ButteredCrumpet

@SeverTheWicked I think it would no doubt have to be Silent Hill from me too! Despite what I have said in this thread, balance is everything, and I am happy to really get to grips with the next Control in the series.

I think it's just Silent Hill wins for me due to as you say, potentially being a shorter experience, and also for me it's got a history of rarely if ever truly disappointing me that spans so many years.

SH and Resident Evil just hit so hard with me for some reason!

@SeverTheWicked If you purchased both simultaneously, here's the question ... which would you want to play the intro to first?

@Rich33 Haha, very good point regarding Microsoft. After my last foray in working alongside their management, I can't honestly say I expect anything from them or their words. Not even in a spiteful way, just a consistently disappointed perspective as both a previous consumer of their products and services and colleague within their ecosystem.

I see this behaviour with the GTA community, same sort of comments from the supporters of the franchise, yet the very same people wasting no time in comment threads beneath other articles pulling down quite literally any company within the industry they can.

If we are all to continue to game, as in enjoy our hobby, then my only hope is that it remains healthy for as long as is financially viable. This saints versus sinners quick fire response from the community regarding the industry just seems so ill thought out at times.

If people say "Well, I can't blame Remedy for wanting to make money ..", surely as a business we can't blame any other either.

So, then as you rightfully point out with regards to your comments on how combative the statements can feel, it boils down to if all businesses are to make money, in what ways are we happy for them to behave whilst doing so?

Interesting thoughts to have, but no doubt ones that will never be meant to expand upon within the confinements of a thread such as this.

I do wish Remedy the best, but old car salesman patter such as "This product I stand to make a profit from by selling is the best for your life right now!" shall not wash.

Now if Remedy told me in a Q & A why they feel that way, funnily enough I'd likely be more sold. The why behind the patter is always more interesting of a story. Like why a sales person is desperate for a sale can likely lead to an interesting life story compared to the inanimate object he's peddling that's destined for landfill in 18 months.

Interesting to see developers such as Insomniac and Naughty Dog implement more and more user-friendly and approachable to all ways for people to play. Yet some determined to not.

Whilst recovering from a motorbike accident I have witnessed first hand what it is like to have difficulties with a game in some mental and/or physical fashion.

Being told I am not worthy by a developer to play their game and achieve what someone else can, because my doing so would make a person with said trophies feel fragile ... well, then I guess they don't get my money.

I just don't see how someone on their deathbed is going to be proud to have completed a Souls like game, maximum difficulty, got all the trophies and happier for it due to someone else not having it.

Whilst I do intend to recover perfectly well from my accident, there are many whom are born unable to of course "recover", or those that never shall from an accident. It just seems odd to exclude everyone who may love this style of game, from feeling like they can achieve something, just because it may hurt the fragile ego of another gamer.

All so inconsequential.

@Rich33 I echo that thought process.

To bring Microsoft, Nintendo and yes, even Sony as of late especially down in wanting and believing their vision is the best, yet not do the same for others in the industry seems a little off.

If Sony's idea of what they consider "best for the future of gaming on PlayStation" is disputed due to cost, surely a game that also costs money and might not be someone's cup of tea being pushed by the company that made it is to be scrutinised.

When saying it's a must have day one purchase, well, why? If I for example play Control Resonant (could prove to be an interesting title if not resonating with reviewers and public at large), say 5 years after release, how am I getting less value from their proposition?

I read must buy/must have/must own and feel that statement indicates if I don't I'll be lacking something, but if that something is an experience that will be no less of an experience in a years time, where does the "must" come into the equation other than to make a large sum of money to satisfy their Studio Heads?

And if that statement made is due to them wishing to make yet more and more money, surely they should be scrutinised just as much as all other developers, publishers and platform holders for wishing the same.

It's interesting watching people validate the behaviour they would otherwise bring down the moment it benefits them directly. It shows one thing is true, we all have an internal bias.

After playing this with my partner and a few others, I have to admit it's been a surprise hit within our little group. Can't get over how much we have laughed and just had all out fun with it.

Forgetting frame chasing, pixel pushing and so on, if fun as a few people together is what you're after, this is certainly a refreshing game to throw in the mix!

To me, Control played like a blurry, smearing mess. The entire art style, along with rendering process looked to me like Vaseline.

However, that was my being stubborn and sticking to 30FPS on base PS5, having now completed it elsewhere at 60 and above frames per second most of my woes were tempered considerably.

I recognise that's a me issue though, wanting the "pretty" yet also the frames for this particular game.

To this day it remains one of the only games I genuinely wanted to experience both the 60 and above frames, and maximum graphics as such, hence playing elsewhere.

Story wise though the entire premise of what Remedy offer is something I am interested in, so I shall never stop giving them an opportunity to grab me. I'll check out a bit of footage, few reviews and see where the wind blows, no doubt purchasing it at some point after release within the first 12 or so months.

@ShadowRJ Spot on! Though I did buy Super Meat Boy 3D for Switch 2, and adore the 2D one too, you’re exactly right. For me those don’t send me to a happy zone out place, love them, but my gosh I need breaks and fresh air and to take a moment haha.

Where as I can bang my head against a wall in a multiplayer shooter all day and to be honest not even remember half of it, but it’s chilled me out, I’ve been relaxed and so on.

Now, interestingly, which one I enjoy more also changes depending on the mood. I actually enjoy more of the games you’d use to chill out more, as in I’d gain more satisfaction from them.

