Sony Utopia

[Asylum Seeker]

I must admit to thinking a lot about this. With Sega pulling out of the hardware market, the Gamecube looking increasingly likely like it will be the last non-portable hardware that Nintendo will manufacture and the X-Box losing money hand over fist for Microsoft, then are we going to be left in the nightmare scenario IMO of a Sony Utopia? :cry:

This is the reason why I asked yesterday if there were any consoles on the horizon because if it was a choice of 1 console or my Microvision then I know which one I would choose :D

It would be good to hear anyone's views on the future of console gaming.

[YoshiM]

Something like this was posted on another board, but more of a "what media do you think future consoles will use?" My answer, and what is probably appropriate to add to this thread, is that game software will be a service, not something you can buy off the shelf. Here's what I said:

"The reason I say this is that broadband is starting to become more and more accessible to the masses. With push for broadband gaming from Microsoft and Sony (with Nintendo pulling up the rear), major cable companies are making adjustments to make sure their networks will provide an optimum gaming environment. Microsoft is trying to push towards software as a "service" rather than a product you buy off of the shelf as a new revenue stream for the PC products.

Here's the way I see it: You get the box then sign up for service (or perhaps you can get it free or at reduced price for signing up for a new service for DirecTV or cable with a one year contract or something). Pay a fee per month/per quarter/per year to get X number of games that can be downloaded onto your box and played whenever you want-limited only by the size of the hard drive. The first game board is loaded onto the hard drive and then the player can start. While playing, subsequent levels are then streamed to the HD to prevent a pause in the action. This way, developers can add new content, fix any problems that might have slipped by quality control, and cut the costs on packaging and such that would normally be spent on retail markets. For the multiplayer market the content companies could charge a higher fee depending on the game (like what AOL did with Neverwinter, Battletech, etc.).

Sure, there are downfalls to this as well. Cancellations of services would render your deck useless. If a user's hard drive gets full they'll have to clip a game and then spend the time redownloading it later. Servers may slow to a stop when during peak time. Collectablity would be zilch.

Now, would I want this? No. I'm already nickeled and dimed by cable, phone, utilities, magazine subscriptions, Internet site subscriptions, etc. I don't need another service parasite to latch onto me. I like the idea of buying a game and being able to play it with or without online access. But, mark these words, the powers that be will probably try it."

Don't know when something like this will happen, but I bet ya it will.

[congobongo]

I don't think you will ever see a "directTV" console and if it is attempted they will fail. Partially for the same reason that Music media (CDs) will never become obsolete. People like to hold items in there hand. People like to collect things. People like to look at the packaging and read the instructions and inhale that smell of fresh ink. People like things that are portable - they buy a game and bring it over to there friend's house and play it there. Many "download and play" services have started up recently with very poor results. Take http://www.gamesmania.com/ for example. I'd wager $1000 that it will fold in the next year or two. This is my opinion and who knows I may be way off in the end but we shall see.

[Asylum Seeker]

I agree - something that doesn't have a "material" feel just does not sit right with me....

But the question is where will the next console come from????

[michael]

I agree - something that doesn't have a "material" feel just does not sit right with me....

But the question is where will the next console come from????
What are the chances of a new atari console?

[YoshiM]

We know Sony is already talking about a PS3 and Microsoft mentioned an XBox2. Nintendo always takes its time announcing anything new on the horizon, so who knows what they will do. Sony is a sure bet to pull a 3rd-time-is-a-charm manuever if they play their cards right (more power, easier archetecture, etc.). It would be great for Sony if the PS3 would be backward compatible to the PS2 but all that legacy hardware could bring the potential of the new system down.

Microsoft has an uphill battle with the Japanese gaming crowd (and development crowd). Many gamers are hooked on the Japanese developed game series and if the series doesn't wander off of the PS platform, gamers aren't budging. The XBox is a pretty sound device that has a lot of potential if developers would just jump on board and see that. I could see them pulling a Sega and jumping the technology gun, releasing the XBox 2 before Sony releases the PS3 and doing the backwards compatible thing (since I doubt MS will stray from using PC like parts) which will probably result in the original XBox games possibly looking better with very few problems.

Nintendo is the weird one. Their hand held market is tops, but they are struggling to keep second place against Sony and are leveling their guns on Redmond rather than against the big S, so it's like they are content with whatever sloppy seconds come from Sony's stable. They will probably milk the Gamecube for about 3 or 4 years. By then LCD technology would probably be even more inexpensive to come out with: a mini DVD handheld/TV console hybrid. Play games on the go with the hand held (with a good size screen, say no bigger than what the Sony PS1 setup is like) and then allow it to "dock" to a port replicator or just have a plug hook up to the back to play the games on TV. Deck has the built in controller and then you can buy extra controllers that can chain together (like the 3DO) for multiplayer games. Then include a cache memory for anti-skip. If they were REALLY crazy they could put Game Boy compatibility on it (or have an attachment that allows the carts to be played). Handheld games seem to be their schtick, so for them to do something like that is not too far-fetched.

I think it will go like this: Microsoft first, Sony second, Nintendo 3rd.

My additional 5 electrum pieces on this.

[Raedon]

I agree - something that doesn't have a "material" feel just does not sit right with me....

But the question is where will the next console come from????
What are the chances of a new atari console?

Hah! If the packaging of UT2k3 and NWN are any indicators for the current state of Atari the Console would be made of paper and packaged in a big white paper sleeve.

Atari was dead the second they got cocky about the VG market.

[Raedon]

From what I have seen more of my first have a Gamecube and Xbox before a ps2. The people with ps2's usually also have a Gamecube..

I don't see where you guys are getting that Nintendo is coming in last?

[YoshiM]

Last in release, Radeon, not last as in defeat. At least, that's what I thought the question was for this thread. Except for the NES, Nintendo has released their hardware after everyone else laid their cards on the table. Happened in the 16 Bit days, happened when Playstation and Saturn were out, and now the GC was the last machine released in the current lineup. Just goin' with their history :)

Believe me, while I am digging my XBox, I'm a Nintendo fan from way back and I'd like nothing more than the next "N" deck to take control in the next-next gen console war. Just as long as their games are kick-ass.

[Sylentwulf]

Nintendo and Microsoft are as far, or further ahead of Sony in producing their next console. So all three WILL have at least one more console.

Edit - Kingdom hearts sequel is already being made on the PS3, if that's any indication of how far along the systems are.

[michael]

Kingdom hearts sequel is already being made on the PS3, if that's any indication of how far along the systems are.
Proof?