If Hardware Becomes Irrelevant, and Digital Distribution Takes Over

[shio]

Distant Star said:
Consoles as we know will eventueally disappear, because TVs with 3D cameras (motion), Wifi (connection), USB (charging)& Bluetooth Wireless controls will be standard. PC and Console gaming will blend together. Hosting capacity, quality IPs, exclusive controllers and beyond gaming will determine a userbase for network owners.

Hosting is a money issue. Can hosting be funded by advertising? Or will developers pay a fee to outsource hosting for X amount of years per game? Independent devs and publishers will support both sorts of networks to reach a massive target group. Network owners will be competitive in price tagging their fees (third party support is still important).

IP depends on first party. Will great developers (2nd party) stick with network owners? Their game will be exclusive, also less marketing expenses. They will give away their freedom, total amount spend on project and rushing release dates. Going independent will give them freedom, risk is higher due to marketing expenses.

Exclusive controllers depend on R&D. Logitech, Madcatz, Nyko, Total Immersion need to focus on R&D. Will third party devs support their hardware? Natal, Wand and Wii-mote are patent-free by that time. However controllers will be so important that Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony will never license their hardware (controllers) to support an other network. Problem for them patents expire. Retro hardware revised (wireless) will become a hype. Imagine a wireless NES controller. Hardware will become a console, however it will always be a niche.

Beyond Gaming: Social Networks and non-gamer friend-lists important? Will Facebook rule casual gaming? Will they buy Spil Games for example? Community is a very powerful weapon these days. Video and Music are obvious. All-in-one account is preferable for most users.

Just because consoles will eventually disappear hardware is still needed. Nintendo will pioneer and exploit their IPs to prove their hardware.

Exactly. Great post. Hardware will become pointless, and Digital Services will take over. The problem with Xbox Live and PSN is that when it happens they will have to deal with powerhouses like Steam and probably Battle.net.