shadthedad's Blog
*The death of arcade gaming- This is where gaming began. When you cut off the origin, the decline of everything after will soon follow.
*Past and current trends- The last home video game consoles were released in 2006. Based on previous trends with past systems, we should have started hearing rumblings about the next generation of consoles back in 2009. When you factor in the singularity of technology and how things are moving at an extremely quick pace, there's no reason why we should not have new gaming systems looming on the horizon.
*PC Hardcore- An ignorant debate has unfolded over the last couple of years in regards to 360/PS3 gamers as being hardcore gamers and Wii/tablet/smart phone gamers a being the ****** or mainstream gamer. Nonsense I say! Everyone knows the real hardcore gamers game exclusively on high end PC's, with their fancy graphics cards and a mouse and keyboard. Developers will begin to realize theirs a huge risk porting software over from state of the art PC gaming unto outdated console gaming which is 5-6 years old, and further undermines the credibility of the studios hard work to create gaming masterpieces.
*The success of portable gaming- From Gameboy to Ipad, portable gaming has revolutionized the way we game. Companies are now able to use previous consoles, last generation technology and package it in a smaller box and a screen and say it's a new product. This cuts down on the price of R&D, and it even allows for older software using last gen programming techniques. In my opinion, this is the biggest threat to console gaming! Couple that with the fact that the youth jumps unto portable technology (Walkman anyone) more than any other age other age group, thus setting the stage to be embraced by the mainstream public.
Wii effect- The Nintendo wii showed the world that you did not need state of the art graphics to move systems or software (wii play and Mario kart wii). With the xbx 360 and the Ps3 being light years ahead of the wii (which is basically the gamecube rebranded), Microsoft and Sony can simply rest on their laurels and push out cheaper to produce software.
Kinect and PS3 move- read above
In closing, back in the good old days of gaming; we had only two options..... Pour quarters into the arcade or game at home. Who would have ever knew or guessed, that a little bitty portable gaming system in 1989 would eventually usher in the decline of true gaming. Using outdated tech from the 4 year old and at the time extremely popular Nintendo entertainment system, it went even further back and used the concept of a jigsaw puzzle (tetris) to move tons of units. Sadly, this is happening on a larger scale today. For every cell phone and Ipad that's sold, it is taking away an enormous market share from console gaming. For every PC first person shooter, which dramatically outperforms it's console counterpart- it pulls away from console gaming. The end is nigh gamers.......unless, Nintendo's Wii U saves the day.
# 3
mestevo @ Feb 27
Arcade gaming was in it's heyday when we couldn't play the same games at home.
Console generations have gotten progressively more expensive, the life cycles were extended as a result (the aforementioned ability to update them is certainly helpful as well).
Portable gaming has been successful for Nintendo and now on mobile (while Sony's PSP continues to flounder outside of Japan, and I think the price on NGP will be a deterrent to success for the first year), it's still very much in it's infancy but isn't responsible for anything really.
Wii is a nice story, and the affect it's had on gaming is tangible, but it's not been a pretty sight for most companies who make games for it that are not called Nintendo. 3rd party gaming on the Wii is minuscule, the Wii is a success only because of the brands Nintendo brings to the table.
In the good old days of gaming, things were simpler, and we were not empowered to game on our own terms (at home, mobile, etc) unless we spent thousands.
Console gaming is far from dead, with releases like Call of Duty making more money in a weekend than any entertainment event ever.
Console generations have gotten progressively more expensive, the life cycles were extended as a result (the aforementioned ability to update them is certainly helpful as well).
Portable gaming has been successful for Nintendo and now on mobile (while Sony's PSP continues to flounder outside of Japan, and I think the price on NGP will be a deterrent to success for the first year), it's still very much in it's infancy but isn't responsible for anything really.
Wii is a nice story, and the affect it's had on gaming is tangible, but it's not been a pretty sight for most companies who make games for it that are not called Nintendo. 3rd party gaming on the Wii is minuscule, the Wii is a success only because of the brands Nintendo brings to the table.
In the good old days of gaming, things were simpler, and we were not empowered to game on our own terms (at home, mobile, etc) unless we spent thousands.
Console gaming is far from dead, with releases like Call of Duty making more money in a weekend than any entertainment event ever.
# 4
Dazraz @ Feb 27
I think it's better for the consumer when hardware sticks around for a while. Firstly we don't have to keep shelling out for new consoles & secondly it gives game developers longer to perfect their titles. Whenever a new console is released the long running sports franchise games are always stripped back to their bare bones as developers focus solely on the visual quality of the product.
The current generation of consoles are capable of giving us top notch games. In fact the quality of the games is more in the hands of the developer now & not down to the limitations of hardware technology.
As for the Wii, sure there is a big market their, but for many it is just a cartoon style console that is fun but not capable of delivering a long term in depth gaming experience.
The current generation of consoles are capable of giving us top notch games. In fact the quality of the games is more in the hands of the developer now & not down to the limitations of hardware technology.
As for the Wii, sure there is a big market their, but for many it is just a cartoon style console that is fun but not capable of delivering a long term in depth gaming experience.
# 5
shadthedad @ Feb 27
@John and Mina
You're actually agreeing with me. New product is the lifeline for a particular genre. Even though companies are able to update with firmware, it still, overly prolongs the lifeline of a system. What you look at as a perceived positive, is actually a negative, and is a huge culprit in the decline (no new gaming systems) and inevitable death of console gaming.
