By Sagar V. Mankar Will PS5 and Xbox Series X|S Be the Final Console Generation?
Peter Moore, the former head of Microsoft’s Xbox division, has shared his thoughts on whether we’ll see dedicated gaming consoles after the current PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S generation.
In a recent interview with IGN, Moore revealed that as early as 2007 during Xbox 360, the Xbox team was contemplating the future of gaming hardware.
“The broader picture — and we certainly feared during my time even at Microsoft — we were saying then, in 2007, is this the last console generation?” he said.
The Rise of Cloud and Mobile Gaming
During the 2010s Moore and team believed in various contenders such as TVs with built-in chips and the revival of PC gaming that could replace console gaming out of the market.
In recent times Moore thinks cloud gaming and mobile devices are coming very close to doing it.
He draws parallels with the music industry, where dedicated MP3 players like iPods and Zunes have been largely replaced by streaming services like Spotify on smartphones.
“More and more you’re seeing a generation coming through that is not about to sit down for an evening in front of the television with whatever the game du jour is this week,” he said.
This changing consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations, poses a challenge for the traditional console model, which relies heavily on hardware sales and software exclusives.
The Profitability Question
Moore also touched upon the significant financial investment required for launching a new console generation.
Even if cloud gaming doesn’t completely supplant consoles, Moore questions whether the games industry can stomach the immense investment required for new hardware cycles:
“Is the industry, given all the layoffs and everything we’re going through right now, is the industry ready [to absorb billions in losses on new console launches]?”
This raises doubts about the viability of another console generation after the current PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The gaming industry may need to reevaluate its business models and explore alternative approaches to deliver gaming experiences to consumers.
The Blurring Lines Between First-Party and Third-Party
Moore also predicted a potential shift in the way games are developed and distributed, suggesting that the traditional distinction between first-party and third-party games may become obsolete.
“I think the words first-party and third-party may just disappear, “It’ll just be, we make great games and we deliver a phenomenal service on which you can play our games, and first-party and third-party, those are legacies of hardware.”
This idea aligns with the recent move by Microsoft to bring some former Xbox exclusive titles, such as Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves, to other platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
Testing the Waters
Regarding Microsoft’s decision to release former exclusives on other platforms, Moore explained,
“I think they’re dipping their toes in the water to see how all of this works. You do it a little bit tentatively and go, all right, let’s test the ecosystem here. We’re not throwing Halo out there.”
This cautious approach suggests that companies are exploring new distribution models and gauging consumer reactions before committing fully to a platform-agnostic strategy.
Conclusion
The thing is, gaming has always been an ever-evolving beast, and the industry has a knack for surprising us.
So, while cloud gaming and mobile gaming are undoubtedly on the rise, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of consoles.
Maybe we’ll see some crazy hybrid model (as rumor last year) or something completely out of the box (holographic gaming, anyone?).
At the end of the day, as long as we’re having fun and getting our gaming fix, does it really matter how we get it? Nah, didn’t think so!
So, let’s sit back, grab some snacks, and enjoy the ride – because who knows what the future of gaming has in store for us.
For the latest updates on this potential gaming revolution, stay glued to Gaming Foodle. We’ll keep you in the loop on any breaking news or wild speculation – scout’s honor! 😉