PCs and Consoles: Two Different Species

Most gamers can generally be divided into two major groups, you’re either a PC gamer or a console gamer. Yes, some can be a little bit of both and there are also some exceptions (handhelds to name one), but for the most part, gamers tend to favor one over the other.

And up until now, the two groups were both closely related species, but with the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft’s Project Natal, it is clear that console games have begun to deviate on their own evolutionary path.

So, this makes me wonder about PCs. Will they continue to stick with the aged but reliable keyboard and mouse combination, or will they ever replace them with newer and flashier generations?

In order to explore this subject, we must first look into the motivation behind this evolutionary split - marketing.

The Wii has proved that gaming can be made appealing to the masses. Its quirkiness, forgiving nature to gamers of all types, and its overall simplicity has transformed the console into a casual’s paradise. With almost non-existent learning curves, players can easily pick up and play anytime they please.

Project Natal looks to take things further. Judging from Microsoft’s early exhibitions, it appears they’re trying to “improve” on the Wii by bridging the gap between casual and more dedicated gamers while offering the spice and flare of a more interactive control system.

While I am skeptical that Microsoft will ever be able to achieve this bridge (not sure if anything can be as responsive as normal controllers), there is little risk in believing that it will be a wild success amongst more casual players.

Now the world of PC games on the other hand, is highly unforgiving.

In terms of equipment, gamers would have to invest $1000 in a computer alone, easily costing more than either of the three major consoles, and there is no guarantee that computer will be a viable gaming computer in just a few years.

Gameplay is equally as harsh, as PCs are generally closely connected to and highly dependent on online play.

A split-second can be the difference between getting shot in the head (virtually of course) or completing your objectives.

The amount of fun a player has is directly related to the amount of time they actually spend playing. The more time you spend out of action (fragged, disconnected, waiting for a resurrection, etc…), the less amount of time you’re actually enjoying the game.

Players can easily be hampered by lag and faulty or unresponsive equipment. Any combination of these two can, and often will, lead to frustrating mistakes that can make even the best of players look like complete noobs.

Plus, can you imagine playing on a PC without a keyboard or mouse?

Take the FPS genre for example, the point-click-shoot system just works so well that there is no need to replace it. I’m sure many console players have found that the accuracy of a mouse is unmatched when it comes to these games.

The same applies to strategy games (RTS or turn based). Anyone remember Starcraft 64? It was a frustrating experience that transformed APM (Actions Per Minute) into APH (Actions Per Hour…haha).

As a result, performance and precision are irreplaceable essentials - even at the potential loss of some extra fun.