23 comments

• 

  papa

  10 months ago

  U r a Luzr ;-0
  
  Kidding. Kidding. I think you have the cred since you are still a "gamer". Your platform of choice just happens to be the PC.
  
  My primary gaming platform for a long time had been the computer. Of course, as a long time Apple user, I envied all the games on Windows. So eventually I got a PC just for gaming. I only got into console gaming a couple years back with the PS2 (my first console since a Colecovision). I enjoyed it somewhat. I then tried out handheld gaming with a PSP and discovered I didn't really like handheld gaming so much.
  
  Most recently, I got a PS3 for the blu-ray capability and for some gaming. I don't do much PC gaming these days since I no longer own a windows machine (I'm not counting my boot-campable Intel Macs).
  
  Here's what I like about console gaming:
  * The wireless controllers: You can lounge in the couch and play games. It's very satisfying and relaxing.
  * Compatability: You don't have to mess with hardware requirements and the like or constantly upgrade to the newest graphics card. Yes, this comes at a cost, but it's sure as hell easy to just grab a title that says PS3 and pop it in and not fret about framerates, overheating your machine and the like.
  * The social aspect: Games can be social? Surprisingly...yes. Side-by-side play with one or more individuals, imho, is one of the best aspects of console gaming. Now I love online gaming too, but sitting next to someone or with a group of people playing a game has a completely different feel/vibe.
  * Online aspect. This used to be where PC games dominated. Now that online for consoles is finally evolving and improving, I can play others online, get my coop/versus fix and download a lot of fun demos.
  
  Regarding some of your other points:
  * Time commitment: This strikes me as a universal point. I think World of Warcraft, Civilization, GTA et. al. involve similar time commitments. The solution? Play shorter games and/or break gaming sessions into bite-sized chunks. Soul Calibur lets you play and finish a match in a couple of minutes. There are also plot/story driven games that can be completed in 6 hours or so. I'll do those over the course of a week or two (kinda like watching mini-series -- Heavenly Sword and Call of Duty 4 are two great examples).
  * Cost for a title: One solution here is to rent games. It's way cheaper. There's also a lot of good games now available via the playstation online store for under $10.
  * Can't help you with the lack of interest in sports games. I will say that if you like sports and racing games (I like the former, not the latter) -- a console seems to be the way to go.
  * Spousal apathy: Wish I could solve that one! I have the same problem :-(
  
  The way I see it is that there are a lot of different gaming platforms that appeal to a variety of different gamers and gaming needs (i.e. some platforms are better for certain genres -- like the PC excels at strategy imho which I used to love but takes too much time for me these days). Not being into consoles is no big deal ( I don't care for handheld/portable gaming -- I hope that doesn't destroy my cred). It took me a while to appreciate the lure of the platform. But now I like it pretty good to say it's my primary gaming platform (barring the future purchase of a PC gaming rig). But honestly, I only really have time for one platform, and it sounds like you only have time for one too. I guess that's the cost of being married, getting older and having other interests.
  
  Btw -- I just realized that strategy games used to be my favorite game genre (on PC). But I had to stop playing them b/c (1) I'd pull marathon gaming sessions which I cannot do anymore and (2) I found the learning curve too steep and the game mechanics too complex to just get up and running. Go figure! Diff'rent strokes for different folks.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  It's good to get some sympathy instead of berating I was expecting :).
  I think despite all my intellectualizing, your last point rings very
  true. I definitely had a lot more time to play video games as a
  bachelor. This bleeds into other areas as well, as in asking what tv
  show to watch instead of watching a whole bunch and deciding for
  myself. I totally love the married life, but it's true a lot of my old
  proclivities just sort of faded away.
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• 

  ITBlogger

  10 months ago

  If you like simpler games and simpler more easy to use control schemes, then I suggest you get a Wii. It's worth it just for Mario Kart.
  
  But yeah, the console will never be very good for certain types of games, like the Diablo style of games or RTS style games, where a mouse really is needed.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  Truth be told, the wii is the one console I had been eyeing, since my
  wife can play some of those games and I can definitely handle that
  controller.. I wonder if they'll ever add a Blu ray player?
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• 

  ITBlogger

  10 months ago

  You'd probably have to wait at least 3 years to get a Nintendo system with Bluray drive. One of the main points of the Wii was design it to keep overall cost down to a price point that drives sales. It's one reason why it's been so successful despite a lack of content and last gen hardware specs in many ways.
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• 

  ITBlogger

  10 months ago

  I'd recommend waiting for Oppo to come out with a Bluray player, though. http://www.oppodigital.com
  
