The FPS: PC Vs Console
Discussion
Ok so a friend and I got talking today. He is one of these casual gamer breeds, the sort of chap that buys a Wii. On this occasion however, he bought a Playstation 3. Alarmingly, he bounded out of his comfort zone like a wet labradoodle and ventured past Fifa 09 in his local electronic game retail establishment and purchased Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Fantastic. Good on him. I like the fact that computer games are developing mass appeal (despite my 2nd sentence) and was further encouraged when he made me aware that he plays online multiplayer. Then, unfortunately, in retort to me stating I can only play FPS games on a PC (or with a mouse and keyboard if you are being anal, which you are), he chuckled condescendinly and told me I'd be better off on my PS3.
So we launched into a heated debate over aiming and general reactions, and I argue that you can never have the snap shots / reaction shots / pot luck pointy-clicky face removal that the PC offers with a mouse over an analogue stick. He refuses to agree and says it is just as fast, and easier.
Before I scalp and maim him, am I being closed minded here? Or simply is this casual gamer just ill informed and frightened that if he plays games on a PC his face will erupt in skin like bubbling minestrone soup, his hair will thin, his vision will deteriorate to near the poor standard of Mr.Charles and his virginity loss to the pretty lass when we were teenagers will be rescinded?
I'm none of the above and I'm not acomplete nerd
Fantastic. Good on him. I like the fact that computer games are developing mass appeal (despite my 2nd sentence) and was further encouraged when he made me aware that he plays online multiplayer. Then, unfortunately, in retort to me stating I can only play FPS games on a PC (or with a mouse and keyboard if you are being anal, which you are), he chuckled condescendinly and told me I'd be better off on my PS3.
So we launched into a heated debate over aiming and general reactions, and I argue that you can never have the snap shots / reaction shots / pot luck pointy-clicky face removal that the PC offers with a mouse over an analogue stick. He refuses to agree and says it is just as fast, and easier.
Before I scalp and maim him, am I being closed minded here? Or simply is this casual gamer just ill informed and frightened that if he plays games on a PC his face will erupt in skin like bubbling minestrone soup, his hair will thin, his vision will deteriorate to near the poor standard of Mr.Charles and his virginity loss to the pretty lass when we were teenagers will be rescinded?
I'm none of the above and I'm not a
Patrick Bateman said:
Mouse and Keyboard > Controller for FPS games without a shadow of a doubt.
what he said, plus the fact that PC games are far cheaper and we get free mods and far superior grphics! Sadly commercialism and dumbing down seems to be the way of things in all aspects of life 
Anyone tried a FragFX controller? I bought one a couple of weeks ago because it was cheap (£17 down from £60+). I've not tried it much but I think I'm going to get MW2 for PS3 and see if I can make it work. I like the idea of the analog stick for moving and mouse for aiming. It does however just emulate an analog stick so it's not quite as accurate as a real mouse. Why they can't just write the games to support keyboards and mice I don't know. I believe UT3 on PS3 supports it.
bonsai said:
I agree entirely with you and have had this very argument with COD console players.
I would just love to be able to play in the same game as them, me on the PC, them on the console, just to see. To me the very idea of FPS on consoles is strange.
I was under the illusion (I've been told with the XBox it is an option) you can buy a keyboard and mouse and use them instead on consoles. In which case, the guys who have stumbled upon that idea must feel like Valuev at a brawl consisting purely of disabled children.I would just love to be able to play in the same game as them, me on the PC, them on the console, just to see. To me the very idea of FPS on consoles is strange.
mackie1 said:
Anyone tried a FragFX controller? I bought one a couple of weeks ago because it was cheap (£17 down from £60+). I've not tried it much but I think I'm going to get MW2 for PS3 and see if I can make it work. I like the idea of the analog stick for moving and mouse for aiming. It does however just emulate an analog stick so it's not quite as accurate as a real mouse. Why they can't just write the games to support keyboards and mice I don't know. I believe UT3 on PS3 supports it.
V.1 or V.2? I've used both. In fact, the availability of the FragFx on the PS3 was the reason I chose the PS3 over the 360. It's...ok. It makes FPS gaming workable.The V.1 is more fragile (mine died after the first prestige on CoD4, whereas the V.2 has just completed another 8 prestiges), but has no real functional difference that the V.2. Neither are a perfect solution to the 'PC gamer wants to FPS on a console' scenario, as all it does is emulate the PS3 controller, so it cannot turn as fast as a mouse, nor be as accurate, but it isn't too bad for us PC types who can't get used to the PS3 controller.
I'd love to have proper keyboard and mouse on PS3, but I think the intent for the most part is to keep a level playing field on the console.
I fully agree, Mouse and Keyboard is far superior in terms of accuracy, however, lets not underplay the advantages of a controller:
1)It's the same for everyone. Well, almost everyone. You're not losing because the other guy has a better optical mouse, it's just that you're crap.
2)it's a comfortable armchair solution. I know PC gamers are generally used to a desk to game at, I spend enough time at work sat at one.
3)The software helps you. I know aimbots are a dirty word, but the fact is all FPS's have one built in. The console FPS's give you that modicum of assist you need without being mm perfect, but hopefully don't make it feel unnatural by hitting targets a full five degrees from where you were aiming.
I have no doubt that if PC players could mingle with us plebe on console, we would get slaughtered. For me, the benefits of standardised hardware and software, and not having to upgrade the PC every 12 months or so, combined with ease of use makes the co sole the winner. I'd have to get a whole heap more into fps's before I shelled out on a gaming rig to drive my TV.
Oh, and I used to design multiplayer maps for Quake, so I've been into gaming for a good while. I'd no longer consider myself a hardcore gamer though, but not casual either.
1)It's the same for everyone. Well, almost everyone. You're not losing because the other guy has a better optical mouse, it's just that you're crap.
2)it's a comfortable armchair solution. I know PC gamers are generally used to a desk to game at, I spend enough time at work sat at one.
3)The software helps you. I know aimbots are a dirty word, but the fact is all FPS's have one built in. The console FPS's give you that modicum of assist you need without being mm perfect, but hopefully don't make it feel unnatural by hitting targets a full five degrees from where you were aiming.
I have no doubt that if PC players could mingle with us plebe on console, we would get slaughtered. For me, the benefits of standardised hardware and software, and not having to upgrade the PC every 12 months or so, combined with ease of use makes the co sole the winner. I'd have to get a whole heap more into fps's before I shelled out on a gaming rig to drive my TV.
Oh, and I used to design multiplayer maps for Quake, so I've been into gaming for a good while. I'd no longer consider myself a hardcore gamer though, but not casual either.
Ok then, here's one for the PC FPS players:
When you lose really badly, but feel that it's not justified, how do you react? Is it down to not having a good enough GFX card? Too low Fps, or low resolution? Need a bigger monitor, or more RAM? Perhaps another 0.1V on the overclock will do it?
I hate that feeling, and I know for a lot of people upgrading and customising their PC is a lot of the fun, but it certainly gets expensive. With a console FPS, if you've got the game and an HD telly then you're on a level playing field with 90% of the online population. I sometimes feel bad because my surround sound gives me an obvious advantage at times!
When you lose really badly, but feel that it's not justified, how do you react? Is it down to not having a good enough GFX card? Too low Fps, or low resolution? Need a bigger monitor, or more RAM? Perhaps another 0.1V on the overclock will do it?
I hate that feeling, and I know for a lot of people upgrading and customising their PC is a lot of the fun, but it certainly gets expensive. With a console FPS, if you've got the game and an HD telly then you're on a level playing field with 90% of the online population. I sometimes feel bad because my surround sound gives me an obvious advantage at times!
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