Is The Current Cycle Of Gaming Consoles The Last For Anyone?

[Clownzilla]

I got into a discussion with some friends of mine (we are all in our late 20's) and we were discussing the disappointment of the path that the business of gaming is going. Most notably the use of micro payments. I know this topic has been talked about numerous times but my question is how many of my fellow gamers are making a line in the sand at when we are going to stop buying new consoles? I seriously can see myself content with my current Wii and a PS2 as the newest consoles I own. Where I can buy a game and enjoy it without having to "hook up" online to play against somebody or to download new content. I just can't see a future without being required to get online to play a game. The ONLY time I can see myself buying a new system is if there is a REVOLUTIONARY change in game play. I'm not talking about the Wii "revolution", but something such as virtual reality or some sort of mind jack technology (a looooong way off). Anybody else have a similar outlook on "drawing that line in the sand"?

[rkotm]

While i wouldnt be able to predict where gaming is headed, there is now with the availability of DSL/Cable having an effect on how we play. When that market grows for say everyone who buys a next gen console(some years not far off) has DSL or Cable, lots and lots of game designers will create games online only. But first it has to catch on more in the console department, while the PC has been enjoying online only sucess for a while, but not all of the online games are great or everyones cup o' joe.When free catches on for internet play, and i mean free online play (PS3's services), it will grow and also more gamers have to catch on to online gaming(and or make it worth it to go online, and some weigh the difference wether its worth or not to play online with all the fees and whats worth playing).

New game systems in the next gen from this one are supposedly going to make a huge leap in realism and power than this one(the next Xbox for instance) and by then i dont think (i know) it wont be enough for people to shell out for another game system. The Wii has its own market with a few gamers attatched, and i think Nintendo will head in the casual non gamer movement, after all they dont care what the fans want, its up to them. Me personally i wouldnt buy a Wii until there were at least 20 titles id love to play(Mario Galaxy, Smash Bros, Mario Kart and RE:UC are the only ones id get). so i dont feel the need to upgrade to one for a long time.

I draw a line when theres games id want to play and weigh the cost of investing in the system. as long as theres great games and new types of ideas that are employed with the game such as Katamari or Shadow of the Colossus. Right now the 360 intrigues me highly as ive owned one and have friends who do. Army of two, RE5, DMC4, Beautiful Katamari, Condemned 2, Gears of War 2, and more id love to play/will want to play. If Metal Gear Solid 4 comes to the 360, im officially sold. But the failure rates make me weary.

I wont necessarily stop buying newer consoles(have had several next gen but took back for financial reasons), but get the system that has the games i want to play. Me being in my early 20's and playing for 18 years i am abit tired of the game idea, the sequel with little improvement, and the whole level/boss/puzzle formula in the action/adventure genre. i think some series need a rest and retired to where we remember them at their best before they get made by the wrong people or get worse..i think we have enough Zeldas and their prequels and the series these days isnt anything i particularly couldnt enjoy replaying Zelda Ocarine of Time or LTTP. the ideas have been done over and over with just a new coat of paint "oh cool, Zora is so awesome looking in HD!" Did Zelda TP really do anything new for the series?

i think it relies on the experience.the games, that make the system and not the hardware(a comfortable controller helps). im frusterated at the moment in what the industry thinks we'll buy just because its that familiar face on the cover, but millions of copies sold of the same old same old cant be wrong, so, on the with the same old fucking cycle of recycled marios and mega mans. Resident Evil4 made the RE series still Resident Evil but new, fresh, and game of the year for doing something new with itself. aggh i have more to say and ill save it for smaller bits later.

[otaku]

I love online play. I love new content. I don't mind paying for either one when its worth it which quite often it is (rock band!) when the next batch of consoles comes around I'll be ready :)

[Cobra Commander]

I'll never stop. Having to pay money every few months for Live is a bit annoying, but I had no idea what I was missing.
I'll game till I die.

[Flack]

Is The Current Cycle Of Gaming Consoles The Last For Anyone?

I think it might be. Of course, I said that last round, too.

[xfrumx]

I am not way into playing online and there will always be games that aren't online only. Not every game is that competitive. so I will still be gaming a few generations on.

[scooterb23]

I don't see myself keeping up with another round seriously...

[boatofcar]

If it wasn't for the 360 Katamari, the last console cycle would have been my last. I'll probably buy a few more 360 games just to make the system worth my while, but I can't see myself buying into the next generation unless it's something that toally blows me away. There are way too many good PS2 games I still haven't played yet.

[Cornelius]

I'm with you on the nickel and diming. That just really gets my goat. I was a pretty devoted Blizzard fanboy, but WoW's monthly fee was a big killjoy for me. Recurring fees just add up too fast and easily, and I'm cheap. Fortunately there was an alternative in Guild Wars. I figure there will always be one-off game purchases for people like me that simply won't subscribe. Online only is okay with me as long as I'm not absolutely forced to interact with jackasses or can play cooperatively.

