PS4 and Xbox One pre-order sales declining

[cmdrdredd]

If the people in your social circle are playing a lot of console or PC games then they probably aren't upper class. People who are upper class are typically hard working types or don't waste tons of time and money on video games.

Having said that, most busy upper class types are more likely to have a Macbook Pro and a game console. They don't want to hassle with the pain in the ass things that go along with a gaming PC. They want to flop on their couch and play a game of Madden or COD when they have time. Not dork around with some gaming machine then find out they need a new video card and blah blah blah.

Or people who have lots of time for fun stuff like theater rooms with Xbox systems in them. I know a couple people with dedicated theater rooms of about 200square feet just for movies and games.

 

[dmw16]

Or people who have lots of time for fun stuff like theater rooms with Xbox systems in them. I know a couple people with dedicated theater rooms of about 200square feet just for movies and games.

But again, not PC games

 

[ImpulsE69]

But again, not PC games

Actually..not true at all.

 

[cmdrdredd]

But again, not PC games

Oh? So the SLI gaming PC I built to go in one of those rooms don't count?

One of my good friends since HS has two things. Money and Time. So he games when he has nothing to do(which is a few days a week).

 

[blackened23]

But again, not PC games

Think out of the box. PCs are highly versatile machines and there is absolutely no reason you can't make an absurd living room PC gaming spectacle with a bigscreen HDTV - a lot of folks do this with their PCs. And it arguably provides a better experience than current generation consoles for single player games, although I prefer consoles for fighting games and some other genres (such as sports).

And your comment with regard to upper class is pretty absurd. Everyone has to unwind, even if they have less time to do it - everyone has their own poison in this respect. Some like sports, some like going out to socialize, some others like to game, and some like going to the theater. But to state that all upper class folks don't game, that isn't true at all. I have found that for the age 35 and under crowd (some of whom grew up with a Nintendo), gaming is fairly ubiquitous. Some older folks tend to scoff at it, but gaming has completely taken over for the middle age and under crowd. That's not to say that everyone games, but it is very common - even for high income individuals.

 

[dmw16]

I don't think the people here and the people they know represent the average of any socio-economic segment.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I don't think the people here and the people they know represent the average of any socio-economic segment.

So now the argument changes to suit your side. How convenient.

 

[blackened23]

I don't think the people here and the people they know represent the average of any socio-economic segment.

Your arguments are getting more ridiculous with each post. And with that I bid you adieu.

 

[VashHT]

If the people in your social circle are playing a lot of console or PC games then they probably aren't upper class. People who are upper class are typically hard working types or don't waste tons of time and money on video games.

Having said that, most busy upper class types are more likely to have a Macbook Pro and a game console. They don't want to hassle with the pain in the ass things that go along with a gaming PC. They want to flop on their couch and play a game of Madden or COD when they have time. Not dork around with some gaming machine then find out they need a new video card and blah blah blah.

You're just projecting your personal bias onto what you think "upper" class people are. In my experience most upper class people (if you define it by wealth) don't even play video games. They're all family people who spend most of their time doing other hobbies. Also your description doesn't sound anything like a hard working person, they sound like some lazy bum who can't be bothered to think after work.

 

[BoberFett]

What could change it though is universal bluetooth controller compatibility and good controller support. Silly products like the Ouya/Shield are paving some of that ground, but I think it will take an Apple/Sony/MS to really get that done right. Dropping your phone next to your TV, having it wirelessly link 4K to the display and sound system, and linking automatically to your BT controllers = instant console replacement, as long as the video/sound quality are up to par.

It's going to take a little while, but I think that's where we're heading for general computing. You have a device, likely your phone, that you take with you everywhere that's the processor and local data. (Local data will probably keep getting smaller as everything forces us to the cloud...) You can then link your phone wirelessly to any input and output devices. TVs, controllers, cameras, eyeglasses, etc.

 

[cmdrdredd]

One's class status doesn't define their likes, work ethic(you can come from money and never work a day), interests, hobbies, or buying habits.

 

[Dumac]

We'll see how 8th gen does.

As far as mobile gaming, that isn't really a replacement for console gaming. Hell, it is hardly a replacement for handheld gaming. While mobile is growing immensely, the sleek form does not lend itself well to gaming.

Yes, the mobile market is growing. But no, that doesn't mean it is taking a bite out of the console market.

 

[Midwayman]

Think out of the box. PCs are highly versatile machines and there is absolutely no reason you can't make an absurd living room PC gaming spectacle with a bigscreen HDTV - a lot of folks do this with their PCs. And it arguably provides a better experience than current generation consoles for single player games, although I prefer consoles for fighting games and some other genres (such as sports).

