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Will A Universal Console Promote Maturity?

Earlier this week, Denis Dyack said that our current multiple console format in the industry is slowing us down , and that we should take a step forward, learn from the movies, and produce a universal console that would play all video games.

Obviously, there's another very vocal group that says this would immediately have a negative impact on the quality of games, because with multiple consoles, there is automatic competition. And as we all know, competition begets quality, even if the only motivation is to top the other guy. However, while this remains a viable argument, and I haven't really decided on the matter, there is one benefit to a universal game system: at the very least, it'd kill off the fanboys. They would die a much-deserved death and then – blessedly – maybe this industry can grow a bit. Maybe we can move past the hundreds of so-called "journalists" with not-so-hidden agendas. Maybe those of an adult age might start acting like adults. Of course, certain sites that only exist to promote adolescent flaming and raving over this subject (and you know what they are) would disappear overnight. How peaceful. How very mature.

We'd be able to stop dealing with the kids who read the name of this site, the headline, not a word more of the article, and immediately launch into a superiority complex-driven, self-righteous rant of depressing proportions. Maybe articles of ours about why the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 may be the best gaming tandem since the SNES/Genesis would garner as much attention as when we say the Network appears to be outstripping Live at this moment in time. Maybe legitimate sources wouldn't have to constantly add disclaimers to articles that try to convince the readers the writer isn't a "fanboy." In short, with the advent of a universal console, maybe everyone would just grow the fu** up. Sure, we might still have the people who support BioWare over Square-Enix or something (like with movie fanatics, where debates will rage over who's the better director; Coppola or Scorsese), but at least we will have removed the tumor that ails the gaming community and shackles our ankles. There is no moving forward with this level of childishness permeating ever last corner of the social gaming community.

I'd almost be willing to take a cut in quality to eliminate such a tumor. It would be an agreeable sacrifice in my eyes. No longer would a person's sole purpose in life be to dissect every last editorial written in an attempt to spot bias. No longer would every last "debate" erupt into pathetic flaming and other personal attacks. It might force everyone to abandon such idiocy, simply because the option won't exist anymore. And because we clearly can't fend for ourselves, a higher power might have to strip away the cause of the problem.

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Danny007
Danny007
14 years ago

I think that we will not see a universal console for a very long time

fundando
fundando
14 years ago

The main problem would be is there would be no competition.
Monopoly = no good

orangpelupa
orangpelupa
14 years ago

it wont be very expensive
just use PC as the basis.

the parts is cheap, and games can be developed easier.

just make 2 type of SKU
maybe CORE and PREMIUM.

games will be playable on Core, but with lower quality.

both SKU can be upgraded.

today there's too many options when building a pc. people already confused with PS3 40 60 80 gigs.
people already confused with X360 arcade, premium, elite.

current pc is like a console but have hundreds of SKU.
many uninformed people spend 500USD++ money on a pc that wont be able to play games -___-

sorry for my bad english. english is not my mother tongue language.

actually with only 300USD-400USD you already can get good gaming PC. games running with higher visual than X360 or PS3


Last edited by orangpelupa on 7/18/2009 6:10:33 AM

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

Gaming used to be just gaming. Ever since gaming has taken to online matches and all out frag fests, gamers have become heated over who's better and what's better and why it's better. That's right. I blame competitiveness in general. We used to just watch our friends finish a game and be like "Ok it's my turn." No not anymore. It's now me versus you versus your games versus your system. Fanboys will not go away. They thrive on competition and the world markets are just that… competitive.


Last edited by Alienange on 7/17/2009 10:04:51 PM

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
14 years ago

I agree. How often are there single-player only games any more? Even Uncharted 2 has multiplayer! Is our need to compete so great that we cant buy games unless theres online play? Even when im playing KZ2 online i dant play to beat the other guy, i play to have a good time and enjoy the game.

Karosso
Karosso
14 years ago

I think you just found the missing link!!!
This is the most logical explanation I've seem of how this whole mess of my d*ck is bigger than yours attitude got started in video games.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
14 years ago

@Alienange
Just an FYI,
I replied to your FarCry-2 post
Just check back on the July 14th,"New PSP Biz Strategy Revealed" post)

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

BikerSaint – Alright I took a look and had a good laugh. Would be fun to go online and see what's happening with FC2. If you've played 14 hours well that's about 13 and a half more than me. Hard to believe you've never been online though. Never EVER?

Byakko2009
Byakko2009
14 years ago

When I think about what everyone's saying about healthy competition, I want to agree but I can't help but think of the 360's hinderance on this generation. There's two sides to this obviously, and I can't say I'm really opposed to either.

