Speaking in an interview with Eurogamer, Layden notes how the technological jump from the original PlayStation to the PS2, still the best-selling console of all time, was...
They’re just undercooked PCs with artificial software restrictions now. Except for the Switch, which is an undercooked TV streamer chip from 2015, also with artificial software limitations.
Hasn’t been anything exciting about consoles in over a decade.
I absolutely dig the Steam Deck, but it’s not a console in that regard, it’s not software restricted in any way, it’s just a portable computer with a convenient frontend. But… man, I’m more likely to pick it up than to play on my gaming rig these days, even though both can hook up on the TV. Handhelds are just great.
Eh, the Switch form factor is pretty cool. But PC handhelds have surpassed it, so I just want the exclusives to work on hardware I can buy off the shelf.
I will say, going back to it I appreciate how light it is in comparison. It’s a shame the games feel overpriced compared to PC and rarely get discounted
Consoles are just a consistent standard. Developers know what they’re developing for, they know their constraints, customers know all the games will play on it, it will look good on a standard TV, they know the games will play well with their controller, they know the digital store, etc, etc, etc.
Everything is standardized, everything works.
That’s ignoring the console support for exclusives, which Xbox has severely fallen behind on compared to the others.
Consoles are just a consistent standard… Everything is standardized, everything works.
Well, with Steam Deck and supposedly upcoming new Steam Machine, that’s a perfectly decent target without restrictive software limitations and closed ecosystems. Plus, PCs are pretty standardized these days in general. Nobody needs to target the high end, and Valve does a hardware survey that’s publicly available to know exactly what hardware range is in use (and it’s generally the lower end, despite enthusiasts).
That’s ignoring the console support for exclusives
And I’ll keep ignoring them because there’s no reason for them to exist now, there aren’t architectural differences and unique capabilities that make sense for games to be exclusive anymore. That’s more of the artificial software restrictions I mentioned. Console exclusives can die in a fire. Even Sony has realized they’re leaving money on the table with that crap and releasing to PC.
They’re just undercooked PCs with artificial software restrictions now. Except for the Switch, which is an undercooked TV streamer chip from 2015, also with artificial software limitations.
Hasn’t been anything exciting about consoles in over a decade.
Steam Deck is very exciting and my favourite (and only) console
I absolutely dig the Steam Deck, but it’s not a console in that regard, it’s not software restricted in any way, it’s just a portable computer with a convenient frontend. But… man, I’m more likely to pick it up than to play on my gaming rig these days, even though both can hook up on the TV. Handhelds are just great.
Eh, the Switch form factor is pretty cool. But PC handhelds have surpassed it, so I just want the exclusives to work on hardware I can buy off the shelf.
I will say, going back to it I appreciate how light it is in comparison. It’s a shame the games feel overpriced compared to PC and rarely get discounted
Consoles are just a consistent standard. Developers know what they’re developing for, they know their constraints, customers know all the games will play on it, it will look good on a standard TV, they know the games will play well with their controller, they know the digital store, etc, etc, etc.
Everything is standardized, everything works.
That’s ignoring the console support for exclusives, which Xbox has severely fallen behind on compared to the others.
Well, with Steam Deck and supposedly upcoming new Steam Machine, that’s a perfectly decent target without restrictive software limitations and closed ecosystems. Plus, PCs are pretty standardized these days in general. Nobody needs to target the high end, and Valve does a hardware survey that’s publicly available to know exactly what hardware range is in use (and it’s generally the lower end, despite enthusiasts).
And I’ll keep ignoring them because there’s no reason for them to exist now, there aren’t architectural differences and unique capabilities that make sense for games to be exclusive anymore. That’s more of the artificial software restrictions I mentioned. Console exclusives can die in a fire. Even Sony has realized they’re leaving money on the table with that crap and releasing to PC.