There is a lot of uncertainty spreading its tendrils when it comes to consoles, and more specifically when we are to talk about what the future of console gaming holds. While the number of game titles that come out on single, exclusive platforms has dwindled a lot in the past years, it’s undeniable that for consoles it’s hard to keep up with technical specifications.

At least hard to keep up at the same pace gaming computers do.

Console releases only happen every few years, and their firmware and software updates can only do so much. Along with the fact that computer makers have found plenty of methods to also provide gamers with the comfort of playing from somewhere else than your computer chair, consoles keep losing ground. With the comfort of playing from your living room couch being taken away from consoles, the only real remaining advantage of console gaming remains the questionable ability to co-op play from the same machine.

The latest PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are now in their third year of life and already beginning to become muddled by the rapidly increasing requirements of new titles. If we’re to take into account the amount of time it took for these models to come out in comparison to their predecessors, we’ve got a worrying 7-8 year span between releases.

So what do analysis think about the declining life of console gaming? With at least another 2 years left until we will even get to see new consoles, users and developers alike start wondering what are the real benefits of owning such a machine, or developing their games for this platform, respectively.

Things are the polar opposite of what they were 20 years ago, when consoles were your better shot at entertainment and computers were scarcely found. Specialists have studied the matter and concluded on several points that could help revive the console scene for future releases.

• More game titles at launch. It is only recent that older Xbox 360 titles became playable on Xbox One via emulators. Anyone who has purchased a new PS4 or Xbox One at release date found themselves with only several titles to choose from, then proceed to watch dust settle on their consoles. Having earlier and more game releases for these platforms would help.
• Exceed technical expectations. Because you can only release new console models so often, manufacturers should consider investing in creating machines that top the state-of-the-art specifications of computers at the time of release. Limiting your games to 30 FPS is never a good start.
• Backwards compatibility on launch. What good is a new console if you can’t even play your older titles on it once you get it?
• VR integration.
• This could be a selling point if manufacturers can find a way to make it work. As it is, consoles have diminished in size and weight and yet cannot pride themselves on the portability factor.

These are all ideas that analysts have determined could lead to the re-installment of consoles such as PlayStation 5 or the next Xbox in an equal position as gaming PCs in the near future.

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