I'm Going Back To the 360

I can't believe that I'm saying this, especially with such great systems (look in my signature), but I'm going to go back to gaming on the Xbox 360. Maybe people are right that PC gaming is dying. Why would I want to do that? Here's the pros of each:

Xbox 360

Pros:
GameFly- Try to find a better way to get games. For $23 a month keep out two games, which you can send back for another game on your queue that'll ship immediately before the game even reaches GameFly. If you want to keep a game all you have to do is click keep it and pay a discounted price and you can keep the disk you have plus get a brand new case and manual sent to you. You can literally get new games for much less since you can put games in your queue before they come out and if you already sent a game back, you can be the first to get a copy. Though, if you're like me, you'll play a game for a few weeks and send it back to play other games. GameFly is also a great way to play a lot more games than you normally would, especially games you're skeptical of. GameFly lets you rent games for any modern console other than PC, probably because of the serial keys on PC games and how easy it is to copy a game. I'm not trying to advertise the service, but I just can't get over how insanely awesome it is.

Bigger, better TV- A lot of people will play their 360 on a 32"-42" HDTV that easily beats any PC monitor in picture quality and often makes the 360 look like it has better graphics than the PC, when it's really the other way around, if your rig is capable.

A lot more "big" exclusive games; games come out sooner- Gears of War 2, do I need to say anymore? GTA IV 360 release: April, Terrible PC Port: November

Xbox Live- If you don't already know how much better this is than any PC service (Steam included), you shouldn't be playing games.

PC

Pros:
Better Graphics-
If you have a high-end system, games almost always have better graphics on the PC because of its' almost unlimited upgradability and power.

Mods- If you want more out of a single game, player-created mods can change a game around pretty much anyway a developer wants.

Cheaper games- If you like buying games, PC games are often $10 cheaper than console games due to licensing.

Free online gaming- Even though Live is completely unsurpassed for online gaming, playing online is free on the PC.

I thought that I would like PC gaming better, but after a year I still really prefer the 360 controller and Xbox Live, and especially GameFly. I just have way more fun playing 360 at a friend's house than I ever do gaming on the PC. I figure I'll buy a new TV with the money I've saved up, get another 360 controller, and renew my Live and GameFly subscriptions.

 

I used to be against consoles and pro pc. I refused to play my friend's PS2 or brother's XBox. Last summer however I got tired of all of the lazy (glitchy, slow, too power hungry) ports to PC and got a 360. Sure the graphics aren't as good as today's powerful computers but they're still great. Now I'm saving money not upgrading my PC every year or two, plus the couch is way more comfortable than the computer chair.

 

360 has games that have more competition than PC but then PC has more popular games.

like CoD4. it went MLG for 360 but not PS3 (not sure about PC) but PC has major MMO's like WoW and etc that keep them hooked.
i prefer the 360 for gaming because of Live, although i hate the new update they did. the new layout sucks. plus i think fps's are easier on consoles

 

you make some good points,my only suggestion is buy a projector and a PS3 *l*
youll be happier with a big screen and besides, you can easily get a 720p projector under a thousand.and for the same ammount of money, wont get you a very big tv, just a suggestion

 

use your 360 controller with your PC and and a HDMI cable and sit on the couch...

 

I agree with your pros and cons for each, but for me i need to play FPS games on the PC. I have a hard time shooting with a controller. The mouse and keyboard work great for me here. Now as far as sports, racing, and any other genre the 360 is the way to go.

 

I hook my notebook up to my TV via HDMI and play on the couch.

 

I'm sticking with my laptop. Not only do I not like the way console games are largely based around graphics and not a lot besides but I also don't like the pricing.

I can pay half what I would pay for a console game if I get the PC version and the "exclusives" aren't all that big a deal anyway. And not all ports to the PC from a 360 (or PS3) are bad like GTA IV.

So the money I save when buying PC games rather than 360 games can be saved up to go towards paying for a new system, or other things, and to me value for money is what counts and you don't get that with console gaming unless your into playing online a lot or you bring your console out for parties with tons of people there each week...

 

I agree, can't you just use your 360 controller with your PC?

 

Why choose when you can play on all of them... I bought my consoles only to play console exclusive content or bad port as you mentioned and the rest they all went into my notebook's HDD .

