I’ve enjoyed my recent subscriptions and addressable market posts, so this time I’d get into something truly controversial: PC vs. console gaming. Believe me, it’s less risky to talk about abortion or gun control. Let’s get in there.
The True Cost of Your Gaming Habit
Console or PC? Today, we’re going to talk about which is better … financially.
Before you put a horse’s head in my bed, let’s all take a nice, deep breath, then look at the numbers, the pros, the cons, and (why not?) the inevitable ridiculousness that comes with being a gamer in today’s world.
Up-Front Costs: The Sticker Shock
Console Gaming
So, you’ve decided to grab an Xbox Series X or a PlayStation 5. Good for you! Let’s break down the price tag:
- Console: $500 USD
- Extra Controller (because Elden Ring rage is real): $60 USD
Total: Around $560 USD. Nice, and you’ve even managed to convince the people you live with to connect it to the family TV, saving further display investment! There’s confidence in that swagger.
PC Gaming
Now, if you’re thinking about joining the PC Master Race, you’re going to need a bigger wallet, or have a spare kidney you can auction:
- Gaming PC: $1,200 USD (we’re talking mid-range here; I just checked Dell’s XPS pricing and this will get you one)
Total: $1,200 USD. Yeah, I know. I feel you, but we also managed to convince the people you live with to connect it to the family TV, and this time, no one but you knows enough about it to turn it on.
Ongoing Costs: The Gift That Keeps on Taking
Console Gaming
Wait, you thought you were done flagellating your wallet? Nah, dawg. Consoles are not a one-time deal:
- Subscription Fees: $9.99 per month for Xbox Game Pass Core or PlayStation Plus Essential
Over 5 years, that’s $599.40. Total: $560 (initial) + $599.40 (subs) = $1,159.40. Let’s call it $1,200 between friends. Oof.
PC Gaming
Finally, some good news: once you’ve got your rig, you’re mostly in the clear.
- No mandatory subscriptions for multiplayer: Free!
Total: $1,300 (initial) + $0 (subs) = $1,300. Suddenly, that big upfront cost doesn’t look so bad, does it? And you’re not at the mercy of Microsoft or Sony when they decide to jack up the price on subscriptions.
There’s a nasty component to ongoing cost: it starves your cashflow, complicating other financial decisions. While you might have paid more for a PC up front, it’s done. Every paycheque is staying with you, but in an online console world, $120/year is going to someone else for highly questionable value. You stop paying, you stop playing online.
The Hidden Costs: The Devil’s in the Details
Like any good story, there’s more once you’ve got past the prologue.
AAA Games: AAA games love to nickel and dime you. Season passes, premium currency, you name it. Minimal free content, maximum FOMO. It’s like buying a car only to find out the wheels are extra.
F2P Games: games like The First Descendant, Warframe, and Neverwinter flip the script. They give you the whole game for free, with optional microtransactions. You don’t need to pay to get the latest content. Spending money is more like tipping the devs for a job well done, not paying for basic features.
Buy-to-Own Titles: Guild Wars 2 and Elder Scrolls Online offer a middle ground. You pay for the expansions, but they don’t shove season passes down your throat. The base game might even be free (looking at you, Guild Wars 2), and the cosmetics are purely optional.
The Trading Card: Consoles vs. Steam Sales
There’s a level playing field regardless of platform for AAA titles. But what about the discount options?
Consoles (assuming you weren’t a chump that bought a digital edition) have a trick up their sleeve: disc trading. Finished a game? Trade it in, sell it, or swap it with a friend. You can’t do that on PC.
That said, Steam Sales are legendary for a reason. PC gamers can pick up AAA titles for a fraction of the price, sometimes just a few months after launch. It’s a different kind of savings, but it’s savings nonetheless.
The variability of 2nd hand discs and the frequency of Steam sales means I feel PC has netted me better buying (more games, for less, and with a wider range of AAA to indie) than the console market. YMMV, but I think this heavily outweighs the $100 price difference over 5 years.
Safety and Simplicity: Why Consoles Win Some Rounds
Online Safety: Consoles generally offer a safer online environment. You don’t need to worry about as many security risks or cheaters because the ecosystem is more controlled. It’s like playing in a fenced backyard versus the wild, wild west of PC gaming.
Technical Competency: PC gaming can require more fiddling. Drivers, updates, patches—sometimes it feels like you need an IT degree just to play a game. Consoles? You plug it in, turn it on, and you’re good to go. Less hassle, more gaming.
Why It All Matters
So, what’s the takeaway? If you love the idea of trading games, want a safe and simple experience, and don’t mind paying an ongoing fee to play online, consoles might be your jam. But if you’re in it for the long haul, enjoy tinkering with your setup, and want access to plentiful dirt-cheap games, PC gaming could be the better financial deal.
The good news is many companies are deleting barriers by putting in cross play regardless of platform (like The First Descendant and Warframe). This does a hyoooge amount to making you hate yourself less if you bought a different platform to your friends.
Each platform has its perks and pitfalls. Just know what you’re getting into. Remember: whether you’re team console or PCMR, the most important thing is that you’re gaming. May your load times be short and your KDA ratio high.