PC Gamer lures PS3 buyer with $7500 gaming rig
What would it take for you to give up your shot at a PS3? I don't just mean your shot at getting a system on launch day... I mean giving up your right to ever own Sony's newest system? For one gamer waiting outside the Sony Metreon in San Francisco, the price of loyalty was a $7,500 PC gaming rig.
In an effort to "prove that the PC is, and always shall be, the finest gaming platform available to man," PC Gamer and computer maker Falcon Northwest teamed up to lure away prospective PS3 purchasers with a top-of-the-line PC complete with 30" LCD monitor and Nvidia 8800 GTX graphics card. The catch? To get the system, you have to sign a notarized, legally-binding contract certifying that you will never, ever, buy a PS3.
Judging by the photo gallery of the night's events, PC Gamer editor Greg Vederman had no trouble finding willing participants for the offer, but a gamer identified only as "Neal" was the randomly-chosen winner. Vederman said he will be checking in on Neal "several times a year to make sure he keeps his end of the deal," an arrangement we're sure will lead to frantic "quick, hide the PS3" escapades when the PC Gamer van approaches.
[Thanks Norman]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
crono141 @ Nov 17th 2006 9:38AM
this
is
dumb
Even I, with my loathing of all things sony, would never sign such a waiver. Sure, I regularly predict sony's ultimate destruction, but I need my FF fix, and if I'm wrong then PS3 is the only place to find it.
Rizzo @ Nov 17th 2006 9:39AM
So you have to sign a contract that you'll never buy a PS3? Can someone give you one as a gift?
Greg2k @ Nov 17th 2006 9:42AM
Sorry, where do I sign?
Saneless @ Nov 17th 2006 9:44AM
"In an effort to "prove that the PC is, and always shall be, the finest gaming platform available to man,""
Wow, PC-only gamers are the biggest freaks on the planet. And insecure. The PC has its place, but it by no means the finest gaming platform. I wouldn't even rank it in the top 5.
"To get the system, you have to sign a notarized, legally-binding contract certifying that you will never, ever, buy a PS3."
Soo.. if say, my parents, or a friend buys it am I in the clear?
vidGuy @ Nov 17th 2006 9:50AM
"prove that the PC is, and always shall be, the finest gaming platform available to man,"
That would require that the PC could lure PS3 gamers away at the same price. I don't think a $600 PC is going to convince any console gamers to drop their controllers in favor of a keyboard+mouse.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 17th 2006 9:54AM
Wait so only ONE person got the PC?
If I was in line to get a PS3, I would only sign that if I was GUARANTEED a PC, not to be including in a drawing for the PC...pssh.
I wonder if they will do that for the Wii? Probably not cause the PS3 is dubbed as a "computer" but I know I wouldn't give up my Wii for a PC.
gameclu @ Nov 17th 2006 9:54AM
I used to be believe PC gaming was superior to console gaming, way back in 1989.
Fhaze @ Nov 17th 2006 9:55AM
Hey they are right! I am going to go start standing in line for Windows Vista right now. Then I am going to sell my copy on EBay for profit.
@ Nov 17th 2006 9:59AM
I hope that isnt the official press photo.. at least fix his hair...
silkylove @ Nov 17th 2006 9:59AM
And what's to prevent him from going to his friend's house and playing PS3?:/
nootau @ Nov 17th 2006 10:00AM
Well, i think the moral of the story is pretty obvious. When money is no object, and all you care about is graphics, get a PC. If you care about unique games and unique gameplay, get a console.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 17th 2006 10:05AM
#12 silkylove
nothing is preventing him...but this way he is NOT supporting PS3/Sony which I think is their goal.
strider_mt2k @ Nov 17th 2006 10:06AM
PC Gaming is vastly superior, but making people sign legal documents isn't the way to prove it.
Don't try to trump an asshole by being a bigger asshole.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 17th 2006 10:06AM
Unique games...unique gameplay, only one word comes to mind...
Nintendo
fanjob @ Nov 17th 2006 10:06AM
I would sign up for this any day! There are better games on other platforms anyways, and I bet a $7500 PC can even emulate Xbox 360 games!