Remember the PSone generation? Of course, one can say the competition was Saturn and the Nintendo 64. But sales-wise, were those 2 consoles proven to be a worthwhile competition? I don't have exact figures but the end result was something like PS1: 100+million, N64:25+million, Saturn well, I know it didn't fare any better than the N64. Point is, at one stage during the PS1 era, the PS1 was dominant in sales and software. And at some point, the Saturn and N64 ceased to exist. The Ps2 showed similar results, oh and nobody was certainly complaining about the bundles of great software (read not SHOVELWARE). I should get thumbed down for talking about sales figures haha, but I had to prove that ultimately software did not take a nose-dive on quality when we practically entered a couple years or so of "one console dominance".

However, while I don't like to give MS one single ounce of credit, I think the original Xbox may have swayed Sony's thinking into a all-powerful console to battle their next console. After all, we knew the MS strategy was to just use cheaper, recycled PC tech and put that into a console. I often pondered when I first read the Xbox's specs how much processor power they would use by the time a new console was ready. If that speculation is correct, then yes competition may have had a healthy effect there. Still, that helped improve hardware, not the software. And yet still we can say these things we see, like online play, etc are just a natural progression for consoles.

As for Xbox 360, well it's made things bumpy for Sony's HD strategy. Just look at the multiplatform games and the treatment they recieve. Not to mention all the content we've seen MUCH later than anticipated (Tales of Vesperia, FFXIII, etc). Yet again, you can say look at the special treatment said games are getting once they finally arrive on PS3. It's a double-edged sword really. Because if the latter is correct, it tells consumers and gamers that MS isn't so bad and plays into MS's hands that they really just want to improve the industry and their induction into the next-gen race is genuine. Well, believe what you want, I don't think there will be a universal console. Yeah, considering all the back-stabbing that sometimes occurs during the collaborations of giants, it just doesn't seem plausible.

As for fanboys, well just look what I said there, fanboy. It's not something to be proud of, especially when we've all seen how irrational and illiterate they are. Before I finish, I see the PS fans here as Playstation advocates, not fanboys. Also, I just don't care what 360 is doing. It's time most of you here adopt the same thinking and just forget about that console. Unless of course, you have some strange urge to talk to Milo or mollest him.

Bugzbunny109
Bugzbunny109
14 years ago

Alienange
I disagree, online battles is not the source of this war. The entire concept of online is. People these days feel that they can get behind a computer screen and say whatever they want to say. If this was in real life, a lot of people would have gotten their asses kicked. Online gaming is good for competition and socializing.

Schmitty
Schmitty
14 years ago

haha i cant imagine a world where there isnt competition and arguing over which is better. i live in Ny there are 2 baseball teams 3 football teams 2 hockey teams one. just as many democrats as republicans and just as many xbots as ps3 owners. immaturity about which thing is better is basically what im surrounded with ALL DAY

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

New York (state) doesn't have any football teams. 😛

Schmitty
Schmitty
14 years ago

jets
giants
bills

Schmitty
Schmitty
14 years ago

jets
giants
bills

Schmitty
Schmitty
14 years ago

jets
giants
bills

Schmitty
Schmitty
14 years ago

jets
giants
bills

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Sorry, I wouldn't take the damage it would do to the industry in favor of video game communism. I can handle fanboys, I CAN'T handle crappy games and complacent developers. Two things that would be certain in a single console market.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

One thing you have to remember: no business will ever be complacent if they wish to make money. And gamers have never, not in the history of this industry, rewarded poor quality.

Maggot666PL
Maggot666PL
14 years ago

Yes, Ben. But the developers can't do better, than the hardware they're working on is allowing them. And that's the main problem with a "collective" console.

It's like being forced to buy the fastest bicycle, because someone is banning the production of cars/motorbikes.


Last edited by Maggot666PL on 7/17/2009 10:42:01 PM

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
14 years ago

@World,
Amen to that!!!!!
I was just about to post the same idea, but I see you've already did my light work for me, LOL

Qwarktast1c
Qwarktast1c
14 years ago

@ world

100% agree

DOWN with video gaming communism, lol 😉

i can handle malicious fanboys
but no fanboys at the cost of gaming quality? no thanks!

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Nintendo makes tons of money by being software-complacent. Imagine a Wii-only world and you got your universal console.

"TheWorldEndsWithWii"


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/17/2009 11:06:27 PM

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

<Shuddering>

Qwarktast1c
Qwarktast1c
14 years ago

the worst nightmare of the gaming community

well actually that could be made worse if it was that scenario paired with the hardware failure rate of the 360

that would be the end of the world!!! aagghhh!!!

