Top 5 Innovations of Gaming in the last 2 gens

What do you believe are the top 5 gaming innovations since last gen (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Dreamcast)?

Here's my list:

1. Online - without a doubt the most innovative implentation for console gaming in recent memory. Starting with the Dreamcast and honed on the Xbox and PS2 and now 360 and PS3. Although monthly fees (XBL), micro-transactions, and taking the spot light off of splitscreen play, it still is a very welcoming feature that has changed the way we play our games.

2. Downloadable Content - I use this term in a general sense. I'm talking about all the expansion packs, Xbox Live Arcade games, PSN games, Wii-ware games, and the Virtual Console. Obviously there are plenty of useless downloads that are a waste of money (ie. horse armor), but I think this feature as a whole has had a positive impact on the industry and us, the consumers. Not only does it allow developers to expand upon their games after release, but it saves us the gas money and time to go to the store and pick up these expansions. Plus, it gives independant developers a chance to get into the industry.

3. Motion Sensing - Some may be skeptical of this, but thats only because its in its early stages of development. Clearly other companies are interested (Sony putting the 6-Axis in right after Nintendo unveiled it at E3), so I think we see it being perfected over the next few gens.

4. User Interfaces - I don't believe this should be considered all that "innovative", but they have definitely become a huge priority for the big 3. Sony with their Home system, Microsoft with their NXE, and Nintendo with their Mii's. It seems the more intuitive and more multi-media features available, the better the user interface is.

5. First Person Shooters - I think I'm going to get some flack for putting this in the list, but at least listen to my reasoning behind it. The FPS genre wasn't always an oversaturated genre with tons of clones and mediocre games. But for console gaming, I believe the FPS is the genre that has evolved the most over the last 2 generations of consoles. What did we have during the N64/PS gen? Goldeneye and Perfect Dark? Now we have so many blockbuster FPS titles, all with a plethora of different features (stat tracking, matchmaking, leaderboards, rank systems, unlockables, co-op is pretty much the norm, etc.).

1 better online play-wii ps3 360

2 fps on consoles starting with goldeneye sadly no fps today has split screen thanks to number 1

3 nintendo wii -motion sensing technology controller/wheel /zapper

4 nes-it evolved gamin if it werent there we wouldnt have lall these fun classics such as goldeneye mario bros etc

5 ps3-bluray

I would say.... a shifting of ideology from hardware to community.

We see this mostly with online, but online is now so much more than just playing multiplayer. There's idea that the gaming experience starts once you turn on your console and get connected to the community. See who's doing what. Check messages. See what's new for download. It now even extends outside of the console proper. You can check in with your slice of the community through the web.

The extent to which companies reach out to the public is unprecedented. Exciting times.

I would say.... a shifting of ideology from hardware to community.

We see this mostly with online, but online is now so much more than just playing multiplayer. There's idea that the gaming experience starts once you turn on your console and get connected to the community. See who's doing what. Check messages. See what's new for download. It now even extends outside of the console proper. You can check in with your slice of the community through the web.

The extent to which companies reach out to the public is unprecedented. Exciting times.

VoodooHak

What do you believe are the top 5 gaming innovations since last gen (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Dreamcast)?

Here's my list:

1. Online - without a doubt the most innovative implentation for console gaming in recent memory. Starting with the Dreamcast and honed on the Xbox and PS2 and now 360 and PS3. Although monthly fees (XBL), micro-transactions, and taking the spot light off of splitscreen play, it still is a very welcoming feature that has changed the way we play our games.

2. Downloadable Content - I use this term in a general sense. I'm talking about all the expansion packs, Xbox Live Arcade games, PSN games, Wii-ware games, and the Virtual Console. Obviously there are plenty of useless downloads that are a waste of money (ie. horse armor), but I think this feature as a whole has had a positive impact on the industry and us, the consumers. Not only does it allow developers to expand upon their games after release, but it saves us the gas money and time to go to the store and pick up these expansions. Plus, it gives independant developers a chance to get into the industry.

3. Motion Sensing - Some may be skeptical of this, but thats only because its in its early stages of development. Clearly other companies are interested (Sony putting the 6-Axis in right after Nintendo unveiled it at E3), so I think we see it being perfected over the next few gens.

4. User Interfaces - I don't believe this should be considered all that "innovative", but they have definitely become a huge priority for the big 3. Sony with their Home system, Microsoft with their NXE, and Nintendo with their Mii's. It seems the more intuitive and more multi-media features available, the better the user interface is.

5. First Person Shooters - I think I'm going to get some flack for putting this in the list, but at least listen to my reasoning behind it. The FPS genre wasn't always an oversaturated genre with tons of clones and mediocre games. But for console gaming, I believe the FPS is the genre that has evolved the most over the last 2 generations of consoles. What did we have during the N64/PS gen? Goldeneye and Perfect Dark? Now we have so many blockbuster FPS titles, all with a plethora of different features (stat tracking, matchmaking, leaderboards, rank systems, unlockables, co-op is pretty much the norm, etc.).

