Capcom: Fhe future is the past.... or cartridges

[Scoobes]

disolitude said:

Scoobes said:

disolitude said:

Anyone wishing for Sony, MS or Nintendo to go with optical media rather than flash based storage either:

1. Likes longer loading times

2. Likes pricier consoles

I don't think flash cartriges will be viable due to cost, unless next gen starts in 2014 or something... but damn, I want flash based games over disc based any day.

With the cost of game development going up will flash memory ever get to the point where it becomes economically viable again? I see more publishers push for Digital Download and streaming over any physical media whatsoever. For them it improves profit margins by getting rid of retailers, they can finally get rid of second-hand sales and control the market pricing better.

Btw, No, I don't think this is that good for consumers as a whole, but that's where I see it heading. Not flash.

Digital downloads has to be an option for sure but I dont see it being the only option for another 10 years.

I think a combo of manditory hard drive in consoles with dedicated space for running games combined with falling prices of flash memory and the fact that the game budgets and sizes have somewhat stabilized...should be enough to make flash memory work in 2-3 years.

 

On similar topic, Onlive released the 99 dollar, standalone console for preorder today... http://www.onlive.com/game-system

This is a really good option for people with a decent internet connection and no bandwith limits. I can't wait to give it a go...

I see next gen as the transition point for moving over to Digital Distribution and/or streaming services. I really see publishers trying to get consumers to purchase DD over physical. Of course, it still all depends on how the market reacts.

The main argument against this I think is expansion into newer and burgeoning markets where network infrastructure may not be able to handle DD/streaming. I'm not sure what internet speeds are like in India and other developing countries, but it may mean physical media remains for a lot longer then I'm predicting here.

And I envy your internet speed.