Upcoming Games: PC Or Console?

With the release of Deus Ex: Human Revolution just around the corner, and other titles such as Skyrim or Battlefield 3 following close behind, there is a certain question that seems to come to mind. Should I go PC -and upgrade my hardware once more- for this onslaught of incredible games, or just stick with my consoles? While this might, at first, sound like a personal query, I felt that it covered a much broader and far reaching issue that has been plaguing countless gamers like myself. Not only in shelf space or trade in value, we have seen PC games slowly declining over the years, while still managing to make impressive come backs with MMO’s and other titles more suited to the PC’s controls and convenience (don’t you just love alt-tab? I know I do…).

As I watch, it seems as though the gaming community has adapted to a console majority -namely in the FPS and Third Person genres- for more than just one reason. For starters, most anyone could tell you that Gaming PC’s are, without a doubt, significantly more expensive than today’s gaming consoles; as such, one could say that PC gamers should inherently be labeled as at least mild enthusiasts. Secondly, you have the matter of convenience -which is a major concern for gamers, as you well know- both in terms of installation and accessibility. With PC instillation you can run into any number of problems having to do with both hardware and software, while a console allows you to simply pop in the game disc. Also, many people don’t enjoy being confined to their computer chairs for hours on end, and would prefer to game within a slightly more sociable and comfortable play area, such as their living room.

Another thing I notice, is that the only titles which PC gamers insist are best on PC are in line with those that truly require a keyboard and, perhaps more importantly, a mouse. Real Time Strategy, Role Playing, and online community games are all better played on a PC than any console controller. But for me, this raises another interesting question in reference to the PC vs Console debate. Considering how more and more people are connecting their PC’s to their televisions via HDMI, and the fact that our consoles are always striving to live up to the PC’s Internet and sharing capabilities, I have to wonder: Would people just be happier if the next generation of consoles simply came with an official keyboard and mouse in addition to the standard game pad? Just food for thought…

Personally, I will most likely be replacing my once prestigious PC rig, but it’s really more a question of when. I love PC Gaming, it’s what I was raised on. But, I would be a liar if I tried to tell you that my consoles haven’t been slowly taking over my gaming time throughout the years. Part of me wants to see the final side by side comparisons of PC to Console before deciding, while my wallet whispers that it doesn’t really matter.

But what do you think? Will you be sticking with PC? Do you dislike the fact that many large budget games are now console exclusives? Or are you just as happy to be without them and would rather play Starcraft? We do have Diablo III (which is now being developed for consoles as well) and Star Wars The Old Republic to look forward to. Will you be needing to upgrade your PC if you do stick with it? Shout out in the comments bellow.