Trinexxx

Could you say console innovation please ? I mean PC had online play, FPS, we had User Interfaces, and downloadable content.

Since when was copying what the PC did many years ago called innovation?XaosII

Since console users must make themselves feel like their toys accomplished anything.

2 fps on consoles starting with goldeneye sadly no fps today has split screen thanks to number 1

mariokart64fan

Online!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is the #1 Innovation imo, yes pc has been doing this since the 90s but a little 200 dollar console doing this is pure greatness! BBwlovers

Consoles: the little engine that could. I don't give credit to things just because they have low expectations.

[QUOTE="BBwlovers"]Online!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is the #1 Innovation imo, yes pc has been doing this since the 90s but a little 200 dollar console doing this is pure greatness! Jade_Monkey

Consoles: the little engine that could. I don't give credit to things just because they have low expectations.

[QUOTE="Jade_Monkey"]

[QUOTE="BBwlovers"]Online!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is the #1 Innovation imo, yes pc has been doing this since the 90s but a little 200 dollar console doing this is pure greatness! BBwlovers

Consoles: the little engine that could. I don't give credit to things just because they have low expectations.

Yes I did. No need to give praise to me. Oh what the heck you can keep the praise coming.

Since when was copying what the PC did many years ago called innovation?XaosII

1.) Online gaming on consoles. 2.) The evolution we've seen in the FPS genre 3.) Sandbox games. Started by Rockstar, it's become a true staple genre. inFamous, Prototype, Spiderman, Superman, Crackdown and several others owe their existence to Rockstar's sandbox growth. 4.) Voicechat in online games (Xbox Live in particular). The Xbox pioneered universal voice chat for all online gamers. It took the online experience to new heights. 5.) Motion controls. They've breathed new life into Nintendo and probably changed the future of console gaming. I think it's fair to expect that every nextGen console will utilize motion controls to some degree.Fire-of-Njozi

Your just regurgitating what the OP said, stuff he got owned on in the sense that consoles didn't do it first.

The only thing that consoles did originally was motion sensing. DragonfireXZ95

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"]The only thing that consoles did originally was motion sensing. AdrianWerner

[QUOTE="Fire-of-Njozi"]1.) Online gaming on consoles. 2.) The evolution we've seen in the FPS genre 3.) Sandbox games. Started by Rockstar, it's become a true staple genre. inFamous, Prototype, Spiderman, Superman, Crackdown and several others owe their existence to Rockstar's sandbox growth. 4.) Voicechat in online games (Xbox Live in particular). The Xbox pioneered universal voice chat for all online gamers. It took the online experience to new heights. 5.) Motion controls. They've breathed new life into Nintendo and probably changed the future of console gaming. I think it's fair to expect that every nextGen console will utilize motion controls to some degree.Jade_Monkey

Your just regurgitating what the OP said, stuff he got owned on in the sense that consoles didn't do it first.

[QUOTE="Jade_Monkey"]

[QUOTE="Fire-of-Njozi"]1.) Online gaming on consoles. 2.) The evolution we've seen in the FPS genre 3.) Sandbox games. Started by Rockstar, it's become a true staple genre. inFamous, Prototype, Spiderman, Superman, Crackdown and several others owe their existence to Rockstar's sandbox growth. 4.) Voicechat in online games (Xbox Live in particular). The Xbox pioneered universal voice chat for all online gamers. It took the online experience to new heights. 5.) Motion controls. They've breathed new life into Nintendo and probably changed the future of console gaming. I think it's fair to expect that every nextGen console will utilize motion controls to some degree.Fire-of-Njozi

Your just regurgitating what the OP said, stuff he got owned on in the sense that consoles didn't do it first.

1. That's your own fault

2. Considering this is a thread titled "Top 5 Innovations of Gaming in the last 2 gens" it don't mean jack that it was big for consoles, it matters to all gaming and in these cases PC already stepped on your moon and colonized it.

[QUOTE="BBwlovers"][QUOTE="Jade_Monkey"]

Consoles: the little engine that could. I don't give credit to things just because they have low expectations.

Jade_Monkey

Yes I did. No need to give praise to me. Oh what the heck you can keep the praise coming.

[QUOTE="Fire-of-Njozi"][QUOTE="Jade_Monkey"]

[QUOTE="Fire-of-Njozi"]1.) Online gaming on consoles. 2.) The evolution we've seen in the FPS genre 3.) Sandbox games. Started by Rockstar, it's become a true staple genre. inFamous, Prototype, Spiderman, Superman, Crackdown and several others owe their existence to Rockstar's sandbox growth. 4.) Voicechat in online games (Xbox Live in particular). The Xbox pioneered universal voice chat for all online gamers. It took the online experience to new heights. 5.) Motion controls. They've breathed new life into Nintendo and probably changed the future of console gaming. I think it's fair to expect that every nextGen console will utilize motion controls to some degree.Jade_Monkey

Your just regurgitating what the OP said, stuff he got owned on in the sense that consoles didn't do it first.

