Random Gaming Thoughts

[Forlorn Drifter]

I just had the weird realization today that the PS4 has a decent chance of being the last non-Nintendo console I buy during the "current gen". In fact, it might be my last non-Nintendo from this gen on. For me, it's starting to feel like I'm just better off hunkering down, picking up the best and brightest games of various consoles (or hardcore emulating) and just riding it out.

I had this similar thought a few years ago and decided that the 7th generation of consoles was it for me. The Xbox 360 is my "anchor" which means it's my focus or forte.

I'm not 100% on this, we'll see where things go.There are certainly things that could cause me to buy whatever comes out 9th gen Sony-wise, but I figure by that point I'll be out of college, have a full time job (hopefully), possibly be married or even have a kid, etc. I just figure it would be a better investment time-wise to get deeply into something I know for sure I'll like than get the thin veneer of whatever comes later.

[ElkinFencer10]

We're assuming that Sony will have a 9th gen console. I think they will, but with PlayStation Now on PC and their "incremental" bullshit with the PlayStation 4 Pro, that's not a foregone conclusion anymore.

[Xeogred]

Why not?

I feel pretty confident that there is always going to be some kind of console out there to cater to the older crowd and as I mentioned in another discussion, more than likely the main demograph for gaming. I know everybody else here thinks otherwise and this is the FINAL GEN, but I don't really see it happening. I frankly think the Pro/Scorpio thing is being completely overblown too. Upgraded/slim console renditions are nothing new, sure these "promise" to do more but it hardly looks like anything that will make it really different from what they are and still will be underneath all the flops, they're still an X1 and PS4. This just looks like a switch from Medium settings to High. Hardly true new console level stuff. I'm calling now, but all this fuss over the Pro is going to fade like a wimper and people will stop raging.

On the flip side it's exciting to imagine the next wave will be true 4K/8K whatever ready out of the door and in ways we could potentially see a bigger jump there from the PS3 to PS4 or whatnot. Not that graphical leaps are that interesting thesedays, but there's probably something that will really shake things up again someday. Maybe full on 4K/8K/OLED/HDR/bananas, but yeah. Sure, people are happy with their HDTV's, but people claimed the same about composite SDTV's. I'm excited for the jumps in resolution/quality.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I'm pretty sure Sony is in for at least 2 more gens, if anybody is dropping the console sphere, my bets on Microsoft. My other bet is they'll come up with a way to PC it up a bit, but still keep the console space in the market. I'm thinking say, Sony branded (ideally at lower price than market) removable parts that allow for upgrade. Probably in a safe, smooth to transfer casing, along the lines of the RAM pack for the N64, released every... 4-6 years or so. I could see (if, as I hope, physical media is still in gaming) the box giving you the absolute minimum to have the game run 30 fps.

Or maybe they'll just keep pumping consoles until they quit sellin', which I find to be the more likely scenario overall. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And, IMO, sales prove that consoles are still a safe space of the market to be in, as long as you don't deviate to far from the base idea.

[Xeogred]

The Playstation Expansion Pack.

Yeah, I won't deny that the direction of consoles is taking a turn here. But I still think it's a bit overblown on most sides and we'll still see some versions of traditional releases for awhile to come. I'll be that old grumpy guy with the physical PS9 box.

I really want the NX to use cartridges. It'd be so hilarious and awesome. lol

[ElkinFencer10]

Oh, I don't think consoles are going away, but I do think generations as we think of them are. I think Sony will release was is essentially their version of a Steambox or Alienware's whatever-the-fuck-they-called it with yearly model updates that boast slightly stronger specs.

[Exhuminator]

The only thing perpetuating console generations from this point on, is spotty broadband. The sooner proper broadband is perpetuated throughout the relevant sales regions, the sooner streaming boxes will take consoles' places.

[darsparx]

The only thing perpetuating console generations from this point on, is spotty broadband. The sooner proper broadband is perpetuated throughout the relevant sales regions, the sooner streaming boxes will take consoles' places.

I'd hope not. I much prefer a actual console to a "streaming box" any day. Don't care how weird it is I still like pushing a cartridge in, or sliding a disc in. There's just something weird about streaming it instead it's not the same.

[Exhuminator]

I'd hope not. I much prefer a actual console to a "streaming box" any day. Don't care how weird it is I still like pushing a cartridge in, or sliding a disc in. There's just something weird about streaming it instead it's not the same.

I agree with you, but our nostalgia does not outweigh the greater masses' desire for immediate gratification.

[darsparx]

I'd hope not. I much prefer a actual console to a "streaming box" any day. Don't care how weird it is I still like pushing a cartridge in, or sliding a disc in. There's just something weird about streaming it instead it's not the same.

I agree with you, but our nostalgia does not outweigh the greater masses' desire for immediate gratification.

Well and I think the way I see it, it'll come this way. Sony and microsoft(despite how much i love the niche that fills the sony platform) will probably go the way of sega at least sony will most likely. While nintendo, ms and the streaming boxes take over. MS might eventually just make their stuff into a streaming box but seeing nintendo do their own thing the way they have I see them be the new niche system if the other two ever die out because of streaming boxes. I'm still not a pc gamer at all, besides the random bouts I have to play a mmo. Even though I don't have the money to invest in that side at all and if i ever do then you will most likely see me jerry rigging one to have emulators that take in the real media on it(ala retrode2 and a disc drive for early disc games). But I still hope that never truly happens, and with the reluctance of providers to get decent and reliable internet to a area just outside of a major city like mine I doubt it. It's supposedly getting close to the decent part but the reliable is where it's still annoying, no matter what ISP or wireless you go with around here.