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I was walking around the shops today, and something caught my eye in the window of a games shop. It was a Panasonic DVD player. OK, nothing special, you are probably thinking. Then I tell you that this DVD player could play GameCube games.
I believe that the machine was imported, and had a hefty price tag, but it stood out in the crowd to me. It left me thinking that Nintendo has taken a leading role in what could make a company the market leaders. Nintendo were prepared to franchise their GameCube technology, so that third-party companys such as Panasonic could integrate GameCube technology into their systems. Imagine the scenario - GameCube games could be integrated into whichever home electronic device possible. The diversity of machines on the market to play GameCube games would be huge. We, as the consumer, would be able to look around our local Dixon's for the machine we like the look of!
Another point is competition. If Nintendo were to genuinely do this, to a large scale, the companies making the games machines would compete with each other. In a sense, the GameCube could evolve, without really having to update the technology. For example:
1) GameCube Player
2) GameCube + DVD
3) GameCube + MD + DVD
4) GameCube and Home Cinema / Hi-Fi
Looking at the situation from an objective point, perhaps we need to ask why are things like they are? Home audiovisual technology is patented, but franchised. This is why, for example, Philips invent the CD, but lots of other companies can use the technology. This applies to all ends of the audioviual spectrum, DVDs, and videos too to name a couple.
However, videogames do not seem to have taken this route. We have distinct technologies, marketed by the developers, and we have major corporate competition. If Nintendo really are getting ready to branch out into third-party console development, then may this give them a severe edge over the competition? As many people brought consoles first, to introduce them to DVD playback, it could also occur the other way around. Also, GameCube integrated Hi-Fi systems would begin to appear on the market, and may introduce music-lovers to the joys of GameCube.
The point still resides, however, that Nintendo are not the only console developer on the market. Sony and Microsoft are also involved. Franchising of the GameCube technology, to a good effect, would mean Sony and Microsoft would perhaps have to do this too. So what we would have at the end of the day is this:
1) Nintendo franchise to Panasonic, and Aiwa
2) Sony use their own name, and franchise to JVC
3) Microsoft franchise to Philips and Kenwood
So what we have is in effect, what we have now! Three technologies battling it out, but under different names and looks. If consumer electronics franchising was to be done successfully, it would be a truism that there would have be big changes in the way the gaming economy runs. Perhaps as mentioned in another post, a single format would be the way. Developers of games could concentrate on competing with themselves, not rival consoles, and make better games. Videogames would have to come essentially under the same ambit as CDs or DVDs.
I for one am all for the merging of games technology with the rest of the world of home entertainment. They have become essentially the same thing, with integrated DVD playback on PS2 and XBox, and the world's leader in home electronics, Sony, on the bandwagon. I am looking forward to what the future will bring on this point, as it could change the face of gaming forever.
I believe that the machine was imported, and had a hefty price tag, but it stood out in the crowd to me. It left me thinking that Nintendo has taken a leading role in what could make a company the market leaders. Nintendo were prepared to franchise their GameCube technology, so that third-party companys such as Panasonic could integrate GameCube technology into their systems. Imagine the scenario - GameCube games could be integrated into whichever home electronic device possible. The diversity of machines on the market to play GameCube games would be huge. We, as the consumer, would be able to look around our local Dixon's for the machine we like the look of!
Another point is competition. If Nintendo were to genuinely do this, to a large scale, the companies making the games machines would compete with each other. In a sense, the GameCube could evolve, without really having to update the technology. For example:
1) GameCube Player
2) GameCube + DVD
3) GameCube + MD + DVD
4) GameCube and Home Cinema / Hi-Fi
Looking at the situation from an objective point, perhaps we need to ask why are things like they are? Home audiovisual technology is patented, but franchised. This is why, for example, Philips invent the CD, but lots of other companies can use the technology. This applies to all ends of the audioviual spectrum, DVDs, and videos too to name a couple.
However, videogames do not seem to have taken this route. We have distinct technologies, marketed by the developers, and we have major corporate competition. If Nintendo really are getting ready to branch out into third-party console development, then may this give them a severe edge over the competition? As many people brought consoles first, to introduce them to DVD playback, it could also occur the other way around. Also, GameCube integrated Hi-Fi systems would begin to appear on the market, and may introduce music-lovers to the joys of GameCube.
The point still resides, however, that Nintendo are not the only console developer on the market. Sony and Microsoft are also involved. Franchising of the GameCube technology, to a good effect, would mean Sony and Microsoft would perhaps have to do this too. So what we would have at the end of the day is this:
1) Nintendo franchise to Panasonic, and Aiwa
2) Sony use their own name, and franchise to JVC
3) Microsoft franchise to Philips and Kenwood
So what we have is in effect, what we have now! Three technologies battling it out, but under different names and looks. If consumer electronics franchising was to be done successfully, it would be a truism that there would have be big changes in the way the gaming economy runs. Perhaps as mentioned in another post, a single format would be the way. Developers of games could concentrate on competing with themselves, not rival consoles, and make better games. Videogames would have to come essentially under the same ambit as CDs or DVDs.
I for one am all for the merging of games technology with the rest of the world of home entertainment. They have become essentially the same thing, with integrated DVD playback on PS2 and XBox, and the world's leader in home electronics, Sony, on the bandwagon. I am looking forward to what the future will bring on this point, as it could change the face of gaming forever.
