Are consoles a rip off?

[Aidy]

Wrong. What may be convenient to you will not be to others.

So there are people for who putting a console under the tv, connecting it and playing games on it with nothing extra needed is less convenient than using a PC to play games, with all of its dedicated hardware, required space, management of specs\requirements, occasional hardware updates required and so on?

For me, it would be way less convenient to slouch on a sofa, looking at only one screen (which I guess would be your definition of "console gaming"?) than it is to sit focused on an ergonomic chair in front of my monitors, one of which may run a game while the others allow me to also browse, mail, or whatever else I feel like doing (including nothing else at all).

Now you're redefining what "convenient" means.

My point is that PC gaming can be just as easy and convenient as console gaming.

Only if you redefine "PC gaming" and "convenient"

If you genuinely think PC gaming is no less convenient that simply wiring up a console and playing games, then for you the only reason to buy a console probably would be exclusive games. However for the rest of us normal, sensible folk who aren't just saying things because they don't want to admit they are wrong...consoles are far more convenient and easy for gaming than PC gaming is. Ergo exclusives are not the only reason to get a console, the convenience is also a reason.

Not for you though....I understand that....for you setting and maintaining a gaming PC and all it's associated hardware is more convenient than setting up a console

[Rockin-Renegade]

My xbox one s cost me 150 bucks with controller and assassins creed origins. My pc cost me 150 bucks. Now my pc can't even open notepad without lag. So my xbox gave me more bang for my bucks there.
plus i can not concentrate about gaming when im on pc.

[Baron Baldric]

Current equivalents in performance.

Switch = AMD Athlon 200GE (without considering it is portable)
XBOX O = AMD Athlon 200GE + rx 550
PS4 = AMD Athlon 200GE + rx 560
PS4PRO = AMD Athlon 200GE + rx 480
XBOX X = AMD Athlon 200GE + rx 580

Maybe consoles are't a rip-off, but they are the right place to be ripped off.

[TheSHEEEP]

So there are people for who putting a console under the tv, connecting it and playing games on it with nothing extra needed is less convenient than using a PC to play games, with all of its dedicated hardware, required space, management of specs\requirements, occasional hardware updates required and so on?

"All of its dedicated hardware"? If you're not a tech enthusiast that likes to tinker, you buy your PC in one piece and that's about it, just like with a console. Especially with laptops.
"Required space"? I assume you mean physical space, like in a shelf? I'm pretty damn sure my laptop is smaller than any current gen console. My desktop PC isn't, but it is easier accessible if I need to change something. Still, it's not like it is 4x as large as a console, so I don't really see the argument here. You'd have to live in a tin can for that to make a difference.
"Management of specs\requirements"? My PC runs everything, I do not need to check it. Just like with a console. It even runs many console games...
"Occasional hardware updates"? Yeah, that is true. However, that happens about as often as you'd buy a new console, every few years, so... again, not that convincing an argument.

But please do "and so on", it is quite funny to refute your failed attempts at argumentation.

Now you're redefining what "convenient" means.

I really do not understand where you manage to come up with sentences like that. Nothing I said redefined convenient in any way. I just proved that convenience is a highly subjective thing. That's not too hard to understand, I'd wager.

If you genuinely think PC gaming is no less convenient that simply wiring up a console and playing games, then for you the only reason to buy a console probably would be exclusive games. However for the rest of us normal, sensible folk who aren't just saying things because they don't want to admit they are wrong...consoles are far more convenient and easy for gaming than PC gaming is. Ergo exclusives are not the only reason to get a console, the convenience is also a reason.

Not for you though....I understand that....for you setting and maintaining a gaming PC and all it's associated hardware is more convenient than setting up a console

You are a miracle in reading comprehension. And not in a positive way.
I wrote very clearly (in the sentence you conviently forgot to include in your quote, nice work, you should consider becoming a "journalist") that there is an increased amount of work in the initial setup to get to the same convenience. But that is only the setup. You do that once.
Quite probably, you never had a PC to begin with. I had multiple ones over the last 20 years and that big maintenance is a myth, nothing more. As I wrote, you need to "maintain" your PC about as often as you'd buy a new console. My current one I had for three years, and in all that time I bought one new graphics card, that's it.

