I used to be a PC-only gamer but the older I get the more I gravitate toward very ‘simple’ platforms.
Because my gaming time slots can be unpredictable and sometimes short I can’t take too much time setting things up.
I was surprised to find that I use the Nintendo Switch a lot because the games are on cartridges (usually few to no downloading needed) and I can continue playing the game when I am away from home. Really surprising, considering I bought it out of curiosity in 2017 and that it is in some ways underpowered compared to my other devices- I never had a Nintendo ‘home’ console before that.
I thought of adding the PS4 to this mention however recently I’ve been avoiding playing it due to the constant updates. The worst example was when my SO bought me Red Dead Redemption 2. I sat down, excited to play it, when suddenly it pormpted me to download a HUGE update . It really kind of ruined my first session.
What are your experiences and your preferred devices?
In my mid 50’s. I use a steam deck and my PC running Linux.
Just turned 50, same! Plus a PS5 because previous generations had good exclusives and I expected the same this gen.
I’ve been considering switching my PC over to Linux as well. Would you recommend it from your experience? Anything you’d do differently if you could?
I’m not the OP but I just built a gaming PC and switched to Linux. No regrets so far. I picked Mint and it went smoothly. Just had to install more updated graphics drivers.
Similar for me. I went with PopOS this time, and it all just works. I’m thinking of switching to KDE Neon, just because I’m a KDE fan. One piece of advice I have is to have your home directory on it’s own so that if you do switch distros, you just install to the system drive and you don’t affect your data.
Early 40s and same.
Based Unix coomer
I’m not sure what your definition of “older” is, but I’m past my 20s so I probably qualify.
I really like my Steam Deck. I have a Switch as well, but I only use it for exclusives. The Deck is great because it lives next to my bed and I can easily pick it up and play pretty much anything on it.
I used to love my desktop PC, but I keep feeling like I should be productive instead of playing games when I’m on it, and it’s just not as comfy as laying in bed.
Then again, I’m a grumpy Linux user since 15-ish years, so using locked down consoles is offensive to me.
Same here. I have a gaming laptop that sees the majority of my play time but the Steam Deck is perfect for picking up where I left off in bed or chilling on the couch with my partner instead of being shut away in my office.
Steam Deck
So PC
Yet another dude in his 40s here using a Steam Deck. I travel a lot for work so something portable and easy to just pick up for a short period is important. It has run pretty much every game I’ve wanted to play flawlessly.
2nd
Also my axe, additionally.
I guess I’m in the older segment as I’m in my 40’s, and still basically exclusively a pc-guy, making a slow but somewhat sure transition over to penguin themed os from windows.
I do play some older console games (via emulation), adventure games (scummvm <3) and quite a bit of modern pc singleplayer/coop titles. My go-to launchers are Steam and GOG.
Sure, pc maintenance can be a lot at times, but I’m a nerd and tinker on my pc a lot anyway, so it just happens.
PC 100% and tbh, i don’t usually play games that are that big and still receive updates. The only actively developed games i play are pretty small in size, a 1 GB update is the biggest i got for the last 5 years. Also i love Building games, they cant really be played on consoles.
I grew up with SNES and N64 era, so maybe I’m old enough?
PC. Consoles are too much to deal with. Cartridges are probably better than discs, but either having to change games in either is probably gonna make me choose to just not play instead. With PC, everything is just a few clicks away.
You can use digital downloads with consoles too. I don’t see how PCs are easier than consoles.
First you have to switch devices from the PC to the console to use it.
Our computers can play games from what, 20, 30 consoles?
The worst example was when my SO bought me Red Dead Redemption 2. I sat down, excited to play it, when suddenly it pormpted me to download a HUGE update
Honestly this is the worst. I get 30+GB updates for Rocket League multiple days/week. Fortunately I have fast internet (300+Mbps) but it must be awful for people with slow internet. I mean WTF are they doing? I didn’t realize PS4 had this problem. I thought they had a dedicated chip to handle this sort of thing. Or maybe that was PS5? That’s what we need though, is a dedicated ARM chip that handles that sort of thing while the device is “off”.
Anyway, if you like the Switch, you’ll love the Steam Deck. It’s kinda the same thing but way more “open” (community tools), way more powerful, games are way less expensive and there are way more of them.
Unfortunately, with the current popularity of digital downloads, consoles aren’t great for patient gaming because they rarely give a good discount for older titles on their online stores (especially nintendo).
I used to game a lot on a desktop, but now that I work at home, I kinda hate sitting in front of a PC. I wasnt playing a lot, but then got a steam deck at launch, and now I’m gaming a ton again.
I like the switch, but I really like how backwards compatible PC gaming is.
My favourite way to play games at the moment is with a retro emulator handheld. But with new games it’s ps5. I’m still rocking a 1050ti in my pc so I prefer to play the big budget games on console.
Console (xbox, ps, switch) because i got tired of buying a new gpu or whatever upgrade for pc every couple of months. Now i dont have to stress for updated drivers or if it crashes because windows wants something done at the most fucked up time. Just sit in my comfy chair turn it on and play. Dont have time for all the other bs.
Huh. I built my PC with mid-level specs 3 years ago and haven’t upgraded anything but RAM and storage. Didn’t even need either for gaming…
Why so often? I just updated my almost 10 year old PC that had one gpu upgrade in its life, and was still happily playing the 10 year old games I wanted to play.
Then I got the new PC with decent specs and decided to push its limits with some Stardew Valley.
I’m the same way but I bought one of those mini pcs that has a laptop cpu/gpu in it, installed ChimeraOS on it which essentially turned it into a steamdeck.
I have that hooked up to my living room tv and it’s my main gaming device. It’s essentially a console. I never upgrade anything. It runs what I play at 1080p with med or high settings.
Suits me just fine. I mainly just want to sit on my couch and game on the TV instead of being at a desk like I did years ago.
Oh thats a good idea. I do find that some games i miss out on because there not on console… this is a good idea. What mini pc did you get?
The Minisforum HX80G. That’s the older model. They have the HX99G, HX100G and others now. They all range in price but Amazon has sales.
I picked mine up for $650.
Tnx gonna check that out.
Probably the Xbox Series S because of the quick-resume feature. Sometimes I just want to play for 15 minutes in-between other stuff so skipping the loading time is great.
Xbox Super Sport.
I’m glad you went with that and not on a history lesson…
Do you have a few minutes to talk about our Lord and Saviour, Gabe Newell? But seriously, get the Steam Deck. It’s awesome.
Yep, OP uses his Switch way more than expected. The Deck is an extremely flexible device in a similar form factor. I’ve been able to beat so many games in my backlog with it, just excellent.
- Xbox Series X for backwards compatibility with enhanced visuals
- Nintendo Switch for ports from other platforms on the go
- Analogue Pocket + dock for actual retro stuff
- DSi, N3DS, Vita for other portable needs
I don’t game on PC since I spend enough time with it at work.