FuzzyPickles @ Nov 17th 2006 10:11AM
The PC would be the best gaming platform if it weren't for one thing... sofas are more comfortable than swivel chairs. Every game that is on both PC and console I prefer on PC, unless it's a really weak last-minute port (Sonic CD in 1996? lol).
steve @ Nov 17th 2006 10:12AM
"Well, i think the moral of the story is pretty obvious. When money is no object, and all you care about is graphics, get a PC. If you care about unique games and unique gameplay, get a console."
Now now. I'm pretty sure the big draw of the PS3 and 360 is HD graphics. And there are hundreds of crappy, derivative console games produced every year in addition to the unique ones. And there are also just as many unique games released for the PC too. There's also a big, truly independent games scene on the PC, though you don't need a $7500 PC to enjoy most of those.
J.Goodwin @ Nov 17th 2006 10:15AM
I built a PC recently for six hundred bucks (I actually also got a 19 inch LCD monitor which pushed it up to 800).
Two gigs of ram, 250 gigabyte hard drive, DVD-multi writer, quiet and cool. Considering that Sony allegedly pushed 800 bucks worth of parts into that box, I'm astonished at how little they got out of it.
J.Goodwin @ Nov 17th 2006 10:15AM
PCs connect to HDTVs by the way.
Mister Disco @ Nov 17th 2006 10:17AM
They never said your friend can't buy one for you... >_>
Hank @ Nov 17th 2006 10:21AM
With a new day dawning for the PC, it would seem that they are ready for an all out and out war with the consoles.
But with exclusive titles coming for PS3, makes me wonder, what will this person be missing out on?
swifti @ Nov 17th 2006 10:23AM
"Well, i think the moral of the story is pretty obvious. When money is no object, and all you care about is graphics, get a PC. If you care about unique games and unique gameplay, get a console."
I don't understand how unique games and unique gameplay are limited to consoles when the barriers of entry to the PC gaming market for a game developer is bar none compared to the hefty licensing fees required for the big three.
Unique games and unique gameplay are mostly found amongst the independent developers. Where are all the independent developers starting their tenure in the entertainment software industry? Answer: The platform by which no one owns: the x86 IBM-compatible.
mietha CAG @ Nov 17th 2006 10:28AM
The 360 and the PS3 are both, in many ways, better than any PC on the market. PC gaming is dead, has been for years. They really need to get over it. If it wasn't for MMO's, it wouldn't even still be seriously referred to as a "gaming platform". Funny, that spiffy 30" LCD would work great with my 360...
Flit @ Nov 17th 2006 10:28AM
This is how microsoft could win the console war. I'd do it!
steve @ Nov 17th 2006 10:28AM
"Wow, PC-only gamers are the biggest freaks on the planet. And insecure."
Yes, PC gamers are freaks. In fact, I've read dozens of stories about how they spend days waiting in line outside the offices of Intel and Dell when new Pentium chips and computers are released.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 17th 2006 10:30AM
#24 mietha CAG
Don't tell those many, MANY PC Gamers that it is dead!
steve @ Nov 17th 2006 10:34AM
"If it wasn't for MMO's, it wouldn't even still be seriously referred to as a "gaming platform"."
And RTS games. And regular strategy games like Civ 4. And first-person shooters (which is now shared with consoles). And RPGs (different from console ones, but still with a large following). And The Sims. And Spore. And mods. And level editors. And indies. And freeware games. And Flash games. And casual games. And browser games.
Yeah, it's barely a game platform.
Nossy @ Nov 17th 2006 10:34AM
I'd glady take the PC package. My brother plans to buy the PS3 anyway.
mietha CAG @ Nov 17th 2006 10:35AM
One other observation: That "$7500 gaming rig" will be obsolete before the PS3 is. Simple truth of the matter.
swifti @ Nov 17th 2006 10:38AM
"PC gaming is dead, has been for years."
By your definition, PC gaming hasn't ever been alive then.
