From what i know consoles are more popular than PC


There are exceptions, for instance Cyberpunk 2077 had more preorders on PC. However, that could be connected to the fact the new consoles were just releasing so many people wanted to wait.


Overall, though, PC gaming is less popular.


Why? What are the reasons behind it?


Nowadays, mostly everyone has a PC. Why isn't PC gaming more popular, then? It's far more easy to play the game on the PC you also use for working rather than buy a games dedicated system

Because good gaming PCs are twice as expensive as consoles.

Not true.

I bought a new Alienware computer a couple years ago for $500 not including monitor, keyboard, mouse;
It runs all my games well.
The best part is, it is the size of a book, with external power supply which is a better design since power supplies are usually the first thing to need replacing and no cooling fans required with an external power supply.

Kids are foolish. That is why consoles are popular.

What kind of specs do you have in that $500 computer? Because to be sure, computers that can run modern games in a remotely quality way cost a good bit.

They aren't. We just claim we need all the stuff "for work" and keep a low profile... You're obviously not married.

PC's are fiddley creatures at best, and need to be updated ever two years if you want to play current games. Whereas consoles are pretty much bulletproof for their 5 year run. .Also, XBOX and PS are gaming, and PC gaming is more of a niche.

With experience having my ex, she couldn't install an OS, look for drivers, open the box up and add a card, or install a game.

With that in mind, making a PC is quite difficult, though you could have it predone for you i suppose, but getting it all set up so it will work is far beyond most people.

Most people? Buy a system plug it into your TV and put in a disc? That makes sense, the same amount as a CD player or DVD player.

Although with the PS4/XBone and later consoles to come out with monthly or weekly updates, being forced to update or download patches or being forced to buy games on a proprietary online store may be just as annoying and difficult to trust.

Maybe we should all drop gaming and go back to cards and playing with 2-16 people at the same table having fun...

1 - Marketing. Each console manufacturer has their own first party titles that they try push so people can buy their consoles. PCs don't really have one. There was Clippy, but he was too good for this world. Rest in peace, old friend.

2 - Computers are kind of hard to put together. If it weren't for pcpartpicker, I probably wouldn't have the rig I'm using now. You need to do a lot of research, something not necessary for consoles.

3 - Optimization. When a dev makes a game for PC, he needs to make sure it runs reasonably well for just about every GPU under the sun. This is a task that is nigh impossible. Because of this, it's very easy to overlook or neglect something that would cause a bug for thousands of users. It's easier for devs to make a game for consoles because they only have one set of pieces they need to worry about. Although programming a game for multiple consoles has its own challenges. Namely, some consoles are easier than others. Third party games generally run better on Microsoft consoles than Sony ones. The difference is not material IMO, so if you really want a Sony console go nuts. With that said, Sony's first party titles generally look better than Microsoft's first party games. If it weren't for Arena I probably wouldn't have gotten back into MTG XD

Before that I used to play with actual cards at game stores.

Who told you this? There are more computer gamers than console games and have been since the 90's.

Over a 400% rise in pc gaming, pcs and parts due to the pandemic and popular influence in the last year and you come out with this?

Hello GeraltOfRivia_PL!

I am not so convinced that gaming consoles really are more popular (anymore).
In the past, I would have agreed, simply due to their "plug-&-play" nature, you can call it ease of use, and because they were/are more focussed, too.
Often the more specialized product inspires more confidence than a broader general purpose (master of none) equivalent.

Nowadays, gaming consoles, software distribution and updates are more and more similar to the experience on a personal computer. The major difference being more options in available input devices and their manufacturers for PC.
And due to the multiplatform releases or porting in both directions there are less and less game types or genres exclusive to one of those platforms.

One other aspect might be linked to the individual's gaming behaviour. Some people prefer to play games seated on their couch/sofa in front of a large (oversized) television screen, especially when possible with a friend or partner at their side.

I miss a little the old "plug-in and press start" times of consoles, on the other hand, the efforts of GOG.com and a community who provides wrappers, emulators and other tools for ease of play made it easier than ever.

Kind regards,
foxgog

Widespread advertising by the big boy publishers who support consoles ie MS and Sony etc. Exclusive titles on console (some get ported to PC later). Majority of PC's are used (and a smaller number of Macs) within the work sector still

As far as I know this isn't true at all.

The most popular games in the world are PC games (CrossFire, Minecraft, Fortnite, LoL, CSGO, PUBG, etc.).

The country with most gamers in the world is China and they pretty much only play on PC.

My understanding is that the two most popular gaming hardwares are PC and smartphones. Consoles are only really popular in some markets.

Just look how much Microsoft is investing in PC gaming, how Amazon is now making their own PC gaming platform, even Sony is bringing their games to Steam. If these companies believed the future of gaming was on consoles, they wouldn't be doing this.

pricing :its ridiculous to pay more then three times as much as for a console, i mean one console and 17 triple A titles equals a decent gaming rig

availability : ( hardware moves around the planet in mysterious ways )

Ease of life/comfort - true plug and play

Friends, there are literally millions more other players on the console to be found then on the pc

I made a mental bet that this was a Geralt of Rivia thread. Turns out...

I wonder if you are secretly a GoG shill who works to keep the forums active.