When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it forced many people to stay indoors to protect themselves from the virus until they get themselves vaccinated. Many of us resorted to many forms of entertainment such as gaming to keep ourselves sane while staying in for extended periods.
For those who are unaware, there are currently 3 platforms for games. This includes consoles, PCs, and mobile phones. There have been many discussions debating about which is the best gaming platform in the year 2021.
In this article, we'll be talking about the Pros and Cons of each platform mentioned above. We'll also give you an idea of which gaming platform would be more suitable for you. With that out of the way, let's get into it.
PC Gaming
The first platform we'll discuss is the PC. Prepare to spend quite a bit on expensive hardware, especially if you're keen on playing AAA titles such as the latest Battlefield or Call of Duty games out there in the market. On the flip side, PCs with decent specs can run games at 4K resolution with framerates of up to 300FPS (depending on the game engine). You'll definitely get a more immersive gaming experience, albeit at a higher price.
However, it's a different story if you play indie games like Hollow Knight or generic esports titles with lower requirements. You can get an affordable laptop or desktop for around RM3000 easily if you're willing to put in the time to look for the right option. Furthermore, the Windows PC currently has the most extensive library of playable games compared to other platforms. In fact, you could purchase or even play free games from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG and more.
Steam is the go-to place to purchase games!
Did you know that Epic Games Store frequently gives out free games?
Moving on to the hardware aspect, another advantage of the PC is that they are generally very customisable. Not only would you be able to change the components in the PC case, but you can also use a variety of different peripherals. The mouse, keyboard, headset, and more can all be changed to give yourself a more tailored experience. Also, if you're always out and about, you could choose a laptop instead. There are laptops out there that offer most of what a typical desktop does. However, you will be sacrificing the modularity so you can easily game on the go.
Compared to the other two gaming platforms, the PC has a relatively higher price barrier to entry as they are usually more expensive. Not only that, but due to its modularity, troubleshooting can be a pain. It's usually much more time consuming to troubleshoot a PC, as the problem could result from faulty or incompatible parts, as well as driver issues.
Custom built PC. Image courtesy of BornaKia
With that in mind, building a gaming PC might be a little daunting because you have to ensure that all the components are compatible. However, you do have the option of getting a laptop if you're not interested in building your own desktop from scratch.
Console gaming
Sony Playstation 5
Xbox Series X
Compared to PCs, current generation consoles are generally more affordable at the expense of customisation. While not being tailored to your liking may sound like a drawback to some people, consoles are less prone to malfunctions since the components are designed to be compatible. This also means they are much easier to maintain.
On the flip side, it's harder to play shooter games on consoles. Since you primarily interact with a console using a controller, instead of a mouse and keyboard, it feels less natural. But for other genres, the controller is probably one of the most intuitive ways to enjoy games.
Other than that, physical copies of console games usually have really good resell value. Because of that, it's usually more economical to resell your games once you are done with them, then buy other games. It's easier said than done, though, as you have to be extra vigilant so that you don't end up getting scammed when buying or selling used games.
Also, console manufacturers frequently collaborate with game developers to produce limited-edition models that collectors could purchase. Unlike mobile phones and laptops, consoles are not as portable unless it's a handheld game console like the Nintendo Switch. Another problem is that the latest generation of consoles is relatively limited in terms of available games.
Nintendo Switch handheld gaming console
Even though console games have a much better resell value, they are also much more expensive even when purchased during a sale. However, the limited number of games isn't a big problem. Given enough time, we can expect more titles available to the PS5 and Xbox One X in the future.
Mobile gaming
Last but not least, mobile gaming is the newest gaming platform on the block. Also, it has the lowest barrier to entry compared to the other two platforms. This is because the price for an entry-level gaming-capable smartphone can start from as low as RM500 but provide you with something decent.
Moreover, mobile phones are highly portable as they are very lightweight. You also don't need to plug them into a power socket unless you need to top up the battery. Mobile phones are less likely to run into major issues, compared to consoles and PCs. This is because they're rigorously tested before being shipped to the mass market.
On top of that, mobile esports has been slowly picking up steam in recent years. So if you're interested in participating in mobile gaming tournaments, you won't have to invest too much to get started.
League of Legends: Wild Rift became one of the biggest esports titles to date
However, some mobile games require you to watch an ad to gain some sort of advantage and progress through the game. As if that's not bad enough, there are plenty of copycat or low-quality cash-grab games designed to bait people into playing and providing ad revenue for the developer. Also, there have been many cases of children overspending on micro-transactions in mobile games in the recent years. With that in mind, parents might want to be extra wary to prevent that from happening.
While we're on the topic of games, the chances of AAA titles being released on mobile platforms are slim. Why? Because these games are usually more focused on pushing the boundaries of graphics and gameplay. Another thing to point out is that mobile games controls can feel a little awkward, which might take some time to get used to.
Which is the best for you?
If you're constantly out and about or have a limited budget, consider getting into mobile gaming as the barrier to entry is lower. But if you have a little more dough to spend, consider getting a gaming laptop or a handheld console, which gives you more options in terms of the games you can play.
On the other hand, if you rarely travel around and would much rather stay at home (especially during the pandemic), you can consider a gaming console or a desktop. Another thing to keep in mind is that some games are exclusive to a specific platform, so that could determine which platform you ultimately choose.
With all that said, which platforms would you be interested in getting into? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.
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