Following my recent blog on the speculation of the Sony Patent and from the reaction to my blog I've been thinking a lot more on this issue. I've also realised that companies such as Sony and Microsoft should be very careful with their decisions and do the right market research because there is something else that threatens the very existence of these consoles.
The downfall of the console industry is sitting right next to me as I write this. It is none other than a PS3 Sixaxis Dualshock 3 controller.
Last night I downloaded through Steam a game called "I Am Alive". I proceeded to play this game and thought "this would be much better on a console, then I wouldn't need to use my keyboard and mouse". I've heard before about how people use standardised logitech controllers as well as others on their PC for gaming and I'd never really grasped the concept, until last night.
I went into my lounge room, grabbed the PS3 controller and cable, downloaded the correct driver, plugged my controller in to my PC and started playing "I Am Alive" with my Dualshock. I was in awe that this worked so easily. I then went back onto my Steam account and realised they have a section called "Big Picture" and this is a section completely dedicated to gaming with console controllers. There is already a BIG market for this.
The gravity of what I had found astonished me. Here was Sony, about to go against the grain of the gaming community with new technology when now I've realised that I don't need Sony at all. Most of the games released onto PS3 have been ported onto PC anyway and now I can play these games in the exact same way but with even better graphics I don't think I'll bother with next gen from Sony or Microsoft.
Steam Box. A hardware system designed to bring the PC to your living room. If the prices of each game are as good as they are currently in the Steam Store (I picked up "I Am Alive for AUD$5.80 whereas the same game on PS3 is almost $60) [EDIT: I have seen it advertised on the internet for close to $60 on one particular website, whether this site is reputable is questionable however it is availble from the PSN store for $20 - Thank you @OB_Shah 
] this is going to be very strong competition against Sony and Microsoft. There will finally be another big player in the market place with a very strong product. Valve have been doing very good things for many years now and it's about to pay dividends.
Nvidia unveils portable android console. If this is done well, this could also see many more sales taken away from Sony and Microsoft with the next gen. Both Nvidia and Valve have chosen a very good time to start showing off their products to the gaming community because I know for sure how disappointed everyone at E3 was this year as far as hardware announcements went because the only real announcements were from Nintendo.
Next Gen will be upon us before we can even blink and I suspect it won't be dominated by Sony and Microsoft this time which will be a completely refreshing and welcome change.
1 Like don't think console gaming will ever go away. i can't play games on my computer if someone else is using it. Consoles are just for gaming that's why i like them. you don't have to upgrade or worry about drivers etc., they just sit there and go! also like to keep my computer and gaming separate im a programmer and i don't really want to relax on the same machine i was staring at for 10 hours..
This is news to me!!! I never knew..i am heading straight home from work and trying this!!!
I went into my lounge room, grabbed the PS3 controller and cable,
downloaded the correct driver, plugged my controller in to my PC and
started playing "I Am Alive" with my Dualshock
@spookysev It's awesome! You need to download Motionjoy, that's the driver. Also, I'm using the PS3 controller as an "Xbox" controller because the "PS3 mode" wouldn't recognize the thumb sticks.
1 Like I have to agree. While not everyone will abandon the mainstream consoles, I think there is a population within the gaming community that is looking for an alternative.
I count myself among them primarily because I'm getting sick of the business/politics that I have to endure with Microsoft and Sony. I felt ripped off when I had to buy a second console so that I could play exclusives, I find the whole dlc business to be frustrating (especially the way these companies are now competing for early release. It's ridiculous), I find myself questioning the actual value of the Microsoft Gold Membership and the games themselves (if Skyrim or Far Cry 3 is worth $60, how can CoD be worth $60).
I think Microsoft and Sony doing a bad job at serving their customers and that's what will hurt their business when a practical alternative arrives. Currently, I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about the "Steam Box." and would like to use the PC to skip the next generation of consoles.
