Which videogame platform should you go for? Aiman Maulana weighs the pros and cons of each platform
IT’s the age old question for everyone out there who wants to dive into the world of gaming.
I get it, you’re confused and are still wondering which platform to go to or more specifically, console or PC. It’s 2017 and there will be a host of videogame platforms for you to choose from, with each having its own benefits and disadvantages. So which machine is most suitable for you?
PRICE FACTOR
The first thing that everyone will consider before making a choice, is price. When it comes to hardware, videogame consoles are generally affordable. The most affordable PlayStation 4 console variant with 500GB of internal storage is retailing at RM1,349, while the 500GB Xbox One console is retailing at RM1,599. The Xbox One may be pricier than the PlayStation 4 but it comes bundled with a free game. A gaming PC can set you back between RM1,500 and RM5,000, depending on what you need.
You’ll have to factor in the price of the motherboard, the processor, graphics card, internal storage and more. The more you’re willing to spend, the better the PC you’ll get and enthusiasts can easily surpass the RM10,000 mark. A decent gaming PC that can last you a few years, assuming you’re not a graphics junkie, will generally cost between RM2,500 and RM3,000.
But that’s not the only thing to consider when it comes to price. You’ll also have to consider the price of the games for each platform. Games for consoles are more expensive, priced between RM180 and RM260 for brand new physical copies, while the soft copies that can be downloaded are usually RM10 to RM20 cheaper. There are some PC games within a similar price range, with a lot more games on it that are priced below RM100.
The most notorious one being games found on Steam. It has a huge library of games with varying prices but there are also plenty of games below RM100, with some even being free of charge.
Even if you consider certain sales periods such as during the holiday season, it’s still cheaper to buy games on PC than on console.
VISUALS/PERFORMANCE
This is where PC gaming fanatics, commonly known as the PC Master Race, like to brag to console gamers and they have a valid point. A console, no matter how powerful or technologically advanced it is, will never outperform a PC.
TechU4Ria’s Brandon Parker stated that “a good PC can handle much higher graphics settings, which will make your game look greater than anything you’ve ever seen on a console.”
A PC can be upgraded part by part over time whereas in consoles, you’ll be stuck with it until the end of its market lifespan. You can make the PC load games more efficiently and have it display better visuals with specific hardware. Whether you’re buying it from the start or upgrading parts, that will still cost some money. Sure, Sony and Microsoft have updated versions of their current console with stronger hardware but you’ll still be stuck with just that when you buy it.
In this case, it’s always better to ask yourself this. Is it really important to have these performance boosts? Do you need to play in 4K resolution with hundreds of frames per seconds? I personally don’t. I view it as a luxury and not something that is needed. If you feel otherwise, that is fine. Just be prepared to spend on it.
PERIPHERALS AND VIRTUAL REALITY
On PC, you will be gaming with a mouse and a keyboard, while on console, you’ll have a gamepad. PC has been increasing support for gamepads, including the PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4 gamepad but the same cannot be said for consoles. Sure, you can use a keyboard and mouse on the PlayStation 4 but there aren’t many games that allow you to do so.
In my opinion, gamepads are more suitable for adventure, role-playing, fighting and sports games.
Keyboard and mouse would be much better when it comes to any shooter games or games that require aiming. If you do end up with a PC, you can always opt for an Xbox 360 gamepad or a DualShock 4 gamepad, and use it as you please. But that’s not all.
Virtual reality is one of the most hyped aspects of gaming, as well as one of the most expensive. The idea of being in the game we’re playing sounds like the stuff of dreams and I can’t blame you for wanting it. On PC, you have the choice of either the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive while on console, you only have the PlayStation VR which is exclusive to PlayStation 4.
I’ve tried all of them and found that the HTC Vive is the best VR headset you can get today. However, it is very expensive and would require a very powerful PC.
The HTC Vive is not available here yet and is retailing at US$799 (RM3,573) excluding shipping charges. The PlayStation VR is retailing at RM1,849 and it works surprisingly well. However, you will need the PS Camera in order for it to work.
VIDEOGAME LIBRARY
This should be the main factor when you consider going for either PC or console. What games do you want to play? If you want videogames starring Mario, go for a Nintendo console like the Wii U or the upcoming Nintendo Switch. If you’re a big fan of Japanese role-playing games, go for the PlayStation 4. If you see yourself playing a lot of first-person shooters like Call Of Duty or even Overwatch, get a PC.
Each platform has its own exclusives so it’s important to consider that. I bought a PlayStation 4 because I wanted to play Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts 3 but you might not want those games. If you’re more of a Dead Rising person, then the Xbox One would be the suitable option. Always go for the option that has the games that you want to play because no matter how good a game looks, it will never be enjoyable if the user experience is horrible.
CONCLUSION
And there you have it, a guide on choosing between a PC and a console for gaming. Outside of gaming, a PC would be more useful as you can do more things with it than a game console. However, if gaming is your major concern, don’t rule out consoles. Don’t worry about people ridiculing your choice. At the end of the day, it’s your machine and it’s for you to enjoy.
MONEY-SAVING TIPS ON VIDEOGAMES
AT certain times of the year, certain games are on discount. Steam, for example, is the most notorious with its Steam Summer Sales and Steam Winter Sales, whereby some games have discounts from 10 per cent all the way to 90 per cent?
Trade your existing games with friends or buy games off of your friends when they’re done playing. You will save between 30 and 50 per cent from the game’s retail price.
Even if a particular game is not on discount during certain sales periods, the retail price will drop eventually. You don’t always have to get the game as soon as it’s released.
There are some subscription-based programmes that allow subscribers to access a number of free games and offer exclusive discounts for a small fee. Sony Interactive Entertainment, for example, is doing that with the PS Plus programme.?
You can also get games at a cheap price via bundle programmes like the Humble Bundle. You will pay between US$1 (RM4.50) and US$15 for a selected number of games. The only downside is that you can’t choose specific games and bundles are only available for a limited time. If you see a game you like, just pay for the bundle as it’s still cheaper than buying it as a standalone game.