Welcome to Level Up!, a regular column in each CSUDH Bulletin about video games and video game culture from someone who spends every second of her free time hours deep into a game, even if most of her time should be spent sleeping.
By: Beatriz Arreola
Lifestyle Editor
Since the beginning of time, or least the video game culture, PC and console gamers have been at each other’s throats over which system is better. When picking which one to use, there are many deciding factors ranging from games available to price. But the vitriol behind the debate can be a bit too much at times. Seriously, there isn’t much difference between us; we love to game, so why can’t we just get along?
For the sake of comparison and understanding: For the best gaming experience, nothing beats playing on a PC. Many players decide to build their own gaming PCs because of the ability to customize everything to your needs. You buy the monitor, keyboard, tower, graphics card, etc. But it can add up, for a top-of-the-line gaming set up you can expect to spend up to $2,000. I mean yes, you can buy it all cheaper but when deciding to game on a PC it is a given that you are not cutting corners.
If you want cheap, you go for consoles. When taken care of, a $500 console can last up to five years, just in time for the next release. Today’s consoles have begun to give PC’s a run for their money with the implementation of 4K gaming. But if you cared so much about graphics, you’d be playing on a PC. Players tend to choose consoles because of the games that come out exclusively for them and without worrying if your hardware is not compatible anymore.
Console gaming is so much easily accessible and user-friendly. I cannot for the life of me get a hang of playing on the PC; I was raised with a controller in hand all my life. But besides the graphics being better, there is much more opportunity for PC gaming.
With eSports becoming more popular, as well as streaming, console players are left out most of the time. Most gaming tournaments are held for PC gaming, and the incentive for playing in them is much higher. For FPS games, computer gaming just makes more sense because of the faster reaction and mobility you get with playing with a mouse. The damn analog stick can only do so much when aiming.
I just want there to be more opportunity for console gamers in the competitive scene. Choose your poison when it comes to PC or console, but at least offer the same chances to the entire community. I just want the gap bridged between both worlds.
