I was wondering something: do we really need three different gaming companies to make consoles in todays market? If I asked this same question back in 2006, most people would obviously disagree. After all, we need competition to encourage innovation and better prices for consumers. However, in todays market, where competition from smartphones, tablets, browser-based games and free-to-play games are taking a big bite out of the gaming market, I can't help but think that we only need one console manufacturer (okay, maybe two just in case) these days. Right now, we have three manufaturers and several dedicated gaming devices, with Wii U coming over the horizon. Combine all of these devices with various gaming options for smartphones, tablets, and PCs etc, and you have to admit that the gaming market is heavily fragmented into many tiny pieces. Over-fragmentation is never a good thing. Keep in mind that developers hate making games for multiple platforms as well.
So, what are your thoughts on this? If I had to choose, I would ask Sony to leave the console hardware market and become a third party publisher, or even focus on making Android games. Nintendo will dominate the dedicated handheld and traditional console market, while Microsoft will have an awesome community for XBL since all PSN users would jump ship.
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