Here we go again, gamers! Blizzard has reportedly talked about plans that it’s working with Microsoft on the next Xbox (and then denied them all the same!) That got me thinking – nay, worrying – about the next generation of consoles. Allow me to explain.
First of all, the economy is certainly not going to be helpful. Sure, the next generation won’t come out for at least another year and a half, which might give us enough time to right this sinking ship. However, how much more cautious are people going to be about their spending? Will we have learned – as the society at large – to not be frivolous in our spending? If that is the case, will the manufacturers respond in kind? The issue here is the business model and the negative impact it could have for the “core” gaming market.
Nintendo clearly has a successful business model – all the clever metaphors have been used – but it’s surrounded by a technologically inferior product. On the other hand, Sony has been struggling since launch because of a higher price point than its competitors. Also, Microsoft seems to have a fairly decent recipe for success, but they obviously cut a few too many corners with high fail rates from RRoD and the newest E74 error. This current generation is across the board as far as price, performance, online network and games. We have a broad spectrum of options to fit to each person’s individual tastes.
While having such a wide variety to choose from, this does make me fear for the next generation. Will Sony decide to skimp after realizing that, though they have a technological behemoth, the costs don’t make up for it if people aren’t going to buy it? (Not to mention that developers will refuse develop for it.) Will Microsoft stop cutting corners, resulting in a higher price point? Will Nintendo decide to not even play in the next round, as they continue to swim in a sea of gold coins, lighting cigars with Benjamins? If the big three are no longer competing against each other, they can each play their own game and hold our wallets hostage.
And what about the originality of the games? So many games these days are recreations of a previous game within the same genre. Occasionally we get a good crossover game (RPG/FPS, Strategy/RPG, FPS/Football – wait a minute…) But with each new release, it seems that every genre is continually getting “Maddened”, or a few updates from last year’s game – rosters (skins/models), playbooks (guns/inventory), and the slightest of upgrades in graphics or camera angle. I love zombie games, but they are all becoming an interpretation of the game previous. The basics of all of these games are still the same and, if game script writing continues to suffer or developers continue to use uninspired, played out stories, what we have to play on the next round of consoles will just be a reiteration of last years model.
So, let me know what you think about the next next-generation of consoles. Are you excited for a PlayStation 4? Can’t wait to get your mitts on the newest Yii-mote? Do you want to continue to fantasize about your the Halo universe whilst playing the new Xbox 343 Guilty Spark? Leave it in the comments!
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