Michael @ Nov 17th 2006 10:43AM
I think that guy should hook up a 360 to that 30'' LCD. That'll teach PC gamers where the best games are! (j/k) :P
mietha CAG @ Nov 17th 2006 10:49AM
There may be "many, many PC gamers", but they sure don't buy many games. Check the sales charts for PC games. Other than WoW, how many games have sold a million copies in the last year? I guarentee it's less than the PS2, and it's on the way out the door. As to #28. I'll give you mods. That's about it. RTS is present on consoles just in a smaller number. Most RTS games are crap anyway, and most of the good ones will be on the 360, and probably the PS3 as well, over the next few years. Turn based strategy is well represented on consoles, just with a different style. And consoles fully have FPS now. Any PC FPS worth anything will, and is being, ported to consoles, and the consoles have several that the PC doesn't. RPGs... Neverwinter Nights 2 and Titan Quest... Anything else worth a crap in the last year that didn't also come to a console? Sims are also present on consoles, just in a different form, and besides, the gameplay has barely evolved from the very first one. In fact, the only real innovation in the Sims franchise has been on the consoles and handhelds. Spore will be on the 360. Level editors are more and more common in console games. Indies are getting more exposure on the 360. Flash games and browser games, for the most part, are barely games. The 360 could use some more casual games, but they are getting there. And besides, other than RAM, the 360 and PS3 could both be converted to play PC games. I will give you that PCs dominate in the "Tycoon" genre, but seriously, you can keep that one. The 360 even has the potentional to steal the MMO crowd, if they do it right. PSU and FFXI are good examples of how not to do it...
edhe @ Nov 17th 2006 10:49AM
PC gaming will never die, and it will always be where the bleeding edge is. Where do you think the hardware companies compete in order to make the next best thing for consoles?
Just got to empty your wallet to keep up.
I was an avid pc gamer an enthusiast for many years, my favourites being online gaming with nice graphics...
... now i'm a 360 lover *because* i can have these things, and not have to follow an upgrade cycle or track multiple programs or worry about virii/malware.
guises @ Nov 17th 2006 10:52AM
Shit, I'd do that in a heartbeat. Of course, I have no intention of buying a PS3 as it is, but I'd certainly like it if someone gave me stuff for my inaction.
Ratchet the Lombax @ Nov 17th 2006 10:55AM
I would sign the paper and then ask my dad to buy him one so I can just play it every once in a while. Technically I would not have bought it and it would be my dad's and not mine. Or what if you had a little brother that lived with you would he have to do without too? I think that document has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.
subpop @ Nov 17th 2006 10:56AM
This choice was too easy for him. All you have to do is buy a Xbox 360, they're both generally the same darn thing, and no doubt both will have alot of the same games due to porting.
steve @ Nov 17th 2006 10:57AM
"One other observation: That "$7500 gaming rig" will be obsolete before the PS3 is. Simple truth of the matter."
This is a common misconception about PC gaming, usually spread by hardware nuts. Videocards become obsolete; the machines, not so much.
Everything in a 3-4 year old PC is still good for gaming right now, assuming you buy a $200 videocard. And a 3-4 year old videocard like a Radeon 9600 is fully functional in all games today, you just can't run ever game with Xbox 360-level eye candy. It'd be closer to Xbox level.
But PC gamers expect high frame rates at higher resolutions than most consoles run at. If you have a 20-inch LCD, you expect every game to run at its native 1680x1050 resolution, not at 480p or 720p (which is 640x480 and 1280x720). That's a lot more pixels to move, so it requires more hardware.
Still, a 2-3GHz CPU--which is standard in even $400 PCs--matched with a $200 GeForce 7600--the equivalent to the PS3's video--will handle this kind of workload for all but the highest-end PC games.
mietha CAG @ Nov 17th 2006 10:58AM
#34 is making my exact point in a much more concise form. And as to #31: yes, it most certainly was. For many years PCs could offer games that consoles couldn't dream of. The SSI RPGs, the Fallouts, Wasteland, EQ, etc. However, that era has passed. Nothing will be released on a PC anytime soon that can't be converted to the 360 or the PS3. How can a format survive when you have to shell out thousands of dollars just to be on the level with a $400 or $600 console. Not to mention that PC costs will rise as console prices drop (at least for the next 4 years.) My statement that PC gaming is dead is that more and more people will come to the same conclusion that #34 did. People are always going to play solitare on their PCs, but when it comes to serious gaming, more and more people are going to turn to the new wave of consoles. I've been gaming on a PC since 1988, and before that an Apple IIe, but since the 360 came out, I've probably not played 10 hours worth of any PC game. Now if Trackmania would be ported to the 360...
