Oh God Why
Banned
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
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Who could be the next company in the console race?
- Thread starter SOR5
- Start date
Pokemaniac
Member
Amazon seems closest to being in a position to actually do this. While Valve could conceivably try as well, I don't think any console from them could significantly surpass the SteamBox without a big change in philosophy.
And that first place company from last gen is responsible for the huge decline this gen.
Look at it like this. 3 years in:
PS4 is close to Wii numbers. And PS2 numbers. On track to sell over 100 million. If that happens the PS4 would have picked up the slack for Nintendo.
XBO is close to 360 sales.
Wii U? not so close to PS3 numbers.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=228568311&postcount=232
And the Wii U is discontinued. So as this gen goes on 3rd place is going to continue to make this gen look bad.
As for PS1 and PS2 era...I dont know what to say. I mean during PS1 era 3rd place thats Sega...and they are gone form the home console market. Been gone for years.
PS2 era thats the Gamecube...that the Wii U couldnt pass in sales.
PS2 era had 2nd place at 24 million at the end, the XBO already surpassed that.
The following gen saw 2nd and 3rd place all have a huge uptick in sales. And overall it was an increase from gen 6. And before the PS1 no 1st place console sold over 100 million. Now thats like standard going forward.
I dont know what ppl would have said back then but just going off last gen vs this gen the huge decline is really because of one company. For home consoles...
InfiniteCombo
Banned
This thread reminds me of how awesome 6th gen was, with 4 competitors:
Sega
Sony
Microsoft
Nintendo
Good ol' days...
SwordStruck
Member
The right question is probably which one will leave the console business first.
Shadynasty
Member
Nintendo?
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Netflix.
They have the infrastructure to become a major player in streamable cloud gaming.
Edit: sorry OP I see you were specifically talking about hardware.
They have the infrastructure to become a major player in streamable cloud gaming.
Edit: sorry OP I see you were specifically talking about hardware.
Ryu Hayabusa
Member
I sincerely hope it's SEGA.
Maybe Disney after buying Nintendo
Maybe Disney after buying Nintendo
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
The only companies (that would bother) that could afford to jump in are:
Apple
Google
Samsung
EA
Activision
Facebook
Amazon?
The only ones that I think would even consider it are Google, EA or Samsung.
Apple
Samsung
EA
Activision
Amazon?
The only ones that I think would even consider it are Google, EA or Samsung.
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
Amazon
Funniest future has it be McDonalds. The McBox
Funniest future has it be McDonalds. The McBox
Only way I could see it happening is if one or more of the current platform holders drop out leaving a gap in the market.
Trying to complete with the established players right now would be completely foolish and I can't see a company with any sense attempting it. Because of this I look forward a seeing a new Sega console soon.
Trying to complete with the established players right now would be completely foolish and I can't see a company with any sense attempting it. Because of this I look forward a seeing a new Sega console soon.
EA and Activision are around the size of Nintendo, and that's with substantial mobile investment.
Neither would be able to compete with Sony or Microsoft. Some exclusive games isn't going to make a difference.
Knightsofren
Banned
Unless Apple releases a Switch like dock for iPhone/iPad I'm going to say nobody. The current console race isn't even a race anymore like the old days due to the rise in mobile/casual gaming.
Pureauthor
Member
Why the hell would anyone want to jump into the gigantic money burning pit that is the home console hardware business
ZombiePlatypus
Member
You guys just wait till the Phantom hits store shelves as the 4th big contender and shakes things up.
Gawd, please no.
Salty Rice
Member
McDonalds
You don t remember well.
Sega bowed out the console industry a few months after PS2 was released and before Microsoft and Nintendo could launch their systems.
This user speaks wisdom far beyond their Junior status.
Microsoft.
archreaper93
Member
If anyone puts a fourth console on the market, I see it being Amazon or Google.
Gnome Scat
Member
I'm putting my money on the Ouya Twouya.
Franz Brötchen
Banned
I am honestly glad that at least some people on GAF realize that dedicated consoles in general are not an eternally booming market but, at the moment at least, a slowly declining one.
On topic, I don't expect either Google or Apple to try this, precisely because they are focussed on the stuff that will go on growing: smartphones and tablets.
