So, before you go out and buy new graphic cards or a fancy pro controller, see if you can improve your present setup. Controllers, for example, are often used and may not always withstand the test of time.

After a few years of use, there appears to be a lot of controller drift and input difficulties, at least with recent models. This becomes a serious issue if you’re playing a competitive game. How can you aim properly when your stick moves on its own or doesn’t record an input? This is known as the controller deadzone.

Here, we will discuss what a controller deadzone is and ways to find it and fix it. Read on to find out!

What is a Controller Deadzone?

When you push your analog stick in a specified direction on your controller, it doesn’t fully register input since it has a deadzone. Regardless of how hard you press the stick, the controller acts as though you aren’t pushing it all the way – if at all.

This causes several annoyances when playing video games. It doesn’t feel like your actions are fully transferring to the game when you try to move your character or the camera around.

Deadzones on controllers are easy to spot, but they’re a little more difficult to correct. Until recently, deadzones on controllers were an issue that you had to live with. Things have, thankfully, changed.

Finding and monitoring your controller deadzones is crucial to resolving the issue. In the next section, we will discuss the ways to find the deadzone and fit it.

How to Find Deadzones on Controllers

With an Xbox or a PS controller, it is not difficult to find out if you have a deadzone. Over time, you will realize that the left or right analog stick on your controller is not responding as effectively as it previously did. Your player in the game would act as though you had only pushed it halfway up every time you pushed it straight up (or in any other direction).

Gamers find it aggravating in competitive games. You can use a controller deadzone test like Gamepad Tester to help you with this. It’s web software that can identify controllers hooked to your PC and show up diagnostics for them automatically.

You’ll notice two crosshairs with white dots in the center once the diagnostics are activated. The white dots shift when you move the sticks on the analog stick testers.

When the dots are static, it’s fine if they “jitter” a little; just move the sticks about and check whether the dots match up with your motions.

How to Fix Deadzones on Controllers

Some games or platforms that enable you to correct for deadzone can quickly solve the problem; all you have to do now is determine how wide the deadzone is. Depending on your platform, there are many ways to achieve this.

Fix Deadzones on Steam

Steam is by far the most user-friendly mechanism for repairing deadzones on controllers. Go to the general controller settings once your controllers have been recognized. Then press the calibrate button.

You can now see how your controller motions are being recorded and, more crucially, adjust the settings to compensate.

Conclusion

It’s a little more difficult to fix deadzones on controllers beyond the software. Things are no longer made to last as they once were. The original analog stick on the Nintendo 64 sliced your palm up before breaking, and now controllers like the one you have on the PS5 will crumble if you just abuse them a little bit. The only viable long-term solution is to purchase a new controller. You may even disassemble it for repairs if you’re extremely technically inclined.

The cost-effective approach for most PC players, however, is to employ software to correct for a deadzone and return to a regular playing experience. After you’ve rectified that, double-check that all of your settings are working properly to compensate for the lack of accuracy.

For sure, a fully-equipped desktop computer will provide you with the best options when it comes to customizing your experience, but you can now upgrade your laptop to have the capability of a full-tower system.

If you are using your laptop for gaming or work, you may find that you want a boost in performance that integrated graphics simply cannot deliver. That’s where an eGPU comes in handy.

What is an eGPU? Is eGPU worth it? Is it too early to invest in one now? Let’s take a look.

What is an eGPU?

An eGPU, which stands for external graphics processing unit, is an external graphics card that attaches to your device through a single wire. The power will then be transferred from your laptop’s internal GPU to the external graphics card.

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is the component of your device that creates the visuals on your screen. You may now have your graphics card reside outside of the casing and connect to the motherboard with a single wire, thanks to recent enhancements to device connectivity, such as the USB-C connection.

eGPUs works the best on systems that can’t take a traditional graphics card. Many low-cost PCs and laptops are sold without a graphics card.

How Do eGPUs Work?

In most circumstances, an external GPU will be connected via a dock. An external GPU port connects to your computer through a PCIe slot for the graphics card and commonly a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable.

Installing the card, drivers, restarting, and installing any custom software is all it takes to use a dock.

After you’ve set it up, your computer will send graphics requests to the external GPU rather than the one that came with your machine. Because laptops, on the whole, don’t have much graphical processing power, this technique should theoretically result in superior graphics performance.

Keep in mind that while you may utilize an external GPU on your desktop, laptops are far more prevalent. You gain more extraordinary graphics performance by using a larger, more powerful card. Perhaps even enough to play a few visually demanding games.

How eGPUs Look Today?

If you look at GPUs right now, you’ll see that they’re usually sold as enclosures. These are boxes that have a connection cable and dedicated power but don’t have a graphics card.

The product will display a list of compatible cards, allowing you to change them and select the one you wish to use. Some will even have several GPU compartments for even greater processing capacity.

As a result, selling an eGPU nowadays is more about selling a box for a graphics card than selling a graphics card in a box.

Is it Worth Buying an eGPU?

eGPUs are excellent at filling their niche. The issue is that the niche is far smaller than you may expect. If your laptop is having trouble playing the newest games, an eGPU might be able to help. A new PC, on the other hand, will do the same job as well.

As a result, anyone adopting an eGPU must weigh the benefits of doing so against the cost of purchasing new hardware.

There are, however, a few niches that meet the criteria. For example, suppose a buddy offers you their old GPU. In that case, you may use an eGPU case to connect it to a laptop without having to acquire all of the other components.

An eGPU is ideal if you want to utilize your laptop for graphically intense games. Instead of dragging around a heavy laptop designed exclusively for gaming, you may operate your machine as a portable device during the day. The eGPU will provide higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.

If you deal with special effects, editing, rendering, color grading, or animation, an eGPU is also a good choice. It can aid in the improvement of operations while also showing visuals of more excellent quality.

An eGPU can reduce the burden of updating technology by providing a significant power boost to laptops.

However, as previously stated, these are sporadic instances. It’s not about whether an eGPU performs a good job; it’s about if it’s the best match for the job. It’s worth investing in an eGPU if it’s the only option to reach your objectives. However, there is frequently a better and less expensive option that you may utilize instead.

External GPUs Are Only Going to Get Better

The Thunderbolt/USB-C bandwidth problem isn’t going away on its own. External GPU hardware and software will continue to develop, and external GPUs will almost certainly improve as well.

External GPUs have piqued the curiosity of many individuals. Hardware companies also want to get their GPUs into the hands of as many people as possible. As a result, they have a solid motivation to upgrade the technology continuously.

If you’re looking for an eGPU, the current lineup lets you mix and match graphics cards to customize your system. However, before you purchase one, think about if buying a new system would be a better option. After all, eGPUs are quite expensive.

