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You Might Be Buying Another Console Sooner Than You Think

AnonymousGames2025-07-033979

Is this year's E3 going to be the Battle of the Slightly Upgraded Consoles?

Xbox chief Phil Spencer set off a flurry of speculation last month at an Xbox media event when he said that Microsoft would "come out with new hardware capability during a generation allowing the same games to run backward and forward compatible," allowing Xbox to "focus more and more on hardware innovation without invalidating the games that run on that platform."

Then, coming out of last week's Game Developers Conference, Kotaku reported that Sony is in development on something of a "PlayStation 4.5," which would be an upgraded PS4 that supports 4K resolution and boasts increased processing power that could allow Sony to create better-looking games on PlayStation VR.

It's firmly within the realm of probability that we could see a PlayStation 4.5, or an Xbox One and a Half, at or before this year's E3 Expo in June. This would be a pretty big shakeup to the console paradigm (which I've long argued has a fast-approaching expiration date on it). If it happens, it could all be because (if I may quote Spinal Tap) consoles' appeal is becoming more selective.

"Part of the reason for this move is, I think, a general lack of confidence that there is the same number of people in the world who want to buy dedicated games hardware as there have been in the past," said Ben Cousins, a veteran game developer who has written and spoken extensively on gaming's future, in an email. "While I think there will always be an audience of a certain size for consoles, it might not be as big as it was in the past, because the 'I buy a console when it's $99 and only play Madden on it' audience may have moved over to mobile gaming."

In other words, Cousins says, releasing slightly upgraded consoles might be a tactic to sell more consoles to fewer people. It's all about increasing ARPU---average revenue per user, the amount of money you get from a single customer. Console makers do this with software by selling DLC, a subscription, or a collector's edition, he says, and releasing console upgrades could have the same effect on the hardware side.

"If they can communicate to consumers a strong reason for the upgrade... then they could generate a lot more income without having to grow the overall market for consoles," he says.

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Bexley

The absurd acceleration in console-generation releases is proof that as consumers, we might eagerly find ourselves purchasing a new gaming platform sooner than anticipated – fostering an expansive library of games but also contributing to the frequent lost investments with each next update.

2025-07-15 03:04:29 reply
Selah

This insightful article underscores the potential for consumers to这么快就考虑再购入新的游戏机in a way that highlights both technological advancements and changing gaming preferences, ultimately urging readers not just upgrade but embrace future console generations sooner rather than later.

2025-07-15 03:04:45 reply
Meadow

Investing in another console sooner than anticipated may prove to be a worthwhile decision for those seeking an upgraded gaming experience or fresh titles not available on existing platforms.

2025-07-15 03:04:59 reply
Kalista

Investing in a new console may be sooner on the cards than you think, due to technology advancements and increasingly desirable game exclusives.

2025-07-17 07:43:14 reply
Freya

The surge in new console releases signals that gaming fans may find themselves tempted into purchasing another, state-of the art platform earlier than anticipated.

2025-07-17 07:43:30 reply
Edward

Ignoring the increasing demand for next-gen console upgrades seems unwise, as gamers might end up purchasing their second or third iteration sooner than anticipated due to impressive new features and advancements in graphics.

2025-07-17 07:43:46 reply
Yara

Given the impressive game library and technological advancements of upcoming consoles, you'll likely find yourself queuing for a new device sooner than anticipated if your current console isn’t keeping up with demand or offers.

2025-07-21 06:19:13 reply
Merritt

The availability of timeless classic games for previous-gen consoles together with constant new releases is compelling, forcing gamers to consider getting the latest system sooner than they anticipated.

2025-07-21 06:19:43 reply
Paola

The advent of cutting-edge gaming titles and potential backward compatibility announcements make it clear that console upgrades are poised to become a necessity sooner rather than later, leaving many gamers on the verge of another early purchase decision.

2025-07-25 11:28:58 reply

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