What platform is future proof/safer Pc or Ps3

[Gamemako]

PS3 is already outdated and offers an inferior game experience (washed-out, laggy, loading issues, no focus target, etc, etc). PC will always be the best platform, but PS4 should be fine. If you have a PS3 already and don't want to spend the money on a PC, you can just stay with that for a while until PS4 version comes out. I doubt they will stop supporting the PS3 version, but I would hesitate to recommend that anyone play it.

[DarkStaoneDragon]

Would the pc be as safe as the ps3 if I use it for just gaming and not use it for web surfing? (I use a netbook for web surfing.)

[Steeled]

To directly answer your question: You can backup your PC game data. I don't believe you can backup your PS game data.

Security wise, if you can maintain a clean computer, they're equal, but if you're not very good at doing that, PS is the better option as consoles are harder and less lucrative to target with malwares.

That said, PC is always the safer option because you can upgrade your pc/replace it with a better one. In 5 years, if this game should last that long, it's tough to say / it's unpredictable / whether you'll be glad you're playing on a PS4 or if that system will be holding the game back.

Right now, just like PS2 and 3, the PS4 has amazing hardware and capability but it never seems to last as long as the hype promises.

[Rivienne]

To directly answer your question: You can backup your PC game data. I don't believe you can backup your PS game data.

Actually, all this data is synced automatically to your PSN account if you turn it on (and it asks you to on first run of the game). So your data is backed up in the cloud. Worst case, you are a day or so out of date when you resync data.

Would the pc be as safe as the ps3 if I use it for just gaming and not use it for web surfing? (I use a netbook for web surfing.)

I would say if you are careful they should be about on par for security for most things. Most exploits for the PC come from browsing etc. You should still have your firewall and antivirus type software setup and installed.

Also, just as a note: you can support both at the same time. If you buy a PC account and already have a PS3 account, you can tie them together. You can play the same characters on both PC and PS3 (I do). Just again, so you aren't worried about long term support. The characters aren't tied to your platform, just the SE account

[Nadrojj]

Get a PC. Get an authenticator. How can you not figure this out yourself?

[DarkStaoneDragon]

Get a PC. Get an authenticator. How can you not figure this out yourself?

I Have a PS3 with FFXIV and a security token, no need to be a smart***, as far as an authenticator, I'd prefer the token, my Wife has a PC and PS3 with FFXIV on each, we were wondering what would be the smarter idea if we chose to get another account, the way it sounds PC is the best option.

[Sixmp]

Pc is future proof in the respect that you can update components whenever needed. This option will cost more money.

Console is future proof in the respect that everything that goes onto it is made to run well. This option will cost less money.

[Alhanelem]

shouldn't it be obvious? if you want to "future proof" you go with an upgradable platform. e.g. PC. You can't upgrade the ps3 or ps4 short of swapping the hard drive.

[LloydShade]

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is a MMO. In order to be a MMO, no data is backed up on your end (explanation requires too much technical skills, so please just believe me).


PC: at best, you have your login ID remembered and game information in your RAM memory to make screens load faster.
PS3: same as PC, except with much less RAM memory, so less information stored.

Character data (names, gears, everything) is on SquareEnix side. Nothing, and I mean nothing is stored on your computer/PS3 except the game itself (graphics, musics, animations...). Actually, the game itself is doesn't work if you are no longer connected to SquareEnix (for instance, if you lose Internet connection or there is a game maintenance). All you have on your equipment are the files the game need to play.

Security-wise, you are more prone to account hacking on PC as hackers have it much easier on PC (the machine is fine, but people are dumb/inexperienced). Both PlayStation and PC are as vulnerable to SquareEnix themselves being hacked (yes, it can happen and it happened to other big companies like Sony/Microsoft).

As for which of the PlayStation or Computer you should choose, the choice is up to you.
-PlayStation version of the game is budget friendly ($200 for PS3). As an extra advantage, the game PlayStation version is especially designed for the PlayStation. Right now, the game is young, so not everything is perfect, but the game is designed to be properly playable on PS3. The PS3 version will be supported for the years to come. The only reason for the PS3 version to be discontinued would be for Sony to stop supporting the PS3, which will not happen anytime soon as PS2 is still supported. SquareEnix will be making a lot of money out of PS3 users, they will not stop providing the service. Also consider that in Japan, the home country of SquareEnix and Sony, they use their consoles for a really long time (games were still made for PS2 in early 2013 in Japan).

-Computer version of the game is budge intensive. A $200 PC (and only PC, no monitor/keyboard/mouse) will only provide you with a very limited experience to near unplayable experience (that is assuming your system can actually play the game). Yet, if you go for around $1000 (mid-high end PC) you will most likely be able to play the game at the best offered graphics (which is currently superior to PS3). Some features of the game will be better on the high end PC. Computers also come with the following drawbacks:
*User maintenance required (update/antivirus/cleanups/reboots) for PC. No maintenance means less performances. This doesn't apply to console.
*A computer need to be upgrade and have parts replaced to stay up to date. Not provided the proper upgrades and the computer will get slower and slower over the years (also related to maintenance). Console will be as efficient as day 1 throughout it's life (unless component failure or improper usage) and never require part replacement.
*A computer requires technical skills to operate properly. Issues are quick to arise otherwise.
*A computer performance varies greatly from really poor to very high with a single game version for all of them. Therefore, the PC version of the game is not optimized properly for all machines. Currently, it's bad for low-end PC and high-end PC. Low-end PC can't play the game properly if at all and high-end PC are limited by the game lower settings. Mid-high end PC have it the best right now.


For the general user with no knowledge in computers, limited budget (or unwillingness to spend on computer parts) that just want to enjoy his/her sessions of Final Fantasy, consoles are the best option. The consoles are VERY durable 4-6 years until the next generation arise and Sony still support their older console from another 4-6 years after the next generation is there (it's a Japanese thing).

For computer geeks with high budget, the PC version will provide better graphics and performances. They will need to constantly monitor and maintain their PC so its performance is stable and up to date.


Note: as PS4 version of the game has not been released, I don't want to include it in the analysis above.


Regards,
Lloyd Shade

[Ryios]

PC > All.

A gaming PC built with the latest tech in 2013 has better specs than the Xbox One and PS4. And you can build one with those specs under 1000$. It will last you 5+ years minus minor upgrades. But gaming on a PC requires that you are a competent computer user. You need to be someone smart enough to know whats trying to phish you (to get your login info), and not to download things that will compromise your computer's security.

If you are not a seasoned PC veteran already, and don't have much PC experience, I'd recommend getting a really cheap one to learn on and go the ps3/ps4 route. Switch to PC later when you consider yourself seasoned and hardcore.