 

I personally prefer keyboard+mouse instead of a controller. Plus I enjoy massive 64-players multiplayer in CoD4 . But I still enjoy the console for some games, plus the platform is cheaper (vs a high-end laptop) although a laptop is more versatile and practical.

 

are you serious?

 

I prefer the 360 and PS3 to PC gaming, that's why I didn't buy a high end notebook. At the end of the day, it's just silly to spend so much on a notebook just to play games when you can pick up a 360 for $300 and have the same, if not better, gaming experience. And that's not even taking into account the actual games for consoles vs PCs. The fact of the matter is that consoles just have more games (and usually before the PC because porting takes time) and they clearly have the game developers' interest because they make a lot more money on the consoles. PC gaming isn't what it used to be.

And yes, I agree that FPS are easier on consoles than PCs. I don't have the same keyboard and mouse reflexes as some of these kids who have been playing PC games for years. I'm much more accurate and efficient with a 360 controller because it's more intuitive for me.

 

xbox live may be better to YOU but to ME it isnt. Especially when you are forced to use it to play online, at least steam is free and most games arent steam only. Althought you are right about gamefly, I wish I could rent PC games.

 

Eager to use your mouse / keyboard combo on your Xbox 360? Eager enough to drop $179.95 for the privilege ,soon taking orders

http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EkEyFVEAAFnXYbHacL.php

what a rip off *l*

 

Me no question about it I would go for the PC's any day.

 

I cant play FPS with the Clicky Sticks, the only thing i use my 360 for is sports games, After it gets back from the service center. you Microsoft and your faulty console.

 

Apple... Macbook Pro? A great system for gaming?

I stopped reading there. Sorry.

 

The points there are valid except for the 'Bigger Better TV'.

At home I'm always connected to my 50" plasma with a wireless mouse and keyboard. And there are the same number of cables (video and power) as the 360.

A laptop may be thought of a portable console with its own optional screen (ofc you pay more for its other capabilities, such as programming, office, etc).

 

I was referring to my desktop more, though my MacBook Pro really surprised me for gaming. From everything I've tried, practically everything can run playable maxed out or close to maxed out, some with anti anilasing, except for Crysis.

 

I meant typically. Most people don't use their TV to play PC games.

 

Hmm I don´t agree on one point though. HDTV´s have better picture than a TFT. No way, I have a very good HDTV Plasma 42" that my 360 is hooked up to. But there is no way it beats my Samsung Multisync TFT monitor in picture quality and sharpness. It sure beats in size but not picture quality.

Most HDTV´s out there do not have better picture quality.

 

True, but there's no inherent advantages to using a console on the TV than a PC

 

Besides GTA IV runs great on my desktop in sig. Much better than what it runs on my 360. Sure it´s a bad port but it still runs better and looks better than the console versions.

 

I have all systems, 360/PS3/Wii and my systems in my sig. I definitely prefer PC gaming but play 360 a lot because all my friends have one.

 

Man, that's so true! I mean, your Dell's 2GB of RAM and 8600GT are like 5x better than the MacBook Pro's 4GB of RAM and 9600GT. Michael is obviously a n00b! It's such a shame he can't install Windows on his Mac to open up the exact same game library as any PC too.

 

+1 rep

I see what you did there .

 

Meh, even though there aren't as many games being developed for the PC anymore there is still more than enough for me to get my fill . Anyhow yea I just couldn't leave the PC because:

- Mouse/Keyboard
- Mods
- Free online
- Cheaper games
- More practical (i can have ventrillo, itunes, internet, etc open at the same time)

 

I have to agree with you. Its just to hard to PC game these days. You have to worry about correct drivers , bad ports and expensive systems to run games these days. I was a PC gamer about six years ago gave up on it and tried to get back in it but just can't. I have had so many problems with PC gaming its just easier and a lot funner to play on a xbox 360. I don't have to worry about how a game will run on my 360 and with my PC I have to. If I do want to get the same playability on my PC compared to my 360 I will have to buy a system that is way more expensive than a xbox 360. Plus I find shooters are way better and easier on my xbox 360. Sure PC online is free and steam is awesome but xbox live is way better. Also with PC gaming you have t worry about SecuROM and others things like that , that are jut unfair to gamers. Also with my 360 I can try before I buy. I can rent games. I have gamefly as well . With PC gmes its harder to because demo's are becoming rarer. To me I just have a better experience with the xbox 360 than I do PC gaming. Sure PC can have better graphics but you have to a powerful system and to be graphics are not everything. Its how fun the game is. Just my thoughts.