But then CoD acts as the default palette cleanser I guess. The in between before I jump into my next “serious” game so to speak.

You’re spot on though, for many it comes down to just how we relax, and I think unless it’s harming someone else, it’s a very odd thing to peer into another persons home and critique how they relax.

@Oram77 Because people love to watch Rome burn my friend. There’s always been an intrinsic desire from humans to see others brought down. The haves and the have nots.

Even if someone doesn’t want to play GTA, there will be that someone that also wants to bring down everyone that does.

I don’t play Persona for example, doesn’t appeal to me, but I literally don’t have a positive or negative opinion about someone that does, I just hope they’re having fun playing.

People in general are very judgemental, and provide them with an online outlet not linked to their personal ID and you see it confirmed so much more loudly.

@ShadowRJ Exactly, very good point! I have work colleagues from the industry that have these games for life as I call them. Sort of like a bag for life from the supermarket.

Even once they start to look old and tattered, the company is then always ready to provide you another one.

But I know people who really do as you say, where it becomes their reason to turn on their console/PC, becomes the reason they game, becomes the reason they don’t play other games because to do so would mean less time in that game for life etc.

I personally have no issue with people playing one main game for years, it’s no different to people who have that game be Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout and so much more.

We see the same patterns with TV, people watch the same show for years, soap operas or repeats and so on.

It’s comfort food for those who just want to come home, zone out and not have to contend with anything new or potentially complicated and stressful. I totally get that.

It’s why I adore time in CoD or Destiny with friends and family, it’s not because we all want to lower our IQ, it’s because after a hard week sometimes it’s nice to just shut off and go to a place you know well.

You and I get that, and so does Rockstar, it would appear many don’t.

I guess it’s the mentality of if you can afford £70 or so, then you’re already close to £80-£90.

I mean you won’t pay that price if you use discount PSN sellers, like many of us do.

Then I suppose it may be that many in the fan community for it seem to be referring to the top tier version as the “real” one. Or the full game essentially, due to not wanting to miss out.

I’m not convinced to play it yet personally, but if you’re a fan of the franchise it’s easy to see why people would plump for it. You want the best you can afford of the things that bring you joy.

@get2sammyb Agreed, on my home internet, and even some great ones whilst travelling, it's amazing to experience Portal, genuinely at times I forget I'm using a streaming device.

Glad more and more options keep popping up for those using other devices to stream too, such as the Stream Deck and the App etc.

I’ve got the Switch 2 physically cartridge thingy for the ‘Part One’ collection, so I believe when I buy the ‘Part Two’ it comes with MGS 4.

So I’ve actually done this not for the portability, but so I avoid trophies haha. Because I’ve always wanted to get the trophies in it, and to get a few but not all would feel a shame after all this time.

So on S2 I get to not have the reminder. However, if I do by some remarkably implausible scenario happen to do well playing it after all this time, I may give it a shot on PlayStation too for the trophies.

MGS as a series, despite it all being absolutely bat s**t crazy, holds a dear place in my heart. A lot of great memories linked to it.

I’m so excited for this, can’t wait to jump in and get started. Bring on the drifting! I’m here for it all!

The great thing with these trophies is if I or others don’t find the game appealing if trying to obtain them, just don’t! The game itself should speak for itself without them.

Much like how I’ll get this for Switch 2 as well, and I won’t be able to gain one single trophy in it, and I seriously doubt with all the fun on offer I’ll care one little bit.

So I’ll give it a shot, but failing that I know I’ll have a blast either way.

@SoulsBourne128 Agreed, a port, one that is charged to the public as an item for sale needs to be either released in a great playable state or not at all.

My belief of this (which I can safely say used to be the general consensus), is if you release any game on any platform, it should play to the best of its ability on said platform.

@nomither6 So why be here?

@tameshiyaku I don’t use AI, as it’s just regurgitated plagiarism for the weak minded.

And again, like the other commenter attempting to be insightful and ending up as a hypocritically working against themselves, pointing out the length of responses.

You do realise moaning, and berrating someone for their thought out responses, forming a conversation, alluding to their length being too long … is an insult to your own intelligence, right?

We all need to at a minimum understand this. I know social media has trained many a human psyche to believe in shorter responses being more meaningful, yet that doesn’t stand when all you bring to the table is an insult.

Your stating, now as the second person with nothing to add other than an insult, that my responses are lengthy, is actually you openly stating you don’t find your reading comprehension and attention span to be significant enough to enter into this debate.

I suggest if you fail to see the relevance in what I am writing you make a formal complaint to those for which have been responsible for your education, as they have deeply failed you.

And with that, we go on into the next day, on the ignore list and live no doubt a happier life for it.

Re-read what you wrote, it literally is just an insult, nothing to add to this site, this conversation, nothing. Yet you did so in an effort to claim my efforts are less than yours and in the same ilk as AI, that’s it, that’s all after hours of this article you wish to bring to the table.

I don’t live for ignoring people on this site, as I think it’s great that we share our differing opinions, but all you’ve done is prove you have no opinion, so makes you less worthy of a commentator than an actual AI program embedded in a data centre.

Essentially, with no opinion and just insults you serve no purpose in a conversation amongst adults, and as such, I shall ignore. I hope you really go on to do great things in your life, and remember to give the things you love in life more attention than you pay to your writing.

All the best stranger, may you forever remain one to me.

@Kingy Yep, still a child. Such a shame, didn’t even want to defend yourself one bit. You’re literally the kind of person you first described in your rebuttals to Northern Munkey.

