"Besides, there's still that perceived notion of computers being 'hard to configure' and **** for the end user, as if they're hunting down drivers for Windows 95 or something. I guess most people just don't like to have options, which is all too apparent when you can't even configure your control scheme in most console games."
Isn't this attitude pretty much why Apple stays in business? Macs are a lot like consoles in how the sacrifice flexibility in return for stability. Add too many non-gaming functions and effectively a console would become a game focused Mac.
I think there's a happy medium between a PC and a overly simplified inflexible console. Nintendo makes high quality products and has good customer service but they assume their userbase are stupid. They're so worried about being user-friendly that they're restrictive. Just look at the controller. The whole remote shaped design is based on the notion that non-gamers are too easily confused by "traditional" controllers. But those controllers provide a lot of flexibility and functionality. Having eight buttons instead of two provides more control scheme options. It isn't like they're just extra doodads thrown on. Making the controller more complicated over time allowed for games to expand in more directions. There's a purpose to the design, even if grandma is too dumb to figure it out.
My Dad doesn't pay at the pump because it's too confusing for him. I on the other hand always pay at the pump. If Nintendo ran the world's gas stations pay at the pump wouldn't exist because a large chunk of the population doesn't understand it.
An ideal console should not be afraid of confusing Joe Blow the moron. It should be easy enough to just plug-and-play for the average user. But it should support many types of displays: TVs, computer monitors, HD, standard resultion, PAL, whatever. As long as the average Joe can plug it into a run of the mill TV with ease, he's not going to get confused by other options. Same with sound options. Having a standard controller is needed but other controller options like arcade joysticks or paddle controllers or wheels or lightguns or motion controlled remotes or mice or keyboards or flightsticks should be available. Being able to attach whatever hard drive you want. Being able to use whatever internet connection you want. Being able to customize the controller on a level outside the game (ie: I decide that B = A). That kind of flexibility is not going to turn a console into a PC.
What needs to remain on consoles that will keep them as consoles:
1. Third party licencing so only officially approved games are available.
2. The guts of the hardware are standard. Same RAM, graphics chip, sound chip, CPU, etc. for every console. Everyone has the same guts so everything runs the same on every machine.
3. Standard controller that comes with the console that all developers must use as their base model.
4. All game saves are done in such a way that all saves can be easily located by the user using a built-in file management program so as to transfer saves to other storage devices easily.
5. You put a game in the console, hit the power button, and the game loads up. You push the reset button and the game resets.
Aside from that you could do whatever you wanted. It is possible to have a console that allows for incredible flexibility while still being simple plug-n-play for the average user. THAT is what a real hardcore gamer console would be. That's also what a true everyone console would be. It's the "and" console that Reggie lies about the Wii being.
Topic: Wii don't need a hard drive. (Read 33703 times)
