Even though hard drives are "next gen" (or developers are starting to feel that way) it is slightly annoying how much like PCs these consoles, specifically PS3 & 360 are becoming.

I mean are we really heading down this track? *looks into the future* ... Now out for the Xbox 720 and PS4: Upgradeable video cards! Add more RAM! -_-

Hope that day never comes.

Thoughts?

The main reason why I prefer consoles, and the underlying reason why they haven't been made obsolete by computers, is the fact that unlike most PC's, if you buy a game for a console, it will run on that console.

If upgradeable RAM/GFX cards etc become mainstream, then there goes that advantage. I certainly hope it doesn't happen, but I don't think it will.

The main reason for upgradeable HDD is that users have an option to use LIVE and download demo/videos etc. For some users this purchase would be worthwhile, for those without a large download limit or high speed internet a larger HDD wouldn't be practical.

I dont think consoles will ever get to the extent to PC gaming that you're describing. The console industry is in a weird state at the moment, with the Wii heading in a rapidly different direction and given its success so far you'd think it would influence MS and Sony's next efforts.

If we know that then I'm pretty sure console manufacturers are aware of the advantages of console gaming. I don't think we'll ever be seeing upgradeable RAM etc. Although the N64 did have the Expansion Pak to increase RAM for games like Donkey Kong 64 I remember.


Expansion Pak - N64

Maybe you're just initmidated by all the 'connectivity' rave thats been going on since Live launched. You shouldn't. Think of this as a way to download new demos without having to buy OPSM or OXBM for the demo discs. :P And think of the HDD as freaking huge Memory Card (way better than 16 blocks-PS1, or 8Mb-PS2) that you can store your games on.

Okay so console games have been borrowing from PC gaming with the expansions and additional online content like maps and missions, but not ALL games need to go online. You don't have to download the new stuff. Developers that release half a game and make you pay full price for it and then you have to download thae rest on Network or Live are stupid developers, avoid their games.

I'm not worried about the new technology, but I am worried about the descisions the big guys at the top will be making in the future. I wouldn't want all games to be data only on my HDD, I'd like to have the original copy "in my hands". Maybe its cos I'm oldschool or maybe its just "human" to want that, but apart from that and maybe some other minor things, I'm not too worried about console gaming in the future.

*cue standard response for Sony's trademark mimicry*

Microsoft seem to be fairly free of the urge to "keep up with the jones'" - despite the Elite having HDMI connectivity, seemingly only in response to the PS3, they haven't jumped aboard the motion sensing train yet and were the first to the table with quality, functional online content for consoles, as well as HDD's.

Granted, they copied Sega by producing god awful freak controllers :P

In other forums I wouldnt dare post what I did, as it would create a fanboy outrage :P :lol:

I'm just saying that from a business perspective it makes sense, company attempts to differntiate its product to sell more (i.e. Wii) does very well, competitors see this, and come up with their own devices to close the gap. It's not just with Wii though, as you said MS were the first to really provide a robust online infastructure and now the competitors (Nintendo and Sony) are coming up with their own services, Nintendo is really focussing on the downloadbale classics part of the service, and why wouldnt they with such a robust library and Sony seems to be going for the community aspect with Home.

It's all good though, since the product differntation leads to further competiton and greater innovations, the gamers win :D

The downside of integrating things simply because the opposition did it can be seen pretty clearly in the sixaxis, I feel. I give ten seconds before someone disagrees with me (and fair game for them), but the motion sensing of the sixaxis always stank of gimmick to me, while the Nintendo Wii's felt like that was precisely how the console was intended to function.

haha... fanboys entertain me enormously.

I will admit to being a Meteo's fanboy till the day I die, but thats eminently excusable, see as it's the greatest game ever made.

As a matter of fact, it's better than the lovechild of Chess, monopoly, quake and super mario bros. (Which, for the record, would be a game I'd really want to play. But not as much as Meteo's.)

I agree the sixaxis does seem like it was a quick fix solution, no games really take advantage of it any signficant way. So yeah that is a downside, but its only because in this case Sony didnt really "innovate" anything, they just used the same controller they have had for the past two generations took out vibration and replaced it with motion sensing :P

Well people are saying that yet it is on the PS3 I've seen the best use of motion sensing controllers in terms of being a natural fit with the gameplay... certainly miles ahead of anything the Wii has put out.

Where am I seeing this?

In flOw. The whole game is controlled with tilts and it feels so damned natural and intuitive. Yes I know I am a bit of a doubter when it comes to Nintendo and I see no reason why I shouldn't be. They are good at the foreplay, can't seem to get me to orgasm. The wii is currently like that for me... great we have this cool control scheme and now we'll fail to do anything useful or entertaining with it.

At the moment I'm worried where I'll see a repeat of last year... basically Microsoft's and Sony's consoles eating up my game time with the Nintendo entrant ending up little more than a curiosity.

Screw you Prez you Nintendo hater!!!! * weeps into Shiggy's arms * :P


I don't think we'll ever see a true blending of PCs and Consoles, they'll certainly become closer to each other in terms of funtionality (like we are seeing now), but what people want out of a PC and what they want out of a console are going to be 2 different things.

