Rising prices, extensive layoffs, the complete elimination of physical media – Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are destroying everything that console gaming has meant for MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz over many years.
I still vividly remember the excited tingling when I unwrapped a big present at Grandma’s one Christmas evening and found a new Nintendo Entertainment System. Of course, it came with the first Super Mario. I spent the rest of the day gazing in fascination at all the short gameplay impressions shown on the back of the packaging. A new world was just waiting for me to step in.
With comparably heartwarming nostalgia, I think back to my first upgrade: I traded my NES for a Super Nintendo Entertainment System. A deal I am still proud of today. Or the first console I saved my pocket money for: the PlayStation.
My enthusiasm for gaming was strongly shaped in the early years by these gaming boxes. They were not only cheaper than my friends’ PCs, but I also never had trouble with them regarding crashes or installations. Just insert, start playing, and have fun.
Another strong advantage: We could wildly lend and exchange our consoles and games in the neighborhood. For one summer, I had a friend’s Nintendo 64 and broke all his records in Wave Race 64. For that, he had a lot of fun with my PSOne for weeks. It was heaven on Earth for us.
As I got older, I eventually added a PC – otherwise, I wouldn’t have been writing about MMORPGs for 17 years. However, the PC was always accompanied by at least one current console. Admittedly, some of the advantages from back then are not as relevant today.
Yet I still appreciate my Nintendo Switch or the PS5 for one detail: I can buy games on physical media and then lend, gift, or sell them easily after finishing them. At least for now …
Consoles are losing their magic
What makes me really sad right now: Future generations of gamers will not have as much fun with the consoles of the future as we did in the 90s and 2000s. The major manufacturers Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are currently laying the groundwork to eliminate themselves as console makers or to turn consoles into pure luxury goods for affluent customers.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 is already a luxury item, despite the technology already struggling behind the competition at launch and potential system sellers appearing only every now and then – and starting in September, it is supposed to become even more expensive.
- Sony has already raised the prices for its PS5 versions by €100 each in April.
- Finally, Microsoft is also significantly increasing the prices for its almost 6-year-old consoles.
- The Xbox Series and PS5 have already been available optionally without a disc drive. Now it is clear that Sony will stop all physical units for the PlayStation by 2028.
- It therefore seems quite certain that the PlayStation 6 will be released as a purely digital console.
- Microsoft and Sony are currently cleaning house: studios are closing, employees are being laid off … it is still unclear who will survive this slaughter in the end and how it will affect the upcoming generation of first-party games.
Let’s note that many people cannot afford the current consoles despite their already advanced age (meaning the age of the consoles, not the people). With the upcoming generation of gaming boxes, this is likely to worsen even further.
The elimination of physical media not only kills the exchange and second-hand market, but it also disadvantages all gamers living in areas with slow internet connections. And all collectors who generally rely on physical media for movies, games, and more. Colleague Benedikt has therefore now given up on the PlayStation 6.
But also lost is a large part of the emotional fascination that I associated with consoles in my youth: the ability to easily share games with my friends. Unpacking a new game next to the Christmas tree and actually holding something I can gaze at from all sides with gleaming eyes.
Some of the reasons why I fell in love with gaming years ago will simply not be understandable to future generations. I find that just sad and bitter.
Equally sad: My interest in the next console generation is currently at zero. In the past decades, I was always one of the gaming enthusiasts who was really looking forward to the next round of duels between Xbox and PlayStation, and who was curious to see what innovative twist Nintendo would use to leave the technically stronger competition behind in the future.
PS6 and Xbox “whatever it may be called” can be damned – from Private Karsten’s perspective. I have already given up on the Nintendo Switch 2. If a new console lands here in the living room, it will only be because the job requires it … my enthusiasm for console gaming has been collectively torpedoed by Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo in recent months.
Can you relate? Do you remember your first console? The first game you bought yourself? I would love to hear your experiences and opinions in the comments! Criticism of the big players is currently coming from all sides. Even from a former industry executive: Former head of PlayStation believes Xbox is doing everything wrong, accusing them of “fundamental misunderstanding”
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