Expert statistics estimate that there are over 2.4 billion gamers worldwide. Given these numbers, it’s safe to say that the industry is in good standing and isn’t expected to decrease its market revenue intake anytime soon.
Amongst this huge pool of enthusiastic members, there are two major subgroups: PC gamers and console gamers. While mobile gaming is becoming increasingly popular in the 21st century, these two categories still dominate the overall sector with millions participating worldwide, mostly millennials between the ages of 23-38. Maybe you’re already a seasoned gamer on one of these outlets or have been thinking to make the switch from PC to console gaming, or vice versa.
Below we’ll review how the two options stack up against each other as more and more interested users join the ever-increasing trend of gaming.
Game Variety
One of the most important factors for any gamer is game accessibility and variety. Some highly immersive titles that are available on PCs aren’t on consoles, and the other way around. For example, the popular tactile shooter Arma 3 and some classic series such as World of Warcraft and League of Legends have been developed and released solely for online gaming. Likewise, games made for consoles like Super Mario Odyssey and Bloodborne haven’t yet made PC gaming an option.
Other non-roleplaying/shooter games such as poker and chess are more commonly played online using a PC or laptop, as they were designed to support this type of gameplay. After all, poker’s most popular variant, Texas Hold’em, is played with an infinite variety of strategies that can be easier to navigate with a keyboard and mouse as opposed to a console.
In addition, sometimes certain games have better gameplay on devices like Xbox or PlayStation, such as the successful Mortal Kombat and Madden series which are extremely action-packed. The bottom line: you know what games you prefer, so before making the switch from one platform to another, make sure that the games you love are equally accessible!
The ability to personalize a PC’s inner workings and appearance is a huge benefit for dedicated gamers
Customization
Another point worth noting when discussing the differences between PC gaming and console gaming is factors of customization. Consoles and computers are different in the way they can be changed and upgraded. Because console manufacturers design their devices with specific preloaded software, it can be difficult, or impossible, to alter the inner workings.
For example, internal storage in consoles is something that is more or less fixed, whereas in PCs the user has the freedom to customize various factors like RAM sticks, graphics cards, fans, and lights galore. This is why you’ll often notice that PC gamers have “tricked out” computers that are being modified continously.
In addition to modifications, PC users often take little steps to make sure their device is running at its maximum output. Whether it’s installing a new Windows feature, refining graphics, or improving keyboard/mouse functioning, upgrades work together to create a high-quality, fast performing device that can withstand long gaming sessions.
On the other hand, the good thing about consoles is that you pay for a device that already comes optimized; personalization is the only real downside.
Popular console manufacturers like PlayStation and Xbox vie for consumer attention with each new release, most recently the PS5 and Xbox Series X
Pricing
Last but not least, price! How much is the transition going to cost you if you’re looking to change to PC gaming or consoles? A good gaming computer that will withstand heated sessions can range anywhere from $800 to $1,500 and even more depending on quality and specs. However, consoles are normally significantly cheaper – from $200 to $600 depending on the type.
The only negative thing about purchasing consoles is that sometimes, if you want to get your hands on a new release, it may take a while. For instance, the brand-new PlayStation 5 that comes in at $499 has been largely sold out since its release in November of last year.
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