I use to be one them. This will be the first gen i won't buy all three. Not because i can't afford it, but because i really don't have the time to play every thing on each system and i really don't want to pay for to play online for two systems when ONE will be played a lot less often.

Well, in the end it comes down to how much you are willing to spend. I always go with the PC + Nintendo each generation, but end up with a Sony console as well.

PC is my main gaming platform, I probably play on that 9 out of 10 times. Nintendo comes second as I am addicted to Zelda(re-play them over and over), and my Sony consoles fills up with some nice exclusives. But I could probably do just as well with just a PC and Nintendo.

For Wii U this gen I will most likely only buy the Zelda's, which might be 3 games if I'm lucky(including WWHD), and perhaps some other game that seems interesting. A few nice Mario games perhaps.

For the PS4 I will pick up Uncharted 4. I guess it's the main reason. Really love that series, could be my second favourite after Zelda, but I'm not sure. And they will probably squeeze out a few other nice games as well.

When it comes to PC here is where I mainly play my games. I hate FPS on consoles, so I get all of them for PC. I also like RTS/strategy games and point-and-click-adventure games, which I also hate on consoles. Well, hate is a strong word, but yes I do dislike playing most other games than adventure, third-person perspective in general and sportsgames on consoles.

There are a few consoles exclusive FPS that looks really nice, like the Killzone-series, and yes I did buy two of them actually. But all through the game I just thought for myself "oh how I wished this was on PC". Great games, but I felt crippled by the choice of controller. Nothing beats a mouse and keyboard for the majority of the games(that I play).

I have more than enough money to buy them all. I just think it's a waste. 

To each their own. I won't tell another man how to spend their money nor worry about what they spend their money on. If you got the cash and want all the systems then go ahead, if you don't want them thats fine too. Pointless conversation imo.

If you can afford it then go for it.

I could afford it if I really wanted, but don't. I've never desired a Nintendo system. Last gen I had PS3 and 360 for a while but eventually sold my PS3.

This gen I have PS4. Might buy an X1 after the eventual slim model comes out, don't know yet. Or I may just sell my PS4 and quit gaming till more games are out that I care about. Right now my PS4 is collecting dust.

I save up for several months. I don't make a lot but save and plan. Right now saving for a PS4. Have a Wii U I got in 2013. XBO way later when it comes down in price

I could own all the systems if I wanted to but I just don't see the point. I owned all the consoles last gen but not all at the same time. Every gen before that I owned every single console from the big hardware providers.

I won't get xbone because I ain't paying for live and ps+, also too much overlap with ps4 and I'm not a big fan of its exclusives.
the Wii-u is in the same boat as the Wii. I will not get it until it has a Zelda game. I wont pay full price for a console to play a few ninty games. It's going to be a cheap end of gen purchase like my Wii was. Got it for 40.

But its only a waste if you don't see any value in them. Many hardcore gamers enjoy having access to exclusives on multiple platforms.

Personally I feel paying for cable is a waste because I don't really watch TV but many value that service.

I could eventually scrap the money to get all three consoles but I will never devote more time to the WiiU/XOne then the PS4.

In the grand scheme of things, consoles aren't hugely expensive.

Phones cost more, computers cost more, holidays cost more, houses cost more....

So for those who are reasonably well off in life, having more than 1 console isn't that much of a challenge. It's more a question of re prioritisation. At university, I didn't really go out and "enjoy myself" (buy and drink lots of alcohol) because I'd rather be cheap and save up for a computer. Obviously this doesn't work for everyone and I do appreciate that it's not always that simple/easy and I am quite fortunate

Personally, I see little point in buying more than 1. I had a 360 and PS3 last gen, but I didn't use my 360 enough to justify repeating the trick. I had great experiences with Mass Effect, Gears of War and Lost Odyssey, but it's unlikely I'm going to buy an Xbox One

PS4 and PC will keep me happy for some time