“Single” Handedly, Lost Gaming

Anxiety, it’s a word pulsing with venomous intent, but it’s also an accredited emotion coursing with potential. A promiscuous, but similarly a deceiving adjective which can now be formerly attributed to the upcoming generation of games consoles. It’s relatively safe assumption to digress that both Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s 360 successor, the Xbox One have both received mute to mild adoration for their individual contributions to gaming’s presumed, illustrious future, which can be minimally attributed to anxious pessimism. Such corrosive formulations by pessimistic spectators, it’s appropriate to mention that it’s not my responsibility to alleviate such correspondence’s; only time, furtive consultation, and the solitude of your own faculties can adequately determine and exonerate your own myopic deliberations. But against my more pessimistic of inclinations, in a rare passive instance to soothe the increasing antagonism that some factions have sought solace in, I have cavorted with my astounding–usually humble–though enigmatic intellect, and I will now generously contribute and exacerbate the already volatile apprehension by divulging my own encumbering fear, that single-player content has become an appended condition to a games consoles.

The majority of distress can be accredited to the unpredictable supposition’s we as speculators implement on what a consoles purpose is to be, but with announcement’s now formally unveiled, the anxiety has escalated, stemming from the development of what we now know. Understanding should be a process of clarity, a moment when fears are alleviated and doubt cast asunder, crushed beneath the evolutionary heel of progression and change, but of course being the simians that we are, change is a frightening proposition. It spawns doubt, casts an imposing, looming shadow over our often advantageous expectations, with media critiquing only compounding those reservations. You can’t regulate these perpetual thoughts, but you can minimise the impact by simply accepting the alterations, and avoiding any unnecessary antagonism to your desired console. But there is still the lingering doubt that continually pokes and prods insistently at my psyche, like my niece prodding exhaustively at my arm with the heels of her Barbie; that consoles have become less about the content.

“Surely the content is more important than “one” button?”

Modern day consoles have to be multifaceted systems, capable of a multitude of functionalities, easily accessible and simple to navigate. The complexities of transferring data, streaming movies and downloading content is negotiated with a minimum of effort, with little technological astuteness, so even chimps, simpletons, porcelain figurines stuck in varied animated contortions, or even myself can negotiate these functions with a minimum of mental durability. But with the potent development of interactivity online and the increased emphasis of social interactions, are consoles also segregating communities and almost abolishing a consoles traditional purpose, gaming? The PS4 deliverance has been to demonstrate the importance of the share functionality. Sony’s future plan appears to be based around “one button”, and though there were impressive demonstrations of visual allurement of content to come, it all seemed overshadowed by–what I’m sure will be a very intuitive function. The Xbox as well seemed to forget entirely that it’s a games console, by announcing little on its gaming prospects. Though it’s likely Microsoft have their peripherals firmly sighted on E3, it still demonstrates the significance that online interactivity has over content. I want to play games, not watch the next arbitrary episode of “The Big Bang Theory!”

“The battle begins. Or so they’d have you believe.”

Sony has already expressed its intention to become a more PC specific console (if such a definition exists), that could inadvertently coerce gamers into socially awkward convergences rather than single-player excursions. It’s understandable that modern games consoles must offer broad functionality, for a more multi-purpose experience, all neatly encased in one efficient and conveniently located box, coveting every conceivable aspect to attract as many casual or undecided gamers, with both new additions inclined to dominate every facet of digital opulence. Perhaps the quality of content as well as the freedom to indulge offline is somewhat Victorian attitude to undertake in the ever-expanding world of gaming. Console developer’s can’t restrict their functions to one defining demographic when various aspects can be utilised to great effect, and with the seemingly unfaltering state of austerity continuing unabated, conceptions with such extensive technological advances cost companies considerable expenditures, so we should be respectful and express a degree of gratitude that the versatility of the machine is still of paramount significance and that it’s not just a rehash of a pre-existing system, just made out of stickle bricks. But receptive button configurations, advanced technology and forced reciprocation between online aggravator’s, shouldn’t forsake involved spontaneity of single-player gaming. I can only hope that my vague definition of these two parrying consoles is similar to my over ramblings, erroneous……again.

Do you think that consoles are too focused on multi-functionality rather game content? And have you been impressed or disappointed by the PS4 and Xbox One respectively? Let me know your thoughts. Cheers.