A console industry monopoly

[dekkarax]

What do you think would happen if one of the current console manufacturers gained a monopoly over the console market?
Which of the three companies would you dread getting a monopoly?

In my opinion, worse case scenario would probably be... it's a toss between Sony and Microsoft, on one hand, we've already seen Microsoft dominate the computer market, and that wasn't that good for the market, on the other hand, Sony... I just can't place it, but I don't want them to get a monopoly.

Overall though, I feel a single console market would be very bad, and Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo should keep acting like they subscribe to the theory of M.A.D.

 

[Pirce]

A monopoly is never good for the consumer, I dread the thought of anyone gaining a monopoly in the consoles.

 

[Ronwue]

Indeed... EA is a scary thought

 

[The Random One]

Well, it's pretty much a given that, in any monopoly, it's the consumer that loses. I doubt that there'd be much difference between them, since, when you come down to it, a company's a company, and they're in it for the money.

If Sony had it, I guess the PS3 wouldn't change as much. Sony's the one with the largest horizontal product reach (that is, the company that produces the most different stuff - for instance, it's the only one that also produces TV sets you need to actually play the consoles) so they wouldn't care as much about it. Prices would skyrocket, but not to the point the industry would die I think.

If Microsoft had it, the line between console and PC gaming would blur. They are already pushing greater connectivity between PC Windows and the 'box, and if their console were the only one they could pretty much enforce it on developers. I don't think Microsoft would continue being the jackass they are known for being since they are being pretty desperate about that, even on the PC market where they pretty much have a monopoly.

If Nintendo had it, they would probably release something akin to what I'll dare calling a "real" console, since the Wii was pretty much a (successful) attempt to probe new markets. Judging by their history, they'd release cheap consoles and lots of expensive attachments.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Indeed... EA is a scary thought

If EA had the entire market, 100% of complaints would be focused on them, obliging them to do at least something right.

 

[Good morning blues]

Well, I don't see much of a difference between the Xbox 360 and the PS3. I guess things would continue to be pretty much the same.

 

[LucanDesmond]

I don't think it would really matter to me. As long as price gouging didn't happen. I don't care where I get my games, and if one company took over, the others would still make games for their console. So in a way, it would be better. You'd only have to own one console.

 

[tijuanatim]

If Nintendo had it, they would probably release something akin to what I'll dare calling a "real" console, since the Wii was pretty much a (successful) attempt to probe new markets. Judging by their history, they'd release cheap consoles and lots of expensive attachments.

They would also release the same 8 games over and over and over and over and over and over and over.

 

[Pirce]

EA.

Be afraid, very afraid.

You know, once upon a time I would agree with you. Heck, once upon a time, not that long ago in truth. But lately EA, or more to the point the companies/studios they've acquired, has been producing decent titles. I do not fear them as much as I once did.

Though if I had to pick anyone to gain a monopoly I would have to place my eggs in Nintendo's basket, if nothing more than the hope that they might re-release the SNES(maybe streamlined a bit) as the next generation and tell both players and designers that they need to learn to appreciate games and remember what video games are about.

 

[Jharry5]

If that was to happen, choice would go right out of the window. Which is always bad for the consumer.
"Welcome, comrade, to Communism for gamers..."

 

[Ronwue]

Actually I reiterate. Maxis & EA. The Sims 10000000000000000000000000000001 Expansion Pack 666 Bathroom Fun.

 

[crimsondynamics]

If there is a console monopoly and console gaming goes down the crapper I'll just stick to PC gaming.

No big worries - there's enough titles out there today to last me a lifetime anyhow.

Monopolies in the gaming industry won't happen though - or if they do, they will not be everlasting. There will always be room for another company to compete; a company will rise to take on the monopoly. Look at Microsoft: Macs barely made a dent in Microsoft's market share and out of nowhere come Linux which at first was cast aside as an also-ran, but look at the great strides they have accomplished over the years. Ten years ago, few of us would have predicted the growth of Linux.

Another example is the browser wars: Netscape and Internet Explorer had roughly the same share of the market until Microsoft started bundling the browser into the operating system and eventually crushed Netscape. Fast-forward and now you have Firefox slowly but surely chipping away at IE's market share.

A final example is the CPU industry. Intel has long held a commanding share of the market, but AMD, a much smaller corporation was able, with the Athlon series of CPUs, to beat Intel CPUs in speed, price and overclocking, making it the darling of computer enthusiasts everywhere.

It's been said before that the console industry has room for 2.5 players; for every three companies playing the console game, one will eventually withdraw.

If you look back, you had Nintendo and SEGA vying for the top spot when, out of nowhere, Sony appears with the PlayStation. We suddenly have 3 players in a 2.5 player market. Sony's PlayStation franchise's popularity utterly crushes the two known console stalwarts.

After a series of poor decisions and business blunders SEGA exited the console manufacturing business. We're left with two players again. But voilà! Microsoft joins the fray and we're back to 3 players. The cycle goes on.

As long as you have a free market, someone will rise to the challenge. The challenger may not have the financial resources but certainly have the inventiveness and drive to go up against the big guns. As seen by the examples above, David can challenge and defeat Goliath.

 

[Nazulu]

Nintendo already has shit loads of money they don't know what to do with and just look how crap the Wii is! I would say Xbox 360 is the best but then again that can die anytime.

EA is just evil, anyone who actually likes there games would accept anything, I am aware they have been trying harder lately but still.

As long as there is competition between consoles then hopefully some great games will clear up our bleak future.