Indeed. You will not see a truly upgradeable console ever... the manufacturers know why they are a success and they'll not risk that.

Christ, that's probably the most horrendous metaphor I've ever seen. :ph43r:

I have friends that have bought Wii's and are already bored with it. Some of them are saying they don't feel like playing anymore cos they're just 'tired' of it, with the shaking and twisting hurting their wrists too. :P They say they just want "normal" controls like the PS and XB. I still think its a fad, the motion sensing part not the games. The games are good.

The motion sensing is a fad in games were its not taken advatnage of, hence the future of Wii games has to bring expeirences not previously possible. This will of course take time.

Mind you, a game of Wii Sports is still good fun in multiplayer :D

I'm also worried about the push towards digital distribution. I don't mind it in regards to demos, XBLA or VC games. But I will curse the day when a new game purchase will entail downloading it on my console. I just like having a physical copy of a game.

I hear ya bro! Its just like game mags, I like the smell of ink on dead trees. :P Hopefully the Phantom console has taught a lesson to anyone thinking its a good idea to go edistribution on games. ;)

Seconded from here to the moon and back.

I agree with the hard copy games. I love having my games all lined up.

On the other topic, while consoles will go more PC like by having more functions, I doubt they'll get to the fully upgradeable stage.

I dont think physical copies of games is going anywhere anytime soon, especially since the downloading times of such games would simply be too long, sure broadband penetration is increasing, but it's still a long way to go before digital distribution becomes the norm. I like it for small games like XBLA and VC, since these are games you cant find anymore, but for new stuff the physical copy is here to stay :)

I heartily concur!
Although I would gladly sell my soul PC Gamer UK magazine, they're hell-bent on the fact that digital distribution will replace high-street shops.

No.


As human beings, we're rather materialistic bastards. I love having my game-boxes lined up on a shelf...it just feels like some sort of triumph and I feel that I'm fulfilling a weird primal instinct, probably dating back to when our caveman ancestors collected the cracked skulls of their defeated enemies. :P

To me, downloading a game off of the Internet after a click just reaks of...crapness. Reading a readme file doesn't compare to browsing an entire 500-page Empire Earth manual.

The majority of gamers are casual. I think that the average guy is going to much prefer to walk into his local game store, hand over his hard-earnt cash and then walk out again with his bit of gaming pleasure. Downloading games is going to be seen as far too complex for some (I say again, for some :P), and I can see people getting pissed off over download problems, credit-cards getting scammed and what not, amongst other things.

And games smell nice. Files don't...do files even have a scent? Hmm...deep. :unsure:

On the other hand it would be much easier and faster to save my console and game collection in a fire if they were all digital. :D

Love that new game smell :)

I must say, after my experiences with Steam, digital distribution is a great idea. It's fast, it's easy, and it's great overall. I still do enjoy buying game boxes (I'm a sucker for a shiny box/collectors editions, especially with posters). I think HL2 has the right idea now; activate online, but you can still buy in a bricks-and-mortar store. The only reason it really didn't work at first is because Steam was launching at the same time; now it's fairly bug free and rather nifty.

Most of my own experience of digital distribution originated with early steam - I should hope it's improved quite a bit by now!

Ultimately, it's not an idea that I'm opposed to, it's simply not for me :)

There's an odd trend right now of many games being relicensed for digital distribution once their profitability as a retail title has wound down, which seems like a good idea to me - the current bargain ranges (Best buy, that's hot, gamers choice etc) can only absorb so many titles.

Digital Distribution is also very important for smaller developers or those developers trying a more risky game idea. STEAM has been an absolute godsend to developers like Introversion and we would probably not have seen Sam n Max back on our monitors if Telltale Games didn't have digital distribution as an option.

echo El Pres. Digital distribution is great for those fledgling developers who want to get their product out there. Darwinia is a great little title.

However, considering data speeds here in Australia, to download a full-blown game would take longer than to drive to the shop, take out some cash from the ATM, walk into EB Games, wait to get served, get fed up from waiting and going to Target, not finding the game in Target, going to JB Hifi, waiting in line, paying, finding your car in the carpark, then driving home to play the game.

Well, that's just my internet connection...

Yes, esitribution does have many advantages. The only disadvantage would be preference of storage media and download speed.

Very true, digitial distribution helps out the smaller developers, since shelf space at retail is limited and any obscure games from unknown developers have no chance aganist the EA's and Ubisofts.

This is a definite issue, particularly with the notable portion of Australian web users on dial-up - it's why we've bought in the burn to disk option on Gamehead - any item bought as a digital distribution title also has the option of having us burn it to disk for you to be shipped, in addition to being available for download. This also helps step around the fact that so many people prefer to have a physical item (myself included).

I'm not attempting to shove Gamehead in everyones faces here, as it's certainly not what I do on this forum, but I thought it particularly relevant to the discussion and the issues raised :)

(And Darwinia is spectacular :dance3: )