Jed
Jed
14 years ago

"TheWorldEndsWithWii"

That is the scariest thing I have ever heard.

NiteKrawler
NiteKrawler
14 years ago

@Ben: I disagree. When one or a few companies are dominating, they almost always become complacent. Just look at GM, Ford, and Chrysler. They were on top of the world, became complacent, and now look. America in general became complacent after WWII and now we are borrowing $2 billion per DAY from China just to stay afloat. Sorry to get all statistical, just needed to use those as examples. I do think that it would be much harder for gaming companies to become complacent though. Gamers are generally very vocal, participatory, and intelligent.

P.S. Don't think I don't see things from your point of view though. This whole console war must take a bigger toll on a gaming journalist than it does us regular gamers. If I were you, I'd want a universal console just to be rid of the stress. I could make a corny Dark Knight comparison here but I'll stop. 🙂

Wage SLAVES
Wage SLAVES
14 years ago

Gotta agree with Ben here. Its still gonna be the games that are going to be seeking the rewards. They will be competing for our dollars, ultimately forcing good games.

I hate monopolies also, so I disagree with one console by principle alone.

P.S. Nintendo is fueled by a gimmick. Wiifit. There are TONS (pun intended) of people buying these things to lose weight.


Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 7/19/2009 3:39:45 AM

kevinater321
kevinater321
14 years ago

I still think it is better to have multi consoles. I have to admit, this lat week or so i just youtube ps3 vs 360 just to read the comments and make myseft feel better becuase i know i am better than half of the gaming community. 🙂 i can also tell that both onsoles thrive off of each other, do you really think psn would be where it is now if it wasn't for xbl? like i have said before, competition is healthy. Even if it is immature.

CONTRABAND
CONTRABAND
14 years ago

id rather have the competition, pushing them to make things better, as far as the fanboys, i ignore them, that seems to piss them off!

Maggot666PL
Maggot666PL
14 years ago

Universal game console is a worst. Idea. Ever. Fanboys are a nuisance, but not really a major problem. Journalist taking side of either console? They'll get replaced by the guys taking side of one game from genre. And development of those new, shiny, our beloved consoles would go into shreds (who would throw the money? International commission of gaming development? Give me a break).

Comparing the gaming industry to movie industry is utter bullshit – all different studios don't use one set, same actors etc. The equivalent of their "universalness" in gaming world is the ability to connect any console to any TV available. And that's it.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
14 years ago

"I've only got 1 thing to say to a single console…."JUST SAY NO"

OK…I lied, I've got 2 things….
Even if there was only 1 system you still couldn't cut out the cancer of fanboyism.

They'd would just tweak their strategy a bit by either bitching about the system itself(even though they own one), or tell tall tales of how much better theirs is, or how theirs is super-duper deluxe modded, or that they have more 100 times more accessories than you ever will.

Unfortunately, we'll never be able to find a cure, ridding society of this kind of open-sore cancer, and there's no way to put this cancer into remission unless we've eradicated each & every fanboy off the face of the Earth
(or have locked them down over at Sesame Place, in a "time-out" corner forever.

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

Even if it was only one console, there'd still be Halo is better than Resistance is better than Call of Duty fanboy arguments. You can't get rid of them I tell you!

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

Universal console:

Games will dull out over time
And that my friend, is a fact 🙂

kevinater321
kevinater321
14 years ago

I think games will dull out over time anyway. Like movies, i havn't seen a really good movie in a wile. wait scratch that, i did see a good one in theaters 2 weeks ago.

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

kevinater321 – You're still alive so I presume the concert was good?

kevinater321
kevinater321
14 years ago

Define "fanboy"

kevinater321
kevinater321
14 years ago

Omg yes it was the best concert I have ever been to and sorry for that define fanboy thing I didn't mean to reply on this comment ☺☻☺☻

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
14 years ago

Here's something nobody's said here yet…..

Just think what kind of crappy gaming experiences you'd have to constany put up with if there was only 1 system and it had even more breakdowns than you-know-who's.

I want a choice in my machine of choice, damn it!

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Yeah, if there was only 1, there would be no reason for it to be of any quality because many gamers have no problem buying crappy hardware apparently.

newchef
newchef
14 years ago

yea console fanboys will die but over time developer fanboys would rise and the whole arguement would start all over again

LightShow
LightShow
14 years ago

i have two points.

