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« on: November 23, 2005, 03:37:56 PM »
It seems every five (or four...thanks MS...) years we hear about the end of PC gaming. With super powered consoles and all the attention going to them, everyone syas it's the end of the computer side of games. Thankfully this time no such nonsense is being propagated. However, it got me thinking. The 360 interacts with computers, iPods, photos, everything basically. It's essentially a media PC minus the other functionality. Microsoft has expressed their intent of furthering this integration in the future, and in further generations. So...how long before there's no point in owning a console? Think about it, the only difference between PC and consoles is where and how you play them. But with the 360 controller available for computers, what's the difference? If the future is true integration then I'm going to be buying a computer that outputs to my HD TV. Computers play games as well as consoles, but consoles don't do computer stuff as well.
So...good or bad? Well, for Nintendo fans it's less than ideal. But, on an integrated entertainment system that is computer based Nintendo wouldn't have to take a risk with things like the remote. They could just release it for $30 and make Mario, Zelda, etc. require it. Insta-sell! Obviously this is a few generations ahead, but still. Microsoft doesn't make many games, they make their money off of hardware. Well, not really. Basically Microsoft just doesn't make money off of video games. But, hypothetically they intend to with the 360. They intend to end their losses this generation. But in doing, in trying this integration, have they single handled started the end of consoles? Sony also wants integration, Kutagari would put a nuclear fission plant in the PS3 if they could. But for them it makes sense. Sony makes hardware like laptops and things, Microsoft doesn't.
So, in trying to win this generation have Microsoft ruined the others?