Console FPS's - why?!

[Malachi]

This might not be the perfect place to discuss this, but I figured I'd at least be in friendly territory.

I'm just wondering how console FPS's have grown in popularity over the years. Have all of these people NEVER played an FPS with a keyboard+mouse?

There was a Dust 514 trailer in another thread and I was entertained/boggled by the obvious control difficulties/limitations the player was having - I had flashbacks to years and years ago playing some James Bond FPS with a console controller and I COULD NOT BELIEVE how clunky it was. I'm not even a huge FPS fan, but my gosh the console controller was truly painful to use. Obviously most players get used to it and do alright, but it still never even comes close to the level of control you get with a mouse+keyboard.

Are all these console players just jonesing for a good PC setup, but can't afford it? Or do they really prefer the console controller? Do console manufacturer's put an addictive chemical in their controllers?

[BigBossMonkey]

Consoles are cheap.

Consoles are easy to use.

Consoles are popular for those two reasons.

[Colonel Carston]

Originally Posted by BigBossMonkey

Consoles are cheap.

Consoles are easy to use.

Consoles are popular for those two reasons.

This

When a decent gaming computer costs around 1,000 USD, and you can go to the store and pick up a console for 300 USD, there's a big difference. But we can always confide in the fact that our PCs can run our games a lot better than consoles can.

[Bags]

Originally Posted by BigBossMonkey

Consoles are cheap.

Consoles are easy to use.

Consoles are popular for those two reasons.

But a normal computer can become a gaming computer with a $200 video card, and most people need/have a $500 normal computer.

Maybe not optimal,but faster than a console.

[maradine]

Because they're fun, they're inexpensive, and they make many parts of the whole multiplayer experience automatic at best, and easy at worst. Is this surprising?

[2coolforu]

Ease of use, they don't have to install anything and there's no fiddling around.

I mean there are seriously people out there who can't create folders or cower at the thought of simple computing tasks. The kind of people who are like this are in the majority and will buy a console simply to have a nice package with directions on it.

[Shade Millith]

Originally Posted by Bags

But a normal computer can become a gaming computer with a $200 video card, and most people need/have a $500 normal computer.

Maybe not optimal,but faster than a console.

Like he said. It's easier on the console.

It's the epitome of 'Plug and Play' simplicity.

Terrible control scheme, poorer graphics, less options. But it's easy.

[Malachi]

With the age of the average gamer going up every year (or at the very least being well into the 20s), I'm just surprised that a relatively small difference in price can make such a huge impact on the industry.


And I'm not even sure the "cheap" argument is as valid as it was 10 years ago.

I don't own a single console or a TV, but I do own a computer and I usually upgrade every 2-4 years. I get all my non-game entertainment through hulu and netflix (the wife and I have plenty to watch, and actually kinda like not having normal TV to watch).

If you add up the cost of a decent TV + sound system for it, plus the monthly TV bill, plus the console(s)... it can't be that much better than my computer + netflix costs.

Obviously lots of people wouldn't consider this an option - they'd want both the TV/console + the PC... but if someone is really trying to save $$, having just a PC is not a bad option.


edit: I guess the "easy" argument makes more sense.

[Luieburger]

Originally Posted by Malachi

I don't own a single console or a TV, but I do own a computer and I usually upgrade every 2-4 years. I get all my non-game entertainment through hulu and netflix (the wife and I have plenty to watch, and actually kinda like not having normal TV to watch).

If you add up the cost of a decent TV + sound system for it, plus the monthly TV bill, plus the console(s)... it can't be that much better than my computer + netflix costs.

Yep. The fix for everyone is simple.

1. Ditch the cable box, DVD player, Blue Ray Player, Consoles, subscriptions, fees, etc...
2. Plug the PC into the TV/sound system
3. Set up a desk next to the couch or in front of the couch with a wireless keyboard and mouse
4. Profit

[exLupo]

Nothing in the PC world will trump the ease of consoles, I'm afraid. With the extension of consoles into the social and streaming media worlds, they're covering all of the mass market bases. I went over to someone's place yesterday and the only piece of hardware they had was a PS3 and, yet, were doing everything they wanted. TV, movies, gaming, and internet and all of it without having to worry about compatibility and drivers and component upgrades and the rest of the headaches that we, as PC owners, have come to understand.

Console gamers are like people who own cars but take them to the shop to get any work done, even little things like replacing wipers or refilling the radiator. PC gamers, at the very least, must get dirty from time to time.

As far as FPS goes, the above statements are correct. {rant}One thing I am tired of, however, is this myth that consoles don't support non-joypad inputs or that joypads somehow make people worse. The Wii and XBOX input schemes are wanting but they are trying and, with the splitfish stick+mouse, the XBOX is just as tight as kb+m. PS3 natively supports kb+m (discretion of the game dev to implement) and the Move wand gun, while gimmicky, is apparently pretty sweet as well. That and I've seen some videos of Halo players pulling off insane antics that I've never been able to do, reliably at least, even after twenty years of FPS gaming. Yes, kb+m takes less skill to get competent with but it's not the end-all, be-all of control schemes.{/rant}

Er.. but yea. Easy, cheap, popular.

[captainkapautz]

Originally Posted by Bags

But a normal computer can become a gaming computer with a $200 video card, and most people need/have a $500 normal computer.

Maybe not optimal,but faster than a console.

Yeah, now.

Wasn't like that when the XBox360/PS3 first came out though.

[Otleaz]

Before complaining about controls I would complain about consoles connection issues. One player "hosts" and everyone else connects to them so you end up with one player having 0 ping while the rest have 150-200.

Aside from that, I would probably say that it is a domino effect or crowd mentality. Watching paint dry could be fun if you are doing it with a friend. Everyone owns a console so it is easy to hook up and play with friends.

[indirect]

Originally Posted by Otleaz

Before complaining about controls I would complain about consoles connection issues. One player "hosts" and everyone else connects to them so you end up with one player having 0 ping while the rest have 150-200.

Not entirely true. BC2 and BF3 have EA hosted servers, etc etc other games do too.

[Chinchy]

A Picture will do just fine before this thread gets closed.

[Dairian]

Everyone else just answered your question... They are just cheap and easy for everyone to have. That's what she said!