Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by octagon

Cool. I'm a big believer in the idea that more choices is better than fewer choices.

I've tried a couple games on a Fire tablet and while I'm not a big fan of the controls (same goes for console controls, actually) the experience wasn't terrible. I could totally see a mobile game being a lot of fun.

Bring it on, I say.



But why assume that consoles will no longer be one of those devices?

I know that's convenient for your doom and gloom scenarios but there are precious few actual reasons to think consoles are going away anytime soon.

And let's say some mobile device, be it a tablet or a phone or whatever, someday provides all of the functionality of a console while adding the functionality of a mobile device.

How would that be a Bad Thing? You could still do everything you can do with a console and you could do more.

I like more. More is Good.



Considering that the scenario you described has mobile gaming destroying TV and movies that would have to be one hell of a storm.

Consoles are not needed with a cloud gaming subscription. That’s kind of my point. You take away the neeD for that console and you take away one of the few reasons generation Z still use a TV. My point was, if they are going to do that, nothing will intice them to use a large screen be it for movies, tv or games.

It is widely expected that the next generation will be the final consoles as streaming games can be done on a multitude of devices. Mobile will be pushed hard has it has a huge reach for younger people (the future of their gaming audience).

Of course, with that comes less of a focus on 4K and more of a focus on steady 720P. For a long while, that will be the desired resolution to ensure a crisp, constant quality. Very few people will be able to stream 4K and even fewer of the younger crowd will even care.

Microsoft are said to be releasing a discless console next year to test the waters in preparation for their next gen release. That in itself is a huge development. Like every other section of media, the race to the bottom has started.

I see the same thing happening more and more in the film and tv business also once those gen z guys reach working age and start families.

The future is mobile and you guys who buy films on digital have accelerated the process.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Consoles are not needed with a cloud gaming subscription. That’s kind of my point. You take away the neeD for that console and you take away one of the few reasons generation Z still use a TV. My point was, if they are going to do that, nothing will intice them to use a large screen be it for movies, tv or games.

It is widely expected that the next generation will be the final consoles as streaming games can be done on a multitude of devices. Mobile will be pushed hard has it has a huge reach for younger people (the future of their gaming audience).

You do know that you can connect a computer to a TV, right? It's very easy to do.

If the next generation of consoles are "widely expected" to be the last, surely you can provide us with some citations?

There is NOTHING to lend any credibility to your obsession with these imagined fears of yours, nor is there seemingly any cure for it, either. All roads with you lead to the demise of movies and TVs; that is your trademark schtick.

Even if there was any rational reasoning behind these predictions of yours; what exactly do you expect us to do about it? Quake with fear? Chew our fingernails off? Stock up on games and movies while we still can? Should we buy 15 phones and stick them all together on the wall to form a 75" screen? Should we gather pitchforks and torches and get our angry mob on? What exactly do you expect us to do?

I certainly won't be living in fear like you do. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds- and much of it will be way too big to fit in the palm of my hand.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You do know that you can connect a computer to a TV, right? It's very easy to do.

If the next generation of consoles are "widely expected" to be the last, surely you can provide us with some citations?

There is NOTHING to lend any credibility to your obsession with these imagined fears of yours, nor is there seemingly any cure for it, either. All roads with you lead to the demise of movies and TVs; that is your trademark schtick.

Even if there was any rational reasoning behind these predictions of yours; what exactly do you expect us to do about it? Quake with fear? Chew our fingernails off? Stock up on games and movies while we still can? Should we buy 15 phones and stick them all together on the wall to form a 75" screen? Should we gather pitchforks and torches and get our angry mob on? What exactly do you expect us to do?

I certainly won't be living in fear like you do. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds- and much of it will be way too big to fit in the palm of my hand.

You personally? Nothing at all. Others who claim to have passion for films and/or HT shouldn’t be investing in digital imo. Like I say, the race to the bottom.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You do know that you can connect a computer to a TV, right? It's very easy to do.

If the next generation of consoles are "widely expected" to be the last, surely you can provide us with some citations?

There is NOTHING to lend any credibility to your obsession with these imagined fears of yours, nor is there seemingly any cure for it, either. All roads with you lead to the demise of movies and TVs; that is your trademark schtick.

Even if there was any rational reasoning behind these predictions of yours; what exactly do you expect us to do about it? Quake with fear? Chew our fingernails off? Stock up on games and movies while we still can? Should we buy 15 phones and stick them all together on the wall to form a 75" screen? Should we gather pitchforks and torches and get our angry mob on? What exactly do you expect us to do?

I certainly won't be living in fear like you do. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds- and much of it will be way too big to fit in the palm of my hand.