If your computer already has a graphics card, and you want to figure out what’s slowing down its performance, you can do it by running a GPU stress test.

Conclusion

eGPU setups are a terrific option to enhance your outdated or lower-powered laptop with a GPU capable of rendering, gaming, and any other GPU-intensive activities you have in mind.

They are, nonetheless, exceptionally situational.

When you consider the entire expenditures of an eGPU system, it’s sometimes wiser to just save up and acquire a whole new laptop or desktop.

However, if you have the funds and a process that would benefit from it, an eGPU can boost your productivity significantly.

There has been a lot of discussion going on for a while now about the legality of private severs and game emulators. We have already discussed the issue of the legality of private servers on this blog. Now, we turn our focus on the legality of Game Emulators.

Many retro gamers have wondered if video game emulators are legal. The general response to it is yes; you should be able to download them without difficulty. But don’t get too excited. While emulators are legal, they are primarily ineffective on their own.

Most players may recall their first encounters with emulators. These programs do a miraculous job of converting the hardware of the world’s greatest video game consoles into software that can run on your computer.

When you combine them with game files (commonly known as ROMs), you have access to almost all of the gaming back-catalogs, from the NES to the Xbox.

What Are Game Emulators?

Let’s start with the basics so that everybody is on the same page. What are game emulators?

Game emulators work magic in a way to transform your laptop, PC, phone, or tablet into a gaming console. Okay, we say magic, but what we are talking about is virtual plugins that mimic the inner workings. Consider them a way of deceiving your system into believing it is a PS1 or a SNES for a brief moment.

So, if you were hoping to get your hands on some free retro games while adhering to the law’s intent, you will run into some legal issues.

Let’s delve a little deeper into the topic of legality and game emulators and see how ROMs fit into the picture as well. Not all is as straightforward as you would think.

Why Are Game Emulators Legal?

Emulators are legal because they are built to use particular files known as ROMs, without which emulators are useless.
Game Emulators are used as computer programs that mimic the behavior of other computers, such as video game consoles. A Sega Genesis emulator for PC, for example, is a program that emulates the system’s functionality.

This could theoretically allow you to play digital copies of various N64 games and Nintendo Switch games, but only if you download the ROMs first. If you do like the idea of gaming on a Nintendo Switch and are considering purchasing one, you can read our guide on Problems with the Nintendo Switch You Should Know Before Buying.

Emulators are legal because they contain no proprietary code. Even if everyone is aware of how emulators are used, they are legal because, in most cases, they do not infringe on copyrights and are essentially inert on their own.

Is It Legal To Use ROMs?

No, in the vast majority of cases, ROMs are illegal. What is the reason for this? Since ROMs are the game files that emulators use to enable people to play games, they are illegal in almost every case.

The proprietary code in ROM files belongs to the company that created the video game or later acquired the property.
In the eyes of courts and legal departments at several large video game firms, downloading a ROM is the same as creating an unauthorized copy of the game. That’s what there is to it.

You are allowed to have the pot, but not the substance you smoke in it.

Nonetheless, several people have inquired whether ROMs and Emulators can be used in particular circumstances.

Are Game Emulators Safe?

Some emulators are entirely secure, while others aren’t. If the downloaded ROM is an executable (.exe) file rather than .bin, .smd, or.md files, DO NOT launch the game and conduct a malware scan with best malware protection software just to be safe.

It’s better to read reviews and which emulators are trusted by the emulation community (both in terms of security and performance) before downloading one for use.

The vast majority of the well-known emulators are safe to download. Just make sure that you download them from the official website to avoid any viruses and malware.

Is It Legal To Keep ROMs for Games That Are No Longer In Production?

Many gamers claim that downloading a ROM is legal if a game isn’t currently available on the market. After all, if a game isn’t available digitally, there can’t be any market harm.

On the other hand, this is what Disney does. Disney’s policy is to keep iconic films in the vault for long periods of time. Rather than leaving films on the market endlessly, they re-release them on a regular basis, which raises demand and sales when the time comes.

Companies who make video games could argue that they’re doing the same thing with titles that haven’t been launched yet, and that ROMs are lowering their prospective selling price. This makes downloading ROMs for games that aren’t available a legal gray area, and you should tread carefully when trying to download such games.

Final Thoughts on Game Emulators and ROMs

In the coming years, retro gamers could face a crisis of consciousness and legality. When older games fall into the hands of collectors, scalpers, and trash cans, they will become increasingly rare.

For the time being, note that emulators are legal, ROMs are illegal. Sadly, this does mean that you are breaking the law when you emulate some of your favorite games.

Save your game progress to the PS Now cloud and continue playing on your Windows PC, PS5, or PS4 wherever you login in, as it is available in more than 20 countries now. Let’s discuss what you need to know about PlayStation Now on PC.

PlayStation Now on PC

PC vs. Console gaming is a widely discussed topic in the gaming world, but won’t it be better if you could play games from both devices?

PlayStation Now is a game subscription service with over 800 games to choose from for the players. PS Now allows you to quickly stream PS4, PS3, and PS2 games on your PS5, PS4, and PC. Additionally, you can download hundreds of PS4 games to your PS5 or PS4 console, all for $9.99 per month.

You can enjoy PlayStation Now on your PC by following a few simple steps. And you can get all of the games you can to play on the PS, with the bonus of playing them with your DualShock Controller.

How to Play PlayStation Now on PC

To start streaming games, download the PC app, log in to your PS account, and make sure that you have an active PS Now membership (you can also access the 7-day free trial).

You must also make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements. However, we do not think that would be a problem for almost anyone.

• Windows Version: 7, 8.1 or 10
• CPU: Core i3 2.0 GHz minimum
• RAM: 2GB
• Available Storage: 300 MB
• Sound Card; USB port
• A broadband connection with atleast 5Mbps download speed (ideally 12+ Mbps).

Which Controllers Are Suitable for PS Now?

To put it a simple way, you’ll need a PlayStation controller to play games on PS Now. Unfortunately, third-party controllers that have their own benefits are not supported by the app. So, the PC controller that resembles a PlayStation controller will not work with PlayStation Now games. This is quite a problem, especially considering some of the problems that PS controller owners have experienced historically.

All of the games on PlayStation Now can be played with the PS4 or PS5 DualShock wireless controllers. A wired micro-USB to USB-A or a Bluetooth connection can connect the pad to the PC. You can learn to save the battery life in your PS5 Controller by using our guide for those long play sessions.

DualShock 3 controllers can also be used on a PC. However, they will only work with PlayStation 3 games. If you want to play PS4 games, you’ll need the PlayStation 4 controller.

