Boss Man
Member
Hello friends,
It wasn't very long ago that nearly everyone expected the PS3/Xbox360/Wii generation to be the last one for game consoles. Every time a console launch comes around, I get to thinking about what will come next. Ever since Nintendo launched the Wii a couple of generations back, I've wondered about the place of "gimmicks" or of game consoles as a novelty device with exclusive games built around some new hardware feature. As far as I can tell, the value proposition or raison d'être for video game consoles seems to be something like:
Microsoft and Sony seem to have had divergent visions of what a game console in 2020 should be, who do you think had it more right (in 5 years, will Gamepass or DualSense be more significant)? Personally, I think these are both great products and I'm super happy that these guys are advancing the games industry. It feels like Microsoft doubled down on the first three points in my list, while Sony focused a lot more on the last two. It also feels a bit like Microsoft didn't care to invest in the idea of game consoles so much this time around - if people want them, they'll happily supply something with the first three points above for you to enjoy their services on. It's less exciting to me as an enthusiast, but it does make good sense for them especially as a software company. Sony, meanwhile, seems to be thinking of consoles as a product that is at the center of their software and services.
Do you think video game consoles are around to stay, or will they become obsolete with improved streaming technology (and how soon)? Are you a PC master race big boi, and do you think consoles are already obsolete?
It wasn't very long ago that nearly everyone expected the PS3/Xbox360/Wii generation to be the last one for game consoles. Every time a console launch comes around, I get to thinking about what will come next. Ever since Nintendo launched the Wii a couple of generations back, I've wondered about the place of "gimmicks" or of game consoles as a novelty device with exclusive games built around some new hardware feature. As far as I can tell, the value proposition or raison d'être for video game consoles seems to be something like:
- Plug and Play
- Historically, this might be the most important point. I think this one has been fading for some time, though. A console is still easier to use than a PC, but it seems like only a matter of time before this point drops off.
- Low price and high value
- Enabled by mass production.
- Can even be sold at a loss and recouped later with profits from game sells.
- Excellent support
- Because of the value and popularity of game consoles, there are a lot of people playing games on them.
- Closed system means everyone (both users and devs) know what to expect. Less hacking, fewer bugs.
- Exclusive games
- This one has to be mentioned, but it's probably the worst reason for a video game console to exist. Exclusive games add value to a platform only because they are kept off of others. It's not a real value add, but keeping value off other platforms.
- Novel hardware
- I feel like this is the most overlooked, and even at times stigmatized, value proposition of game consoles. When you combine novel hardware with the bullet points above this one, you get:
- Wide support for a (hopefully) creative hardware feature that otherwise never would have seen the light of day (I think Wii motion controls is the clearest example). The PS5's dualsense, and the potential to see Sony and third party games taking advantage of its features has me very excited and is what inspired me to post this thread. I'm also excited to see Microsoft lift some of those features for their next controller (which I fully expect to happen this generation).
- Exclusive games built around creative hardware - potential for artistic explosion. People make fun of Nintendo for releasing the same games every generation (ex: Mario Kart) but I think this is the way they make it work. Mario Kart on the Wii or Switch is not just a graphics update - they're familiar, but entirely new experiences.
- I feel like this is the most overlooked, and even at times stigmatized, value proposition of game consoles. When you combine novel hardware with the bullet points above this one, you get:
Microsoft and Sony seem to have had divergent visions of what a game console in 2020 should be, who do you think had it more right (in 5 years, will Gamepass or DualSense be more significant)? Personally, I think these are both great products and I'm super happy that these guys are advancing the games industry. It feels like Microsoft doubled down on the first three points in my list, while Sony focused a lot more on the last two. It also feels a bit like Microsoft didn't care to invest in the idea of game consoles so much this time around - if people want them, they'll happily supply something with the first three points above for you to enjoy their services on. It's less exciting to me as an enthusiast, but it does make good sense for them especially as a software company. Sony, meanwhile, seems to be thinking of consoles as a product that is at the center of their software and services.
Do you think video game consoles are around to stay, or will they become obsolete with improved streaming technology (and how soon)? Are you a PC master race big boi, and do you think consoles are already obsolete?
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