Unified video games console standards

[Pogilrup]

I've read comments about how the PS4 and the Xbox One are almost identical in terms of hardware.

This has me wondering about the possibility of a unifying videogame console standard.

Much like how all VHS VCRs play VHS or DVRs play DVDs regardless of the manufacturer, I wonder about what it would be like for all game consoles to accept the same disc format and that the games packaged on these discs would be able to play on any machine, be it a Xbox-line, Playstation-line, or Nintendo-line.

If this were to happen this would deal a serious blow to the concept of console exclusives. On the other hand this could perhaps lower production costs due to the unifying standards (not so sure on this one correct me if I am wrong).

Of course, the reason nearly all VCR players in the 90s were VHS was because VHS won the "videotape format war"; same thing applied to Blu-ray and HD-DVD. So perhaps the day we see some unified standard is the day the console wars finally end.

 

[Fonejackerjon]

I've read comments about how the PS4 and the Xbox One are almost identical in terms of hardware.

This has me wondering about the possibility of a unifying videogame console standard.

Much like how all VHS VCRs play VHS or DVRs play DVDs regardless of the manufacturer, I wonder about what it would be like for all game consoles to accept the same disc format and that the games packaged on these discs would be able to play on any machine, be it a Xbox-line, Playstation-line, or Nintendo-line.

If this were to happen this would deal a serious blow to the concept of console exclusives. On the other hand this could perhaps lower production costs due to the unifying standards (not so sure on this one correct me if I am wrong).

Of course, the reason nearly all VCR players in the 90s were VHS was because VHS won the "videotape format war"; same thing applied to Blu-ray and HD-DVD. So perhaps the day we see some unified standard is the day the console wars finally end.

Such a good idea a unified system no more pc gaming, no more console gaming, just gaming. This wouldn't kill competition either as different companies could sell different systems but they all play the same games. Like blu ray players and dvd.

It will happen but not for about 10 years. Everything will be unified you TV, films, internet cable nf gaming its where we are heading.

 

[TelHybrid]

It will definitely not happen. Here's a few reasons:

1. PC gaming. While the architecture is standardised (the same architecture as the PS4 and Xbone), PC builds will always be modular, and no, the Steambox will not change this. The idea that there will only be one PC is on the same level of absurdity as there being only one car. PC gaming is here to stay. Don't believe me? Watch MLG and try to find a console version of LoL or DotA.

2. Companies want to compete with their own hardware. DVD players are packed with features like in-built freeview, or recording (disc or HDD). Each system has different firmware and remote controls, some have only scart-out, while some have HDMI for 1080p upscaling. Some of them are 5.1 surround sound amps too.

3.Now imagine this, one unified console standard, that means that while there would be different companies making this machine, the parts inside would still be the exact same, which would still make it a monopoly and these companies would merely be outsourcing. The company with the initial specification and design, and the companies making the parts (AMD or Intel and Nvidia) would be a monopoly.

4. It takes very little time for format wars to end (VHS vs beta, HD-DVD vs blu-ray, etc), whereas we have seen that console wars have consistently been competitive. Sure we have seen companies exit the console market like SEGA, but other companies will still have that "me too" mentality and try their luck.

5. Video games are the epitome of tech demos. They demonstrate the potential uses of hardware and the capabilities. Why do you think there's such a focus on tech specs these days at e3 and in video game media with consoles?? Standardisation will inhibit the progress of technological advancement.

6. "But what about mobile phones?" Fine... carry on playing Flappy Bird if you want.

7. Look how well the Panasonic Q did.

 

[Lilani]

I've read comments about how the PS4 and the Xbox One are almost identical in terms of hardware.

This has me wondering about the possibility of a unifying videogame console standard.

Much like how all VHS VCRs play VHS or DVRs play DVDs regardless of the manufacturer, I wonder about what it would be like for all game consoles to accept the same disc format and that the games packaged on these discs would be able to play on any machine, be it a Xbox-line, Playstation-line, or Nintendo-line.

If this were to happen this would deal a serious blow to the concept of console exclusives. On the other hand this could perhaps lower production costs due to the unifying standards (not so sure on this one correct me if I am wrong).

Of course, the reason nearly all VCR players in the 90s were VHS was because VHS won the "videotape format war"; same thing applied to Blu-ray and HD-DVD. So perhaps the day we see some unified standard is the day the console wars finally end.

Consoles aren't like VHS or DVD players, though. Companies that make VHS tapes, DVDs, Blu Rays, and whatever else are not the same companies that make VHS, DVD, or Blu Ray Players. Sony makes DVD players, but other companies make DVDs, and Sony has little to do with that.

But, only Microsoft can give the rights to develop games to be made for the Xbox. Only Sony can give the rights to develop games for the Playstation. This is because Sony and Microsoft own the software that runs playstations and Xboxes. The Playstation and Xbox are essentially two different operating systems, like Mac and Windows. They run according to different rules, follow different languages and protocols. This sort of thing dates back to the days of the Super Famicom and Commodore 64. Games have always been about different code languages being capable of doing different things. They sell consoles according to what they can do and what games they can play.

But video companies aren't really benefitted by this sort of thing. It takes quite a bit of effort and coding to make a game for two different consoles. But with video, a DVD is a DVD, and a Blu Ray is a Blu Ray. There isn't a need for so much diversity, and the way the market is structured it would just hurt video companies to fracture themselves the way video games are fractured.

 

[Flammablezeus]

This is why I game on PC. It doesn't matter if my PC is worse or better than what the developers intend for, or who manufactured the hardware. I can install the game anyway. I then have the options to tailor the game to run as well as it can on my PC.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

In a way, certainly from a developer's point of view, Sony and Microsoft *are* a unified standard. Whilst Nintendo have an entirely different platform, the PS4 and XBone are, for all intents and purposes, identical, as are PSN and XBL.

Yes, there are differences here and there in the hardware and there are variations on what is and is not on PSN/XBL, but they are functionally identical. They are X86 with comparable RAM, VRAM and CPU. Both have hard drives and BD drives. Thus as a developer they need only create a game once and export it twice. DLC is submitted and handled exactly the same by both platforms, as are achievements/trophies and multiplayer matchmaking.

Obviously, again there will be minor things here and there like the names of controller buttons, some backend stuff to optimise one console or another, but for all intents and purposes they are identical. Even from a customer point of view they are identical...they play the same games with comparable framerates, visuals and performance. The only difference between them is whose walled-garden the consumer chooses to buy into.

The reason for Nintendo's woes IMO is mostly because their console cannot play these same games optimised for the other two functionally identical consoles. A Wii U game would need to be made as such from the ground up whereas all the AAA publishers do now is make one game and export it 3 times with minor tweaks.

 

[Rellik San]

Actually I'm not so sure this will be a bad idea, between XBL and PSN the two obviously want to move more to service platforms, not allowing for expensive hardware development. Which may not be a bad idea, think about them working more as Netflix and Lovefilm, you buy a box, ram it under your TV and subscribe to their services, you can then stream games (some of which will be service exclusive of course) or buy physical copies, it doesn't impact on PC Gaming as a dedicated platform but more and more they want your consoles to be the number 1 service platform, media player, sound system, cable box, streaming box and all round home entertainment device.

You're dropping a couple hundred bucks on something (say if you buy an MS or Sony branded box, you get a free years sub to their service). Between Digital Distribution and home format becoming an increasingly enthusiast method for watching movies, it makes sense over all, but as others as have said, it'll be at least a decade before this happens.

 

[gorfias]

It will happen but not for about 10 years. Everything will be unified you TV, films, internet cable nf gaming its where we are heading.

Difficult to say really. Some predictions had it that everything would be built into a smart TV. But you hang on to a TV (unlike a smart phone) for 10-15 years. Developers and consumers won't stand for staying on the same level of hardware for that kind of time period.

Still, things like Onlive and Amazon are offering boxes that may do it all. It'll be interesting in 10 years.