Why I think 8th Gen Will Suck.

[ElkinFencer10]

It's definitely premature to judge the 8th gen since only the handhelds have been released, and only one console has even been officially announced (correct me if I'm wrong about that, please). From what I've heard thus far, I'm inclined to agree with you, but it's WAAAY too early to make a judgement call. I agree about graphics, though; there's not too much better you can get without going full VR. If they push this "no used games" bullshit and we lose physical games all together, I'll be going retro and PC. I can't display a digital download on my shelf, after all.

[Zing]

Why give the money to a middle man when the publisher can deliver the game directly to you?

For the same reasons they have been doing it all this time. The retail stores participate in marketing the games, not just handing you the case and taking your money. If publishers could maintain their level of success without retail stores, they would have by now. We wouldn't see them catering to Walmart and Gamestop as they do.

For the video game market to survive, it needs a constant influx of new gamers. If you take away the retail stores and offer online only purchases, you may be limiting the market to mostly existing gamers.

[Pichu]

It's definitely too early to judge anything. However, I'm a little sad to say I'm kind of excited for a DD-only future. Then I'll be able to devote 100% of my money to my retro collection!

That's only a small part of me though, as much as I know it will happen sooner than I think, I still hate that DD-only will be the only way of distribution in the future. And I'm completely fine with $1 or less, but I don't like spending more money than that on something that could be taken away from me at any moment.

Plus with the rise of DLC, DLC (Disk-locked content), DRM and just general anti-used game attitudes, I believe that the 8th gen will just be far more complicated and less consumer-friendly. I know Steam and mobile seem to be doing well, but console manufacters sure as hell won't be having a massive sale every few months, or be pricing their titles at $5 or less.

I can only hope that Nintendo doesn't succumb to this bullshit.

[Jrecee]

And used games. Yes. DRM has been a part of PC games for a long time. People have different expectations for PC games than console games. Also, think about this scenario; A kid with little money goes and trades his 3 old games, and buys a new game. The 3 old games weren't necessarily selling in big numbers anymore, and the impact of them being sold used is minimal. The impact is reduced even more if the person who purchases one of those used games is doing it on impulse because the price is low, not necessarily because they intended to buy that game.

But anyway, I won't get on the used games argument, I just thinking the idea of limiting games to a single console is a bad idea, and I don't believe that the next set of consoles will implement that 'feature' anyway.

[ElkinFencer10]

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with you about the anti-used "feature" not being implemented. I doubt Nintendo will do it, and I don't know about Sony, but I'd bet money Microsoft will. Good think I have a grudge against the Xbox-line anyway