One of the most discussed and at the same time foggy topics of the last time is the PlayStation Neo and Xbox Project Scorpio console. There really is something to postcate here. Well, the fog topic is for the reason that we still know very little about these platforms. Microsoft on E3 reported only general information about its Project Scorpio – well, what are these 6 teraflops … And Sony will lift the ghost of secrets over its PS Neo only in September on the PlayStation Meeting.
Whatever the systems are, I'm sure they will be niche products – like virtual reality. At least in the first years. Now let's figure out why.
What you need to understand now
The first is not new systems, but intermediate. No revolutions, advanced PS4 and Xbox One are waiting for us. Games on them will be loaded faster and look more beautiful, which means that consoles will give experience and impressions of another order.
► Concepts of a processor with a capacity of 6 teraflops and video cards – so far everything we saw regarding Project Scorpio.
The second one that has been stated more than once: the same library of games will be on them. Everything is simple here. Platform holders will not want to share the user base. And the developers will not dare to make projects for a system, the audience of which is negligible, if they, of course, do not have a capitalization of Nintendo and their own console.
For Sony and Microsoft, this is primarily a business solution spied on Apple. They did not release such progressive systems as in the past generation, and now they pay for this. But at the same time they will win in many ways. Platform holders will be able to feel the soil in the new market (4K), test some technologies and solutions. The companies will draw certain conclusions for themselves and expand the audience of their systems at the expense of people who were looking for an occasion to switch to this generation, and newcomers who only heard about the release of fresh consoles.
► Помимо промежуточных систем, разгонять продажи и подогревать интерес к текущему поколению, как обычно, призваны компактные версии консолей.
But whether a similar model of system release will take root? History repeats that there is no. You see, there have already been similar cases in the game industry. They should contact them to learn a few lessons.
Additional modules for Sega Mega Drive
► Sega Mega Drive with both modules looks scary.
How it was? Everyone probably remembers Sega Mega Drive. But not everyone remembers modifications for her.
In the early nineties, Mega Drive was on a wave of success and several Christmas seasons even ahead of its direct competitor Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Everything went well, but gradually the developers began to rest against the technical restrictions of the system, and the games from this – to lose in the schedule and capabilities of projects from the opponent's platform.
SEGA decided to get out of the situation by releasing two additional modules: Sega CD added support for the popularity of CDs at that time, and the SEGA 32X turned a sixteen-round console into a thirty-twil.
How it ended? Sales SEGA 32X and SEGA CD were lower than expected. The players pushed the overstated price and lack of projects that reveal the potential of modules. Sega extracted a lesson and no longer engaged in such experiments.
Lesson: Modifications for the console are useless if only a few games benefit from them.
New 3DS
► although the differences between 3DS and New 3DS are noticeable, you need to look closely.
How it was? A few years after the release of 3DS Nintendo introduced its updated version with the NEW subtitle. In appearance, this is the same console, only with a slightly redesigned design, and it supports cartridges with the same games. There are much more changes from the technical side: they improved the joystick, slightly increased the screen, filled with more powerful processor and battery.
How it ended? Games on New 3DS look and work better. There are exclusive projects, but mainly – the ports of games already available on other platforms (like Xenoblade Chronicles X). This offend many owners of the old version of the console, but not enough to run and change your.
Lesson: Consile's revision is possible, but complicates the life of players.
PSP Go
How it was? In 2009, the PSP life cycle came to an end, less and less games were produced for it. Sony decided to rethink her console and thereby extend her life a little. The portables reduced the screen, and a slider was made from a single case, added a built-in memory and refused the drive for UMDs in favor of loading games from PS Store.
How it ended?PSP Go just dissolved in the market. Other mobile devices were replaced by the console – then the iPhone was gaining popularity, a year later they presented the iPad. The resemblance to the latter subsequently destroyed PS vita.
Lesson: Rethinking the system at the end of its life cycle is not enough to make an advanced toy again.
Memory modules for Nintendo 64
How it was? Nintendo 64 had such a replaceable part as Jumper Pak, without which she simply did not work. Many puzzled, wondering about its purpose until the additional module of the Expansion Pak RAM, which was replaced by Jamper, did not go on sale.
If Nintendo deliberately left a temporary jumper in order to earn extra money on accessories, or simply failed to immediately build the architecture of the system for a larger number of built -in memory – it is difficult to say.
How it ended? It was a completely optional thing. It was sold at a price comparable to the price of the new gamepad, and doubled the amount of RAM in the system. In games, this was manifested through increasing resolution, quality of textures and sometimes through additional opportunities in the gameplay.
Lesson: Optional modifications at an affordable price – option.
Black and white cartridges for Gameboy Color
► Pokémon Gold, Silver and their supplemented color version Crystal.
How it was? The main difference between the Game Boy Color and its ancestor, the usual Gambo https://sister-site.org/richy-leo/, is a color screen, which is unequivocally follows from the name. The filling of the consoles did not differ too much, which contributed to reverse compatibility with old black and white cartridges.
How it ended? For a long time after the release of Game Boy Color, the developers continued to release games on black and white cartridges. Only as the user base increases, they began to make projects more actively for relatives for the system of color.
Lesson: Supporting old games smoothes the transition to a new (improved) system.
Steam Machines
► Steam Machine from Alienware.
How it was not? In their idea, Steam machines were supposed to become an intermediate link between consoles and PC, systems with different characteristics, price and performance. With an ecosystem (Steam OS), sharpened for games, but capable of other tasks, with iron, which, if desired, can be replaced and modified.
What did not end? Since the end of last year, when the first Steam Machines have fallen on the shelves, even the total sales of all systems from different manufacturers have not been exceeded for a million. The hype around them has finally subsided today.
Lesson 1: Grinding the ecosystem in which there are games is not as easy as it seems.
Lesson 2: The principle of “the more expensive is iron, the better the games work”, according to which the entire history has existed PC and recently Steam Machines, will soon be applied to consoles.
So…
PlayStation Neo and Project Scorpio will complicate the life of many. To begin with – buyers who will have to rack their heads on the question “Buy a cheaper version and weaker or more expensive and more powerful?". It will not be easier for developers. If earlier I had to optimize games for two specifications (WII U Orthodox developers abandoned almost entirely), now two more will be added. Or even more if Microsoft decides to upgrades Xbox. About this they complain since spring.
For ordinary players … it is likely that nothing will change. Since there will be no exclusives, you can stay with your old women PS4 and Xbox One. After all, many of us bought a console to have a gaming system at home, which does not have to update the next five to eight years.
► The choice between two systems is not easy, and even between four ..
You have to suffer a little long downloads in games, and without more zombies in some Dead Riding 4, you can live. But we will not lose much in the schedule. The basic landmark will still remain the current systems. Almost the same as when developing for tablets, they rely on the weakest of the most popular devices.
Be that as it may, intermediate consoles will find their buyers among enthusiasts and geeks, who already have a 4K TV and enough. It is likely that you are one of them.
In the meantime, there is no reason to believe that a similar model of console release will be firmly taken root. Especially if you look around and see how it was before. In the end, if we talk about the annual iPhone update – the image factor comes into business there. But who cares, what is the game box at your house under the TV?..