I expect more from a console in 2013. Hell I expect more from ANY consumer electronic in 2013. My smartphone can do more than these consoles, and faster most of the time. Its a media hub, its a remote control, is a social device, its a gaming device, its many more things as well. To me, a console in 2013 that focuses mostly on the gaming experience is a failure waiting to happen. It sounds great on paper, or in nerdy fantasies but the reality is.. consumers expect more these days. The proof is out there today, look at what people are buying. Look at what kids are begging their parents for and what Grandparents are finally deciding to buy into. Its smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices that do a hell of a lot more than gaming. These use unified account systems, social integration right into the OS's, media functionality, all of which are now daily common things to use. A gaming device coming out in 2013 that is expected to last for several years has to be able to offer similar capabilities or its dead on arrival. You can look directly at WiiU complaints about infrastructure and OS complaints for what I'm talking about. People just expect more these days, slow OS's, lousy content offerings, terrible unified account systems etc..
Consumers actually notice these things now, and 7 years ago they weren't remotely on their radar. The market has changed.
My next gen console better be able to at least match what my smartphone can do, or do it better. Apps should launch in seconds or milliseconds. Social integration should be tight, infrastructure and OS platform should be efficient, optimized and future proof. Cloud services need to be dialed in, and be readily available on a multitude of devices/platforms. All of those need to be there, and need to be AAA top tier software. No nonsense, no launch bugs, no working out the kinks or upgrades in a year. Out of the box, both Sony and Microsoft need to have a product that is up to date in the modern technology market. A console that plays online, has access to movies/tv/music isn't enough. That was 2005. The goddamn OS's need to be written from the ground up to serve these features on a golden platter and wow the consumer. The architecture, infrastructure, operating systems and longevity of all of them better be treated as in high regard as a AAA game. Hire the best, pay for the best and expect the best.
No more excuses, no more hiding behind a thin veil pretending that game consoles are the exception to the rule.
Outside of the standard gaming, social, marketplace stuff I personally would like to see real media center functionality built in. I'm currently running a few devices to serve up my media center needs. I want to cut off Cable tv for good, give me something that serves up online streaming content in one aggregated interface. No more launching Netflix, launching HBO Go, launching Hulu Plus. All that shit should integrate into 1 interface. Give me DVR capabilities, give me software and OS functions that can match what phones have been doing for years.
Give me 1 box to rule them all.
I'm giving both Sony and Microsoft a solid chance, whoever brings the best 'device' gets my money. So far it seems that Microsoft is designing the kind of device that I want in the year 2013, but thats just based on rumors. For all I know Sony got their shit ready to roll too and maybe even better than MS. What I dont want is a console that is focused entirely too much on gaming content. Yea, I just said that. Thats a limited device that belongs in the 1990s .. and its not the 1990s any longer. Give me a console designed for 2013 and beyond.
Give me 1 box to rule them all.
