http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1246010-comparison-of-platforms/

Greetings everyone,

This topic is to hopefully cool down the sick amount of ongoing threads concerning the questions about which platform would be better or which one you should choose to play Skyrim on.

*NOTE*: This thread is NOT meant to start a console/pc war, neither is it meant to point out which one is BETTER.
Any form of elitism (be it PC elitism or Console Elitism) is NOT welcome here. Try to think of it that they are all equally good in their own aspect, or don't post at all, please.

The main idea of the topic is to put the 3 versions side by side (or below each other) and simply list what their advantages/disadvantages are. So that people can make informed decisions on what version of Skyrim is most suitable for them.

Simply comment in the discussion with possible advantages/disadvantages and I will update the first post




PC:
Advantages
1. Improved Graphics/Higher render modes/Less load times (Provided your hardware is better than the Xbox's)
2. Mods (We all know that Skyrim will be heavily modded on the PC), including third party programs/enhancers.
3. Console
4. Steam achievements (confirm?)
5. Wireless keyboard and mouse, or Wireless Xbox controller for PC could make couch gaming possible. (Disadvantage 2 still applies)
6. Customizable key mapping. (Keep in mind that it has been confirmed you can 'swap' buttons on the Xbox controller though)
7. Easy media-sharing (think of Print Screen button, youtube, video capturing)
8. Multi-screen support
9. Multitask options (do other things beside Skyrim, on the SAME platform)
10. Easy savegame transfer from 1 PC to the other.
11. Quick Save/load

Disadvantages
1. Screen usually not as big.
2. If not plugged to TV, possible lack of comfort (no couch/close to screen). (Could be due to distance TV-PC or not wanting a cable crossing the room)
3. Expensive when upgrading. (Though the game itself is cheaper on PC, but this barely affects the expensiveness of upgrading)
4. More susceptible to bugs especially at release (due to compatibility/driver issues). Possibly quick delivery of man made fixes and steam patches could potentially fix this in the future though.
5. Installation required
6. Requires education of PC hardware/software to efficiently use it's advantages


Xbox360
Advantages
1. No need to upgrade hardware.
2. Easy comfort (couch/distance to screen)
3. Don't need to move your PC close to the TV to plug it in, if you need a big screen (or cross a cable across the room).
4. Big TV compared to standard PC screens.
5. Achievements
6. Xbox Live
7. Early access to Skyrim DLC
8. Installation not required
9. Confirmed that the controller also can swap buttons (not as customized as a PC's keyboard, but still.)

Disadvantages
1. Lower quality Graphics
2. No mods
3. No console
4. Not as easy to share media
5. No quick save/load



PS3
Advantages
1. No need to upgrade hardware.
2. Easy comfort (couch/distance to screen)
3. Don't need to move your PC close to the TV to plug it in, if you need a big screen (or cross a cable across the room).
4. Big TV compared to standard PC screens.
5. Trophies
6. PSN
7. Installation not required. (Possibly, waiting for confirmation)
8. Option to transfer saves using PSN cloud, you need a PSN plus account however (paid), and you can't download the file until 24 hours after it has been stored. (if copy protected)
9. Confirmed that the controller also can swap buttons (not as customized as a PC's keyboard, but still.)

Disadvantages
1. Lower quality Graphics
2. No mods
3. No console
4. Not as easy to share media
5. No quick save/load


~Other Considerations~
1. You need Steam on PC. Allows Disc-free gaming(however if you have a retail copy you first have to register it on steam). However, DRM.
2. PS3 is technically superior to the Xbox360, but probably is getting the port, hence lower performance.
3. Easier to change language on PC if need be.
4. If you happen to have a laptop, you'd have mobility.

*PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD CIVILIZED*

PS: If you have suggestions please sum them up in a nice format so I can read them easily. Like 1,2,3 etc. Also, keep in mind that there are obvious exception, such as having a TV specifically for a PC etc.


I personally will play it on both the Xbox360 and PC, so this thread is by NO means to point out that any platform is better than the OTHER. Please, see that it is just for others to make it easier to decide which version to buy.

Thanks, nice post.

Since I'm a very mobile person, laptop is only option for me. I passed the minimum requirements easily, but didn't quite reach the recommended requirements. I hope the game will still look good.

Also, I really don't consider smaller screen as a disadvantage. In my opinion sitting next to a small screen is more immersive.

Good post. Why would you play this game on 360 and PC though? Also, why do you have "console" listed under PC and "not console" listed under Xbox/PS? I just built my first PC for working at home and some light gaming (Skyrim), so I would not consider having to learn about PC's as a disadvantage. On the contrary, the amount that I have learned as a result of building my own PC has made me much more comfortable working with them. One thing you did not include in the disadvantages/advantages is that using a PC could be cost prohibitive, while a 360/PS3 could be slightly more cost efficient (assuming you don't go crazy with your TV).

