A Universal Console Might Kill The Industry As We Know It
See Full ImageIt may be a long ways off and in fact, it may never happen. Furthermore, I'm willing to bet that most analysts love the idea; it would unite all gamers beneath one flag; one platform will be everything you could possibly need, and perhaps more consumers than ever would finally jump aboard the bandwagon. After all, one of the more annoying things new consumers face is, "okay, so which console is best? Which do I get?" Financially and logically speaking, it makes perfect sense and yet...one universal video game console could be a terribly bad idea.
Firstly, one could cite the "competition begets quality" philosophy of business, where each competitor seeks to create better products, if only to top the other guy. In this scenario, everyone - especially the consumer - wins. The increasing level of quality and technical/artistic achievement in this industry is at least partly due to this competition. Secondly, we probably shouldn't forget the differences in gaming tastes worldwide; there may never come a time when Japanese and Western gamers like and appreciate the same forms of interactive entertainment. And although the PS3 and 360 have similar lineups, there remain distinct differences between them; it's one of the biggest reasons Microsoft's console remains mostly non-existent in Japan. Thirdly and finally, we've always said that exclusive titles for each platforms are typically some of the best experiences out there. So if all designers can focus on the same platform and get as much out of it as humanly possible, it's another win-win.
So there are plenty of reasons to support the idea of a universal gaming platform. But there's something else lurking beneath it all; something that may be unique to this particular industry: the fan wars. It's often embarrassing and sad but at the same time, it might just be a bizarre poison that is actually required of a gamer's DNA. Look around. Invariably, the articles and news that get the most attention are those that focus on the console battle; every game writer knows that if he requires attention, he only needs to produce what is widely known as "flamebait." But the interesting part is that everyone is well aware of this tactic, and you have plenty of dignified, "I'm older than you" gamers complaining...and yet, it keeps happening, and such pieces are by far the most popular at all times. But what if it all disappeared tomorrow? What if E3 only talked about the one platform we all have? What if all gamers were suddenly forced into the same group? What would happen to the drama?
Personally, this "drama" is what's hurting our image; it really is embarrassing and is one of the biggest reasons we can't really attain legitimacy in the eyes of outsiders. This childish bickering and hostility, seen from afar, is laughable and even pathetic. But it sustains communities, message boards, forums, comment sections, and even entire websites. Fortunately or unfortunately, it's the backbone of the gaming world - especially online - and to remove it could cause the entire structure to collapse. All we'd have left are your standard everyday press releases. All sites would have virtually the same info, gamers would be having many of the same discussions, and although much of that hostility would indeed disappear, in its place might be...well, nothing. I don't mean to imply our passion for gaming would die out, but to eliminate the console war could have a very large impact on the community as we know it.
You know, baseball guys often say that if the Chicago Cubs ever win the World Series, ticket sales at Wrigley Field would immediately decline in following seasons. Fans go for the spectacle of it. It's unique. Regardless of how good or bad the Cubs are playing, they never seem to have any trouble filling the seats; no other club - besides the Yankees and Red Sox, but for a very different reason - gets this sort of immunity. It's a bad thing that somehow sustains that indescribable spirit. So the day you see a WiiPlayBox or whatever is the day gamer interaction online might come to a screeching halt. Well, at least temporarily. We'd recover and adapt at some point but as of right now, the war I speak of is ingrained in the DNA of gamers. You can't just up and remove it without consequences.
Tags: console war, industry, fanboys
6/24/2010 11:42:21 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (104 posts)
Jdogtookool
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:31:26 AM
Reply
5 up, 15 down
Axe99
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:30:39 AM
I personally don't like Microsoft as a company, but I like how they keep Sony honest. If we ever get cross-game chat this gen on the PS3, it will be due to competition. Same reason why MS made such an effort to get Final Fantasy and GTA on the 360 - and it means all gamers - MS and Sony, are better off :). And MS and Sony have to work harder for us :).
