Are consoles doomed?

[maflynn]

Interesting video putting a voice to thoughts I've had recently.

My take
With these aging consoles (xbox/ps5) increasing in price not decreasing, with no true exclusives on either platform, what is the point of buying a console in 2026 - especially when both sony and MS are teasing their next generation consoles

The example of CapCom's Monster Hunters is an interesting take, where CapCom states that the PS5 barrier is preventing them from profiting on that platform. That is the game cost so much to make, that the available population of PS5s was insufficient to make a profit - which is why they rushed this out to the PC

The YT does touch upon how GTA6 when it finally comes out at the end of 2026, will help with hardware sales as more people want to play that

 

[diamond.g]

I'm going to be an optimist and say no.... Though I do think the Switch will probably do better than the PS5/XSX.

 

[maflynn]

I'm going to be an optimist and say no

I think the PS6/new Xbox won't be a flop, but I think we've crossed the line where the number of console players are insufficient to cover the costs of these AAA games moving forward.

Also as mentioned in the YT, with these games being released on other (or older console) platforms, there's less motivation for people to buy the latest consoles.

The Switch 2 is a great example, because Nintendo has largely enforced a huge library of exclusive games, thus driving up the demand for the handheld.

 

[diamond.g]

I think the PS6/new Xbox won't be a flop, but I think we've crossed the line where the number of console players are insufficient to cover the costs of these AAA games moving forward.

Also as mentioned in the YT, with these games being released on other (or older console) platforms, there's less motivation for people to buy the latest consoles.

The Switch 2 is a great example, because Nintendo has largely enforced a huge library of exclusive games, thus driving up the demand for the handheld.

I remember seeing an article somewhere that mentioned that the future of games would be swung back to smaller teams.

 

[erihp]

as long as gaming PCs are $2500 i dont think consoles are going anywhere

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

as long as gaming PCs are $2500 i dont think consoles are going anywhere

You are forgetting that console prices are also likely to increase drastically because of the same reason gaming PCs do. Even the Switch 2, which came on that market way before AI hardware starting draining the market of everything semiconductor related, is 50% higher in price than the prequel.

 

[erihp]

You are forgetting that console prices are also likely to increase drastically because of the same reason gaming PCs do. Even the Switch 2, which came on that market way before AI hardware starting draining the market of everything semiconductor related, is 50% higher in price than the prequel.

no im not forgetting that

 

[Solarflares]

as long as gaming PCs are $2500 i dont think consoles are going anywhere

I thought the reverse, but then spent the evening reading up on the Steamdeck.
$329-$629 gives you a machine that will play Cyberpunk 2077, has 50 years of internet gaming available on Steam, and can double as a Windows desktop, with docks and storage solutions.
I think the PS5 is finished. X-box dunno. But the Steamdeck is a real winner - for the price of a mid-range graphics card, that will struggle with Cyberpunk 2077.
To play Half Life Alyx, Cyberpunk 2077, and Stalker 2 - you’d be spending $2500 for sure on a PC.

 

[erihp]

I thought the reverse, but then spent the evening reading up on the Steamdeck.
$329-$629 gives you a machine that will play Cyberpunk 2077, has 50 years of internet gaming available on Steam, and can double as a Windows desktop, with docks and storage solutions.
I think the PS5 is finished. X-box dunno. But the Steamdeck is a real winner - for the price of a mid-range graphics card, that will struggle with Cyberpunk 2077.
To play Half Life Alyx, Cyberpunk 2077, and Stalker 2 - you’d be spending $2500 for sure on a PC.

I mean, that thing is basically a console.

Specialized software/tweaked OS on a fixed and mostly non-upgradeble, common hardware platform. Philosophically, modern 'consoles' arent that much different. They are more akin to the steamdeck then the Steam hardware is to a traditional gaming PC.

You also forget that the Japanese market is still plenty healthy. The Playstation isnt dead yet.

 

[maflynn]

I mean, that thing is basically a console.

Yeah it is, but the major difference is that its not playing console games, but Windows games.

So some of the negatives in that YT don't completely fit that Steam Deck

 

[aespana]

I don't think the consoles are doomed. After all, you have GTA 6 going out exclusively for consoles. Do you think Rockstar will invest that insanely amount of money in a dead platform?

I'm moving to PS5. After using the PC for a while (before that I had an Xbox Series X), I just prefer to not to deal with anything related to configurations, drivers, etc. Just hit the PS button to turn on the PS5 and the TV and choose a game and play. Also, I work in my desk all the day.. don't want to play in the same place. (even though, the Xbox had a better integration with my samsung TV but well)

I think that PS6/Xbox XX will be out probably at the end of 2027. There is a looooot of people that just want to play videogames without thinking more. That's why the consoles are so popular. Just hit download, wait and play so I believe that the consoles will have a lot of time in this earth before the end.

And, if you think about it, if the gaming industry moves to streaming, the actual panorama will change. Sony will survive? Nintendo? It would be interesting

 

[ScanTheNavian]

Nintendo's path is the correct one. When deciding what console to buy I mostly look at what exclusives it has and if I want to play them.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don’t think people are playing consoles any less. I think it’s because people aren’t seeing any viable reason to upgrade to the next generation console as the improvements are minimal. The technology has plateaued for the time being. However, it’s not like another platform has taken over. Going forward the money will most likely be in the software/games more so than the hardware.