XboxOne VS PC

Posted by Alert Games on June 2, 2015, 2:22 p.m.

XBone Vs PC masterrace

So I'm sure you've been hit in the face by now by the spam EA has been spewwing out about their secret project of Starwars Battlefront 3.

I am pretty excited about this, because I have had a lot of fun with this game despite not ever really playing on xbox live (multiplayer) with it because of its poor design. This revamp will no doubt make the multiplayer playable by enabling communication and having a decent pre-game lobby.

Now here is where I'm interested in some opinion. No doubt I can have more fun playing games on the PC, but there are some things that I kind of wish the PC had that are convenient on the consoles. This is the comparison:

XBOX (and ps4 of course)

> Beautifully integrated chat systems with friends. If you have a compatible mic, it will instantly connect with virtually no hassle, and you can easily connect with any friends online!

> Controllers. I really like using the controllers for games that work well on the consoles. I don't mind playing FPS's on PC, but I feel like I play a different style when FPS gaming on PC versus a console with a controller. I guess maybe having a little less precision makes up for any 'lagging' over the internet.

>Matchmaking. Great system that makes it easy to get pretty good and 'fair' matches most of the time.

PC

> Need to use steam voice chat or teamspeak. Nothing wrong with the steam chat… but it feels lackluster. Not to mention you will need to get your own microphone, which is easy if you just get a gaming headset. But if you want to not use a full headset, I found it difficult to find any clear winners for one-ear ones.

> Mouse gaming. I like it for modded shooters and other mouse-based games, but otherwise I like the controller because it is more comfortable and universal.

> Hosting. Good for modded games and small groups of players with a certain gaming style. But matchmaking is not always common (AFAIK. This could be more common in new games now?)

I am contemplating on whether I should spend $350 (which includes a game) for a console, or if I should just buy SWBF3 on my sweet PC instead.

Do you console game? Do you prefer PC gaming?

Comments

F1ak3r 9 years, 5 months ago

I prefer PC gaming entirely because I can't get into those controllers. Every time I've played console games at friends' houses I come away with aching thumbs.

Alert Games 9 years, 5 months ago

When I was making the comparisons, I did not mention the hardware because its true; my PC is more powerful than the console. However, when talking about preference of a controller and simplicity of creating a 'party' and using voice, I think the console wins in this category with providing a consistent interface for every player.

I am curious on the "matchmaking" capabilities of new PC games though. Games would match your 'skill level' to balance teams before you get to the pre-game lobby. Quite the system that got very popular on console games.

Another question, since I don't have it: Does EA Origin have a good voice chat system as well?

@F1ak3r: Yes it can do that if you are not used to it. However, I can also have an aching wrist or hand after playing on the PC as well.

Alert Games 9 years, 5 months ago

Quote:
Most games (within reason) support the Xbox controllers.
Yes, but if you are playing an FPS you don't want to use a controller because you are outmatched by the mouse and keyboard. I still like using a controller for them though. Racing games are good with the controller amongst other types of games. I do use xbox360 controllers with certain games on PC.

Quote:
Steam manages this to some extent, no?
I think it does pretty decently, but its still unmatched to consoles IMO. If you ever used their interfaces, you'll see how much more convenient it is to use. However, if steam voice chat works so well, why don't we use that instead of teamspeak?

Alert Games 9 years, 5 months ago

Nice. It is indeed. Multiplayer shooters are on another level with mouse-precision accuracy, but I'd be willing to compromise if they have a good match system. I like host lobbies, but I also like the "quick match" and "matchmaking" modes.

Rez 9 years, 5 months ago

I prefer to play most games on consoles. I would probably love a serious gaming PC if I ever got one, but for the games I play the transition never really seemed worth it. I think if you play a lot of online games though, it makes more sense to go PC right now. No dumb subscription fees.

Acid 9 years, 5 months ago

Still need to get a PS4, but I can honestly say that when I play games on PC, I'm jaded and annoyed by controls. I don't have as much fun playing on PC. It doesn't make much sense, but it's true.

I will also admit that I'm just not into games in general as I once was. The new (really mostly just sequels to old, but that's pedantic) games for PS4 and Xbox One are getting me hyped up for current gen, but every time I think about spending $500 or more on another black box to sit in my living room, I think about what else I could do with that cash. :P

Edit: $500 because I'm not going to just buy a console - gotta get at least 2 games, one extra controller, and another year of whatever subscription (PS+) you need to play online.

Cpsgames 9 years, 5 months ago

If you don't know how to use a computer or prefer the simplicity then yes, console. Otherwise I find PC beats the consoles in all other comparisons every time.

Quote:
I am curious on the "matchmaking" capabilities of new PC games though. Games would match your 'skill level' to balance teams before you get to the pre-game lobby. Quite the system that got very popular on console games.

I have no idea what games actually use matchmaking, but I'm fairly certain some PC games use that system too. I don't see it as absolutely necessary though.

Rez 9 years, 5 months ago

The ps4 is so good though. I think the dualshock4 is honestly the greatest controller ever made, and the share feature legitimately changes how I view consoles. I'm constantly saving footage and it is so easy to do so. I can't imagine playing without it now. Also, it sounds like xcom 2, fallout 4, and dark souls 3 are all going to be things. so fuck yea ps4

JID 9 years, 5 months ago

xcom 2 wont debut on consoles

Unaligned 9 years, 5 months ago

This is coming from someone whose last purchased console was a PSone, not even a fat PlayStation, so some bias is expected.

Originally the idea of console gaming was appealing compared to PC for a few reasons:

-Just buy the console/games/peripherals, plug them in wherever they go and you're set.

-Good game performance is guaranteed since the games are made for that hardware and that hardware only.

-Standardized interface, each console's controllers lasted the whole life cycle (mostly), so no need to upgrade or change until the next generation.

However, Internet is widespread, and for better or worse, it has come to this:

-Console software needs updating, games themselves need patches, updates and installation to the console's hard drive. There's some delay between plopping a newly-bought disc into the system and playing it. No difference from PC anymore.

-A console was made to play games, make it the best game-playing option there is, don't spend all the money on social/app/marketplace integration nonsense.

-Paying monthly to play an online game you've already paid for, on top of your Internet connection. Hah.

-You're tied to whatever games the console manufacturer deems worthy, while this may seem like a curated ecosystem of quality games, it's lately become a gate to the most marketed and/or mass appeal games. Not saying that it's bad to play the latest CoD, but there's more games out there.

-Mods. From simple texture replacements or FOV sliders to full-blown new games.

-Obsession with making pretty screenshots has made most console games struggle with maintaining over 30 frames per second. I mean come on.

Now, for communications, which you seem to have placed some emphasis on, consoles obviously provide a unified system to tie all functionality under. Having said that, it's perfectly comparable to something you can set up on a PC, but granted, it takes more effort for everybody to be on the same page (mic/VoIP software/game version/etc.). Then again the potential for a PC multiplayer gaming experience surpasses that of any console. And most modern multiplayer-focused games feature matchmaking systems with integrated voice communication.

Controllers or interface are pretty much up to the user on a PC. I won't argue that for shooters you're pretty much at a significant disadvantage if pitted against keyboard+mouse if you're using a controller, but nobody's forcing you to play Counter-Strike with an Xbox controller.