The last three decades have brought a whole new wave of technology. For gamers, it meant radical changes in terms of consoles and games available to them. The days of running games on old SEGA consoles are long gone, with three major players dominating the industry.

Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, and Nintendo‘s consoles have become the dominant forces in the market. And most gamers using a console largely prefer these companies. However, are the console options enough? Or is there room for more? It gives rise to a relevant question about the possibility of new entries in the market.

Is there space for a new gaming console that rivals PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo?

At the moment, Xbox, the PlayStation, and Nintendo run the show. These consoles become really handy, especially since building a powerful gaming PC puts a big dent in the pocket. In this situation, being able to play games at a stable resolution and frame rate on a console becomes invaluable. However, as fans may have noticed, in the last decade, these three became virtually the only choices for players. Could there be the entry of a new console with an entirely new company?

The answer to that question has several layers.

First off, to develop a console on par with the ones available, the company needs to make a massive investment in the development stage. Even if they take the risk, these consoles are not developed in a short period but require consistent effort and investment. Remember, even Sony needed time to figure out how to make the entry into the console market.

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Secondly, building a console that is on par with the PlayStation, the Xbox, or the Nintendo in the current generation can be a massive headache. These companies have been in the industry for decades, meaning they have the added benefit of experience. It is not impossible, but needs a lot of work put into it. The companies that spring to mind are Apple and Google. Both have expertise in developing tech and funding is not a problem. However, to break into the gaming market, they need something more.

Is a move away from consoles a better bet?

Realistically, the entry of a new console might not be effective. PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo already have strong footholds in the market. They have an audience that wants their products specifically because of a variety of factors. Primarily, it would be the console exclusive titles.

There is, arguably, a better option. Instead of working on a new console, a new entry can make a mix of VR and their own platforms, through mediums such as cloud-streaming. These provide a new avenue for consuming games and give these companies a better chance of success. Google had its own service that eventually shut down. If they manage to improve the experience and channel it through a VR set like the Oculus Rift, it gives them a fighting chance against consoles.

The bottom line with this argument is not that a new console will fail. It lies more with the fact about how fans perceive consoles. Something new always feels better to use than getting an alternate version of something they might already own. If a new gaming platform actually materializes, it will surely be a big move for gamers.

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