A Pointless Generation?

[EmmaMay]

As we know this generation of consoles (XB1, PS4) are very similar in hardware, and if the rumors are to be believed about the NX possibly having similar specs so more cross platform AAA will be on the nintendo platform then I wonder what the point of this generation is, what i mean is if all three platform hardware are very similar then in my opinion microsoft, sony and nintendo should of got together to create one platform and shared the costs in hardware, yes i know more platforms = more competition but i think it gets to a point of being a bit daft if all the platforms are very similar and each having a handful of different titles while say about 85% (for example) of the tiles being the same.

[i_build_nanosuits]

5 minutes ago, EmmaMay said:

in my opinion microsoft, sony and nintendo should of got together to create one platform and shared the costs in hardware

lol

[Squish4058]

Its more about the money than it is about giving the customer the best Value or experience. Less people would have brought more expensive hardware

[leonard_sun]

7 minutes ago, EmmaMay said:

As we know this generation of consoles (XB1, PS4) are very similar in hardware, and if the rumors are to be believed about the NX possibly having similar specs so more cross platform AAA will be on the nintendo platform then I wonder what the point of this generation is, what i mean is if all three platform hardware are very similar then in my opinion microsoft, sony and nintendo should of got together to create one platform and shared the costs in hardware, yes i know more platforms = more competition but i think it gets to a point of being a bit daft if all the platforms are very similar and each having a handful of different titles while say about 85% (for example) of the tiles being the same.

I get the sentiment. When the PS1 came out I was already a PC Gamer but I still respected platform, these new generation just feel pointless.

[Squish4058]

Im curious as to how many games support plugging 4 or more xbox controllers into a pc and them working right off the batt now

[EmmaMay]

26 minutes ago, i_build_nanosuits said:

lol

Ah, my mistake, I meant R&D and shared the cost of any losses, thanks

[i_build_nanosuits]

4 minutes ago, EmmaMay said:

Ah, my mistake, I meant R&D and shared the cost of any losses, thanks

actually i own a WiiU and there are a few VERY VERY good nintendo exclusive games that i've played on it that were worth every penny including the cost of the console...so i'm kinda glad they didn't do that...mario 3D world is amazing for example...and the wiiU gamepad is amazing to just surf the web and throw youtube videos at your TV for example and stuff like that...it's good for what it is! I have a 980ti and a 1440p monitor and EVEN THEN some nintendo titles still impressed me graphicaly speaking and stuff. Exclusive titles are the bread and butter of these consoles and the reason they exist as a whole.

[Unhelpful]

1 hour ago, i_build_nanosuits said:

actually i own a WiiU and there are a few VERY VERY good nintendo exclusive games that i've played on it that were worth every penny including the cost of the console...so i'm kinda glad they didn't do that...mario 3D world is amazing for example...and the wiiU gamepad is amazing to just surf the web and throw youtube videos at your TV for example and stuff like that...it's good for what it is! I have a 980ti and a 1440p monitor and EVEN THEN some nintendo titles still impressed me graphicaly speaking and stuff. Exclusive titles are the bread and butter of these consoles and the reason they exist as a whole.

You think so? I'm loving Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD is coming out on the 6th of March, Mario Maker is insanely fun, and 3d world is great. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

25 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

You think so? I'm loving Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD is coming out on the 6th of March, Mario Maker is insanely fun, and 3d world is great. 

that's what i'm saying right? nintendo has some very good games on the wiiU and this console is worth a buy solely based on that...dunky kong tropical freeze is also very good...mariokart...and pikmin 3 gosh that was a lot of fun! havnt played yoshi's  woolly world yet but it lookd pretty good too...even Zombi U i enjoyed a huge deal on the wiiU and also mario kart and rayman legends (even though this one is multi-platform the wiiU version is by far the best)

[Unhelpful]

1 minute ago, i_build_nanosuits said:

that's what i'm saying right? nintendo has some very good games on the wiiU and this console is worth a buy solely based on that...dunky kong tropical freeze is also very good...and pikmin 3 gosh that was a lot of fun! havnt played yoshi's  woolly world yet but it lookd pretty good too...even Zombi U i enjoyed a huge deal on the wiiU and also mario kart and rayman legends (even though this one is multi-platform the wiiU version is by far the best)

 

1 hour ago, i_build_nanosuits said:

actually i own a WiiU and there are a few VERY VERY good nintendo exclusive games that i've played on it that were worth every penny including the cost of the console...

