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[DeepEnigma]

I’m going by what I seen with that AC Oddesey Project Stream beta...and by all accounts I don’t see how that wasn’t running on an Windows X86/X64 arch

Again this is the difficultly with gaming industry. To get AAA developers to devolop for yet another completely separate platform is going to be very tough.

I’m intrigued by what Google will do....but from what I can see so far it’s essentially a cloud service running off windows pc’s.

I agree with the cloud part running on that, I am referring to a local aspect as well.

 

[leo-j]

Meh,

Chrome cast hasn’t killed the Apple TV .
The google pixel has barely dented the Samsung and apple duopoly.
Google play music hasn’t taken over the music streaming world .

They got YouTube which they bought, and android OS. But I don’t see how and why they would be more successfull than Microsoft tbh?

 

[GoldenEye98]

I agree with the cloud part running on that, I am referring to a local aspect as well.

I think if we see any hardware it’s just going to be to facilitate streaming (aka streaming box).

I guess I could be wrong and they could release a traditional console based on their own platform like android. But that would be a huge risk....riskier than even streaming.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I think if we see any hardware it’s just going to be to facilitate streaming (aka streaming box).

I guess I could be wrong and they could release a traditional console based on their own platform like android. But that would be a huge risk....riskier than even streaming.

I think you are right about a box. Like Chromecast built into to TVs and their separate box for those that don't.

 

[bitbydeath]

Come on.

Sonys streaming infrastructure is no where near the other 3. Amazon and Google have spend way more expanding their digital library, tons of server farms, and briging in tons in content. Sonys not a real competitor in this space. Yet.

Sony has streaming options but they aren't going all in on infrastructure like the other 3 are. Theirs is an option for those who find it more convenient.

Plus the point of my post was Google's not making a home console. There's no 4th entrant.

MS isn’t going to immediately redirect their entire server farm to Xbox once it comes online. LOL

 

[Ar¢tos]

Huh? Never heard that one.

*sigh*
It's twist on "don't you have phones" because you basically need to sell a kidney to afford the foldable phone + the console.

I assume a Google console would run on Android, making it useful only for streaming and nothing else because of the huge overhead and lack of real low level API.

 

[kraspkibble]

My bet is that it'll be Sony if one has to go out.

Nintendo will be fine and I would expect Microsoft to be able to compete with Google better than Sony.

I think the gaming industry will look significantly different in 10 years time. Google could very well be on top but we'll see.

 

[Mexen]

I need to see what Google is offering first TBH.
But you sort of feel like Microsoft and Sony are the ones who should be worried about their US market. No matter who joins the industry, you cannot (at the time of writing this post) experience most Nintendo exclusives anywhere else. Therefore, Nintendo's main worry would be competing in the streaming space. If they ever decide to make it a core feature, it's difficult to see how they will sustain it. RE and AC are Japan only for example. This tells me that they can handle smooth experiences the lesser the subscribers. Even just their basic offerings of online are just that... basic and do not even meet the expected minimum offered elsewhere.

If Google has a dedicated Streaming box with its own library, everyone is fine; Sony, MS and Google will have no edge on specific multi plats wherein this one does it better or this one has it available etc. Except Nintendo, if they attempt to go in that direction. If Google decides that streaming is a service but you can play the latest CoD at home in front of your TV, offline... then Google has a hill to climb. Ultimately, Google's entry has the potential to redefine game streaming which could be a huge win for everyone if they offer a compelling service.

 

[Bakkus]

Google has a pretty bad reputation. If they make it downloadable only, then it's not gonna offer anything Steam don't already cover. Not to mention how they will push for anti consumer friendly practises like forcing you to always be interconnected with Gmail, G+ and whatever other trash they're developing.

 

[Maguro]

There was always more than three. NeoGeo? TURBOGRAFX? just because something wasn't highly popular in the USA doesn't mean it did not exist or wasn't popular overseas.

I think a Google console is a bad idea and will not succeed.

