Support NeoGAF

[Optimus Lime]

Lol did you time travel from 2000 or some shit. Its not like pc gaming isn't widely known to be larger than any single console platform or anything.

There are literally more people playing a single popular pc exclusive title right now than there are people playing any game on the entire Playstation ecosystem.

Not sure what you're arguing here, friend. I didn't say anything about the size any single platform. I observed that the population who play games now are not connected to enthusiast spaces like GAF or Reddit, and see things differently to how the core may see them here.

You're welcome to disagree, of course.

 

[Tranquil]

These don't exist on PC or something?

Can you use a controller exclusively on the PC? Meaning I turn the PC and using a controller I open up steam and launch a game using only a controller? Never needing to use a mouse or keyboard ever for any reason.

 

[Dlacy13g]

Consoles still serve a purpose but this generation is testing those waters... and that is for me a box that has a small footprint (smaller than most PC's at least) and gives you great capability at affordability. PC's still struggle in getting that small form factor with the affordable price point aspect imo. So until they really can crack that nut my guess is console still has a place...that said... I think Streaming for gaming will slip into the console space in the next 10 yrs and need for a dedicated box will be gone.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

I know what you're saying, but think of this: If no physical consoles exists, and we move to 100% streaming, will the PC market crash and cease to exist?

Because i can't see that happening. Think of the billions spent on R+D for PC parts. Without PC's or to a lesser extent consoles, who foots the bill for R+D in to servers and industrial applications for computers?

I think if the market for gaming PC components like GPUs/CPUs shrink then the investment on those parts will shrink too.

Plus, these streaming companies can invest in crazy expensive hardware to stream from that will put $2,000 dollar gaming PCs to shame.

 

[RedVIper]

Can you use a controller exclusively on the PC? Meaning I turn the PC and using a controller I open up steam and launch a game using only a controller? Never needing to use a mouse or keyboard ever for any reason.

If that's how you want to use your PC then yep you can.

 

[Optimus Lime]

I'm curious to see what people expect from a video game console and how they think they will evolve. Is that ok? It seemed like an appropriate question for a forum dedicated to video game discussion.

For sure. But, you didn't ask that. Your thread title is 'Why do video game consoles exist?'.

 

[OrtizTwelve]

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:

• 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.

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?

They exist because consumers continue to purchase them and it's a multi-billion dollar industry.

 

[Starhowl]

I enjoy my Xbox Series X so I can study and research things with my desktop computer without blocking it with games.

 

[Phase]

I like my messy machines, thank you very much.

 

[GaviotaGrande]

For the same reason why Toyota Corolla exists.

 

[Eevee86]

Recliner > Computer Chair

They'll be fine.

 

[StormCell]

I think this is the easy question (why they exist).

The difficult one is answering when they will cease to be a good value proposition. It is the nature of technology and hardware to be made obsolete. Telephones and movie players (Beta, VCR, DVD, Blu-ray) are excellent examples of where game consoles will eventually, some day, go. If you don't think so, think about watches, too. It wasn't that long ago that wearing a watch made sense even in elementary school--especially those watches that had some cool feature built into them. Nowadays, a watch is just a peace of wrist jewelry worn as a status symbol, OR more likely it's a smart watch that is synced with the product that made the damn thing obsolete (smart phone).

I think for the time being that game consoles will be fine. I don't think this is the last gen. I think there will be at least one more after it that will be very successful, but looking beyond 15 years there has to be a lot of uncertainty. Mobile did not make consoles obsolete, but the gap between mobile hardware and the bleeding edge stuff is not significantly great enough that it will justify for future generations the need to own a dedicated game console. In other words, how long until the hardware in the TV is good enough to play the Fortnites and the CODs? It doesn't need to be AAA quality as Roblox often proves. I don't see game consoles being swept out of existence over night, but I do see a point when game consoles begin to lose momentum in the western market.