I think it is possible that Microsoft will just pull the plug on XBox within the next 10 years (1.5 console generations, basically) because they must realize by now that they have zero chance to reach the global mindshare that PS has on lock down without seriously investing in own exclusives. If by then infrastructure for streaming has advanced enough, I can imagine Amazon going for a 3rd party streaming box where they won't have to sell much hardware (only a controller, ideally) and be content with basically lending some servers to Activision, EA etc, taking even less percentage than PS, XBox today.
Except of course if EA et al can cut out that middle man entirely, then we will finally have the end of console wars.
On topic, I don't expect either Google or Apple to try this, precisely because they are focussed on the stuff that will go on growing: smartphones and tablets.
I think it is possible that Microsoft will just pull the plug on XBox within the next 10 years (1.5 console generations, basically) because they must realize by now that they have zero chance to reach the global mindshare that PS has on lock down without seriously investing in own exclusives. If by then infrastructure for streaming has advanced enough, I can imagine Amazon going for a 3rd party streaming box where they won't have to sell much hardware (only a controller, ideally) and be content with basically lending some servers to Activision, EA etc, taking even less percentage than PS, XBox today.
Except of course if EA et al can cut out that middle man entirely, then we will finally have the end of console wars.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
Why would any company be dumb enough to enter this industry? Enormous R&D costs, massive retail supply chain liability, the firms currently in the space aren't doing a very good or consistent job at making money, hardware is totally commoditized, insane burn-rate for first party studios, many of which are loss-leaders, angry annoying customers who will harass your executives, not to mention all the expenses maintaining your platform/OS stuff, most of which gives you zero revenue because you need to support external platforms people are giving their money to.
Why do you think no one has entered the console space since Microsoft? Apple, Google, and Amazon have all been smart enough to avoid heavy first-party investment and make their hardware focused around their entertainment offerings, with gaming as a bonus. All the minor firms like nVidia and Ouya have just focused on being Android OEMs (and frankly they haven't been very successful with it)
The whole question seems like something we'd ask each other after reading the latest hot CES reporting from EGM in April 1992 or whatever.
Why do you think no one has entered the console space since Microsoft? Apple, Google, and Amazon have all been smart enough to avoid heavy first-party investment and make their hardware focused around their entertainment offerings, with gaming as a bonus. All the minor firms like nVidia and Ouya have just focused on being Android OEMs (and frankly they haven't been very successful with it)
The whole question seems like something we'd ask each other after reading the latest hot CES reporting from EGM in April 1992 or whatever.
GabeTheGrouch76
Member
I think the most likely contenders that could jump in on a long-term basis are either Apple (giving it another shot after the Pippin) or Google throwing their hat into the ring. Namely in that in case it doesn't take off beyond modest success, they could shrug it off. I only say most "possible" in that I don't think I've seen them really care about giving non-mobile gaming a go.
The most likely contender actually giving it a shot I see being Amazon too. Not only do they actually have a game development studio (worth noting Sony had Sony Imagesoft before they took off with the PlayStation), but they've also been branching outside of just sending packages (they have their kindle tablets division as well as their own a film studio).
It would also be pretty cool to see Sega take another shot at being a console-maker, but that's arguably a pipe-dream.
Mhm, that savagery.
Excellent points.
The most likely contender actually giving it a shot I see being Amazon too. Not only do they actually have a game development studio (worth noting Sony had Sony Imagesoft before they took off with the PlayStation), but they've also been branching outside of just sending packages (they have their kindle tablets division as well as their own a film studio).
It would also be pretty cool to see Sega take another shot at being a console-maker, but that's arguably a pipe-dream.
Mhm, that savagery.
Excellent points.
If another console were to enter the market, it would be a digital only + streaming device. Basically, it would be a product designed to be the market leader for the future, not the present. Think about it in the same way a company (e.g. Valve with Steam) introduces a product that makes little sense for the present, but ends up -- in hindsight -- being the product that allowed them entry + dominance in the market.
