This next console gen has been a long time coming.
The Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii - collectively known as the seventh generation - have steered the
course of the industry since 2005.
Much has changed over the last eight years in gaming - and as we perch on the precipice
of a new era, perhaps it's a time for retrospection.
So, what did we learn from this generation?
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The most obvious change with the advent of new hardware is in the technical specification
- each generation is faster and more capable than the last.
At the time of the current gen's introduction, HDTVs were starting to become widely available
- and the Xbox 360 and PS3 both took advantage of this by supporting HD video formats.
This wasn't without issue - in 2005 standard-def CRTs were still very common, and some games
ran into issues when running at the lower resolution - many complained about the small
text in Dead Rising, for instance.
However, with HDTVs dropping in price over the console's lifespan, many made the switch
to such displays, and the next generation is all set to embrace an HD-only approach.
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We also saw a good old format war in the early-gen: Sony's Blu Ray versus Toshiba's ill-fated
HD-DVD.
The PS3's Blu Ray drive made it an attractive offering for those looking for an entry-level
HD player, with even the exorbitant launch price proving competitive.
Microsoft released the half-hearted add-on HD-DVD player for the 360, although after
a brief flounder Blu-Ray became the dominant format, and will indeed be the optical media
of choice for both the Xbox One and PS4.
Quite how long physical media will remain relevant is another matter - digital downloads
and streaming services such as Netflix are unburdened by such concerns.
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It seems as though redundant hardware is a recurring trend in Gen7, with games such as
Guitar Hero and Rock Band clogging up homes with fake plastic guitars.
Rhythm games were a fun diversion while they lasted, but for a more persistent peripheral
you need to look to motion controllers.
The Wii proved phenomenally popular with its Wiimote-nunchuck combo - and Microsoft and
Sony followed suit in arm flailing fashion, with the Kinect and Move respectively.
Well suited to certain genres - dancing games and casual party games spring to mind - but
such forms of input can be a little less precise for games that demand fine-grained control.
It seems as though motion controls aren't going anywhere just yet, however - the Kinect
is returning with a next-gen upgrade, and the Wii U and PS4 both retain support for
their equivalent.
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This gen also saw the widespread acceptance of online gaming - the Xbox 360 built on the
impressive inroads the original Xbox made with Xbox LIVE, and the PS3 found fully-fledged
online support in place of the limited selection on the PS2.
Online multiplayer was very much a killer app for this generation, with titles such
as Halo and Call of Duty giving rise to thriving online communities - and inspiring many to
emulate their success.
Co-operative games have proven popular too - with 4 players proving the gold standard
in titles like Borderlands and Left 4 Dead: and the less-competitive space is ideal for
the enjoyment of social gaming.
Voice chat is now a default means of communication, helped particularly on the Xbox 360 by bundled
inclusion of headset and the early availability of party chat.
Gaming is now very much a social platform, with shared spaces interlinked by a suite
of communication means.
The world might not be quite ready for a mandatory always-online console, but we are certainly
getting closer than ever before.
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One side effect of this connectivity is the emergence of the digital marketplace - with
DLC taking the place of the expansion packs of yore.
This was a reluctant introduction met with many missteps, perhaps most notably with Oblivion's
Horse Armor DLC - an aesthetic upgrade for your equine chum costing a few of your hard-earned
dollars.
These electronic offerings did improve, however - and there have been some very memorable
extensions to games that have been more fairly priced.
The online marketplace also permits a scalable price point - all the way from a full price
AAA title, through smaller-scope indie games and stand-alone arcade titles - to games which
don't require any initial investment at all.
Free-to-play games have found the greatest success on the PC, but in recent months we've
seen a slew of such titles announced for the consoles - and it's likely they'll feature
on the next-gen platforms too.
Such offerings are supported by in-game purchases - sometimes for cosmetic purposes, otherwise
to eliminate a grind for resources or to grant a more obvious advantage.
The key benefit of free-to-play is the absence of initial cost - this drastically improves
accessibility and suits a social environment, where you don't need to persuade your friends
to make a hefty purchase prior to playing.
The traditional, 'pay-up-front' model may mean you're not hounded to make purchases
in-game, but equally comes with its own set of problems - such as magnifying the power
of the big gaming franchises.
Knowing that your friends are more likely to own the next Call of Duty makes it seem
like less of a risk, as you'll no doubt have someone to play online with - whereas a risky
new IP might leave you flying solo.
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One unexpected development this gen was the rise of the gaming commentator - the result
of a perfect storm of technology and opportunity.
With internet video-sharing platforms such as YouTube emerging in parallel with this
generation, and the availability of HD capture hardware such as the Hauppauge HD-PVR, many
people - myself included - were drawn to create gaming videos.
While this might seem inconsequential to the fate of gaming, it seems as though the next-gen
consoles have taken notice - with the PS4's 'Share' button right on the controller, uploading
and sharing gameplay video is now at your fingertips.
The Xbox One boasts similar video recording and sharing features: whichever your inclination,
it seems as though user-generated content is going to feature quite prominently in the
future.
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So that was Generation 7 - one defined by a ramp in video resolution, motion controls,
and a strong move towards online games with a social bent.
With the Wii U already available, and Xbox One and PS4 just weeks away, the next generation
is almost upon us: and while it might take a little while for the new platforms to gain
momentum, soon they will carry the torch for the remainder of this decade's progress.
Precisely what type of games we'll be playing remains to be seen - the first person shooter
genre shows no signs of abating, but one can hope that the archetypal modern-military cliché
might take a backseat.
One key future trend seems to be the erosion of the boundary between single player, co-operative
play and multiplayer: a prevailing theme between some forthcoming heavy-hitters is a persistent
world spanning the entire experience.
Gone are the days of waiting in lobbies trying to find a game: instead, asynchronous matchmaking
and seamless drop-in, drop-out gameplay seem to be the way forward.
Exciting times.
With bated breath we occupy the cusp of another step change - and whatever the next generation
brings, no doubt there's some good gaming on the horizon.
Thanks for watching - and until next time, farewell.