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A one-console future: the games people play

Posted Nov 24, 2007 at 11:55AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC Gaming Tags: Monopoly, Wiimote

A one console future - Image 1

There's been a lot of talk and clamor for a one-console future after the next-gens. This has been met with both anticipation and criticism alike. And it's no wonder, as a lot will change if the future only holds one console.

It would certainly mean a lot for developers because they'll have a lot more options for their games because every gamer demography would have the same system in their living rooms so they don't have to choose which console a game would sell the most in.

It will also mean a lot to distributors and publishers because they'll be able to deliver their games to a broader audience. But what would it mean for us, the consumers, the one who actually has to buy the console?

If a one-console future is indeed inevitable, the likely future would be a market set-up where no single corporation or publisher would have a monopoly on manufacturing the console.

In a way a monopoly would be worse because at least with multiple consoles, developers have a choice with what games to develop since they won't be limited by its hardware until the end of its life cycle, when the manufacturer decides to come out with a newer version.

What we'll probably end up with is a compartmentalized console, where one can purchase parts - like memory and processor - separately. That way consumers can purchase only the specific parts they want or need.

The setup would probably end up like the PC market, only for gaming. Who knows, maybe one day they'd totally merge (and eventually we'll just have a PC). The advantage of a one-console is that it could (potentially) have all the strengths of all the current consoles (and beyond).

But with a compartmentalized setup, the implication is that we are also introduced to the strengths and weaknesses of PC gaming. Now we can play every game in the market: all we have to do is buy the necessary hardware and peripherals to meet the specs of the game.

However, while we have more freedom with our choices, now we are limited by hardware. Game choices will then be limited by the strengths of their consoles and they would be forced to upgrade if a game comes out that needs high-end hardware.

The downside is instantly apparent: we'll have to buy high end hardware just to use it for the one game we want to play. Which isn't necessarily bad, because every other game that requires less powerful hardware could only benefit from it.

The end result is that games will be separated by high-end and low-end consoles, and everything in between. So what does it mean for us consumers? If we can't afford the hardware, we can't play the game.

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you come and read it and you waste your precious time posting a comment. but you have a life right? thats why your sitting on qj just like the rest of us. i dont like these articles either but some people do, and its on here for them. his articles are well written so i dont see a problem with him posting articles. zip it.

# Won't happen — GamerGuyDude 2007-11-24 14:35

There is a reason consoles exist. Like you mentioned, if we wanted one console, we'd use the PC. Consoles exist to keep costs down for consumers and create a standard platform that doesn't need to be upgraded. It's what makes rentals possible, and bringing your games to your friends house.

Consoles also force developers to take the time to work around limitations rather than just requiring more memory, graphic power, etc.

I think what MIGHT happen is a single platform for gaming, with multiple companies creating different hardware. For example, look at the PC market. They all run windows and are compatible with each other, but different companies make different looking machines.

So maybe Nintendo will make a low cost machine that runs GAME OS just fine but does nothing else, Sony makes a slick looking machine that can also play Blu-Ray and organize your music files, and Microsoft makes one with extensive online options and customizations.

# Um... — Techni 2007-11-24 14:55

"What we'll probably end up with is a compartmentaliz ed console, where one can purchase parts - like memory and processor - separately. That way consumers can purchase only the specific parts they want or need."

That's what we call, a PC

# Rediculous — Tydude4Christ 2007-11-24 15:09

I'm sorry, but this is utterly rediculous. Sure, some companies may run out of business but we'll never see one universal platform. And we won't see upgradable parts either beyond Optical disk or hard disk add-on drives. Just look at Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD. We have two formats competing because no one could unanimously agree on a successor to the DVD and neither will Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft agree upon one standard.

# Silly — [Juice] 2007-11-24 16:06

The idea is just silly. As long as there is money to be made there will be competitors. A company may die out and we could be left with one console for a time but then another company would rise to power simple as that. I honestly don't see Nintendo selling out to MS but I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of company merge between MS and either Sony or Nintendo. But does that mean the end of the other? No because that would just up the ante. Ninty would finally shell out money for a power house or Sony would be able to fall back on its Japanese dollars and do the same. Thats just one scenario out of many and all of them have the same answer.

One Console Futures are just not going to happen. This post was not necessary so lets try to avoid cry baby rants on this site. Theres enough idiocy already.

# stupid — platon 2007-11-24 18:09

Still, for the title, I'd say that I, at least, WANT a super winner, because I don't wanna buy 3 consoles next gen... it cost TOO MUCH!

# ... — Matt91 2007-11-24 19:05

I could see 2 systems in the future. Maybe xbox and playstation combining for hardcore gamers and have a wii like thing for lame gamers lol

# I cant believe people are still going on about this. — ShadeyProphet 2007-11-24 20:29

This will never happen. The fact alone that the main 3 console makers do rigion lockouts to prevent piracy is enough proof to see why a one console future will "NEVER" happen "EVER" this is all just a deam some fan boy drempt up and push and push for support. The fact of the matter is. this fan boy will eith give up this dream or be pushing for it till his last breath on this earth. cause it will never happen. Its like asking sony, Ms, and nintendo. to all work together tword a common goal. while at the same time giving up lots of "exclusivity rights and quite a bit of profet.

I laugh, LAUGH I SAY. This will never be.

# that is the craziest idea ever — BUS DR1V3R 2007-11-24 21:01

that is just poor economics. as long as there is a market for multiple consoles, then there shall be multiple consoles. making a statement that bols is like saying that there will only be one car company in 5 years, there will only be one fast food restaraunt, or only one cell phone provider. grow up count chocula, why even post anything like this? if everyone wanted one console we would buy pc games.

i have all the next gen console and bought them all for seperate reasons. microsoft, sony, and nintendo will never make one console together, it would cut severely into thier profit margins. what could they possibly gain by doing this? how would they resolve all of thier different intellectual properties (exclusive titles). what would happen to the video game industry, it would SUCK. as for the "monopoly" theory, there are laws in place to prevent such things from happening in a single market. pick up a macro-economics book and do some reading before even making an assumption that something this huge would happen in a multi-billion dollar industry where everyone is already making plenty of money.

# You know what this is really about dont you? — ShadeyProphet 2007-11-24 21:53

Slow times man, in the slow times Qj needs news to post. so they push almost any crap that will fly. hence all the useless Wow news that no one cares about. oh well w/e

# upgrades — ssdietsch 2007-11-25 02:35

both the sega saturn and nintendo64 had ram upgrade cartridges required for certain games (japanese only releases maybe). i remember buying ram upgrade plus region unlocking cart to play metal slug on my saturn back in the day.

# This is a good article — Dougie321 2007-11-25 04:08

I dont know why all you guys are bad mouthing QJ for this article, I think its an interesting read. Not at all about putting up new articles to cover a dry patch. Anyway I think the only people who would benefit from having a one console future would be the manufacturers although it would be a cool idea

# I Know — CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS 2007-11-25 04:36

Just like religion, huh.

# hey — Act II 2007-11-25 04:50

wouldnt that be illegal or something. if they all merged then it would be a monopoly and they could raise the prices really high cause there would be no competition to get a cheaper alternative. isnt that whats happening with sirius and xm sattelite raido. theyre trying to merge but they wont let them.

# heres a random thought — na2rul 2007-11-25 07:55

since sony ken kutaragi retired(father of PS), wot wud that mean for the future of next NEXT gen sony consoles?

if they ever carry on, will they continue to call their consoles Sony Playstation?

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