It’s just common sense. Microsoft are investing massively in cloud gaming, everyone will follow suit. This gen is too soon but six years on and we will just have streaming boxes or the streaming service will be built into the tv. Then of course comes the onrush of mobile gamers who just need a subscription to their service of choice. The industry is just waiting for big enough percentage of people to have access to 5G or fibre (depending on their preference for mobile or home gaming.

By the way, yes of course I know about connecting a computer to a tv. I have been gaming my entire life. It’s obvious to any gamer where things are going.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Vilya

As far as I'm concerned, games haven't needed consoles for well over a decade. I play primarily on my pc and I do not foresee that changing.

PC Gaming is "superior", I'll give you that, but console gaming is pretty good too. I also, like you, have no interest in mobile gaming.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Consoles are not needed with a cloud gaming subscription. That’s kind of my point. You take away the neeD for that console and you take away one of the few reasons generation Z still use a TV. My point was, if they are going to do that, nothing will intice them to use a large screen be it for movies, tv or games.

It is widely expected that the next generation will be the final consoles as streaming games can be done on a multitude of devices. Mobile will be pushed hard has it has a huge reach for younger people (the future of their gaming audience).

Of course, with that comes less of a focus on 4K and more of a focus on steady 720P. For a long while, that will be the desired resolution to ensure a crisp, constant quality. Very few people will be able to stream 4K and even fewer of the younger crowd will even care.

Microsoft are said to be releasing a discless console next year to test the waters in preparation for their next gen release. That in itself is a huge development. Like every other section of media, the race to the bottom has started.

I see the same thing happening more and more in the film and tv business also once those gen z guys reach working age and start families.

The future is mobile and you guys who buy films on digital have accelerated the process.

Sony has sold nearly 100 million PS4's. Xbox has around 40 million sold. The Switch is at 25 million or so.

Given the billion dollar video game market they aren't going to stop making titles for these consoles that sell millions in a few weeks. Spider-man for the PS4 sold 3.3 million units in 3 days. That's nearly $200 million dollars in sold units. They aren't dropping this for mobile or non-consoles.

Plus. cloud gaming already exists on the console. You can stream games on the PSN and Xbox has Game Pass. Removing discs kills the second hand market and let's them control the price point, which digital gaming is usually higher in cost vs disc.

Digital movie buying has NOTHING to do with the fact people like downloading their games and avoiding discs.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

PC Gaming is "superior", I'll give you that, but console gaming is pretty good too. I also, like you, have no interest in mobile gaming.



Sony has sold nearly 100 million PS4's. Xbox has around 40 million sold. The Switch is at 25 million or so.

Given the billion dollar video game market they aren't going to stop making titles for these consoles that sell millions in a few weeks. Spider-man for the PS4 sold 3.3 million units in 3 days. That's nearly $200 million dollars in sold units. They aren't dropping this for mobile or non-consoles.

Plus. cloud gaming already exists on the console. You can stream games on the PSN and Xbox has Game Pass. Removing discs kills the second hand market and let's them control the price point, which digital gaming is usually higher in cost vs disc.

Digital movie buying has NOTHING to do with the fact people like downloading their games and avoiding discs.

They will still make the games it will just be consumed differently. Services instead of consoles. I already said next gen is safe Groot. That’s at least six years. Look how fast things changed when Netflix came into the scene?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It’s just common sense. Microsoft are investing massively in cloud gaming, everyone will follow suit. This gen is too soon but six years on and we will just have streaming boxes or the streaming service will be built into the tv. Then of course comes the onrush of mobile gamers who just need a subscription to their service of choice. The industry is just waiting for big enough percentage of people to have access to 5G or fibre (depending on their preference for mobile or home gaming.

By the way, yes of course I know about connecting a computer to a tv. I have been gaming my entire life. It’s obvious to any gamer where things are going.

You can connect that phone you are so afraid of to a TV, too.

It is your underlying prediction that everything means the end for movies and TVs that I am talking about. Nothing you have said supports that grim outlook.

Whether I use a computer, a console, or a TV with gaming services included, like just another app, I will still be able to play games on the largest screen that I have access to. I have not played a game off of a disc in several years as it stands now.

Just a couple of posts back you cited this move to "cloud gaming" as one more reason for young people to have no use for a TV and here you are saying that the gaming apps could be built right into their TV which retains the gaming functionality that you claim will shift to phones. You are contradicting yourself. If the console is to be essentially merged with a TV, playing on that TV will be as desirable as ever.

As for not supporting digital gaming, you don't even heed your own advice. You "own" and play several such games. The change you want starts with you.

Incidentally, a generation is typically defined as 20-30 years, not six.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

They will still make the games it will just be consumed differently. Services instead of consoles. I already said next gen is safe Groot. That’s at least six years. Look how fast things changed when Netflix came into the scene?

Given eSports, Twitch, multiplayer popularity, the hype of better frame rates, HDR gaming, etc.... consoles won't disappear.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You can connect that phone you are so afraid of to a TV, too.

