Naturally, some "universal" solutions exist, be it dance mats, specialty controllers or audio/video output, that often support three or more platforms, but the big hurdle today of course is the wireless standard that each of the three major consoles have. Unlike the past where everything was expected to be plugged in, today's console gamers expect wireless solutions, so I think that goes a long way to making the universal solutions of the past less viable since - and I don't know the full technical explanation here - that wireless signal which in general is Bluetooth or some variation thereof - has some proprietary element that needs to be licensed. Just like you need a license to create games for a console, console makers had the bright idea to create a scenario where you also need an official license to create controllers, which again, became even more practical in this age of wireless and the increased expectations of end users. Naturally, the console makers have been stingy in giving out licenses because it increases the sales of their own products (and also helps their preferred licensees).
With that said, even though most would probably prefer to be in that situation, I don't think most gamers have multiple consoles. It's generally go with one and maybe go with another late in life, so I'm not sure there's enough profit margin in selling a wide variety of universal solutions (or investing heavily in that practice). You can probably sell just as many for a single system or force people - like myself - with multiple consoles, to buy multiple solutions.
That's why in my case, I have one primary platform for my gaming endeavors, the Xbox 360. I generally buy for that for a variety of reasons. I have the other two to fill in the gaps (sometimes it also doesn't matter, like with standard games). Would I like to use my Guitar Hero band kit on my PS3 or Xbox 360 - or even microphones and other peripherals? Of course, but ultimately I'm not missing out too much by picking a primary platform for one type of game, though it does certainly minimize the advantage of owning every platform and being able to pick and choose the best of everything.
Naturally, some "universal" solutions exist, be it dance mats, specialty controllers or audio/video output, that often support three or more platforms, but the big hurdle today of course is the wireless standard that each of the three major consoles have. Unlike the past where everything was expected to be plugged in, today's console gamers expect wireless solutions, so I think that goes a long way to making the universal solutions of the past less viable since - and I don't know the full technical explanation here - that wireless signal which in general is Bluetooth or some variation thereof - has some proprietary element that needs to be licensed. Just like you need a license to create games for a console, console makers had the bright idea to create a scenario where you also need an official license to create controllers, which again, became even more practical in this age of wireless and the increased expectations of end users. Naturally, the console makers have been stingy in giving out licenses because it increases the sales of their own products (and also helps their preferred licensees).
With that said, even though most would probably prefer to be in that situation, I don't think most gamers have multiple consoles. It's generally go with one and maybe go with another late in life, so I'm not sure there's enough profit margin in selling a wide variety of universal solutions (or investing heavily in that practice). You can probably sell just as many for a single system or force people - like myself - with multiple consoles, to buy multiple solutions.
That's why in my case, I have one primary platform for my gaming endeavors, the Xbox 360. I generally buy for that for a variety of reasons. I have the other two to fill in the gaps (sometimes it also doesn't matter, like with standard games). Would I like to use my Guitar Hero band kit on my PS3 or Xbox 360 - or even microphones and other peripherals? Of course, but ultimately I'm not missing out too much by picking a primary platform for one type of game, though it does certainly minimize the advantage of owning every platform and being able to pick and choose the best of everything.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[About Me]
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.