PC gaming versus Console gaming

Thanks for the fast reply and sorry for my own reluctance of posting my argument. I had a work related emergency but I'm here now! Let's begin! > REBUTTALS < The availability of third-party developed games: I'm glad that my opponent bought his copy of World of Goo. It is an amazing indie title game but sadly, games of it's kind have become subject to high levels of piracy. My opponent's example, World of Goo, has a 90% piracy rate [1]. These risks within third-party development have led to a decreasing level of motivation to continue producing independent games for PC instead of joining forces with publishers. However, since the mid-2000's experienced such an increase in attention on third party produced games, Microsoft began planning their line of attack. On November 19, 2008, Microsoft launched Xbox Community Games, later renamed as Xbox Live Indie Games, which allowed independent developers to create games for the Xbox 360 using XNA development tools and sell them on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Many of them were sold for free (due to developer's requesting no charge) although you must have a membership to access the games.[2] Although this may not seem like the better deal, please wait for my arguments as to why console gaming is still superior. Community modification: Although PC definitely has more ease when modding, it can be done on a console. For Half-Life, a mod called Counter-Strike was the sole reason for it's sales in the first year. [3] There are different types of modding which are used with consoles -- such as "soft-modding" and "hard-modding". The former is modifying the data in the hard drive (Xbox). And the latter is hacking to run different types of softwares through your console. The former is the most popular since it is cheaper but both are done. [3] But I will concede that on the PC, it is much easier and more efficient to mod. Games of the past: No, developers for the main consoles have not yet caught up to the PC for retro-gaming. But the plans to re-produce have been the main buzz at the last E3 convention (a technology convention) and also at the video company my dad owns where they are currently producing a Zelda game for the Xbox 360. Of course, you will have to take my word for it since it hasn't been released yet. Backwards compatibility: Yes, you can run your old PC games on a new PC but this brings me to my first argument... > CON ARGUMENTS < 1. To have a PC where running games would not only be easy but also enjoyable, you would need to spend up to thousands of dollars. Here are the requirements for good game play: - Motherboard: this connects everything (processor, video card, etc.) to make sure it works. But it can restrict the kind of processor you use based on the kinds of sockets. - Processor (CPU): The processor is one of the main factors for gaming performance. The top PC's will have quad-core processors, which are expensive. - Video Card: The graphics that your computer will be able to support will depend on your video care. For the optimal performance, you would want (this is based on what most gamers have for their PC) a nVidia 8 series video card or the ATI equivalent. Price? Around $200. You can get a Xbox 360 from Best buy for that price -- an elite refurbished one. [4] Pricey... - Hard Disk: to ensure plenty of storage space. - Case, fans and coolers: Serious gamers spend serious amounts of time on their computer. A case is probably not that high on the list, but if you are spending a lot of time on the computer it would be wise to pick up one. Fans and coolers are a MUST. After all of that, good luck justifying the amount of time and money put into your computer -- you'll be playing ONLY free third party games since you blew all of your money on getting the PC ready for it! 2. Better Set-up: Look above and then think of a console. If you have a TV, chances are that you have a power supply and necessary ports for the cables. Once you buy the console, you unpack it and the cords. Plug it in. And GO! Much easier than a PC... 3. Playing on the TV: surround sound anyone? Playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (which is epic) is even more amazing when it's stretched out on a plasma with bass that rattles your floor. Wimpy speakers sitting on the desk in front of you just doesn't cut it. 4. Constant Upgrades: You need to continue to keep your hardware up to date. You must also make sure your drivers are up to date to keep the games running as efficiently as possible. And it is expensive to continue buying the new video cards when they are released to keep your PC "high-end". Sure, you might now have an awesome computer. But good luck paying rent. 5. The Wait: Who gets priority? The first party developers. And they won't be focused on PC games when piracy is eroding the market. Microsoft won't be pushing out games for Windows when they can focus on Xbox which is a confirmed money maker. Which means that developers for consoles will continue to have the better software and overall technology for producing/developing the games. The games will be released months after the console versions are for the PC. 6. Comfort: I would say that most of us, myself included, have desk jobs. And when we come home, the idea of sitting at a desk for another three to four hours is not appealing -- even with a high end video card! I would prefer to kick back on the couch with a foot rest. So, in conclusion: to set up an efficient and high end PC (one that you would be willing to play every night) -- you would have to spend thousands of dollars consoles -- you unpack them, plug them in and you are good to go. Surround Sound > PC speakers PC's require constant upgrading to keep the PC running efficiently Game developers for consoles get first priority for technological equipment and financing which leads to finished and well made games. And the wait for the games to be released for PC is months... Sprawling on the couch after work is much more appealing than sitting at the desk -- again. Resolution Negated. Vote Con. Sources: [1]: http://arstechnica.com... [2]: http://en.wikipedia.org... [3]: http://en.wikipedia.org... [4]: http://www.bestbuy.com...||24313735202d20243139392e3939&list=y&nrp=15&sc=gameToySP&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&usc=abcat0700000