The Death of the Console?

Just saw this article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8556874.stm

What do you think? I like the idea of accessing a massive library of games as and when I want to but I'm not keen on a monthly subscription to it. I would have thought a pay as you play scheme would be a fairer way of doing it, especially considering the differences in peoples gaming habits. I only spend a few hours a week playing mine but there are people that spend several hours a day and some that spend even less playing theirs. To charge everyone £10 a month doesn't seem right to me.

.................. not for me I don't think. I like the old way to be honest. If I wanna play a game & their servers go down or are too busy it will affect my gaming (Like that hasn't happened to me yet ). Secondly, I don't like the idea of a monthly subscription followed by more charges to purchase or rent games.

I think it'll be a success because many people will go for this kind of thing, but it's just not my cuppa tea

I agree dude but what's to say that this package wont evolve into something much more appealing than the old fashioned hunk of hardware needed to play games now. Are we just products of the generation that gave birth to the games console and cannot see the future for what it will inevitably become?

You're not wrong at all dude, that's kind of my point. This is where computer games are going so are we not just going against the flow that we'vecherished for so long by saying "I'd rather hold my game in my hand"

Just out of interest Olly, and you don't have to tell me, but how old are you?

I remember Ping Pong & Space Invaders Not to mention Pac-Man, Centipede, Paper Boy, Ahh, the classics

This will more than likely evolve into something great! something which will have far more appeal to some than the consoles of today & yesteryear, but at the mintue it's not quite there yet. I'd love to be able to go all ster trekkie & have my games on a "Holo Deck". That would be sooooo awesome, but we're not quite there yet. At the moement it seems that they are doing little more than offering another platform for games. It needs an edge to it which it probably won't gain for a few years.

Or is it? This little nugget of information was featured on the news all day yesterday.........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10284289.stm

After the success of the Nintendo Wii will this be a hit amongst the true gaming community or are Microsoft & Sony just trying to grab some of the "family market" which is currently "Owned" by Nintendo?

Been waiting for this for ages. Saw a trailer on xbox live about a year back, hope it lives up to the hype.

By the sounds & looks of things, after the usual teething problems it may well more than live up to the hype.

That X-box is starting to look more & more appealing...... Mmmmm.... Crimbo pressie maybe.....

x-box slim......just another reason to feel inferior to the ps3.......

http://www.theverge.com/2015/4/2/8337955/sony-buys-onlive-only-to-shut-it-down

Well I guess that answers the question posed by this thread

Console is going strong at the moment. I thought the Steambox would change that, but it seems to be faling hard on that front.

I've only just re-ignited Steam on my laptop. I wanted to check out Civ V as I saw it on offer for £5.99. Is the Steam box a kind of console equivalent then?

Yeah, it's exactly that but has ended up a bit more pricey. It was originally billed as the perfect mix of console form, PC power & upgradability. Hasn't quite worked out that way though. Here's a review on the Alienware version:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/alienware-steam-machine-review

Though the Alpha, which is basically a Windows OS version, is slightly better in some opinions:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/alienware-alpha-review

The Alpha is about because Valve took too long getting the Steam OS ready.

This is interesting stuff though, gaming is moving in new directions all the time what with VR and mobile apps and I'm all for it. I think a subscription to a library of games could well become the way of the future but it will take some time till someone offers a proposition that changes the landscape.

You only need to look at Netflix, Amazon Prime even Apple Music now. Subscribing to a library seems to be what people want to feel that value for money.

To be honest I buy most of my games on Steam.  I have many games in my Steam library but I don't have them all installed on one PC.  The great thing about Steam is I can Install it on as many PCs as I like and access all of my games from there.  Also they have a Family account thing going now where you can share your library with other people.  You buy the game, they can play it on their steam account.

I know X-box & Playstation are both doing similar things to this, but they don't yet have the portability.  I can play Fallout 4 at home on my Desktop, save it. Pack my laptop, jump on a train and access my game save to play on my 3 hour train journey and in my hotel room.  Then when I get home I can pick up where I left off again.  For me this is the ultimate way forward.

Sounds like the perfect set up for the gamer on the go but when you get home and want to relax on your game in your own home shouldn't that be on the main screen of the house, on your sofa with a controller and drink at your side.

I can do that. Native support for X-box One, PS4, Steam pad, and many other wireless controllers with Windows 10. PC hooked up to Main Screen (65" Samsung SUHD Curved) & secondary screen (42" Toshiba Full HD) As well as optional monitor. Steam installed, Wireless Keyboard and mouse too.

I had a feeling I was going to get an answer like that

This little puppy helps if you have to have your PC in a different room from your main TV as well http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gaming/gaming-accessories/steam-link-1287642/review

even uses a player on Fallout 4 to demonstrate itself

So you have this set up? Does that mean you are using the Steam controller? It looks a little hard to adapt to.

Nah, I don't use the steam link.  Was tempted to get it but was put off by the steam controller.  Seen it used though and the controller tries to be everything.  I can't get the hang of it.  Far too used to using PS controllers.
I use long well placed cables at the moment.  The Cuvred TV has WiDi built in which helps with "normal" computer tasks, but hard wired is just more reliable for gaming.

What is this steam

Steam is a game library where you buy your games and save your progress. Rather than having to use a console or local saves you can pick up from anywhere with your steam login

10 years on and the console is still kicking, Stadia looks promising but they need to sort out the pricing before it becomes appealing