With all the console ports you can just get one of the xbox wireless receivers and hook it up to your PC. I've done it and use it for games that feel better on a game pad.

I'm not sure how class enters into the whole thing though. I've seen rich folks both with consoles and PCs. You can go buy a ready made gaming PC after all. I think it has a lot more to do with what you grew up with and what your friends are playing on. Though I suspect the technically savvy are more likely to have a gaming PC if they game. Probably in addition to all the consoles if they make any real money.

 

[Dumac]

Dropping your phone next to your TV, having it wirelessly link 4K to the display and sound system, and linking automatically to your BT controllers = instant console replacement, as long as the video/sound quality are up to par.

Sorry, but that isn't going to happen. Phone will never be powerful enough to compete graphically with desktops or consoles. You have to make sacrifices to stay within the size and power restrictions of a phone.

Not to mention, you don't want to be pushing your phone to its limits for a long amount of time, unless you want the battery to die, it to burn a hole through your entertainment center, or to see a variety of other stability issues. Phones are designed for intermittent use.

 

[cmdrdredd]

With all the console ports you can just get one of the xbox wireless receivers and hook it up to your PC. I've done it and use it for games that feel better on a game pad.

I'm not sure how class enters into the whole thing though. I've seen rich folks both with consoles and PCs. You can go buy a ready made gaming PC after all. I think it has a lot more to do with what you grew up with and what your friends are playing on. Though I suspect the technically savvy are more likely to have a gaming PC if they game. Probably in addition to all the consoles if they make any real money.

Yes but many games that are competitive focused like Street Fighter have almost zero competition on PC even when the game is a bit smoother game play wise.

Sorry, but that isn't going to happen. Phone will never be powerful enough to compete graphically with desktops or consoles. You have to make sacrifices to stay within the size and power restrictions of a phone.

Not to mention, you don't want to be pushing your phone to its limits for a long amount of time, unless you want the battery to die, it to burn a hole through your entertainment center, or to see a variety of other stability issues. Phones are designed for intermittent use.

Also, whenever mobile stuff gets more powerful so do PCs. Other technology segments move forward just the same. It's trying to hit a moving target, when you get close it moves further down range.

 

[Dumac]

Sure. But at some point its 'good enough' for a large portion of the audience. Also CPU and GPU makers are increasingly focusing on power per watt and mobile applications vs home based computing. I have to wonder if at some point that your desktop and phone might be running the same chips, but power gated and down clocked when away from an outlet. Maybe it the sort of thing where you drop it into a dock and it unlocks a bunch of cpu cores and doubles in speed? It just seems we are on the way to some sort of convergence with mobile and desktop hardware.

Have you seen desktop GPUs? The GPU itself is the size of a few phones.

The "good enough" point will never be static. It will keep rising as technology advances and new graphical techniques are found. To think that one day we'll just throw up our hands and say "oh this all we can do" is asinine.

 

[smackababy]

One's class status doesn't define their likes, work ethic(you can come from money and never work a day), interests, hobbies, or buying habits.

That is not entirely true. I wager quite a few less lower income families enjoy sailing and horse back riding than upper class families. There is a disparity in some aspects, due mostly to the cost of entry. Gaming is not one of those. Consoles (for the hours of entertainment they provide), extremely cost efficient. I don't even know where the class lines are drawn, but I'd wager I am above (as a single, tax filing purposes, male) the middle class. Does that mean I do not like to game? Of course not. Do I have more options available to me though? You know it.

 

[blackened23]

Sorry, but that isn't going to happen. Phone will never be powerful enough to compete graphically with desktops or consoles. You have to make sacrifices to stay within the size and power restrictions of a phone.

Not to mention, you don't want to be pushing your phone to its limits for a long amount of time, unless you want the battery to die, it to burn a hole through your entertainment center, or to see a variety of other stability issues. Phones are designed for intermittent use.

Here's the way I think of it. Mobile gaming complements other forms of gaming, but I can't ever see mobile gaming take over. First, because the quality of the games - let's face it, these are simplistic games that in no way match any sort of AAA title. Second, mobile just will not have the power to provide a compelling living room experience any time in the next 5 years. Yes, mobile power is increasing - but even if mobile GPUs tripled in processing power overnight, they would still be less powerful than 10 year old gaming consoles.