It doesn't mean the gaming market is over. Quite the opposite. I think video games will continue. The products will change. Everybody still needs to look at the time, they simply pull their hand from their pocket and instead of looking at their wrist they look at their phone. No one searches for a pay phone anymore, and nowadays all new TVs have every video app under the sun. 4K content is best streamed versus read from a disc. This is how it is for technology. It is the way.

 

[Trunim]

Controller - TV - comfy couch

And no, PC in the living room sucks. Stop pretending it's a viable option.

 

[basic_element]

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:

• 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.

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?

If you are one of the unlucky ones like me, go try Game Pass on PC or buy a few Windows store games and get ready to pull your hair out. Consoles will always exists because most people either don't have the patience or technical know how to deal with PC games or don't want to play at their desk or worry about how to hook up their PC to their TVs without it looking like a geek's dorm room. PCs also cost more where the graphic card alone is the same price as the whole console. The average Joe who plays Madden, COD, and a few AAA games is not going to be bothered with PC. They just want to buy a new console every 7 years, plug it in and play their games.

 

[Captain Toad]

Microsoft and Sony seem to have had divergent visions of what a game console in 2020 should be,

Good.

Consoles used to all feel completely different from each other. Then, Sega bowed out and Microsoft took their spot with the business model seeming to be, "copy 90% of what PlayStation does".

As someone who will always own all consoles, I'm glad the big 3 are finally offering 3 different philosophies and unique products.

 

[llien]

These don't exist on PC or something?

That PC meetoo doesn't work for me.

 

[JLB]

Its quite a complex and interesting question OP. And I dont have a clear answer. But here's the thing: I have a young 10yo kid, and as a parent I pay a lot of attention to his habits. When I bought my Series X, I was super excited, and he was like... oh ok, the game thing of dad. "Will give it a try later, maybe!". Talking with other parents, they are more or less in the same boat: Some got a PS5, and no particularly high excitement for it as well.
What are 10yo kids doing nowadays? Well, those post millenials are playing a lot on PC, using Discord, and games like Roblox, Minecraft, Among Us before, etc. They are hyper connected, and they want to play on PC, Macs, Mobile phones. They dont care a lot about single player games. They are all for multiplayer, online coop experiences. This is somehow corroborated by the fact that the average age of console players is in the 30s right now, above the 25yo avg of a couple of years ago. Basically, younger kids are not getting the same connection with consoles as the older ones.

 

[ripeavocado]

They exist to play videogames.

 

[bitbydeath]

I heard that they’re just waiting for PC’s to die out first.

 

[Croatoan]

they exist because people like to play games but cant afford, or dont want to use, a PC to do so.

 

[The_Mike]

Because gamers are among the most cheap hobbyists that won't pay for good hardware, and that's where consoles gets into the picture.

They are a cheaper entry level which has downgrades in performance and graphics, but the majority doesn't seem to care, so as long there's people who has this opinion there will be an incitament to make consoles.

 

[Stilton Disco]

Consoles deliver the best value for money and most user friendly experience for those wanting to play video games.

They're relatively cheap, easy to use, small and offer vastly better performance than you'd get from a PC with the same specs (as MS's own engineers stated in the XSX hot chips hardware interview).

The only people that ever think consoles will die off or will be replaced, are fucking idiots and liars, trying to sell you something worse to play on.

 

[kyussman]

Gaming is more mainstream these days than ever before.....I don't see why having dedicated hardware shouldn't be a no brainer tbh.

 

[Tschumi]

I believe they were originally meant to be surrogate arcade machines, nowadays they're cheaper, more specialised ways than PC to play pretty games

 

[Tranquil]

If that's how you want to use your PC then yep you can.

Didn't know that

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

• Simplicity: easy to install, easy to use and easy to share with friends.
• Reliability: rare hardware failures, less driver/compatibility issues by comparison, peripherals are tested as working.
• Predictability: games are the same across the board, no complex installs, settings or experience variations to deal with.
• Convenience: buy it, plug it in, play it.
• Social: coop/splitscreen is a big deal.
• Cost: lower entry point into gaming

These are traits few PCs have when it comes to gaming, especially when you consider one ecosystem to run your friends, parental controls, game stores, downloads/updates, apps, chat, achievements etc. Consoles are not going anywhere at all, they have a huge market segment and it's here to stay for a long time.