Yes but the threat to xbox360 and PS3 is on the assumption that one has a deidcated gaming PC - I say dedicated because most people will be aware a standard PC is not nearly sufficient to play all games - and thats why consoles will still dominate.
@garysingh34 you can only play games on consoles. can you only play games on a PC? no. there is a reason you cannot type papers on your xbox hahahaha
1 Like @garysingh34 you are very right a gaming PC cost more than a console and everybody isnt tech savy enough to know how to build one yet alone acquire one. this article was a pointless scare tactic
1 Like The real issue is not the quality or standards of the next gen consoles, either from Sony, Microsoft or whatever other company, but the fact that this current generation consoles are still satisfying a huge part of the gaming comunity and I'm talking maybe 70 to 80 %. Including me and you as it seems. That meaning we can't afford buying a new overpriced glorified PC for some time to come, 2 or 3 years at least (after release). So the real jeopardy is that the current gen is not going down that easy, the sales for the next gen are not going up and will be obvious at release day. Lastly, there's new competition. The more competition, the more customers divided, less money in the pocket for individual companies. it allo boils down to money for these folks. We all agree current gen consoles are outdated, but unless they come up with some low prices for the next gen, only rich people will buy them.
@xsonicchaos Very good points. I think I'll take a back seat on the next gen not just because I re-discovered PC gaming but also because there are so many announced new releases for the current generation that are going to be fantastic games. Developers really have understood how to develop for the current generation of consoles to come up with some really great games. Don't get me wrong, I love console gaming and I always will, it started with NES, I just find it exciting that there are some new companies weighing in to instigate change.
its 20 USD on PSN and it was never for 60 USD first off all, your point is valid but plz dont over state things just to make your point you may miss lead people, and there are exclusives too both on Xbox and PS3 beside that the fan following wont make them in any jeopardy Fandom makes people blind.
example: you stated "I am alive"for 60$ when its only for 19.99 USD LOL
@OB_Shah Before criticizing what I have written you need to first establish the facts. I never said USD, I said AUD. I also never said PSN, in fact I didn't stipulate where I had seen it at almost $60. If you wish to see where it is almost $60 go to: http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-zz-49-en-70-3qx1.html I based it on that website because that was the first one I had found a physical copy at.
1 Like First" I know you didnt said USD, USD and AUD covversion rate is 1.05 only a .05 difference so the price is almost same even in AUD
Secondly: I am Alive is a PSN game, Meaning its not on disk the only way to play it is to download it from PSN,So even if you didnt said it its logical to assume that.So my good Sir why would you look at a website that states you wrong price and you cant even buy nor play it from that website you do have a PS3 just goto the store and see the price your self i never knew that you were soo much misinformed that you will look at random sites and base your facts on it. So tell me how am i mistaken?
@OB_Shah All good mate, this is what my blogs are for - Initiating discussion on topics so we can all learn a thing or two.
@murth27 @OB_Shah Hey I have no problem at all acknowledging that I was wrong, although I could have sworn that I saw a physical copy advertised somewhere. Ok, someone doesn't agree with the price of the game, this isn't really important - The price of games vary across the globe. I enjoy debate and discussion and in fact encourage it because in the end even I have learnt something. @murth27 - I have done an edit, thank you for the information :)
@Amorphis2k @OB_Shah OB_Shah ist right. There is not and there was no physical copy of the game. It is and was a Download only game. Wikipedia: "It was released for Xbox Live Arcade on March 7, 2012, for PlayStation Network on April 3, 2012 in North America and April 4, 2012 in Europe[7] and also for Microsoft Windows on September 6, 2012.[2]"
Great article but it isnt necessary to defend your stance with different currencies and facts that are not true. Go head edit the article, say you were wrong. I see zero problems with that.
@OB_Shah I am sure I've seen a physical copy of it around somewhere. I went onto "random" sites because I wanted a comparison against what I was buying it at from Steam, that's all. When I saw the price from that site I thought that was steep.
