Gamespot: Is handheld gaming doomed?

[Andrespetmonkey]

Fayceless said:

Andrespetmonkey said:

BasilZero said:

Andrespetmonkey said:

BasilZero said:
Handheld gaming will never be doomed, no matter how much people may want it to be.

You don't think phones and tablets will completely take over?

I doubt this will happen, more than likely, they'll be two different markets.

Hmm I doubt it man. In five years (or less) what will handhelds be able to do that a phone or tablet can't do? 

I'm willing to make a very long bet with you. :)

So...what can consoles do that PCs can't?

 

Not a thing.  Yet they still sell very well.  It's foolish to write off handhelds simply because there are alternatives.

"what can consoles do that PCs can't?"

Usability is better on consoles, simple plug in and play mentality. They also act as better media hubs because of their accessibility. Not to mention they're much cheaper. 

"It's foolish to write off handhelds simply because there are alternatives"

I agree. I think phones will replace handhelds in around 5 years because eventually the'll be capable of everything a new handheld would be able to do and more, and everyone that could afford a new handheld, will most likely have a smartphone by then, which the'll already be using for gaming. They'll already have a huge catalouge of games, both casual and "hardcore" and the'll be able to produce great looking graphics. Devs will want to produce games for the very capable, constantly evolving platform that most people (who can afford expensive tech like handhelds) already have. These are a few reasons.

So it's not because they are altenatives like PC and Consoles where they both have their pros and cons, it's because in a few years phones will most probably be vastly better and cost-effective altenatives.