I see the next big switch will be to handhelds. The ability to just pick my switch up and take it wherever I'm going is the primary reason I own it. They will do the premium one with the screen and controls and the "lite" edition will need a tv.
I wouldnt be surprised if MS and Sony eventually step out of the hardware game either entirely or mostly and simply licence out a "Playstation phase # compatable" certification to others (that you need a PSN subscription to use) so you know that that Steam Deck/MSI whatever/Asus handheld will play anything from the X generation of playstation titles or older available.
I'm with you on that thought. After some time of mulling over a Steamdeck the Lenovo Go came out and solved my want for detachable controllers problem. So I bought a Lenovo Go. Yeah. It's Windows. I know. But in terms of everyday use it has surprisingly fast replaced my desktop for most things. Browsing. Indiegames. Streaming. With a dock and a wireless mouse keyboard combo it even holds up as a suitable media device connected to a TV or connected to a monitor for normal office tasks. And it's a beast for emulation(Thx Emudeck).
Most people already have a laptop, where you have to buy a console just for it's one purpose.
They've been porting so many games to PC you'd be stupid not to. Why get a PlayStation or an Xbox when you can get a PC and play both consoles games. It's honestly the best time for PC gaming and I'm all for it.