1 up, 0 down
shadowscorpio
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:00:39 PM
3 up, 0 down
BigBoss4ever
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:32:30 AM
Reply
1 up, 7 down
Jdogtookool
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:38:41 AM
0 up, 7 down
Scarecrow
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:39:26 AM
They only see to impress and innovate when they're in deep ****
Graphics /= quality (only part of it)
PS: Not saying that you want a PC like console. Just pointing out what it'd be like if there was just one console.
9 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:40:18 AM
It doesn't work in society, in government, in business, in gaming, etc it just doesn't work.
8 up, 0 down
sawao_yamanaka
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 1:23:16 AM
6 up, 1 down
Naztycuts
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:35:00 AM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:36:16 AM
Reply
Nintendo would NEVER agree to this idea
Sony actually asked Nintendo if they could do a console together back in the SNES days and Nintendo refused it with furious eyes!
It's a QUALITY thing...
Nintendo knows that if they merge they won't be able to PAINT the painting themselves...
The colorful and VERY artistic games Nintendo make wouldn't really be able to be PRESENTED (a very important aspect of consoles) in a Unified console.
Sony paints its own painting. Playstation has always been a LAB, where companies like Naughty Dog, Konami, Jenova Chen, and From Software can push their new ideas through. But most importantly it has always been the console which gives you EVERYTHING.
That's where the "It only does everything" phrase probably came from. Just look at the variety of games Playstation has had since ps1..... From Final Fantasy VII to Crash Bandicoot, to ICO/SOTC, to LBP.......
Microsoft wouldn't be able to really push FPSs and war games down our throats if they didn't have their own console*
---
So yes, it's important to have competition.
I think what's hurting the industry is Microsoft getting involved. They've poisoned the balance we used to have.
Nintendo VS Sony was a HEALTHY rivalry. They were so distinct yet so full of quality. The 360 since the first xbox has always just been a Playstation wannabe.
Even Dreamcast was its own thing...very original games there.
15 up, 0 down
frylock25
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:53:51 AM
that is how i thought it went.
8 up, 3 down
HAMCHUNKS
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:28:11 AM
10 up, 2 down
Kr3sn1k
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:56:28 AM
3 up, 4 down
Jdogtookool
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:40:02 AM
Reply
4 up, 1 down
aaronisbla
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:50:39 AM
Reply
highly doubtful it would decline IF and after they actually win a world series since its often packed and they are 100+ years without a championship.
You are right that they somehow get immunity and somehow always tend to fill seats though, i could only see them maintaining full houses afterwards.
Chances are we will see sony and ms team up before cubs win a world series
Last edited by aaronisbla on 6/25/2010 12:53:42 AM
6 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 6:19:09 PM
Also, Wrigley is the most beautiful place on earth, so people would keep going just for that.
0 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:51:09 AM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
Jdogtookool
Sunday, June 27, 2010 @ 12:33:59 AM
0 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:52:45 AM
Reply
I will end this as I began. Bad idea.
4 up, 1 down
CHAOS THEORY X
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 1:00:13 AM
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4 up, 3 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 1:14:17 AM
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1) Who decides on the standard?
2) Who enforces the standard?
3) How does that body enforce the standard?
There are easy arguments for a single system since it would allow everyone to focus on one platform. Sounds great right?
OK, well look at it this way. We already *had* a single standard gaming system. It was called the PC and look at how that turned out. One standard, one monopoly supplier, stagnation.
Seriously. Let's say that somehow Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo get together and actually agree a standard. How do they bring customers to *their* system? The only way is through non-standard features, or enhancements. What happens if Microsoft wants to include a better GPU because they have a new Direct X standard? OK, the new one is compliant with the base standard, but the new features are bad ass, just look at the games man! Oh, and they only work on Microsoft's 'standard' console. Oops, so much for standards.
Ah, but there's a standards committee right? They'll bring Microsoft to task won't they? Hang on, the entire US department of Justice couldn't bring Microsoft into the real world, why would anyone believe that some toothless industry committee would manage the trick?