 

[aclar00]

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:

• 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 ...

• • 
    
    Exclusivity seems to get a bad rap nowadays. I believe your values listed after that one add to the reasons why exclusive games are an added value. Developers can take advantage of that particular hardware (whether GPU, CPU, controller, etc...). They also have an opportunity to focus on that specific hardware, potentially shortening development length and ironing out more bugs. If anything, exclusive games are the very reason consoles exist imo. It's why Nintendo has Mario and Sega has Sonic. Both could have released their games on Atari consoles by that logic...ultimately limiting their vision of games to what Atari decided...whether its the GPU, CPU or controller layout. Making for multiple consoles can likely limit the vision as well because some type of compromise may need to be made in order to port.

 

[Guileless]

Haven't read all 75 responses, but is "to generate returns for shareholders" been taken yet?

 

[FStubbs]

This is a dumb point to make for a number of reasons:

- MOST console gamers aren't going to play it ona PS5 or series X either.
- There are more, MUCH more gamers with PC's as or more powerful than anext gen console, RIGHT NOW.
- Even with my "outdated" GTX 1080... which I will hopefully upgrade enxt year at some point, I'm going to get a BETTER experience playing Cyberpunk 2077 tomorrow, than people on a next gen console. Next gen console are stuck with last gen console settings. I won't be.

All that being said, yeah there are tons of reaosns why consoles will remian popular for along while yet. Stremaing will be their end thoguh, just not for at least another couple of decades IMHO.

GTX 1080 is 8.9 TFLOPS
PS5 is 10.2 TFLOPS
Series X is 12 TFLOPS

Throw in the PC overhead and older architecture that your GTX 1080 has to deal with, and unless you're comparing against a Series S, I think you're mistaken about something.

 

[Lister]

GTX 1080 is 8.9 TFLOPS
PS5 is 10.2 TFLOPS
Series X is 12 TFLOPS

Throw in the PC overhead and older architecture that your GTX 1080 has to deal with, and unless you're comparing against a Series S, I think you're mistaken about something.

No I'm not. But you are.

The next gen consoles won't get a native client for Cyberpunk 2077 until some time next year. So now, theya re stuck running with an empty ass city, at medium/low PC settings and 1280p.

Yeah, when they finally get the next genpatch months from now, they will finally be able to take advantage of the hardware at which point they'll be 30 FPS with lower than low on PC ray tracing effects, and maybe 60 with no ray tracing and high settings. Meanwhile my 3080 (hopefully, because holy shit they better be more available by then) will run circles around any console.

Also a 1080 is 8.9 TF at a base clock. Mine normally runs 300 mhz over that at 2Ghz, so it's more like 10.2 TFLOPS.

 

[FStubbs]

No I'm not. But you are.

The next gen consoles won't get a native client for Cyberpunk 2077 until some time next year. So now, theya re stuck running with an empty ass city, at medium/low PC settings and 1280p.

Yeah, when they finally get the next genpatch months from now, they will finally be able to take advantage of the hardware at which point they'll be 30 FPS with lower than low on PC ray tracing effects, and jaybe 60 with no ray tracing and high settings. Meanwhile my 3080 (hopefully, because holy shit they better be more available by then) will run circles around any console.

That's awesome. Will your 3080 PC as a whole cost $499?

 

[Pachi72]

The only thing that can kill consoles is if global internet infrastructure gets to the point where its speed can rival offline play, other than that, consoles will live forever.
PC can’t kill consoles, virtually impossible.

Streaming WILL KILL CONSOLES. MARK MY WORDS. NO ONE WANT IT

 

[Lister]

That's awesome. Will your 3080 PC as a whole cost $499?

