With the Wii U being the first of the Next Generation of Consoles coming out next year, Sony and Microsoft will certainly follow in the years to come after. But what if another company decides to enter the ball game like Microsoft did last year? Take example Apple, a company very successful with their touch devices, suddenly announce they're moving into the console war. Do you think this is would be a thing for the future? Do want it to happen? What other companies do you think might jump on the gaming bandwagon?

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I am always up for competition, it is very important for gaming. However, I would have to say that I don't really want another competitor in the sector now - three's company. As long as there are two companies really battling it out on a technical side (Sony and Microsoft) then that should be competition enough. Another competitor would possibly spread the variety of games across consoles too thinly, and would definitely be a bad move for gamer's wallets at this tough economic time.
Having said that, I'm no big CEO of an electronics company, and if another brand were to enter the fray next generation it would certainly be interesting...

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While I can certainly see the potential for Apple to join the console war, I would find it extremely unlikely... It's their style to get their cash via billions of small transactions (app store/iTunes store/etc) or by re-releasing hardware with slight improvements every year or a half. Neither of those models really strike me as something that could be applied to the world of console consumers as I see it. Would welcome being surprised though.

Other than Apple... I can't really see another company that has enough money behind them to take a whack at this. Because seriously, you'd need to have a LOT of backing in order to take on the competition that we have going on already.

This is a slight aside note, but I am really enjoying seeing how PC gaming is stepping back up to being comparable to console gaming (in the realm of casual gamers, I mean). I think if anything, *that* is what Sony in particular should be wary of in the future, considering the ties the Xbox obviously has.

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(October 29, 2011 07:47:56 AM)Chloe Wrote:  While I can certainly see the potential for Apple to join the console war, I would find it extremely unlikely...

Fixed. I would tend to agree Chloe, though I'm sure Apple could have a really good go at it if they wanted to...

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(October 29, 2011 07:46:55 AM)gilburtgtr Wrote:  I am always up for competition, it is very important for gaming. However, I would have to say that I don't really want another competitor in the sector now - three's company. As long as there are two companies really battling it out on a technical side (Sony and Microsoft) then that should be competition enough. Another competitor would possibly spread the variety of games across consoles too thinly, and would definitely be a bad move for gamer's wallets at this tough economic time.
Having said that, I'm no big CEO of an electronics company, and if another brand were to enter the fray next generation it would certainly be interesting...

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that all exclusive games these days are going multiplatform. Most franchises left that are exclusive these days are from first party developers like Sony and Nintendo. So, really, if Apple entered the console war, the only thing we'd see is new games, or games that would never have been, rather than current franchises going exclusive.

And then there's the fact that with more competition comes lower prices, different services, and higher quality consoles and games.

Naturally, these things only apply to a certain extent, but I'm still optimistic.

In terms of other companies that might jump in, I'm going to say that we shouldn't count Google out of the fray. They have more than proved their versatility when it comes to their products. I wouldn't be too surprised if Google decided to jump into the console war, as well.

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(March 10, 2011 09:09:41 PM)Darryl Wrote:  Grammar Nazi: Aaron (15 Votes)

BlahblahblahBlahblahblah

(October 29, 2011 08:03:52 AM)gilburtgtr Wrote:  Fixed.

Thanks for that. XD

(October 29, 2011 08:05:56 AM)Aaron Wrote:  In terms of other companies that might jump in, I'm going to say that we shouldn't count Google out of the fray. They have more than proved their versatility when it comes to their products. I wouldn't be too surprised if Google decided to jump into the console war, as well.

Hmm, I would imagine that they'd do the same sort of thing that Apple have been doing. Google is sorta a Jack of all Trades and a Master of None though.

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(October 29, 2011 09:18:22 AM)Chloe Wrote:  Hmm, I would imagine that they'd do the same sort of thing that Apple have been doing. Google is sorta a Jack of all Trades and a Master of None though.

Well, they've mastered the search engine for sure.

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(October 29, 2011 09:18:22 AM)Chloe Wrote:  Hmm, I would imagine that they'd do the same sort of thing that Apple have been doing. Google is sorta a Jack of all Trades and a Master of None though.

I don't understand what you mean. Are you telling me that because they are supposedly a master of none that they won't be compelled to join the console war? If they can profit from it, they'll do it.

Besides, they joined the smartphone war, and from what I've seen, Google is holding its own rather well. And then there's the fact that their search engine, streamed video service and email service are without equal. Google is master of many if you ask me.

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(March 10, 2011 09:09:41 PM)Darryl Wrote:  Grammar Nazi: Aaron (15 Votes)

BlahblahblahBlahblahblah

What I mean by that statement is that there's a difference between joining in and actually getting to a state of being competitive.

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I think alot of people forgot that Apple, at one time, did join the console market with the Pippin, but it performed extremely poorly. Take into consideration, also, that this was when alot of companies were trying to "jump unto the bandwagon" when Sega and Nintendo where the big players in the industry from the mid 80's to the mid 90's.

As far as I'm concerned, Apple's content with being a leader in hardware and the growing public intrigue for Apple following the long dominance of Microsoft PC's in the market, and as a multimedia outlet. I see Google maybe getting tempted with getting their feet wet with console gaming, but somehow I feel their business approach would be very similar to what OnLive is offering (cloud gaming). Now, if any of these companies do decide to enter to the gaming industry, it's more logical (to me anyways) to form a partnership with the existing juggernauts right now. If you can't beat them, join them, right?

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