ED on the PC of the Xbox, help me decide....

Kled7 · Nov 25, 2015

So a while back I picked up ED on the Xbox and started playing. I knew nothing of this game prior to grabbing it in the Xbox One Store. Over time I started to understand the PC roots to the game and I have been having a great time playing this game on my Xbox. That being said I keep on reading about the other things I can do on the PC and I am thinking about switching, however I have put some time into this game and own a reasonably equipped anaconda, an A rated FAS and an A rated ASP for exploring and smuggling. So I am apprehensive about doing the switch, bellow on the pro's and con's of my set:

PC Pro:
A well built gaming machine
Full Capabilities of the Game (i.e. I can play horizons, I can customize my ships with paint jobs, ect.)
Full customizability of controls
VR capabilities. (one day if I buy the stuff for it)

PC Cons:
Small (in comparison to my Xbox) Screen
I have three kids, and my computer is set up on the landing right outside there rooms, so I will almost always use headphones.
I have to start all over again with a sidewinder (makes me sad)

Xbox Pro:
70" TV
Surround sound
Ease of play with an Xbox
I already have mode a lot of progress on my Xbox
Its located in my Basement, far away from children

Xbox Cons:
No Horizons
No VR
No Customization of controls (very little)

I know I could hook up my Computer to my Television and solve a number of these problems, however, I do use this computer for other things then gaming, and I don't like working a PC like that from a television.

Any opinions are appreciated, especially from those people who have switched from one to the other and vies-versa.

Thanks for your help!

Kristov · Nov 25, 2015

Kled7 said:
So a while back I picked up ED on the Xbox and started playing. I knew nothing of this game prior to grabbing it in the Xbox One Store. Over time I started to understand the PC roots to the game and I have been having a great time playing this game on my Xbox. That being said I keep on reading about the other things I can do on the PC and I am thinking about switching, however I have put some time into this game and own a reasonably equipped anaconda, an A rated FAS and an A rated ASP for exploring and smuggling. So I am apprehensive about doing the switch, bellow on the pro's and con's of my set:

PC Pro:
A well built gaming machine
Full Capabilities of the Game (i.e. I can play horizons, I can customize my ships with paint jobs, ect.)
Full customizability of controls
VR capabilities. (one day if I buy the stuff for it)

PC Cons:
Small (in comparison to my Xbox) Screen
I have three kids, and my computer is set up on the landing right outside there rooms, so I will almost always use headphones.
I have to start all over again with a sidewinder (makes me sad)

Xbox Pro:
70" TV
Surround sound
Ease of play with an Xbox
I already have mode a lot of progress on my Xbox
Its located in my Basement, far away from children

Xbox Cons:
No Horizons
No VR
No Customization of controls (very little)

I know I could hook up my Computer to my Television and solve a number of these problems, however, I do use this computer for other things then gaming, and I don't like working a PC like that from a television.

Any opinions are appreciated, especially from those people who have switched from one to the other and vies-versa.

Thanks for your help!

This probably won't help you much, but...Horizons will be on the XBOne next year at some point, per FD. And with multiple VR options out/coming out, I wouldn't be too surprised if MS doesn't offer a VR option for the XBOne before too much longer as well. And...well...XBOne will be able to use a mouse/kb for gaming sometime soon as well, per MS.

I'm normally the guy who tells people to junk that console and get a real gaming rig, but in this case, I really can't justify saying that to you. Stick with the XBOne, as you'll have everything on it that I get on my PC, for a hell of a lot less money than I spent.

Conch · Nov 25, 2015

Can you even go wrong for that 12 euros?

And if you like it you can allways buy horizons.

Thrace Fulton · Nov 25, 2015

Consider the cons you list on their own (ignoring any pros).

Kled7 said:
PC Cons:
Small (in comparison to my Xbox) Screen
I have three kids, and my computer is set up on the landing right outside there rooms, so I will almost always use headphones.
I have to start all over again with a sidewinder (makes me sad)

there are larger monitors available, but is that something you want to invest in? Or could you stream from PC to TV temporarily - that's not necessarily an 'always on' solution.
Headphones (good ones) are great and allow use of a headset mic
this game is all about the journey - that's the beauty of it. You could be knocked back to Sidey by any bout of bad luck in the future. Plus, Horizons will have new starting areas on planets!