Lol. As usual.

First off your console doesn't cost $500. It's $500 plus the paywall that you have to go through if you want cloud saves and multiplayer. So more like $900 over it's lifetime... PLUS more expensive games on average, which I won't get into because the savings there depends on the types of games and how may you buy, etc, too many variables. But you get my point.

And while no, my PC in total won't be $900 at that point, you don't need my PC to still handily beat a PS5. a 3060ti will do it just fine. Hell a 3060 when that comes out will match it. You can build a PC around a 3060ti or 3060 for around those $900 or so.

But moreover, I'm happy to pay a premium for all the things a 3080 brings me and all the other pluses on PC, like 60 FPS WITH raytracing and high settings, not the crappy choice of slow ass 30 FPS at decent graphics settings and IQ or 60 FPS at garbage IQ and settings, or like mods for Cyberpunk 2077 - another thing not available on consoles.

 

[FStubbs]

Lol. As usual.

First off your console doesn't cost $500. It's $500 plus the paywall that you have to go through if you want cloud saves and multiplayer. So more like $900 over it's lifetime... PLUS more expensive games on average, which I won't get into because the savings there depends on the types of games and how may you buy, etc, too many variables. But you get my point.

And while no, my PC in total won't be $900 at that point, you don't need my PC to still handily beat a PS5. a 3060ti will do it just fine. Hell a 3060 when that comes out will match it. You can build a PC around a 3060ti or 3060 for around those $900 or so.

But moreover, I'm happy to pay a premium for all the things a 3080 brings me and all the other pluses on PC, like 60 FPS WITH raytracing and high settings, not the crappy choice of slow ass 30 FPS at decent graphics settings and IQ or 60 FPS at garbage IQ and settings, or like mods for Cyberpunk 2077 - another thing not available on consoles.

First off, the console costs $500. Period. I pay $500 and I walk away with a console. Period. Anything else is extra. If I buy games a year later marked down to $20 and don't care about cloud saves or multiplayer? I pay $500, buy a game, and I'm playing. (EDIT: Actually, I believe I could actually pay $400 and walk away with the console, but let's assume I want a physical drive. $400 could still theoretically work since PC gaming is all digital.)

You're missing the point. Consoles aren't for "premium" players or whatever. Have your fun at the top. Consoles are for people who want a cheap box with reasonable graphics (note: this includes the Switch, which an average PC can beat) that can play the latest and greatest. This is borne out by the fact that the high end PC cards don't sell as well as the midrange, which only really crush consoles at the end of a generation. We'll have to see whether the 3060/Ti beat the consoles or not, btw, given the overhead that comes with being on PC. You might want to wait for the 4060/Ti to get that win outright from a performance stand point.

Also, most people who go PC aren't going to build their own PC, they're going to get a pre-made one that definitely isn't going to cost $900 for a 3060ti anytime soon. Best Buy's got a PC with a 2060 Super and 500 GB SSD in it for $1000 and they call that a deal. So even if we factor in the cost of Xbox Live/PSN, I still think the console may end up winning the cost battle.

 

[Lister]

First off, the console costs $500. Period. I pay $500 and I walk away with a console. Period. Anything else is extra. If I buy games a year later marked down to $20 and don't care about cloud saves or multiplayer? I pay $500, buy a game, and I'm playing. (EDIT: Actually, I believe I could actually pay $400 and walk away with the console, but let's assume I want a physical drive. $400 could still theoretically work since PC gaming is all digital.)

You're missing the point. Consoles aren't for "premium" players or whatever. Have your fun at the top. Consoles are for people who want a cheap box with reasonable graphics (note: this includes the Switch, which an average PC can beat) that can play the latest and greatest. This is borne out by the fact that the high end PC cards don't sell as well as the midrange, which only really crush consoles at the end of a generation. We'll have to see whether the 3060/Ti beat the consoles or not, btw, given the overhead that comes with being on PC. You might want to wait for the 4060/Ti to get that win outright from a performance stand point.