Finding the Right Game

PlayStation Now on PC lacks a search option, which is a glaring flaw. You only have one screen to search for the title you’re looking for. There are various categories of games at the top of the page, including any added to your list.

All of the games are alphabetically sorted, split by each letter, as you scroll down the page. To find all the titles that start with the letter A, scroll left and right. It means you’ll have to cycle through all of them to get the one you want, which can be a nuisance if you’re looking for something easy to do.

With over 800 games to choose from, knowing what you want to play before you start exploring is a good idea. If you cycle through the games without picking what you want to play first, you may still come upon some great treasures.

How to Cancel Your PlayStation Now PC Subscription

The procedures are essentially the same whether you’re turning off the auto-renew of PS now or PS plus on a PC, smartphone, or PS console. Follow the steps below to cancel your PS Now subscription.

• Visit the official PlayStation website and log in using your PlayStation account.
• After signing in to your account, look for the Subscription menu item and open it.
• You’ll have to choose which subscriptions you want to cancel. Choose PS Now, for example, if you want to cancel PS Now on your PC.
• Then choose Turn Off Auto-Renew to stop the subscription from renewing.
• As is customary, another little confirmation window will appear on your screen, prompting you to select the YES button, indicating that you are sure you want to cancel the subscription.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have learned everything there is to know about installing and canceling PS Now on your PC. It’s a fantastic service that runs smoothly, even on an entry-level PC (as long as you have a decent internet connection).

Suppose you are not a huge fan of PlayStation and want to play games on a different platform. In that case, you should look into some of the top Cloud gaming vs. PC gaming options, which allow you to directly play or stream games from a range of other devices.

We have compiled a list of the most common issues that have befallen Switch owners, ranging from relatively minor cosmetic problems that can largely be overlooked to severe problems that have made the system useless.

We have also provided possible solutions where appropriate. Still, something that requires disassembling a component of your console may exacerbate the problem or void your warranty. If you are having trouble, just follow the steps below, and you’ll be back to playing your favorite Nintendo Switch games in no time.

1. The Screen Has Dead Pixels

The Nintendo Switch has a lot of great features, but it isn’t without flaws. One of the most annoying problems gamers encounter is that the Switch’s screen has dead pixels.

Dead pixels annoy you on any computer, but mainly on portable screens, where they become the center of your attention, mocking your desire for a screen free of flaws.

In the case of the Nintendo Switch, it not only serves to detract from your comfort, but it is also one of the few things that you cannot resolve on your own. It may be the most aggravating issue yet, as Nintendo is currently refusing to acknowledge that it is a valid complaint (but many users believe otherwise).

Nintendo defines dead pixels as “a feature of LCDs” that should “not be considered a flaw,” according to its support page.

That means Nintendo will not be replacing them with warranty claims, and you could be stuck with your faulty screen for the rest of your life.

There are two possible solutions:

Return the Switch to the store from where you bought it. Even though high-end stores are not legally obliged to take back the product if you have already opened the seal, it is worth a shot. You could get lucky and find a sympathetic fellow gamer behind the counter, as we did.

The Consumer Contracts Regulations would offer you an even better chance if you purchased the Switch online. It states that all online purchases can be returned for a period of up to 14 days.

Due to legal complications, you will be protected as long as the seller did not explicitly state that “dead pixels may occur in this product” (or anything similar).

2. The Battery Life is too Short

When playing the most graphically demanding games, you will definitely find the battery life is low due to the horsepower Nintendo has managed to cram into the tiny Switch console. The console would need to be recharged after just a few hours of handheld play in a game like Doom.

Since the AC adapter that came with your device is most likely connected to the dock, you will need to either go behind your setup, remove it, allow the Switch to charge in the port, or buy a second AC adapter.

An external battery pack, such as one for a phone or tablet, is a solution. Be aware, however, that many phone batteries do not have enough power to charge the Switch when it is in use. You can use our comprehensive guide to improve the life of the Nintendo Switch’s battery.

There is another possibility. Third-party accessory companies have developed Switch charging cases that allow you to play the device for more than twice as long as a regular battery would.

3. Switch Won’t Turn On

Some users have stated that their console refuses to turn on. Aside from the apparent flat battery, which we are sure you have already considered, the next step is to perform a hard reset.

Here’s what Nintendo’s support team says about this problem:

“There is a chance that the console has frozen with a black screen. Look at the console in a darkened room and see if any light is coming from the screen. If so, the console has frozen. Hold the POWER Button for 15 seconds or more to turn the console off.

Then, press the POWER Button again to turn the console on again.”

4. The Joy-Cons Stops Working

Disconnection of the left Joy-Con controller, the most well-known of the Nintendo Switch’s problems so far appears to be a fairly widespread issue.

The Joy-Con will randomly detach from the console, which can be particularly frustrating if it results in you failing a successful run in one of the Nintendo Switch’s games.

Nintendo’s decision to place the left controller’s Bluetooth antenna within the circuit board, rather than using a standalone portion that could be positioned optimally, appears to be the source of the issue according to numerous reports and user teardowns.

Nintendo has not made it public, but it appears that the company has developed a workable DIY hack for early adopters. CNET’s analyst spotted a thin piece of conductive foam over the controller’s internal antenna after sending a defective Joy-Con to Nintendo for repair.

It might seem too simple, but the simple addition is said to have resolved the controller’s synchronization problem. There is no official fix for this problem as of yet, but keep an eye out for a foamy solution.

5. The Screen Freezes or Flashes Randomly

In addition to controller issues and issues with the Nintendo Switch and its dock’s physical structure, several users have recorded screen freezes and flashing lights (that can cause horrific seizures in some). They cause the device to blare a high-pitched squeal and can be a frightening experience for someone of a younger age.

The only short-term fix so far has been to perform a “hard reset” of the Switch. It involves holding down the power button for 15 seconds until it entirely shuts down, then turning it back on.

Though this temporarily resolves the issue, affected Switch owners say that the problem reappears shortly after and that a factory reset will not fix the problem.

Conclusion

Nintendo has yet to resolve most of these problems, leaving users to wait patiently for a software update or a product recall that would solve these problems.

We recommend keeping an eye on the Nintendo support page, which posts regular updates on all known issues. Once a solution to some of the aforementioned problems is known, it will be made available on the support page.

Some argue that video games cause violence, and yet you may simply want to meet new people to get something out of each gaming session. Private servers can help you build a sense of community, and Serveur privé can help you do just that. Take World of Warcraft, for example: while playing on your own is fun, playing on a World of Warcraft private server with its own processes and rules can be even more enjoyable. Are they, however, legal or not?

