There comes a time in a product's lifespan when it is no longer simply an option to own it.
The microwave was, at one point, just an awe-inspiring demonstration of the future at trade shows; years later, however, it found itself irradiating the meals of every family on the suburban block, leaving families enamoured of both the convenience and the immediacy. Computers were once seen as having the complexity and in-home practicality of a supercollider, but yet again, their fated pairing with the cold-war delusion of the Internet made the personal computer a mainstay in every home. As is seen in infinite other examples like televisions and cell-phones, it is when a technology nears perfection that it becomes essential to modern lifestyle. The phenomenon extends to the point where a person cannot function without the newest digital mastery cast out to the market, taking their latest share of knowledge, companionship and joy through the most advanced medium of digital distribution. As one must keep up to get the most from this incredible pace of technology, one must seize each new medium as it comes to the mainstream, and this is why every modern consumer owes it to themselves to take their share from the latest digital mainstay: video gaming.
Gaming has come a long way since the ‘80s. The gaming industry now accounts for over $10 billion a year in revenue, overcoming its original technical limitations to make platforms that can appeal to anyone. Back in 1998, the ex-Microsoft employees at Valve Corporation caused a great stir by selling a million copies of their game “Half-Life” even excluding digital downloads, proving the incredible size of the interactive market. Since then, divisions of gaming have been created to appeal to every demographic, whether it be motion controls for the most inexperienced of gamers or technical marvels like “Crysis” for those who choose it as a lifestyle. This past November has been the biggest season for gaming yet, with long-awaited titles like Uncharted 3, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Batman: Arkham Asylum being released to hype surpassing that of even the largest blockbuster movies. Gaming has become so prevalent in mainstream markets that it has even been officially declared art by a few major authorities including the National Endowment for the Arts. It comes as no surprise in the wake of games likes Ico and Okami or the more recent Bastion, which can only be described as a Japanese watercolour set in motion and is narrated by Sean Penn's gold-hearted half-brother. With all of the delicate beauties and unparalleled adventures set forward by modern gaming, it would be a shame to miss out on its uprising, and the three gaming giants have put forward compelling new offers to make sure that doesn't happen for anyone.
Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have been tweaking their consoles to perfection since the release of their first editions, taking their 16-bit landscapes and charismatic polygons into a generation of high-definition gaming. As it stands today, the Wii, the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 have achieved the perfect balance of accessibility and technical prowess that was originally demanded of the gaming industry, making them a fit edition to even the most casual gamer's home. Each system has found its corner of the market by offering a specific slant on the new order of gaming.
While all experiences with these companies will be undoubtedly positive, it is still pertinent to discover which system is most aptly slanted towards which consumer. Thus, it comes time to make a detailed analogy: the gaming industry is much like the auto industry, and picking a console is much like picking a car. While all automakers essentially provide an engine with four wheels and a steering column, different models appeal to different people through their aesthetics and specifications. For this purpose, there are three general stereotypes of cars: the easy access and family implication of the minivan, the social pride and easy performance of the hot-rod, and the feature-laden front end of the luxury crossover. The best way to gain a basic understanding of the consoles is to think of the Wii as that infinitely flexible minivan, the Xbox as the boisterous social racer, and the PS3 as the high-end import with all features standard. Price aside, each serves a different function and each appeals to a different crowd, making the world of gaming a much friendlier place to traverse for those who choose wisely.
The Wii was the second of the big three consoles to be released, gaining huge attention for its revolutionary new control scheme. Instead of holding a winged game pad, users received a rectangular Wii-mote to operate motion controls, providing opportunity for physical gestures in addition to standard button presses. As full body motions were easier to decipher by those new to gaming, the Wii found its niche in family friendly and party games, captivating those who had never played before. With its wide support of peripherals, the Wii also spawned new markets in fitness and instructional games. Although the Wii is less technically proficient then its competition, running a standard 480p resolution rather than the new high of 1080, it has more than made up for it with its unique selection of software. Almost all titles for the Wii were specifically developed for its motion controls, and it holds the rights to huge Nintendo titles like the New Super Mario Brothers, Mario Galaxy and Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Its online system is nothing to marvel at and the only real update to the console hardware has been a change in colour, but the Wii is a truly unique gaming experience for the whole family. Perhaps even more importantly, however, it is now Netflix compatible.
