Have patches/updates negatively impacted this generation?

[makingmusic476]

I think it's no question that having to patch or update a game is a negative aspect of the current generation. However, in many cases, the trade off of an improved gaming experience makes up for the hassle of patching, so overall there's a net benefit.

In terms of long term support of patches, I think it really depends on where services like PSN and XBL head in the future. For example, if all PS3/360 disc-based games eventually become available through PSN/XBL, and work on all future PlayStation and Xbox hardware, then the ability to download these games and their subsequent patches should not disappear.

I personally see both PSN and XBL becoming hardware agnostic at some point, with software not being all that dependent on hardware, like iOS, iOS apps, and iPhones.

Though I think this will be a challenge for both Microsoft and Sony. Sony has always struggled in their software design, especially when their software must straddle across multiple platforms. For example, look at the headache that is buying a PS1 game on PSN/PS Suite. Only some games work on PSP, a different set of games work on PlayStation phones, and Vita can't even play PS1 games yet! Knowing what platforms what games will work on is a hassle.

I would assume Microsoft would be better able to implement such a platform if they so chose, but they seem to simply not want to, given they do not allow people to play a purchased game on either GFWL or 360. You must buy and play games like Fable III separately on each platform, as opposed to a one time purchase that works on both, saves and all. Though from what I understand, Windows 8 will be integrating the two to a higher degree, though I'm not sure to what extent it will go.

Meanwhile, Valve has created a software delivery method that both Sony and Microsoft would do well to emulate, in my opinion. For example, buying a copy of Portal 2 on PS3 is really buying a copy of Portal 2 that works on PS3, PC, and Mac.