Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
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Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
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Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#2Here's my guess:
1) It's easier to say here pay $300 and you'll be able to play graphically intensive games vs here pay $200, install this video card into your computer, update your PC and drivers, etc.
2) Much harder to pirate console games. <-- probably the main reason.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#3It's simple, they're cheaper and easier to use.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#4A good reply to such articles: http://www.lostgarden.com/2005/09/nintendos-genre-innovation...
> As a side note, folks who argue Nintendo should just make games for other platforms are completely missing the point. Nintendo needs to control their hardware platform in order to force innovation to occur in the control mechanisms. Other console manufacturers who rely on the hardcore audiences and standardized genres don’t see this need. They would happily standardize the console platform and make it into a commodity. Microsoft has historically made major comments about having one universal development platform.
> The moment Nintendo loses control over their hardware, they lose a major competitive advantage in terms of creating new genres.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#5A good reply to such articles: http://www.lostgarden.com/2005/09/nintendos-genre-innovation... > As a side note, folks who argue Nintendo should just make games for other platforms are completely missing the point. Nintendo needs to control their hardware platform in order to force innovation to occur in the control mechanisms. Other console manufacturers who rely on the hardcore audiences and standardized genres don…
That's easy. User maintenance is a lot easier for XBone and PS4 than it is for any general purpose PC.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#6Speaking to the portable gaming space, I'd also add that a big part of games is the controls. Phones don't have a d-pad and buttons (or analog sticks, etc..). That pretty much makes games like Super Mario Brothers impossible. You can have your simplified endless runners, and that will probably satisfy most people. But for serious gamers, you need more precise control than a non dedicated console can provide.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#7As to why a system like the 2DS or 3DS or Vita is compelling when we all have iPhones or Android devices, for me it comes down to the control systems.
Touchscreens are fine for a narrow band of game types, but I wouldn't want to play the latest Mario platformer or Little Big Planet or 3D FPS with one. For lots of games I'll take the physical d-pad and/or analog sticks and physical buttons any day.
And while you technically can get such controllers to sync with touch-centric devices, it isn't quite the same if you have to carry around a separate controller. Even more importantly, it isn't the same if the controller type is not completely standardized so that games for the platform can expect it. External controllers are a fine solution for emulation on phones and tablets, but not for core games on the actual native platform.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#8A good reply to such articles: http://www.lostgarden.com/2005/09/nintendos-genre-innovation... > As a side note, folks who argue Nintendo should just make games for other platforms are completely missing the point. Nintendo needs to control their hardware platform in order to force innovation to occur in the control mechanisms. Other console manufacturers who rely on the hardcore audiences and standardized genres don…
That's easy. User maintenance is a lot easier for XBone and PS4 than it is for any general purpose PC.
And, because game developers know the precise specs of every console they target, they can reduce load times and make texture rendering... sorry, sorry, I can't do this with a straight face.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#9Set design spec sheet allows developers to target their games more appropriately. Engines like Unity come in, drive more innovation. Low price point compared to a PC, and no additional hassle of making sure drivers are compatible etc.
Re: Why Do Dedicated Game Consoles Exist?
#10A good reply to such articles: http://www.lostgarden.com/2005/09/nintendos-genre-innovation... > As a side note, folks who argue Nintendo should just make games for other platforms are completely missing the point. Nintendo needs to control their hardware platform in order to force innovation to occur in the control mechanisms. Other console manufacturers who rely on the hardcore audiences and standardized genres don…
I feel like PCs are a sliding scale. You have to keep updating them to play the latest games. Wheras consoles are a known - you pay once, and it's good for what, 5 years?