Essentially, the game encourages server creators to add their names to a list. Users can vote and comment on them, resulting in a monthly ranking that ensures everyone has a chance.

It is, of course, completely open. People have the opportunity to play the game when you envision it as a designer. In those close-knit groups, you could get a lot more enjoyment out of the game as a player.

The use of a private server is a grey area with possible ramifications. It is possible that the legalities will be questioned. Is it alright if you play in them? Let us take a closer look.

What Are Private Servers and How Do They Work?

Any server that is privately held qualifies as a private server. That is everything there is to it. On the other hand, private servers are used in World of Warcraft to simulate the gaming experience of online gamers.

Why does anyone want to play on a private server, and is it legal to do so? Yeah, they are in theory, but there are loopholes.

Most private servers have their own set of gameplay rules (usually through modifications to the game files, commonly known as mods) that differ from those found on official servers. For example, experience rates could be 100x faster, or new characters could begin at the highest level possible. Custom pieces, rare mobs, and one-of-a-kind in-game events are examples of other differences.

Private servers are helpful because they enable you to play games that you would not otherwise be able to play. If a game’s official server is not available in your region, for instance, private servers can provide you with access to low-ping servers. Similarly, suppose a game is discontinued, and all licensed versions are removed. In that case, fans will continue to play other versions on private servers.

These reasons may not be sufficient to explain their existence or the act of playing on a private server. Still, they do provide an explanation for why they are so common.

Private servers are becoming increasingly popular year after year. Despite the ethical ambiguity surrounding private servers, they are unavoidable. Three more appear for everyone that shuts down. Let us move on to its legality.

Is It Legal To Set Up a Private Server or Not?

This topic is significant for both private server owners and players, as there have been many court cases so far. If you do not want to end up in court, there are specific guidelines you must obey when building your private server. You must also be cautious as a player since official game servers can be involved in your activities.

It is not a situation to be taken lightly. Blizzard, for example, have closed down various WoW private servers in the past. However, due to legal restrictions, they have only been able to do this in the United States and a few select countries. Private servers in other countries continue to run.

Official game servers consider the benefit from your private server to be a loss simply because the money spent on private servers could have been spent on official game servers instead. This is, of course, not true for all games.

Of course, there are a variety of variables to consider, which can differ depending on the official game. Official game servers vs. private game servers have been a debate for a while now, just like Cloud Gaming vs. Gaming PC, and that is not going to settle any soon; that is a certainty.

Is Using a Private Server Illegal?

There is no simple response, but these points shed some light on whether private servers are legal or not.

• It is illegal for a private server to benefit in monetary terms.
• It is illegal if the server is running on hacked or leaked software.
• It is illegal for the server to distribute client files.

Legality is also not assured if the server does not perform any of these three rules. Companies may have less legal standing to sue. Still, depending on the situation, they may gather enough proof to file a case. These risks primarily affect server hosts.

As long as your game allows you to host private servers, then you are in the clear from a legal point of view as long as you adhere to the aforementioned rules.

Be Sure To Adhere to the Following Guidelines:

• If you receive an alert from the developer, instantly and respectfully shut down your private server.
• Microtransactions should not be used to benefit your players. You might still make money, for example, by displaying Google advertising on your website. You can, of course, ask for donations too. However, that is a legal gray area.
• Please do not use the official game server logo or make any attempt to be affiliated with them.
• Avoid using pirated or illegal software.

Is It Okay for Us To Play on Private Servers?

Official game servers can not do anything to prevent you from playing on private servers other than shut down the most common ones (if they don’t allow private servers in the first place). If you stream, for example, they will directly affect you. They can shut down your stream if you stream gameplay from a private servers.

It indicates that you are a well-known streamer who has persuaded other players to play on private servers instead. They might not even inform you explicitly that your stream is being shut down. All they have to do is clarify the situation to Twitch, and your streaming account will be suspended. Twitch generally does this without thinking because they do not want to become engaged in a lawsuit.

What if You Have Been Assigned to a Private Server as an Administrator or Moderator?

Unless the server is co-hosted with your assistance, the official servers have no beef with you in this situation. Suppose your partner builds the server, and you build the server’s website. In that case, you are also considered a party in hosting a private server.

Therefore, those who participate in hosting the server must exercise caution in abiding by the authorized rules of the game. This means that you should not be concerned about getting into trouble just because you are a player.

Be sure that your association with a private server, whether as a player or a server creator, is legal through copyright, EULA, and other legal agreements.

What happens if you do not abide by the EULA? No one has been sued for using a private server as of yet, so the worst thing that can happen is that the server is taken down or your account is banned.

Video games have made a comeback in the press, but this time for all the wrong reasons. This time, the most famous form of entertainment among teenagers and adults has instigated a lot of political debate.

That takes us to the million-dollar question: Do video games cause violence, or has society found a convenient scapegoat for its failings?
People have argued that video games are dangerous since they first became popular. Is there any proof that this is real, or is it just a bunch of lies?

We’re about to deconstruct the evidence and expose the truth about video games and their connection to abuse. We’ll also debunk some common misunderstandings and discuss what we think video game developers can do in the future. Let’s go!

Unearthing What Science Has to Say About It

Let’s get straight to the point: there is very little proof that video games cause violence. There is about as much evidence to back it up as there is to back up the belief that black cats are unlucky.

It isn’t a new finding; studies have shown the same thing for years. Even though the University of Oxford recently published this study, many people still refuse to accept that video games can be beneficial, especially our parents and older people.

Is there any evidence to back up the argument that video games cause people to become violent? As we previously said, not necessarily – but there is one piece of information that people cling to:

According to Russell Shilling, the American Psychological Association’s chief science officer, some video games trigger a slight increase in violence after playing. CNBC, a well-established American television channel, also reported that.

He quickly clarified, however, that aggression does not imply brutality. The thing is, we are aware of it. We understand why a parent can feel that video games are harmful.

During a Counter-Strike or Call of duty match, many people who usually are friendly become irritated. When a mother or a sibling sees that behavior, it is quite natural for them to think that gaming is the main culprit for this aggressive behavior.

Such experiments are not peer-reviewed. They don’t go through the same rigorous checks and balances that legitimate research endeavors, let say like finding a cure for Covid 19, would go through.

Most tests and studies conducted by our researchers cannot be trusted enough to form an opinion. Here is why!

Typically, the test subjects like you and me are asked to play video games for 15-20 minutes before answering ambiguous questionnaires designed to bring forth the desired response. To prove a preconceived idea, these researchers work backward. There is not much in the way of “scientific” material about these studies.

Violent Video Games Can Have Adverse Effect On Children

While we have heard it a lot, we don’t think there is any objective scientific evidence for this one. We’re not sure why this argument is still being spread around by researchers; although there might be some merit to it, it is easy to dismiss.