With that in mind, only two companies would have big future incentives to enter the console market: Google and Netflix. Google would do it because they're a data mining company and knowing 'the house' is key to their automation and consumer robotics vision. Netflix would enter because their business is digital content delivery, and on console, no single company has figured out cross-platform digital purchases + streaming.
Note: Anyone who believes another company can't enter and flourish is misguided. Do not be fooled by the 'three console' belief; it's not grounded in fact. All it takes is one company to have enough foresight, money, content, and features.
Deputy Moonman
Member
Sega should try and make a comeback lol.
Lololokokol
Damnit I came to make the same joke!!!
Ninja Scooter
Member
Why would anybody want in on this? The money is in software platforms not dedicated hardware. I doubt we'll ever see another major player come out with their own games box.
DarthButcher
Member
EA or Take-Two are the only 2 companies that could realistically throw enough weight behind their own big game output to draw a user base. If either one took their annual releases and made them exclusive for their own console it could work, but would seriously fragment the market. Only 1 console for your annual sports releases? Millions of gamers would likely switch just for that, then add their other AAA franchises and you have the makings for an enticing console.
IMO it would almost certainly have to be a company without an already-established stake in the games industry (i.e. not EA, Activision, etc.) If third parties made a console, they'd be limiting their reach and install base.
So Amazon, Apple or Google. Apple would support the App Store, so we probably wouldn't get something more fully-fledged than the Apple TV. Google is in the same vein with things like Android TV and Chromecast. They have no interest other than mobile.
Amazon is the only likely candidate. A game console with a healthy first party studio, the ability to competitively price its games and Alexa all rolled into one. I could dig it.
Not to mention, if a company hasn't done it now, they probably won't. Between the mobile market and PC market, there's no need to invest in dedicated gaming hardware outside of the norm.
So Amazon, Apple or Google. Apple would support the App Store, so we probably wouldn't get something more fully-fledged than the Apple TV. Google is in the same vein with things like Android TV and Chromecast. They have no interest other than mobile.
Amazon is the only likely candidate. A game console with a healthy first party studio, the ability to competitively price its games and Alexa all rolled into one. I could dig it.
Not to mention, if a company hasn't done it now, they probably won't. Between the mobile market and PC market, there's no need to invest in dedicated gaming hardware outside of the norm.
Emulated Hype
Member
Probably some Chinese company that no one, outside of the Media Create threads, has heard of.
What numbers are you getting for the Wii and PS4? Looking it up I'm finding over 50 million for PS4 in 2016 and over 65 million for the Wii in 2009. That's not really close.
D.Lo
Member
Yep. Sony lost ~4 billion on PS3 as well, though figures are all hazy given all the departmental folding they did to obscure individual product lines.
Essentially the MS/Sony duopoly on the 'main' console space (which Nintendo has largely stepped away from) is a market distortion that can not have existed except that these two threw billions to try and be 'The PC of your TV'. Microsoft is already making moves to slink away from the industry while not admitting failure. Xbox will likely be folded into PC gaming and they won't release another console after Scorpio.
I'm interested in what Sony will do without Microsoft egging them into the arms race. Actually once MS is gone, given the consoles are standard PC parts, Sony will be vulnerable to a new entrant, maybe from China.
You'll be lucky if there's still 3 consoles 10 years from now.
Nintendo is working really hard to diversify themselves as a means of clawing back all of their lost appeal and mindshare, mostly at their investors' behest.
Microsoft has investors asking them to bail out of their current position in the market, voices that are not getting any quieter.
Sony as a whole seems to be only as stable as the next iteration of PlayStation.
One of these 3 will topple, and considering how big and prolific these names are in this business and how much it cost the last company to enter this well-established market, seeing them all teeter like this doesn't seem to bring a swell of confidence to anyone hoping to come in.
Nintendo is working really hard to diversify themselves as a means of clawing back all of their lost appeal and mindshare, mostly at their investors' behest.
Microsoft has investors asking them to bail out of their current position in the market, voices that are not getting any quieter.
Sony as a whole seems to be only as stable as the next iteration of PlayStation.
One of these 3 will topple, and considering how big and prolific these names are in this business and how much it cost the last company to enter this well-established market, seeing them all teeter like this doesn't seem to bring a swell of confidence to anyone hoping to come in.