Within the gaming world, the debate over whether it is better to play games on a console or a PC has raged on for years and with the announcement that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are to be launched soon – beginning the new generation of gaming – the debate is hotter than ever. It seems however that the excitement over the new consoles is leaving the PC by the wayside somewhat, meaning consoles may finally be emerging as the potential victors; here is why:

Purpose

One of the main reasons why consoles win out over PCs is the very fact that they are produced for the sole purpose of gaming. Being able to play certain video games is a bonus feature on a PC, never intended to be its primary function, whereas all the design and development effort behind a console is tailored around making the gaming experience as good as possible. Even the games themselves are often designed using the consoles’ technology before being ported over to PC at a later date.

Price

While the games themselves are often cheaper on a PC, purchasing a decent system that is capable of running them at full capacity is going to set you back a lot more than a console. Also, as consoles become older and newer generations become available, they generally see a fall in price, making them more affordable. Current PCs meanwhile generally remain around the same price bracket or are discontinued after a short time, replaced by new models that are in fact more expensive than their predecessor. Purchasing the software required to run many games on a PC can also be costly.

Range

While generally speaking a PC system is standard, there are a huge range of games consoles available on the market these days, each with their own distinguishable characteristics and advantages. From the PS3 and Xbox 360 for those who love online play and beautifully advanced graphics, to the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita for those who love to play while on the move and the Wii for those who love to get involved and immerse themselves in the gameplay; there really is something for everyone.

Potential errors

One of the hailed benefits of PC gaming is the ability for experienced players to access game files and alter various settings, enhancing and changing the game in a number of ways – commonly referred to as ‘modding’. The problem with this is that systems often crash, game files can be damaged beyond repair and in trying to make a game better, they in fact render in unplayable. Such risks are not as prevalent with consoles, as their files are less susceptible to hacking and changes.

Accessibility

Many people these days do not even own desktop PCs, preferring the lightweight, portable laptop instead. The repercussion of this in terms of gaming is that most laptops simply do not have the technical capabilities to play high quality video games that could rival those available on a console. There is also the issue of static play; where a PC game must be played at the desk, while consoles have evolved to make playing games on a handheld device a breeze.

Photo: EDDIE MULHOLLAND