The selective stinginess of gamers


In general, it seems like PC-gamers are more than willing to spend on hardware, but not as much on software. Conversely, console-gamers are more than willing to spend on games, but not as much on hardware.

I see it all the time. PC-gamers spend hundreds of dollars on a single video-card, a hundred-dollars or more each on headsets, mice, and keyboards; but when it comes to games, they will wait for the Steam-sale.

Console-gamers love to buy physical, special editions of games they sometimes play for an hour and then shelve. They routinely buy expensive physical games, but scoff at the idea of purchasing digital copies of games, even if it's cheaper.

One of the latest developments in the stingy console-gaming landscape is the Nintendo Switch. People are crying about how expensive the accessories are, like the JoyCons and the Pro Controller. They are also crying about how expensive the console itself is. If we can group all gamers together, it's amazing how one group of people can willingly spend hundreds of dollars on hardware before they buy a single game, and another group must practically be given hardware and offered physical copies of software.

For both their respective gaming-communities, the stinginess is costing them. For PC-gamers, multiplatform-games do not sell the best on their platform, so developers are less likely to make sure that the PC-versions are bug-free or optimized. For console-gamers, hardware-manufacturers like Nintendo cannot offer more powerful hardware because they know their audience is very price-conscious and want to spend as little money as possible.

For myself, I lie somewhere in the middle. I have dabbled in the extremes of both PC-gaming and console-gaming but I have come to a moderate middle-ground. The next time we come across a price that triggers the Ebenezer Scrooge within us, let's not react so harshly and immediately; and think about how the company arrived at that price, and the repercussions for not supporting it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Retrotek SCART to Component Converter" Review (SCBV1P3)

Image
I do not like spreading negativity out there, but I needed to warn people about this device. I bought this for 80 dollars on ebay; I'm not gonna link from whom, because he or she does not deserve more sales of this awful device. When it works, it works, albeit with flaws. The image produced is sharp, as a component-video signal should be, and the colors are accurate, except that there is a green tint to the entire picture. I've read that one has to open these things up and adjust the 'pots' inside (an electrical term) with a screwdriver. I never really tried doing that or minded the green tint too much, because it's very subtle. What I did mind a lot, was the fact that sometimes, it won't work, and I'll only get audio. This is a big problem. I wouldn't mind the colors being a little off, or there being some 'noise' in the video-signal, but when the success-rate of the thing actually working is 50%, it's a deal-breaker. I paid 80 dolla...
Read more

White Japanese Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad (Controller) Review HSS-0137

Image
As a recently new Sega Saturn owner, I knew I had to get the Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad because it was the definitive controller for playing Nights Into Dreams. I decided to purchase the more aesthetically-pleasing Japanese version. Upon first inspection, it is noticeably big - bigger than it should be. Sega was probably going for form over function here, because the round shape does look like a mini-spaceship or UFO, which goes with their theme of space with the Saturn itself, but it is not the most ergonomically comfortable controller out there. For example, when playing six-button fighting-games, it is difficult to hold the controller in the left hand and 'piano' the buttons with the right. The d-pad is a little different from the American Model 1 and Japanese Model 2 controllers'. It feels a little stiffer. Of the three controllers I have tried, it has my least favorite d-pad. On the plus-side, however, it features the best start-button of the three. ...
Read more

Japanese Model 2 Sega Saturn Controller Review HSS-0101

Image
Recently, I bought a Model 2 American Sega Saturn, but it came with a Model 1 controller. It was pretty good, but I liked the look of the Model 2 Japanese controller, and the d-pad seemed more comfortable. After ordering one on ebay, and opening the package I later received, I was taken aback at how 'creamy' the controller looked. It didn't look like it had changed color, like old NESes, but it didn't look as white as I had imagined. Even the photo above looks whiter than it actually is. The d-pad is better than the Model 1's, but not by too much. The face-buttons feel the same, but the Start-button is a big improvement. The biggest improvement comes in the form of the shoulder-buttons. I don't think the actual internal switches have changed, but now you don't have to press the buttons on the rear of its plastic-shell to get them to actuate. In general, they feel and sound like mouse-buttons. You won't want to use them in action-games, but f...
Read more