Console Gaming - Is it over at this point?

In 2017, what's the use of having a console system, when the convenience factor and exclusive games aren't the same as they used to be?

In this post, I will do a light breakdown of the reasons why I think we shouldn't care (too much) about console gaming anymore, with the exception of the Switch. And no, although I like Nintendo, I also like Microsoft and own an Xbox One and not a Switch. I'll explain the appeal to the Switch (from what I have personally played and from a business perspective) below.

Old advantages that aren't so anymore

1- The convenience factor

Console gaming used to claim the top spot in convenience for playability. In the cartridge era, you just popped a game in and viola! You're playing Super Mario, Mortal Kombat, Sonic, etc. In the DVD / Blu-ray era, while load times for the PS3 were horrendous, you could still justify paying for the system and having a machine capable of running smooth games in reasonable times.

But now... now it's very different... When someone wants to play a game they just bought, like COD or Halo, etc. they may have to download large "updates" which may take a few hours, even on high internet packages, where on a PC it takes minutes. This is a shame, truly.

2- Graphics and cost for gameplay

Consoles at times surpassed PC graphics, let's just be honest. Even today, if there is a game that is cross platform on PC and consoles, the console version SOMETIMES (more often than not) will get shafted graphically. For all of our graphic lovers out there, why get an inferior graphical version of a game you love when you can get one on your console at a higher resolution?

Also, the cost of the system could justify buying it over building a gaming PC. Why build your own gaming PC that would run well over the cost of a console at somewhere around 1000 USD, for those of us not in the know?

But to buy a pretty decent gaming pc only runs you from 500 to 750 USD and many that fall in that price range can run true 4K. 'Nuff said.

3- The software that allowed the engines to run

The software on PCs were pretty bad for Triple A titles, in my opinion. When vista launched, it was a HORRIBLE software to play games on, so I (and many others) assumed why should we join the PC Master Race when we could just stick to console gaming, but when 7 was released, this actually started to open my eyes.

But it's really not that case for the vast majority of games.

4- Exclusive Games

Console gaming controlled a good chunk of the market for a while, and Big Triple A game companies made sure to make exclusive deals with console companies. These exclusive deals aren't too exclusive anymore. They are limited to a certain number of years or sales. Plus, people are caring less about them.

Also, to add in that many of the Triple A games don't offer the same gameplay experience cross platform or mid-sized companies offer, and you can see why people are caring less about exclusives.

-Things that are ruining console gaming-

A- Becoming PCs

While you can get Netflix and the like on your PC, the consoles are trying a little too hard to be dummy versions of PCs, that can't actually conveniently do what PCs can do. They can't conveniently search the web or visit sites. They can't handle real browser operations (yet). They can't take computer inputs without being modified.

So, why get a console to be a PC when you can just get a PC to be a PC and game on it for 500 to 750 dollars? Yes, it's more than a console, but you can also do actual productivity on it.

THE EXCEPTION:

The Nintendo Switch. I know! I know! You're going to call me a fanboy. No, from a practical and business sense, Nintendo has always been looking at the gaming console market as a shrinking market and they've been trying to reach a new audience. They tried with the Wii, but then no one bought games after it sold like crazy. They tried and failed big time with the WiiU. But now it seems like they are combining the mobile phone / tablet feel to a console system. If they can pull this off correctly for the long term (over 5 years), then they will have claimed victory this time around. Also, if they keep this up over the next two years, then they will have carved out a comfortable lead in the market for what Sony and Microsoft will eventually go after, hybrid systems.

They see that the mobile market and the PC market are the cash cows, and they are finding a spot in between them that can give them an advantage.

But hey, that's just how it is for now.

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Image credit: Google YouTube

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What are your thoughts? Like, comment, repost and follow ;) I'd love to hear your thoughts!