After playing Super Mario Bros. U on the Nintendo game pad, there is no question in my mind that the next generation of consoles must be portable (even though the Wii U is not portable). The technology for effective graphics and functionality can be replicated on the small screen, optimally like an IPad with joysticks, triggers, and buttons. Games can be played on this portable game pad anywhere. With wi-fi connectivity and a smart TV or cable connections, games can also be played on the bigger screen television for local multiplayer, or if the consumer wants video game play bigger, louder, and/or with motion detection. Owning an Xbox and a PS 3, I defer to play lower quality games on my IPad rather than a good game on a console system, simply because of ease of accessibility. I would rather turn on my IPad and play a silly game app, than turning on the TV, turning on the console, inserting a game disc, picking up a joystick, then finally playing a game. Adult players who work and have a family have no time to sit in front of a TV to play a video game, but with a tablet-style game pad, the consumer can play anywhere. He can play while waiting in a doctor's lobby, or while watching Johnny's T-ball game, or while sitting on a toilet bowl, allowing greater opportunity to finish a twenty-plus hour game. The consumer can even play while watching TV. Sony and Microsoft, (and possibly Apple), should consider making the next generation systems portable, as this feature would separate it from the current generation systems. If it had the functionality of a tablet, like the iPad, these companies can sell it for an asking price over eight hundred dollars and compete with the tablet products that are currently available. The only limiting factor would be the memory capacity of the device, but if it could hold one or two full-length video games, or if the games could be played in segments, it would be sufficient for a consumer like me. Looking forward to the future, Rob Alvir
Log in to comment