Not to mention where would the challenge be for developers wanting to push new heights? How would the next version of the standard happen? In short how would a single standard console do anything other than stagnate the industry in the short term, fragment it in the long term, and kill it in the end?
Last edited by Highlander on 6/25/2010 1:15:30 AM
7 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 1:36:13 AM
3 up, 1 down
spiderboi
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 5:09:23 AM
It's gonna depend on what the consumers ultimately support.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:07:51 AM
PCs have had general hardware standards that have not lasted and have always been superceeded by competing standards.
THe good old ISA - industry standard architecture was replaced by EISA and MCA and then local bus in the guise of VESA and PCI, the especially for GPUs we got PCI eXpress, PCIX 2.0, we've had SLI and crossfire. Then there are all the different HDD interface standards that have come and gone, all the external standards that have come and gone and so on and so forth. This is despite there being a supposed standard IBM Compatible PC standard. I've been associated with PCs in a technical capacity since 1985, I've seen them go from machines with twin floppy drives to the monsters we have today. And as they developed there has been a constant procession of competing standards and changes of OS that have progressively left software behind. A hardware standard doesn't work.
If you want to see how a software standard might work look at Java, it's the best example of a standard platform. It's also not a model I would wish the Console industry would follow.
@Spiderboi
No offense, but VHS is a terrible standard. VHS was a media standard, not a hardware standard. That's like saying everyone should use DVD and only DVD. Sorry, that's just not what is being talked about here at all.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 10:44:05 PM
<<<Ah, but there's a standards committee right? They'll bring Microsoft to task won't they? Hang on, the entire US department of Justice couldn't bring Microsoft into the real world, why would anyone believe that some toothless industry committee would manage the trick?>>>
That would be the Federal Over-Sight committee
....er....I mean.....Federal Over-Bite committee, wouldn't it????
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 6:23:20 PM
2) Microsoft
3) jack-booted thugs
That's their plan, at least.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 6/26/2010 6:23:58 PM
2 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 1:46:55 AM
Reply
I would argue that the entertainment value of a video-game is enough to keep a healthy viable market.
But does fan-boyism help gaming?
Don't know, but I'd imagine all that energy is doing something to keep the motors turning.
I've always wondering the kind of implications a unified console standard would have as well. ANd I think the point I value most from Ben's article is the different gaming interests cultures have and how that probably really negates from having a globally unified standard.
0 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:57:13 AM
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 10:21:37 AM
The reason it's unique is because it has lasted so long and has officially become a major part of the community.
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:23:20 AM
3 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:53:22 AM
Reply
Off-topic: I'm hoping there'll be a Tranformers War for Cybertron review. For those who already have it, what're your thoughts?
Last edited by spiderboi on 6/25/2010 2:56:04 AM
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:29:59 PM
Onlive would allow you to play any game in that way and that is why they don't require a hard drive or console.
I really think that onlive is very interesting and I see them eventually moving onto the field, but I don't see Nintendo, Sony, or M$ quitting the console game and just making games for them.
So in the end I think onlive will end up just being another option for people, might even be a cheaper option, I guess we'll see when they actually release it.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:45:48 PM
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 10:59:16 PM
Seems about 2/3's through downloading the launch app, I keep getting a pre-launch error notice that I don't have "Pixel Shader 2.0" on the graphics card on my Windows XP HP machine.
AWWWWW, WTF?????
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 2:55:11 AM
Technically onlive shouldn't be any different than playing a fps online because you play on their servers, at least that's how they're promoting it.
@ Biker
Well that program has only been up for barely over a week and it's technically just a late beta, general public still can't go out and buy it. So give it some time, I'm trying to get into it, been on their newsletter and waiting list a while now tho.
0 up, 0 down
Geobaldi
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:58:50 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:46:14 PM
0 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:44:10 AM
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but sadly we dont live in a perfect world!
1 console means the manufacture could do whatever the hell they wanted!
that means
1 prices skyrocket!
2 reliability plummets!
3 customer support plummets!
4 quality plummets!
