What has this gen actually brought to the table that didn't exist previously?

Unfinished games so they can release the full game for 120 dollars with DLC.

**** this gen

Wow...what are you saying ?

Nothing worth repeating.

Microtransactions.

i guess

Nothing, which was the same as last gen. My biggest problem with the 360 and PS3 was that they didn't do anything that my PC hadn't for years, and their controllers were basically the same as their gen 6 counterparts. The Wii had a new and unique control scheme, but few games utilized it in a non-gimmicky fashion, and the Wii U tablet is worse off, because even Nintendo didn't use it in an innovative way.

You will not see a huge difference in graphics, although differences do exist. The big changes come in the form of processing power, more detail being able to exist at one time. A limit of 50 zombies on screen at one time becomes a limit of 1000. Plain flash explosions turn into whirlwinds of color and detail. Small differences in detail that you'd probably only notice going back a couple years. It's only set to improve. Compare GTA IV to GTA V; same console, same game, separated by a master skill set in using the full potential of last gen consoles.

It's really brought more hardware power. So the games look better and have better/more features in certain scenarios.

What the heck did the last gen bring? Freaking Kinect and Move? Not exactly a good thing imo. I think by the end of this gen the thing that will differentiate this one to previous gens is the move to more of an online requirement.

Cloud computing, digital downloaded games, persistent universes within games, etc. We already see games like Destiny and the upcoming Division. Online is the future, Microsoft just tried to jump in way too soon.

It's going to be more and more difficult for the console makers to bring innovative stuff to the field. Gamers are too picky and stubborn. "This is how we played games for years...I wont let it change." That mentality kind of fucks everything. I couldn't care less about VR, but I hope it takes off because we need something different.

£25 season passes.

Can you imagine someone at the publishers said 'I know, let's charge almost the price of a PC game for a season pass'. 6th gen games cost £30 at retail, can you believe the hubris of these people.

They've taken milking to the extreme this gen,

@GarGx1: That's not Shareplay though, that's just logging in to an account on multiple computers. While I would argue that is a great benefit of Steam (lack of invasive/restrictive DRM), that doesn't change the fact that the underlying tech behind Shareplay, where a friend could literally take control of someone's live game from another part of the world, was not mainstream or common on PC when it launched.

The Wii U Gamepad was original. But other than that, this gen is just more of the same.

For the consoles? Decent web browsers, open world games with Seamless worlds( moving from large buildings to outdoor areas. Some games have 100s of NPCs and amazing visuals.

It's not new, but the speed of downloads and updates on PS4 is really impressive.

Other than that, nah. Don't really need to as long as they keep improving

Microtransactions that make me feel sick to my stomach.

Shareplay. The best feature ive ever seen on a console

I agree with Shareplay, it's fantastic.

Edit "Unless you happen to be a young kid playing destiny and get thirsty."

Share Play

Fallout 4 specifically has brought a new addition to the open world genre in the form of fort building. It's overwhelmingly addictive too. It's thanks to this gen's batch of more powerful systems that allows for more additions than were previously available in the past.

This gen brought AMD-powered x86 consoles with copious amounts of RAM. Full on courting of Indie devs for consoles. Really painful destruction of the Xbox and Wii brands. Hmm. Oh yeah, first gen you are rewarded with free games with beneficial online fees. Sony decided rubbing pads on controllers would be the rage. Nailed it.

Aside from that nothing new.

Decent OS's. WiiU was Meh at first but SLOWLY got better, PS4 is gòod but still bit of work to do, is there Folders yet? X1 has Windows and evryone loves Windows from what i gather (dont own a x1).

better graphics and high prices