Even so my point still stands - It is generally cheaper to buy a game through programs like Steam as opposed to a physical copy of a game from a retail store (mainly because Steam has less overheads, granted) which is what the "Steam Box" will have up on retail game sales. Surely you couldn't dispute that.
@sarosh_assassin It's also available through PSN and Steam and I saw it for almost $60 at the link in the comment above.
I am really looking forward to not having to worry about a bulky next gen console and monster computer. The cloud gaming consoles (OnLive, Nvidia Shield) are what really excite me. Heck, with OnLive you can play premium PC and console games on your tablet and high end phones.
1 Like I don't think they are in jeopardy just yet. Maybe 2 generations from now...I initially bought a 360 simply because they had a better game library and managed to swipe a bunch of exclusive franchises from Sony. I just got a PS3 for Christmas and am now enjoying all of the 15-20 dollar Sony exclusives released since the PS3 came into existance.
Maybe I'm an exception, but I am pretty patient. I just played the first Resistance, replayed the first GOW (PS2 remake) and loved every minute of it! A good game is a good game. I won't even bother buying a next gen console until I have played all of the current gen games I want to play. I have this down to a science! It is a very cost effective way to game as well. But I don't do online gaming so I'm not concerned about lining up for the next COD or HALO or anything like that. I have outgrown giving into the hype, but will never outgrow gaming!
I totally agree it sad when one considers the fact that nintendo hasn't come up with a first party new ip franchise since the super nes all they do is re-release the same mario games over and over and up the graphics and all the nintendo loving game critics give them undeserved praise. As a matter of fact i read the latest issue of game informer and they named super mario bros wii-u the game of the year that is bs how are they gonna say that mario beat all the awesome games realeased in 2012 what a bunch of biased jerks
Yeah the controllers and cost of the games might be enough for me to switch from PS3 - there's just no way I would ever game with a keyboard and mouse. I'd rather eat shit and die. But if I could use my PS3 controller and my plasma tv.....
The only thing saving PS3 for me would be exclusives like MLB The Show, etc. And, to be honest, that would probably be enough reason for me to stay. It's all about the titles.
2 Like @MrBunson Gaming with a keyboard and mouse is far superior, that's a fact.
Maybe you're used to play with a controller, but dont pretend that's even remotely good. Especially in Fps's.
More fingers = more speed. Mouse = more precision than an analog.
You can say it's a personal preference but keyboard + mouse offer more depth and possibilities.
1 Like its a thing called personal preference. in case you havent figured this out, their preference doesn't involve yours
@MrBunson I HATE gaming with keyboard and mouse. Last night I was using my PS3 controller even to browse the Steam Store :P
@TheBigChewbacca @Amorphis2k @Manlymike17 You're right, hyperbole is exaggeration which is what I did! Thanks Chewy :P
totally agree with you on price and controllers. Sadly PC gaming hooked up to the TV doesn't pass the mother test. Every mother knows how to plug a Nintendo in and work it out. But a PC...into a television...nope. If the Steam box is going to grab serious market share from MS and Sony, it needs to be very very intuitive; no boot up nonsense, no online only support. It has to work like a toaster or it will fail in mass market.
1 Like @6orange6 Really, is it that hard to plug a PC into an HDTV using an HDMI cable, because that's really all you need to do? It's really just as easy as plugging a console into a TV these days. Unless you don't have an HDTV, but most everyone who can afford a console in this day and age does, so that point is moot.
@Overkillhazard @6orange6 missing the point, so it is not 'moot'. I will happily plug a PC into a TV, so will you. List the number of mothers you know who decided to go out and buy a PC to plug into a TV.. yeah, thought so.......
1 Like PCs have been in the same strong position for yeeeaars, but consoles still make big money, so what's changed so much that it's suddenly going to kill off console gaming? Not all of us want to play around with screen resolution, HDMI cables that stretch all the way around the room, and compatibility errors. As much as I like PC gaming of old, in the modern age it just doesn't interest me.