So..yeah...they complement other forms of gaming. I think gaming patterns on mobile products are just different, I think of folks who are just bored, or sitting in a classroom, or on a lunch break with nothing better to do at the time and they can perhaps fire up a simple and easy to understand game. But these aren't the types of games that people expect on a bigscreen living room experience, not by a mile. And I don't see that changing in the next 5-10 years. Even with exponential increases, I just can't see mobile graphics catching up to the best dedicated set top devices.

Yes, the mobile segment is growing, but that still doesn't mean it will replace a dedicated living room experience. These are typically 3$ games and the gameplay/graphical quality of these games are commensurate with the price.

 

[smackababy]

Have you seen desktop GPUs? The GPU itself is the size of a few phones.

The "good enough" point will never be static. It will keep rising as technology advances and new graphical techniques are found. To think that one day we'll just throw up our hands and say "oh this all we can do" is asinine.

I think it will come to a "oh this is all we want to do; good enough" point. The uncanny valley suggests at some point graphics will be lifelike enough, but off enough, we don't like them.

That is when advancements in remaining at that peak level while decreasing cost of performance (resource wise, and price wise probably), will let phones and tablets catch up a lot.

 

[ImpulsE69]

You're all wrong. Anything short of hunting humans for sport is childish.

 

[Dumac]

I think it will come to a "oh this is all we want to do; good enough" point. The uncanny valley suggests at some point graphics will be lifelike enough, but off enough, we don't like them.

That is when advancements in remaining at that peak level while decreasing cost of performance (resource wise, and price wise probably), will let phones and tablets catch up a lot.

If that ever does happen, it won't be anytime soon. Probably not even in our lifetime. Plus, don't you think we would want to push past that point and try to reach an actual virtual reality?

All that aside, there is more to graphics than just how the game looks. You have to consider lighting engines, particles, realistic physics simulations (imagine realistic car crashes), rendering distance, number of models/textures being loaded, threads being run, etc. There is all this number-heavy stuff that we can't do, and on top of that the scale can always increase.

 

[sandorski]

I'm a member of the PC Master Race, but even I find the premise that falling Pre-Order sales means the failure of the Consoles as patently ridiculous.

All it likely means is that of all those who would have Pre-Ordered, most of them did so as soon as the opportunity arose.

 

[mmntech]

All it likely means is that of all those who would have Pre-Ordered, most of them did so as soon as the opportunity arose.

This. Smartphones aren't killing console gaming. Sales are declining because pre-orders have sold out. Most placed sold out in the first week. So of course if supply drops, so will sales. Sony and Microsoft are doing just fine. PS4 was one of the best console launches I've seen in some time. The Xbone had some major stumbles but appears to be catching up now that the DRM has been cleared out. These two platforms are still healthy.

If any console maker is in trouble, it's Nintendo. Third parties are having difficulty turning a profit on Wii U games. Which is why the system has almost no third party exclusives. Their sudden crackdown on Let's Play and game streaming is curious as well. There's also been mutterings of layoffs as profits fall. Though the company seems to want to avoid cutting staff. Far cry from six years ago when the Wii was king.

 

[cmdrdredd]

That is not entirely true. I wager quite a few less lower income families enjoy sailing and horse back riding than upper class families. There is a disparity in some aspects, due mostly to the cost of entry. Gaming is not one of those. Consoles (for the hours of entertainment they provide), extremely cost efficient. I don't even know where the class lines are drawn, but I'd wager I am above (as a single, tax filing purposes, male) the middle class. Does that mean I do not like to game? Of course not. Do I have more options available to me though? You know it.

That doesn't mean because you have money you HAVE to play golf, have boats, own horses etc. See the difference?

 

[Doppel]

That's what my problem with ipad/tablet/phone gaming is. I don't care if it's the greatest game in history, if it's touch, I won't play it. It's waaaaaay too wonky for serious games. Imagine trying to play CoD, or Madden, or Forza on touch. Horrible.

What could change it though is universal bluetooth controller compatibility and good controller support. Silly products like the Ouya/Shield are paving some of that ground, but I think it will take an Apple/Sony/MS to really get that done right. Dropping your phone next to your TV, having it wirelessly link 4K to the display and sound system, and linking automatically to your BT controllers = instant console replacement, as long as the video/sound quality are up to par.

I looked at the shield, and it looks like utter garbage. PS3/360 put it to shame, even though their purposed specs are supposed to be better on the shield. What a failure. Ouya is too odd/useless to matter. But Apple comes out with a good playing/looking setup that turns iPad 5 into a console with real controllers? Boom, instant entry into the console wars.

Omg this, all of it.

I more or less stopped playing games on the iPad because touch is so fukin terrible for most games, not to mention most of the games are a rip off even for a dollar, they are really that bad.

Where did op troll go?