Video games are doomed

[figgler]

The modern gaming world is moving into a purely hardware driven direction. The GCN, PS2 and XBox are still going strong and none of them have even come close to realising the potential within. So many to-be-classic titles are on the way. So many possiblities....

 

And yet, we already look ahead to the N5, PS3 and XBox2 (or whatever). I really wouldn't be surprised to find that the PS4 is in development. But Why? Have developers tapped the current hardware dry? Are game creators clammoring for more advancement, already feeling limited with the tools at their disposal? No way. We are looking at a situation where necessity is no longer driving the invention. Upgrade for the sake of upgrading.

 

Current gen games already take years, millions of dollars, and huge teams to produce. As home console technology advances, so will the time and cost to keep up. Impossible to sustain. Eventually we will get to the point where companies can scarcely afford to produce games that take advantage of current hardware.

 

Most gamers will refuse to regress to times of simpler games, demanding software that fully puts their system through its paces, always seeking innovation. Companies will struggle to supply the demand, and the unneeded, ultra-advanced home consoles of the future will have destroyed video games as you know them.

[shep]

...for the five hundreth time on this forum....the gaming market is not doomed...

[Room 34]

Kind of reminds me of that recent FedEx commercial with the Shatner-inspired over-wrought acting... "If we don't get this package there tomorrow morning, we're all DOOOOOMED!!!!!!"

[Bryan]

Actually, as the hardware gets more powerful, so do the tools that games are created with which speeds development on these bigger and more elaborate games.

 

-Bry

[shep]

...home consoles of the future will have destroyed video games as you know them.

 

...take some tylenol, lie down, breath deeply....it will be okay....

[Needles Kane]

The only reason to upgrade now is because the PS2 is aging. Games like Sonic Heroes are not up to par with GC and XBox versions. So I can see why Sony would release another console. But after the N5, PS3, and XBox 2, I don't see the need to upgrade again...ever!

 

P.S.- Halo sucks. Wolfenstein rules.

[Dones]

* sigh * Another "doom and gloom" thread.

[NovaXpress]

Video games aren't doomed, but I'm starting to think that video gamers are.

[liveinabin]

Everything is doomed - the sun for instance. Still, smile and smell the flowers - who cares?

 

As for the premature releases of next gens of consoles. Yes, it is a problem. I think consoles will begin to change as PCs do now. Although new machines will arrive steadily, it'll be like buying a PC with a better 3D card, more RAM etc. Your old stuff will probably still work and in-development titles will be able to be cheaply and easily hot-rodded for the new platform.

[Inky]

COLLAPSE OF THE INTERNET IS IMMINENT!!!!!

[Susuwatari]

There *could* be another Sega but I doubt there will be a repeat of 1984. At the worse, software developer could drop all plans for console games and stick with PC only and hardware developer could do a Sega.

[Gregory DG]

Video games doomed? Shoot, I'm still waiting for the holodeck! Once we get there, then we'll talk.

[shep]

COLLAPSE OF THE INTERNET IS IMMINENT!!!!!

[Ze_ro]

I really wouldn't be surprised to find that the PS4 is in development.

 

Actually, they've already announced that they're working on the CPU that they plan to use in the PS4. I'm too lazy to find a link though.

 

But Why?  Have developers tapped the current hardware dry?  Are game creators clammoring for more advancement, already feeling limited with the tools at their disposal?   No way.

 

I'd liken the situation to the Cold War. Nintendo knows Sony is making the PS3, Microsoft knows Nintendo is making the N5, and Sony knows Microsoft is working on the X-Box Next. They all know that there's another generation of hardware right around the corner, and they don't want to get lost in the shuffle, since missing out on an entire generation of consoles would be disasterous for them.

 

I don't think this has anything at all to do with outdoing the limits of current technology... it's just an arms race.

 

We are looking at a situation where necessity is no longer driving the invention.  Upgrade for the sake of upgrading.

 

Oh, it's still very much driven by the consumer. If you don't want to upgrade, then don't. I certainly don't plan to. Stick with me and buy games for the current systems, show the big three that you want them to continue supporting what is already available, and if enough other people do this, then they will listen.

 

If the sales of their "next gen" consoles are disappointing, they might realize that the majority of people are perfectly happy with what they have.

