PC and console gamers have always enjoyed a bit of a rivalry. Sometimes the relationship can be friendly, and other times a bit more strained. Have you ever wondered why there is a divide based on a gaming platform? Here you can find the details about Why Do PC Gamers Hate Console Players.
The roots of the feud go more in-depth and farther back in gaming history than you might imagine. As we explore the fascinating relationship between PC gamers and their console counterparts, read on to see how this battle developed into its current form.
Consoles Took a Back Seat to the PC Elite
For this kind of examination, some context is helpful. Today we live in a hyper-technological world, where cross-platform gaming is relatively standard. However, back in the early days of gaming, things were much different. Gamers from different systems never interacted in-game. Being able to play with someone on another platform was a distant pipe dream.
Games themselves were also segregated by the platform. If you wanted to play a particular game, you needed to buy the specific gaming system that the game ran on. There was very little cross-platform development going on.
Another critical factor is the technology gap. PCs were much less capable than today, but they were still leaps and bounds ahead of what the console systems could do. In those days, to experience games with the best graphics, sound, and performance, PC was your only option.
Because of this, a rift started to grow between PC and console gamers, with PC becoming the elite platform-of-choice for bleeding-edge gaming. Consoles were an alternative option for those not wanting to bother with the time and expense of setting up a PC for gaming. So PC became the premium standard for gaming, while consoles started to become second-class lesser-options.
PC’s Were an Investment
During this time, PC’s were a luxury item, not a household necessity. PCs were expensive and difficult to customize for the best gaming performance. It took specific knowledge of hardware and software to build a PC to run games well. These barriers made PC’s less attractive for those who wanted to play games and couldn’t afford the financial or time commitment of a PC.
Many people saw consoles as an easy, cheap alternative to playing games without breaking the bank. While there was some truth to consoles being more affordable and easier for gameplay, it only extended the rift between consoles and PCs.
Online Games were the PC’s Fame
Another aspect separating PC and console gamers was online multiplayer. In the early days of gaming, PC was the only platform that offered online functionality and online gaming. While consoles offered local two-player gaming, the PC dominated multiplayer gaming with experiences that consoles couldn’t match. Especially in the genre’s of First-Person Shooters, and Real-Time Strategy, it was not uncommon on PC to have twenty people playing on the same map. These massive multiplayer sessions had no equivalent on consoles.
Along with the rift that already existed, exclusive online gaming on PC just twisted the knife further. Even though the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis had some rudimentary online features using add-on cartridges, the service required an extra subscription.
Casual versus Hardcore
Everything we’ve seen has described why the rift between PC and console games has existed in the past, but there’s one modern anecdotal reason. There is an idea that PC gamers tend to be pro-gaming, while console gamers are more casual.
While there is nothing wrong with casual gaming, some PC players express disdain that consoles are more for children, while PC’s are more adult. In some sense, this is correct, as some games on PC aim for a more grown-up market, such as playing real casinos (more information here ).
Some PC gamers prefer not to play their console counterparts, expecting them not to be as skilled or act childish. These kinds of feelings stem a lot from the history which we looked at earlier. It will take time and good cross-platform gaming experiences for opinions to slowly change.
The Gamers Who Play Together…
Unlike in the past, cross-platform games are relatively common today, and in some cases, gamers from different platforms have been playing together without knowing it. With time, and an open mind, opinions can change, and all can enjoy good games.