I was saying that I personally consider it VERY worth it.

 

EDIT: OH SHIT I READ IT AS "few VERY VERY GOOD GAMES", not "a FEW."

 

WHOOPS!

[i_build_nanosuits]

13 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

 

I was saying that I personally consider it VERY worth it.

 

EDIT: OH SHIT I READ IT AS "few VERY VERY GOOD GAMES", not "a FEW."

 

WHOOPS!

haha no yeah i'm all with you...IMHO Mario 3d world ALONE is a good enough reason to buy a wiiU

Sry for the confusion i worded that poorly.

[Terrifis]

-Like 2-3 Actually Good Exclusives on each console

-Lackluster Graphics

-Lackluster Framerates

-Overpriced Hardware

-Overpriced Software

 

I mean for f**ks sake the hardware was out of date the day it was released compared to PCs of the time, how's it going to stand up to the test of time over the next 5-7 Years?

[DeadEyeKozi]

I don't own consoles at all (latest console was ps3, used to have a PS2 and PS1, but I mean for $350 (AUD), to play the latest games with your friends if you don't have the budget for a PC, I think they are not that bad

[Whiskers]

On 16/02/2016 at 10:13 PM, Terrifis said:

-Like 2-3 Actually Good Exclusives on each console

-Lackluster Graphics

-Lackluster Framerates

-Overpriced Hardware

-Overpriced Software

 

I mean for f**ks sake the hardware was out of date the day it was released compared to PCs of the time, how's it going to stand up to the test of time over the next 5-7 Years?

By having a few advantages that most people overlook. The PS4 in particular with its excellent memory bandwidth should be able to last for a while. Keep in mind that from an ease of development perspective for third party title developers, the consoles are usually more attractive than PC.

 

People always look at consoles exclusively based upon their hardware and never get a full idea of their capabilities as a result. The Xbox 360 only had a triple core PowerPC CPU, 512MB of RAM and a GPU which was only slightly ahead of the highest end GPU available on PCs of the time. In spite of that it was able to be supported and run all of the newest games for around 10 years. The biggest criticism and problem developers had with both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 was that they didn't have anywhere near enough RAM - the Xbox One and PS4 have fixed this.

 

At the end of the day, the power of the hardware doesn't matter, it's what the developer does with it. There's a reason Nintendo's games are usually so well received, and there's a reason first party titles usually look quite a lot more impressive than third party ones on the consoles. Developers right now usually fail to make a particularly good game on any platform because they settle on making an 'acceptable' game on every platform. The consoles shouldn't be blamed for poor PC releases; the developers of those titles should be.

[Whiskers]

3 hours ago, valdyrgramr said:

The systems are the same in the sense of internal parts, but the difference is how the hardware was utilized.  Sony of course utilized it better, but that doesn't make it the superior option.  When it comes to consoles the "ZOMG!  This be better!"  Doesn't matter in the end as that ideology tends to die out by halfway into the life of the console.  From there sales exceed towards the one/s that are better marketed+with the better exclusive content.  The problem with this generation is that exclusives are slowly becoming not a thing as it's more about temp exclusives than actual exclusives.

 

Not at all. They are comparable, but not identical. The PS4 has more graphics cores and superior overall memory bandwidth whilst the Xbox One has a slightly more powerful CPU on account of a higher clockspeed. There is definitely a difference in the capability of the two.

