The race in the new console wars has begun with proponents for each side. Will the new Xbox 720 (code named Durango), or the the Playstation 4 (code named Orbis)come out on top? Right now it is anyone guess. What is a sure bet though is that both are likely to make use of your smartphone or tablet. We have already seen a glimpse of that future with the current Xbox console and its SmartGlass app.
For those of you not familiar, the SmartGlass app allows you use your smartphone or tablet to navigate through menu screens, use the phones keyboard to type, access music and video controls like play and fast forward, and even interact with and certain games to provide real time game strategy for your console. So it can be presumed that Durango will have similar if not improved features for a SmartGlass type app.
Sorces on the other hand have revealed that Orbis will be able to be controlled by your smartphone or tablet. New information has suggested that you will be able to chat with your friends online and even make game purchases that will be downloaded to your machine automatically. Along with the using your mobile device or tablet to access and control the console, Sonys new controller is also supposed to be redesigned as well. The new controller should have a small touchpad in the center and there will be a new user account system that should allow multiple people to log into on console at the same time. Sony will be apparently be following in Microsoft shoes by requiring a premium subscription called PlayStation World which would replace the current PlayStation Plus service. Also each PS4 will come with a PlayStation Eye, a new spectating feature that will enable you and your friends to watch each other play a game even if its one you do not own.
So if all the next generation consoles will be utilizing mobile devices and tablets is there a chance that those devices could evolve and truely compete with dedicated consoles? That might be an option for some gamers out there, but for others the issues will be trying to play a game on your TV using your device. Its not easy to play some games with out real physical buttons and that means using a Bluetooth controller like ones made by Moga or Steelseries. The other issue is power. If your running your WiFi, Bluetooth, and playing a graphically intensive game it is going to chew through power pretty fast which mean shorter gaming sessions. In the future, devices like Ouya will help mitigate some of those issues and offer a solid gaming experience to those that want to play mobile based games on the big screen.
One thing is for sure and that is the future of gaming will continue to grow stronger. There are more gamers out there and with more platforms to game from, the number keeps growing every day. So it doesn’t matter if your a PC gamer, a console gamer, or a mobile gamer the most because there will always be new platforms and new devices to game on. The future of gaming is bright and I for one can not wait to embrace it.
Website Referenced: Kotaku
