Headline Sep 11, 2014

''' LET THE VIDEO GAMES BEGIN '''

THESE DAYS,  however, consoles face stiff competition from games played on mobile devices or running inside web browsers.

In this newly competitive environment,  Microsoft and  Sony may prefer a less risky strategy.

Using standard parts cuts cross

It also makes life easier for the firms that create games.

Mastering the intricacies of a custom-made chip can take programmers many years, a problem that was particularly acute with the unusual chip that powered the PlayStation 3.

The new consoles' PC like architecture will make developing games much more straightforward. It will also make it easier to create games that run on both new consoles and PC too, and to release them simultaneously.

Game prices have not risen for many years, even in nominal terms, but the cost of creating them has ballooned. Simultaneous release on multiple platform maximises the potential market.  

Besides, ever-snazzier graphics are only one area in which gaming firms can innovate, and one in which returns are diminishing. 

The first games which elaborate, three-dimensional game worlds, such as ''Quake'' and ''Tomb Raider'', were revolutionary when the first appeared in 1990s.

These days, extra graphical power is used for more subtle features such as more accurate lighting or more realistic looking hair. With each new generation of consoles, the improvement in graphics is less dramatic. 

This means console makers must find other ways to convince gamers to upgrade.  

Given that the two new consoles are so similar internally, the obvious means of differentiation is in novel control mechanisms.

Nintendo led the way in 2006 with the launch of its  Wii  console, which did not try to compete with the Xbox  360  or  PlayStation 3 in graphical power, but instead used:

Innovative motion sensitive controllers to appeal to people who would not normally consider playing video games.

Microsoft responded with the Kinect, a camera-based system that allows players to control the on-screen action through their body movements, and Sony launched the Move, a wand-like controller.

The Xbox One incorporates an improved version of the Kinect, and Sony will offer an optional camera attachment for the PlayStation 4.    

All three  console makers have also been keen to emphasise  non-gaming uses of their consoles such as streaming live television...

Browsing the Web,  making video calls and accessing social networks.

Indeed, at the launch of  Xbox One, Microsoft barely mentioned games at all for the for the first half-hour. 

It was a clear sign that the days when console slugged it out solely on the basis of graphical processing power are well and truly over.

To sum up:  It is obvious, that the newest games consoles look surprisingly underpowered and are very similar to PCs and That's because the business is changing.

Next generation games consoles, would be worth a serious monitor.  

With respectful dedication to all the Video Games enthusiasts. See Ya all on !WOW!  -the World Students Society Computers-Internet-Wireless:

''' Listening To The Students   '''

Good Night and God Bless!

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless