Video game companies have been looking to make the game console the hub of your living room entertainment and beyond for years.
Going as far back as the Odyssey II, this game console featured a full keyboard and expansion module capabilities, its clear Magnavox had visions of their console expanding into a family computer. Later consoles integrated computer-like features and eventually primitive online play, like the Sega Channel for the Genesis and the XBAND which allowed online play on both 16Bit rivals.
The introduction of CD-Rom really pushed this idea further, the Panasonic 3DO, Phillips CD-i, TurboGrafx-16, and later the Dreamcast all tried incorporating other types of media into the console like dedicated movie formats and music CD cabability.
The PS2 and original Xbox nearly succeeded with a media player, ability to play music CD's and DVD movies, and successful online play.
Now with PS3 and 360, they finally nailed it and now some people use their consoles more for streaming movies and TV through Netflix and Hulu than playing video games. Online play is the norm and it actually works well thanks to faster speeds. We've also seen successful crazy periferal controllers with Kinect and Wii. Remember the NES Power Glove and U-Force? Remember the Sega Activator, Menacer and SNES Super Scope? Remember Sony EyeToy? Most of these were flops before they even came out. While Kinect, Move, and Wii are not perfect, they are accepted and supported by the gaming masses.
Sony and Microsoft have certainly taken notice and are going full steam ahead with trying to out-do each other in every area of interactivity and social media with the games themselves being an afterthought. From Sony setting us up to "share" our gaming exploits with the rest of the world with the touch of a button, and Microsofts Eye of Sauron watching and listening to our every move, it seems like it may all be just a bit too much. Rumor has it 720 will always be on-line and its integrated Kinect always active.They recently boasted of a feature that will pause your movie when it sees you've turned your head away. Ok, awesome, great, wow. So does this mean when you're watching pRon it will fast forward through the boring parts when it sees you stopped fapping? Will it then suggest other titles you may enjoy that are similar when someone else turns on the system?
These guys need to RELAX. I just want my consoles to PLAY GAMES, as I hear more about what Sony and M$ have up their sleeves, the Ouya is looking better and better.
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