Ever since its inception, GFY has always been a PC centric gaming organization. Personally, I would never play an FPS on a console. I tried it and didn't like it. Yet, with brand new developments in gaming and competitive gaming, I am forced to look at what makes console gaming so enticing, and where it leaves PC gaming competition.

Recently, you may have heard that competitive gaming on the consoles has garnered up a lot of television support. MLG showcases its Halo 2 competitions on USA network now, WSVG is also working on showcasing its events on CSTV, and finally, ESPN2 has even started broadcasting a reality show involving a Madden game. It seems on the surface that console gaming has captured the hearts of gaming spectators everywhere.

All of this was a bit of a surprise to me. I never thought Id see the day when consoles would actually be this big. After looking at what consoles have to offer to competitive gaming, it actually began to make sense to me.

First off, I am still a PC guy, it's upgradeable, and you can't beat the keyboard and mouse for control. But beyond that, I think the consoles have a lot to offer that PC's can't. First off is, its cheaper. How much does a PC cost (with monitor) that could run Unreal Tournament 2004? Once you add in a monitor, etc. you are anywhere from $750-$1000. So, keeping that in mind, how much does an Xbox cost? In fact, let's make this fair, how much does an Xbox360 cost? $300-$400? Furthermore, you don't need to buy a special monitor just for that system; everyone has a TV to play it on.

Next, the old adage of online play is only on PCs is no longer. All new consoles have high speed internet capabilities now (or will in the case of the Nintendo Wii). The Xbox brought competitive gaming into the online world, and now - everyone has a piece of it. I can now find my friends, connect to a game, and chat with them online, just as I could with a PC. Sure I don't have IRC, and sure I don't have my main email account (although that's getting changed too), and sure I cant surf the web on the Xbox, but this latest generation of consoles now have answers for most and eventually of this. There are chat rooms, IM, even web browsers built in to the latest consoles.

Ok, but I can download custom content on my PC? Oh wait; the consoles have hard drives too?! I can download new levels, content, patches, and even buy new games right from my console. Yes, indeed, the consoles have infiltrated downloadable content. Sure its not as sophisticated as what PCs can do - but the consoles connectivity is more than adequate.

One thing that PCs can do very well is tweaking settings - but then again, is that a good thing or bad thing? The more I think of it, the ease of use of most PC games is also its downfall. Cheating is virtually impossible on a console, but rampant in PC games. Sure it's technically possible on a console, but they generally require a hardware hack, whereas PC cheats require a simple download, or perhaps a file change or two. In fact, in many cases, tweaking is simply a means of separating the noobs from the "pros" taking away a level playing field.

Ok so what about servers? HA! I can jump in a game of Battlefield 2 and play with 63 other suckers who bought that awful game. Well, it appears that the PC has won this round! or have they? While player limitations are certainly a large problem with consoles, it's also a competitive team's best friend in a way. First of all, on a PC game, you definitely need a dedicated server even if its 5v5. Meanwhile, a 4v4 halo team can get by without the large costs of a server. Why? Because the game doesn't hog nearly as many resources as your PC games do, thus allowing people to just direct connect over the internet. Ugh! ok at least I can have larger teams, even if it does cost me some money each month.