Do handheld gaming systems have a future?

[x7q3]

Okay... I think its safe to assume most people now days almost always have a cell phone in their hand, and they play games on it.

In this new reality... is there a future for handheld gaming systems? I mean systems like the 3DS.

How could a handheld gaming system compete in such an environment? Phones already have thousands of games to play on them, oftentimes free. How in the world could a handheld gaming system attract consumer attention? Also, when mobile games do cost money, they are very cheap, and people are used to this very cheap price.

Is the handheld gaming system doomed? Do you think phones basically replaced it?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by x7q3

Okay... I think its safe to assume most people now days almost always have a cell phone in their hand, and they play games on it.

In this new reality... is there a future for handheld gaming systems? I mean systems like the 3DS.

How could a handheld gaming system compete in such an environment? Phones already have thousands of games to play on them, oftentimes free. How in the world could a handheld gaming system attract consumer attention? Also, when mobile games do cost money, they are very cheap, and people are used to this very cheap price.

Is the handheld gaming system doomed? Do you think phones basically replaced it?

I asked this a while back.

Mods can you merge please?

To answer, I won’t be gamine on a phone. The touch screen controls are awful imo. Once games are streamed, I think mobile gaming will only get bigger and that makes me feel a little sick in my mouth.

However, the success of the Switch has proven that there is still huge demand for proper hand held gaming consoles. Maybe all those mobile devices will be able to connect to a controller that becomes mainstream some how?

[78deluxe]

The vast majority want real tactical feel and control. Phone touch screen really works for a small number of games.

A 3DS for $200 with a few games is less investment than hundreds of dollar phone plus service fees.

The number of people smart enough to buy a used unlocked phone with no plan and just use WiFi is a very very small percentage.

So the average cost of having that phone is like buying a full priced game or two every single month.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by x7q3

Okay... I think its safe to assume most people now days almost always have a cell phone in their hand, and they play games on it.

In this new reality... is there a future for handheld gaming systems? I mean systems like the 3DS.

How could a handheld gaming system compete in such an environment? Phones already have thousands of games to play on them, oftentimes free. How in the world could a handheld gaming system attract consumer attention? Also, when mobile games do cost money, they are very cheap, and people are used to this very cheap price.

Is the handheld gaming system doomed? Do you think phones basically replaced it?

Hasn't the switch through its first year had the highest sales of any console ever for that release period. More or less answers your question, no mobile gaming isn't going to take over the industry, it wasn't going to as we moved into the current gen as many claimed and it isn't going to anytime soon (if it ever does it is in to the future far enough that we can't even speculate about it with any real meaning).

[Batman90]

I got 1 game in my phone and I only play it when I’m like waiting at offices or waiting to go somewhere or do something but it’s nothing I take serious about and so my nephew can play it it’s the only thing that keeps him busy.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

Hasn't the switch through its first year had the highest sales of any console ever for that release period. More or less answers your question, no mobile gaming isn't going to take over the industry, it wasn't going to as we moved into the current gen as many claimed and it isn't going to anytime soon (if it ever does it is in to the future far enough that we can't even speculate about it with any real meaning).

Even with the coming streaming services that work on any device?

[dyne]

Originally Posted by x7q3

Is the handheld gaming system doomed?

The sales of the 3DS currently point to no. Not yet at least. In December of last year the lineup sold more than 750,000 units which was it's most profitable since 2014.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/201...est_since_2014

That's pretty amazing for a system that's over 7 years old and isn't getting much in the way of standout/must have software on a regular basis.

[MOONPHASE]

In Japan yes it has a future with handheld consoles. Everywhere else will likely just be Smartphones(including Japan) and if you count the Switch. Sony America and Europe were basically always embarrassed by the PS Vita and has now basically a system for Anime and Indie Game fans because they just couldn’t get support with most of the big 3rd Party Western companies. In Japan, PS Vita still holds pretty well even if the Switch is not easy to compete with.

[BroncoBuster]

Nintendo has been almost single-handedly running the handheld gaming market for almost 30 years. Now that the Switch is out and Sony has all but abandoned the Vita, I don't think there is much of a future for dedicated handhelds. Nintendo is still supporting the 3DS until at least 2019, but third party support is slowing down and with the Switch's meteoric success I doubt Nintendo would bother with a new dedicated handheld.

[Talal86]

Do you not count the switch as a handheld system?

I think there will always be a market for a nintendo handheld

[Talal86]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Maybe all those mobile devices will be able to connect to a controller that becomes mainstream some how?

I hate touch screen gaming, but if they made an official, quality built, and highly supported controller, I'd be up for it

another problem with mobile is that it's very easy to get distracted by something else, you receive calls, messages, and apps like youtube, instagram, digital books, etc..