You're actually agreeing with me. New product is the lifeline for a particular genre. Even though companies are able to update with firmware, it still, overly prolongs the lifeline of a system. What you look at as a perceived positive, is actually a negative, and is a huge culprit in the decline (no new gaming systems) and inevitable death of console gaming.
# 6
jestep123 @ Feb 27
Yeah I actually have to disagree with this on the whole. The 4 major consoles together moved about a million units worldwide for the week ending Feb 19th alone. The home console isnt going anywhere. Are there more options today? Sure, so there may be a decline but even in a downturn, there is too much money to be made.
I am fearful that the trend will go to hardcore online gaming with the sucess of games like COD BO and what Killzone 3 is projected to do. As an offline only player. That paticular trend makes me nervous but I dont seeconsoles dying out, unless TV's go first.
Back on topic, I agree with most here about the extended lifecycle, at this point, unless you expect the console to cook your breakfast and make your bed, it feels like it be change for the sake of change. Games are looking better than ever and the PS3 and 360 are adding new apps all the time. Last gen consoles grew outdated because the gaming public wanted more functionality, more immerson (hence the sucess of the wii, even though it is graphically far inferior), they got it and they, for the most part, are satisfied.
I think the economy may also be holding back gaming a bit. Are the devs ready to sink a ton of money into development, maybe gamers arent ready to sell out what is sure to be AT LEAST $500 for a new system by the time we see it. If you look at your current system as a sunk cost, can you really think of that one major feature that would be worth $500 to the masses right now. I cant. I only envison alot of "I think Ill stick with what I have for now."
Think of it this way, 6 years later, Sony still spends the money to produce PS2 versions of its titles and that system actually was outdated.
I am fearful that the trend will go to hardcore online gaming with the sucess of games like COD BO and what Killzone 3 is projected to do. As an offline only player. That paticular trend makes me nervous but I dont seeconsoles dying out, unless TV's go first.
Back on topic, I agree with most here about the extended lifecycle, at this point, unless you expect the console to cook your breakfast and make your bed, it feels like it be change for the sake of change. Games are looking better than ever and the PS3 and 360 are adding new apps all the time. Last gen consoles grew outdated because the gaming public wanted more functionality, more immerson (hence the sucess of the wii, even though it is graphically far inferior), they got it and they, for the most part, are satisfied.
I think the economy may also be holding back gaming a bit. Are the devs ready to sink a ton of money into development, maybe gamers arent ready to sell out what is sure to be AT LEAST $500 for a new system by the time we see it. If you look at your current system as a sunk cost, can you really think of that one major feature that would be worth $500 to the masses right now. I cant. I only envison alot of "I think Ill stick with what I have for now."
Think of it this way, 6 years later, Sony still spends the money to produce PS2 versions of its titles and that system actually was outdated.
# 7
CX1329 @ Feb 27
Death of console gaming? I think not. Games are getting better each year, and at least a handful of vastly successful titles are released every year. The reason there aren't any brand new consoles in the plans is because nobody needs one at the moment. Like the other poster said, gamers aren't ready to spend big money on a new console, and developers aren't ready to come out with another generation of consoles. It took Sony and Microsoft long enough to break even in this generation due to rising costs, so they're not ready to take another loss and start everything all over again just yet. Besides, add-ons and software updates have been capable of keeping things reasonably fresh.
# 9
NeoMaticMan @ Feb 27
Consoles aren't going anywhere because:
1. No worthwhile hardcore games are not on handheld systems.
2. PC gaming hardware is too confusing for the average person to keep up with.
3. Nothing replaces playing video games on a big screen TV.
If anything, I can see the next set of consoles (PS4, XBox720, and Wii2) have more integrated and customizable features. Such as:
1. Motion controls become standard for every system
2. Better graphics cards for higher resolutions, refresh rates, and built in 3D capabilities.
3. Better keyboard and mouse support to where they can also be used to play First Person Shooters.
4. No physical discs and make all games downloadable and allow games to be modded like PC games (see NBA 2K11 for PC..i swear, it's a whole new game for us).
5. Better overall media center capabilities like more streaming movie and TV services, music services, browsers, Android and iPhone integration, etc.
1. No worthwhile hardcore games are not on handheld systems.
2. PC gaming hardware is too confusing for the average person to keep up with.
3. Nothing replaces playing video games on a big screen TV.
If anything, I can see the next set of consoles (PS4, XBox720, and Wii2) have more integrated and customizable features. Such as:
1. Motion controls become standard for every system
2. Better graphics cards for higher resolutions, refresh rates, and built in 3D capabilities.
3. Better keyboard and mouse support to where they can also be used to play First Person Shooters.
4. No physical discs and make all games downloadable and allow games to be modded like PC games (see NBA 2K11 for PC..i swear, it's a whole new game for us).
5. Better overall media center capabilities like more streaming movie and TV services, music services, browsers, Android and iPhone integration, etc.
# 11
mcpats @ Mar 2
Console gaming seems safe based on some of the points others have made (systems that can be updated, COD/Killzone success, etc.)
What we are seeing sadly is the death of quality sports gaming. For every good game (NBA2k, The Show), we lose even more (exclusive license, no NCAA hoops game, etc.)
What we are seeing sadly is the death of quality sports gaming. For every good game (NBA2k, The Show), we lose even more (exclusive license, no NCAA hoops game, etc.)
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I just don't see any new technology coming out that would require a new console altogether. Everything coming out can be incorporated into the current consoles via add-ons or software updates.