[GarnetDevil]

On 2/16/2016 at 5:13 AM, Terrifis said:

-Like 2-3 Actually Good Exclusives on each console

-Lackluster Graphics

-Lackluster Framerates

-Overpriced Hardware

-Overpriced Software

 

I mean for f**ks sake the hardware was out of date the day it was released compared to PCs of the time, how's it going to stand up to the test of time over the next 5-7 Years?

They will reduce the price of the console over time, by the time blu-ray become mainstream, a PS4 should cost for only $199 or even $149, by then it should be a killer machine, regardless of the inferior hardware

[Zodiark1593]

Personally, I think the consoles this gen are largely fine. Back in 2011 on the Steam forums, I predicted (and subsequently flamed for) that custom APU chips would be used for at least one, if not both of the consoles. I cited power consumption, cost, and reliability as chief concerns, not wanting a repeat of the failure rate that plagued the early 360/PS3.

 

To have stuck a Tahiti equivalent in there would have driven up power consumption, heat, noise, and most certainly costs (the silicon + upgraded cooling + PSU + PCB, etc). These were compromises that neither Sony nor Microsoft were willing to make. Keeping in mind the above, the only other way to have gotten better systems is to keep their badly aged consoles in service and wait it out for another new process node, not a viable option if either company decides to release first.

[Wolf_Lbh]

I think we are approaching the point where the general public has become aware that consoles are not magic gaming boxes and actually just crappy computers with the ability to read proprietary content and we should be seeing the last generation of consoles sooner or later allowing people to do the more economical thing and just invest in getting a better computer for all their computing and gaming needs.

[Amazingjoseph11]

46% of people answered correctly

[branden_lucero]

its not a horrible generation, but its an underwhelming one. all i care about are the games, and the only one that has been disappointing me is PlayStation. i enjoy what the X1 and Wii U are offering, but come on. unless i strictly live off RPGs, that's all the PS4 has going for it - the rest of the titles are just multi-platform games i can find elsewhere.

[Sharkyx1]

On 2/21/2016 at 2:50 PM, Arokhantos said:

With current console generation it should be possible to release a stronger playstation 4 or xbox one with stronger hardware that can run 30 fps tittles at 60 fps rather.

Anyway the next generation of consoles should be high end hardware rather, else don't call it next gen because its not.

I suspect consoles will have hard time competing with PC in the future especially now steam is pushing the platform forward in right direction finally.

The sales numbers don't agree with your sentiments. Both consoles were negatively received ten years ago when they launched at higher prices than their predecessors and both new consoles are doing much better than the ones from last generation.

 

Saying they shouldn't be called "next gen" because they aren't powerful enough is just silly, a generation isn't a unit of power, its a unit of time, the PS4 is from the generation after the PS3 its just a fact.

 

I think PC is going to taper off at some point, i don't think valve is going to find success in their attack on the living room, just because the market for steam boxes is going to be saturated and confusing for the customers. I don't see the PC market "dying" like some are calling out but i think it will see a down swing in the next decade

 

I think the two major home console companies are going to push for streaming media as time moves forward so they are less dependent on expensive hardware in the home and more ability to deliver games to those willing to pay. Probably means Xbox games on PC over streaming, but with a monthly fee. This would also free the games from dependence on hardware that ages.

[Wolf_Lbh]

6 hours ago, Sharkyx1 said:

The sales numbers don't agree with your sentiments. Both consoles were negatively received ten years ago when they launched at higher prices than their predecessors and both new consoles are doing much better than the ones from last generation.

 

Saying they shouldn't be called "next gen" because they aren't powerful enough is just silly, a generation isn't a unit of power, its a unit of time, the PS4 is from the generation after the PS3 its just a fact.