 

[Panajev2001a]

MS isn’t going to immediately redirect their entire server farm to Xbox once it comes online. LOL

Amazing how the combined experience of OnLive/Gaikai/PSNow over 5+ years actually deployed worldwide and handing full game streaming from server to client (now iOS too) and from console to console (used to share the controls of a game or to stream from your PS4 to another device remotely) and all the infrastructure deployed and/or configured to achieve that is meaningless while fanboyish childish dreams of the trump card / the super weapon hidden all this time coming to change the tide and alll...

AWS, GCP, and Azure all grew because they had third parties running on it and those are the big big revenue drivers and there is market from one of those three to offer the big cloud compute capability someone like Sony needs to augment their own infrastructure. Azure is not going to say f-u to all their global clients and bet all its revenue in a single internal basket although yeah I would expect close collaboration.

The wishful thinking in the OP (“are you prepared... to pop that Champagne bottle open?”) is a bit tiring...

 

[Airbus Jr]

Google console is laughable

il stick with PC and PS

 

[Deputy Moonman]

It was hard enough for Microsoft to break into the console business. Google trying this late in the game is gonna be extra tough. I don't think the current 3 makers have anything to worry about.

 

[Hudo]

I expect Google to push themselves out after they inevitably lose interest in their own product, which is how most Google products end up. Unless it ends up contributing significantly to their Analytics/Data business, like Android or Google Search do.

 

[Fitzchiv]

Suceed can mean 2nd or third place as well. They are clearly aiming to get a foothold into the market and are willing to spend the money to do it, and that's also why things may get crazy.

If Google fails that's one thing, but if Google SUCCEEDS then we run into a problem. Through out gaming history there could never be 4 major players and any time a 4th player broke in one of the original 3 would fall out either due to low market share earning little profit, or the 4th company running out of money attempting to stay in.

This, as much as some people won't like it, puts Microsoft at an advantage. They have a solid base which earns them large revenue, they have the cash to burn, and their recent moves have set-them up to counter Google IF they succeed. WHICH is why those lauging at such moves were in the wrong.

This leaves Nintendo and Sony. Neither of these two companies can survive an endurance match so this makes things a bit complicated.

Nintendo had to go the hybrid route because they were no longer able to have a console on one side of the market alone and still be profitable. They had to fuse both markets together. But as a result they created the Switch, which is selling fast and is projected to be a major success.

Sony is the current winner however, they have to start from scratch with the PS5. Currently Sony's not fully prepared to counter Google, due to only recently putting much more focus on cloud and streaming services. They have invested in VR and according to patents, a heavy social media focus coming up.

If Google succeeds all three consoles will lose user base, don't get me wrong, but Sony and Nintendo will receive the heavy impact from the industry shake-up, and Google wants in, and will burn as much cash as possible to do so.

The one that survives will be the one who reacts the fastest and protects as much of their market share as possible. But it's unclear who it will be. This is of course assuming Google succeeds.

If Google fails and drops out after burning rivers of cash, then it'll likely raise the barrier for entry and the current big 3 will likely forever be the only console manufacturers going forward, at leadt until traditional consoles are fully extinct 2 gens from now.

So Monday's going to be a very crazy event indeed. It could be a major change-up in the industry.

It's an interesting one, if this comes to pass I agree it'd be one of Nintendo and Sony. What I can't work out is which I think it would be. Nintendo do really well with alternative modes of delivery and actively engage with a slightly different base - but its always struck me they could just go the Sega route and MAKE MORE money.

Sony on the other hand have other divisions and would feel the pain even if they still did alright, as they've propped up other activities with the hugely successful gaming division.

I look at Sony and see a fast-follow model that might not be able to follow fast. That puts them in significant trouble, but not necessarily this coming gen.

 

[Fitzchiv]

There is absolutely no proof in their financials that Xbox has ever made a dime, there is plenty of testimony from people that ran Xbox that is was a money pit. Microsoft does report on Xbox, although they were and have been trying to cover up the loses for well over a decade.


https://venturebeat.com/2015/09/27/...xbox-officer-revisits-his-critical-decisions/

In this same article, he claimed the Xbox 360 was making money, but when people started digging in the financials they started noticing Microsoft was including $2b of phone patents into the equation.


http://www.escapistmagazine.com/new...Loses-2-Billion-Per-Year-On-Xbox-Analyst-Says

This is why William Gates started talking about spinning off Xbox, but the problem with that is after a decade+ it was nowhere near able to fund itself. As far going forward, the old Xbox Division (which people referred to it) was split up in 2015. Xbox I believe is now split up across multiple division, there is no division to really even do analysis on anymore.