One day you’ll learn, but I suspect it shall not be today.

I do wish you well though, been a wonderful time being proven right so consistently about my assumptions of you.

@BAMozzy So then what is it you’re proposing? Because you find PC appealing literally a few hundred million people should move to using PC’s?

You mention PC has far more games, which is undeniable, but then those games couldn’t possibly be played within a human lifetime, nor are the majority what many gamers here wish to play.

Remember, if these titles that are available on PC only, along with the PC ecosystem looked appealing, more so than what is available to many on console, people would have already moved.

So I know it may not feel like it, but you’re writing a lot of what makes you feel aligned with PC, which is great, but it’s not a set of points that appeal to many millions of people.

Say more games, okay but if I don’t wish to play them or they don’t appeal to me, how is it a benefit that they now exist to be potentially added to my library?

If we then say as you do that 4K isn’t that important and that frame-rate is more important, okay, but again that’s your opinion. My wife literally can’t tell the difference between 30-60FPS to the point it’s resulted in minor arguments between us, same for my daughter.

So, again, what you consider important isn’t to them.

Then yes, consoles are increasing in price, but then so are PC parts. Both are rising considerably right now.

Should people move to PC from Switch 2 as the price is increasing and leave behind the catalogue of Switch games?

Should a PlayStation gamer who has amassed a great library digitally then move to PC and forget the hundreds and thousands of games they got in their digital library?

All your points allude to the fact you prefer it on PC, but those points aren’t ones that match the majority of console players.

We know it doesn’t, otherwise consoles wouldn’t sell in the numbers they do.

All you have to remember is you’re happy on PC, if you’re happy on PC and not wishing to play exclusives from any console much unless it’s Xbox, again I don’t see that as a bad thing at all.

But that’s not how many millions see gaming for them as an experience they wish to enjoy.

So, what is it you’re actually proposing? You come off this site, as we all do, leave the ecosystem immediately, buy into PC and that’s it? Should no one use consoles anymore?

@Kingy Yep, definitely a young adult.

Allow me to simplify things for you, as clearly it’s needed.

1) A diatribe of words uses roughly the same amount of calories as breathing. So assuming I was close to rest state metabolically, it would mean my diatribe did indeed contain/use calories.

What you really meant was it provided no substance, was lacking in true meaning and wasn’t containing anything worth your time. See how that sounds so much more well thought out as a paragraph than what you wrote? It contains impact as a statement, yours just relates to a moot point. A moot point when served as a proposition for a debate only serves to weaken it.

Basically, you are taking a cheap, ill thought out attempt to pad your chest out and insult me, giving the impression my words mean nothing. However, seeing as in this online space we are equal unless proving otherwise, my words mean nothing less than yours.

However I choose to stage them certainly shows a lot more impact. That’s the difference.

2) I don’t use Reddit, nor would I want any title there, as it holds no power and is simply only a falsehood to prop up people who wish to command control over others. Likely due to having little to no real power in the physical world they inhabit. If anything a moderator there would have shut this conversation down long before now. I want conversations to be had, not less. Again, moot point, as you’ve mentioned a platform I don’t use and alluded to my wanting to obtain a title there I do not wish. So another moot point.

3) You mention wanting me to use my best witty remark, but that’s just it, it’s impossible to choose, I have so many. Especially when it comes to your straw man arguments to bring someone down. I mean the list is nigh on endless.

So what you really mean, is again, due to your lack of maturity you wish for quick, snappy, TikTok/X remarks to be made so you can fire quick and snappy (what you believe are well thought out), comments back at people.

I get that, but that’s not a conversation of any substance. You haven’t addressed the fact your statement of fact regarding the word sarcasm was incorrect, which propped up your entire argument, you haven’t addressed the fact you’re a hypocrite for then stating people wish to avoid ridicule (which assumes you feel they should have ridicule), for gaming, despite asking a commenter to think about how their comments come across.

This isn’t even getting in to the fact you then went on to use the blanket statement of addiction.

Honestly, I could go on, but as you’ve made clear, you don’t want a conversation, you want to express your opinion, then leave.

Witty comments though, if you want them, Munkey and I have that covered if that’s all you want.

Now go watch some old British comedies and learn how to play along better, honestly I’m fine to be insulted, but you’re just throwing a stone at a wall only to hit yourself.

@Kingy

sarcasm /sär′kăz″əm/
noun

A cutting, often ironic remark intended to express contempt or ridicule. A form of wit characterized by the use of such remarks. "detected a hint of sarcasm in his voice."

A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest.

"Sacrcasm is when I believe something, but I don't want the stigma associated with said beliefs so I say it's just a joke bro."

Sarcasm is not remotely something you believe, but don't want the stigma associated with said belief.

That is how you choose to interpret sarcasm, however, that is not how the world, or many dictionaries of the world interpret the world.

And as for your comments regarding (sarcasm used correctly) "why can't I just indulge in my addiction without shame ..."

Well, for many it isn't actually an addiction, because we are psychologically healthy, grown men and women with lives and responsibilities and it's a hobby.

In addition, shame, ah, that old chestnut. Yes, again, we adults do not care, nor wish to be shamed, not because it hurts our precious feelings. This isn't Primary or High School, it's the fact that no one has the right to shame someone for a choice in which is hurting no one else in their personal lives.

If I load a disc into my PS5, I am in no way shape or form impacting your life, the moment you jump on here and indicate people are being precious over not wishing to receive shame, well, that makes you immediately look immature.