Children who engage in aggressive behavior are more likely to have a difficult upbringing. Children who are having difficulties at home are more likely to play video games, escape into a fantasy world, and release pent-up frustration.

In any case, it’s clear that those who make this claim often skip right over the “struggling at home” aspect and blame the problem on video games.

For this reason, regulatory bodies like the ESRB and PEGI exist. They regulate the gaming industry. Games aimed at a mature audience are rated accordingly. Minors are not permitted to play these games.

In all honesty, this topic is a perfect example of poor parenting being used to criticize a thoroughly enjoyable form of entertainment. Consider it like blaming knife manufacturers and the automobile industry for a few irresponsible parents who let their children and teenagers play with kitchen knives and ride heavy bikes.

Developers of video games are not villains that sell ultra-violent games to children. According to essential facts, less than 29% of gamers are under the age of 18. Since the bulk of the target audience isn’t teenagers, video games have mature content.

THE BLAME GAME IS BEING PLAYED

People despise taking responsibility, regardless of the situation. Examine these two scenarios to see if you can figure out who is more likely to be the perpetrator of violent behavior.

• Military-grade firearms that are readily available in the market (in some countries).
• Video Games that are violent.

I know my answer, and I am sure you share a similar opinion.

If you see a child with a gun, a realistic assessment of the child in possession of a weapon will be that he or she has a rough home life and mental problems that come with it. Sadly, people tend to form different opinions when it comes to video games.

Violent Video Games Attract Violent People

It is similar to the previous point, “60 percent of middle school boys who played at least one Mature-rated game hit or beat up someone,” according to a commonly quoted estimate.

Yes, violent games are generally preferred by aggressive people, but studies have shown that this is a positive thing. Aggressive people must find a way to channel their anger, or it could have negative consequences.

Violent video games causing violence is a common opinion among older adults. Even though it would be better if they tried out video games on decent gaming computers, as they would realize just how much fun gaming could be!

Violent Video Games Sensitize Players to Violence in Real Life

It assumes that people cannot tell fantasy from reality, which, while valid for a small percentage of the population, isn’t true for the vast majority of us. Let us take, for example, Tom and Jerry to explain it.

Many of us grew up watching the cartoon, and we all remember Tom being pulled across a cheese grater. We also witnessed him being thrashed by a mallet, a coconut, a spoon, a piano, and various other objects.

How many of us wished we could beat Tom? We are guessing there are not too many. It is almost disrespectful to say that gamers will start treating make-believe violence as actual violence.

With that said, people have most likely taken measures to prevent misinformation from spreading. As you can see below, several people have taken to social media to spread memes about video games causing abuse.

Though memes are amusing, this wonderful hobby is still under threat, and the game developers have the power to help us.

How Video Game Developers Should Treat Violence

Despite the lack of hard evidence that violent video games cause people to become violent, developers must nevertheless take action. It is not enough to ignore the fears of people who have been deceived; reforms must be constructed and implemented.

We’re not saying that video games should reduce violence; instead, they should make it more meaningful. Take, for example, GTA or any first-person shooter game, where you get to shoot a bunch of thugs while listening to upbeat music, but it all changes as you get closer to the ending.

The music stops, and you are left to retrace your steps in silence over a carpet of bodies. A few first-person shooters game out there can be used as an example – basically, any game that features violence with a realistic twist.

Games in which you can shoot cowering civilians and live with the consequences, or games in which refraining from aggression has significant advantages. Violence, but not in a way that glorifies it.

The famous TV show on HBO, Game of Thrones, does a decent job of this. The violence is prevalent, but everybody suffers as a result. You might also say that Grand Theft Auto does something similar – if you want to hear the thoughts on GTA and other controversial video games, check out this thread!

Conclusion

According to many papers and researches, video game exposure is only one of the risk factors for violent activity and aggression. Multiple reports point to prejudice and racial hatred, mental health, unequal social structures, and quick access to firearms and other deadly weapons as a fundamental cause of violence.

Focusing on violent video games as the cause of mass shootings would almost divert politicians’ and elected leaders’ attention away from more critical issues.

With that said, there are still plenty of people who believe violent video games cause actual violence. If you cannot persuade them otherwise, send them to read this article, it might change their views.

Today, Internet connections with the advancement in 5G technology and fiber-optics have have no limits. It is easy to stream games on any device you own. It can save you from any hassle revolved around building a suitable PC, and of course, a lot of upfront investment.

Paying a lot for an expensive PC is not required anymore. If you have a stable and fast enough connection, you can stream the video from the cloud.

Cloud Gaming vs. Gaming PC

Our primary focus here is to compare cloud gaming vs. gaming PC. But, instead of replacing one for the other, let us focus on each option and weigh up its unique pros and cons. In cloud gaming vs. gaming PC, many factors need to be considered before you decide which option is suitable for you.

Element of Cost: Short Term and Long Term

The element of cost is an excellent point to start the comparison. Let’s talk about Cloud gaming and its short-term cost effect. Cloud gaming allows you to gain access to a high-end PC without incurring the considerable cost of buying a new one.

If you consider the long-term costs effect for cloud gaming, it depends on the selected service. There are many cloud gaming platforms available; among them, the most popular are:

• GeForce Now
• Google Stadia
• Shadow

For example, if you go for Geforce Now, which currently costs $10/month, but select their basic plan, you can enjoy the games for free. If you want to go premium on Geforce Now or use a platform like Shadow, you’ll pay a monthly subscription fee. The basic package for Shadow starts at $25 per month.

On the other hand, buying a gaming PC is a one-time fee without additional monthly payments. However, you may need to upgrade hardware over time and with the requirements of new games, so getting a cloud streaming service may be cheaper in the long run.

Compatibility of Games

When you build a new high-end gaming PC, you expect to run every game of your choosing on it. It may not run at the limits of the most outstanding graphics, but you can give it a try.

On the other hand, some cloud streaming services are not compatible with every game of your liking. Let’s again take the example of Geforce Now. It requires developers’ approval for the games to appear on the service, which means you won’t have access to every game available on it.

If your gaming library is essential to you with the latest games, go for a premium plan and be sure to pay for a service compatible with your games.

Comparison of Lag In Input

Obviously, a gaming PC will have less lag than cloud gaming when comparing input latency for multiplayer games, especially competitive games like first-person shooters.

For a gaming PC, the input is direct from the mouse and keyboard, which then goes over the Internet to the central server. On the other hand, inputs on cloud PCs have to travel from your gaming PC to the cloud system and then onto the gaming servers, a much longer process.