1. That's your own fault

2. Considering this is a thread titled "Top 5 Innovations of Gaming in the last 2 gens" it don't mean jack that it was big for consoles, it matters to all gaming and in these cases PC already stepped on your moon and colonized it.

1.) no, it's nobody's "fault". we just share the same opinion. that's not a "problem". It just...is.

2.) I know what the topic title says. and I feel the things I listed had the biggest overall impact in GAMING in the last 2 gens. The topic title doesn't suggest they had to be things that impacted every area of gaming. they just had to have a great impact wherever they were. sorry, but you can't convince me that online gaming coming to consoles wasn't a watershed moment in gaming overall. you can't convince me that the evolution of sandbox gaming and the evolution of the FPS over the last two generations hasn't damn near typified gaming in general. you can't convince me that Xbox Live's inclusion of microphones STANDARD WITH THE SERVICE didn't help to make Live one leaders in online gaming in the opinions of the people. you can't convince me that motion controls won't make a gigantic impact on gaming in general over the next generation and then some.

there's nothing wrong with my thoughts. in case you didn't know, there is no right or wrong answer anyway. It's all subjective. Just because the OP shared some of my thoughts doesn't mean anything is a problem. Perhaps he just didn't have the best reasoning for them...but again, I don't really care what he listed anyway. I simply responded to the topic title.Fire-of-Njozi

I guess I can't convince you that water is wet or that fire is hot can I. Facts seem to be worthless to you.

[QUOTE="Fire-of-Njozi"]
1.) no, it's nobody's "fault". we just share the same opinion. that's not a "problem". It just...is.

2.) I know what the topic title says. and I feel the things I listed had the biggest overall impact in GAMING in the last 2 gens. The topic title doesn't suggest they had to be things that impacted every area of gaming. they just had to have a great impact wherever they were. sorry, but you can't convince me that online gaming coming to consoles wasn't a watershed moment in gaming overall. you can't convince me that the evolution of sandbox gaming and the evolution of the FPS over the last two generations hasn't damn near typified gaming in general. you can't convince me that Xbox Live's inclusion of microphones STANDARD WITH THE SERVICE didn't help to make Live one leaders in online gaming in the opinions of the people. you can't convince me that motion controls won't make a gigantic impact on gaming in general over the next generation and then some.

there's nothing wrong with my thoughts. in case you didn't know, there is no right or wrong answer anyway. It's all subjective. Just because the OP shared some of my thoughts doesn't mean anything is a problem. Perhaps he just didn't have the best reasoning for them...but again, I don't really care what he listed anyway. I simply responded to the topic title.Jade_Monkey

I guess I can't convince you that water is wet or that fire is hot can I. Facts seem to be worthless to you.

1.) Online gaming on consoles. (yes. it exploded a new segment of console gaming)

2.) The evolution we've seen in the FPS genre (yes, the FPS genre grew in major ways over the last 2 generations)

3.) Sandbox games. Started by Rockstar, it's become a true staple genre. inFamous, Prototype, Spiderman, Superman, Crackdown and several others owe their existence to Rockstar's sandbox growth. (yes, the sandbox genre grew up over the last 2 generations...and will only get bigger)

4.) Voicechat in online games (Xbox Live in particular). The Xbox pioneered universal voice chat for all online gamers. It took the online experience to new heights. (yes, having a ton of original Xbox users gaming with a microphone as part of the Live kit meant a very refreshing gaming experience, regardless of platform)

5.) Motion controls. They've breathed new life into Nintendo and probably changed the future of console gaming. I think it's fair to expect that every nextGen console will utilize motion controls to some degree. (yes, motion controls are part of the future. and they took hold to the market this generation. Note: I didn't say they STARTED this generation; I said that they took hold to the market this generation and changed the future of gaming...starting now).

1- online

2- GTA 3D

3- motion sensing

4- bluray

5-cell

1. Online matchmaking. Sadly, people have a different view on matchmaking than it should be. Bungie created a great matchmaking system in halo 2, but it got butchered by other developers. The original matchmaking from halo 2, and present in halo 3 is a great idea for online gaming.

2. (attempt at) Persistend worlds. Where the world really reacts to what the player really does.

3. First person platforming, or Mirror's edge to be exact.

4. Skating games reinvention. The tony hawk way of skating games has made way for EA's Skate 1 and 2, which feels much more natural, and smooth.