KaneRobot @ Nov 17th 2006 11:01AM
"PC Gaming is vastly superior,"
Yeah, and I bet your pound of bricks is heavier than my pound of feathers, too.
PC gaming is USUALLY BUT NOT ALWAYS better for RTS, massive online RPGs, and FPS games, among others. It offers benefits that consoles cannot.
Console gaming is USUALLY BUT NOT ALWAYS better for platformers, action games, and sports games, among others. It offers benefits that PCs cannot.
Both are solid platforms. If you ladies what to geekslap each other until the end of time over it, go nuts.
And you can bet your ass I'd take this deal, even though my current PC is quite nice. Take the PC and buy a 360. You won't miss much outside of Metal Gear and Final Fantasy, if you're into those games.
mietha CAG @ Nov 17th 2006 11:02AM
In response to #38: You are correct. My mistake. However, when top end video cards are pushing a grand, I think my point is still valid.
LiNK @ Nov 17th 2006 11:06AM
Two words: Mouse. Keyboard.
JAC @ Nov 17th 2006 11:12AM
How the hell are they going to keep him from getting one? and even if they can, he could just give the money to someone else and ask that someone to buy one and give it to him as a gift.
No one in their right mind would turn this deal down.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 17th 2006 11:16AM
Wow, just looking over the posts it is evident there are a LOT of 360 nuts (I don't mean you are crazy, but crazy over the XBox360) that flutter on this site...
Interesting...
Lord_Satorious @ Nov 17th 2006 11:20AM
LiNK, when consoles can use a mouse and keyboard (the PlayStation 3 can probably do so via Bluetooth already), and you can browse the internet from your couch, what exactly will I need my PC for, besides writting reports and doing my taxes? It certainly won't be for gaming, unless I want to play PC exclusives.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 17th 2006 11:22AM
#45
I think LiNK is saying that Keyboard and Mouse is a better way to play than controllers.
steve @ Nov 17th 2006 11:25AM
"Other than WoW, how many games have sold a million copies in the last year? I guarentee it's less than the PS2, and it's on the way out the door."
True, though World of WarCraft is out-earning every console game on the planet, and that can't be completely discounted and shows that PC gaming, when done right, can be dominant.
There's also no console tax on the PC, and it costs less to market your games, so companies can make profits without needing to sell millions of copies.
Still, some of the big PC games in the last year or more have sold a lot of copies: The Sims 2, Civilization IV (which was the #1 game last Christmas from amazon.com for all platforms, including consoles), Oblivion (I don't know what the breakdown is vs. the 360 on that one), Half-Life 2 Episode One, Company of Heroes, Battle for Middle-earth II, Star Wars Empire at War, Age of Empires III, Flight Simulator X, The Sims 2 and its millions of expansions, Guild Wars, Titan Quest, etc.
But NPD numbers don't track online sales, either via places like amazon.com or direct download via Steam or Direct2Drive. So, it's not really fair to compare retail sales.
"RTS is present on consoles just in a smaller number. Most RTS games are crap anyway, and most of the good ones will be on the 360, and probably the PS3 as well, over the next few years."
Well, just because you think they're crap doesn't make them an insignificant part of PC gaming (and you're missing out on games like the superlative Company of Heroes). While people have gotten used to playing FPS games on a console, it'll take a while for them to become common on consoles because of the controls. Battle For Middle-earth II was a trailblazer; we'll see if others start bringing over more.
"Turn based strategy is well represented on consoles, just with a different style. And consoles fully have FPS now. Any PC FPS worth anything will, and is being, ported to consoles, and the consoles have several that the PC doesn't."
And? Sharing genres doesn't mean anything if you're trying to invalidate PC gaming, because it would work both ways; you're essentially arguing for the console's irrelevance too.
"RPGs... Neverwinter Nights 2 and Titan Quest..."
Gothic 3 too, which is sort of like a slightly ghetto version of Oblivion. But when you consider the mod scene for the original, Neverwinter Nights 2 is a huge, huge game.
"Anything else worth a crap in the last year that didn't also come to a console?"
I listed a bunch (and there are way more), but it should be noted that the console Sims games haven't even come close to matching the PC versions in terms of sales. If you add up the expansions, the original Sims has sold something like 40 million copies.
"Spore will be on the 360."
Says who?
"Level editors are more and more common in console games."
Good luck getting them to other players. It's pretty easy to download levels from various websites. It'll be interesting to see if the 360 adds this functionality.
"Indies are getting more exposure on the 360. Flash games and browser games, for the most part, are barely games."
Tell that to PopCap. And have you ever played Runescape? Kingdom of Loathing? Hell, every fantasy sports game on the planet is a browser game.
"I will give you that PCs dominate in the "Tycoon" genre, but seriously, you can keep that one."
You don't know what you're missing. And if you're going to talk solely about sales, RollerCoaster Tycoon sold something like 6 million copies. And is an awesome game.
"The 360 even has the potentional to steal the MMO crowd, if they do it right. PSU and FFXI are good examples of how not to do it..."
It's unlikely it'll happen with the 360 due to Microsoft's involvement. Why would a third-party hand over part of their cash to Microsoft because of the requirement to go through Xbox Live, when they can have 100% of the money on the PC or PS3?
Also, MMOs will remain primarily on the PC because of the emergence of China and Korea as huge markets for those types of games.
32_Footsteps @ Nov 17th 2006 11:30AM
I've been a hardcore console gamer all my life. But if someone offered me a PC system worth over 7 grand with all the fix-ins, including a Tera or two of storage and enough RAM to choke a horse, I'd learn to love PC gaming real fast.
And if the trade-off was to promise to not buy one particular console - eh, there are two others in the upcoming generation. I'm hardly lacking.
steve @ Nov 17th 2006 11:31AM
"My mistake. However, when top end video cards are pushing a grand, I think my point is still valid."
There are no videocards pushing a grand. The highest-end 8800GTX is $650. Which is a goofy amount, but it's selling in small quantities to people who have more money than sense. The real interesting card will be the eventual 8600GT for $200.
And sure, if you buy two 8800GTX cards and run them in SLI, you'll be spending $1300. But you also won't see any real boost in performance unless you're running a 30-inch LCD with a native resolution of 2560x1600 because you'll be hitting the maximum limitation of even a Core 2 Duo Extreme CPU. Which again, isn't approaching rationality.
But it's also a strength of the PC that you can do this with any game, scale it up to make it look even better. (Which is something console owners are getting all giddy about with backwards compatibility on new machines.)
But it's also what makes people feel like they can never keep up, because they get FPS envy or something.
Captain Obvious @ Nov 17th 2006 11:32AM
No one has mentioned it, so I will. Speaking as an attorney, I am sure the contract provides that he cannot buy, own, possess, live in a house with, or otherwise have regular access to the PS3. If he does, he forfeits the gaming rig. So he can't have his dad buy one, or his roommate, or give money to a friend to buy one for him.
Of course, there are issues of enforceability, as he can always keep the PS3 hidden in the attic and only set it up when its time to play. But overall, I like the deal!
Loque @ Nov 17th 2006 11:52AM
Three things.
1. The Xbox 360 has been out a year, the PS3 a day.
PCs had better graphics A YEAR ago.
2. My pc cost LESS than your shiny HDTV to get the BEST out of your "less expensive" console. Like your HDTV, it also serves OTHER PURPOSES rather than just games.
3. I like how all you console fanboys oggle and argue over the graphics of the 3 new systems, and then you put down PCs, which have both the ps3 and xbox360 far outdone. The nature of a fanboy?