Unfortunately, it is simply impossible for a cloud gaming setup to not have some input lag. You could reduce it with a better internet connection, but only to a certain extent. If you are primarily a competitive gamer and multiplayer is important to you, a gaming PC is your best bet.

Updates and Repairs of the System

Owners of a gaming PC will tell you about the frequent hardware issues and the requirement to upgrade it every now and then. PCs are great when they work flawlessly, but the errors creep over time. The PC hardware gets old, and it gets tiresome to maintain it, so it looks easier to switch in this case.

But if you compare it with cloud PC, they don’t encounter the issues as mentioned earlier as often. When the problems crop up, they are a problem for the server’s host. Meanwhile, you can switch to another cloud system while the hosts fix the issues.

Playing Games Offline or With a Poor Internet Connection

To move forward in comparing cloud gaming vs. gaming PC, we can talk about playing games offline or with an average internet connection.
If you have a shaky internet connection and are playing games on a cloud computer, you will find it hard to play because of the lag. Ultimately, if you lose the connection, you cannot even play the games anymore.

Make sure that you have an internet connection that can sustain the demands of cloud gaming on a daily basis. If it cannot, it might be better for you to invest in a gaming PC and avoid the frustrating task of trying to play on the cloud with a subpar connection. A gaming PC will allow you to play offline even if your Internet connection is not stable.

Using Other Devices to Play the Game

Cloud gaming can be played on any screen because it does not need anything from the client’s system. You can play on computers, browsers, on a smart TV, and even on your phone with a compatible cloud gaming services.

That is not to suggest that physical computers are obsolete in this regard. Steam Link, for example, is a service that allows you to connect your PC to another computer. Your gaming machine does the heavy lifting, and your device acts as a screen for viewing.

Conclusion

We have a final note on cloud gaming vs. gaming PC to wrap things up. Suppose you are not a competitive gamer and like to play games to relax, mostly offline. In that case, the safest choice is to use a cloud gaming system.

You’ll need a decent Internet connection for cloud gaming. If you have one, you can play games on any computer at maximum settings without worrying about spending money on hardware and tools.

However, for those who want the best of the best, the gaming PC remains the number one choice. There is plenty that a physical machine can bring over a cloud-based one, from decreased input time to the ability to play any game you want. Choose smartly!

But have you ever wondered how to play games cheaply? Is there a way? YES! With the rise of cloud-computing technologies, there has been a renaissance of cloud gaming.

Imagine yourself playing modern realistic games with high settings on your laptop device through a browser (Same as you stream a YouTube video). Doesn’t that sound exciting?

There are many popular cloud gaming platforms available, such as:

• GeForce Now
• Google Stadia
• Shadow
• Rainway
• Parsec

These popular cloud gaming services help you overcome your computer hardware limits. But the question here is which service to use? GeForce Now vs Stadia? Or Rainway vs Parsec? To answer the questions, let us focus on each of the cloud gaming services one by one.

GeForce Now

GeForce Now is a popular cloud gaming service provided by Nvidia. If you are a gamer, you will certainly know Nvidia and their popular Graphical Processing Units (GPUs). When it comes to modern gaming, Nvidia indeed leads the way.

Moreover, GeForce Now consists of a massive library of modern games that you can play. GeForce now supports games from Steam, Uplay, and Battle.net, but it is currently supported on limited devices.

Speaking of the limited services, GeForce does not allow you to work through virtual environments on your Windows or Linux machines. You can only play games supported by the GeForce Now gaming library. If you are looking to race your cars in an EA title, GeForce Now will disappoint you.

To cover your disappointment, the GeForce Now features almost every new modern game as upon their release. With new games, the GeForce Now library also has copious amounts of old games.

However, GeForce now library does not have games that are over a decade old. Thankfully, your laptop, PC, or gaming device should be capable enough to run these games, as their hardware requirements are not that high.

Another pro of using GeForce Now is that you can play the games directly from their library. It does not limit you to downloading the games first — resulting in the removal of storage limits. All you have to do is log in through your Uplay, steam, or gaming platform account, choose a game from GeForce Now and begin playing.

Currently, GeForce now supports a gaming resolution of 1080p. It is reasonable enough to enjoy the modern games out there. You might be worried about the lag through online gameplay. But GeForce Now’s reviews suggest that the games work pretty smoothly on balanced settings without any lag.

GeForce Now currently costs $10/month, but you can also avail it for free. You can register for GeForce Now for free, but you will have to wait for your turn because of the high traffic on the servers. As a paying member, you will be able to access the servers instantly.

Google Stadia

Google is the epitome of powerful technology. With Google entering into the cloud gaming arena through Google Stadia, cloud gaming has been legitimized. Google’s servers are powerful and promise to offer 10.7 terra-flops of GPU performance.

“Game with your browser” is Stadia’s tagline. Just open your browser and engage in a 120fps, 4K streaming experience.

To enjoy smooth and lag-free gaming, you need a minimum internet connection of around 10Mbps. This is to support 60fps gaming at non-4K resolutions. Stadia uses Stream to allow multiplayer gaming as well.

Stadia allows you to let your friends join the game even at your game’s current playing point, and there is a massive list of games that Google Stadia supports. Google Stadia pro services start at $9.99 per month, which is the plan that allows for 4K streaming.

Shadow

Another streaming service out there is Shadow by Blade. Shadow starts with a package of GTX 1080 GPU supported by 12 GB RAM and 256GB storage volume.

Shadow simple configurations can run many of the modern games out there. They have a 1ms internal ping, which ensures smooth and lag-free gameplay. The best thing about Shadow is that they give you the feeling of running an entire PC in the cloud.

The more advanced Shadow packages include RTX 2080 GPU supported by a quad-core 4GHz CPU and 16 GB RAM with 512 GB of storage volume. The plans can increase as the price goes higher. The basic package starts at $25 per month.

Rainway

Rainway is another name in the streaming industry. It is a video game streaming service. It allows you to run games on your Windows PC and play them on any other device using a stable internet connection.

They also provide complete compatibility on games purchased from Origin, Battle, GOG, Steam, etc. You can game right away through your web browsers or even mobile devices. Although Rainway is a small startup compared to the ones discussed above, it is worth mentioning.

Rainway is currently freely available to use, and you can download it from your mobile application store. The limitation of Rainway is that it does not offer any extra hardware resources and depends upon your computer system.

Parsec

Parsec is the last service that we are going to look at. Parsec not only allows you to the game but also helps you connect with your friends or work remotely. They do not have their high-end servers but allow users to integrate Amazon and Paperspace services.

Parsec allows you to connect with your friends and enhance the multiplayer experience. With Parsec, you can also use your computer as a host and let your friends and other people connect with it. Parsec is also free to use.

