[EDITORIAL] March 2004
Console vs. Computer

You know who you are: rabid gamers who exile those who don’t conform to their own “system of choice.” PC, XBOX, PS2, GameCube, you name it, they exist in every faction. The question is, why the allegiance? The answer always comes down to personal preference, but more than that, gamers are just old dogs with too many tricks to choose from.

Some gamers choose one platform over another because of the respective game library. This is a valid reason, with high profile console-specific titles on the market. More often than not however, most of those games do get released on other platforms within a year of original release. Remember GTA, Wreckless, and Mafia?

Others pick their poison based on price. This factor alone can be make-or-break for most gamers when considering the cost of a high-end PC. With console prices dropping down to the $100-$150 range, picking a console as your primary gaming device over a PC is becoming a fiscally responsible choice.

Another discrepancy amongst the platforms is hardware. Consoles come fixed with certain specifications, and, although un-upgradeable, the hardware they come with is assured of being “good enough” to run any game which comes out during its generation. With PC’s you have the option of upgrade your components when next-generation games come out. The problem is: a next generation graphics card ends up costing at least as much as a next generation console! Let’s not forget that PC’s can be used for more than playing games and watching movies. Sony’s new device, the PSP, shows us the potential bridge in the already narrowing gap between consoles and computers. Still, I don’t think users will be able to run Adobe Photoshop on their consoles anytime soon.

As digital audio and HD (high definition) video becomes more popular many gamers look to console as an easy way to get 5.1-sound and HD video up and running with their newly purchased home theatre systems. This seems like a good idea, but consoles are still a generation below the latest stand-alone home audio equipment when it comes to quality digital playback features.

Online capability used to be a market cornered by the computer, not anymore. XBOX Live and PS2’s online services are giving the PC a run for its money when it comes to global-gaming. Although still not as deep as the PC gaming community – it is growing at a furious pace due to its ease of use and already large user base (in terms of console gamers.)

Even with all of these varied factors much of the console versus PC war comes down to old habits. Many PC gamers have also been PC users since the birth of the computer. They’ve grown up with the games, and the genres which are specific to the personal computer. Using a keyboard and mouse as your weapon of choice usually comes from having a long running relationship with the PC-world. Most of these gamers use their computers for many other tasks in addition to gaming so it’s a no-brainer to extend the functionality of the appliance in to the gaming world.
At the same time, consoles have quite a lengthy history as well. Atari, Sega, and Nintendo have been around the block, and so have its fans. Don’t forget about the kiddies though. Because of how easy it is to jump in and start playing on a console many of its fans include people who just wouldn’t have their gaming any other way – pure gaming: no frills. Plug in a controller and play. No installation, no configuration, or complications with computer hardware.

“What?” you say. But you want to configure everything, and swap that video card every 6 months. In the end, this war will never really end, but dissolve into an undistinguishable puzzle of technology. Consoles become more computer-like with every iterations release. It’s only a matter of time before consoles are as customizable as PC’s and PC’s are as easy to use as consoles. Until then, as long as you’re playing on something that runs the latest games, works online, and doesn’t hinder your gaming abilities, then play on – and kick some (virtual) ass. The “other side” has a right to enjoy the games, just as you do.