TRADE CHAT
Brittany Vincent assesses whether PC gaming is still “worth it”
AS A LIFELONG CONSOLE and PC gamer, I have nearly 25 years of experience with both landscapes. I cut my teeth on DuckHunt, but I also breezed through DukeNukem3D and Doom. Both ecosystems have their own unique merits. For that reason, I’ll never be able to proclaim a clear-cut winner in the never-ending console versus PC debate.
Still, I’m often asked if PC gaming is truly “worth it.” With next-gen graphics card shortages, supply issues, and consoles that mimic PC performance, is the frustration worth the payoff? My response is an enthusiastic “Yes.” Not only is PC gaming still worth it, but it’s something everyone should experience.
It’s a fact: PC performance will always be superior to what consoles can offer thanks to cutting-edge hardware and customization, but it’s more accessible now than it ever has been. And if you love games, even if your consoles are as dear to you as mine are to me, you owe it to yourself to jump in.
Think about it in terms of iOS versus Android. Both have unique strengths, weaknesses, restrictions, and exclusive games. iOS is a closed-off ecosystem, while Android is customization-friendly. You can think of console and PC gaming in the same way.
Console gaming is simple and streamlined, while PC users have a wealth of opportunities stretched out before them. From adding controller support to a former mouse-and-keyboard title, to fleshing out meager accessibility options, if you have the knowhow, you can do just about anything. It might not always work, but when it does, it’s magical.
That freedom doesn’t translate to the console world, but you can purchase a game and play it almost immediately with no tweaks. Consoles handle installation, updates, and any behind-the-scenes changes. But you’re relegated to playing games how they come, save for sanctioned mods or DLC.
PC gamers have a dizzying amount of mods available. Where else could you add Thomas the Tank Engine to ResidentEvil2 as Mr. X? What console lets you upscale a classic title, or enjoy an MMO that’s had its servers yanked offline?
There’s also an expansive catalogue of classic titles, indies, former console exclusives, and AAA games available from a litany of platforms like Steam, the Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Console players are relegated to physical purchases or the stores on each platform, many of which are lacking classic titles.
Then there’s the elephant in the room. PC gaming is cast in a negative light due to its upfront costs. People compare “thousands” of component and peripheral fees to a few hundred bucks for a new console.
Here’s the thing. PC gaming is more affordable than ever. While you typically can’t build a formidable gaming desktop for under $400, you can cobble together a build that’s on par with or better than a console for a few hundred more. It can be tempting, of course, to shell out for the latest and greatest GPUs and equipment, but it’s not necessary. You don’t need to build it yourself, either, but if you want to, countless online tutorials are here today, whereas a couple of decades ago they were nowhere near as plentiful.
In the end, it doesn’t make a difference whether you’re tracking down a GeForce RTX 3080 or a PlayStation 5 if you can’t purchase either. At some point, you have to decide: go for cheaper, more readily available components and run the games you’re dying to try on console, or wait to nail down a system on which said titles aren’t yet available?
There are a dozen reasons to build or purchase a PC expressly for the purpose of enjoying the greatest games, just as there are for consoles. But in the end, if you want the best performance, highest fidelity, and widest variety of games available, you need to dip your toes into the world of PC gaming.
Console gaming is simple and streamlined, while PC users have a wealth of opportunities
Brittany has been writing about gaming, tech, anime, and more for 14 years. Follow her on Twitter: @MolotovCupcake.