The End of Consoles

Before the release of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, I was considering purchasing a gaming PC. It made sense, a larger selection of games, upgradable hardware and free online competitive multiplayer. But old habits die hard so I caved and purchased a PS4. I would have been happy with this decision if the current generation of consoles adhered to the old rules of the previous generation by remaining current for close to a decade. But both Sony and Microsoft have decided that in order to remain competitive they needed to release upgrades nearly at the beginning of the current console lifecycle. Essentially anyone who purchased an early generation PS4 and Xbox One have wasted their money.

The Xbox One Scorpio and the PS4 Neo promise to bring upgraded hardware to improve the overall experience. The PS4 Neo will support 4k televisions, have better graphics, better processing power and cost more. While a new system is nice, there are multiple problems that arise from this.

Firstly, what is the point of purchasing a console in the first place? In an age where new tech has become synonymous with yearly upgrades, it is easy to understand why Sony and Microsoft have decided to design upgraded systems; They want to remain competitive on the gaming market and ensure customers are getting the most bang for their buck. However, consoles offer little if anything different from a gaming PC. Building a PC has become relatively simple, most parts can be plugged in and there are guides online that can walk you through the process. A gaming PC offers the benefits of having parts that can be consistently upgraded when new components are released, unlike PS4 and Xbox One, which do not have parts that can be easily replaced.

Secondly, PC provides a free online gaming platform. There is no need for a PS+ subscription or an Xbox live subscription with a PC. Steam has become the go to marketplace for buying and playing games online for PC users. What is the incentive for current gen consoles owners to purchase new consoles and receive the same online experience? Sure it is nice to receive a couple free games every month but not everyone likes the same games so not everyone will download them. Steam sales occur a few times a year and offer way more value than any sale that I have ever seen on the PlayStation Store. A PS+ subscription offers nothing more than a PC gamer can get for free.


In the future, Sony and Microsoft will need to create consoles that are component upgradable. It should be easy to replace the video card for the new version instead of buying a brand new system that is literally a waste of money unless you have a 4k television. The PS4 Neo and Xbox One S may be nothing more than a money grab for both companies. They realize that the age of consoles is coming to a close and they are trying their best to make as much money as they can before their eventual demise. In my opinion, both systems have signaled the death knell for video game consoles as we know it.

- Jonathan

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