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Fight-the-Streets said:
  1. Expensive and long development times were already a reality during the PS3/Xbox 360 era (though less relevant for the Wii). In fact, I recall that when the next generation was approaching (i.e., PS4/Xbox One), there were discussions and concerns that development costs and times would increase even further. Many argued that this time around, programming would be easier and more cost-effective due to the shift from the PowerPC architecture (especially the complicated Cell processor of the PS3) to the x86 architecture. However, it turned out that, at least for AAA games, development costs and times for the PS4/Xbox One still increased compared to the previous generation. While handhelds differ from home consoles, the PS3/Xbox 360 set a precedent for modern consoles (of which the Switch is one) in terms of the typical length of a console generation (i.e., 7-8 years). From this perspective, it was clear to me that the Switch, if successful, would remain on the market for at least 7 years before a successor would arrive.

1. Yes they somewhat were, but they weren't at the size of what they are now. The console generations were still at the same length and again, 2023 includes it's holiday as well which is almost 7 years from the launch (6 years and 9 months), also I included 2024 as well. On the polls and in the posts from 2019, 2020, most of the people were saying 2023 (spring or holiday) some would of course choose 2024, and in the years after that the 2024 prevailed of course, there were even some of them still choosing 2023 as recent as 2021, but as of then the 2024 was the most likely option. Anyway, my point about that was pointed directly to him, and was one more example I didn't downplay, undershoot, low ball or hate on the switch since it was normal back then to anticipate 2023 or 2024 launch, because almost no one really anticipated 2025.

Fight-the-Streets said:

2. As a result, the current handheld console market is undeniably smaller than it once was.

2. That is why I made the point in the first place. It isn't mind blowing from this perspective.

About Sony and Microsoft, there were recently rumors Sony is getting ready to enter in the handheld market again, and for Microsoft even too. It will be interesting to watch if both of those end true.

Last edited by XtremeBG - on 29 September 2024

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