By the end of this year, gamers will see the release of several Android-based consoles from Ouya, Nvidia, BlueStacks and even Mad Catz. Am I the only one who see the potential downfall of this?
Many years ago, Google's Android mobile operating system was seen as an open ended and free development tool that could take gaming to new heights of creativity. Now, the platform is filled with half-assed imitations of other half-assed imitations. The platform is yet to have a killer app that will draw gamers to the platform outside of being free. An overabundance of cheap quality won't help the platforms and could hurt the industry in relations to consumer expectations.
Too many consoles with different specs aren't going to help streamline development, which is one reason why many major publishers aren't running toward the platform in large numbers. Even the free-to-play model that been the main draw for players, isn't financial feasible for publishers who actually matter.
Will Activision create a Call of Duty that could potentially stand against its console or PC brethren? Considering how bad Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies is, I doubt that.
Many casual gamers are treating mobile gaming like the next big thing and the truth is, developers are too. Like many big things, however, they may lose traction.
Need an example? Look at Nintendo's Wii and Wii U. Motion gaming was seen as the future and yet, it's come and gone with a few remnants left.
Fickleness in trusting casual gamers may cause the industry to crash like it did in the 80s before Nintendo came and saved it. All of the platforms mentioned above truly lack a killer title to actually warrant purchase. Forgoing economical reasons, why should someone choose an Ouya over a Playstation 4 or Xbox One?
Candy Crush Saga or Modern Combat?
Even on the portable side, the NVIDIA Shield seems useless against Nintendo's 3DS or even Sony's Playstation Vita. It's quite obvious that it can't outpower both consoles even with its Tegra 4 processor. Hell, what truly separates Shield against other Android tablets besides the controller?
Many people enjoy tablet gaming because it is used in conjunction with other (and more important) usage like social media, checking emails and watching YouTube videos, amongst others.
My point? On it's own, Android isn't powerful enough to become a go-to gaming platform, which is why the likes of Ouya, NVIDIA Shield and Madcatz' consoles are going to crash and burn. Here's hoping that those flames don't spread to more respected parts of the industry.