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According to at least one guy at EA, you can have too much variety photo

According to EA's head of international publishing, Gerhard Florin, we would all be better off with one unified gaming platform -- as opposed to the multitude of consoles and handhelds that currently vie for our attention. Speaking with the BBC, he envisions just that in as little as 15 years. How so? Well taking into consideration that set-top boxes are continually improving and that steaming HDTV streams and Internet is already happening -- it's just a matter of time before the one barrier that's caused division among gamers is removed: multiple platforms. What about competition and all that jazz that we've been programmed to believe is necessary to foster innovation? He's got it covered:

"Competition was required to ensure the pace of technology was maintained. Going forward that is irrelevant. Gaming will just require potentially a £49.99 box from Tesco made in China with a hard drive, a wi-fi connection and a games engine inside. It's basically a boiled-down PC."

Personally, I'm still not completely sold on the idea of a single platform being the answer to all of our prayers, but I can certainly appreciate some of the positive aspects of such a move. It would prove to be the proverbial undoing of the fanboy wars (right now, pretty much the entire "big three" have pissed me off in one way or another), if nothing else. It probably will never happen, but just for the hell of it -- how do you feel about this? Would a single console make you happier, or would the consequences prove to be much worse than we anticipated?

Since I'm one of the few people on the Internet who will publicly admit to liking EA and what they bring to the table (minus the sports titles that I couldn't possibly care less about), I'll leave out the worn out jabs concerning monopolies.

[Via BBC News -- Thanks Justin/Joe]


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53 comments | showing # 1 to 50

king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 10/19/2007 13:06
No thanks. Competition makes the different companies work harder to be the best, and gamers benefit from that. Sure competition creates fanbois and lowball tactics, but I think in the end its a good thing.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 10/19/2007 13:10
I agree, but I can also see this guy's point. Competition makes us all hella-broke too. As much as I believe in the principles of competition and how it drives one company to outdo the next.... it sure would make our lives a helluva lot easier to pick up any game, and know that it will work once you bring it home. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 10/19/2007 13:10
It would make things worse.
Expected of an EA goon to be in favor of monopolies.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 10/19/2007 13:12
I personally like the variety of the consoles. It's nice because each console provides something different for each type of person. The competition between the companies is great because it proves what works and what doesn't. We, as consumers, need that choice of variety. We need developers who are focused on making great games for specific platforms. If everything was on one line then I would feel like the innovation is going away. There's never one path in doing something. I prefer to drive on the road that I want with the consoles that I love. They're all great machines but I really like the choices.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 10/19/2007 13:12
What I mean by this, is think about how much money you have tied up in multiple consoles in order to play what's hot at the moment. Worth thinking about.
A New Challenger's Avatar
A New Challenger at 10/19/2007 13:23
One word: 3DO.

I like games on discs because I enjoy some nominal sense of ownership. If it's not multiplayer I don't want to be forced to go online in order to play it.
galagabug 's Avatar
galagabug at 10/19/2007 13:28
COMMUNIST!
Corncobtacular's Avatar
Corncobtacular at 10/19/2007 13:28
Gameboi,
If any of these companies (Sony, MS, Nintendo) were able to become monopolies i guarantee you that you would still pay through the nose for their console. The problem being that no competition means any price point they want.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 10/19/2007 13:32
Yeah, we need competition.
King hit the nail on the head.
freeman1's Avatar
freeman1 at 10/19/2007 13:32
It wouldn't be better, but it'll probably get to that point eventually.
thedude93's Avatar
thedude93 at 10/19/2007 13:32
Personally, i think innovation would decline. Think about the wii. Not totally consumed by technology, it took a step sideways in progression and decided to focus on the way you play. I'm not a Big N fan boy by any means, but i do respect their idea.

I say stick with variety and competition.
IceMax's Avatar
IceMax at 10/19/2007 13:33
I think what he means is that there should be one universal platform architecture, and that several companies would produce these. Similar to the way dvd players are, several companies make different dvd players, yet any dvd will work with anyone of them.
flynsk's Avatar
flynsk at 10/19/2007 13:34
First one to virtual reality wins!
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 10/19/2007 13:34
Competition drives industry forwards, without it there is no incentive for companies to improve what they make what so ever. Imagine if there was only 1 auto manufacturer, and no one else was allowed to make a car. As others have said they could charge what they want and have complete control over that industry, really they could make the same car for hundreds of years and we would have no choice but to buy it? Not on my watch. Imagine where the gaming industry would be now if we only had 1 console to chose from? I think it would be pure shit.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 10/19/2007 13:34
@Ice_Max

That sounds about right, and an excellent idea. I'd back it.
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 10/19/2007 13:35
ice max idea is what i hope eventually happens
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 10/19/2007 13:36
corak there is no way you can post that many words and expect some one to read it with that avatar
Variable Gear's Avatar
Variable Gear at 10/19/2007 13:37
According to one guy at Silicon Knights, this one guy at EA is smart.
Upgrayedd's Avatar
Upgrayedd at 10/19/2007 13:39
Even if it meant the second coming of Christ it would never happen (not for long anyway).

