August 25th 2024.
Is a gaming PC and the Switch 2 all you need for the next generation of gaming? A reader shares his thoughts on why he believes the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have convinced him to give up both next gen replacements and stick with a PC.
I have never paid much attention to Gamescom before, but this week brought a major moment that caught my eye: the official announcement from Xbox that they will no longer be a console maker and will now focus on releasing games for all platforms. This is the first time something like this has happened in the gaming industry since the Dreamcast in 2001.
Of course, Microsoft didn't explicitly state this, but I can't understand what they were thinking when they announced the release date for Indiana Jones And The Great Circle on Xbox and PC, only to mention that it will also be available on PlayStation 5 a few months later. It's clear that Microsoft has been struggling lately and I don't even think they realized the magnitude of their mistake, as it completely removes any incentive for PlayStation 5 owners to invest in an Xbox Series X/S.
Some have speculated that Microsoft is trying to find an easy way out of making consoles while saving face, but announcing the development of a next gen console before Sony does and then looking like a fool in front of the entire world does not support that theory.
To be honest, I'm not particularly interested in what Xbox is doing. I haven't purchased one of their consoles since the Xbox 360 and their actions during the last two generations have only confirmed that I made the right decision.
PlayStation is a trickier issue because while they have also made some questionable decisions this generation, they still produce games that I am interested in and have an ecosystem that I am deeply rooted in. However, I have not truly enjoyed any of their games since Returnal, even though Spider-Man 2 and God Of War Ragnarök were decent.
In theory, I am still interested in their exclusive titles and will definitely be getting Astro Bot when it's released. However, their attitude this generation – their lack of explanation for their actions – has put me off them in a major way, to the point where I don't want to invest a lot of money into a PlayStation 6, and certainly not a PS5 Pro.
Then we have Nintendo, who have been the complete opposite of Sony and Microsoft. They have been excellent this generation, to the point where the Switch has become one of my favorite consoles ever and one of the most successful too. They were able to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic much quicker than the other two and their lineup for this year is fantastic, even though it wouldn't have been surprising if it wasn't.
I will definitely be getting a Nintendo Switch 2 without any hesitation, regardless of its shape or features. However, even if it turns out to be significantly more powerful than its predecessor, it will always be limited in terms of its graphical capabilities due to the fact that it is also a portable device.
The obvious solution to this problem is getting a gaming PC. I had one in the early 2000s when PC exclusives were still a thing, but I happily gave it up for the more user-friendly experience of a console. Things are more complicated now, however, and Sony and Microsoft seem determined to make their consoles just as complex and frustrating to use as a PC.
On top of that, they are releasing all of their exclusive titles on PC as well, so I don't see any reason not to make the switch and get a PC instead, eliminating the need for consoles entirely. The initial cost may be higher, but it's a one-time investment and gradual upgrades will be more cost-effective in the long run.
I don't particularly want to make this change, as I would prefer to stick with just two or three consoles and no PC. However, it no longer seems like the most logical choice. Xbox and PlayStation have mishandled this generation so poorly that it's almost comical, and I hope they realize that their actions are not only turning people away from them but from consoles in general.
By reader Grant
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