That said, I'll probably be much later to the next gen table than I was to this one (a week or so ago), this round just caught me at the right time.

[swlovinist]

Like the last couple of generations I have focused on just the ones that I will play. I won my Xbox 360 and got my Wii for my birthday. I am waiting on the PS3. By the time the next generations come out, I will be just catching up. If I do get the next generation machines, it will be years after they come out.

[PapaStu]

I doubt it. I tend to keep moving forward with the games as they come out (and collect this newer stuff and not the older stuff, once its gone, for the most part I don't go after the games for the systems (save for DC, NGPC and PS).

Now the real question is will I have time with an eventual family and grander work responsibilities as I hit the land of 30's.

[Poofta!]

this will be the last generation i buy new releases for. i simply dont care to keep up anymore. i have a backlog of HUNDREDS of games, and dozens from thsi generation.

this generation looks absolutely amazing, and unless the next console sucks me off, im not buying it till its dirt cheap.

im perfectly good where i am now...

[briskbc]

I can see the PS2 being my main gaming console moving forward. I have never taken a system online and have no real interest in that at the moment. I own a PS3 but they have to start cranking out some titles. Hell, I don't own a single game for it. I will probably get a Wii just for the novelty factor and a 360 (once it becomes stable) so I can finish Halo. Those consoles are at least a year away resting on my entertainment center. The PS2 is the perfect system for my more casual gaming tendancies and has a bunch of great titles for the kids.

[FlufflePuff]

The only way it would be my last is if my financial situation changes. In 4-5 years I could have kids (shudder) so who knows. To the point of the original post, micro-transactions won't change how I view gaming. I actually enjoy having new content come out after the fact. No one enjoys paying money for Live, but it gets paid just like any other utility bill.

[kentuckyfried]

Get off my lawn.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Unless something drastic happens in the near future I think the Wii is the end of the console line for me. There is ample time to change my mind though. Handhelds are a completely different story. I think I'll stick with portables for quite sometime.

[Sudo]

Not for me. While I have a huge backlog spanning pretty much every console generation, I still have the desire to keep buying more new games as well as old ones.

[spoon]

I dunno. Just like the industry is, I can't predict where I will be. More than likely yes. If they start to release new consoles shorter and shorter apart, no. I'll just wait for the dust to settle and drop along with the prices.

With that said, it is a definite yes when it comes to portable gaming. With two completely different style machines out there right now, It'll be interesting to see where it goes. There are also a ton of great titles out for the DS and PSP. See who else comes along to join.

Maybe a portable M$ console with achievements, link up only achievements, Anywhere Live, and remote play integrated with the PC and 720?

[Oobgarm]

It's strange, as I've been die-hard for every new generation of console for as long as I can remember. I do kinda feel that this gen will be the last I'm really 'into'. Matter of fact, I don't really feel 'into' this gen either for some reason.

I see it now, by not having purchased any games so far this year, that I really don't NEED to buy as many games as I have in the past. I have the few franchises I like, plus the random oddball title, and I'm set. And generally, I can get those for Christmas since most of them are end-of-the-year releases anyway.

Maybe things will change once I'm out of the financial doldrums I'm in, I dunno. I kinda doubt it, though.

[Flack]

To expound a bit on yesterday's comment ... the more I play new games, the more I like the old ones. Don't get me wrong, there are some terrific games out there, but there are a lot of old terrific games out there too, and when you start comparing prices, if you like retrogaming as much (or more) than you like modern gaming, it only makes sense to play the old stuff. I have over $1,500 invested in a PS3 and about a dozen games. Just think what kind of NES or SNES collection $1,500 could buy, you know?

I have a mental list of hundreds of classic games I've never played (did you know I've never played any Zelda game? Ever?), and as the price of consoles and games continues to go up, the desire to go back and play all the classics I missed over the years looks better and better.

[briskbc]

I can see the PS2 being my main gaming console moving forward. I have never taken a system online and have no real interest in that at the moment. I own a PS3 but they have to start cranking out some titles. Hell, I don't own a single game for it. I will probably get a Wii just for the novelty factor and a 360 (once it becomes stable) so I can finish Halo. Those consoles are at least a year away resting on my entertainment center. The PS2 is the perfect system for my more casual gaming tendancies and has a bunch of great titles for the kids.

What am I saying. I have kids. In 5 years my 12 year old will be asking (relentlessly hounding) us for a PS4 at christmas time. Everytime I think I'm out..... they pull me back in.