I am guessing you're quite young, and if not, at least you now know how you come across in written form. However, you seem to be using many arguments for your own thinking to then attempt to pull down someone else, when in fact it's you who have proven far more about yourself than a "Munkey" who also happens to be Northern in decent.

Both the digital licensing issues and the soulless live service slop you mention are things the person you tagged has even accused Sony of doing too in the past.

So, really, in essence you're either preaching to the choir and he will agree with some of your points being of importance, or you're wrong in other regards due to your lack of understanding of what sarcasm means.

And if you do genuinely believe "Sony's mid-ass video games" are that "mid-ass", whatever the hell that means to children nowadays, then why in the world are you on a PS5 news site or even using a PlayStation.

Honestly, the way you word things indicate you're either from a 1990 Blockbuster in Seattle, or you're young, so either a time traveller, or I'm having a stroke fuelled day dream or you're young.

Genuinely feels like I'm in the world of Bill & Ted.

Either way, I suggest the game of chess you're playing stops until you know the rules of the game, because you will not win. Start with checkers, read up about sarcasm from a Dictionary (not Urban), and go ahead with your day.

I will give you one crumpet for your safe travels and passage through the time machine you used to get here, and please close the Stargate afterwards.

@BAMozzy Part two, sorry everyone! Now, of course, we could say we shall build a PC from cheaper parts second hand, or we could use a pre-built or own made from a different company, but then we start to lose what a console gamer finds appealing, and complications and cost can start to rise, or lower of course if second hand. Yet if we want to go that route, I can buy a console second hand and find a deal, and I can use discounts to get cloud storage from PlayStation too.

So, this is why it’s important to remember, whilst a PC does come with the same, or more of an upfront cost of console, yes it does save money on cloud storage, but then the cost of the PC to get what makes console great in the first place starts to bring the cost over 7 years to a near identical figure, if not more.

And I’m not going to get into how you can buy a PC for less to game on a 1080p monitor as you stated, as if you think most console gamers are ditching their family, their social element, their sofa, and their TV for a 1080p monitor you must lead a very different life to a console gamer indeed. (not an insult of course, but no, I don’t know anyone who wants to give up all that and to get the same or less performance).

And yes, backwards compatibility, this, again, I think is a great point, but like many a console gamer, I can either keep my consoles over time, much like people can rebuild a PC, or buy new parts, and I can play the PS3 game on the PS3. Or, of course, like many console gamers I could just move on with my life and stay focused on the here and now. I am 40, a demanding job, married and have a kid, I don’t want to waste time playing a game repeatedly that I’ve played 20 years ago.

So whilst I completely agree with you and stated to another commentor that is indeed an amazing benefit to PC gaming, it’s not a benefit to someone like me, my friends or family who have no use for it and never really would take advantage of it.

Your PC gaming is your personal preference, same with console gaming for a console gamer, and whilst we can both agree certain features appeal to us both one over the other, we will find that most agree that this comes down to personal preferences, and no matter how beneficial I find something or you do, it isn’t a selling point if the person you’re speaking to won’t benefit from it.

So for you, do I think PC works best, and is by far the best platform for you? Yes. Given your strong points for many reasons why you prefer it. Do I think your points hold true for anyone I know who loves console gaming for the reasons I have pointed out? No. Your truth regarding PC preferences is not the absolute truth when it comes to others.

@BAMozzy Apologies this is two parts, you know the deal, website hates well thought out comments due to peoples attention spans etc. You make some excellent points! However, to counter them (no, onlookers beware at cheap insults, I’m not doing this because I hate this gentleman or want to throw slurs):

PS Plus is a paid subscription, and in part, provides cloud storage. Now, it’s important to remember that like Gmail, or Steam Cloud Saves, nothing free comes at no cost, instead you are the product they are otherwise selling to others, the payment for your data and intrusion of privacy in some cases is payment in the form of a “free service”. Whilst I don’t claim to legally know what Valve intend to do with that data, it’s safe to say with their Steam OS motivations, Steam Deck, Steam Machine and so on, their long term goal is to create a console like ecosystem, lock one in so to speak. Either that or they are completely thick in the respect of business growth and market share aspirations, which I don’t believe they are.

So, getting that out of the way, that a company that doesn’t care if you are alive or not, isn’t going to want you using their data farms without getting something from it, let’s break down the costs.

PS Plus Essential (I’m going to go full price for this as it’s only fair and supports your points more), costs £59.99 a year. This provides you with cloud storage, some “free” games and something else I can’t remember currently. So, the average console lifespan is say 7 years, so over 7 years that is £419.93. Remember, this is without a discount, which most users likely do, through ShopTo, Loaded and so forth.

Now, PS5 Digital costs new £519.99, so the combined hardware and cloud storage cost over 7 years is £939.32. If buying at the start of the generation, as one normally would as a fan so to speak, the PS5 Digital was £350, bringing the total to £769.93. Let’s therefore look at both.

I am in the market let’s say, for replacing my PS5 Digital, I am a typical gamer, and don’t want to move off my bottom, don’t want office chairs much as I work in one all day, and want the social element of the living room sofa, and the benefit of my 65 inch TV. Let’s go with Steam Machine, I need a controller, because I’ve now sold my PS5 console.

This means I would need to pay £938, this gets me a well made “console like” experience for my living room, it gets me similar performance to a base PS5, sometimes a little worse, sometimes a little better, and it gets me a controller. It also gets me the benefit of seeing the owner of the company spending money on a yacht instead of a treadmill. All wonderful!

