New Video Game Consoles

Tomorrow Sony PlayStation is expected to make a big announcement. The general consensus is that it will be regarding their new console unit which theoretically will be called the PlayStation 4. This brings up the question regarding if we need a new console or not. Both Microsoft and Sony seem to think we do as do a lot of industry experts. According to some, the PS3 and XBox 360 are over half a decade old and a new console will reignite the industry. Others think phones and tablets are the new gaming platform.

I think it all boils down to content. If you can create a compelling game on a basic console, then there is no reason buy an expensive next generation one. Sony sold a great many PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles because of a number of great games. Microsoft did the same for the Xbox and Xbox 360 simply because of Halo and a few other exclusive games. Publishers like EA and Activision don't care which console you own and create games for both. That is a lot of content.

With next generation tablets and smartphones, it is only a matter of time before they become powerful enough to play current console games. So what can the console creators do to make their products more compelling than the tablet and phone manufacturers? Perhaps we will find out tomorrow.