Although Parsec offers excellent free services that the others on this list do not; It fails to provide quality streaming services available to you by other service providers such as GeForce or Stadia.

Conclusion

The future of gaming through cloud-computing technology is here. The competition for the first place to lead cloud gaming is high. It all depends on the answer to the question, “Who is better?” Whether your comparing GeForce vs Stadia or Rainway vs Parsec, the big picture is hard to clarify.

The cloud gaming services may seem costly to you right now, but they are a hundred times cheaper than buying the hardware. Choosing between the best cloud gaming platform is all up to you and is not limited to one opinion. You need to assess your needs and budget and purchase the cloud gaming services and their plans accordingly.

Back in the days, worrying about system requirements to run a game wasn’t that of a headache. Most of the games used to run on 32-bit support. But the games have now evolved considerably, and so have the system requirements needed to run them!

Game developers like EA, Nintendo, and Ubisoft have moved on to 64-bit system support for their games. Even the older games are updated and patched according to the 64-bit system. But what’s the rush to such a transition? Why is such a change required in the first place?

Let’s find out.

Understanding 32-bit and 64-bit

To understand the difference between 32-bit vs. 64-bit, let’s look at them individually first:

• 32-bit: It means that your computer can process 232 = 4,294,967,296 values in a single go. Even if you are a non-technical person, you understand that this is a very high number.
• 64-bit: You guessed it right, by this your computer can process 264 = 8,446,744,073,709,551,616 values in one go. It is a billion times higher than a 32-bit processor.

To sum it up, the higher the bitrate, the faster your system will process data.

Modern Games and 64-Bit Support

After clearing the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit, we have concluded that a 64-bit system processes the values faster. In present times, modern games have such high-intensity graphics that they require such high-processing speed.

The requirement of such processing quickly helps out the game developers to provide the gamers with realistic experiences in their games.

Behind the Scenes in Your Computer System

Now we know PC gamers’ problems, the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit, and why modern games require a 64-bit system. The question here is, what happens inside the computer system that helps modern games to look realistic than ever before?

In your computer system, there are different types of memory devices. A kind of memory is called Registers. The registers are the fastest temporary storage devices that can be accessed directly by the CPU. The registers come in various sizes, including 4-bit, 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit.

The backend of a computer system does not understand anything except numbers, more specifically bit numbers. So your CPU manipulates the numbers to get things going. Whether you are running a game or browsing in your system, it’s all numbers behind the scenes.

The size of your register plays an important role here. For your CPU to process a number, it needs the number to be in registers first. The larger the register’s size, the more significant processing your CPU will do, resulting in faster processing by the CPU.

Modern games nowadays provide you with a more realistic experience than ever. With 64-bit support, they can run in a stable and faster way providing you with the best gaming experience.

Computer Games and Addressing Space

Computer games require memory to run on your system. The more significant memory your processor supports, the more beneficial it is for the game.

For example, you are running a game on a 32-bit processor that only supports 4 GB of RAM. As you launch the game, it starts to occupy space in your memory. The space that it acquires is addressing space. Your game is now using this addressing space to load game objects such as cars, menu items, locations, player profiles, etc.

Now when you are playing the game, game objects frequently required to be loaded are stored inside the cache memory. The cache memory address space depends upon your processor bit support. If it is 32-bit support, it will only hold the number of objects that the system can accommodate within this limited memory.

For a 64-bit system, this memory support would be much higher. It can allow the system to make more things stored inside the cache memory. Your game objects will load faster; you can autosave your game and play the game without experiencing any loading delay.

Remember that there are games that will come with memory-constraints. Most modern games come with 64-bit processor requirements these days. These games do not run unless the system has the necessary support.

Modern Games and CPU Calculations

We now know that a computer manipulates numbers to perform the tasks. You give input; some instructions in the form of numbers go to the CPU, CPU processes them, and return the output.

Now in modern games, when you are playing, you are doing multiple tasks inside the game. For example, running the car in a racing game, you accelerate and then press the car break at once. How do you think your system deals with these tasks behind the scenes?

Well, your system would process your tasks in numbers. The numbers can be in decimal form as well. For a 32-bit system, a number as long as 7 decimal digits work fine and processed efficiently.

But in modern games, these decimal digits would be more. An alternate, but slow solution that your 32-bit systems do, is to store these numbers in multiple places in the memory. It is slow because you can say that you have a single task number in 2 different memory locations.

But for a 64-bit system, you can even store a 16-digit decimal place number in a single place. It allows for faster processing of the number. Hence, your game runs even more smoothly.

Modern Games and Desperation for GPU’s

You must be wondering that you have got a 64-bit processor, making your computer machine capable of modern games out there. But it is not the only case.

The 64-bit processing system does help to an extent, but the GPU’s need is quintessential. GPU provides much larger memory-width space as compared to a CPU. It helps to cover up space even as big enough as 256-bit.

So, a GPU is more important when it comes to running modern games. However, your CPU with a 64-bit processor helps you handle better memory decisions that boost your game performances. So, if you have a 64-bit processor, the next step to running modern PC games is a better GPU.

Conclusion

The article helped you understand that why modern games require 64-bit processor support. But summing up everything:

• We got to know the actual difference between 32-bit and a 64-bit system and how they impact the gaming experience.
• Behind the scenes calculations of a computer system. How all it matters to the computer is just the numbers at the end.
• Addressing space in computer memory. How running your games requires object loading into the memory space and the importance of cache memory.
• Registers and CPU calculations. A larger register size is the key to faster game processing.
• The role of GPUs for modern gaming and their importance as compared to a CPU with 64-bit processing.

We tried to build some sound understanding of the above things. We hope you have understood the technicalities behind the 64-bit CPU processor and its impact on computer gaming.

Still, is cloud gaming the future or is merely an excursion into a side-territory that is optional at best and ignore-worthy at worst? We aim to find out in this article, both for the sake of knowing where the industry is headed and what this means for us.

The Rise of Cloud Gaming

The discussion on cloud gaming is an interesting one. While many are still anticipating the rise, some claim to be watching it happen, while others say they’ve already seen it crash and burn before (such as the very first time such a thing was launched by G-Cluster all the way back in 2000 at E3) or the underwhelming breakeven mediocracy of the PlayStation Now from SONY, although we might not share that exaggerated view.

Let’s take a step back and ask ourselves why the need for cloud gaming ever arose. You already know how gaming works: of the many consoles that different people prefer based on different needs, you take one or multiple devices for videogames such as a PC or an Xbox, which run your game as one of many different possible software. The input-process-output cycle.