1) People filled with hate are filled with hate. if they're not using consoles to legitimize their hate, they will use game series. GoW vs. DMC, Mario vs. Every other Platformer, the list goes on. I think it'll turn into a mirror of the music scene, with people raggin on bands just because theyre "too commercial" or "too hardcore." The hate will be there, its just that the subject wont be consoles anymore.

2)with one console comes one market. you either have to go for power and up the price or go for accessibility and make it cheap. There's a spectrum in the industry (currently) that allows anyone who wants to game to get a machine that suits their needs. If this joint venture were forced to decide on a market, guess which one it would choose? the one filled with numerous sheep who buy games based on box art and outnumbers the enthusiast-and-up crowd 10 to 1. it'll be a casual console cuz they can make more money that way. Is that what you want?

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

1) Yeah, We would have the video game industry versions of Star Trek vs Star Wars and Harry Potter vs Lord of the Rings.

2) Indeed, and I don't think I'm wrong in saying that the best games are not the ones that get the most hype and advertising behind them.


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/17/2009 11:12:51 PM

Jawknee
Jawknee
14 years ago

Agreed. Sacrafice the quality to stamp out fanboys? Its not worth it.

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

Actually we did have just one console. It was called Playstation 2. MS went and buggered it up!


Last edited by Alienange on 7/17/2009 11:18:59 PM

Qwarktast1c
Qwarktast1c
14 years ago

EXACTLY!!!!!

damn MS!

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

We had the FUN Gamecube too! <3

Jawknee
Jawknee
14 years ago

Gamecube was great. Wind Waker.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

You're all not really grasping the nature of business:

Developers want to make the games they want to make. Publishers are well aware of the games that sell best. Hideo Kojima will never sacrifice any quality whatsoever for hardware limitations, and the industry understands the financial significance of a game with "Metal Gear Solid" in the title. The bottom line is that any one piece of hardware would have the capability of supporting all developers and publishers that have proven themselves successful in the past. That's a given. There would be no way on earth that we'd only have a console like the Wii.

Secondly, you're giving gamers zero credit. They don't avoid crappy games simply so they can buy good games. If there are NO good games, they don't BUY ANYTHING. This is why months that have lackluster software show low NPD numbers; gamers aren't about to waste their money on something they don't want to play and they never have. Not in 30 years have they settled for junk. Furthermore, with vast libraries of games already solidified, many gamers are content with going back and playing classics rather than wasting cash on bad modern games.

The one console would absolutely cater to every major industry player. It would have to in order to be successful, and you shouldn't assume the executives and business professionals in this industry are too ignorant to understand this. Lastly, let's remember that a lot can be said for three competing parties – all with their own unique strengths – all coming together and pooling their resources to some extent. They would all have input on the console. The hardware would have to constantly expand and advance to support their needs.

In my eyes, that's the biggest obstacle. But to assume gamers will simply buy trash because there's nothing else available, and to assume that developers will for some bizarre reason cease being motivated and driven, is irrational. The market will never reward complacency and a failure to deliver what the consumers want. NO established market has ever permitted this.


Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/17/2009 11:22:22 PM

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

What you're calling for in the article is for the annihilation of fanboys. The growing up of stupid bloggers who think their lopsided ideas matter. Do you really believe that these idiots are affecting our industry? I don't. And I'd hate to think that their "journalism" and fanboyism is so detrimental to our industry that we need a single console just to shut them up.

Maggot666PL
Maggot666PL
14 years ago

You're simply saying no to console market and yes to PC gaming.

Alternative is scarier, and that's that you don't know what you're talking about. Basic, unavoidable question: who would decide, that said console needs replacing? "Developers"? But who, why, how, etc. would design it, how would he/they be responsible (and who would invest the money)? You're either rooting for a monopoly, or for a commune. Either way it would screw us up.

You brought up Kazunori Yamauchi earlier in your comment – but in the one-console world who would invest such crazy amounts of money in his project? Both Sony and M$ are investing heavy money in their console development to avoid being left behind in the dust.

You said, that there would be "demand" driving the inevitable changes. What "demand"? If the games would be shitty (as in EA's classic policy of releasing clones every year. Note that it was the COMPETITION that pushed them into improving their franchises), and there wasn't any competition to compare them to, who would have known when is the time to move on with the hardware?

It's like driving a decent sports car. You don't think that it's slow, until you get overtaken by a faster car.

About "getting bored and fed up" – don't be so sure, look at the movie industry. Same crap, different day (with rare exceptions). And people are still buying the crappiest stuff, not the more ambitious.

Bottom line – if you believe in competition on the GAMES market, why don't you want to leave in it's arms the more important part of the gaming industry, the consoles?

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