Kled7 said:
Xbox Cons:
No Horizons
No VR
No Customization of controls (very little)

No horizons, and probably behind the curve on all future content unless they can solve the many issues with porting the new features to Xbox (not entirely in their hands it would seem). Mac users are in the same boat: some things are limitations of the system, not Frontier. Assuming that all the issues are solvable and it's just a question of time, then the question is are you okay with waiting?
Once it's priced to sell, VR will probably be a primary driving force behind FD's design path. This may mean new features rely heavily on or are significantly enhanced by it. But VR is not going to be PC only for long.
HOTAS is the BEST way to play this game, in my opinion. With HOTAS and keyboard I have hundreds of possible controls PLUS macros PLUS variable profiles (with a gaming keyboard) PLUS...I could go on. Advantage PC.

I'm not trying to answer the question for you (no one can) but those are my thoughts on your situation.

CMDR ForeverZ3RO · Nov 26, 2015

Kled7 said:
So a while back I picked up ED on the Xbox and started playing. I knew nothing of this game prior to grabbing it in the Xbox One Store. Over time I started to understand the PC roots to the game and I have been having a great time playing this game on my Xbox. That being said I keep on reading about the other things I can do on the PC and I am thinking about switching, however I have put some time into this game and own a reasonably equipped anaconda, an A rated FAS and an A rated ASP for exploring and smuggling. So I am apprehensive about doing the switch, bellow on the pro's and con's of my set:

PC Pro:
A well built gaming machine
Full Capabilities of the Game (i.e. I can play horizons, I can customize my ships with paint jobs, ect.)
Full customizability of controls
VR capabilities. (one day if I buy the stuff for it)

PC Cons:
Small (in comparison to my Xbox) Screen
I have three kids, and my computer is set up on the landing right outside there rooms, so I will almost always use headphones.
I have to start all over again with a sidewinder (makes me sad)

Xbox Pro:
70" TV
Surround sound
Ease of play with an Xbox
I already have mode a lot of progress on my Xbox
Its located in my Basement, far away from children

Xbox Cons:
No Horizons
No VR
No Customization of controls (very little)

I know I could hook up my Computer to my Television and solve a number of these problems, however, I do use this computer for other things then gaming, and I don't like working a PC like that from a television.

Any opinions are appreciated, especially from those people who have switched from one to the other and vies-versa.

Thanks for your help!

That is definitely a difficult decision!
I myself prefer PC because of my HOTAS and TrackIR setup. I honestly can't imagine playing ED without them. If I were in your position, I would probably bite the bullet and get it on PC just because Horizons is just around the corner and I wouldn't be able to wait for an Xbox One release. If you CAN swing it and do go for it on PC, do yourself a huge favor and invest in a HOTAS (I use Saitek X52) and TrackIR. It really is (IMO) the best way to play ED. Another thing you may be able to look forward to if you can swing it (and your PC it powerful enough) is using Nvidia Surround or AMD Eyefinity to display the game on 3 monitors. That's what I use and it's honestly amazing. So, If you're incredibly excited for Horizons and it's going to be painful to wait for an X1 release and want to dump some money into extra peripherals, go for PC. If you can wait for Horizons and are content to play with a controller, stay with X1.

You've a difficult decision to make CMDR.

znôrt · Nov 26, 2015

it's really up to you mate. i would choose pc any day, but then ... i'm no console fan either (have been loosing interest in them as market inflated anyway).

i guess the only real pro for console is comfort and being hassle free. however, if you're serious on e:d then pc has many more possibilities regarding gear and setup. oh, and check out some head tracker ... it's the only reason i got used to headphones and it's really cool ... until vr arrives.

Ravenov · Nov 26, 2015

Move your PC and plug it into your 70" TV?

Kled7 · Nov 26, 2015

So to answer:

Yes plugin my television in to my computer is an option, but I use my comp for more then just gaming, and I don't want to do that work on a TV.

I may just give the PC a shot for a while, its not like I will loose my Xbox Progress or anything.