It is your underlying prediction that everything means the end for movies and TVs that I am talking about. Nothing you have said supports that grim outlook.

Whether I use a computer, a console, or a TV with gaming services included, like just another app, I will still be able to play games on the largest screen that I have access to. I have not played a game off of a disc in several years as it stands now.

Just a couple of posts back you cited this move to "cloud gaming" as one more reason for young people to have no use for a TV and here you are saying that the gaming apps could be built right into their TV which retains the gaming functionality that you claim will shift to phones. You are contradicting yourself. If the console is to be essentially merged with a TV, playing on that TV will be as desirable as ever.

As for not supporting digital gaming, you don't even heed your own advice. You own and play several such games. The change you want starts with you.

It is not a contradiction. Even I wouldn’t suggest that all access to games on a big screen would be dropped come the release of a 2026/2027 whatever it’s going to be. I am simply stating that I believe those younger people will elect for the mobile option with whatever social features are built in. This of course will impact thing in s huge way going forward.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

Given eSports, Twitch, multiplayer popularity, the hype of better frame rates, HDR gaming, etc.... consoles won't disappear.

Mobile gaming will be huge esports wise in a few short years. I’m not convinced younger gamers even care about all that stuff. We do for sure, but them? Nah, not for me.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It iis not a contradiction. Even I wouldn’t suggest that all access to games on a big screen would be dropped come the release of a 2026/2027 whatever it’s going to be. I am simply stating that I believe those younger people will elect for the mobile option with whatever social features are built in.

Have you multi-player gamed recently? It is a lot of young people. Try playing COD, Overwatch, etc. You'll see the youngins are prevalent.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

Have you multi-player gamed recently? It is a lot of young people. Try playing COD, Overwatch, etc. You'll see the youngins are prevalent.

Oh yes I agree. What is their alternative? Now I ask you, what will be the alternative in six to ten years? AAA games on mobile, video chat, social features, instant access via streaming service. Do those kids have ANY incentive to return to the bigger screen at that point considering how beloved the smartphone is? I say no.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Oh yes I agree. What is their alternative? Now I ask you, what will be the alternative in six to ten years? AAA games on mobile, video chat, social features, instant access via streaming service. Do those kids have ANY incentive to return to the bigger screen at that point considering How beloved the smartphone is? I say no.

You can already do this with twitch and broadcast gaming, or just chat/group playing. Why would they want to play Fortnite, COD, etc on a small ass screen while trying to group play? That would be tedious.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Oh yes I agree. What is their alternative? Now I ask you, what will be the alternative in six to ten years? AAA games on mobile, video chat, social features, instant access via streaming service. Do those kids have aNY incentive to return to the bigger screen at that point considering How beloved the smartphone is? I say no.

I still play the six year-old game Diablo 3; the battle.net app has had all of that social media crap built-in for quite awhile now. Still, people are playing it with their pc or with a console attached to their TV. Social media functionality is not restricted to mobile devices.

Interestingly enough, Blizzard is launching a mobile version of Diablo 3 called "Immortal." I better get my pc and TV sold off while I still can as I won't be needing either one!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

You can already do this with twitch and broadcast gaming, or just chat/group playing. Why would they want to play Fortnite, COD, etc on a small ass screen while trying to group play? That would be tedious.

I agree. Foldable phones would overcome that though. Oh guess what’s coming to market next year .

[Vilya]

As regards my largish disc order Friday, 40 titles worth, they are being shipped out to me in 1's and 2's at a time and they are mostly scheduled to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday. My UPS driver is going to just love me!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

As regards my largish disc order Friday, 40 titles worth, they are being shipped out to me in 1's and 2's at a time and they are mostly scheduled to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday. My UPS driver is going to just love me!

Couldn’t you get them bundled as one single order?

By the way, Amazon keep asking me if I own a business and want to start a business account because I have ordered so many discs! . Do you get that?

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I agree. Foldable phones would overcome that though. Oh guess what’s coming to market next year .

The Samsung concept only makes the phone 7.3 inches, you can already get 5-6 inch phones. That inch ain't gonna make kids drop their consoles.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Couldn’t you get them bundled as one single order?

By the way, Amazon keep asking me if I own a business and want to start a business account because I have ordered so many discs! . Do you get that?

Most were ordered from Amazon and Amazon appears to ship each damn one from a different warehouse. Calling them to complain is almost entirely futile. They at most will give me a $5 promo credit to shut me up.

Amazon has never asked me if I own a business. Maybe you have to order 50 titles at a time to trigger that response.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

The Samsung concept only makes the phone 7.3 inches, you can already get 5-6 inch phones. That inch ain't gonna make kids drop their consoles.

It would allow one screen for gaming and the other for social functions Groot. Bear in mind there will be s future gen that haven’t been near a console.