I was reading VGC article. As we are witnessing for last one year the demand for "dedicated" gaming hardware aka somewhat consoles are alive and doing great. And core gamers are more than eager to play something of good value with good replayability.

Followed by PS4 and Xbox One Nvidia shield is the new addition. No matter what nvidia says, Nvidia shield is a console and has good potential. Steam machines are also kinda consoles but its in grey area. And the fact that consoles are turning more like PCs and vice versa (while later option is still more open). PS4 showed what people want. Xbox One is also doing well. Its not like PS4 level but its selling really well.

A few years back people were really in doom and gloom of these type of dedicated systems. But sales data shows its wrong. Its a really nice time to be a gamer.

One thing that has be puzzled is that PC's, Smartphones, and Tablets aren't bought specifically for games.

There will always be a market for dedicated gaming devices I think, even handhelds. It's not just about technology specs. It's about a desire to have a wall of segregation between one's gaming and the other aspects of their lives. This is a desire I think will continue to persist and one that most non-dedicated devices struggle with. Smatphones in particular fall short in this aspect, especially since many thrive via their constant connection to the outside via microtransactions/in-app purchases. Also, the smartphone market - what some consider the king of nonspecialized gaming hardware - is bogged down by the rapid devaluation of content as companies race to the bottom price. This trend puts a soft cap on the potential for mobile games when compared to console and pc games.

*snip*

Double post.

Yeah i think with those there is a lot of gray areas why people buy them, i think their popularity for gaming is much smaller than most people think

In a few years or so, they'll be out and about proclaiming the end of consoles. The video game market will be even bigger than ever thanks to consoles fast becoming the devices to have for entertainment.

Yeah, great time to be a gamer.

...Too bad most of the games suck. *throws on hypster-cynic shades*

Gen 7 will likely be the high water mark for a long time, but the industry can still be healthy as millions of people across the globe are willing to spend $300-$400 on a system and $40-$60 on a game. Gaming as a whole has exploded so even as just a part of that whole dedicated devices can be successful these days.

Sturgeon's Law comes to mind reading this.

Well there we have the problem. You should read more forum. That way you won't get such a warped view of the clearly doomed console market.