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I was walking around the shops today, and something caught my eye in the window of a games shop. It was a Panasonic DVD player. OK, nothing special, you are probably thinking. Then I tell you that this DVD player could play GameCube games.
I believe that the machine was imported, and had a hefty price tag, but it stood out in the crowd to me. It left me thinking that Nintendo has taken a leading role in what could make a company the market leaders. Nintendo were prepared to franchise their GameCube technology, so that third-party companys such as Panasonic could integrate GameCube technology into their systems. Imagine the scenario - GameCube games could be integrated into whichever home electronic device possible. The diversity of machines on the market to play GameCube games would be huge. We, as the consumer, would be able to look around our local Dixon's for the machine we like the look of!
Another point is competition. If Nintendo were to genuinely do this, to a large scale, the companies making the games machines would compete with each other. In a sense, the GameCube could evolve, without really having to update the technology. For example:
1) GameCube Player
2) GameCube + DVD
3) GameCube + MD + DVD
4) GameCube and Home Cinema / Hi-Fi
Looking at the situation from an objective point, perhaps we need to ask why are things like they are? Home audiovisual technology is patented, but franchised. This is why, for example, Philips invent the CD, but lots of other companies can use the technology. This applies to all ends of the audioviual spectrum, DVDs, and videos too to name a couple.
However, videogames do not seem to have taken this route. We have distinct technologies, marketed by the developers, and we have major corporate competition. If Nintendo really are getting ready to branch out into third-party console development, then may this give them a severe edge over the competition? As many people brought consoles first, to introduce them to DVD playback, it could also occur the other way around. Also, GameCube integrated Hi-Fi systems would begin to appear on the market, and may introduce music-lovers to the joys of GameCube.
The point still resides, however, that Nintendo are not the only console developer on the market. Sony and Microsoft are also involved. Franchising of the GameCube technology, to a good effect, would mean Sony and Microsoft would perhaps have to do this too. So what we would have at the end of the day is this:
1) Nintendo franchise to Panasonic, and Aiwa
2) Sony use their own name, and franchise to JVC
3) Microsoft franchise to Philips and Kenwood
So what we have is in effect, what we have now! Three technologies battling it out, but under different names and looks. If consumer electronics franchising was to be done successfully, it would be a truism that there would have be big changes in the way the gaming economy runs. Perhaps as mentioned in another post, a single format would be the way. Developers of games could concentrate on competing with themselves, not rival consoles, and make better games. Videogames would have to come essentially under the same ambit as CDs or DVDs.
I for one am all for the merging of games technology with the rest of the world of home entertainment. They have become essentially the same thing, with integrated DVD playback on PS2 and XBox, and the world's leader in home electronics, Sony, on the bandwagon. I am looking forward to what the future will bring on this point, as it could change the face of gaming forever.
I believe that the machine was imported, and had a hefty price tag, but it stood out in the crowd to me. It left me thinking that Nintendo has taken a leading role in what could make a company the market leaders. Nintendo were prepared to franchise their GameCube technology, so that third-party companys such as Panasonic could integrate GameCube technology into their systems. Imagine the scenario - GameCube games could be integrated into whichever home electronic device possible. The diversity of machines on the market to play GameCube games would be huge. We, as the consumer, would be able to look around our local Dixon's for the machine we like the look of!
Another point is competition. If Nintendo were to genuinely do this, to a large scale, the companies making the games machines would compete with each other. In a sense, the GameCube could evolve, without really having to update the technology. For example:
1) GameCube Player
2) GameCube + DVD
3) GameCube + MD + DVD
4) GameCube and Home Cinema / Hi-Fi
Looking at the situation from an objective point, perhaps we need to ask why are things like they are? Home audiovisual technology is patented, but franchised. This is why, for example, Philips invent the CD, but lots of other companies can use the technology. This applies to all ends of the audioviual spectrum, DVDs, and videos too to name a couple.
However, videogames do not seem to have taken this route. We have distinct technologies, marketed by the developers, and we have major corporate competition. If Nintendo really are getting ready to branch out into third-party console development, then may this give them a severe edge over the competition? As many people brought consoles first, to introduce them to DVD playback, it could also occur the other way around. Also, GameCube integrated Hi-Fi systems would begin to appear on the market, and may introduce music-lovers to the joys of GameCube.
The point still resides, however, that Nintendo are not the only console developer on the market. Sony and Microsoft are also involved. Franchising of the GameCube technology, to a good effect, would mean Sony and Microsoft would perhaps have to do this too. So what we would have at the end of the day is this:
1) Nintendo franchise to Panasonic, and Aiwa
2) Sony use their own name, and franchise to JVC
3) Microsoft franchise to Philips and Kenwood
So what we have is in effect, what we have now! Three technologies battling it out, but under different names and looks. If consumer electronics franchising was to be done successfully, it would be a truism that there would have be big changes in the way the gaming economy runs. Perhaps as mentioned in another post, a single format would be the way. Developers of games could concentrate on competing with themselves, not rival consoles, and make better games. Videogames would have to come essentially under the same ambit as CDs or DVDs.
I for one am all for the merging of games technology with the rest of the world of home entertainment. They have become essentially the same thing, with integrated DVD playback on PS2 and XBox, and the world's leader in home electronics, Sony, on the bandwagon. I am looking forward to what the future will bring on this point, as it could change the face of gaming forever.