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Adinnieken on 08 June 2012
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superchunk said:
Adinnieken said:

The 8th Generation will be defined by expansion of the console into other forms of entertainment and communication.  Yes, I'm predicting that the 8th Generation of consoles will mark the end of the traditional gaming console.  It's already happening across all platforms, but it'll significantly change consoles in the coming generation.

This is exactly what I've been saying and agree 100%. This is also why I've been saying Apple and Google will become major players in this gen as their products naturally include core gaming. Its also why I keep pushing that Nintendo and Sony need to embrace Android as without it, they stand to lose a lot of marketshare to MS followed by Apple/Google(OEMs).

The problem for Sony is it is fractured.  On one hand it'll want to promote its SmartTVs.  On the other, it'll want to promote the PlayStation for gaming.  It can't seem to decide what the future is and for whom what future exists.  This lack of vision, if not corrected, will in the long run damage Sony's business.

Neither Microsoft nor Nintendo have this problem.  

Nintendo's only concern is being able to offer a console that can host the services they want to provide.  The requirements for that are changing from proprietary Flash-based applications or Silverlight applications to HTML5-based applications.  In that respect, I don't believe Nintendo needs to adopt Android, they just need to be able to support modern HTML5 applications.  Nintendo's major limitation right now is it is coming from behind in all aspects except gaming.  They have the most to gain.

Microsoft has a fair amount to lose, but personally I feel it has the best position, with Sony not so far in second.  Microsoft's biggest obstacle to success are content partners, one issue both Microsoft and Nintendo share. 

Apple has already said it has no plans to get into the gaming business, but we'll see.  If people start developing games for Apple TV and they take off, then who knows what Apple will support.  I think Google at the moment is happy with selling software and letting other people figure out the business model. 

Google TV has not done so well, so we'll see I guess.  I think Google is more interested in its mobile market than it is with home TV.