 

By the way, Halo360Fan, how's GameFly been these last few months? I haven't had it since January last year, though it seems that they have more subscribers now. Hopefully they can live up to demand like they used to and USPS loses less games.

If anyone's wondering why I keep checking this thread, it's because I'm half-asleep writing a research paper that I should have finished weeks ago .

 

Y'know, if you get rid of the 360, and since you've given up playing games on the PC/Mac, you would have had your paper done already.

 

I haven't been playing 360, I was playing with my new Mac these last few days . As soon as I buy a new TV (which might be tomorrow, if I can get this paper done), I'll renew my Live account and everything.

 

I play mainly rts (rise of legends, universe at war, red alert 3...), they suck hardcore for consoles, competitively. And i couldn't shoot on a controller pad if my live depended on it (for fps).

And the two most important games for me are pc exclusive: Starcraft 2 and Dawn of War 2.

 

Xbox 360

Gamefly is a decent service if you just want to try out games, or beat it and send it back for singleplayer games, but these days it's all about multiplayer games and COOP, the types of games that you'd want to own, not rent.

Definately far FAR off from the truth. Every Gaming PC can hook up to ANY size HDTV and support it's native resolution regardless of what that is. Alot of people think that the only way to play one of the newer consoles is with an HDTV, and the only way to play a PC is with a small monitor when in fact both consoles and PC's can support both, the consoles need a pricy adaptor to use VGA and DVI screens that most people don't know exist. And Gaming PC's support every type of screen.

Most of the good ones come out within 2 months of the consoles, and turn out to be great. And regaurdless of opinions about piracy, it's a huge reason why console games are taking longer to reach the PC, and are getting less attention for PC. But these big blockbuster games for the Xbox360 are usually short, and overly simplistic to fit more casual gamers.

I fail to see how Xbox live is great. I don't even understand how anyone can call it a good service at all. The service does almost nothing it's self rather than putting you in random matches with other people, and imposing tons of restrictions of things you can do in the random matches. Usually when I play on Live I'm paired up with 8-12 year old little kids who don't know how to play the game, and are either asking tons of questions or screaming over the mic. What does this service do other than making online gaming a hassle, and charging you monthly to connect P2P to another console?

Again, what does Live actually do that's so great?


If you like the consoles better, than so be it, but all of the reasons you put here are pretty poor. PC gaming isn't dead, it isn't dying, it's changing. Online only services for PC are revolutionizing things, mabe for the better, or worse, but it's happening and consoles will follow the trail sooner or later.

 

I think the main reason console gaming works is the initial starting price is tiny. Most people already own a nice full HD / HD ready tv so paying £100 for the console is nothing.

And for heavens sake they give away PS3s and Wiis with mobile phone contract here in the UK, dont know about you guys in the US. You'd think the monthly cost would be steep, au contraire, its like £35

 

I have been gaming on PCs since DOS and have never owned a console by choice (gifts only, which I rarely play). Whenever I play on a console I feel shackled by the controller, especially in FPS games. It aggravates me that console game designers can artificially make the game harder by using the controller's awkwardness - ex: making it difficult to aim in some games. You can't do this on a PC. I have and will always hold as long as controllers are in use that mouse and keyboard are higher-level input devices.

The biggest issue with PC gaming today is the lack of attention and focus by designers. Most of the ports we get from the 360/PS3 are horribly coded, with GTA4 being the latest example. If a game was actually coded efficiently for the PC, us PC gamers would be enjoying much better graphics. PC is artificially being held back by consoles. Quality PC games are hard to come by these days. I don't want a console gaming experience on my PC. I want a PC gaming experience, which allows me to take full advantage of my setup.

While there is certainly a place for consoles, I'm not stepping over the canyon anytime soon.

 

hey, what ever floats your boat.

 

Despite my desktop being arguably way more powerful than the Xbox 360, it doesn't have Forza Motorsport 2. Nuff' said.

