Console vs Console vc PC – But Why?

Over the course of the Summer Showcase and various other game showcases, I noticed a baffling trend. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it, but it’s the first time I’ve really paid attention to it. This trend involves one group of people trashing another group’s console or platform of choice. Whether it’s Xbox vs. PlayStation, or console vs. PC, the rivalry can get surprisingly intense and often detracts from the enjoyment of gaming itself.

Wondering how far back this went, I did a simple look up on YouTube for the term ‘why do console gamers hate pc gamers?’ I found videos going back almost a decade, with titles like ‘Why I hate PC gaming Part 4: Why Console and Capcom is tha bezt!’, ‘Why Do Console Gamers Hate PC Gamers’, and ‘Lies that Console Fanboys Say About PC Gaming’.

Looking up the term ‘why do Nintendo players hate Xbox’ brought a more mixed bag of results, ranging from ‘Hate Comments – XBox vs. Playstation Fanboys’ and various titles comparing Nintendo Switch to Playstation 5.

This year alone, people have been heavily criticizing both the Xbox and PlayStation showcases. I missed the Playstation showcase, not having much interest in what they’re offering after the whole kerfuffle with Helldivers 2 and Sony requiring a PSN account to play the game on PC. I’m not even certain that’s been fully resolved. As for the Xbox showcase, it featured a couple of potential hits, such as Doom: The Dark Ages and State of Decay 3. And those were just two of many good announcements.

Of course, Nintendo had its own showcase just three days ago, featuring some of their classic franchises, from Mario & Luigi Brothership to remasters of Donkey Kong Country Returns and Dragon Quest 3. Once again, it was a full plate of offerings that almost makes me want to get a Switch. Almost.

All I saw was a whole slew of potentially great games from different developers and for different gaming platforms. To me, this should be great news for gamers of all stripes. So why do people spend their precious time and energy criticizing how and on what others choose to engage with the hobby of gaming?

There are key psychological and social factors that may contribute to this intense rivalry.

One factor could be the strong identification gamers often feel with their chosen console or PC. They invest not just money and time, but also emotions into their gaming experiences. These investments lead to the formation of like-minded communities around specific consoles, fostering a deep sense of belonging.

Another significant cause is brand loyalty. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony actively cultivate brand loyalty through marketing, community engagement, and, to a lesser extent now, exclusive games. Gamers who have positive experiences with one brand over another often become fiercely loyal and defensive of their choice, even in the face of criticism.

PC gamers also exhibit brand loyalty, often centering around preferences for parts manufacturers (Intel vs. AMD vs. NVIDIA) and gaming platforms (Steam vs. Epic vs. GOG). This topic alone could be a completely separate post!

Of course, there’s likely a healthy dose of nostalgia involved, often stemming from what console someone played during childhood. These rose-colored glasses can lead to a lifelong preference. I know that I, for one, will always view the Atari 2600 quite fondly, as I grew up with it, though it’s objectively very outdated now.

All that aside, it still baffles me how a group of people can hate the choices of other people so much that they feel the need to crap all over everything they love on a regular basis. It’s sort of pointless.

I prefer gaming on PC. It’s something I’ve done regularly since 1997 when Diablo came out. Regarding consoles, I’ve owned a few over the years: the SNES, which holds a special place for me, the Wii (still in my possession), and a Game Boy Color and Nintendo DS, both of which I may still have tucked away.

However, I think if someone enjoys playing on the Xbox or the PS5, more power to them. If they prefer Nintendo, great. If they play on a top of the line PC, a brand new Steam Deck, or an old laptop, fantastic!

At the end of the day, we’re all participating in the same hobby – video games. And that should be enough to bring us together.