  They are well known in home theater circles as the company that comes out with top notch players for less. Their DVD players are pretty much the best you can buy for any price and their most expensive is $400, but kicks the butts of players that are 5 times more expensive.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  Cool, I'll keep an eye on that company. My ideal is to get a stand
  alone bluray player for about $200. I hope I don't have to wait forever.
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• 

  ITBlogger

  10 months ago

  My rather muddy crystal ball says you'll have to wait 2 to 3 years. But that's just a best conservative guess based on how long it took DVD players to get down to that price.
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• 

  Mark Dykeman

  10 months ago

  Wii is cool - finally tried it a few days ago and loved it. Mario Kart Wii was great!
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• 

  rodaniel

  10 months ago

  I cut my teeth on videogames back in the Atari 2600 days before moving on to PC-based games, so I fully understand how today's controllers feel entirely foreign in your hands. The keyboard/mouse combo just feels right.
  
  So, I'm in the same boat since we don't own any videogame consoles (unless you count my wife's ancient SNES that's boxed up in the attic in the hopes that in another dozen or so years it'll be a priceless antique that we can sell on eBay for a small fortune) or plan to purchase one anytime soon.
  
  Almost as bad, we exactly 1 television. Yup, we have a 42" plasma in the living room and no TVs in any other part of the house.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  Yeah we never had an atari but I started playing games on the apple 2.
  Now that I think about it that probably dictates my current of centric
  state.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  Oh, and we only have one television too, which definitely impacts the
  gaming action -- especially if my wife wants to watch a dog / romantic
  comedy.
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• 

  papa

  10 months ago

  Nothing beats the 8 directional 2600 "stick" with 1 button. Nothing except a 4-directional joystick or a plain old roller ball!
  
  (oh, i forgot about those pong paddles too)
  
  That being said, it took me some time to "learn" the Playstation controller, but now that I've sort of got it, I really like the dual analog stick configuration. Much less thumb numbing than the older style gamepad used on earlier nintendo systems).
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  I'm also a fan of the old-school leaf switch type joystick like on the
  classic arcade games. I still have to get an X-Arcade stick like you
  have.
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• 

  DaFerret

  10 months ago

  You don't have to be a gamer to be a geek. Nor do you need a console to be a gamer. Wasn't the first game on a computer? >_>
  
  Anyway, for me I'm a one console person (which so happens to be the PS3). But the Wii is pretty nifty. Everyone I know who has it, loves it. Even my Aunty and Uncle who I would never guess would play a video game. I also have a PSP and a DS (not to mention a gaming rig). But I love video games. A lot of it has to do with escapism and they tend to stoke my creativity.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  Yeah the older people liking the wii thing is an interesting subject.
  Although I wouldn't care to admit it, I'm drifting into the "older
  person" demographic.
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• 

  Mike

  10 months ago

  Totally understand where you're coming from. I own a GameCube I picked up on sale, once the Wii was announced (didn't realize the Wii would be backwards compatible). I barely play it - I don't even have a TV in my room anymore, needed to make space for more computers. :)
  
  The nice part is, though, that you can pick up old and used games on the cheap. Check the reviews at IGN.com, and head to a GameStop or something. I really enjoyed Metroid Prime, at least until the point where I couldn't get past a major boss. Luigi's Mansion was fun, too.
  
  I really think Nintendo "gets it", while the others don't really, so much...
  
  For what it's worth, I also play most of my games on the computer (Windows games in Boot Camp, mostly). Even then, I spend way more time browsing sites like FriendFeed and whatnot than playing games. Go figure.
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• 

  webomatica

  10 months ago

  cool, another vote for nintendo - the wii is certainly shaping up to
  be more my speed. And as for spending time on the internet doing other
  things - one might even consider writing a blog and participating in
  all the social sites like FriendFeed, a MMPORG in itself. So maybe
  we've been spending ample time playing a game of sorts but just don't
  think of it that way :)
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• 

  Martindale

  10 months ago

  Meh, not so much losing geek cred. I don't own a console either, so I'm right there with you. :)
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• 

  Diet Pills

  10 months ago

  I am actually switching from macs and pcs to consoles. Call me weird but here I go.
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• 

  Rakeback

  9 months ago

  I think if you dont own one you do lose some points. But then you can manage I guess :)
  
  I wanted to but that was to attain the geek status.
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• 

  furniture

  9 months ago

  Man dobt be geeky! :p
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• 

  not a gamer

  4 months ago

  I'm not big on gaming console too. I do play games when I'm bored buy only a simple one, something like arcades or flash games.
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