 

Frankly, I would think the companies would be more than happy to get more life out of their current hardware. Selling software is traditionally much more profitable than selling hardware. The one motivation I can see for putting out new consoles is that Nintendo and Microsoft see it as a good chance to turn their back on what has been a disappointing generation for them, and take another shot at taking the #1 spot in the marketplace.

 

Current gen games already take years, millions of dollars, and huge teams to produce.  As home console technology advances, so will the time and cost to keep up.  Impossible to sustain.  Eventually we will get to the point where companies can scarcely afford to produce games that take advantage of current hardware.

 

Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say that. In fact, I would suggest that the quality of video games these days is limited by the skill of the programmers, and the deadlines they are subject to. Neither of these will change when the next generation of hardware comes around. We may see more polygons, but I guarantee you'll still see things like clipping errors, bad voice acting and shoddy level design. None of that is the hardware's fault anymore, it's just because the programmers either weren't good enough to fix it, or weren't given enough time to do so.

 

As for games getting too expensive and "impossible to sustain", that's what corporate giants like Activision and EA are there for. They have more than enough money to fund a developers wildest dreams. (Some) movies cost a heck of a lot more to make than video games, but that certainly hasn't led to the demise of the movie industry.

 

Companies will struggle to supply the demand, and the unneeded, ultra-advanced home consoles of the future will have destroyed video games as you know them.

 

No, they will have destroyed video games for you. The big companies aren't leaving their entire customer base behind with these moves, they're leaving you behind. There are plenty of people out there that will be extremely greatful to get a chance to buy into the next generation and sell off their old machine.

 

--Zero

[hedgehog]

I on't mind the PS3 being released soon, but man I just got my Xbox not even a year ago. Why would it be doomed? There just making better consoles, I know Iam going to purchase all three.

[Bryan]

Hey, if no one can develop games for these futuristic consoles, someone can always port MAME.

 

-Bry

[Malix]

I do not agree that video games are doomed but I do believe they will leave alot of gamers behind with this next gen release. I for one will not purchase a new console for a long time. My Xbox will keep me occupied for many years to come.

 

But there are plenty of people that are just chompin at the bit to get the newest console they can.

[Lemmi]

its all about $$$$$

 

and nothing more

[bjk7382]

I already heard rumors that Nintendo is going to try to jump the gun on the next system, since they basically came out late in the race on this generation of consoles with the cube.

 

I remember when I got my gamecube and there were a VERY limited amount of games and they slowly gained in library size.

[Clock]

its all about $$$$$

 

and nothing more

 

 

WRONG

you forgot £££££ and Yen and Euros and anyones currency they can get hold of etc

 

[Lemmi]

its all about $$$$$

 

and nothing more

 

 

WRONG

you forgot £££££ and Yen and Euros and anyones currency they can get hold of etc

 

 

 

heh sorry i forgot those weird sqiggily things infront of your cash

plus i cant make those

but either way you have alittle less money in your pocket (for food and stuff) because you just have to have the newest thing out (except for me ofcourse)

 

i downloaded something called JOYSTICK JUNKIES - The State Of Gaming (DiscoveryScience).mpg off of a P2P, and in it they stopped outside the sunnyvale atari headquaters (for about 2 min), then went to japan and looked at their gaming marketing, then they went to europe for more of the same, it was pretty cool

 

i dont know when it aired on TV, but one of the guys interviewed said the sony playstation 1 came out 6 years ago, and they showed bill gates unveiling the xbox, and the first release of the PS2 in France

 

i wish you call could have seen it (maybe some have) and pick it apart like you guys do

[figgler]

No, they will have destroyed video games for you. The big companies aren't leaving their entire customer base behind with these moves, they're leaving you behind. There are plenty of people out there that will be extremely greatful to get a chance to buy into the next generation and sell off their old machine.

 

--Zero

 

 

Point taken.

[sigma]

COLLAPSE OF THE INTERNET IS IMMINENT!!!!!

WELCOME... TO THE END... OF THE COMPUTER AGE!

[Lemmi]

COLLAPSE OF THE INTERNET IS IMMINENT!!!!!

WELCOME... TO THE END... OF THE COMPUTER AGE!

 

OMG!!!!

 

i could only stand 3 min of that, i think i even threw up alittle

[sigma]

COLLAPSE OF THE INTERNET IS IMMINENT!!!!!

WELCOME... TO THE END... OF THE COMPUTER AGE!

 

OMG!!!!

 

i could only stand 3 min of that, i think i even threw up alittle

...

 

here's the lite version