However, no developer focuses all their efforts on that Steam Machine solely, yes they will make the odd tweak to get the advertisement of “Steam Machine Approved”, but for the most part, that box of hardware will never be fully taken advantage of, ever.

So for 7 years of owning a Steam Machine (which is outdated as a console like experience the moment PS6 releases), I have to pay almost to the penny the same amount, to get into the PC ecosystem, and to feel I have the comparative experience (sofa, smaller footprint, lack of noise generation, heat generation and lower TDP, ease of OS interface and simplicity of loading a game).

@Jey887 Correct, you have hit the nail on the head, it's validation. Whether consciously, or subconsciously, many a person likes to feel their purchases (especially of large sums) are validated in being "worth it".

The problem begins when a stranger starts telling another stranger a platform is better, yet when pressed on the matter, they go on to list all their opinions of why it's better for them.

Whilst great, those opinions will not be absolute fact when it comes to another persons experiences in life and with this hobby.

I, like you, miss when a gaming forum was more geared towards the discussion of gaming. I have never cared for a persons platform of choice, but I do care when someone tries to state one platform is the absolute best for everyone universally, because that quite literally isn't factual and universally the truth.

Then of course, offer up balance in the conversation, and you are accused of being a Bot or Shill. Yet that alone shows these people have their own concerns that are emotionally based as their motive, as the moment someone offers balance they have an emotionally triggering response.

@Leinad7 PC prices aren’t stagnant, I have 64GB of DDR5 RAM in my work PC, not only does it now cost someone to buy my exact brand around the same price as a PS5 Pro, it’s also much slower RAM than the PS6.

My PC currently can’t render a frame in some cases as fast as a PS6, and that’s a PC with a 5090, AMD Threadripper (got that for free from work), and 64GB of DDR5 RAM.

Even if say for arguments sake the PS6 releases for between £1,000 - £1,500.

Okay, well then it’s already quicker than my PC, more efficient wattage wise by literally hundreds of watts, doesn’t require any adjusting, configuration changes, and much more.

Just my RAM, nothing else, costs more than a PS5 Pro, and whilst my PC could push Cyberpunk a whole hell of a lot more, that’s not going to matter to someone who’s happy with 30-60 FPS and doesn’t care for ray tracing never mind path tracing.

Console prices go up because of manufacturing costs in the entire technology industry going up, hence, PC prices also go up. A high priced console to many will still be cheaper than the equivalent PC to build, ignoring the fact no PC is actually catered for by Devs, and as such requires more overhead in many cases for obvious reasons.

There are many reasons to go to PC, or console, or use both, or none in fact. However, price is not the reason to go to PC, not if you care about upfront cost (many commenters clearly do as they keep mentioning the upfront cost of the PS6), or your electricity bill (only getting higher each year).

@nessisonett You make some great points, with regards to what you find appealing on PC as a platform. I agree, in fact I’d say the two main points you listed (backwards compatibility over literal decades, and Mods) are the biggest draws for PC as an ecosystem.

As in, much of everything else is far more of a preference, it’s not black and white and it’s certainly not remotely as close as people like to paint depending on the operating system, configuration, game, Devs involved and blah blah.

However, emulation/backwards compatibility and Mods are the biggest points of reference due to it not being remotely a preference. As in, if someone prefers to duck in and out of using Mods, or likes to go back and play emulated or just older games, by default the winner by a landslide will be PC every single time.

So, as far as your main points for why you prefer your experience at times on PC, that’s a perfect example of how that is by far the best place for you for your needs.

Now if someone just wants the latest releases, doesn’t find backwards compatibility a thing they desire, and just wants to press a button and go (my wife/sister/child), then that’s where it gets swung the other way.

That’s why I think it’s amazing people still game on PC and have it as an option, but it’s also why I don’t think blanket statements like it’s “better” help anyone. Because it categorically is better, but only at some things for some people.

Of course, same applies to console. So when people just don’t take into account a users preference on here, don’t take into account their gaming habits and desires and blindly suggest an entirely different ecosystem, it’s going to be a rocky road.

Because if I recommend PC to a friend on here based on why I like PC, if they don’t plan to use those features I’m going to regret telling them it’s better.

Very good points you made though, excellent selling points of PC for those that want them, but if selling it to my family you’d just be told they’re not points worth their time, which again is a problem when people blindly suggest anything is better for all not uniquely for a purpose that suits the curious person asking all the time.

@Shwing Thank you! I just don’t want people being lied to about a purchase that could cost them thousands of pounds, cost time and money in man hours to setup and manage, cost far more to run on electricity (depending on country and economics the way they are), and lose out in the long run.

I just think it’s important when comparing two platforms to go with what’s actually important already for someone like the original poster, because if they haven’t been drawn to PC and stuck with it in decades of their life, there’s a likelihood much of the perceived “benefits” of PC won’t appeal.

People can say GoG or Steam sales, or extra bits to fiddle with all they want, but then that’s been available for years, and they still chose PS1,2,3,4,5. So if something keeps them in the ecosystem, does it get fixed by moving to PC?

Physical, no. Exclusives from Sony, no. Speed of booting a game, most cases no. Knowing everyone with the console is experiencing the same, no. The lack of Microsoft predatory tracking, no. The list is endless.

There are benefits to PC, many in fact, but even with all the benefits, someone who’s used to console gaming will get sold down a river if they think it’s going to be even remotely similar as an experience.

