Wii U, and the Near Future of Consoles

Former Activision executive Robin Kaminsky has recently been quoted in an op-ed article for Industry Gamers saying, "The industry cannot afford either more years of the same consoles and basically the same games or a new cycle with consoles and games that deliver more of the same just bigger. In an industry where new, innovative and fun is key there is no future in more of the same." Kaminsky mentioned console sales decline over two years and an increase in smart-phone and tablet gaming, as well as gaming on Facebook where people are "already connected."

That being said, I now focus a bit on Nintendo's upcoming Wii U as well as surmise what Sony and Microsoft may bring to the table.

It has been proven that graphics and realism are not the biggest selling-points for games anymore. Kaminsky's statements and the information behind them are a stark reality. The Wii launched with last-generation graphics (essentially) and it took a commanding lead over the competition, one competitor being Microsoft, which had launched the Xbox 360 a full year earlier. Despite all Sony's talk of "doing everything", their Playstation 3 is still in third place all but 5 years later and in no position, even with their current momentum, to overtake the Wii anytime soon.

It may be one of Nintendo's intentions to capture the hardcore gamers with the Wii U, but at the end of the day, that won't really matter. It will be refreshing the gaming experience, adding more dimensions to it that will bring about a needed boost for consoles. Content that only a console can deliver. A tablet can bring you a racing game with motion controls, so can an iPod. So now consoles will have to move beyond mere motion control.

The Wii U will work with motion controls of Wii Motion-Plus caliber, plus it will have at least one tablet-style controller that is equipped with a 6.2-inch touch screen, it's own independent Wii Motion Sensor strip, a camera for video chat and most likely pictures, full button and bumper array, two circle-pad "analog sticks". It has it's own independent motion sensor as well. This is a full-blown "second window" into a game- something that cannot be offered on a tablet or smart phone.

So, what are the possibilities? You've seen the demos, I hope. (If not, there's youtube, you know!) Anticipating the need for innovative change, having a console that can deliver experiences only a console can. This is what required the motion controls. This is what requires something along the lines of what Nintendo is thinking. While some may see it as "WTF" now, down the road, rest assured... it will be a blast and there will be much fresh and new content coming from developers who are hungry to bring fantastic new experiences that can only be delivered on a console.

As well we have the current Sony and Microsoft machines. I expect more of the same, the Move with Sony and the Kinect with Microsoft. But what would be stopping Sony from using the Vita as a tablet controller not only with their PS3 but with the "PS4"? I imagine they will be able to connect their devices in a way to offer that "second window" option again, perhaps utilizing camera data for Augmented Reality experiences.

I expect Kinect to be around as well for the "Xbox 720", and I expect to see it packed in with every console. I also expect at some point Microsoft will offer some sort of "Kinect Wand", or other manner of 1-handed control device to be used with the Kinect. I have long held the contention that all the Kinect needed was a controller.

There is a need for the console market. By the same token the consoles have to become more than they have ever been before. They are going to have to do far more than traditional hand-and-joypad control while facing a screen. Even more than motion control and motion sensing and cameras. All of these are done by smart phones, iPods and tablets. Consoles need a "second window" , with a promise of more "windows". They need to deliver experiences only a console can.