There's too much money in video games and some other company would jump in on it.
rdaneel72's Avatar
rdaneel72 at 10/19/2007 13:43
Yeah, may we never forget the 3DO and the lessons it taugh us.

Nintendo will NEVER relinquish control over their own hardware. They design hardware and software in tandem. It is a key factor of thier success (and profitiblity). So, unless all other concede to Nintendo, this will NEVER happen.
bluemeep's Avatar
bluemeep at 10/19/2007 13:46
You heard it here first, folks: the Phantom's release date is 2022.
Skytso's Avatar
Skytso at 10/19/2007 13:48
So he wants one single platform for all games that people only have to decide which game and not which platform? I've heard of it...

It's called the PC.
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 10/19/2007 13:52
yeah and i think upgrading a pc thru the next 5 years will cost more than a wii 360 and ps3 combined
donkeykong's Avatar
donkeykong at 10/19/2007 13:57
I don't really see this happening.

Imagine for a second that my name is Nintendo, and that the year is 2022. Someone says to me "would you like to make less money?", my answer? "no".

I don't need to say anything else.
robotplague's Avatar
robotplague at 10/19/2007 13:59
This is one of those things that we'll always hear about but will never happen. Getting all 3 companies together to co-operate would be a nightmare. Everyone has a different idea of what a console should be. I could however picture a company dropping out of the race leaving only 2 consoles, that to me is very feasible.
Im OK's Avatar
Im OK at 10/19/2007 14:00
I stopped reading after "According to EA".
pwfd's Avatar
pwfd at 10/19/2007 14:01
I think that's the big plot Microsoft is up tu for some time now... with the xbox you basically have a static pc where you can only play games and doesn't need to worry about changing graphic cards, increasing memory or improving cpu performance... one step further and you have a static pc where all software and games are easely produced because they know exactly what's the hardware you have at home...
Rockvillian's Avatar
Rockvillian at 10/19/2007 14:03
I can only express my feelings through image.

BS3 Owner's Avatar
BS3 Owner at 10/19/2007 14:05
Not a good idea...

First of all it's EA's Vision...

Second I don't want my gaming sytstem riddled w/Hax. Especially when on the internet w/it. Cough! (Microsoft)

Too much uniformality = LAYM Experience!
balth's Avatar
balth at 10/19/2007 14:06
@Gameboi:

"steaming HDTV streams and Internet is already happening"

I don't think that's very healthy for the equipment! Good read, tho. I think this EA dude needs to quit whining.

It's too hard to program for multiple consoles.

No wonder they aren't #1 anymore.

Bitches.

that is all.
SourGr8pes's Avatar
SourGr8pes at 10/19/2007 14:07
I was sold on the crying child.
shoop008's Avatar
shoop008 at 10/19/2007 14:21
If all the software companies worked together to come up with a video game system spec that any hardware maker could produce, I think it would work. There would still be tons of competition. Intel, IBM, and Sony would compete to get their processors in the system. ATI and NVidia would be competing for the video card. The companies that manufacture the systems would put in whatever they thought would sell the system; different sized hard drives, wireless, DVR funcionality, and controllers(all would have the same number of buttons). You would have companies like Westinghouse putting out cheap systems and companies like Samsung and Sony coming out with high end systems.
Professor Pew's Avatar
Professor Pew at 10/19/2007 14:24
Good thing consoles only need a "Games engine" to run games!
zardoz's Avatar
zardoz at 10/19/2007 14:27
Bad idea, no company has any right to insist on one vision, one size fits all unified console.

This is typical of EA, the company which have been releasing the same game in different packaging for over a decade. If healthy competition, the same competition found in every other healthy entertainment industry, is their real fear (which it is), then they should just make ports of the same games for every console available, and then release those ports every year...oh wait.
grrza's Avatar
grrza at 10/19/2007 14:36
Yeah, if this is true, then why hasn't the PC taken the lead and vanquished consoles already?
A New Challenger's Avatar
A New Challenger at 10/19/2007 14:41
Just another bit of bonus trivia for those who didn't pick up on it: Trip Hawkins, founder of EA, also founded 3DO.
zardoz's Avatar
zardoz at 10/19/2007 14:47
^ Is that the same Trip Hawkins who talks absolute bullshit, 100% of the time?
RskimB's Avatar
RskimB at 10/19/2007 14:54
It doesnt surprise me that EA is in favor of something like this. I prefer the competition between the varioius consoles however much of a strain it is on my wallet.
dgenerate's Avatar
dgenerate at 10/19/2007 15:11
I think the key idea would be a single unified PLATFORM to develop for, while the hardware (which may vary) may not be exclusive to a single company.

