The eighth generation of video games consoles is upon us — yes, despite the fact that EA desperately wants everyone to believe that it's the fourth generation it is, in fact, the eighth. Don't believe me? Allow me to prove it before proceeding further.
- First generation: Magnavox Odyssey, Atari Tele-Games Pong, Coleco Telstar, Nintendo Color TV Game
- Second generation: Magnavox Odyssey2, Intellivision, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision
- Third generation: NES, Master System, Atari 7800
- Fourth generation: TurboGrafx-16, Mega Drive, Super NES, Neo Geo
- Fifth generation: 3DO, Jaguar, Sega Saturn, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64
- Sixth Generation: Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Gamecube, Xbox
- Seventh Generation: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
- Eighth Generation: PlayStation 4, Wii U, something from Microsoft.
See? Proof. Thank you, Wikipedia.
Anyway. My point was not that people are getting the generation number wrong (I KNOW it's the "fourth generation of 3D consoles" but it's still stupid, so sod off) but that we are well and truly into the eighth generation now. One of the "big three" game console manufacturers has already released their new console (Nintendo with the Wii U) while a second has announced some skimpy details about what is to come (Sony with the PlayStation 4). We can doubtless expect something from Microsoft very soon.
It's going to be an interesting generation, I think, because the leaps hardware is taking forward with each subsequent generation are getting smaller. Graphics and performance still have room for improvement, sure, but there's actually been something of a backlash towards the striving for photorealism that has been the driving force behind most new game-related technological enhancements. Turns out people still like games that look like video games, which explains the popularity of heavily-pixelated titles like Fez as well as the heavily-stylized artwork of a lot of Japanese games. It also explains why people are so cynical about the "brownness" of Western games, though this is actually nothing new — I vividly recall my brother referring to the original Quake as "the brown game" before the turn of the century, so a drab colour palette is something we've been enduring for a while yet.
Because the leaps in hardware are getting smaller, though, that means each platform has to distinguish itself in different ways. Nintendo has fired the opening salvo with the use of its Gamepad for asymmetrical multiplayer in titles like Nintendo Land, and it works very well when used appropriately — we just need some more games that make creative use of this second screen. The lack of games isn't really cause for concern as yet, despite what professional industry doomsayers like Michael Pachter might say, because it also took developers a while to get their head around the two screens of Nintendo's last handheld the DS, and that ended up being the most popular handheld in the history of ever. There's no guarantee the Wii U will catch on in the same way, of course, but it's far too early to declare it a failed experiment as some have.
Besides, Nintendo are doing some other interesting things, too. The integration of the console's proprietary social network "MiiVerse" into a variety of different games is a really nice idea — complete a challenge in Nintendo Land, for example, and you can see drawings and messages from other people who are playing, and you can interact with these people. In games that are built for playing socially — think of the possibilities in something like Animal Crossing, for example — there's a lot of potential here, though from a personal perspective I really hope that it's not something that makes it into all games. Or if it does, I hope you can turn it off. Seeing silly messages after a go on Donkey Kong's Wild Ride or whatever the minigame in Nintendo Land is called? Fine. Seeing "lol i cant beet dis bossss lol xx" message while I'm playing an epic RPG? Not OK.
This "social" thing seems to be a big deal with the PlayStation 4 too, though I'm yet to review the information about the new console in any great detail. Apparently the controller has a "share" button right there, allowing players to do things like record brag clips and share them with their friends. Perhaps fun for someone 15 years my junior, but I personally don't really see the point for the most part — we'll see if it's used for anything interesting in the long run.
I'm a bit torn about the increased emphasis on "social" aspects of games consoles. On the one hand, it's quite fun to be able to see what other people are playing and talk to them about it. On the other hand, the vast majority of games that I enjoy are single-player experiences that I don't want interruptions from. I can't help feeling that my experience with, for example, the Halo series was tarnished somewhat by continually being frustrated by popup messages from friends inviting me to play multiplayer when all I wanted to do was see if the dreadful story was going anywhere. I could have just gone offline, of course, but it felt a bit "rude" to do that. Irrational and silly, I know. But it's the way I felt.
As for "sharing"? We're yet to find a really good balance of that. Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 allow you to share Achievements/Trophies to Facebook to brag about cool things you've accomplished, but neither are implemented particularly well. Part of the problem is the tendency for modern (younger) Internet denizens to "overshare" and make absolutely everything they do public, which diminishes the meaning of these "brags". This is a trend which is perpetuated by a large number of mobile and social games, many of which post crap all over social networks without you really wanting them to or, in worse cases, bribing you to do so. It's a means of marketing the game, yes, but more often than not — among my circle of friends anyway — it's a turn-off rather than something that makes people want to check out the game in question.