I want people to game whenever they want. I don’t work as a Dev to care how or where people game, but I’d be lying if I said PC development is anything to look forward to, and I’d be lying if I said they’re truly ever catered to by developers at large.

So I want a customer, or potential customer to know that. Yes Sony doesn’t care at large, but nor does Microsoft, and developers won’t ever truly just push the most out of the hardware. So then it becomes a race to the bottom financially.

A PC fits a very specific niche of society for gaming, and that’s awesome, it should exist, but there’s a reason most casually game on console, because they don’t fit that niche. So shoehorning them into that ecosystem is going to sometimes create more issues than there were to begin with on a console platform.

I mean my PC crashes just creating assets for games, and people think that’s a better experience than console? They clearly haven’t used console!

@GamingGod Just stick to what you know, the ecosystem you like, your sofa, lack of Windows, and Devs like me not lying and saying it’s better on PC due to optimisation.

Games in some cases can run “better” on PC due to brute force, not remotely due to optimisation in many cases.

Yes, on my £3,500 work PC funnily enough it makes a lot of PS5 Pro footage look less appealing, yes, in many games I can get 120FPS more reliably and in some use far more ray tracing, or enhanced scaling of rendering and texture assets being higher.

However, and it’s a big however, of course it does this due to the hardware power envelope being a lot higher, which in turn costs a lot more, both upfront and wattage to run.

Look at PS5, under another username here I remember people ignoring me and having to wait a year or two to even start catching up on some of the loading times of a PS5 for many times the price.

The same will be the case for PS6, if you want some, not all games to look “better” or play “smoother”, then you can buy a PC and maintain it.

However, after losing all your ecosystem and previous purchases become void, you’ll have spent much more than a PS6.

Then of course there’s the argument “but a pc can do more”. Yes, yes it can by design. But are you a gamer, or someone who wants to spend hundreds or thousands more on a PC versus PS6, so that you can sometimes edit a Word document on a monitor to the side of your game?

If you like console, do yourself a favour and stick to it if that’s where you’ve been comfortable most of your life. PC gaming offers “more”, but it isn’t by default “best” for everyone, or we’d all game on PC, none of us would speak of console gaming again and this site would close.

You will get a PS6 performance out of a PC, but it’ll cost more, and it’ll be a PC, no PS5 discs will work, no digital purchases will work and you’ll never get any exclusives.

Do what feels right for you, not what other people suggest to help prop up their own gaming experience decisions.

With a console, you know for 7 or so years us Devs are working to get games working exactly as they should to the best of their ability on the hardware, yes we sometimes mess up. However, on PC we just truly care so little in comparison, and rely so much more on brute force, due to all the complex combinations of parts, software installed and so on.

So if you want 7 years of knowing everyone on that platform is seeing what you see, console. If you want to spend your retirement chasing more, knowing whatever you buy someone has much better, get PC.

I am well aware you’re frustrated with the whole physical thing. But don’t let that be the reason to change your entire gaming habits when you’re not gaining what you feel you’ve lost on PlayStation, you’re losing physical to still lose physical and have more of an upfront cost, maintenance and a LOT more unpredictability performance wise.

I used to love PC gaming, but you tire of chasing frames when you’re older with a family. You just want to boot up a game and play.

And trust me, I’ll be here when the 6 releases. And I’ll happily go through the setup costs for an equal PC at the time with you.

For reference I’m currently using a Threadripper and a 5090 and it still renders some scenes slower than the Dev Kit. Due to compression differences, sheer throughput of having RAM up the backside of the CPU cores and GPU cores etc.

@DennisReynolds Stop summoning Bloody Mary!

I'm glad the chap found his true calling in life, which is clearly to state the obvious and what articles have already shown thus far. PC port not that great, real shocker there given the configurations for such.

However, one positive thing to remember, is that no one is buying a PS6 are they? So given that, with everyone moving to PC, us developers will then be able focus on the platform.

I for one certainly look forward to catering towards the Microsoft spyware community more, at least I'll know to invest more heavily into Microsoft shares once everyone finally makes their minds up.

@Northern_munkey Oh, I'll remind them, I'll even keep a spreadsheet.

@Dampsponge Oh my gosh, Toy Racers! That's the game I was trying to remember the other day! I wanted to pick it up when I'm in Japan, and then get a UK copy too. Just to sit in my cabinet more than anything.

I could not for the life of me remember, huh, well the more you know, thank you!

I also remember getting the 56K modem adapter, Toy Racers and then Chu Chu Rocket, it was a free Dreamcast game you could ask SEGA for on disc, and sure enough it arrived and I was hooked for a while.

Pro Jank Footy for me on PS5 and S2. That is all, thank you please.

@Rich33 Indeed, with regards to your last point, one would likely be best to assume given the anecdotal evidence here, and the wider evidence of the market behaviour one thing is true above all else.

That would be trends seem to be emerging as clearly winning out, in respect of people at large (not all of course, but a majority), shall always choose enjoyment and pleasure as a whole from this hobby and passion, rather than to deny themselves for the purpose of a line in the sand.

We know publishers and Sony see this too, as they've literally stated as much. Trends towards digital being seen as more favourable have been increasing within the gaming space, due to no doubt convenience and instant gratification being major emotional players.

To many, those emotional pulls are greater than physical benefits offered at large.

I appreciate physical in many a form of entertainment, and consider myself even a collector of many an item available, yet I shall never falsely claim I have any more importance over people within the community, and I shall never claim that I am a majority.