So, yeah... exlusive titles, a lesser initial setup (seriously, we're talking about half an hour or so here) and a lower price point (for inferior hardware, of course, but valid nonetheless).
I fully understand why someone with a very limited budget would choose a console over a PC. In the long run, you can save way more with a PC, but it does require quite an initial investment (I wouldn't bother spending less than 1k on a new PC) and not everyone can make that investment.
But convenience (other than the initial setup)? Nah, just not true.

[MetroidJunkie]

As I mentioned before, modern day consoles aren't much more convenient than PC's. You still have to juggle hard-drives, system updates, game updates, and even differing hardwares leading to different experiences. The closest to the quality of a PC you can get on consoles is through homebrew measures, which the companies heavily discourage and will always patch out the second they appear.

[Aidy]

"All of its dedicated hardware"? If you're not a tech enthusiast that likes to tinker, you buy your PC in one piece and that's about it, just like with a console. Especially with laptops.
"Required space"? I assume you mean physical space, like in a shelf? I'm pretty damn sure my laptop is smaller than any current gen console. My desktop PC isn't, but it is easier accessible if I need to change something. Still, it's not like it is 4x as large as a console, so I don't really see the argument here. You'd have to live in a tin can for that to make a difference.
"Management of specs\requirements"? My PC runs everything, I do not need to check it. Just like with a console. It even runs many console games...
"Occasional hardware updates"? Yeah, that is true. However, that happens about as often as you'd buy a new console, every few years, so... again, not that convincing an argument.

But please do "and so on", it is quite funny to refute your failed attempts at argumentation.


I really do not understand where you manage to come up with sentences like that. Nothing I said redefined convenient in any way. I just proved that convenience is a highly subjective thing. That's not too hard to understand, I'd wager.


You are a miracle in reading comprehension. And not in a positive way.
I wrote very clearly (in the sentence you conviently forgot to include in your quote, nice work, you should consider becoming a "journalist") that there is an increased amount of work in the initial setup to get to the same convenience. But that is only the setup. You do that once.
Quite probably, you never had a PC to begin with. I had multiple ones over the last 20 years and that big maintenance is a myth, nothing more. As I wrote, you need to "maintain" your PC about as often as you'd buy a new console. My current one I had for three years, and in all that time I bought one new graphics card, that's it.

So, yeah... exlusive titles, a lesser initial setup (seriously, we're talking about half an hour or so here) and a lower price point (for inferior hardware, of course, but valid nonetheless).
I fully understand why someone with a very limited budget would choose a console over a PC. In the long run, you can save way more with a PC, but it does require quite an initial investment (I wouldn't bother spending less than 1k on a new PC) and not everyone can make that investment.
But convenience (other than the initial setup)? Nah, just not true.

Nice wall of text. You're already sufficiently proven that for you a console is no more convenient to play games on than a PC. Good job you. Most people disagree, but what do they know? I mean, anyone who thinks a box you simply buy, plug in to your TV and use it to play games with zero maintenance is more convenient that gaming on a PC is just clearly in the wrong. It's amazing that so many millions of people buy consoles for games, and for what? Nothing! A PC is just as convenient, just as easy, just as maintenance free!

[N7Mith]

I just don't like PCs. It takes way too much time and money to build them and get them to work properly, and even then they can fuck you over at any time. I'll take the plug and play convenience of consoles any day of the week.

[vippy]

My only reason for staying away from consoles is the monthly fee required for being on their network. Imagine paying for a multiplayer game and then having to essentially pay for it again every month to actually be able to play it. If this ain't a ripoff I don't know what is.