I don't have much interest in the promise of streaming games to PS4 via Gaikai because 1) my experiences to date with game streaming via OnLive haven't always been optimal, 2) I like to own my games and 3) I'd rather the quality of experience I get from my games not be reliant on my Internet connection, thank you very much. I hope Sony includes some form of backwards compatibility in the PS4 through a means other than Gaikai, but I won't be surprised if they don't. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have all made it clear that backwards compatibility is not a particular priority for them, and this is a trend I expect to see continue in the next generation. Consequently, I don't see myself getting rid of my 360 and my PS3 (or my PS2, for that matter) when the PS4 hits.
In short, I'm yet to be totally won over by the PS4, but yet to be dissuaded entirely either. A number of developers that I like have reportedly pledged their support to the new console, so that's something, but I'll have to wait and see if there's anything I want to play before I'm convinced to pick one up. Triple-A just doesn't cut it for me any more; I need something that appeals to my specific and peculiar tastes, and if it ain't there, it ain't getting my support.
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I agree with your comments here – and in particular with those 3 parameters re streaming games. And they apply to overall games as well. I dislike 'brown' graphics – they are sooo unnecessary in these days of glorious colour, I 'loathe entirely' the use of hazing/blurring/ atmospheric tricks that reduce visibility in games as it discriminates against people with less than perfect sight, and creates eye-strain and unnecessary fatigue in those who have 20/20 vision. And as for 'punishment for overclicking' – what are we? Purchasing customers or naughty school kids?
Re no 3 parameter – do you have your internet connection all sorted out now? I'm presuming so, owing to the incredible volume of work you put out each day. You told us a while ago that you were borrowing from others while you waited . . .
Re Squadron of Shame – I have quite a few games that fit into that category – games I own but have yet to play. Some are recent, as my purchases build up while I am trialing more games. There are old games that are too old to work on even an XP, so I think they might be for the bin, if I can let go of them. Then there are games like the MYST series. I have played the first game, part of the second, my son dove into the final game, and I have yet to play any of the others. I want to, but WHEN???!!! How the hell do you fit all the gaming in? Is there any time between all the writing you are doing? And for that matter, how do you fit in the huge VARIETY of gaming that you do? They all take great slabs of time to play, especially when you get engrossed in the game.
PS: If I got on with MYST would you be interested in a Blog on the Series in your GrE site? Or have you already been there, done that in your own site before I 'met' you?
Yep, Internets are all sorted for us now, which is nice. No longer must I suffer being disconnected every 30 minutes because I'd "used it too much". Bah!
Re: gaming time, it's my main hobby so it usually happens in the evening once I've done everything I have to. I try not to have too many games on the go at once because it becomes difficult to keep up with them! At present, I'm playing Ar Tonelico, a role playing game on PlayStation 2, and Kira Kira, a visual novel on PC. I'll play a bit of the former in the evening and if I climb into bed early enough I'll "read" a bit of the latter in bed. Sure, a laptop's not quite as comfortable as a book or e-reader, but reading a visual novel pokes most of the same places in your brain as a good book, making it quite nice to do before sleep.
Actually, a retrospect series on Myst might be quite nice. We could always then spin it out further into a series on classic adventure games if you wanted to continue further… though from what I understand the Myst series should keep you busy for a good long while!
A friend of mine at EA has got me calling it "4th Gen" as well – I need to fix this ASAP! Haha
The developers consistent praise and dedication that I'm hearing to the PS4's architecture has me sold on the console – I have no doubt that it will have great games. Microsoft's focus continues to be on things other than gaming and if the leaks/rumours are to be believed, this trend is going to continue forward into its next console as well. The long and short of it is – I play games and there are a few series that I enjoy on the 360, but I'm not dropping the cash on the next console at launch unless Microsoft delivers some actual games that I want to play. But, I'm not placing my judgement in one way or the other until I see something for my own eyes, of course.
As for the PS4 – I'm not a fan of "social" gaming – but the Gaikai integration into the PS4 as a base concept for the platform has me extremely intrigued. Driveclub not only looked amazing, but having the ability to create clubs and compete with others around the world without being completely restrained within set parameters has me extremely excited. I'm a big fan of racing games and this one game alone looked to be enough to secure a purchase for me. The technology will most likely be integrated into the majority of the PS4's titles too, which there's no telling how it could change the way we play games. Drop in/out co-op on Gran Theft Auto VI would be incredible, but I also expect to see a lot more asynchronous multiplayer too: racing against your Friends List , instead of boring AI opponents.
I'm excited for the PS4 and I like the direction that Sony is going with it. Before the conference, I was dreading the reveal. If Sony would have went with a small upgrade on hardware alone, I think the PS4 would have been a tough sell. Now, I think the acquisition of Gaikai just might have been the best thing that Sony has ever done. Literally everything "unique" about the PS4 – excluding controls and hardware – had Gaikai integrated into it.