You realise the big indicator you're wrong is that they're still going?

 

[Snake29]

My bet is that it'll be Sony if one has to go out.

Nintendo will be fine and I would expect Microsoft to be able to compete with Google better than Sony.

I think the gaming industry will look significantly different in 10 years time. Google could very well be on top but we'll see.

PlayStation is a bigger brand than Xbox in the World, with much more content and already having a streaming platform. It's not like XCloud will be mindblowing different or something from it. Other then that, The mainstreaming will always want to have a traditional console.

MS is the one going multiplatform, so they will out of the traditional console business soon. MS will have a hard time with Google and Amazon as service providers. If MS wants to be the "Netflix of games" they need a lot of own content and not only third party.

 

[TeamGhobad]

it wont be sony. nintendo most likely if they can't find another gimmick to stay afloat.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

The brand Playstation is equivalent of console gaming in the collective mind. The suggestion that Google is gonna take that place is mental. The only way for the two japanese manufacturers to be out of the market is that the american ones completely destroy the console market by creating a new scenario in which that hardware is not needed anymore.

There are always many people wanting to announce the next big thing and Google is the usual suspect in those talks since it's the richest kid in the block but you need plenty more than a media-darling executive to even compete with already established brands.

 

[Quixz]

Google is known for trying out a ton of new things...and then dropping them for something else, sometimes even when they are very good (goodbye Inbox...).

Going back to using the Gmail app has been tough for me

 

[Rodolink]

Nice read but unlikely to happen because:
-google wont risk the money to go "all in" with a gaming console and compete with brands that have decades in the gaming industry collective subconscious.
-they "might" want to grab all those non gamers or mobile ones in the way the Wii did at the time.
-in short they'd need a Wii level "revolution" to make things shift.
-if they do that, they have a chance

Imo. If i was Google and wanted to introduce a new device, I'd do a hybrid VR portable device.

 

[llien]

A number of Google project, besides their core business, look like driven by a headless chicken.
Google+ anyone? Perhaps google glasses? Or maybe ChromeOS? Hell, what about google code?

Please remind me, is there a single time, when giant google has successfully entered an established market. (and android doesn't count as it was a new market).

It will be yet another "oh, we've wasted yet another bunch of billions..., Who cares, haha, feels soo good to be a monopolist".


PS
Microsoft had entered the console business after they felt PS2 success could threaten their core business.

 

[Ten_Fold]

I think Microsoft would leave the console space but still keep Xbox love and gamepass, Sony does far too well in the console space and Nintendo isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. They would be the last ones standing imo

 

[MayauMiao]

I think Google console will be a failure. They are shit at getting hardware out on time and a right price.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Can AMD even cope with making chips for a 3rd console? Or is Google going to use leftover Tegras like Nintendo?

 

[Gavon West]

MS isn’t going to immediately redirect their entire server farm to Xbox once it comes online. LOL

Apparently you haven't been paying attention to the shifts happening within the company lately.

Not saying they'll dedicate an entire server farm to Xbox, but what they have been doing is insane within the Xbox division.

 

[[Asmodean]]

Has there been any evidence at all to support this talk of Google making an actual console?.

If anything, I'd say it might be a platform for streaming pc games, with 'special hardware'.

If not for their talk of vg streaming, lately; from that demo alone, I would have said a Google engine, over a console tbh... dunno

 

[Virex]

Voost Kain thread. Nothing to see here.

 

[Clear]

If anyone's getting marginalized its the one with the weakest first party line-up and the shallowest pool of legacy IP.

And that's not a Japanese platform holder.

 

[Later Alligator]

i've expecting an Ouya type android box with game streaming from google cloud, though i would love to see otherwise. logically, it makes a lot of sense. they already own the OS, there's a ton of pre-existing games and apps that people can get via the play store, it does not require an expensive console with beefy specs, and they can showcase their cloud GPUs for gaming a la PSNOW

either way google throws a lot of shit at the wall to see what sticks, and lets it slowly die a terrible death if it does not. so will be interesting to see how it plays out

 

[Snake29]

Apparently you haven't been paying attention to the shifts happening within the company lately.

