Game Design Consoles and Falling Behind the PC

     Something that has been a subject of both jest and debate, has been a console vs. a PC. While PC's have always had some advantages, like modding and better graphics, there was a time when PC games weren't too far ahead of their console competitors. That is no longer the case however. Not only do PC games offer more options for gaming, cheaper prices, and much more advanced graphics, they offer better gameplay, as well as faster loading speeds, but  they also offer better processing, more freedom within gameplay, larger games, and more gamer creativity, as well as much much more.

     I think that one of the biggest tells, is that the new systems for the consoles, the X-Box One and the Playstation 4, are not much more advanced than their predecessors, the X-Box 360 and the Playstation 3. The graphics and processing weren't improved all that greatly; look on a PC however, and the differences can be astounding. I think one of the best examples is for Grand Theft Auto 5, on the PC vs. the X-Box One. If you look at a car on the PC version, you'll almost think it's a photograph of an actual car, because the graphics are so advanced. If you look at it on a newer system like an X-Box One, you'll already know it's a video game from the graphics.

     The thing is, PC's have had all these advantages for years, and while we're not expecting consoles to be that advanced, I'd think that they would be much more improved than what they are. Even Forbes admits the advances of the PC over the console here. Even here where Nividia boss admits that, "No longer possible" for consoles to have better graphics than a PC.

     It isn't just about the graphics though; it's about the gameplay and game diversity. There is a plethora of gaming possibilities for a PC, while consoles only have limited options, because they only have what is released to them. Some aren't even backwards compatible, meaning they can't play earlier games in their series(like X-Box One can't play X-Box 360 games). A PC can play any game made for a PC. You can even make your own game if you know how(even though that can be difficult).

     Now, as much as I have loved consoles, I've always been a PC gamer, because I could just get whatever games I wanted for my PC. I'd always wanted consoles when they came out, but they were too expensive for me, along with their games. I've also found playing on a PC to be easier for me. The complain I have with consoles now though, isn't necessarily with graphics, or even their processing power(although they really should be more advanced), it's with the lack of creativity, and how they keep rehashing the same ideas through different games, and how they're seemingly held back in comparison with computer gaming.

     There are so many more options for a computer, and I'd like to see the consoles start to step up their game. I don't think they're going to seriously do that for a while, because making money while you're able to be lazy is easy, but I certainly hope that in the future, new faces take over the gaming industries and take them towards better directions for games, and for gamers.