Console Versus Console...Versus a Third...and a Fourth

What am I thinking about?

This year's game console war.

Who would've thought we'd have so many companies competing for your attention this year?  Seriously, didn't you think we've have our hands full with the battle between Sony and Microsoft alone?  It's already an interesting duel between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.  (Photo courtesy:  James Martin CNET)

I'm basing the contest using the E3 expo as a "starting" point, although word about the consoles came much earlier.  Sony took the wind out of Microsoft's sails by not only allowing disc-based games on the PS4, but undercutting the Xbox One price by a hundred dollars.

Microsoft was hoping their flurry of exclusive Xbox One game titles (mostly coming next year) would captivate the audience, but Sony certainly upstaged them with more to offer with the console itself.  Soon after E3, Microsoft saw the writing on the wall, backing off its requirement to have users check in once a day online and dropped the DRM policy.

So, ok, this "Clash of the Titans" is now much more interesting thanks to the addition of some new players.

I remember walking to the Los Angeles Convention Center and being stopped by a couple of folks on the street passing out flyers about the OUYA system.  I had heard about it before I arrived.

It's a low-cost console ($99.99 US) running on the Android operating system that boasts of 200 game titles.  OUYA, a Kickstarter-funded project, features some 2D, 8-bit appearing games like TowerFall, trying to entice hard core gamers who long for the days of old (I guess). 

Google is also in the mix.  The internet giant, surprising everyone by reportedly introducing their OWN game console this fall (not yet named).  Who knows what they're coming up with, but I'm curious to find out.  How much experience do they have over with gaming?  Development?  Publishing?  New territory for them.

Oh, and don't forget Nintendo.  The Wii U system that came out last year might be a good option, especially for parents with little kids at home.  Nintendo games are right up their ally.  A friend of mine thinks Nintendo will drop the console price soon.  I agree.

So, long story short:  We have an interesting holiday season ahead.  Can you remember the last time we had THIS many consoles competing at one time?

Take a look at the calender.  It's early July.  The heat is turning up in the gaming world, and I would bet the farm that more surprises lie ahead.


The B Gamer is a video game reviewer at 77 WABC in New York City
Twitter:  @thebgamerpod
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/TheBGamer