Not saying they'll dedicate an entire server farm to Xbox, but what they have been doing is insane within the Xbox division.

So what is the insane part?

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

This OP has no agenda at all

Last week it was “MS has an update coming out that will doom the PS4” and now its “Sony or Nintendo about to be pushed out.”

Mediocre.gif

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Google's success will impact Microsoft most heavily.

 

[demigod]

i've expecting an Ouya type android box with game streaming from google cloud, though i would love to see otherwise. logically, it makes a lot of sense. they already own the OS, there's a ton of pre-existing games and apps that people can get via the play store, it does not require an expensive console with beefy specs, and they can showcase their cloud GPUs for gaming a la PSNOW

either way google throws a lot of shit at the wall to see what sticks, and lets it slowly die a terrible death if it does not. so will be interesting to see how it plays out

I’m betting its an android box too, just more powerful than Ouya.

 

[nowhat]

Can AMD even cope with making chips for a 3rd console? Or is Google going to use leftover Tegras like Nintendo?

If (although all signs point to yes - and this is assuming there will be a Google console in the first place) it will be a streaming console, the hardware requirements are very modest. You mostly need just to decode streaming video (this can be done on pretty much any CPU these days, and many SoCs have dedicated hardware for it) and accept user input/send it to the cloud. Sure, some background tasks for the OS perhaps, but something like a Tegra (especially the more recent ones) would do just fine.

 

[zenspider]

Microsoft is really hated around here, isn't it?

I think it's a kind of realism, and the backlash from thier heavy-handed PR of late.

 

[Baron Samedi]

I think it's a kind of realism, and the backlash from thier heavy-handed PR of late.

Nah, I really think it's that stupid "them vs us" mentality gaming suffers from.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

PC & Playstation = all the exclusives I want to play.

Google really has to do something huge to even make a dent in the current market.

 

[LMJ]

If Google does decide to enter the console race, I don't see Sony or Nintendo being the ones who should show any fear but rather Microsoft.

Now mind you this isn't because Microsoft is imminently doomed, or has done a terrible job this generation or anything of the sort, but rather because Microsoft is clearly trying to become the all around home device and this is an area where Google already very much excels.

For all the talk on here over the years of Nintendo quitting being a Console manufacturer and eventually just becoming a third party game creator or storefront I honestly see Microsoft going down this route instead, they could control their storefront and still have the regulations put in place to create the ultimate online experience something I think Microsoft is slowly but surely moving toward not to say they're going to get out of the console race mind you...

With that in mind I think you can understand why Google could be a genuine threat, they already have home influence with Google home they're already in our phones thanks to Android (lets just ignore the short-lived Microsoft phones) and while Microsoft has a number of years of experience I doubt Google's just been sitting back twiddling their thumbs and not paying any attention to their competition

Sony and Nintendo will continue to do what they do, with mild home interaction and things like PlayStation now and potentially a Nintendo like similar store/gamepass like, but ultimately it's about games, and it's about giving a great platform to play the games on Via casual, hardcore, or mobile.

Again, not saying Microsoft doesn't put out games, but they clearly shown more of an interest in widening their Horizons thus far, and are innovating and creating a wide mix of ways to play more so than Sony or Nintendo (gamepass, Windows Play, EA Pass, Crossplay etc)

 

[Vader1]

Neither of them would be pushed out from Google, if anybody leaves the console business I think it will be Microsoft.

 

[Later Alligator]

I’m betting its an android box too, just more powerful than Ouya.

For sure, been a few years since Ouya was out now. I just meant similar

 

[zenspider]

Nah, I really think it's that stupid "them vs us" mentality gaming suffers from.

I've had enough adult discussions here to give the benefit of the doubt.

Personally I would love to see Microsoft doing well, but all these "Why MS is poised to win it all!" BS is really putting me off.

 

[DanielsM]

Nah, I really think it's that stupid "them vs us" mentality gaming suffers from.