I preordered it for PC so I can play it on my $900 laptop. A part of me wishes I had a PS3 to play Skyrim on, because I've had so many issues with lag on other games. AND the fact that you can play it on a bigger screen =p

If you can use medium settings it will look better than on console.

PC advantage - you can play the game where ever you are if you have a laptop. :thumbsup:

check the other consideration part

as a proud member of the laptop gaming master race, i get to kick back and comfortably enjoy Skyrim wherever i want, at reasonably good graphics settings :3

upgrading isn't generally a concern, since i'm good with any game as long as it's above 15fps, and Steam is pretty much the same as Live or PSN (with a superior social focus) so i don't think any of the disadvantages are really that disadvantageous for me!

Basically, pc is far superior in almost every aspect.

Also, the screen size isn't an advantage for consoles, since you sit closer to your monitor when playing pc.

Playing on a tv from far off can be difficult, with the up-scaled resolution and lower quality textures. It is not easy to make out specific detail. I think using playing pc up close is a nicer experience... I find myself squinting while playing consoles...

This is coming from someone who owns both a 360 and a ps3, also a 55 inch Samsung 3d led tv.

If you own a large monitor, just connect the PC to it. And if you don't, then this point can't really be listed as a disadvantage of playing on PC compared to console.


Again, plug the PC into the TV and sit in your couch...? (Besides, how is being close to the screen and sitting in a chair uncomfortable? I very much prefer a chair over a couch. )

You mention PSN as an advantage for the PS3... if anything this is one of it's disadvantages as it is inferior to both being on a PC and XBL.

Owning all 3 platforms, it just comes down to personal preference for me. I've always enjoyed playing the more modern TES games on console over pc. I know it seems strange, with them obviously running smoother and having better graphics on pc, not to mention mods, but i just prefer the 'feel' of playing with a controller, so 360 it will be for me at first. The main deciding factor is official dlc 30 days before other platforms. After that i'll get the pc version and delve into some of the more refined skyrim mods. I think no matter the system everyones a winner. Cant wait!

I'll be having it on 360...first anyway. I'd need to update my PC's graphics card and put in another 1gb ram to meet recommended specs, which i can't justify doing at the moment (too broke) - seeing as this is probably the only game i'd play on PC (although i'd like to give the witcher 2 a go). Will be interesting to see how good the graphics will be on good settings, would have to be bloody good to justify spending cash on a better graphics card though.

Should of named this thread - PC is better than anything in the world lmao -.-

PC + 360 gamepad + 24'' tv/monitor + beanbag in front of it...that's how i'll do it.

C'mon...case modding, et al... For that hardware bling urge! j/k

I personally favor the xbox, so I don't know where you find this Bias (or you mean the majority of the replies)

The PC has 0 disadvantages for me personally, rawr.

Also Consoles don't have quicksave? Ok remind me never to play TES on a console, can't live without that stuff.

This thread really didnt need a #2 honestly..

We all know what we prefer, we all (or most) know what the differences are. This thread is pure flamebait and "platform bashing" (talking about incomming comments)'

Oh, and a number of the disadvantages for PC are just, imo, really stupid. PC version more suspectible to bugs.. Hmm, not really, I know a number of games that are/were more buggy on consoles than on PC on release.
The screen size point is also just pure lies. Cost of upgrading is also blown out of proportion, only thing I can see that makes sense is the "installation needed" part, but guess what, having a game installed decreases load times, so its actually a plus when it comes to the game, 5 minutes installing or much more spent waiting on loading times, your choice, I know mine.

OP, if you're not going to respond to what people say and then change your original post... what's the point of this thread again?

"No need to upgrade hardware" isn't an advantage, nor is it a flaw for PC gaming. I will explain this one more time. The majority of games released are console ports, meaning the graphical standard is brought over to the PC and usually the only differences are higher frame rate and better resolution. Very seldom does a console port come along that's better than the console version(if it does, it's not a console port)

With this in mind, I could have built my PC November 17th 2006 ( the launch date of PS3 ) and played every game to date that was a console port without EVER needing to upgrade.


So, with this in mind I would suggest removing the following:





Also, you could add a perk to the PC. When the next generation of consoles come I will likely not need to upgrade anything, but if I choose I can upgrade just my video card.. there is no need to replace the entire system. In other words I won't have a useless console sitting in the corner come next generation.

Size doesn't matter here. Resolution does. What good is a 55" screen, if the game looks like crap on it?

I'd prefer to play on one of my 3 24" monitors before playing on my 84" projector. Why? Resolution.

I prefer to play on all three monitors, but Bethesda dropped that ball also - which the guys at WSGF have picked back up.

Uldred

what about

+ blu-ray player for ps3?



Xbox games looks great on my 50 plasma
in my option