Minecraft PC Will Always Be Better than Xbox 360’s

Posted by: Travis F. August 24, 2012 in Editorials, Opinion, PC, Xbox 360

4 Months ago I wrote an article “Minecraft: PC vs. Xbox 360.” Back then information had been released about the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft that made it stand out to me. Mostly the split screen and online multiplayer functions. But now that it’s been out for a while I’ve decided that the Xbox version will never hold up against the PC’s.

There were a couple features of the Xbox 360 version that fans weren’t told. Like how you had to have HD capabilities in order to play split screen, or how the map wasn’t infinite like the PC version was. We thought the Xbox version was going to be quickly updated to the PC version, but it’s been months and we’re nowhere close to seeing the Xbox version reach the PC’s potential. The cons of the Xbox 360 Minecraft continue to increase.

Instead of the Xbox version being updated, we’ve seen the PC version updated much more. The multiplayer function in Minecraft Xbox 360 is buggy (check out how badly it really is here), but at least you can play multiplayer without having to host a server. Now that Mojang has updated the PC version, incorporating the LAN function, Xbox’s Minecraft has lost its last saving grace. I can host games without hosting a server on my PC. The Xbox’s number one advantage over the PC is gone.

On the PC you can still download or make your own texture packs and skins. Every mod you can ever think of has been released, and are also easy to implement into your game. The map goes on forever, and the most recent version of the client updates automatically when you log in. You can play multiplayer on LAN with your friends, or join a huge multiplayer universe using the server function.

So as of August 24, I don’t see the Xbox version ever competing with the PC’s. A computer will always be able to function better than a Xbox 360 will. The PC version now encompasses all of the pros of the Xbox version, including a plethora of traits that the Xbox Minecraft will never have. For Minecraft, like most games, if you’re trying to decide which platform to buy it on, it looks like PC is the way to go.

5 comments

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bacoose

You need to look up the intricacies of updating a game on the Xbox 360. A game CANNOT be quickly updated regularly on that system because it cost to much for the developer to put out a single update. I believe the price point to release an update for a game on the Xbox 360 is in the ball park of around $40,000. That's why when they do update Minecraft they usually do it in huge milestone updates.
I do agree that the game simply plays better on PC, but I like playing with my friends and setting up a server for Minecraft on PC is the biggest pain in the @55. On the xbox I simply hit join. It's not like I don't know anything about networking or java either considering I worked in networking for two years.
Maybe if we see a Playstation rendition the "Minecraft console experience" will get better because I know the both the PS3 and PS4 can handle what the PC can handle. Also, Sony gives plenty of slack to indie developers and awesome tools to work with so making games for their consoles is super easy. Mojang's contract with Microsoft, from what I know, is supposed to be ending soon.

SeamusDenning

The main problem with pc minecraft is that anyone with a normal everyday computer, or more likely, laptop, is f****ed when it comes to frame rate. To play any moderate or good games on a pc takes an updated graphics card, video card and a whole bunch of ram, which don't come with you're run of the mill shop bought computer, (or again, laptop.) I for one am not paying €600 or more for a computer that is able to run good games, just so it can become obsolete in a year or two and be unable to play new games then. Especially when 360's and ps3's have both been out for over 7 years and can still play modern games beautifully.

DanielNash

@SeamusDenning They don't phase out each year my brother spent $850 US on his PC, I play Planetside 2 and many games, had this PC between us for about 3 years, one graphics card overheated, warranty, upgraded for a discounted price, and that's all we've spent in 3 years. If you start at the top instead of building a gaming rig to meet the minimum requirements, that way it lasts.

mcxb

Yeah in some aspects your correct. But if minecraft on the xbox had everything pc had, xbox would definately be better than playing forever alone on the PC.

vincentdb82

For me, the one pro XBOX Minecraft has over PC Minecraft is that I don't have to set rendering to tiny and playing by myself or with my fiance on XBOX is relatively lag-free. Other than that, I play Minecraft on my Laptop.