The Xbox 360 and the PS3 have some major differences, but each is constantly stepping on the other's toes. Whereas the Wii became the highest-selling console of all time by finding a completely unique and untapped market, the Xbox and Playstation still fight for the loyalty of a consistent group of gamers. There are still many family-friendly options for both of these consoles, and they appeal to anyone who might want to make the step up to HD, but they still seem to target those who are slightly more involved in gaming. While the two share an almost identical roster of games, it is their major features and interfaces that make them appeal to the differing needs of consumers. The Xbox 360 is considered very much an “online” console, with many users signing up for the popular Xbox Live service in order to play against their friends. Gamers are also attracted to the simple, clean interface that Microsoft has invented, as well as the steady stream of Xbox Live Arcade games that they produce. The PS3, on the other hand, attracts customers through a few high-end features that have yet to be found anywhere else. The Playstation is the only console that sports a built-in Blu-ray player, making it the first console to be able to play high-definition movies. As the PS3 games are printed on Blu-ray discs instead of DVD's like Xbox and Wii, the capacity is increased dramatically on each disc, and users will never have to swap them out in huge games like Mass Effect 2 and Skyrim. Beyond that, a few more simple additions like Bluetooth support, free online play and built-in rechargeable batteries for controllers set the PS3 apart.
Both the PS3 and the Xbox have undergone major tweaks recently, coming out with thinner and sleeker “Slim” models that are more power efficient. As well, both consoles have gained new methods of motion control to take from the market of the Wii, with the Xbox getting a precise camera in the Kinect and the PS3 preferring a wand controller in the Move. Despite these advances, however, it is still the system-exclusive games that make the decision between consoles clear for most gamers. The Xbox has a list of huge franchises like Halo, Gears of War, Forza Motorsport and Crackdown, all appealing to a more hardcore gaming crowd. The PS3 has generated more widespread exclusives, with a roster of titles for the avid gamer like Uncharted, SOCOM, Killzone, Infamous and Heavy Rain, racing games like Motorstorm, and family-oriented games like LittleBigPlanet and Ratchet and Clank. It is not uncommon for some more serious gamers to buy an entire console just to play one exclusive game, so there's no underestimating the gravity of system-locked titles.
According to Dan Marion, assistant manager at EB Games on Morrison Street in Niagara Falls, the PS3 and Xbox have come to sell almost completely evenly, with the Wii lagging a bit behind. “We have an entire wall devoted to both Xbox and PS3 games, and a somewhat smaller area devoted to the Wii,” says Dan, “and sales are currently split about 40-40-20.” The decline in Wii sales may be attributed to the announcement of its successor arriving in the next few years and its practical exhaustion of the market. The Wii sold at record amounts upon its release, making its way into the homes of millions of Canadians and Americans within its first few weeks, and putting a console into the hands of almost anyone at all interested in gaming. The Wii may be losing major developers of games as they gear up for the next Nintendo release, but that doesn't mean its current roster isn't large enough to entertain someone looking to purchase their first console. The PS3 and Xbox, now with their cheaper and faster models, seem to be selling more than ever before. Blockbuster titles, world-class peripherals and new system updates have made them as versatile as any media device, with Netflix, movie rentals, online stores, Internet browsing and even social services available instantly for both. The steady and increasing sales are really representative of just how much each console is still progressing.
With low prices, improved technology and huge libraries of titles, now is the perfect time to move into the current generation of gaming. Whether it be an upgrade from a previous console or a first ever purchase, the offerings from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft have never been easier to move into.  The hiccups that occurred from launch have completely disappeared from each system, and new features have moved in to accommodate the needs of any user. It's an excellent time for any new users, as gaming has become a landmark in the entertainment industry, and missing a good game can be seen in the same light as missing a good film or being left behind in new music. Even beyond that, missing out on gaming entirely can be seen like going without a cellphone or a computer for the last decade. If someone is to take the most they can from a culture, live the most of their life, or make the best of society, how could they reason missing out on one of the most innovative, impressive and creative products of their time? There is much respect to be held for those who were patient or economizing enough to wait for this current state of gaming, but now is certainly the time for them to get in on it, and now is certainly the time they will enjoy it most. After all, and as they will soon discover, there are certain products that are not simply an option to own.