5. Can you count MMORPG's in these 2 gens innovations? If so it would be #1 probably.

[QUOTE="XaosII"]Since when was copying what the PC did many years ago called innovation?Jade_Monkey

Since console users must make themselves feel like their toys accomplished anything.

1. Consoles and their GUI's. It's become a major part of any console this generation and even handhelds have adopted them. They receive updates and extra features every now-and-then. I personally think this is number one this generation.

2. Firmware updates are surely one of my favorite things. Consoles aren't just stuck to being they same. They can be improved if the need/want is there and it's a great thing for consumers.

3. Online has become involved in just about everything. Communication, multiplayer, DLC, updates, etc. It helps players feel like they are connected to a network of their peers and friends. Though, it's still no substitute to being together with your friends.

4. DLC has become a major addition to this generation and I love it. I enjoy being able to purchase my old favorites on my Wii from the comfort of my home. Plus, it allows smaller developers to get their feet wet in programming and you can see some unique software that would not make it as a stand-alone game.

5. Motion controls are probably going to be the next evolution of gaming. While not perfectly utilized at the moment, the end of this generation should prove how great they really are. Actually, WM+ should help to prove the importance of motion controls.

What do you believe are the top 5 gaming innovations since last gen (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Dreamcast)?

Here's my list:

1. Online - without a doubt the most innovative implentation for console gaming in recent memory. Starting with the Dreamcast and honed on the Xbox and PS2 and now 360 and PS3. Although monthly fees (XBL), micro-transactions, and taking the spot light off of splitscreen play, it still is a very welcoming feature that has changed the way we play our games.

2. Downloadable Content - I use this term in a general sense. I'm talking about all the expansion packs, Xbox Live Arcade games, PSN games, Wii-ware games, and the Virtual Console. Obviously there are plenty of useless downloads that are a waste of money (ie. horse armor), but I think this feature as a whole has had a positive impact on the industry and us, the consumers. Not only does it allow developers to expand upon their games after release, but it saves us the gas money and time to go to the store and pick up these expansions. Plus, it gives independant developers a chance to get into the industry.

3. Motion Sensing - Some may be skeptical of this, but thats only because its in its early stages of development. Clearly other companies are interested (Sony putting the 6-Axis in right after Nintendo unveiled it at E3), so I think we see it being perfected over the next few gens.

4. User Interfaces - I don't believe this should be considered all that "innovative", but they have definitely become a huge priority for the big 3. Sony with their Home system, Microsoft with their NXE, and Nintendo with their Mii's. It seems the more intuitive and more multi-media features available, the better the user interface is.

5. First Person Shooters - I think I'm going to get some flack for putting this in the list, but at least listen to my reasoning behind it. The FPS genre wasn't always an oversaturated genre with tons of clones and mediocre games. But for console gaming, I believe the FPS is the genre that has evolved the most over the last 2 generations of consoles. What did we have during the N64/PS gen? Goldeneye and Perfect Dark? Now we have so many blockbuster FPS titles, all with a plethora of different features (stat tracking, matchmaking, leaderboards, rank systems, unlockables, co-op is pretty much the norm, etc.).

[QUOTE="AdrianWerner"][QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"]The only thing that consoles did originally was motion sensing. DragonfireXZ95

no, youre right. the powerglove had motion-sensing

Could you say console innovation please ? I mean PC had online play, FPS, we had User Interfaces, and downloadable content.

Jade_Monkey

Wow, my thread got stormed by the hermit elitists more quickly than usual. Online play was innovative for consoles, even if it did just replicate what the PC has already done. Theres no winning with you hermits; if consoles never had online play you would bash them more, and since they do have online play they simply are just copying the PC. Ever think people enjoy playing consoles more than PCs and giving them the option to play online makes it even more enjoyable? I guess that would make too much sense, eh? Its innovative for console gaming, which is a faction of gaming. Deal with it.Trinexxx

No.

Its not innovative if PC was doing it at least ten years longer.

I think the most innovative thing for consoles is over the last two gens is the evolution of the wireless controller. Sure they were around before but they never really worked that well until the wavebird came along.

Wow, my thread got stormed by the hermit elitists more quickly than usual. Online play was innovative for consoles, even if it did just replicate what the PC has already done. Theres no winning with you hermits; if consoles never had online play you would bash them more, and since they do have online play they simply are just copying the PC. Ever think people enjoy playing consoles more than PCs and giving them the option to play online makes it even more enjoyable? I guess that would make too much sense, eh? Its innovative for console gaming, which is a faction of gaming. Deal with it.Trinexxx

[QUOTE="Jade_Monkey"]

[QUOTE="XaosII"]Since when was copying what the PC did many years ago called innovation?doobie1975

Since console users must make themselves feel like their toys accomplished anything.

What? You refuse to become someone that acknowledges the truth? I'd like you to correct what was wrong about my statement.