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Even with the coming streaming services that work on any device?

Controls remain an issue, and still streaming is only possible in a small number of places currently. If you think mobile phone/table gaming will take over with streaming, I just don't see the evidence for that. One because the kind of game people seem to want on there phone is entirely different to what i'd say core gaming is. That and touch screen controls are just very limiting on the design, and I don't see the average person wanting to have a phone with two thumbsticks etc.

That and for huge amounts of the world, game streaming is just not on the horizon yet. Just look at the incredibly small number of places psnow is available for example after 5ish years. So much so that how everything works, including demands consumers make may have changed in any number of ways by the time we get to the point where streaming is possible. But even then, streaming may not take of in games due to the input delay is brings, I see it more as something that will likely exist along side digital downloads and the like.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

Controls remain an issue, and still streaming is only possible in a small number of places currently. If you think mobile phone/table gaming will take over with streaming, I just don't see the evidence for that. One because the kind of game people seem to want on there phone is entirely different to what i'd say core gaming is. That and touch screen controls are just very limiting on the design, and I don't see the average person wanting to have a phone with two thumbsticks etc.

That and for huge amounts of the world, game streaming is just not on the horizon yet. Just look at the incredibly small number of places psnow is available for example after 5ish years. So much so that how everything works, including demands consumers make may have changed in any number of ways by the time we get to the point where streaming is possible. But even then, streaming may not take of in games due to the input delay is brings, I see it more as something that will likely exist along side digital downloads and the like.

Microsoft will push streaming very hard. It will be here sooner rather than later.

Also, the type of games people like on their phones has changed overnight with Fortnite. Now that some phones can run that game at decent framerates, that could be a game changer for casuals.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

Controls remain an issue, and still streaming is only possible in a small number of places currently. If you think mobile phone/table gaming will take over with streaming, I just don't see the evidence for that. One because the kind of game people seem to want on there phone is entirely different to what i'd say core gaming is. That and touch screen controls are just very limiting on the design, and I don't see the average person wanting to have a phone with two thumbsticks etc.

That and for huge amounts of the world, game streaming is just not on the horizon yet. Just look at the incredibly small number of places psnow is available for example after 5ish years. So much so that how everything works, including demands consumers make may have changed in any number of ways by the time we get to the point where streaming is possible. But even then, streaming may not take of in games due to the input delay is brings, I see it more as something that will likely exist along side digital downloads and the like.

https://variety.com/2018/gaming/feat...es-1202901770/

Not streaming but this articlle Is abou5 the rapid growth of AAA gaming on mobile.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Microsoft will push streaming very hard. It will be here sooner rather than later.

Also, the type of games people like on their phones has changed overnight with Fortnite. Now that some phones can run that game at decent framerates, that could be a game changer for casuals.

The controls remain an issue. My view is both will grow alongside each other with some crossover. But typically the type of game that works well on handheld vs home device is different, and that is before one even considers the difference in control options. Which then makes the difference even larger.

I don't think it will be one or the other but both. Both are very healthy markets that are growing, and I feel mobile gaming feeds into traditional core gaming. I'm not saying you're saying the following (as you're not), but I don't understand the one or the other approach many seem to be taking with this.

There is huge amounts of money to be made in both areas, so that would suggest both for the foreseeable future will not be going anywhere. I remember when the ps4/xbox one etc where not going to succeed as mobile gaming was going to take over.... yeah, that didn't happen. The discussion seems to be coming up again in a few areas (and will continue to do so) as we move closer to the ps5/next xbox. But it will turn out the same as last time all over again.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

The controls remain an issue. My view is both will grow alongside each other with some crossover. But typically the type of game that works well on handheld vs home device is different, and that is before one even considers the difference in control options. Which then makes the difference even larger.

I don't think it will be one or the other but both. Both are very healthy markets that are growing, and I feel mobile gaming feeds into traditional core gaming. I'm not saying you're saying the following (as you're not), but I don't understand the one or the other approach many seem to be taking with this.

There is huge amounts of money to be made in both areas, so that would suggest both for the foreseeable future will not be going anywhere. I remember when the ps4/xbox one etc where not going to succeed as mobile gaming was going to take over.... yeah, that didn't happen. The discussion seems to be coming up again in a few areas (and will continue to do so) as we move closer to the ps5/next xbox. But it will turn out the same as last time all over again.

I certainly hope so.

[Amy987]

Friends, In the history of interactive narrative entertainment, I've never seen so much despair, futility, darkness, and sadness. I won't belabour this point with historical comparisons to other cultures and other times, the medium is becoming drenched in it to the point of overt cliche. I've never felt so empty having completed a video game as I have in the last month, and I find the despair and futility profoundly disquieting.