As such, the game exists as something physical in your possession on your device, taking up space. Even the best gaming PCs are ultimately limited in that department, as everything is, and then there’s also questions of hardware compatibility.

Cloud gaming aims to revolutionize the thing by making your games streamable over the Internet, just like Netflix or YouTube. Instead of your device shouldering the processing load all by itself, the game is run on another powerful server, with your console or device acting much like a terminal would – no graphics rendering, no input, no processing.

Potentially, this means no limits.

Practically, however, the story goes a little bit off the rails.

The Complexities Of Cloud Gaming

Here is a stark reminder of something that you’re already probably reminded of all the time, especially in a 2020, at-home situation: the Internet is not as reliable as we would want, and that is perhaps a limiting factor we’re most aware of at any given time.

The dream as described above might even suddenly collapse once you realize that now it’s not your computer that is handling the processing itself, but that the input has to be relayed over the Internet, processed elsewhere, and sent back to you as a video feed.

We’ve already seen how the 2020 lockdown affected video feeds for Netflix and YouTube which cut corners on quality on its streams in Europe and India, with outright outages in many places over the globe.

However, these are only the problems associated with cloud gaming – not some end-all death knell without any solution or saving grace in sight. In fact, a cloud gaming service could even potentially have a global gameplay network without any lag (or so minimal to not be detected), but it would require server farms with extremely high-speed Internet connections on both ends.

Is this something we see getting better? Let us look at where we currently stand and what the future currently holds in store for cloud gaming.

Is Cloud Gaming The Future?

While lockdown-related measures have undoubtedly made a mess of the best-laid plans and shown vulnerabilities in systems all over the world, the situation is not all doom and gloom, especially not on the technological level. Or at least, not for cloud gaming.

In fact, in a report on cloud gaming published by Deloitte in March 2020, cloud gaming is very significantly poised to take advantage of the 23% of the gaming population that has already gone multiplatform, navigating between mobile, PC and different consoles. The report even claims, on the basis of Deloitte’s research and analysis, that “cloud gaming could unleash years of uncertainty, disruption, IP consolidation, and transformation across the media landscape”.

Users would potentially jump at these opportunities for many reasons. Even the best custom PC builders would find their limitations lifted, the latest technology being exploited near-immediately and being accessible to larger portions of the population in spades, and even on the company end, the costs would be offset by being spread over a larger number of customers and gamers.

This would tie in with the rise of 5G, as well as the rise of mobility and increased concerns over large gatherings and the need for much more reliable avenues that you can take with you on the go. It also makes everything much faster in the gaming world (given the average lifespans of gaming consoles with are anywhere from around 3 to 6 years on average), meaning innovation would be sped up as upgrades are near-instantaneous and a single user – in fact, the masses at large – can make use of such powerful technology together.

Both PCs and Consoles have their pros and cons. Neither can be said to be objectively better than the other because the one that suits you will depend on your needs. We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you make an informed decision, especially if you are just getting into gaming.

Pricing

Price is the most obvious starting point; if you cannot afford a new gaming PC or console, then the best thing for you is to make the most out of your current PC. But if you are set on a new system, then you need to remember that PCs can be, overall, a bit more expensive than consoles. A PC system may cost $800-$1000, while an Xbox One or a PS4 cost around $300-$500. But the system price is not the only thing that matters.

Looking at this in terms of components helps. Let’s talk about display, for instance. If you want a 1080p display, you’ll be using a TV for your console and a monitor for your PC (although you can use a monitor with your console as well). Buying new, TVs are more expensive than monitors. Used TVs are better than used monitors, but new monitors are of better value for money than new TVs.

Controllers are not much of an issue, price-wise. Console controllers can be used with PCs as well, and third party controllers are also available at lower prices (although these don’t always perform as well and can deteriorate the entire experience). A decent mouse and keyboard for a PC will, however, cost less than the official controllers for a console (remember that gaming variants of mice and keyboards cost a fair bit more than a console controller).

New physical games are more or less at the same price point for both mediums. Used PC games aren’t really available as widely, while used console games can be found for $10-15. PC games are cheaper when bought from Steam and other available digital platforms. Consoles are restricted to their respective online marketplaces, but these are sufficient. Consoles also charge for memberships to play online while PCs do not.

All in all, you may be paying more for a PC, but that evens out because it becomes an investment, and paying less for consoles makes for a more hassle-free approach that suits both new and long-time gamers, so again, it depends on your preference.

Exclusivity with Games

Games aren’t simply PC exclusive or console exclusive; each console has its own exclusive games as well. So this is where the debate segregates into Xbox One vs PC gaming, or PS4 vs PC gaming.

To make it quick, PC exclusive games are greater in number but not as harshly segregated by generation. Sony has put a lot of money into PS4 exclusives; like God of War, Uncharted, The Last of Us, and Horizon Zero Dawn. Xbox exclusives aren’t usually much of a concern because Microsoft owns Windows, so many Xbox “exclusive” games work on PCs as well, such as Forza and Gears of War.

If the kind of games you want to be able to play is the most important thing to you, then you can choose your gaming medium based on this heading alone. If you want many exclusive single-player games, go for PS4. If you want more strategy and multiplayer-focused exclusives, go for a gaming PC. An Xbox would make a good in-between for the two.

Upgradability

Upgradability is important because it decides the long term value of your investment, and also determines how versatile your system will prove to be in the future, what with technology constantly evolving to the extent where it becomes exhausting to merely keep up with it.

Internal hard drives can be updated in both PCs and consoles. Newer consoles can use external hard drives as well, but they do have a 2.5 inch-drive limitation for internal storage. PCs have more upgrade potential, but as we’ve already said they are more expensive than consoles for this reason too. So you’ll have to weigh the odds with this one and see what suits your budget and needs.

Graphics

PCs have crisp, high quality, but very expensive graphics. We have already talked about displays, but to get the most out of your PC’s graphics potential you will also need a high-end graphics card and processor, and a good amount of RAM. Again, if you can achieve this then go for it.

Remember that cheaper PCs may not perform as well, and you really need to know your stuff when shopping for a PC. Console graphics depend on your TV (usually), so if you already have a high-quality HDTV, then getting a console will help you get the most out of your TV as well.

Which One’s For You?

Both PCs and consoles are versatile and serve purposes other than gaming as well, so you do get more value for your money. For instance, most consoles double up as media streaming platforms as well (for Netflix and such), and gaming PCs are powerful enough to be used for resource-intensive tasks like video editing as well.

If you need a PC anyway for a lot of other work, then it might be a good idea to kill two birds with one stone and get a gaming PC. The console experience is preferred by some users overall. Again (because we cannot stress this enough) take a good look at your priorities, budget, and needs before you decide which medium is best for you.