Wired Proclaims the Death of the Game Console 368
A reader points out an article at Wired arguing that game consoles and the business model that sustained them are now "obsolete." Quoting:
"Years from now, 225 million devices will almost certainly be seen as the point at which the console business peaked. Gamers are going elsewhere for their fix. The console's time at the top of the heap is drawing to an end, and these machines won't survive without radical change. ... Consoles used to do everything best, but those strengths are now being wiped away. Unlike PC games, which may require finicky custom settings, consoles 'just work,' fans have long pointed out. Well, so does the iPad. Consoles are cheaper than PCs? Not when you factor in the growing disparity in game prices. Consoles have all the good content? Well, if you want Nintendo- or Sony-exclusive games, you'll need to buy their hardware. But for many gamers, Angry Birds is becoming more attractive than Mario.
It's weird seeing this argument in reverse. (Score:5, Insightful)
The current console generation has already gone one for a year too long, and it will be at least one more year before the new Xbox and Playstation come out. In games media people do seem to be switching to the PC, but as soon as the new consoles come out the unwashed masses will move to them.
As for the iPad and the like? Sure they will take the causal and non gamer markets, pretty much the people who purchased the Wii as their first and only console. Game console might not see as high of sales, but just like happens with every new console generation and the reports of PC gaming being dead, the death of consoles is high exaggerated.
Don't believe it (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not as if people who play Assassin's Creed have suddenly shifted over to Angry Birds in droves. The audience who plays Angry Birds is a separate audience. Furthermore, Angry Birds costs less than console games, so comparing by number of total players is misleading.
Re:consoles are horribly locked down (Score:4, Insightful)
Completely different groups of people.
Re:Don't believe it (Score:5, Insightful)
yeah, but what happens when there's a generation of kids who grew up playing angry birds as their first game instead of super mario? for them playing on a gamepad will be as alien as playing on touch screen is to you...
errr.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Gamers are going elsewhere for their fix.
They are?
Unlike PC games, which may require finicky custom settings, consoles 'just work,' fans have long pointed out. Well, so does the iPad.
And that proves ...?
Re:consoles are horribly locked down (Score:2, Insightful)
Nooooooottiiiiiiiing (Score:5, Insightful)
This is just one of those "X is dead" stories where the author knows nothing about anything including market diversity.
It is obvious that McD attracts more customers then 3 star restaurants, therefor 3 star restaurants are dead...
Logic dictates this. But McD has been around for a long time and so is the whole Michelin guide thing, which has also been declared dead many times.
There are indeed people for who Angry Birds is enough and they can buy an iPad Mini for 329. And there are those for who mario is enough and they can buy a Wii U for 350. Wow! Look at that price difference!!! Anyway, for SOME, Angry Birds is NOT enough just as a dry patty on an even dryer piece of fluffed corn isn't good enough for some. And they will buy a PC, put in a video card and play real games.
And there are even some people, who one day buy a hamburger and the next day visit a 3 star restaurant. Amazing!
And some people never buy any pre-made food and cook at home!!! It is almost like there are kinds of different people out there with others catering to their needs!
Right now, in 2012 EA/Maxis is preparing Sim City for a 2013 launch and EVERYTHING looks like it will be a real Sim City again for real men on real PC's. And some gay guys on mac's. No more consolfication attempt, just a hard core sim game like we used to have. And it got just as many fanboys as Angry Birds has, except these fans can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Everytime someone declares something dead, it springs back on its feet. The world is a more complex place then you think and people have different needs and wants, often on the same day.
Re:Game Controls (Score:5, Insightful)
Different multiplayer model (Score:5, Insightful)
i never understand how people who rant about software freedom [...] will then run out and buy an microsoft xbox and a sony playstation.
It's because not enough PC games support USB gamepads well or support more than one player on one HDTV monitor. Some people prefer the multiplayer model traditionally associated with consoles, especially for games that aren't FPS or RTS. PCs can do it; it's just that major PC game publishers choose not to in order to sell a copy per player instead of a copy per household [cracked.com].
Re:Game Controls (Score:5, Insightful)
On the iPad you tilt the iPhone or iPad left or right to steer
No need to use touch for it
And just like with a car (or console game) the entire world tilts as you steer your car.
Re:Game Controls (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Game Controls (Score:3, Insightful)
I find it hilarious reading through the comments of people proclaiming that tablet gaming could never be as good because of some control issue, when it is clear these people have never actually played many good tablet games. I've been an avid gamer for decades and played numerous racing games, and a few of the tablet racing games have the best controls I've ever used. Buttons and tiny joysticks are just REALLY hard to use to steer a (simulated) car, whereas full screen tilt is awesome once you get a little practice. The good racing games even keep the horizon level while you turn the tablet. Plus with the ipad I can push the game to the tv screen and race there, and the tablet becomes the controller with info and maps on its screen. Someone else made the hilarious comment that "there's no way you're going to get anything [like] Civ IV" on a mobile device... I must have been hallucinating pretty good last night during my Civ gaming session on my tablet...
The reality is that game makers are beginning to learn how to make great games for mobile devices. The games are getting better, the controls more slick, and as people switch over all but the most hardcore quickly realize that mobile devices are the future of gaming. When I saw that the WiiU is going to be a tablet like controller for the tv, my first thought was that I had been doing almost that exact same thing for months already with my versatile tablet, why the heck would I want the WiiU? Really, once you get the controls figured out, the only other appeal of consoles is game titles, and that's changing, very very quickly.
Re:Don't believe it (Score:5, Insightful)
Mod up! I've read two dozen posts on this topic, and all are biased to explain how the poster's preference is the winner. This is the first that actually talks about reality.
As a seasned gamer, I've seen it all, and I've seen all of the types of gamers out there. What is *really* happpening is a growth of gaming overall and some small shifts in popularity within that net growth.
The people playing angry birds didn't play games before that. The COD nut probably plays angry birds while on the toilet, but still plays COD on console every night. The console gamers like the reliability, controls, and accessibility to friends---and the PC gamers brew up awesome mods and implementations of games, like competition.
And most gamers fall into more than one category.
The only gaming I would predict is losing would be board games and maybe DnD. And that's not a serious claim, rather a guess at the two physcal game formats that may have been overshadowed by digital life.
It is comical to see these articles and opinions. Its like predicting the death of carnivory because people are increasingly liking soy products. Wtf? There will always be meat eaters, and many will enjoy the vegetable and meat protein together.
I play casuals on my phone in idleness.
I play ps3 games with friends in games that benefit from the controls, reliability, and general central-entertainment-device elements (netflix stream, bluray player, gaming, youtube).
I play PC games for the cutting edge graphics and mouse/keyboard benefit.
I play scrabble with my kids and father.
I make games out of day to day life actvities.
The original article reeks of this polarizing extremist psyche that is becoming more prevalent in culture. But I argue that just because you take sides, it doesn't mean that we have to.
We love games.