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Could we ever see “modular” consoles?

With mobile phone technology advancing at such a fast rate in recent years, you may have heard of modular mobiles.

Modular technology is the idea that your mobile no longer needs to be replaced once it has become outdated, you simply detach a single part, such as the processor or camera, before inserting a new one like you would when replacing a small memory card.

The advantage for mobiles is clear, but would it work for consoles? Console cycles last for around 8 years before technology begins to hold back developers and restrict their vision. PC gamers have the advantage that they can simply replace their processors etc to create a more effective machine, but as we all know, not everybody loves playing games on a PC.

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newgamernation.com
Timesplitter143686d ago (Edited 3686d ago )

The strength of consoles is that devs can make highly-optimized games for the console's specific hardware. If the hardware becomes variable, consoles lose that advantage. So in that case, you might as well buy a PC instead.

That kinda is why Steam Machines seem a bit pointless to most people. It's more of a "worst of two worlds" than a "best of two worlds"

maybelovehate3686d ago

PC games have hardware requirements. It isn't like it is a shot in the dark. They pick out a set of hardware they want to support and they optimize their games based on that hardware. Granted, there are some variables they do not have direct control over such as driver changes but AMD and NVidia do work very closely to also try to optimize their drivers to best suit the graphical engines currently in use.

In the end the PC usually wins out in a big way with games running at a higher resolution and in many cases double the frame rate.

3686d ago
gangsta_red3686d ago

I'm sure that could be a very reasonable thing going into the the future of consoles.

I'm sure Sony and MS are looking at other companies that have devices releasing more often and people flocking to it, why not consoles?

TheCommentator3686d ago

It seems more likely than not at this point. If future consoles have built in expansion slots for things like RAM and extra GPU's, it would be easy to come out with an upgrade kit that was regulated to a specific spec. I see no reason why it would be difficult to manufacture such a console or why developers would struggle to accomodate a few different specs. I mean, PC's have had graphics settings forever and devs don't seem to struggle with the PC market, right?

2pacalypsenow3686d ago

We already did in the 90's and they failed

gangsta_red3686d ago

The world wasn't ready back then, but that could be different now.

magiciandude3686d ago

We've seen consoles with disk formats fail in the past, but now that is what every console uses for the past few generations. I can see modular technology as the future of console gaming and it's definitely not a bad thing at all. The Nintendo 64 had upgradable RAM aka the Expansion Pak.

gangsta_red3686d ago (Edited 3686d ago )

Exactly, I remember Dreamcast having online and me hardly ever using it because 56k was slow. But the tech caught up and now I can't imagine not having games with online play.

Like anything, if done right it could be good to have and potentially cheaper.

If companies can make a console and have easy upgrades with proprietary type add-ons then why not.

Artemidorus3686d ago

They already do it's called a PC

Liqu1d3686d ago

This. If you want PC features then get a PC.

OtakuDJK1NG-Rory3686d ago

Well the Expansion Pack for N64 worked well.

maxleresistant3686d ago (Edited 3686d ago )

Well, it doesn't really apply to a modular console
-First reason being it was basically a mandatory accessory that cost only like what 20/30 bucks? So it was easy to buy, and you had to buy it to enjoy a lot of the new games on N64 here is a list http://www.gamespot.com/for...
-A modular console is not just about changing ram, it's about changing ram, cpu, and Gpu, at the very least. That won't be cheap for the consumers
-And finally that will create a lot of new configurations, and games will need to be optimized on each one of those configuration. Bottom line, the optimization will be shite, like on a PC. You'll need twice the power you have on normal console to run a game at the same specs.
Which is fine for a PC, because it's more expensive and well you use it for far more than playing games, but for a dedicated gaming console, to have poorly optimized games? God no...

rainslacker3686d ago (Edited 3686d ago )

The expansion for the Turbo CD didn't though. New console confused people, although it was never a popular console in the west anyways.

Japan eventually came around though.

joeorc3684d ago

@maxleresistant + 1d 17h ago
[Well, it doesn't really apply to a modular console
-First reason being it was basically a mandatory accessory that cost only like what 20/30 bucks? So it was easy to buy, and you had to buy it to enjoy a lot of the new games on N64 here is a list http://www.gamespot.com/for...
-A modular console is not just about changing ram, it's about changing ram, cpu, and Gpu, at the very least. That won't be cheap for the consumers]

Good post.. Bubble up..but it could be cheap enough for the consumer, it depends on the platform designs for the console market going forward.

Key example..since Vulkan graphics Api & Apple's Metal, Microsoft's DirectX12 and AMD's Mantle all work on Mobile Chipsets moving forward..

There could in effect be a shift to more single board HPC console gaming systems moving forward.

And if that is the case..I think a module based system would indeed work.

Example.

http://www.hardkernel.com/m...

Now some may say. That would be a step back towards power in keeping up , PC but if you think about it.The console market should never really be about trying to keep up with the PC. It is far more and would be more effective for the game console market to move toward such small single board HPC systems than continue to its current path..and I think already the big three are seeing this right now.

Because the chipsets going into mobile single board HPC's are robust enough really for the console game market that in effect your performance gains vs PC as is the current case is no where near what current PC levels can go..but Game console designs were never really about that..it was about performance in making use of most, for power/ watt for a low price point as you could go.

Current game console's designs are just not able to get there without going above the $400.00+ barriers for the console market world wide..they need to lower that price entry point ..and the way forward is with Single board HPC tweak designs moving forward in my opinion.

