Are PC Gamers Too Good for Console Gamers?

With gaming technologies so similar these days, as games use the same engine technologies, it would seem like a logical step for different platforms to be able to play with each other online. After all, Macs and PCs have been harmoniously getting along with each other online. So what about consoles?

Microsoft controls what goes on its Xbox 360 platform, so through its Games for Windows initiative, one would assume that Microsoft at one point must have contemplated getting its console gamers online with PC gamers. According to VoodooPC founder and HP CTO Rahul Sood, Microsoft tested it and then canned it.

Why? Because console gamers were no match for PC gamers.

"There was a project that got killed at Microsoft. This project was designed to allow console gamers and PC gamers to interact and battle over a connected environment," Sood wrote on his personal blog. "I've heard from reliable sources that during the development they brought together the best console gamers to play mediocre PC gamers at the same game... and guess what happened? They pitted console gamers with their 'console' controller, against PC gamers with their keyboard and mouse."

The results shouldn't be too surprising.

"The console players got destroyed every time," Sood added. "So much so that it would be embarrassing to the XBOX team in general had Microsoft launched this initiative. Is this why the project was killed Who knows, but I'd love to hear from anyone involved --- what happened?"

Sood then continued expressing his belief that cross platform play with the Xbox 360 would promoted the PC as a superior gaming platform, with a little nudge to developers to consider looking at making games for HP's newly acquired Palm webOS.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • TomTomz
    Wow all I can say is Xbox got owned
    Reply
  • excalibur1814
    It's also down to how good the player is. I've had friends that spent 5 minutes looking up and then down while running around in a fps before now.

    As it stands, I use both a 360 controller and Mouse+key combo on my pc. Mouse and keyboard cannot be beaten for fps. This has been talked about for the last 8+ years and this keeps going on and on.

    But, as I first stated, if you're rubbish then no controller will help (But extreme auto aim might :) )
    Reply
  • tapnick
    I dont think every game should be cross platform but it would fun for a few of them to at least have the option.
    Reply
  • JeanLuc
    I'm pulling the biggest smuggest grin you ever did see after reading that.
    Reply
  • I LOL'd. :)
    Reply
  • awood28211
    Let it be said too that switching sucks. Back in the original UT I had the nickname "kodak" because i could consistently "snapshot" an instant kill on the fly, that is, turn, shoot, death. On the console, it's a challenge to fire once and hit your target in the same method.
    Reply
  • jesman1985
    after reading this i couldnt help but to feel a sense of pride.. :) thats right.. pc gamers ARE better than console gamers.. UGHHH!!!!
    Reply
  • dan117
    "Are PC Gamers Too Good for Console Gamers?"
    Yes.
    Reply
  • nicodemus_mm
    Are PC Gamers Too Good for Console Gamers?

    If you have to ask... it's best if you just keep playing your console.
    Reply
  • rohitbaran
    PC as well as PC gamers are better than consoles. So it seems. :)
    Reply