Next-Gen Console Discussion w/OtakuDante

Okay. So here I am sitting in front of my PC as mother nature takes a proper sh*t on my day. I figure why not type up my thoughts about the Xbox One, and the PS4 while I await my untimely demise. As most of you are aware I've been very opinionated these past several months with the way gaming in general has turned out. I've bought game after game for both the PS3 & Xbox 360 in hopes of finding something worth my time and money. Unfortunately with each game purchase I've found nothing but half-assed releases, and games that are almost immediately overrun by the worst sorts of gamers (hackers, lagswitchers ...). It is this growing trend of game development half-assery, and online tomfoolery that have me worried the most about the offerings of next-gen consoles. Are the console developers, and main gaming companies going to be able to produce noteworthy products/titles? Are they going to be able to offer a secure online experience with a proper reporting/banning system, or is it going to be a repeat of what we are experiencing now? These are the things that concern me. Sure the blocking of used games is a bummer, and always online seems a little fishy, but my worries lie mainly with the social aspects of gaming consoles.

I will honestly say that I did not watch the PS4, or the Xbox 360 reveals. I have however heard enough through social media to give me an idea of what to expect. This morning I actually went back, and watched a youtube video about the 'Xbox One' console, and found it to look alright. I didn't see anything wrong with the physical offerings. As I said earlier my concerns mainly lie with online functionality, and the overall social aspects of gaming though. With that being said there is one other thing pecking at the back of my skull, and is bothering the f*ck out of me. I'm curious to know exactly what Sony, and Microsoft plan to do with their online offerings. I'm wondering if either one of the console developers will be offering a free online experience, or if they will feature mandatory monthly/yearly subscriptions. If so, then I will definitely not be getting a next-gen console unless I win it. Times are financially tough for people these days (myself included), and we aren't going to be able to keep on handing out cash to game companies for additionally tacked on fees. I for one am finding it difficult to maintain my 3 month XBL subscriptions.

My secondary concern is about whether or not a proper reporting/banning system will be implemented in the next-gen consoles. I think it is one of the most important topics/issues concerning the next-gen offerings, and I'm not sure why more people have not brought this to the forefront of the next-gen console discussions. If we were all to be honest with ourselves we would agree that both Microsoft, and Sony have been managing the online security portions of the Xbox 360 & PS3 poorly. I say this, because the trend of online misuse is currently an "In-Your-Face" reality. The number of hackers, and lagswitchers have continually grown in number with each new online game release, and will likely continue growing in number until someone does something about it. The scum of online gaming seem to know this, and are counting on Microsoft & Sony to continue turning their backs on the situation.

Gaming is definitely nothing like it used to be (1980's). Damn! I do miss those days ...  Back in the day games were actually worth the asking price, but mainly because they were complete. It wasn't until the online offerings became a main everyday feature of next-gen consoles that the overall noteworthy experiences, and offerings became lost. The game industry became less about quality, and ultimately more about money making. Sure the game developers were all about money making in the past, but the monetary focus has become so out of control nowadays that they are mainly focused on taxing the gamer for minute gaming options, and features that should have been included in the game/console in the first place. The $1 fighting game character color palettes are a prime example of this corporate greed. Speaking of corporate greed, from what I gather about the new 'Xbox One' console it is being deemed as an "entertainment system" which basically means that it offers more ways for you to spend your money. You can bet your bottom dollar that Microsoft will likely be charging extra for certain TV services, and APP offerings along with the mandatory XBL subscription fees. There's also no doubt in my mind that they will get more involved with their DLC practices as well. Don't get me wrong though. I'm in no means suggesting that the PS4 will be any better. As I said earlier I know little of the PS4 offerings aside from the controller design.

It could easily turn out that Sony decides to jump on the money making band wagon with their precious PS4, and start requiring a subscription fee as well. I'm sure the DLC potential of the upcoming console is also looming in the back of each PS4 game developer's minds. The monetized APP offerings will also likely apply with the PS4 developers as well. At the end of the day all Sony, and Microsoft is concerned about is getting your hard earned money. Whether, or not they will return the favor with quality consoles/games is yet to be seen (and highly doubtful). All you need to know is that greed is a bottomless pit, and corporate giants like Sony & Microsoft would rather earn more than invest more. Keep that in mind when you go shopping for the "Xbox One", or the "PS4" later this year.

I will end my discussion there. As always feel free let your opinions be known. As long as you are not trolling I will let your comments stay posted. I think my concerns are valid, and hope that developers out there are paying attention to what I have posted. Unless the gaming industry gets of the greed sinkhole it is currently knee deep in it is doomed to fail indefinitely. Those are my opinions, and thoughts. Take them as you see fit.

- Brad (OtakuDante) -