@MooncalfReviews The problem with the PC games market is that, yes, downloading from Steam is cheap because they have low overheads. But they're also priced to compete with the huge percentage of games that are illegally downloaded. The PC game industry can't survive selling great games to a modest market for <$10 a game.
As an aside, my apartment has no line for net, and I live in a valley with poor reception. I can't play online and I sure as hell would feel grieved having to download my games all the time. Plus I want pretty cases on my shelves.
I don't think Microsoft and Sony will have a hard time in the market being aware that probably steambox would come out. My guess is Nintendo will be the one hit hard rather than the other two consoles, they don't have anything different to offer unlike before. I mean they could change the pricing of their games or try sales but has anyone heard of Nintendo doing something like that often?
I agree. I have already abandoned the consoles for all the reasons that you mentioned, and I don't think I will ever come back. And I'm a console player and Sony afficionado since the time of Playstation. But I just can't find any reason anymore to buy a console game, while I can buy the superior and cheaper PC version. Also it's good to have in mind that computers are far more friendly nowadays towards console gamers, and in terms of compatibility issues. In the past it was a real hassle to play a pc game and not quite meet the system requirements. Nowadays powerful computers are affordable, and even if you don't meet the requirements, you can still play your game somehow, instead of an error message that you usually saw in the past.
Not all pc games are compatible with gamepad. Mass Effect 3 for example is not. It is something that bothers me, but little by little I got used to use keyboard and mouse, I still don't like it, but at least I don't dismiss it, like I was doing in the past.
Interesting...I just never was a PC gamer, always had one or all of the consoles. I guess it should be high time I revisit that though!
1 Like I know exactly how you mean man, I finally managed to upgrade my PC earlier this year, so it totally outshines my 360. I almost immediately got myself a wired 360 controller for it, and my 360 has been collecting dust ever since. From what I hear about the speculated PS4 specifications, my PC already outdoes it, so I doubt I'll be bothering with it unless there's any exclusives which particularly wow me.
However, I can't deny I'm still very curious about what both Sony and Microsoft do come up with, just because I love tech generally, so I'll probably still end up wanting the new ones regardless. :P
1 Like Wow, it took you this long to figure this out? Many of us have been wrestling with these issues since 2010 when it became obvious PS3 and 360 were desperately outdated. There are still a few problems to over come; what screen do you use on your pc, what room do you sit in, where do you put your pc, what controller input do you use. Steambox kinda addresses some of these issues but not all of them - you can play Civ5 on the sofa with a mouse no problem but you can't play online FPSs etc.
While the idea of a Steam Box is appealling the big fall down for me is the same with consoles... eventually you'll be limited by the hardware the games will be running on. While PC owners are used to upgraded graphics and sound cards console owners (and the developers for the consoles) don't. So unless upgrades can be done extremely simply you'll end up with out of date hardware very quickly that then won't run newer titles coming to Steam.
4 Like Hey guys, I really appreciate the comments. I am also aware that there are exclusive games for consoles which is why I love console gaming. The purpose of my blog isn't to trash consoles at all (most of my gaming is done via a console) but merely to point out the fact of how PC gaming is making a come back and is a powerful competitor against consoles, especially with technology like the Steam Box.
Well, there's actually a lot of cross-over in the companies that make the hardware. The PS3 has a CPU designed in part by IBM, and IBM partially designed the CPUs in the Gamecube and Wii, and Xbox 360 (Wikipedia writes of the Xenon processor, "These cores are slightly modified versions of the PPE in the Cell processor used on the PlayStation 3.") The graphics chip in the PS3 is based on the NVIDIA G70, Wikipedia also says. They were often manufactured at plants in China by Foxconn. The "Espresso" processor of the Wii-U also seems to be designed in part by IBM. The DS processors are ARM, which is the line that powers some Windows software now (Windows RT on the regular Surface tablet). So these are just different devices that are computers that have various business-related restrictions in place based on your purchases and based on the style you want as a customer.
