5. Digital Distribution
This is one of the biggest hints that we could be entering the last console generation. Digital distribution has become utterly massive since Steam exploded in popularity over the last few years. Valve have strived to make the service work and it is finally paying off. The ease of the service and how it has revolutionsied our options in buying games means it is becoming ever popular. While consoles offer fairly extensive digital distribution services, they pale in comparison to Steams awesome service. Often these services are tacked on additions that are not core to our experience with consoles. Limitations like incredibly high prices for new games, currencies like Microsoft points and subscriptions make it harder to compete with a service like Steam that often offers cheaper prices and a service that is structured to specifically compliment the way you game. Also, the fact that it is easier to develop and distribute for could see a rise in some truly fantastic games that could rival AAA games at a fraction of the cost. Platforms like PC with the addition of Steam are what the ever growing indie market is made for. Developers no longer need to get a yes or no from a major company to get their game made. Now they can just put it up on Steam and distribute it themselves. Unless Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony really revolutionise the way we buy and search for games on their consoles, they may find these online services running away from them.