You really don't see much in the way of "them vs us" mentality, more like everyone against Microsoft mentality, and for very valid reasons. Microsoft should consider stopping with all the silly marketing, PR, and astroturfing schemes - bite down and compete, if not they deserve more of the same coming to them. They are doomed to rinse and repeat unless at some point someone takes over and makes those people compete.

 

[Bkdk]

The bigger issue right now is for devs to solve the overly long development time for one title, if they don’t solve this publishers and investors will be even more hesitant to fund an AAA title due to huge risk, at that time who cares how many consoles brand will survive or not as there just wont be many exclusives and you will just be buying a few consoles to play almost the exact same big multiplayer title plus one or two exclusives per year from different machines.

 

[Bryank75]

The problem with Microsoft and by extension Google is they think consoles are ‘easy money’, they want to reach billions of people and are not content with less than 100 million.

Nintendo and Sony understand their customers, they know what they expect and have the contacts and creative atmosphere to deliver in a way no other platform holders have.

Exclusives make up a large part of my library and I value those experiences far more than anything other devs put out.

As I said in another thread Gaming is PlayStation in Europe. They control the market and 70 to 90% of gaming devices sold are PlayStation depending on what country you’re in.

Finally, PlayStation has the biggest streaming platform already and can offer more than anyone else due to their vast exclusive library.

Sony has been patient and generous with its investments in gaming, you will not find other corporations so giving.

So, let’s say for instance the prayers of all the Xbox fans was and Sony dropped out of the industry......I ask, what would you be left with in terms of high quality single player games?

These corporations have no interest, they want to invest small and win big. That’s what they are conditioned into. From there the whole industry would crumble....
Only Nintendo would probably remain.

 

[A.Romero]

There is a device that does what Google seems to be getting to be ready to offer and it hasn't made any difference. The device is the Nvidia Shield TV.

I've had one for almost a year and it hasn't tempted me to forfeit the other platforms. It's pretty cheap and it allows me to play any game in my Steam library (and other platforms) but it hasn't made prefer to play on it rather than on my PC.

I also have a PS4 because I enjoy their exclusives. As long as Sony keeps it's studios and funds games like it has for the last 20 years +, people like me will keep buying their products.

Content is king in this industry and the only company currently lacking in that sense is Microsoft.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

honestly i don't see Google having any success. do they have any IPs? have they created any games themselves?

it is going to take more than just being able to play the new Far Cry or AssCreed. every console sans Nintendo's can do that. PCs can do that already.

Nintendo isn't going anywhere, based purely on the strength of their IPs. i know the next Mario and Zelda and Metroid and Pokemon games are only playable there, which is a main reason i play on Switch. does Google have any exclusives? what are they?

 

[CyberPanda]

You guys are forgetting that Amazon is also entering the gaming market.

 

[Imtjnotu]

 

[Voost Kain]

There was always more than three. NeoGeo? TURBOGRAFX? just because something wasn't highly popular in the USA doesn't mean it did not exist or wasn't popular overseas.

I think a Google console is a bad idea and will not succeed.

1. Atari, Coleco, Mattel

2. Atari, Sega, Nintendo

3. Nintendo, Sega, Nec

?. 3DO Co., Atari

5. Sony, Nintendo, Sega

6. Microsoft, Sony Nintendo.

7. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo

8. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo.

9. Google, ?????????, ????????.

OR if Google fails: Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo.

There has only ever been 3 major players, the others either couldn't grab enough of the market to continue on (Mattel, Ouya, PCFX, Etc.)) went bankrupt during their run (Nuon, SNK etc.) or ran out of money (Atari, Commodore, Sega, 3DO Co., etc.)

Please remind me, is there a single time, when giant google has successfully entered an established market.
.

Chromebooks? They entered the Laptop market eventually bringing the knockout blow and eradicated the Windows and Linux netbook market, while placing themselves as more than just another Netbook (even though that's what they basically are) and managed to get a foothold in education as well taking up a good chunk of marketshare.

Well at least for around 7-8 years. Now they it seems Chrometablets are being abandoned, and it seems CHromebooks future is questionable as low-end windows devices and Apple products have kind of chipped away at whatever relevance Chromebook used to have, but it was a good run.