How long can the video game hot streak last?

Remember Pong?, Super-Mario,Asteroids? Now we have WII. There will always be another.

It seems to me that sooner or later the best of the best will emerge, and become the standards; much like "Monopoly", "Clue", "Scrabble" and a few other have risen to the top of the board game heap. While "computer" games sounds more complex, there are really only so many plots and scenarios that one can find. Costuming, and settings are all that change, so things like playability and graphic quality will eventually decide the victors.

Take your usual cycle - up and down and up again - and then place it not against a horizontal line, but an upward trajectory, and there's what the video game industry looks like. Each new generation peaks more highly than the last, begins to slow down as talk of the next generation builds, and then slowly takes off when those next-gen systems are released because it takes a while for all of them to get on the market, and for there to be a critical mass of worthy games on them. And then, bam, peak times all over again.

I'm sorry, but the author of this piece has thrown that simple truth out the window, along with the fact that the real reason the gaming populace is growing is because its aging, far more than because Nintendo is bringing hordes of new players into the fold. For everyone I know, the Wii is their second or third next-gen system, not their sole one. I suspect that trend holds even beyond my circle of acquaintances.

Now, this is not to say Nintendo hasn't done its part, and that there aren't some Wii-only homes out there, but it's more to say that those kids who used to play Atari, or NES, didn't stop playing as they aged. Hence you not only get a new crop of gamers - because, hell, they get born, literally - but you retain a goodly portion (though certainly not all) of the ones you started out with in the first place.

A gamer is a gamer like a movie goer is a movie goer. I didn't stop going to movies at a certain age. So why should anyone necessarily feel they're "too old" for Guitar Hero? Hell, try to make that argument when the first band-specific offshoot is Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and I'll just laugh in your face.

It's interesting that the author failed to look at computer based games. The gaming industry also includes computer games, and with their advantage on the MMO market. World of Warcraft, for example, has over TEN milllion subscibers worldwide. Inevitably, some of those players are also console gamers. With over 2 million subscibers playing one game alone--it hardly seems gaming is going downhill.

Furthermore, in Q3-Q4 of this year, several new MMOs are slated for release. Warhammer Online has over 721,000 applicants for beta testing alone. Not to mention all the other non-MMOs in development, such as Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2.

I used to be a console gamer, but it was annoying to not be able to play those consoles while traveling. The benefit of computer gaming is you can install games on your laptop and bring them with you (and no, they don't need to be desktop replacement models in order to be able to do so).

The gaming industry covers all gaming--not just consoles. This is clearly proven by the immense popularity of MMO games. If you want to see the vast amount of subscibers for MMOs, check out: mmogchart.com

It's interesting that the author failed to look at computer based games. The gaming industry also includes computer games, and with their advantage on the MMO market. World of Warcraft, for example, has over TEN milllion subscibers worldwide. Inevitably, some of those players are also console gamers. With over 2 million subscibers playing one game alone--it hardly seems gaming is going downhill.

Furthermore, in Q3-Q4 of this year, several new MMOs are slated for release. Warhammer Online has over 721,000 applicants for beta testing alone. Not to mention all the other non-MMOs in development, such as Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2.

I used to be a console gamer, but it was annoying to not be able to play those consoles while traveling. The benefit of computer gaming is you can install games on your laptop and bring them with you (and no, they don't need to be desktop replacement models in order to be able to do so).

The gaming industry covers all gaming--not just consoles. This is clearly proven by the immense popularity of MMO games. If you want to see the vast amount of subscibers for MMOs, check out: mmogchart.com

The reason these casual games are selling so much is because anyone can play them. People who wouldn't normally be interested in gaming may buy a DS or Wii because they are attracted to these casual games. I for the most part am not because I prefer console style RPGs and such. I want more substance. But I do like some casual games which are good time wasters.
Not an MMO fan but they are popular. Some are available for consoles but I don't think Wii has any. Plus these new gamers will learn that gaming isn't just for 15 year old boys and that anyone can have fun playing. I like the fact that the whole stigma is finally falling apart. But I'd still rather play a game then sit in front of a TV and watch television shows like reality or sitcoms. All you can do is watch. How boring. And games are definately a better value like the article says. If you buy a DVD you can only see the same movie over and over. But with a game there are more possibilities. Replay value is important. Especially since next gen game prices have increased. That's one of the reasons why games with poor replay value tend to get panned in magazines even if they are decent games. No one wants to spend $50+ on a few short hours of play.
While I might not be into Rock Band or other rhythm and music games they do have tremendous replay value. I don't own any next gen systems yet. I'm still getting enough from my PS2. But most people I know have XBox 360.
Whether or not you have more than one console system depends on alot of factors. Remember that not all games come out for every console and there are people that buy a console for just one game, as ridiculous as it sounds. And if you have the extra money you may invest in more than one console anyway.
Different consoles may have game libraries that appeal mostly to certain types of gamers and not everyone in the household may be interested in the same type of game.
Overall most of the people I've known have had, at least at one time, more than one console. Currently I have two of the last gen myself Gamecube and Playstation 2. But for younger kids and casual gamers Wii is probably going to remain the best choice.