5 technology would never advance.
if we never had competition than we would still be stuck in the cave huddled around the campfire still inventing the wheel!
4 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 4:27:15 AM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
Lawless SXE
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 5:00:16 AM
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Now, I do not believe that a single unified console would work for the same reason that Highlander outlined above. There would be, no, could be, no standard. That, however, is only applicable if there is some form of agreement, alliance or amalgamation between the current 'Big 3'. If two of them were to be dominated so thoroughly in sales that they were forced out of the console wars, then it is a completely different argument.
It then comes down to a stagnation of advancement and technology which is in theory, an even worse event. Having mulitple consoles on the market allows for a leapfrog effect in which each company tries to outdo the other. Leave only one company and that disappears. The aforementioned company becomes complacent and so the rate of release drops dramatically. Such an event could potentially expand a ten-year lifecycle into a twenty-year lifecycle, and that would simply not be a good thing.
I admit that it would force exclusive games, and thus raise the overall quality of the available games, but is this really what we want? Do we want a single console that is capable of producing games five times the calibre of Uncharted: Among Thieves on a regular basis. Many would say yes, and I could argue for that, but it's more interesting to try the other side. What if I say no? What if I say, that if all games were equal to U2:AT, I would no longer feel impelled to buy these great games. You need the games of lesser quality to produce these stand-outs. In other words, multi-platform games, designed with more than one available console in mind.
The fanboy wars is something that I have never really thought of before, I will admit. I mean, they are such huge, ingrained part of gaming culture that killing it off would be, (first of all damn near impossible, people will always find something to argue about) devastating. Without that ability to argue for the merits of your system, your desire and your drive to support it will die. That is of course my opinion.
A universal console is probably the worst thing that could happen in the games industry (with the possible exception of Sony pulling out. So call me a Sony fanboy, ask me if I care.) It would damn near destroy everything that has been achieved in gaming in the past thirty years.
@Temjin001,
The console war has only a superficial similarity to the home movie format war. You see, the consoles are capable of completely different things, and of so much. Home movies are for watching movies, that's all. There was next to no difference between Blu-ray and HD-DVD in that both were capable of playing HD movies with 7.1 surround sound, both were able to be upgraded with firmware (I think, I haven't really had the chance to research HD-DVD). All the same, just different storage capabilities and personal preference. The consoles on the other hand have a great deal of interconnectivity with computer components, with internet browsing, with direct purchases from the manufacturers networks, with a greater variety of media choices, and a more fluid way of interfacing with the device. The gap between the consoles is relatively small, but it's the most minute of differences that can make or break success on them.
That is all.
Peace.
1 up, 2 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:22:33 AM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:48:15 PM
1 up, 0 down
main_event05
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 5:42:59 AM
Reply
Yes, IMHO, it really does.
M$ is already killing the industry so lets just worry about that 1st.
4 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 5:58:34 AM
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Everyone goes First Party and it's really Microsoft vs Sony without multiplats AT ALL.
5 up, 0 down
Wissam
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:00:50 AM
Reply
Last edited by Wissam on 6/25/2010 6:01:18 AM
2 up, 0 down
Zorigo
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:05:01 AM
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2 up, 0 down
daizycutter
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:15:59 AM
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0 up, 0 down
A2K78
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:36:50 AM
Reply
1 up, 5 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 10:23:29 AM
The analogy is ridiculous.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 6/25/2010 12:02:06 PM
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:21:04 AM
VHS beat out beta for the tape standard, nothing preceeded VHS for home video, the closest would be super8/cine film for home movies.
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:02:18 PM
3 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:31:50 PM
1 up, 2 down
RadioHeader
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:41:28 AM
Reply
Nintendo can stay, but stay one generation behind for the kids and OAPs.
...Seriously though, screw M$haft! I didn't even know what a fanboy was until those @$$holes appeared.
3 up, 0 down
Sir Dan
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:59:44 AM
Reply
Beatles - Stones
Ford - Chevy
Coke - Pepsi
Apple - PC
Come on, it goes on forever.
One game console is a terrible idea.
