The PS3 never really lived up to the reputation of its predecessor as a gaming machine. Sony just seems to be going back to their strategy from the game-focused PS2. Meanwhile, MS will try to succeed where Sony did not in marketing a gaming console that “only does everything” this time around. Maybe the PS3 was simply ahead of its time and MS will be the one to cash in on the concept.

The next couple years could be a real make-or-break era for gaming consoles in general. Are consumers still interested enough in gaming consoles to make either of them profitable? Does the next generation of consoles offer enough improvements to entice people to reinvest or will they suffer from diminishing returns? Are today’s teenagers satisfied with tweeting on their smartphones instead of playing console-based games?

Personally, I see no reason to even consider a new console. Certainly not as long as my current PS3 keeps functioning.

The gaming generation is older, and understands the myriad of new technologies offering different multimedia experiences. Consoles continue to exist because consumers of games want something simple…something bred to do one thing well: play games. The Xbox is not the only device that streams cable, television and internet: computers, and smart televisions already do that (and do that well)…

So why would someone buy an Xbox mainly for other activities besides gaming? That would be similar to someone who hates video games buying a PlayStation just for the blu-ray player.

“Oi Exss boax, geez us a wee baggy a fush n chups fray the chippy doon the road ken, an mak share its tonne’d wi broon sauws”

But then, the same can be expected from an awful lot of accents, it’ll be interesting to see how this’ll pan out. I understand they’re positioning themselves to make the machine versatile, I use my PS3 for basically everything in my livingroom as it stands right now. Yes, even TV. I’ve had PlayTV hooked up to my PS3 for years now, which is why I’m not too impressed with MS making a song and dance about thus aspect of their new tech -- most people dont even know of PlayTV’s existence!

The biggest worry for me regarding all this however is the way MS are treating not only the secondhand market, but small developers too. They’ve already said without flinching that they have no interest in small, unsigned developers -- they’re just not welcome on their system. The other is this Gold sub malarkey, they’re still charging people just for access to their online community!? And the “always watching and listening” MANDATORY camera is just creepy…

I’m trying to not focus on the negative with Microsoft here but… There’s just so many things wrong here! Sony have shoved their foot in their mouths a few times, but have always learned from it, Microsoft, they seem to revel in being abrasive and non-consumer friendly. I just find the whole thing bizarre. It’s as if they’ve built the machine from looking at graphs of company income, and forgotten to even ASK what the people want.

Im sure it’ll sell a few in the US when it hits shelves, but this is the first time in my life as a gamer that I’m convinced of a console’s demise outside its native country.