There need to be some changes in the realm of mobile gaming. And quick. It is a simple question. eBooks are debuting these days with 3G connectivity embedded in devices that retail for $299. Less in some cases. Worldwide cellular access (I would settle for North American capability) and data service, or at least the hardware to support it, are considered by some company's to be a commodity, apparently.

So I am failing to understand why the same perspective is not held by Sony and Nintendo. Except for battery power, I can think if no reason why the PSP and Nintendo DSi do not have on-board 3G chips. If device compactness was a concern, I would gladly trade size for always on-always connected capability. If power is a concern, I would sacrifice battery power, even if it meant only being able to support gaming on my portable device for two hours. I never game for longer than that while in transit anyway.

The PSP and DSi both represent amputated electronic devices for me. While they are good at gaming, they are relatively poor at anything else they claim they can do. Hence, they would never supplant my smartphone, or my MP3 player. So I don't need the battery for anything other than gaming. But the allure of gaming for me is strongest when I am online playing with others. Embedding a 3G capability, even if I still had to subscribe for service, would make the PSP Go and DSi viable investments.

And on that topic, carriers need to evolve their services as well. A lot of people are not getting on the 3G bandwagon because they can not do everything they need to on it. 3G data plans need to migrate to a per account or per customer pricing structure, instead of per device. If I want to use both my smartphone and my mythical 3g-capable PSP on the Sprint network, I should not be charged double for that if I have a Family Plan with shared data.

I am not sure who is the barrier here. Sony and Nintendo for not being forward thinking enough? The wireless carriers for not putting a service pricing model in place that would encourage this type of business model for the gaming industry? Or we, the consumers, for creating the impression that we would not supply a demand for slightly larger devices with 3G chips, or for shared data plans if it allowed us to use our portable consoles on the 3G network?

I think a great deal about the impact of such a capability. My XBox 360 is probably my most socially engaging electronic device that I own, next to my smartphones. My PS3, while its social impact has lagged the 360's, is becoming more and more a hub for communicating with friends. My PSP is not a social device at all. If it were connected to the web whenever I was on the go, whenever I wanted it to be, I would likely use it to reach out to people more. More importantly, Sony would support that capability by rolling out more means to enact that social engagement.

In a day where portable devices form the core of our digital social networks, I struggle to understand why the gaming industry has not moved in this direction. It seems a viable match. I can only hope someone acts upon it soon. Or I do not see myself joining the next generation of portable console owners.
- Vr/Zeux..>>