Besides, if it were to happen, someone would eventually come along and make a new box that does what this combined box doesn't do. It's the nature of capitalism. And I love it.
5 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 7:16:09 AM
Reply
Also, it would take all the fun out of the flame war, reducing it only to things like BFBC2 is better than Modern Warfare 2 and the other way around.
Off topic: I just got Demon's Souls, yesterday :D one day early, now I'm kind of stuck at the part where you have to wait for this fire breathing dragon and run, and run, and run, kinda stuck at the part of the 3rd run, I keep getting killed by either that first stronger enemy or the second one, damn arrows draining my health as well, and I'm out of turpentine, which did help a lot, if only I was more careful the 5th time, I could've made it -_-
Now I'll just go to work and try again later tonight, it's so damn addictive.
2 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 8:52:25 AM
Haven't played it yet but one thing already has me puzzled... If this game hasn't exactly made billionaires out of those who brought it to us, how come I've just bought the most beautifully presented collector's edition I've ever seen, for less than I've paid for some regular games?
Incidentally, it was the last copy in the shop. If it sells well, maybe there's still hope of a sequel for its many fans.
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:43:42 PM
If you'd like a hint at how to handle that send me a message on ps3, same user name, and I'll help ya out a bit. I won't ruin anything for ya, but there is a much easier way to do that.
1 up, 0 down
cowboynwo4life
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 7:36:50 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
JackC8
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 7:44:37 AM
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It wouldn't lower the level of bickering amongst gamers either; not one bit. That's a part of human nature - what I've got or what I do is better than what you've got or what you do. It wouldn't take people more than a few hours to find something to new to argue about.
1 up, 0 down
Imagi
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 8:17:17 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 8:31:11 AM
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3 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 9:06:25 AM
Reply
1. liquid cooling
2. Blu-Ray Drive for all future games as it is
the current leader in optical drives.
3. HD-DVDs and the obvious regular DVDs and CDs simply you don't get the whole 80 GB PS3 pulled on you again. Then give it all the power under the hood you could ever need for any game
4. Modified Cell BE CPU structure, a hybrid Xenos or RSX whichever works optimally and an on board 4 GB RAM.
5. A 1TB HDD 2.5" 7200 RPM just so the customer doesn't feel like they have to upgrade and spend more money (honestly the price shouldn't be jacked up from HDD space as we all know here they are cheap) on another accessory.
6. Standard Red, Yellow, and White input and output (no need for proprietary here)
7. Two HDMI and 6 3.0 USB Ports
8. A standard PC power input such as the PS3's
9. digital optical cable port
10. An ethernet port
11. Wi-Fi b/g/n
12. Mini USB port on controllers for charging
13. Remote Play
14. Media Servers
15. A unified online structure
16. Install any OS as we please
17. Bluetooth
18. Infrared as well
19. TV tuner
20. Built in mic in controller
21. XMB UI
22. Mouse and keyboard in game use
23. Firmware upgradeable
24. HULU/Last.FM/Facebook/Twitter/YouTube/Full Internet Browser/Netflix/
25. 3-G Connectivity, a bit much but would be nice
26. A VGA port
27. Come with two controllers
28. SCSI, LPT1, and Parallel ports
29. Wireless card slot
30. All set at a comfortable $650 :D I believe no one would complain about that price point. and With the technology being very similar to the PS3 and how it was able to lower its price and turn a profit this could be feasible.
Last edited by JMO_INDY on 6/25/2010 9:11:09 AM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:18:13 AM
1. liquid cooling
Too exotic and complex for average home users.
2. Blu-Ray Drive for all future games as it is
the current leader in optical drives.
PS3 already has this.
4. Modified Cell BE CPU...
So basically a fast chip with more RAM.
5. A 1TB HDD 2.5" 7200 RPM just so...
The customer will always want to upgrade, this is a pointless feature since upgrading the HDD should be an easy user option - as it is with PS3.
6. Standard Red, Yellow, and White input and output (no need for proprietary here)
What? Composite video? Huh?