[Nella_Bolt]

I guess it comes down to exclusives and the personal enjoyment of the system itself. I have a Switch and Steam, and have found while playing PS4 that all 3 of these platforms hold most of the same games, especially in the indie games, which seem to be what I play the most. The Switch is perfect for portability and when I'm home I have my PC. My girlfriend has a PS4 because she didn't own a computer for a while and I don't mind having that around if say, my PC or her laptop took a crap on us.

I'd say I don't really prefer consoles because of the lack of other things I do on my PC. Video editing, forum surfing, and other such things. Youtube is also a big issue because on console it's horrendous. The Switch made it easier by having a touch screen so it's just like using Youtube on my phone, which isn't terrible at all. I still don't like the UI, but at least traversing it is easier on the Switch. Though I can just use my phone if I'm out or my if I'm at home.

In all, I personally don't see anybody's need for XBox anymore. It has, in my eyes, become irrelevant behind PS4 and The Switch, so if you're gonna go for consoles over a PC, the PS4 and Switch are fine. I don't think Nintendo is a rip off as they have ALWAYS done their own consoles and nobody's been that upset. Nintendo also makes sure to release systems and games that actually work when they come out of the box. Playstation is a little greedy as well when it comes to exclusives (I'm looking at you, Bloodborne and Horizon Zero Dawn), but I don't think they do a bad job of bringing those games to their platform in a well done way, and the Playstation controller has also been my friend since I was a small child.

Which also brings me into the subject of kids. Just get them a console until they're older. The transition is pretty easy. Get them a Gameboy/3DS/Switch, then a home console. Lately my Switch has become warped after a few months from being in the dock time after time so I don't recommend it as a "home console".

[buckallmighty]

I love my console. I cannot express that enough.

But yes, they are a rip-off. They are either getting me by developing a new machine that can't play any of my old games digital or physical every time I finally upgrade to current gen machines. By making me pay an online subscription fee to play the one game I play online now days. Or by discontinuing games (shutting down servers or whatever?) where I have made the mistake of buying additional shit.

Could not maintain sanity without it though. Literally. And no real interest in learning the basic of a PC build/maintenance/upkeep routine just to play a few games.

[Aidy]

I guess it comes down to exclusives and the personal enjoyment of the system itself. I have a Switch and Steam, and have found while playing PS4 that all 3 of these platforms hold most of the same games, especially in the indie games, which seem to be what I play the most. The Switch is perfect for portability and when I'm home I have my PC. My girlfriend has a PS4 because she didn't own a computer for a while and I don't mind having that around if say, my PC or her laptop took a crap on us.

I'd say I don't really prefer consoles because of the lack of other things I do on my PC. Video editing, forum surfing, and other such things. Youtube is also a big issue because on console it's horrendous. The Switch made it easier by having a touch screen so it's just like using Youtube on my phone, which isn't terrible at all. I still don't like the UI, but at least traversing it is easier on the Switch. Though I can just use my phone if I'm out or my if I'm at home.

In all, I personally don't see anybody's need for XBox anymore. It has, in my eyes, become irrelevant behind PS4 and The Switch, so if you're gonna go for consoles over a PC, the PS4 and Switch are fine. I don't think Nintendo is a rip off as they have ALWAYS done their own consoles and nobody's been that upset. Nintendo also makes sure to release systems and games that actually work when they come out of the box. Playstation is a little greedy as well when it comes to exclusives (I'm looking at you, Bloodborne and Horizon Zero Dawn), but I don't think they do a bad job of bringing those games to their platform in a well done way, and the Playstation controller has also been my friend since I was a small child.

Which also brings me into the subject of kids. Just get them a console until they're older. The transition is pretty easy. Get them a Gameboy/3DS/Switch, then a home console. Lately my Switch has become warped after a few months from being in the dock time after time so I don't recommend it as a "home console".