That being said, is there anyone out there that has done the switch?

Oheck · Nov 26, 2015

Your 3 cons for the xbox are big ones if you ask me. I don't think you want to miss out on VR and Elite (horizons), with proper HOTAS controls. I think thats going to be pretty amazing.

As for screen size; you look at a 70" which the optimal viewing range is typically about 8 feet away, and a computer monitor which is what, 2 1/2 to 3 feet away. You computer monitor will often take up more of your visual space then that 70" at that distance. Comes down more to comfort (Sofa sitting back versus sitting up in a computer chair).

Once VR is out, your 70" or computer monitor won't mean a whole lot against sitting IN the scene, not observing through a TV frame.

OnePercent · Nov 26, 2015

I suggest PC because it can do everything a console can do.

-TV screen? yeah sure! just hook a HDMI cable from your PC to the biggest TV you can afford. Profit.
-Surround sound? easy, Most modern motherboards come with 7.1 surround free you can hook up your PC to your home theather
-No couch? again, move your PC to your home theater
-PC supports all control styles, whether that be mouse and keyboard, hotas, dual joystic, gamepad, Xbox controller, you name it, it would be like playing an Xbox.
-starting all over again? THAT IS THE FUNNEST PART!

With just a little bit of imagination you can do ..anything..

oh and horizons is releasing on pc in like 4 days...

remowilliams · Nov 26, 2015

Kled7 said:
That being said, is there anyone out there that has done the switch?

I've played ED a ton since I picked it up on the XB1. However I've just recently dusted off my PC CMDR (I was a KS backer) who was barely used an hour as I really want to see Horizons and other content that's currently a large 'who knows when' for the XB1.

I'm actually using an XB1 controller on the PC as well which is extremely handy having the same device and same mappings. Also using my new Nvidia shield to stream to the larger screen/living room for couch play when I feel like it. Best of all worlds

Drink! · Nov 26, 2015

Hard choice.
How about a 3rd option. Buy a new computer for upstairs, move the gaming computer to basement.

As you have stated, both options have cons, but both options cons won't last forever....except for one. The xbox will mostly always be behind the PC in seasons. Most likely won't have any VR. And a good chance customization of controls will not happen.

Starting over sounds bad, but you will do better, faster with your experience.
Some say headphones provide better "immersion" than speakers.

Brimstone · Nov 26, 2015

Elite in 4K for PC. just sayin.

OtoriScorp · Nov 26, 2015

I started on Elite XBox One - then moved to PC with a sweet HOTAS and do not regret a thing

Valethar · Nov 26, 2015

PC Pros:

- HOTAS
- Voice Attack
- HCS voice packs (one of which is being done by Verity Croft, the voice of the in-game ship AI)

Katkon · Nov 26, 2015

My PC is connected to my 64" plasma in my media room, though I play ED mostly with a DK2 and sim chair-attached HOTAS. So I'd say: move your PC and connect it to your big screen TV (or get another PC). ED is a totally - and I mean TOTALLY - different game with a HOTAS and a DK2. Well worth it!

Jason S · Nov 26, 2015

A PC because:

You have more choice of controllers (including use of the xbox one)
You have a more powerful machine choice for 4k play
You have not the the six yearly hardware turnaround where they also break compatibility with old titles, this really was annoying aspect for me on consoles
You can read or watch something at the same time while trading
You can upgrade it easier

I had purchase at every generation of console cycles in the past, and tended to pick the most capable on each generation. This generation I think the PC is a better option.

Badben · Nov 26, 2015

you know, It's very possible to simply move your PC to your super large TV, that's what I do, I sit in my living room with my PC hooked up to my TV with HDMI, I used an Xbox controller to play for a really long time, it's no problem. I just bought myself an x52 pro joystick which I mounted on my favorite living room chair, so it is possible to play on PC on your big screen.

tafkabb · Nov 26, 2015

Both.

Oh hello again completely pointless 8 character limit

kilvenny · Nov 26, 2015

I have two life time expansions for precisely this reason. Laptop into TV and when on the road. PC for dedicated play time. To be honest for the current price its a no brainer and you then have options.