The PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One will soon both be available, kicking off yet another round of silly (but endlessly entertaining) console wars. According to Pachter, in ten years, it isn’t even going to matter.
Speaking at the London Games Conference, presumptuous prognosticator Pachter said he believes the PS4 will outsell the Xbox one slightly; 100 to 120 million units lifetime for the PS4 to Xbox One’s 90 – 110 million units – and that the poor Wii U will sell only 30 million in its lifetime.
It doesn’t matter though, because in 10 years, he says, consoles will probably be irrelevant, replaced by more powerful mobile devices.
“I don’t think the console market will get any bigger,” he said. “The console installed base has peaked. Consoles may not be relevant in 10 years. We have expanded the market beyond the hardcore console owner. We now have ten times the audience over the internet, six times the audience over mobile.
“And I think one day you’ll get to play any game, anywhere on any device.”
As much as I don’t want that to happen, I fear that it’s really the way things are going to go.; instead of bonafide consoles, we’ll have really powerful tablets or mobiles that we can beam games to our TV’s through.
There’re many industry folk who believe this will be the very last round of consoles as we know them. Are they right? Analysts also said the 3DS and Vita were doomed, because people would rather play games on their mobiles – and they weren’t completely right about that one.
Last Updated: November 14, 2013
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 14, 2013 at 14:36
They probably won’t be replaced, there may just be more options – like streaming from a mobile device. I suspect big AAA titles will still need dedicated hardware though.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 14:45
That’s what PC’s are for.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 14:38
I think this says it all:
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/36934246.jpg
Otto_ki
November 14, 2013 at 14:40
That’s the master race for you
Captain GUZ
November 14, 2013 at 14:44
You sir get an upvote
Otto_ki
November 14, 2013 at 14:49
But wait there is more!
oVg
November 14, 2013 at 15:05
LOL
Captain GUZ
November 14, 2013 at 15:23
Pretty much sums up the our comments section lol
SaintsRowNigri
November 14, 2013 at 15:30
I just love the fact that the master race compares themselves so blatantly with Fabio
Tarisma
November 14, 2013 at 14:39
A far cry from the last console generation launch when all the critics were saying PC gaming is dead.
Anon A Mouse
November 14, 2013 at 14:40
I think computers / consoles and tv’s will be integrated in some or other way in the future. It will make always on easier as well as having to patch stuff. I do think consoles as we see them now will not remain.
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 14, 2013 at 14:45
Who knows, with most of the technological advances lately, gaming could turn into something like this…
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 14:53
Effing epic.
Anon A Mouse
November 14, 2013 at 14:58
Some of the things are epic and I want it NOW. Yet others are a bit scary #BigBrotherIS Watching.
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 14, 2013 at 15:00
And the last bit is the worst! I would not like my mind being hacked like that :O
Anon A Mouse
November 14, 2013 at 15:01
I wouldn’t mind the wing man though. lol
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 14, 2013 at 15:10
Lol, that would be cool actually 😛
Weanerdog
November 14, 2013 at 15:35
Please he would be watching porn.
Sageville
November 14, 2013 at 15:08
Before that happens the mushroom war will erupt, followed by the rainicorn and dog war.. Then the rise of the candy people and the extinction of mankind.
I have that from a reliable source.
Melasco
November 14, 2013 at 14:44
Patcher =
http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/lambribfrenched.jpg
JHN
November 14, 2013 at 14:53
ha ha ha ha win
Rags
November 14, 2013 at 14:48
Replaced with a sexy Steambox.
oVg
November 14, 2013 at 15:06
That’s what she said.
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 14:55
Does he mean like the VITA?
Admiral Chief Duke
November 14, 2013 at 14:57
Or that SHIELD thing?
