Getting Started
Choosing a Platform
PC or Console? What about Mobile? Choosing the right platform or system for yourself will determine your costs, equipment and even the games you're able to play.
PC Gaming
PC Gaming Pros
Greater memory capacity than home consoles.
Readily upgradable and modifiable.
Bigger game library. Nearly always backwards compatible.
Online multiplayer is usually free.
Can play games with either a controller or keyboard and mouse.
PC games are often cheaper than their console counterparts.
PC Gaming Cons
Gaming PCs can be expensive.
Complex to build or even purchase without extensive research or knowledge.
Can become expensive to maintain and upgrade over the years.
Console Gaming
Console Gaming Pros
Able to play from the comfort of your couch and television.
Simpler to purchase and set up.
Consoles are nearly always cheaper than PCs.
Certain exclusive games never go to PC.
Console Gaming Cons
Often lack backwards compatibility.
Paying to play online multiplayer.
Can become obsolete once the latest console releases.
Mobile Gaming
Mobile Gaming Pros
More accessible; Nearly everyone has a smartphone or tablet of some variety.
Expansive catalog of cheap and free-to-play games.
It's mobile; no need for cables and equipment.
Mobile Gaming Cons
Control scheme is less flexible and less comfortable.
Smaller amount of memory available.
Less likely to support popular, more graphic intensive games.
Choosing a Console
If you're going to play on a home console, you've got three choices. Choose wisely.
Nintendo Switch
Company: Nintendo
Current Nintendo home console.
Pros:
Home console that can become portable handheld by simply removing it from its dock, and vice versa.
Detachable Joy-con controllers with motion sensors for easy multiplayer use.
Cheapest of the three consoles.
Record screenshots and videos with a single button.
Strong collection of exclusive games.
Cons:
Average 3 hour battery life when not plugged in.
The weakest graphic capability of the three consoles.
Cannot play Blu-ray or DVD.
PlayStation 4
Company: Sony
Current Sony home console.
Pros:
Controllers feature touchpads.
Ability to stream gameplay online.
Can play Blu-ray and DVD.
Strong collection of exclusive games.
Best graphic capability of the three consoles.
PlayStation VR option.
Cons:
Second most expensive of the three consoles.
Soon to be succeeded by upcoming PlayStation 5.
Xbox One
Company: Microsoft
Current Microsoft home console.
Pros:
Can play Blu-ray and DVD.
4K resolution.
Controllers feature directional haptic feedback.
Backwards compatible with select Xbox 360 and Xbox games.
Cons:
Smallest collection of exclusives.
Most expensive of the three consoles.
Soon to be succeeded by upcoming Xbox console.
Choosing an Online Service
These days you need an internet connection if you want to play most video games. But sometimes you'll need even more if you wish to play online multiplayer games. Online services give you access to play online and with friends, but sometimes at a cost.
Steam
Company: Valve
Product: Steam - A digital distribution service that supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
Pros:
Free to download.
No subscription fees.
Refund policy for games played < 2 hours.
Large catalog of games, ranging from Indie to Triple A games and a wide variety of publishers and developers.
Voice and text chat capable.
Cross-platform play (between Windows, macOS and Linux).
Streaming capable.
Big Picture mode to play on televisions.
In-game achievements.
Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) system.
Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator.
Access to games on multiple devices via account.
Buy games once; unlimited downloads.
Steam Community.
Regular game sales.
Steam VR.
Cons:
Laxed restrictions for mature content.
ESRB ratings don’t always appear.
Battle.net
Company: Activision Blizzard
Product: Battle.net - A digital distribution platform that supports Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Pros:
Free to download.
Voice and text chat capable.
Two-factor authentication devices and mobile app.
Blizzard community and forums.
Access to games from multiple devices via account.
Buy games once; unlimited downloads.
Cons:
Only Blizzard and Activision games available.
No streaming capability.
Nintendo Switch Online
Company: Nintendo
Product: Nintendo Switch Online - Paid service for Nintendo Switch systems to access online play and functionality.
Pros:
Access to online multiplayer.
Cloud saving for most games.
Access to a library of Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games.
Voice chat.
Cheaper than PlayStation Plus or Xbox LIve.
2-Step Verification.
Cons:
Paid subscription.
Smartphone app required for voice chat.
PlayStation Plus
Company: Sony
Product: Playstation Plus - Paid service for PlayStation 4 systems to access online play and functionality.
Pros:
Access to online multiplayer.
Early access to games.
10GB of cloud storage.
Regular store discounts.
Two PlayStation 4 games every month.
100 GB of storage space for saved games.
14 day refund policy after purchasing a game.
Cons:
Paid subscription.
No refund if game is downloaded.
Xbox Live Gold
Company: Microsoft
Product: Xbox Live Gold - Paid service for Xbox One systems to access online play and functionality.
Pros:
Access to online multiplayer.
Text chat.
In-game voice chat.
Matchmaking/smart match feature.
Two Xbox One games every month.
Cloud saving for most games.
Early access to games.
Refund policy for games played < 2 hours.
Cons:
Paid subscription.
Gold membership required to stream via Twitch.
Epic Games Store
Company: Epic Games
Product: Epic Games Store - A digital distribution platform for Windows and macOS.
Pros:
Free to download.
No subscription fees.
Refund policy for games played < 2 hours.
One free game a week.
Time-exclusive games.
Cons:
No user forums.
Cloud saving on a game-by-game basis.
Origin
Company: EA (Electronic Arts)
Product: Origin - A digital distribution platform that supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Facebook Platform.
Pros:
Free to download.
Access to games on multiple devices via account.
Buy games once; unlimited downloads.
Text chat.
Refund policy for games played < 24 hours.
Cons:
Limited catalog, mostly EA games.
Security risks; No encryption for chat functionality.
No streaming capability.
Uplay
Company: Ubisoft
Product: Uplay - A digital distribution platform that supports Windows, iOS, Android, WIndows Phone, and Facebook Platform.
Pros:
Free to download.
Friend and group manager.
Text chat capable.
Cons:
Limited catalog, mostly Ubisoft games.
Prone to crashes and technical problems.
Uses a large amount of memory.
No streaming capability.
Refund policy: 14 days after purchase, none after download.
Digital and Online Gaming Pages by
Ian S. Reed