There is a guy named Bruce. Bruce likes to write about games. Bruce therefore created a site named bruceongames.com.
Bruce has written an article, which although speculative, has a few interesting points about the possible future of console gaming. He states that using server technology together with a set top box, users will be able to access a wealth of games such as MMO’s casual games, old classics and can possibly integrate a whole lot of community oriented applications or games.
Sound interesting? Read more about it after the jump.
Now, because the set top box is so simple and so many of the tasks are handled by the servers, the actual technology itself will be very simple and very cheap, to the point that it could even be given away free when a consumer signs up for the service. The technology could even be built into DVD players and for all I know, fridges as well.
Now, while the title of his article is “The Free Upcoming Microsoft Console”, he states that companies such as Sony, Samsung, Philips or even Google could do something like this but he thinks that it would probably be Microsoft as they have the necessary resources to make it a reality.
I remember hearing a couple years ago (more like 10), that Bill Gates had been speaking about something very similar whereby all of your applications and work would be stored in servers and your actual PC could be as low spec as a 486 or Pentium 1. Now, times have changed an awful lot, but it will be interesting to see if something like this ever sees the light of day.
source: bruceongames.com
Last Updated: July 22, 2008
janrik
July 22, 2008 at 13:53
There was another article on how they could do this with mobile gaming devices.
Pretty interesting stuff.
Kale
July 22, 2008 at 14:01
My question is: how will this effect under developed countries? The concept of the box essentially being a send and receive port where all the data is processes elsewhere is great, but how would a connection handle a game like Crysis running on an American server with the client being here in SA (for example)? I don’t see this coming to mainstream fruition for some time, well at least I hope so or we will be screwed. Imagine Telkom being the company that handles gaming in South Africa — Well that’s my 5c worth anyway
janrik
July 22, 2008 at 14:53
Do you really think we feature anywhere on any planning list?
Lydon
July 22, 2008 at 21:48
Eish…the bandwidth that would use 😯
doobiwan
July 23, 2008 at 00:49
Well technologically, this already exists in the PC world and is just an extension of PSP remote play. personally I don’t see it happening an time soon. Those render processes have to reside somewhere, so rather make the consumer pay for it.
Kale
July 23, 2008 at 11:00
Sadly you are so right… 😥