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 14, 2013 at 15:05
I think more along the line of the Ubuntu Edge
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 14, 2013 at 15:04
Some games just feel better on a console with a controller in my hand while I lie on my bed. Fighting games, sports games etc.
rooislangwtf
November 14, 2013 at 15:53
This just in raises megaphone “YOU CAN USE CONTROLLERS ON PCS FOR THE PAST 20+ YEARS” lowers megaphone. Not only that you can use 3rd party controllers and xbox or ps controllers.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 14, 2013 at 16:12
This just in – we all know this. I tried it. Didn’t feel right. Plus sitting behind a desk all day, the break from the desk is needed.
rooislangwtf
November 14, 2013 at 20:44
If you can’t figure out how to not have a PC shackled to a desk then I guess you should stick to consoles.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 15, 2013 at 10:11
Dude seriously. I know how to do that stuff. I just don’t WANT to. It feels BETTER for me knowing that I am NOT on the PC at home all the time after working 9-12 hours non stop on one at the office. This weekend will be XCom on the PC, but I LIKE playing some games on the console. Stop trying to make it sound like I am stupid or a retard.
rooislangwtf
November 15, 2013 at 10:51
So the problem is you can’t separate working on a PC from gaming on a PC? That’s a strange issue to have. I mean consoles are just PCs with a stripped down OS to improve performance.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 15, 2013 at 10:59
It is obvious that you are either not interested in getting it, or not smart enough to get it. I say some games FEEL better for me on the console, you try to make it out like I am too stupid to play the same games on PC (even though some do not even get released on PC). Conversation ended, want jy redeneer soos ‘n toilet – alles in die gat af.
rooislangwtf
November 15, 2013 at 11:21
I’ve played a bunch of games that came out on PC and Console (ie the Arkham games) on both the PC and on console. I’ve never noticed this FEEL you’re talking about. I’m just trying to figure you out, I’m not trying to make you look stupid, just ill informed.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 15, 2013 at 11:54
My original statement had this: “Fighting games, sports games etc.”
So, looking at Madden NFL – I played it on both PC (with keyboard and controller – yes I had one) and on Xbox. It just felt better on the Xbox. The feeling is not something one can explain to someone else who hasn’t felt it himself and who is intent on trolling.
Had a tough day at the office? Don’t want to even see a PC.
Want to play the new XCom? I had the original on PC so I will get the new one for PC.
In the mood for strategy? PC.
In the mood for a shooter? PC.
In the mood for sports? Xbox.
In the mood for a fight? Xbox.
Horses for courses.
Yes, I had a controller for the PC. Yes, I can connect my PC to my TV for the big screen experience. Yes, I can lie on my bed with a controller the same as I can for a console. I do not want to. That does not make me stupid or ill informed. If you cannot comprehend this (due to lack of IQ or whatever your bloody reason), then I have two words for you:
SUCK IT!
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmotekKe1E1qfqcmfo1_400.gif
rooislangwtf
November 15, 2013 at 13:34
All the stuff you mentioned came after your original statements that just made you sound like any other console gamer who makes baseless statements about how PC gaming has to be at a desk with a small screen and no controller. I’m just trying to get people to understand the sheer versatile nature of PC gaming.
Oh and if you truly think I’m stupid then you can go suck the corns of your mother’s toes.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 15, 2013 at 13:44
Yes, the other stuff came after my initial statement, but even then you continued to insinuate me being stupid or ill informed.
Wow, really – bringing my mother into it? That is a sign of a tiny, tiny mind. Or a total lack of one. Which means there is no point conversing with you anymore. Cheers tiny-mind.
rooislangwtf
November 16, 2013 at 21:43
You did that all on your own I merely hit back the balls I was served.
I only brought your mother into it if you truly thought I was stupid, since you think I’m stupid your mother was then brought into it (becoming a self fulfilling prohecy).
Now since you also wanted to insult me further I will come back with one final insult: You rip off the heads of pigeons and do innaporpriate things with their neck holes.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 18, 2013 at 00:14
Sigh I still do not understand how me preferring to play things on one platform and others on another makes me ill informed or a “console gamer who makes baseless statements”. I stated my preference without saying PC could not cater for those things and you went of on your little crusade to “inform” the informed.