I can't fucking stand having to buy so many consoles to play any (as in every) game that comes to market. Also having to spend an extra $200 per console for extra controllers sucks.
dgenerate's Avatar
dgenerate at 10/19/2007 15:13
I don't care what you guys say, EA is a badass company.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 10/19/2007 15:25
One platform for everything? That would mean no competition and kill the market.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 10/19/2007 15:33
I want the choice of not having to be forced to pay for services that are not necessary to be paid for. Because that's all they are going to do, make me pay for shit that I'd been getting for free for years.
hippiepieces's Avatar
hippiepieces at 10/19/2007 15:43
With one console there would still be competition but it would be software as opposed to hardware. If there was one system it could still be offered by multiple manufacturers much the same way DVD players are.
Tron Knotts's Avatar
Tron Knotts at 10/19/2007 16:13
I believe in the one software format model as seen with PC's and DVD players. For home consoles it would actually increase inter-hardware compatition and therefore increasing hardware quality, decrease instances of forcing the consumer to buy three machines that basicly do the same thing just to play all the games they want, and therefore increasing general consumer confidence and interest in home consoles in general.

Picture the amazing level of compatition there would be if the Wii, the PS3, and the 360 all played the same games. Think of how hard each manufacturer would have to work to make their hardware the best. Nintendo could no longer rest on the idea that Mario, Zelda, and Smash Bros would guarantee console sales. Sony could no longer count just on Final Fantasy, Microsoft on Halo.

I think it's obivously better for the consumer for this to happen. Hardware would be cheaper, more powerful, and most importantly, you wouldn't have to ever by more than one console.

If you needed to buy one PC to do your school work, one play games, one to surf the interent, and one to download porn, do you think PC's would sell as well as they do?

If you had to buy one DVD player to watch action movies, on the buy comedies, and one for dramas, do you think the DVD format would have ever over taken VHS?

I don't think so. And like wise, I don't think that gaming consoles will ever be as accepted as DVD players and PC's until there is one universal format.
zardoz's Avatar
zardoz at 10/19/2007 17:52
Tron, good points.

But I'm convinced that Nintendo as we know them, couldn't possibly exist in a universal format. Who else is willing to take risks like Nintendo? I can think of no other company that would take a hugely successful global brand like the Gameboy, and just ditch it in favour of something whch was completely unknown and at the time mocked - the DS - the point here is that a universal console format would lead to less risk taking because their is no dominant vision with a shared unit.

They say "A camal is a horse designed by a commitee" and I think that saying rings true here, if everyone has their say, then what we get is a bog standard console which is a jack of all trades but master of none, but instead unspectacular and awkward in order to please everyone.

There will always be companies like Sony and Microsoft, but comapnies like Apple and Nintendo need their own independence if they are to maintain their unique design philosophies and approach.

Innovation cannot be unified or universal, it has to be completely uncompromised, so in that respect, I am completely against a universal console format. The videogame industry is evolving into something new, people are trying to work out what that is. I don't know what videogames will become, but I know what they won't become, a universal format is not the future of interactive entertainment, neither is multimedia.

Here's a cheeky possibility, what about Sony hooking up with Nintendo in the future? Sounds far fetched, but when you consider that it almost happened before, and when you take into account that the Playstation brand is broken, not because of the PS3, but because it was an unsustainable concept to begin with, and only a company with near unlimited funds could continue such a concept, which is why Microsoft are beating Sony at their own game. So what do you think, Sony and Nintendo?
Boolean's Avatar
Boolean at 10/19/2007 23:25
"Competition drives industry forwards, without it there is no incentive for companies to improve what they make what so ever. Imagine if there was only 1 auto manufacturer, and no one else was allowed to make a car."

Your missing the point. EA isn't saying there should be one car for everyone, they are saying that we need one type of ROAD. At the moment we buy a Microsoft car, but we can only drive on Microsoft roads. We buy a Sony car, we can only drive on sony roads. We should have one type of road and have all the competition focused on developing what matters, the cars/games! Who gives a shit about what road/console it's on?
YARLY's Avatar
YARLY at 10/20/2007 05:48
I think the guy is describing a new sort of platform for gaming in a future where computational power power is limitless and hardware is universally compatible. Essentially, you could just buy all the addon hardware you needed, and all the software would work with whatever you had at perfect quality without any drawbacks. In this case, there would no longer be need for different systems. There would just be an infinitely adaptable easy-to-use console-PC.

Or maybe this is just my idea. But this is definitely quite a ways away...
YARLY's Avatar
YARLY at 10/20/2007 05:51
Oh, and competition wouldn't be gone. Major companies like Nintendo and Sony would just be manufacturing the software and addon hardware, rather than the console itself, as there would no longer be any need for specialized architecture (CPUs/GPUs/cooling/design/etc)...
0chan's Avatar
0chan at 10/20/2007 12:51
thats like saying lets have 1 company making all the TVs and another making all the cars etc STUPID!!! YOU FAIL IT!!! ,did you get a free vacation to write this cuz its some major EA ass kissing, everyone knows EA is the cancer of the gaming industry,
Mr Kryptonite's Avatar
Mr Kryptonite at 10/20/2007 14:37
A universal format will spend the end of innovation, risks and creativity that make games what they are today. There would be no ds no wii no games like okami etc. Competition is good for any bussiness. In the end it benefits the consumer because by competing for our dollars, the companies won't be lazy. They will always try to make the best product; even bigos like EA.
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