*claims other consoles are irrelevant due to the switch*
*admits the switch warps from a few months normal use*
*doesn't recommend the switch as a home console*
*expects people to listen to his advice*

[Nella_Bolt]

"In all, I personally don't see anybody's need for XBox anymore. It has, in my eyes, become irrelevant behind PS4 and The Switch"
Yes. Surely I have said that all other consoles are irrelevant behind the Switch despite my saying that I believe the Xbox is irrelevant to the Switch and PS4.
And no I may have not worded myself as properly as I could have; I wouldn't recommend the Switch for very elongated home console use. It still works great, but I've usually played my Switch for over 4 hours at a time many times, and that caused quite a lot of warping, but I highly doubt every switch ever is going to see that much use so I'd say it's a good home console with moderate usage.
There was no reason to respond to me in such a way.

[Aidy]

I disagree I'm afraid. You're not the only person to mention the warping of the switch, and when you claim that certain consoles are "irrelevant" then admit the console of your choice is fundamentally broken, it says enough about you to warrant mentioning. Like so many on this thread it shows you simply have an axe to grind, your opinions are mere bias with no foundation, and you'll say things simply to attack things you dislike for no real reason.

[TheSHEEEP]

Just ignore the guy, Nella. He has a personal vendetta against every PC user. Just look through the thread and it becomes obvious. Don't make the mistake I made and feed the troll.

[Animusisters]

Don't feel that consoles are a rip off. The fees for the online services are necessary to keep things up and running. Communication about what the money is used for could be better.

[Aidy]

Don't feel that consoles are a rip off. The fees for the online services are necessary to keep things up and running. Communication about what the money is used for could be better.

Also not everyone wants to play on-line. I've played online in the past and it was just 12 year olds shouting racist abuse. If a game lets you play only with people you know then there is value there, but games with random match-ups have no value to me whatsoever. On the whole I personally prefer single player games and I have no problems whatsoever buying and playing only those games. If online games are your bag then you probably are better off with a PC to be honest. Not just because of pricing but there are also far more games geared toward that kind of thing.

But again it all comes back to the same thing...people are focussing so much on the online costs for consoles just as a straw to grasp at. If you don't want to pay a cost to play online then don't buy a console. Having an optional cost for optional on-line gaming doesn't make consoles a rip-off, it simply means you didn't do your research. I don't want to play online, I don't play online, I don't pay to play online. But in order to bash consoles PC owners are like a dog with a bone...."ZOMG U AV 2 PAY 2 PLY ONLINZ". Play on the medium that suits your requirements. Just because a medium doesn't suit your requirements that doesn't mean it's a rip-off.

[Aerrae]

I don't think they are. They're pretty affordable.

I think 4k consoles are a rip off and just using a marketing buzzword to market to an audience that cares about resolution only in name and most of which probably couldn't tell the difference between 720 and 1080. But they'll buy it anyways cuz gotta have that 4k.

Especially for that 4k tv they bought that was useless for the longest time because literally no TV content is broadcast in 4k.

I just don't like PCs. It takes way too much time and money to build them and get them to work properly, and even then they can fuck you over at any time. I'll take the plug and play convenience of consoles any day of the week.

That's a baseless fear honestly.

Not only can you get it cheap if you buy smart, in fact about 600 if you get an old i5 office PC and just slap a 1060 and a bit more ram in it.

But it'll run 4k better than a console in nearly every case. Hook it up to your tv, no need for a monitor. Buy a cheap KB&M early on.

Secondly PC's are idiot proof nowadays. It's not Windows 95 now. They pretty much just work. I haven't downloaded a steam game that I've had any issues with in a loooooong time. The ones that I have are usually from developers that are new at PC development.

If you buy from Ubi/EA/Acti their games are gonna be bug riddled messes no matter what you buy on.

[Aidy]

I don't think they are. They're pretty affordable.

I think 4k consoles are a rip off and just using a marketing buzzword to market to an audience that cares about resolution only in name and most of which probably couldn't tell the difference between 720 and 1080. But they'll buy it anyways cuz gotta have that 4k.

Especially for that 4k tv they bought that was useless for the longest time because literally no TV content is broadcast in 4k.

So PCs and PC games that support 4K are also a rip off?