The superiority complex both sides of this fence are displaying is what is saddening above all else to me. That along with the fact that there is a disconcerting lack of understanding for the consumer argument being one which involves the same coin, and if we could all stop focusing on which side is better, the better place we shall all be in.

Right now people seem to be wanting to very much declare which side of a fence they stand, where as I stand on both, yet just shake my head in utter dismay, knowing my rights aren't any different no matter the side I am on ... and that is what should be the focus of this.

If we persuade Sony to not stop production of discs, say we do that tomorrow, brilliant, we haven't actually changed the rights of consumers in any way shape or form. As I have said elsewhere, a license on a disc, no matter how much of the game or how little it contains, is a license that can be legally revoked. Then unless trading it directly with you and I, a disc would then need to go through a third party that again profits off this exchange.

So again, we get discs, brilliant, progress for some of the gamers of the world, then what? We all happy with the rights the way they are? Because I never have been, and yet it seems a legal right to nothing but a digital license on a disc is all people need to feel placated by these businesses.

I just wish people understood I am not defending Sony, I am actually asking the entire industry to do more to change the rights surrounding the entire system, to benefit us all. Having discs does nothing more for the community than what has always been. I want more than, not less than, and the answer to that isn't just discs.

@Dampsponge That would be an excellent choice! My gosh I miss SEGA consoles, I will forever cherish my time with my Dreamcast, and loved the interactive memory card almost as much as the games haha.

@Dampsponge What will you choose for your last game? Had any thoughts on the last ever game you play?

I vote Pappa the Rapper, whilst on LSD, but seeing as that likely isn’t legal, maybe a light shandy and some party poppers.

@ecurb7 Your comment made me chuckle, so thank you! Keep the humour flowing, the last thing this place needs is to tighten its grip on squeezing out the fun that can still be had.

I'm really looking forward to 2027 in the gaming landscape, going to be quite a lot going on that I can't wait to experience!

Some good reminders from the list mentioned actually, so thank you for that! Bring on so many of them as soon as possible!

Oh, and just so we are clear, I shall be asking for donations for all my future purchases on the Sony platform if someone wishes to tell me which item, be it digital or physical I should purchase next.

I haven't set up a GoFundMe yet, so hold off on the generosity for the moment.

(This is humour in good faith, feel free to smirk or laugh)

@Rich33 For additional example:

This was a part quote taken from a user of this site on another article that has just been posted, aimed at another user "But hey, bend over the table again for Sony and billionaire CEOs."

This, someone claiming physical games should continue of course, however, I would like to point out, that again, this is a hypocrisy ... because where do people think the physical gaming purchases line?

I buy it second-hand, okay, I have just lined the pockets of CEX, a company that prides itself on mismanagement, stolen goods*, massive churn, lay-offs and only supports the company in the same way Bob down the road does selling his wares on Facebook Marketplace.

If I buy physical, yet I buy new, I then support a store that likely is about as ethically sound as Game/GameStop, and also support Sony directly.

So again, just moments after our discussion, there's already evidence of another commenter being called "pathetic" and likening them to a shill for ... supporting Sony ... which physical purchases support when buying from new, and if second hand, they have still supported Sony by buying their console and potentially paying for PS Plus along with preaching about Sony games online.

I'm just not sure people are really thinking about how they come across in many walks of life, it's as if the point itself is lost amongst the desire to just be angry at something, always, just be angry, no matter what, who, be angry.

*Allegedly.

@Rich33 Indeed, a very good point to have made as an example of how we can all have conflicting narratives in our judgements, decisions and actions daily. Like you have just done, it's how we then step back (knowing when of course), and how to see things both introspectively and as the viewer to our own internal dialogue we're choosing to externalise. That is when we start to see true progress.

As a community we spend so much time collectively dancing around one another we don't actually get to the point very often. Once we do, all parties disband and get nowhere, due to being exhausted with it all.

If I say I like physical, because I like to keep games/music/film so that I can preserve them for future generations. We know, though as beautifully emotionally triggering as that may, painting a gorgeous image ... I'm likely never going to let my neighbours or strangers in my house to play those games in twenty years, I am never going to loan them out to the public, and I'm never going to actually preserve anything for anyone within society and only for myself.

I want, is never a good way to start a defence to anything remaining in production. It needs to be far more impactful than someone filling space in their home or hearts. Businesses don’t speak “Timmy wants and Timmy should have”.

My saying I like digital because it's a beautiful way to save the planet, again, doesn't really hold up either whilst I am investing in oil, or buying anything remotely plastic, or having a bonfire next Tuesday etc. This is all to say, those types of arguments, discussions don't need to stop, of course people have the right to exercise free will. However, much like the comments I have seen stating "but they have a right to be angry or emotional".

Of course, of course people do, but they also have a responsibility as an adult to conduct themselves accordingly, as just as grief of a parent won't allow me to introduce libel and slander into someone's life, grief of a license on a storage medium doesn't give one the right to bring others down either.

Instead, I am witnessing a large group of people state they want to remain angry, have a right to be angry, want a solution, and yet are not providing meaningful ways to push forward with anything. So yes, they are entitled to be angry, but there's a difference between being entitled to feel human emotion and acting entitled. Two very different meanings.

I shouldn't be told I am a shill to a company, or an idiot or whatever else, because I sometimes buy digital, from someone who posts images of all of the physical merchandise of a company they wish to bring down, claiming how amazing it is to have those physical billboards in their home so proudly.