 

I think PC is going to taper off at some point, i don't think valve is going to find success in their attack on the living room, just because the market for steam boxes is going to be saturated and confusing for the customers. I don't see the PC market "dying" like some are calling out but i think it will see a down swing in the next decade

 

I think the two major home console companies are going to push for streaming media as time moves forward so they are less dependent on expensive hardware in the home and more ability to deliver games to those willing to pay. Probably means Xbox games on PC over streaming, but with a monthly fee. This would also free the games from dependence on hardware that ages.

All consoles are computers so no matter what happens... it is all computer sales. The sooner people realize this the sooner we will end up with 1 platform and maybe some propitiatory disc reading hardware. Games would just need various detail settings like basically all pc games already have to take advantage of different computer strengths. In exchange 1 platform would cater to every price point.

It will almost certainly happen because game sales are the driving force of the industry and having 1 game that could be sold to everyone regardless of platform (as there really is only 1) and at any pricepoint would mean 0 programming time for "multi-platform" releases and anyone could buy the game right off the bat.

[Sharkyx1]

5 hours ago, Arokhantos said:

Reading must be hard.

Lemme *TLDR*  my post for you

For the next gen have 1 cheapo 30 fps console 1 premium 60 fps console.

Also next gen = current gen now, its only next gen if it ain't out yet.

And breaking up the market with 2 devices serves what greater advantage? The niche of people that want better graphics or 60fps is already filled by PC, no company has found success in running two new consoles alongside each other and the PS4 is supremely successful even though you think it's too weak 

 

Because 60fps won't sell  consoles and a divided market share won't make people happy either 

 

Also next gen = current gen now, its only next gen if it ain't out yet.

 

Yes its been current Gen since release, but it being more powerful would not make it next Gen any more either, 

 

The absolute most powerful the Consoles could have been is 7970 graphics and people  would still complain, it would be a bit better, but it wouldn't be a world of difference. Yields would have been terrible and it would have been very costly 

[Sharkyx1]

4 hours ago, Wolf_Lbh said:

All consoles are computers so no matter what happens... it is all computer sales. The sooner people realize this the sooner we will end up with 1 platform and maybe some propitiatory disc reading hardware. Games would just need various detail settings like basically all pc games already have to take advantage of different computer strengths. In exchange 1 platform would cater to every price point.

It will almost certainly happen because game sales are the driving force of the industry and having 1 game that could be sold to everyone regardless of platform (as there really is only 1) and at any pricepoint would mean 0 programming time for "multi-platform" releases and anyone could buy the game right off the bat.

We don't want a single platform, that means no competition and no room to differentiate, no two or three different controllers for different people. Forced to work with a single companies infrastructure 

 

I think we'll end  up with streaming games right to TV's or something along the side of the google TV that just beams the game to the TV or streaming to PC. But that depends on North American Internet companies getting off their asses

[Wolf_Lbh]

7 hours ago, Sharkyx1 said:

We don't want a single platform, that means no competition and no room to differentiate, no two or three different controllers for different people. Forced to work with a single companies infrastructure 

 

I think we'll end  up with streaming games right to TV's or something along the side of the google TV that just beams the game to the TV or streaming to PC. But that depends on North American Internet companies getting off their asses

Oh boy it sure is a shame I can't connect a wii mote to my pc via bluetooth... wait a minute! Well what about ps4, xbone 1, gamecube, or n64 style controllers... what all of them? Well shit. Well what about motion tracking? Huh a 1080p webcam is under $60 and you could do motion tracking with a far crappier resolution... well shit. It is almost like consoles are just shitty computers so anything you could connect to a console you could connect to a computer!

Not to mention the fact that anyone could make any controller and release it without having to worry about paying to make something for a proprietary console. And pc games can even be modded so perhaps mods for making games work with controllers they don't come with support for would become a thing. Or the fact that usb ports are a fucking universal standard and designed to accept connections for anything with the proper pins so it opens up the entire damn world to game devs that might want a special controller or addon for their game unlike consoles which can't evolve and might not be able to accept input from a different controller.