Former PlayStation Boss Thinks Platform Wars Are Over

Summary

Layden believes gaming should focus on content over consoles to increase accessibility.
Multi-platform competition is rising, diminishing the significance of console wars.
Despite advancements, console wars are unlikely to disappear due to brand loyalty and toxic culture.

If you’ve been reading forums, Reddit or even engaging in social media when it comes to games, chances are, you’ve encountered a console fanboy (fanperson?) or two. While it might not be as prevalent today as it was in years past, there are stilll people who will fght tooth and nail to defend their plastic box of choice.

Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden thinks console wars are a thing of the past, as more people should be more games, regardless of platform

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Shawn Layden Thinks We Need To Move Past Three Console Manufacturers

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In a chat with PlayerDriven (via GamesRadar), Layden. who acted as the head of PlayStation for most of the PS4 generation mentioned he wants to see “more people playing, more people making games.”

However, for that to happen, Layden thinks gaming consoles need to have the same penetration rates as TVs, and th need to move past “only having three manufacturers.” Layden refers to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo. However, when it comes to core games, gamers have three choices: Sony, Microsoft and PC. The former PS exec thinks all three devices are too similar to one another, and even jokes how “only the dog can hear” the difference between the machines.

Layden would rather people decide on the content, adding, “Let people compete with content because I want more boxes out there.” Using the former format wars as an example, Layden adds, “In my idealized dream, there’s some day going to be – just like the Blu-ray format and MP3 format and MPEG format – all these different formats that are agreed upon by a consortium of industries,. We need something similar along the same lines with the game format.”

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We are moving into a more multi-platform future, as PC handhelds now have companies stepping up such as the ROG Ally is directly competing with the Steam Deck. Even Xbox is rumored to be entering the handheld space this year by collaborating with another company.

Not only that, but Microsoft’s multi-platform push for Xbox games is slowly putting an end to console wars as well. Rumors have circulated online that more Xbox big games are headed to the PS5 aside from Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is headed to the PS5 next week.

While Layden makes a good point, I doubt console wars will be gone for good anytime soon. As long as some people pledge their allegiance to a company that doesn’t care about anything except their bottomline, and they’re willing to fight for them, except toxicity to persist when comparing gaming devices.