Also, most people who go PC aren't going to build their own PC, they're going to get a pre-made one that definitely isn't going to cost $900 for a 3060ti anytime soon. Best Buy's got a PC with a 2060 Super and 500 GB SSD in it for $1000 and they call that a deal. So even if we factor in the cost of Xbox Live/PSN, I still think the console may end up winning the cost battle.

I wouldn't purchase a prebuilt from bestbuy though. There are plenty of other outlets that won't try to rob you. And I wouldn't say that "most" PC gamers buy prebuilt. Do you have data to back that up? The self built scne on PC is gargantuan.

Finally, I'm not disagreeing with you in general. On my initial post I said as much. Consoles have their place as the value based, easy mode option for sure. though again, PC is also a cheap alternative for alto of people depending on where they live.

If you notice, when you quoted me I wasn't addressing the point of the thread any longer, Iw as SPECIFICALLY addressing the guy I was quoting. The conversation had shifted to correcting his nonsense.

 

[reptilex]

Nice topic to which I'll add:

• Social Couch Context
  • Unlike PC games which are played solo in front of a narrow desk with only one chair and a small screen, Consoles are placed in the social context of a living room with a large couch and a bigger screen, hence historically has always been more adapted to multiplayer (though lots of publishers and consoles have stupidly overlooked or abandoned that aspect).
• Standard Platform
  • It's a rewording of what you mentioned, but the fact that all consoles are one standard hardware means lower production prices but also one same optimised version of a game for all consoles....
• Game/Media Dedicated Device
  • Also a rewording, but the fact that you can push a button or a disc, which launches the game, or a blu-ray, with no compulsory logging, download, install and DRM, then the whole interface and functionalities being dedicated to gaming, make it a better, more streamline experience.

In fact consoles could be much more, like being the ultimate physical platform for a particular brand and catalogue (ie. full legacy library and backwards compatibility on one device) which only Xbox does, using the social context to their advantage which Sony tries with Playlink and PSVR but never pursed, or being a more versatile "multimedia" and creative device which Xbox passed-on by never integrating a version of Windows and Sony never pursed by having "creative" softwares (like Dreams, Music3000, Sony Studio apps) or experiences (like "VJaying" background for music playing, brand interactive content or experiental/art games).

But-

that is not going to be enough to avoid the unavoidable: yes console are going to disappear, all brands know it, they're even rushing for it when nobody has asked (except major industry companies and lobbies) with things like Xbox Pass, PSNow, the digital version of the PS5...they want to impose first a digital-only futur to cut all physical version production cost and then master the whole distribution and hold on libraries, and even worst, push towards a streaming-only future in which you don't own anything you buy and don't even run anything locally (making it unpiratable, unresselable, undiscountable...)

Because from a rational standpoint, consoles will be outpowered pretty soon by hardware that is released and evolving every year, gaming/gpu servers will little by little replace dedicated devices, and proprietary platforms (differing in services and catalogue) will eventually be a matter of choosing a terminal wether it's PC, TV, Tablet, Laptop, VR etc...

Is it the last generation of consoles? According to most, yes probably (except for Nintendo who might release a Super Switch), at least under it's current format. 10 years from now it's most probable that the "next generation" will be optional streaming and storage box for your terminal to access your preferred service/catalogue, something that you can also do with any terminal and app directly. So the futur won't be a competition between PS, Xbox, Switch, PC or Apple but rather a competition between Steam, PSNow, XBPass, Origin, Stadia, AppleArcade, Unreal, Uplay etc...

 

[dano1]

They just work

 

[QuantumZebra]

I could build a $2000 gaming PC with VR and all sorts of silly shit, but I prefer sitting in my la-z-boy with a PS5 controller. Same w/ my wife.

If I had to say one console could go, its easily Xbox. PS5 has equivalent power / wayyyy more exclusives, and Nintendo is.. Nintendo.

