[naravara]

Specialized graphics hardware hasn’t been the selling point of having a console since at least 2002 with the first XBox.

The selling point of consoles is that they’re a software platform, with development incentives, standardized hardware, standardized UI conventions, and a centralized storefront to be able to conveniently and natively play stuff on your TV without fussing about.

Valve has barely started to muscle in on the platform benefits of gaming on a PlayStation or XBox, but the more they start to do so the more they end up making design trade-offs that start to look like another console.

[ColdStream]

I will give it to Sony with the Ps3, at least the Cell was an attempt at something different hardware wise. But they also learned the lesson that building walled gardens of technology can keep people out just as easily as they try to keep them in.