Most have likely spent more than I did on Sony in many months prior to making statements that indicate I am the shill, yet I am the one who likely spent less, and likely didn't post photos showing the world all the "Sony" branded games I have. Like I have said numerous times, as have you, we either need to all agree to at large come up with non-emotionally injected ways to put points and counter points together, then decide on action, or realise our words mean nothing and therefore aren’t likely worth getting frustrated over.

@Zuljaras I do completely agree there, I really do. There have been many an occasion I have just wanted to say and do a lot more than I would be able to, purely out of how people choose to respond or discuss being borderline vile or illegal. Then at best just utterly stupid.

So I do really sympathise in that regard, "Shill" has become a catch all term that at least gets a point across in a roundabout manner.

If I am ever being a moron, do feel free to tell me though! I assure you I'd rather be told sooner than later. So never worry about it with me.

I mean yesterday a bloke called me a "nonce" because I tried to inform him of what a straw man and illogical argument was.

Needless to say his comment was (rightly) removed, but that's just one example of how I most certainly wanted to say a lot more in that moment haha.

@Zuljaras

"People defending less choice like their lives depend on it are called shills."

Whilst I agree defending less choice for oneself and others is naive, short-sighted and even rather immature and a snap judgement of someone they shall later likely regret, just wanted you to know it's not actually remotely what a "Shill" means.

What you would be much better off saying is that these people lack the foresight to realise their opinion may not benefit themselves or others long-term. Or to put it bluntly, they are behaving thick as pig ... you get the idea.

However, a shill, no, they are not shills.

Remember, if you want to make a mockery of someone's opinion (depending on their opinion that may be considered fair game), just make sure you're not calling them something that doesn't make sense.

Otherwise the only one being silently mocked is the one that didn't look at a dictionary before spewing from it.

But yes, agreed, people need to think about what they say before they say it, and it is short-sighted of them in many a way, but thinking before speaking does apply to all not one.

@Rich33 Excellently written! To those of us that are not aware, a "Shill" is to promote, push or otherwise be a spokesperson for a brand, whilst hiding ones invested interest from those whom you speak to/with/at.

Many people have pensions/investments, many here do not publicly disclose the details of the particular assets within to us, strangers online, entirely reasonable. Many likely don't have a breakdown from their investment provider even if they wanted to disclose that information.

Yet, many of these portfolios, as has been the case for decades, invest in rather questionable and morally/ethically questionable things to gain returns that are more reliable to predict. Things like oil, weapons manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, AI, Tech Industry in general and so forth. As we all know (or should), it's a broad spectrum, to give the most guaranteed outcome.

If a "Shill" is one that pushes an agenda on behalf of a business, or speaks to the public regarding them without disclosing their financial investment in said company ... a lot would be eligible.

Many people who are pushing the physical debate, seem to like collecting, with the purpose of keeping said items and looking at them, showing them to others, or indeed most likely in many cases selling them off in a trade/second-hand market.

Some of those games may go on to fetch high sums in the future, especially certain generations, consoles and limited runs ... like the price of Alien Isolation for Switch 1 on eBay right now.

Therefore, we know a lot of these who claim to be, and indeed are collectors, technically could fall under investors too. Ergo, we can all in some way be perceived as a "Shill", the definition in many a dictionary does not require a cheque to be wrote, or an official declaration of the company and person in question.

If someone here in this thread collects physical, posts about their glorious collection, then goes on to ever sell them in the future, whilst blowing into the wind how wonderful they are as gaming experiences. Technically, that is a "Shill". I mean, if they have banded around their love for the game, or games, or console, and the brand at any point here, and then go on to sell, or keep their copies of said items, they are playing a part in both manipulating a market and potentially benefiting from it. If they then don't notify me of this, yet could have swayed my decisions on purchasing, again, this could be seen as a "Shill"

More than anything, as you have stated, many a person need think carefully about what they say, because some come across very naive to their own pensions, investments and how collecting actually can be seen as "Shilling" and "Supporting" and brand "ambassador" esque.

As you very rightly said, this conversation "this" meaning consumer licensing rights, surrounding all forms of entertainment to which can be "purchased" needs substantial over hauls, in the benefit of all. Talk of anything else, is simply down to preference and makes no substantial argument towards the bettering of the entertainment landscape.

Outcry, over a young adult in a skin tight suit not looking quite to their liking, in a game not following the films story and not featuring the same actors?

Gosh, I hope that’s an exaggerated article, otherwise people have so much more free time and far less to worry about in life than they claim online.

I will not be popping back to the game for a new suit, but I do hope for those that do it’s everything they ever dreamed of and more.

Got some travelling that needs to be done for work (which mostly involves Japanese translators … fun). So that, then taking my shiny new but incredibly dull and boring looking Switch 2 with me abroad.

Hope everyone has a great time whatever they’re doing, unless of course we’ve not liked each other on here … in which case I hope your crumpets fall buttered side down.

@LogicStrikesAgain Currently have some William Orbit on (following his very recent passing), then previously to that was Nine Inch Nails, Garfunkel and Garfunkel's latest album, however ... the missus is convinced she bought some vinyl by Jon & Vangelis, so she's on a mission to go see now whilst I attempt to pack a suitcase for Japan (long story).

@Rich33 Cheers mucka!

@IntrepidWombat Exactly, a Saville Row deep rich blue suit, along with business class at most is all anyone requires in life as a maximum, in those two categories of course.

Anyone travelling private likely finds themselves in life to be disliked more than I am in these comments.