Shannon KeoughVideo games that have come out in the past few years have been described as Hollywood blockbusters by video gamers. These video games, designed for similar systems, have seemingly created competition between the various companies.
Of the three systems out today, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are tailored for the more hardcore gamers, whereas Wii is more a family friendly pick up and play experience. Compared to the other two, Wii may not seem to be that big of a competitor when it comes to graphics and games, what it lacks in power, it makes p for with innovation. With the Wii’s motion controls, Nintendo has been able to virtually push kids off the sofa and into the games. Literally.
“Wii has introduced video games to whole new generations. Now it is possible for little kids and grandparents to play the same games together,” Matthew Connelly, senior liberal arts major, said. “But Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are very similar to each other and that allows for competition.”
Most say that any competition is healthy and that it pushes the competitors to strive for excellence, in this case seeing who comes up with the most innovative ideas. But will it ever come to an end? Who’s to say that one day we might just have one system that does it all?
Leon Wilson, senior psychology and religious studies major, has similar thoughts. “[It would be] beneficial for everyone by having all the games on one system for everyone. This one system would unify everyone and would be a great system if it were made. If it could take all the best aspects of each system and make one super machine, that would be perfect,” Wilson said.”
Nintendo has been in the gaming industry for almost 25 years. They have always been about one thing: fun games. Sony and Microsoft have been in the home console business for 16 and 10 years respectively, with a main focus in cutting edge graphics and game play. For each company to either give up or merge, something drastic must happen. Whether it be the public’s cry of victory for one over the other or something else entirely different. Only time could possibly tell.
“On paper it sounds like a great idea, but in reality I don’t see it happening anytime soon,” PJ Smith, employee of the Pottstown Game Crazy, said. “It would be close to impossible to get all the other gaming companies to stop making game systems to allow room for one. We aren’t anywhere close to seeing a day when Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo merge together.”
“I agree that all the systems do share some similarities, but that is something that happens in about everything in life,” Connelly said. “I don’t believe for one second that it would be beneficial for there to be just one video game system. I think that it would be the downfall of an industry because each system brings something unique to the table.”
“The spirit of competition is what has driven America and it is what drives the video game industry,” Connelly said. “I hope I never see the day when there is only one company running the show.”