7. Two HDMI and 6 3.0 USB Ports
Why two HDMI Outputs? Who has twin HD screens to throw at their games console? Too costly.
8. A standard PC power input such as the PS3's
As you say, the PS3 already has this.
9. digital optical cable port
So it has to be a cable model as well? Or are you meaning optical audio?
10. An ethernet port
Standard on just about everything already, btw I assume you mean gigabit ethernet.
11. Wi-Fi b/g/n
PS3 already...
12. Mini USB port on controllers for charging
PS3 already....
13. Remote Play
PS3 already....
14. Media Servers
PS3 already....
15. A unified online structure
PS3 already....
16. Install any OS as we please
Why? Who provides support for this? What happens when some egomaniac breaks the security on otherOS mode and breaks into the network stealing your financial information? Besides which this is a pointless feature for all but a tiny minority of users.
17. Bluetooth
PS3 already....
18. Infrared as well
Why? If you have BlueTooth and Wireless net, this is pointless and anachronistic.
19. TV tuner
Why? These exist in your HDMI screens.
20. Built in mic in controller
Why? This is in your camera solution.
21. XMB UI
PS3 already....
22. Mouse and keyboard in game use
PS3 already....
23. Firmware upgradeable
PS3 already....
24. HULU/Last.FM/Facebook/Twitter/YouTube/Full Internet Browser/Netflix/
PS3 already....
25. 3-G Connectivity, a bit much but would be nice
Why with all the other connectivity this is pointless expense.
26. A VGA port
Why? This is a dead standard that has been replaced by DVI which is easily converted to HDMI and is not HDCP compatible so will not work for any HD video standard.
27. Come with two controllers
Pointless expense since most gamers game on their own or online.
28. SCSI, LPT1, and Parallel ports
Pointless if the system has SATA and USB. LPT1 is a parallel port in any case, but all of these are hopelessly slow compared to USB or SATA.
29. Wireless card slot
Why, you already asked for 802.11b/g/n and 3G, this is pointless expense and redundant.
30. All set at a comfortable $650 :D I believe no one would complain about that price point. and With the technology being very similar to the PS3 and how it was able to lower its price and turn a profit this could be feasible.
Yeah, right, after the bloodletting that accompanied the PS3's $500 price tag, people are going to swallow a $650 console? Nope.
Sorry. Reality bites.
7 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:38:32 AM
5 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:03:55 PM
Last edited by JMO_INDY on 6/25/2010 12:08:04 PM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:12:43 PM
2 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:53:45 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:21:07 PM
3 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:27:19 PM
2 up, 0 down
dkmrules
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 9:48:29 AM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
isaya85
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 9:51:07 AM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
maxpontiac
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 10:25:08 AM
Reply
That's like saying there could be only one car manufacturer in the world.
Last edited by maxpontiac on 6/25/2010 10:25:45 AM
1 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 2:56:06 PM
1 up, 1 down
maxpontiac
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 4:30:25 PM
How dare you compare Pontiac to the 360!!
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:01:13 PM
1 up, 0 down
booze925
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 10:45:47 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Mr Bitey
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:52:44 AM
Reply
If it were one of the other two guys... I'd be pretty upset.
2 up, 0 down
A2K78
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:26:46 PM
Reply
How is there any competition when Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are screwing over consumers already?
0 up, 1 down
Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:42:50 PM
As for being 'screwed over', I'd have to say that every company selling products to the consumer is to some extent or another trying to screw over the customer since they want as much money as they can get for as little product as possible. It's not unique to gaming.
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GuernicaReborn
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:51:42 PM
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Uncharted vs. Gears
Killzone vs. Halo
True gamers vs. Activision
Get what I mean? The fanboy wars don't stop, they just take an unexpected turn.
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DjEezzy
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 1:54:24 PM
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This reminds me of something like "Onlive" or Cloud gaming. Supposedly the future of gaming. I honestly don't think so and I really hope the console wars remain for a long time.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:29:20 PM
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Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:55:21 PM
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kraygen
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:55:58 PM
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Same as I said before about onlive, big companies aren't going to just stop making consoles and put their exclusives on another system.
