Will There Ever Be One Console To Rule Them All?

From Gamasutra:

Recently, there has been talk about the idea of a standardized game console platform -- whether this would be unified hardware specifications or development tools. The article is a discussion of the following questions:

• Do you think it's possible that the video games industry will create a standardized (development or hardware) platform in the future?
  
• How would independent developers not benefit in a market with a single gaming platform?
• Isn't PC gaming already the "one gaming platform" standard? Or is this analogy not quite right?

read more | digg story

Should Microsoft be in the hardware business?

Historically, Microsoft has been very very successful at developing software. It's track record with Windows and Microsoft Office in particular is unmatched. Even before they took the leap into gaming consoles like the Xbox, they had some success with entertainment software as well such Age of Empires, Flight Simulator, Links and Mechwarrior for the PC.

Lately though, hardware produced by Microsoft has taken a pounding in the press. The warranty for Xbox 360s has been extended to three years to address flaws in the console that were apparent to everyone else but Microsoft. As a precautionary measure, Microsoft is offering a free refit of its wireless steering wheel to address a possible overheating issue. Even the original Xbox had an issue with its power supplies, requiring replacement power cords.

These events aren't the result of a string of bad luck, they are the result of a lack of experience in the design of hardware and devices. While they can compete with Sony and Nintendo in the marketplace, both Sony and Nintendo have dozens of years of experience combined in creating devices and have not had any issues similar to what Microsoft has experienced recently.

Should Microsoft be in the hardware business? While the company has deep pockets, it can't afford any more issues with its future systems. Yes, the company needs to grow its product line but hardware may not be the best way for this company to go. We could see the Xbox division go the same direction as Sega in 2000, software developers and not console makers. Can you imagine how many units of Hal0 would be sold if it were to be made available on the PS3?

Show of hands...PS3?

I'm not in the market for a PS3 because I have to use the money for diapers and formula for the three amigos. Recently though I realized that not many people I have come into contact with have one either. I have come across a lot of folks with a Wii, a 360 or both.

Show of hands....do you have a PS3?

Hey WiiJ, won't you play that song?

I'm not sure if he is the first one to do this, but he is the first that I found.

Mashup DJ ! (pronounced Shift-1) learned about Wiimote hacking and figured he would experiment with the Wiimote and his DJ setup. Here are a couple of videos from his website djWiij.

Beatmatching Demo


Scratching Demo

Get Up and Boogie

I haven't really wanted a Nintendo Wii because there weren't any games that interested me. I liked what EA Sports did with the Wii version of Madden, but that wasn't enough to move me.

This little video clip swayed me, big time.



Developed by EA Montreal, Boogie is a rhythm game in the same mode as Dance Dance Revolution and Bust a Groove. It doesn't seem to be as difficult to jump in and play either. Using the WiiMote, the player can make their avatar dance to the beat and switch styles to earn tokens. It looks like a lot of fun to play and engaging to watch.