 

I have a PS2 and absolutely love it...I still think that platform is the best gaming platform out there...lots of 'party' type games that are actually fun (Karaoke Revolution, Guitar Hero, Buzz!, 4-player Ratchet and Clank, the Lego titles) for both veteran and novice gamers...and exclusives like God of War and Jak and Daxter along with RPGs like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts and XenoSaga...

I just picked up a 360 when Microsoft cut the price (looks like their revision of a year ago...Falcon?...stopped the overheating issue, too)...

I love the 360 for Guitar Hero: World Tour, Banjo Kazooie, Ace Combat 6 and Star Wars Lego: The Complete Saga (additional content)...and XBox Live is amazing and seamless...for everything from movies to games to downloadable content...I have to agree with the OP there...I prefer XBox Live to Steam (of course, I don't use either for multiplayer gaming)...

BUT...

If I was forced to choose between my laptop (m1710...yesteryear's gaming laptop) and my PS2 and my 360, I would absolutely choose my laptop...it wouldn't even be close...

And not necessarily for the 'newer' games...there are classic PC games that are just as much fun as today's games if not more so...and the PC has excellent (though not perfect) backwards compatibility...mame, project64, ccs64, Gens, FCEUltra, Daphne, PSXOne are excellent (though taboo) reasons for PC gaming and you don't have to void your warranty to run them on a PC...have to love open software architecture...

And try writing that report on a console...(nothing to do with gaming on that point, but chances are you're going to have to own or borrow a PC in today's world anyway)...

But I would agree with you...you seem to be more of a console gamer (and that's not an insult)...or there would be more titles like Galactic Civilizations 4 or Sins of a Solar Empire or Digital Combat Simulations: Blackshark in your comparison listing...

While consoles really have closed the gap in FPSs, RTSs and RPGs (despite awkward control schemes), depth of game will always belong to the PC...I'm not sure you'll ever see a flight simulator like Blackshark on the consoles because the console crowd just isn't interested...

 

Wow, a X360 themed-thread where there is no PS3 bashing, this is the first time I'm seeing something like that on NBR.

Keep it up.

Anyways, I agree that Live isn't so good that it's worth 60$ a year but it's okay.
And yeah, you can crank up settings and resolution on a gaming PC but not on a console, so if you have a good PC then you can enjoy better quality on PC. :]

 

I like both. Each has pros and cons and variety is key in life If you can afford to enjoy both(not necessarily financially, but time wise and all that) then I'd say it's a good experience. The more stuff yo try, the more chances you have of being satisfied (ok also more chances of being disappointed, but stop being so pessimistic! lol )

 

Consoles output at 720p, even if your TV supports 1080p. 720p looks bad on a 40+" HDTV. PCs can play games at 1080p.

There are good console exclusives, but unfortunately, Crysis isn't for console.

 

gamefly is awesome!!! I get my games in 2 days. I have the 3 game plan plus I just got GTA IV for $10.00 from gamefly. Its like brand new its case is new and it has no scratches plus it evn had the free month of xbox live in it still

 

yet you need a powerful system to run it with high settings.

 

You can say the samething about PC online as well. There are going to be little kids on every game on every server.

 

not that crysis is all time best game but ill bet it comes to PS3 and xbox360 late 2009. Brought to you by EA games.

Milking the game industry since 1992

 

Well some games are better as console games and others are better as PC games.

Starcraft's epic failure on the N64 for example shows how RTS games aren't as good on a console as on a PC(at least not until every console has a mouse and a keyboard).

In the same way, some console ports to PC aren't well optimized(*cough* GTA4 *cough*) nor are they as good on PC as they are on console.

 

http://games.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1396/Crysis/

You're Psychic....

 

Wow, two days? Where do you live? In New Jersey, even with the Pittsburgh center, it still took 2-4. I'm guessing that they improved shipping time or you just live right next to a shipping center. I was thinking about the three game plan, too, I've only used the two day. Maybe I'll get the three day plan when there's more than one console (I have everything that they rent games for other than the PS3 and I sold my DS a year and a half ago) that I want to get games for.

 

On the contrary, Mass Effect and Dead Space are the latest examples of games which stomp mud holes all over their console counterparts.