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AcHiLLiA
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 3:57:06 PM
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tes37
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 4:41:20 PM
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Competition is good. If it weren't for the xbox, I might would take my ps3 for granted and not realize how great of a console I have.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 4:41:29 PM
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xnonsuchx
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 7:00:21 PM
In 1991, there were all of the following available: SNES, Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, Neo Geo, Amiga CDTV, CD-i (another failed universal platform).
In 1995, there were all of the following available: 3DO (another failed universal platform), Atari Jaguar, Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Amiga CD32.
Last edited by xnonsuchx on 6/25/2010 7:01:10 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 8:37:29 PM
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daus26
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 6:46:22 AM
Microsoft was able to come in and compete because Nintendo and Sony was different in a way. Plus, Sega went away, even though Sega had a unique flair to it (Sonic, Virtua Fighter, and other Arcade classics). MS is more like a direct competition to Sony, so if that 4th console want to compete, it has to be unique in it's own way, and there is just not many options left.
A direct competition to Sony and Ms is a bad idea, but even worst to Nintendo imo. Nintendo (Wii) will always have those exclusive legendary characters that Sony nor MS will ever have, and they're the ones that are driving the Wii sales (and perhaps it's motion controller too), regardless how weak of a console it is. Just see how a 2D Donkey Kong and Kirby game will sell. Is it because of technological advances? No, but creativity and originality.
On the other hand, MS and Sony sales are more driven by technological advances, which is tough since they have to worry about originality too, unlike Nintendo which doesn't have to worry much about technological advances as much as MS or Sony.
Compare games like Modnation to Mario Kart and Ratchet to Mario. One is original, and the other is an attempt to be orignal and be advanced graphically and physically, but which will sell better? Yes, Sony and MS have it tough, which is why the Wii is way ahead of the pack.
And I'll stop. Getting a bit off topic here.
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xnonsuchx
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 6:38:27 PM
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Highlander
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:02:17 PM
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bridgera
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 7:48:45 PM
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Sure, universal INTERFACES are great, but not eliminating all competiting products.
It would be great if any 360 game would play on a PS3 and vice versa, but I don't want MS directly dictating my PSN.
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BikerSaint
Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 11:46:22 PM
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Just imagine a 1-console state.....
We'd get even worse games from shoddy developers than we get now.
We'd get even more 1/2full games, due to content being cut out of games than we get now.
We'd get even more of that same cut content back, but only as more cash-cow DLC.
We'd get stagnated game, shoody graphics, and more old worn out game re-treads just because developers chose to be even more lazier than some of them are right now.
And the final point is that we'd ALL be totally screwed because they'd declare that the console will have a 25 year lifespan, so no new hardware/software tech, no new graphics, and certainly no more need for new exciting innovative game ideas.
And believe me, there would only be 2 "F"ing things you could do about it too,
You'd either....
....throw up your hands in exasperation & exit the realm of gaming forevermore,
or
..."tough shite", just chew harder!
But(as someone above already mentioned too) I'd love to see some kind of cross-game connect-ability so you & a bud who has the same game, but on different systems, could still play the same game together.
Although I don't know how/if it could even work, seeing how I'm not even remotely a tech-head.
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Highlander
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 2:34:32 AM
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daus26
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 6:27:52 AM
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It's just not how it works. We people are driven by motivation in nature. Without motivation, we don't move forward. Competition is what creates that motivation; to be the best out there.
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LightShow
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 9:37:20 AM
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plus, even if the big three were to unite, theres gonna be a (rather large) group that isnt served by the new console, and theres gonna be a maverick hardware developer that will rise to serve that group. mark my words, there wont be "just one console" for very long.
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dveisalive
Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 3:01:06 PM
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Jawknee
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Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 12:31:01 AM
They are all relatively cheap.
If there were only one console it would cost too much money and it probably wouldn't be that great. The technology would progress to slow.