15th February 2022, 12:39 PM
Here's the best case scenario: They do EXACTLY what you hope they do and what they say they'll do, realize how much more profitable it is to sell games on every platform, and then ask a singular question. "Can't we save even more money only developing one version of our games?" Then, console generations will become standardized. The PS5 and the XBox Series are both x86 machines already, fundamentally. Heck, The XBox since the One literally just runs Windows 10 as it's OS (in a locked kiosk mode, but it IS otherwise the same fully functional Windows 10). Sony runs their own proprietary OS, but the day may come they give up on that in their slow failure to keep up with the features of XBox's OS (which again, is Windows 10). Sony may instead embrace Linux as their OS, and at that point all MS needs to do is further their support of Linux in Windows 10. The next gen may very well see one version of every game and you can just plug it into a Sony box or a Windows square and it'll just work. Got a PC? Stick it in your PC's game hole and it'll work there too.
That's the best case. It'll lead to massively increased profits for both companies since they're selling those consoles at a loss anyway, but both of those companies do love their control, and tradition. They may not be willing to do it.
Meanwhile Nintendo will ignore whatever they do.
That's the best case. It'll lead to massively increased profits for both companies since they're selling those consoles at a loss anyway, but both of those companies do love their control, and tradition. They may not be willing to do it.
Meanwhile Nintendo will ignore whatever they do.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)