[Rob2600]

I'm a former "hard core" gamer who has slowly been turning into a "casual" gamer during the last several years. On one hand, I'm very interested to see Nintendo's next controller and the evolution of video game technology in general. On the other hand, as I get older, I have less time and patience for video games, especially long and complex ones like Call of Duty or The Legend of Zelda.

These days, when I do play, it's either NES or SNES action games like Super Mario Bros. 2, Contra, or Super Castlevania IV, arcade-style GameCube games like Burnout 2 or Beach Spikers, or Wii games that aren't too complex like Kororinpa Marble Mania, Endless Ocean, or Zack & Wiki.

While most people are looking forward to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, I'm looking forward to Wii Fit, Boom Blox, de Blob, and Blast Works...again, games that aren't too complex.

[mailman187666]

unless I physically can't play games anymore, I'm going to buy every new system until I die. Unless gaming changes to where it just isn't fun anymore, but I have a blast with today's games. DLC or online gaming doesn't phase me.

[Garry Silljo]

What am I saying. I have kids. In 5 years my 12 year old will be asking (relentlessly hounding) us for a PS4 at christmas time. Everytime I think I'm out..... they pull me back in.tim

That's me. This is my last round I've decided. My daughter and any future kids though can and probably will get new systems that I will play but not collect for.

[Kamino]

Considering the extremely low # of games I've bought since I sold off(3....this used to be my DAILY average...)
I HIGHLY doubt I will be able to justify a new system, unless the next xbox or playstation is full of fucking win. (Nintendo's out of my picture for good now. 3 strikes and you're OUT, buddy. N64+Cube+Wii=FAIL)

[YoshiM]

Can't say for sure. Each generation after N64 there are fewer and fewer games that really trip my trigger. This gen so far has been the worse. Yes I like what few games I own for the 360 and Wii but what's coming down the pipe just doesn't get me all that excited.

[Retsudo]

I dont plan on buying an Xbox360, PS3, or a Wii. So the PS2 is my last system.

[kedawa]

I still have no intention of buying any of the current consoles. I don't like where console gaming is headed in general and I just can't justify spending over $1000 for 3 consoles when there probably won't be more than a few games I want on each. Besides, I have over a decades worth of PC games to catch up on.

[s1lence]

I will continue to purchase systems. I enjoy the modern titles and the classics.

[CartCollector]

did you know I've never played any Zelda game? Ever?
And you call yourself a retrogamer? How could you?

[Iron Draggon]

Dreamcast was my last, just like it was for Sega... they ran out of money for fighting console wars, and so did I... I wanted to keep on keeping up, but my finances simply wouldn't allow it anymore... especially with 3 factions fighting!

so now I'm only keeping up with modern consoles through PC ports, and I've decided that I won't be keeping up with any PC games anymore after Vista dies either... the upgrade from XP to Vista was way too extreme... I pretty much had to upgrade EVERYTHING, just to be able to play Vista exclusives...

and what has Microsoft rewarded me with for spending $1000's on upgrades so far? a pitiful port of an ancient FPS that I could care less about, and a pitiful port of an ancient franchise that didn't even stay true to the original...

yep, Vista was the last straw for me... I'll just stick with what I have after all the dust settles for this round, and a new round begins... unless the next round finally goes holographic or something like that... then I'll be all over it!

[zemmix]

As long as they still make Mario (well maybe not another Sunshine) and Gran Turismo games I'll keep buying new Playstations and Nintendos.

[Berserker]

I don't think a system of micro payments is going to be a viable option while the primary means of distributing games for any particular console is still by way of optical media.

The method for enacting this idea currently is that, for any big-budget game you pay 50 or 60 bucks for it, and then you pay more for added episodic content or worse, you have to pay more than the initial purchase to truly "finish" the game. Most gamers are probably outraged at such an idea, and rightly so.

However if you're looking at either paying 60 bucks for a complete game, or 6 episodes at say 10 bucks each for the same amount of content, then that concept starts to make sense for gamers, and you could actually save a lot of money that way, for instance if you decide you don't like the game. Just don't buy any more episodes.

It also puts pressure on developers to deliver higher quality game content from start-to-finish, since if by episode 3 out of 6 say the game starts to suck, nobody's going to buy it anymore.

[PentiumMMX]

I though this one would be my last. Loved my N64, but I hated the Gamecube so much I was considering skipping this generation because I figured the Wii would suck even harder and PS3 & 360 didn't have anything I was interested in at the time.

[Kamino]

What am I saying. I have kids. In 5 years my 12 year old will be asking (relentlessly hounding) us for a PS4 at christmas time. Everytime I think I'm out..... they pull me back in.
man i hope i never end up having kids, but if i do, one thing's for sure, they're NOT going to be allowed to have any fucking video games until they like, get a job and some friends. GO PLAY OUTSIDE!!!!