About the self fulfilling prophecy – mentioning of mothers is the reason I no longer play online PC games (I play console SP before you trigger a new crusade). Insult me all you want – but do not even mention mothers if you want to be taken as at least semi-intelligent. Even mentioning a family member is cowardly as well as a sign that you know you were being an emotional little PC crusader. “Covering” with little mind games does not excuse that move. The pigeons one is totally acceptable btw.
Had you come at me without trying to make me sound doff “ill informed”, we could have had a good conversation of all the pro’s and cons of the different platforms (which could have been nice since I really enjoy both), but you started off more condescending than my one previous manager. Piece.
Brian Murphy
November 18, 2013 at 01:32
Because you didn’t put it that way from the get go. Nobody would care if you simply said, I prefer gaming on console. But you didn’t say that. You said, “with a controller in my hand while I lie on my bed.”
PC and console are more than capable of this, which is why you got the responses that you did.
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 18, 2013 at 09:11
I started that post with “Some games just feel better on a console” and ended with “Fighting games, sports games etc.” That in no way means PC cannot cater for that or is limited – it is a PREFERENCE. The word “some” should have implied that other games I prefer on PC. I am not a “console fan”, but a gaming fan that uses both for different kinds of games (mostly sports games and console exclusive fighting games). NOWHERE did I say (or even try to imply) that PC is incapable of catering for my needs. Other than platform exclusives, there are no limiting factors to what can be done on the PC. Since people have obviously decided I meant my original post (and the first few following) as “PC is useless and cannot cater for this even though most of my gaming is on PC”, I guess I will leave this conversation because when people assume I am a console gamer, well you know what they say about assumption.
Kyle Farmer
November 19, 2013 at 10:14
Trololol hahaha 🙂
oVg
November 14, 2013 at 15:04
The console died with the PS2.
FoxOneZA
November 14, 2013 at 16:38
Long live Golden China!
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 14, 2013 at 15:06
I believe in the mighty Steam to keep us pc gamers going.
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 14, 2013 at 15:07
Gaming on mobile phones is for people on the toilet and those who don’t have work to do.
rooislangwtf
November 14, 2013 at 15:48
You need to expand your horizons.
Frozen_Blitz
January 23, 2014 at 02:40
none of which couldnt be done better on console.
CypherGate
November 14, 2013 at 15:31
LG better start adding a mobile section in the website menus so long. At the rate things are advancing.
Martin du preez
November 14, 2013 at 15:32
LOL Pachter. Why is he still relevant?
rooislangwtf
November 14, 2013 at 15:48
I’m curious you’re not saying he’s irrelevant, you’re just asking why he’s still relevant.
Well to answer you’re question: He’s successful, he’s more right than wrong and he’s likeable all of these (and some other factors) combine to equate relevance.
MacDoodle
November 14, 2013 at 15:45
The Matrix is the future and gamers will all have HDMI port thingies on the back of our heads
Xelus
November 14, 2013 at 16:00
Bah! People and their opinions, bah, I say BAH to this man. XD I love my pc, but honestly, technology doesn’t just simply die out. This won’t happen, it is like saying that the shops who sell food will all close in 10 years. (around here that might be true), but internationally, the Console market has too many consumers, they won’t die out. What makes him so important? Oh wait, he started another war…….that’s why he is important. XD
Brady Thompson
November 15, 2013 at 06:18
Why would Sony & MS consoles w/ sales so high. And switching to a console-free platform would just push gamers towards PCs. Pachter himself is anticipating some pretty huge numbers for the new generation. That’s like Apple discontinuing the iPhone after the iPhone 5…because iPhone use has peaked. Consoles aren’t going anywhere…they might just stream games exclusively.