PC vs Console

You may have noticed that all of my sales, posts, and videos have focused on games available on the PC, and not consoles.  This is not because I believe that the PC Gamer is the master race of Gamers, but more of what is familiar, and cost effective for me.

I played my first games on a commodore 64 (I still have no idea why my parents bought that thing, it had no practical value beyond playing bootlegged versions of Mario).  The next computer I played on was a Mac Plus.  I played some weird star fighter game, and the old shuffle puck cafe on its not quite black and white screen.  The next computer we got was a mac performa 575.  This was when I played my first shareware games, and found escape velocity nova, myst, and best of all: X-wing vs tie fighter.  My mother got an office computer with windows 95 on it, and I played the hell out of mech warrior 2.  I have loved any version of giant robots beating the piss out of each other since then.  During this time my parents got my brothers and I a super Nintendo, and then eventually an N64.  I foolishly parted with both of those consoles over the years.  Here is a bit of advice:  no matter how annoying your ex may be, get your video games back from her, you'll regret it if you don't.

I was able to convince my dad to buy a brand new gateway computer in 2000 (yes it had windows m.e. on it).  I made token efforts to pay him back but never got very far, I think I owe him at least $1000 for it still...Thanks dad. This computer holds some of my favorite gaming memories.  I played early counter strike, and Day of defeat on it, I discovered the Elder Scrolls series and put more than 300 hours into morrowind.  I lead cast armies across mid evil Europe in total war, stomped clan smoke jaguar into the ground and fought for vengeance in the inner sphere on this computer.  It lasted much longer than it should have really.

My current System was built for $700 a couple of years ago when I had a bit more money...sigh.  The good thing is that I don't need to get an entirely new system, I can upgrade each component one at a time.

So for me, I am much more comfortable in front of a PC with a keboard and mouse instead of a PS or Xbox with their controllers.

It is also about functionality and price.  While consoles are quickly setting themselves up as the entertainment hub of the living room, they are generally not multi-functional.  I have been able to do research, write papers, edit videos, and write blogs from one computer.  I would not be able to do all this with a console.  So for me, the tech set up is cheaper for a PC than a console.  

The final reason why I choose PC gaming over console is the amount of resources PC gaming has for awesomely affordable games.  I regularly use Steam, GOG, humble bundle, and Green man gaming, but there are many more including resources for abandoneware and easy emulating.  Microsoft and Sony control the digital markets too much to allow for a variety of ways to find games at really low prices.  I'm not saying that there are not any options for affordable gaming on consoles, just that there are more opportunities on PC.

That is why I focus on PC gaming.  If there is an awesome sale on a console platform, let me know, and I can mention it, but I won't be going out of my way to feature them.

Remember, just because you're broke, doesn't mean you can't game.