Xbox is pretty much a PC at this point. It has been for a while.

 

[FStubbs]

I wouldn't purchase a prebuilt from bestbuy though. There are plenty of other outlets that won't try to rob you. And I wouldn't say that "most" PC gamers buy prebuilt. Do you have data to back that up? The self built scne on PC is gargantuan.

Finally, I'm not disagreeing with you in general. On my initial post I said as much. Consoles have their place as the value based, easy mode option for sure. though again, PC is also a cheap alternative for alto of people depending on where they live.

If you notice, when you quoted me I wasn't addressing the point of the thread any longer, Iw as SPECIFICALLY addressing the guy I was quoting. The conversation had shifted to correcting his nonsense.

Anecdotal evidence I admit. But I'd imagine the likes of Best Buy and Dell are selling more PCs than there are self-built. Do you consider the likes of XoticPC to be pre-made or self-built (since you can configure them however you want)?

I'll admit in some countries, you're definitely going to make out much cheaper getting a PC (are consoles still considered gambling machines in Brazil?)

As far as the original point of the thread? Consoles actually didn't first exist as a PC alternative - both evolved around the same time, when there was no real concept yet of what a console or a PC actually was. (EDIT: I mean, the NES was the "Family Computer" after all) Though, by modern definitions, consoles were first.

From the 2nd through the 4th generation, consoles became a way to play arcade games at home. That could theoretically answer the question, but it's not quite that simple.

 

[Rickyiez]

Streaming technology will not take off as long as we're talking about it globally . You've to in consider third world countries that we can't even stream videos properly , let alone streaming games . It's a far far far future until there's a massive leap on network distribution .

As for the PC debate , I'm a PC masterrace myself and even then I have to admit it can get very annoying setting up configurations for friends who are just into PC games . With console , you bypass all that .

 

[Andodalf]

For fun

 

[DeadOblivion78]

Because people wanted to play Pong inside their home instead of an arcade and here we are.

 

[FStubbs]

Streaming technology will not take of as long as we're talking about it globally . You've to consider third world country that we can't even stream videos properly , let alone streaming games . It's a far far far future until there's a massive leap on network distribution .

As for the PC debate , I'm a PC masterrace myself and even then I have to admit it can get very annoying setting up configurations for friends who are just into PC games . With console , you bypass all that .

Well, in America, you'd have to consider throttling. If streaming technology ever became viable, there's no way Verizon and the like would just let that happen on their networks without getting a piece of the pie somehow.

 

[Lister]

I could build a $2000 gaming PC with VR and all sorts of silly shit, but I prefer sitting in my la-z-boy with a PS5 controller. Same w/ my wife.

You can do this with a PC... Hell, I was JUST doing it, playing the lego games with my son.

 

[ReBurn]

Why does anything exist?

 

[D3SCHA1N]

I personally choose to drive a car and yet have some how never thought to ask anyone why motorcycles exist.

 

[Enzo88]

Just like many other products that exist, they offer a different customer experience (including exclusives, set-up, ecosystems and more);
an experience a bunch of people still want.

 

[Ozzie666]

Without console limitations, software development would be a nightmare and constantly fall victim to ambition. Just look at Star Citizen or Cyberpunk to a less extent. Giving developers parameters, obstacles and boundaries to push, keeps games moving forward from generation to generation. Even PC development was controlled by CPU, then GPU to a degree. But you''ll end up with a lot of developers chasing their dreams and failing.

Having a fixed box for 5-7 years, allows for controlled growth and contains limitations. Unless your Electronic Arts, your going to have developers support a platform, because there is a user base. A fixed user base, locked in. If gamers all went PC, then consoles would die.

also the obvious couch gaming is best gaming.

On the flip side, consoles become an issue when they over stay their welcome, fatigue and people are ready to move on.

Also impressive to see what brilliant minds can accomplish on systems in their final years.

 

[DaleinCalgary]

Because people buy them.

 

[German Hops]

Because I need something to stick my big disc in