A Beginner’s Guide to Video Games: Platforms
Written by Vivek Philendra
Thumbnail Photo by Branden Skeli on Unsplash
We’re creating a guide to make gaming feel like the most approachable thing on Earth, even to the most technophobic folks out there. This is the second installment of a simple yet comprehensible guide that will explain everything you need to know about video games before you get your feet wet. Don’t worry, we’re going to look at everything from camera perspectives to payment models. In case you missed our first installment, which explains the different kinds of camera perspectives in gaming and how they affect you as a player, we highly suggest that you check that out first.
Today we’ll be looking at the different gaming platforms that are available to you, focusing specifically on PC, consoles, mobile, cloud, and VR. So, let’s hop right into it!
Console
Consoles are essentially computers that are specifically built for gaming. They feature a custom operating system that makes its main purpose — gaming — simple and straightforward. Once you set it up, it just works. They are ideally meant to be played on bigger screens, such as your living room television or a monitor. They are easy to set up, always come with at least one standard controller, and include all the cables required to start playing right from the get-go.
Photo by TechRadar
In recent years, consoles have also evolved into multipurpose multi-media devices. Depending on the device, you will be able to binge your favourite Netflix, Prime, and Hulu shows, listen to your curated podcasts or playlists while gaming, and watch your favourite streamers on Twitch and YouTube. If that wasn’t already cool enough, some consoles can even play 4K Blu-Ray discs and files off your USB or external hard drives! If gaming on-the-go is more up your alley, you could get a handheld console, or one that can do both, such as the Nintendo Switch.
The console is our recommended platform of choice for first timers! Consoles are a great bang for your buck because they last for at least seven years (average time of one console generation) and only cost half as much as the new iPhone.
Advantages: easy to set up and use, all essential parts included in one package, comparatively cheaper, plenty of games, and portability.
Disadvantages: no access to user-generated mods and community content, compromised graphical output, and sometimes requires additional fees for multiplayer gaming.
PC
A gaming PC or laptop is exactly what it sounds like: a desktop machine (usually running Windows) capable of some heavy-duty gaming. You can buy a premade one from a retailer, but most purists would hold the opinion that buying parts separately and building it yourself is the way to go.
PC versions of games let you tinker with the settings to play it the way you want and utilize your hardware capabilities to their maximum. You can also swap out individual parts instead of the whole thing at once to ensure that your device always remains updated. Due to this, the best versions of multi-platform games will always be on PC. Professional Esports players prefer PCs to consoles due to their superior accuracy and precision. But all this comes at, quite literally, a huge cost! A half decent PC would cost you at least twice as much as a console, and that is only if you have the technical know-how to build it yourself. Let’s not forget the peripherals such as gaming mice, specialized headsets. Gaming PCs can also be ridiculously expensive. However, for someone looking to buy a laptop and a gaming device, buying a PC might look like killing two birds with one stone. But, from personal experience, I would always advise you to keep your work and pleasure separate.
We do not recommend a gaming PC to anyone who’s just starting out. Gaming is not necessarily an expensive hobby, but PC gaming sure can be. It is, however, an ideal choice for someone who’s looking to switch from the casual to the professional side of gaming.
Advantages: access to user-generated mods and community content, highest-graphical fidelity, larger catalogue of indie games, precise input, easily upgradeable, varied input methods, free multiplayer, and emulation.
Disadvantages: costs an arm and a leg, additional peripherals required, requires adequate technical knowledge, lack of major exclusives, and little portability.
Mobile
Yes, you read that right — the device you are probably reading this on is capable of gaming too! With modern smartphones featuring increasingly impressive specifications, mobile games have come a long way from the good old days of Snake on the Nokia 6110. Ever since the breakout success of Candy Crush back in 2012, developers have sensed the potential of mobile gaming and started putting out focused, quality titles.
Photo by Afif Kusuma on Unsplash
Mobile games are immensely popular, especially in Asia, and it’s not hard to see why. They are easily accessible, don’t require a separate device, most of them are free, and plenty of the games are easy to get into without any prior knowledge. Nowadays, even a below average smartphone can emulate games that were on major consoles not that long ago. Official ports of popular console titles are also being released on mobile, such as the surprise indie-stealth hit République and almost every Rockstar game from the PS2-era. It also helps that console controllers do work on most phones, and there are plenty of other gaming accessories available to harness the full potential of your mobile gaming experience.
We’d recommend the mobile platform for those with a lack of adequate time or money to set aside for gaming. It still helps you stay connected with friends and makes it much more entertaining to wait in lines. If you find yourself pouring hours into your gaming, however, we advise moving to a different platform with a bigger screen - your eyes will definitely thank you for it.
Advantages: accessibility and availability, price, connectedness, emulation, and convenience.
Disadvantages: limited to casual games, unreliable touch controls, high storage requirements, and microtransactions.
VR
Virtual reality gaming was something that I personally didn’t expect to take off, but with games reaching new heights in storytelling and graphical achievements, it was only natural to see VR emerge as a legitimate gaming platform. While VR may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to its use of rather large, uncomfortable VR headsets and motion controllers that are not always very responsive, its immersion capabilities are undeniable. With the success of a major title like Half: Life Alyx last year, VR has finally solidified its place in mainstream gaming.
VR can only be experienced exclusively on Sony’s consoles and PC for now, but there are plenty of interesting titles that are sure to keep you wanting more. However, we would only recommend VR to those who have had experience with gaming and are familiar with the basics. If you have a history of seizures, feel easily nauseated, or have photosensitive epilepsy, it is advised that you consult your doctor before giving VR a try.
Advantages: immersion and unique gaming experiences.
Disadvantages: expensive, can be sensitive to certain health conditions, and the lack of polish in VR games.
Cloud
Remember when we used to have DVDs? There would be a single movie burnt to a disk, and you would need a CD-drive or a DVD player as well as a compatible TV or computer to play it. Ever since we started streaming movies, all we need is an internet connection and a subscription to access a bulk of titles. Cloud games work in a similar way. Cloud gaming allows you to play games beyond your device’s capabilities by letting their servers do all the heavy lifting, as the game would simply be streamed to your screen.
Photo by Cristiano Pinto on Unsplash
Unfortunately, Cloud gaming is still in its infancy, and multiple ambitious efforts to develop the platform, even by the likes of the tech giant Google, did not pan out. It will definitely be a long time before we recommend this platform to anyone.
Advantages: ambitious ideas.
Disadvantages: internet requirements, graphical compromises, unideal gaming experience, and not ready for commercial use.
We hope that you now have enough knowledge to determine what platform best suits your unique gaming needs. Stay tuned for our future installments aimed at making video games more accessible to each and every one of you!