Opinion: The future of console gaming

[Fon]

No, this isn't a doom and gloom discussion. But I will say this, the next generation is just over a year or two away and most of us gamers will have trouble getting in into the action of a next generation experience. One console will have to be left out for the sake of our wallets and we will most likely be missing out on a good number of titles until the console you didn't purchase is finally affordable(Like just this year I was finally able to get my hands on an Xbox 360). Game prices will rise to the inevitable $70+ price range, unless they manage to work something out and keep them reasonable. All in all, it will be expensive for both, the average gamer and especially the console manufacturers who will be spending billions.

That's unless they finally start working together. Nintendo is an exception to all this because they have already announced their new current generation console. But as for Sony and Microsoft, they will most likely try and push their technology to new levels, but again that comes with a hefty financial cost. The best solution for them is an alliance in the gaming department. In other words, one console supported by both companies. Both are publishers to many games and with a merged fan base, they will recover their loses faster and efficiently. This will benefit both parties as we won't have to worry about leaving one console out and be missing out on games like Halo and Uncharted(To name a few). Developers will also save money on porting from one console to the other. Heck, they can even go all out and push the hardware to it's limits without having to worry about one version looking better then the other.

Just one console that is developer friendly and affordable at launch will make the next generation great.

[keefy]

I doubt an aliance would happen because whilst they lessen their losses they also lessen their profits.

[itachi73378]

I don't see an alliance coming very soon if at all.

[Sufi]

Maybe in another 20 years. Long after the demise of game devices.

[SchaffinOSX]

I see. This thread isn't about what will actually happen, but the ideal situation. Unfortunately, I don't think that the ideal situation will be our reality, for the mere reason that two competitors like Sony and Microsoft won't simply come together for the common good. In fact, this generation might, for the reasons you've posted, make for an even bigger competition between the two companies. If most gamers will be settling on one console, that means the two companies need to work harder in trying to capture new customers, and give incentive for returning customers.

Sony and Microsoft merging in the gaming department might let our wallets breathe a little more, but it's not realistic. It's also important to note that there is also a dangerous alternative... Microsoft and Sony are two of the biggest gaming companies in the world, and therefore, merging would give them something of a monopoly over certain genres of the market.

[podsaurus]

I see. This thread isn't about what will actually happen, but the ideal situation. Unfortunately, I don't think that the ideal situation will be our reality, for the mere reason that two competitors like Sony and Microsoft won't simply come together for the common good. In fact, this generation might, for the reasons you've posted, make for an even bigger competition between the two companies. If most gamers will be settling on one console, that means the two companies need to work harder in trying to capture new customers, and give incentive for returning customers.

Sony and Microsoft merging in the gaming department might let our wallets breathe a little more, but it's not realistic. It's also important to note that there is also a dangerous alternative... Microsoft and Sony are two of the biggest gaming companies in the world, and therefore, merging would give them something of a monopoly over certain genres of the market.

All very true!

Competition is healthy. I would like one super console but it's isn't likely to happen as awesome as that could be. If things get really expensive I may have to sit out a console generation and retreat to PC gaming. Even now at 60 bucks a pop, buying five games all year is pretty expensive.

[Guymelif]

Competition is healthy. I would like one super console but it's isn't likely to happen as awesome as that could be. If things get really expensive I may have to sit out a console generation and retreat to PC gaming. Even now at 60 bucks a pop, buying five games all year is pretty expensive.

Competition is healthy. But I think that gamers need to wake up and focus on whats important. Hardware is nice but its the Software that counts. To me, talk of a "super console" is retarded. Instead a "super standard" is what we need. PC games and every other medium enjoys the benifits of a set standard where console gamers are willing to shell out hundreds of dollars to play the games they like. If gaming is to take to next step in our pop culture then it needs a set standard. And that could mean a future with or without consoles.

[anflecher]

I don't understand console gaming, It seems that people are willing to sacrifice in graphics just to be able to play on worse controls and better mobility. More than one major software developer has argued on behalf of a one console future, a way that they could make games for a single system and maybe even circumvent royalty rates paid to Sony or Nintendo to take part on their platforms.

[Fon]

I don't understand console gaming, It seems that people are willing to sacrifice in graphics just to be able to play on worse controls and better mobility. More than one major software developer has argued on behalf of a one console future, a way that they could make games for a single system and maybe even circumvent royalty rates paid to Sony or Nintendo to take part on their platforms.

You're absolutely right. You don't understand. I game on consoles because the games they offer are fun for me.