They are modularity in design and cost effective..and with now being compute clustering now makes the viability that much more viable now.

Mobile chipsets with compute clustering such example from my link show games such as GTA V could run since that is a current on the shelf game in the console market mobile chipsets are viable solution for graphics intensive games that before would only been on PC or living room console's.. Bit now even the mobile chipsets are powerful enough to run games like those for living room game consoles or PC's 18 years ago no mobile chip would be able to offer such performance levels..now they do.

We may be looking soon to a shift to such hardware because of margins as is are not high enough for cost /performance for over all game console market for the world wide market if the systems retain a over $400.00+ entry point in markets world wide in Asia & Japan mobiles cost entry is now a viable alternative to console & PC entry points for gaming..in China the same way.

Console gaming may undergo this change to bolster further adoption rates moving forward..just do not be surprised if it happens.. I would not be.

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80°

Playstation Plus Monthly Games for May: EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Nine Sols

All available May 5.

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blog.playstation.com
FPSRUSSIA16d ago

What's Point in commenting your basicly closing down the site.

LiViNgLeGaCY16d ago

I'm surprised it's still the old site. I thought he said starting today?

Eonjay16d ago

Its like the final episode of the Sapranos. You gonna go to make a comment and when you click add th-

Profchaos16d ago

Timezone thing maybe.... RIP

darthv7216d ago

Insert the Ferris Bueller end scene... "You're still here? It's over.."

LiViNgLeGaCY16d ago

I think the only game here for me is Nine Sols. Was always interested in that game.

TheColbertinator16d ago

Glad I don't buy FIFA games anymore

Rebel_Scum16d ago

Hey now! Thats a great month.

Nacho_Z16d ago

Good month for me, I wanted that particular footy game and thought it might be due. Anyway who cares, shame about the site I'll miss the comment sections. All the best everyone.

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70°

Naughty Dog Was Reportedly Divided On Joel's Controversial Fate During Development Of TLOU Part 2

Naughty Dog was reportedly divided on the controversial fate of Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 during the game's development.

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twistedvoxel.com
SimpleDad17d ago

NO, that can't be... No! I can't... Really?/s

Cacabunga17d ago

They for sure chose the worst way to deal with it

-Foxtrot15d ago

Funny considering Bruce left half way through development and now we get told there was an internal conflict with the story direction.

Makes you think…

HectixRose17d ago

I think it was good decision, if he was still alive, he would have been a mascot just like Kratos, drake and many others. These old dudes gotta die for new characters to take center stage with their own storyline. They keep dragging the emotional baggage into many sequels and eventually the story just turns into absolute shit show.

JEECE17d ago

It was ironic because people complained heavily about the story in the Uncharted games not having sufficient stakes because all the key characters always survived, despite the dangerous situations they were always in. Then ND killed a character in a more serious series and everyone lost their minds. Just shows that people don't always really want the thing they say they want.

CantThinkOfAUsername16d ago

I thought the more common complaint about Uncharted franchise was how the main cast are the good guys acting so nonchalantly while killing hundreds in cold blood (aka the dissonance between gameplay and story cutscenes). They just did it again in Part II.

Soy17d ago

Didn't have to kill him. Just have them part ways or Joel can "retire," whatever.

DarXyde16d ago

I don't think he would necessarily need to become a mascot (and besides, technically, I'd say Ellie is... So regardless, someone was going to be).

From a narrative perspective, I do think it has a similar effect to Ricky dying in Boyz N Da Hood: very likeable character, and you're really motivated to see the get back—in this case, it's more intense because it's an interactive experience. Most people hated Abby, but I get what they were after with portraying the cycle of violence and revenge—unfortunately, the game appears to want to take the side of the bad people.

But I will say that if Joel survived, it does become harder to tell an interesting story. What COULD have happened is an exploration into the rift between Joel and Ellie after the trolley dilemma events of the first game. It could have been interesting to see Abby out for revenge at the same time Ellie hated Joel.

Ashunderfire8616d ago

Sorry just had to say this lol! RICKYYYY!

Man Cuba Gooding Jr was miscast in that movie, but that part was cringey it was sad and funny at the same time man.

Ashunderfire8616d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I understand but the way they went about killing Joel, was poorly executed. Even the show of the Last of Us games tried to improved it, but it was just as bad. Well at least Joel got to know the reason why he had to die, before the death happened in the show. That part gave us the full context, but the game just let it happen with no pay off.

Joel death should have been a midway thing through the story, so we at least get to play him a little more with Ellie. Abby didn’t need to be this Hulk looking woman, but more like the show Abby which is a beater idea in my opinion.

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InUrFoxHole17d ago

The only ND game that was so disappointing to me I couldn't finish it.

pwnmaster300017d ago

Honestly as much as I loved the game, they could have just not killed him off.
I get it creator vision and all but killing a character that made you millions is just wrong imo. At least have him go down fighting.

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60°

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Website Launches With New Nomura Artwork and Merchandise

Square Enix launches Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary site, revealing new Nomura art, books, music releases, and merchandise.

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twistedvoxel.com
-Foxtrot17d ago

Look I know VIII has its issues and all that but how on earth can the do big anniversary events with new artwork and merchandise for VII, IX and X yet VIII got sweet f*** all.

They could have given it something during its 25th anniversary yet all it got was a single Happy Anniversary post on their social media.

solideagle16d ago

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Relientk7716d ago

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments