Tekken Producer: What If The Big Three Made One Console?
See Full ImageMany gamers don't want one universal video game console. But at least one veteran designer thinks it's a good idea.
In speaking to News.com.au, Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada said the possibilities would be "endless" if the Big Three joined forces.
"I think it would be interesting if Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo got together just to make one console. It makes me very happy to think about all the possibilities that could occur because of that."
Also, due to the rise of mobile gaming, Harada says Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are no longer in the driver's seat, in that they can't dictate a gamer's play habits. Harada says that because there are more gaming platforms these days, fans can get their fix in a number of different places.
"For a long time, the game industry has been able to control the way people play games. There was a platform that people used solely for their gaming needs, and the industry had control of the trends and such that occurred. [But now] people are able to not be tied down by consoles, and it doesn’t stop with phones; we have browser gaming and all these different platforms."
So what do you think? One console for everyone? Maybe it would be for the best; it would make things infinitely easier for developers, and consumers wouldn't always be facing decisions, and then trying to jam multiple systems into their entertainment center. It'd probably be simpler the whole way 'round...but it's tough letting old traditions die.
Tags: gaming industry, game consoles, next gen consoles, sony, microsoft, nintendo
8/8/2012 9:50:33 AM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (36 posts)
Nas Is Like
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:07:03 AM
Reply
In a perfect world though, the console would likely be incredible.
3 up, 0 down
slugga_status
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:12:23 AM
Reply
3 up, 2 down
chilker
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:34:56 AM
Reply
But seriously, I doubt this would happen. Without competition driving business, innovation comes to a standstill. Why improve if you're the only team around?
8 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:35:02 AM
Reply
I don't know what to think yet. I do agree that video gaming is far FAR more fragmented these days. I see this challenging for platform holders to maintain growing profits.
Ultimately I see this as really unlikely any time soon. I think MS is going for complete entertainment take over with Windows 8 (it's a take control OS). I see them trying their darn'dest to bury Sony and claim the console market space to themselves next gen.
2 up, 0 down
gumbi
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:09:33 AM
Reply
And speaking of threats. Has anyone else been following OUYA? Their kickstarter campaign is an off the charts success. I don't think I consider it a direct competitor, but absolutely a threat. I mean, just look at the list of partnerships they've already made. With a modest $100 price tag, this thing could explode into the market.
5 up, 0 down
slugga_status
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 2:07:55 PM
3 up, 0 down
gumbi
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 8:39:36 AM
2 up, 0 down
DrRockso87
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:15:03 AM
Reply
Plus, video game console prices would skyrocket with a monopoly like that. They could charge $1,000 for a console and who's going to complain? Either buy it or get lost.
So, in short, no thanks. Dear God, no thanks.
11 up, 0 down
tridon
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 12:58:53 PM
Reply
Yup... sounds ridiculous. No thanks! I'm a happy gamer with my Sony PlayStation by Sony. I don't need space marines or jolly plumbers in my gaming diet (though I wouldn't exactly complain about being able to play The Legend of Zelda or Animal Crossing).
2 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 6:38:22 PM
2 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 1:21:24 PM
Reply
6 up, 0 down
Knightzane
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 2:39:35 PM
Reply
2 up, 1 down
Comic Shaman
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 4:00:30 PM
(I realize RROD jokes are a bit old, but your first sentence made it hard to resist.)
2 up, 1 down
JonnyR
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 3:42:46 PM
Reply
would you expect the same from the makers of phones, TVs, cars and computers?
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 8:40:45 PM
None took off, until Blu-ray won the battle.
A single entertainment entity is far less confusing for the consumers than 3 or 4 choices, especially when 2 of those choices have the same goal. Being the most powerful and containing the most online services and products for core, casual, young and older gamers.
MS has the services, but very few exclusive games. It just knows how to milk those franchises and keep them successful.
If the developers decided to go multi-platform, then MS would be screwed (and yes, I am aware Halo, Fable, Forza and Gears of War are all owned by Microsoft, not the developers who created them.)
0 up, 2 down
DeathOfChaos
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 3:55:27 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 8:50:17 PM
If anything, I think it's a great idea! No need to go higher than 1080p, unless you own a TV bigger than 60 inches. And 60fps is more than smooth enough for the human eye and reaction timing.
If anything, 10 years ago, we would've needed the competition between the Big 3 to keep consoles making more and more powerful and fancy hardware. Problem is, we're finally approaching the bottleneck in terms of raw power and starting to look at innovative content, software and ways to interact with consoles. Just look at Kinect and the Wiimote!!
With Unreal Engine 4, Luminous Engine for Square Enix and ILM's new engine shown in Star Wars 1313, along with current gen looking unbelievably good with the likes of Uncharted 3, The Last of Us and Battlefield 3, I think we're finally starting to reach the peak of photo-realistic HD graphics rendering and real-life physics processing.
I would not be surprised if the next gen lasts 12 years, and I would honestly be more than happy with that. I would be even happier if next gen has full backwards compatability with my PS3 and 360 games and digital content! All those Singstar and Rock band songs I've bought are great for parties, I'd hate to lose them.
0 up, 0 down
MrAnonymity
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 4:20:32 PM
Reply
The fanboy side of me wants all else to just concede and let Sony take all... but the logical side of me wonders exactly what benefits there would be to such a collaboration. Though something like this ever even being talked about isn't much less than a pipe dream, it would still be quite interesting to see exactly what would be created.
1 up, 0 down
Ludicrous_Liam
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 7:33:15 PM
But in all honesty, what would the other competitors bring to the table? I don't want mandatory motion controls, and I don't want a mandatory subscription in order to play online. Those two things rake in a lot of money for Nintendo & Microsoft, so I doubt they'd consider dropping them.
It's all so...eurgh, you just don't want to think about it. Keep things simple. xD
0 up, 0 down
booze925
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 4:49:52 PM
Reply
Other one word: Monopoly.
1 up, 0 down
mustang750r
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 5:04:20 PM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
firesoul453
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 5:39:26 PM
Reply
Competition makes the best products
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 8:35:51 PM
Reply
Playstation and Xbox exclusives all on the 1 console. Backwards compatability with PS1, PS2, Xbox, PS3 and Xbox 360 games (either physical or digital) would be a dream for the older gaming folks with a love of nostalgic trips.
PSN and Xbox Live merge to create PS Live or Xbox Network. No more fighting over exclusivity, all channels and services in the one box.
AND because Nintendo would still be around and kicking in the innovative gaming and casual / family-friendly gaming department, MS and Sony's console would still have competition driving innovation.
With hints of both Xbox and Playstation next-gen consoles sounding very similar (according to some rumours) and both companies prolonging the current gen, methinks they might possibly be up to something.... a deal to share digital content or services perhaps? A brand new console developed by both companies?
The AMD and Radeon 7000 series components found in both consoles is enough to make me a little giddy with excitement about the possibilites of next-gen. :)
0 up, 1 down
SmokeyPSD
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 12:47:15 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Gamer46
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 1:03:24 AM
Reply
Last edited by Gamer46 on 8/9/2012 1:07:32 AM
0 up, 0 down
LowKey
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 2:29:34 AM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
___________
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 6:21:57 AM
1 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 6:30:16 AM
Reply
ninty and $ony are FAR too big thick headed to ever consider even working with anyone!
let alone each other!
especially after what happened with the ps1.
it would be cool to see how it would turn out though, it defiantly would bring out something allot better than what we have now!
$ony has always been the best at bringing the up most futuristic technology to consoles, probably the most important part of a console!
there extensive first party library is priceless too!
M$ has always been the best at OS and GUIs, just because they have had so much experience with them.
look at the UI and OS for the 360!
clean, sleek, looks nice and a freaking 2 year old could find everything on it!
and the OS footprint is so freaking tiny, especially compared to $onys XMB!
plus they could bring their superior online services.
not to mention M$ has always had far better SDKs and development tools available to developers, and also have spaces for indie developers unlike $ony!
than ninty would bring their strive for uniqueness, bring something new to the medium.
that and of course the classic nostalgic franchises!
that would be perfect!
because instead of having 3 different consoles with different strengths and weaknesses, you have 1 console with all strengths and no weaknesses!
then all they would have to do is group with a VR vendor, hopefully occulus will be available for next gen.
HIGHLY doubtful, but hey were dreaming here so why not continue?
that would be THE perfect console!
1 system working to each of the 3 companies strengths, and replace the expensive TVs, cables and all accessory expenses with a plain simple far cheaper VR set!
oh and of course bring over mod support!
still cant believe so few ps3 games have mod support!
once UT3 came out and it exploded on ps3 i really thought it would of become industry standard for ps3 games to have mod support, but sadly thats not the case.
0 up, 1 down
Amnesiac
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 10:39:31 AM
Reply
I'm for it.
That way anyone who likes video games has the opportunity to play any game they want without shelling out the cash for an entire system only to play a few games.
(i.e. Fable, Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey)
0 up, 0 down
richfiles
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 3:01:42 PM
Reply
I am fine with Nintendo doing just as they have been. It would create an economy/performance, cheap/premium console business model. Competition would still exist, but the two consoles could fill two niches, with overlap in the center.
It'd be a return to the good old days of Nintendo/Sega... And a relief for my wallet!
Last edited by richfiles on 8/10/2012 3:09:32 PM
1 up, 0 down
Ather
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 3:58:00 PM
Reply
But they won't, because of the immediate money lost. Figure each system sold would have to be divided up 3 ways. WHy lsoe 2/3 a system price? Never mind you'd make more money up with the games sold. Then what happens if Sony games sell the most? The others would complkain they're not making enough on their games. They'd cut ties and go back to individual systems again.
0 up, 0 down
NIK
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 4:02:15 PM
Reply
Afterwards, I believe that Nintendo will go the Sega route and strictly publish n develop their brand of games (Zelda, Mario, etc) and will pretty much team up with either Microsoft or Sony. Who? Idk... I would lean towards Sony to get the nod on that one. But who knows?
1 up, 0 down
richfiles
Saturday, August 11, 2012 @ 1:59:05 AM
Wii sales have faltered, but they don't need to keep up system sales... They already sold those. It's all profit now, selling titles for it. The Wii U needs only be popular enough to replace a large chunk of the installed Wii user base. They will sell more systems to those looking for a cheaper experience.
They'll be fine.
1 up, 0 down
kay Oss
Reply
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:01:08 AM