On Consoles
What exactly (don’t you dare quote a definition…) is a console? I was just looking at the poll that’s currently up on the site and going down the list to have a peek at the ‘guest added’ options.
The addition of the handhelds was interesting enough, though for all intents and purposes they are simply wireless, portable consoles, and we could have included them in the list. And down at the bottom, if my eyes don’t deceive, is the PC. I didn’t even know that the PC was considered a console. I, perhaps in my naivete, thought that consoles were things like the Xbox, that hook up to my TV and come with controllers that look like murder weapons.
My brain, I guess I’m saying, thinks in three terms when it comes to this kind of thing: consoles (like the next-gen consoles — Revo, PS3, 360); handhelds (PSP, DS, GBA, etc); and the trusty PC off in an area of its own. Am I wrong to think like this? Is my brain not wired like the average gamer?? Does everyone (definitions aside) think of the PC when they think of consoles?
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POSTED IN: Musings
6 opinions for On Consoles
Matt
Jan 28, 2006 at 7:40 pm
No, you’re wired fine. Or, atleast wired the same as me. Now there’s a frightening thought for you I’m sure ;)
I also think of a console as something that’s hooked up (normally) to a TV and then played using controllers. The console for the most part remains stationary and is then used from a distance with controllers. Sometimes smooth, white, sleek, wireless controllers.
Things like the DS or Gameboy come to mind as a hand held. These are devices that fit entirely into your hand. Console and controller merged into one. They are meant to be portable and taken around with you wherever you go.
The PC, is a beast all together it’s own. It is not a console or a hand held simply because it is so much more. It is not a dedicated gaming device. While some people may only use one for games, it has the intention of being something else. Gaming on the PC is just a “side” hobby if you will. While games for the PC are indeed a huge market, so is business and productivity software. Licenses for applications such as Maya or Corda can cost several thousands of dollars. Games? 50-60 bucks. And while laptops are portable and can be taken with you wherever you go, again they’re still just a PC, albeit a smaller version, but they’re main function is intended for productivity.
So to wrap everything up, hand-helds are not consoles. PCs are not consoles. IMO anyways. Hand-helds may be off-shoots of consoles, but they still remain as hand-held, portable gaming devices. A console is a dedicated gaming platform. They are starting to resemble PCs in how they work but they are still dedicated for games and entertainment purposes only. While a computer can be used in the same way, it is not limited to gaming/entertainment. And therefore not a console.
Patrick
Jan 28, 2006 at 8:29 pm
I always think console is connected to a TV. I never ever thought a PC can be called a console.
Cal
Jan 30, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Ah, but these days with TV’s accepting computer monitor connections, and controllers being used as, well… controllers on PC’s, you can hook your PC to the TV and play a game with a controller.
Therefore a PC becomes a console by definition.
Thank you, thank you very much.. autographs at 9, please form an orderly queue to the left :)
jayvee f.
Jan 30, 2006 at 8:08 pm
a gaming console is a dedicated gaming device. the PC therefore is not a console :)
my 2 million cents worth.
Erin
Jan 31, 2006 at 8:17 am
Definitions aside Cal (you little crap disturber!)…you consider the PC a console?
And Jayvee, by your definition, can you consider the Xbox 360 a dedicated gaming device given Microsoft’s focus on the multimedia aspects?
Cal (the crap dirturber)
Jan 31, 2006 at 4:20 pm
No, not really, I was just stretching Matt’s definition a bit for some fun :)
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