What is the perfect gaming platform? | Team Talk

---

With Xbox increasing the price of Game Pass, PlayStation players having to wait until 2025 for a first-party release, and the Switch becoming the most long-in-the-tooth Nintendo console of all time this week, it would be easy to get a bit down about the state of gaming, but we have an idea.

Imagine a world where we could have a clean slate, starting from scratch to create the perfect gaming platform. Is it a black box with blinking LEDs? Is it a cloud gaming subscription service? Is it a PC? Only you can decide.

In the meantime, we've got some thoughts of our own – a mixture of the best bits of consoles past and a few fresh ideas thrown in for good measure…

---

by Team PTC

---

​@pass_controller

---

Storytelling, depth and portability | James Parry

On Pointless the other day, Roblox was described as a gaming platform, so you know the rulebook is out the window with this challenge.

A LOT has been done before, and done well, so I think putting together an effective Frankenstein’s monster should be very doable.

First thing’s first, it’s not about what processor and what memory do we need, more important is what can it do?

Still, the hardware is still a factor in one way – disk space. We need enough hard disk space to install more than a handful of games at the same time. Even better is the option to add in storage later on and not worry about it being classed as “external” space, so the PS5 approach is the winner there.

Visuals and performance should be strong enough that it isn’t going to be out-of-date by next year, and it should be compatible with any existing controller – the perfect controller is a topic for another day.

Next up, the dashboard software. At the moment, I think PlayStation’s is the most sleek, but a bit linear, and Microsoft’s is too cluttered, so we’ll need to come up with something new which takes the best of both. Most important of all is that it’s very customizable, think of it like the quick settings menu on an Android phone – rearrange what you use and remove what you don’t.

Last but not least: games. For back catalogue, Xbox has done a good job of keeping up with their older titles, and has good integrations for EA and even Ubisoft, but PlayStation has those elusive exclusives, so what’s the solution? PC.

The fact that PlayStation is being more and more happy to have their library shared with the PC audience, and the fact that it opens us up to PC Game Pass as well, the flexibility of a PC setup is the way to go. Now we just need to kidnap some coders to come up with a customised architecture that makes the PC desktop experience feel more like a console experience.

That turn-it-on-and-go experience is key for jumping on for 15 minutes here and there, and so I think we’ll steal the instant sleep and wake capability from the Switch for good measure.

Useability and comfort | Chris Brand

For my ideal gaming platform, we have to start with the controller. There have been too many missteps over the years, from the original Xbox's ridiculous six face buttons, the PS3's tiny little controller, to the Nintendo 64's bizarre three-handed monstrosity. We're having none of that. There's no need to break the mould, just something easy to use and functional. The current Xbox/PlayStation devices are a good fit in terms of size and button placement, just too prone to stick drift. Essentially, I want something a lot like what we've got now, but better.

Although virtual reality hasn't been the game-changer I thought it would be, a compatible VR headset is a must. I've seen and played some interesting VR titles but this is mainly for Legendary Tales. Such a peripheral would have to be an optional extra, as after around 9pm I don't have the energy to move my fingers and my head at the same time.

As I've fully embraced having a digital library of games (something I would've considered heresy a decade or so ago), I see no need for a disc drive. I'm not opposed to the idea, but, like James, I believe we should cram as many terabytes in there as possible, since games are taking up more and more of our limited space and a disc drive is a waste of real estate that could be used to house a bigger, fatter, hard drive.

Now that cross-platform play exists, it's become necessary. Everyone has friends scattered across different platforms and it would be difficult to pitch a machine without this feature.

Something that can handle performance and frame rate at the same level as high-end PCs would be nice but only if it doesn't take up so much space that I'd need to buy a new piece of furniture to accommodate it. If I wanted to look at a big, ugly, thing in my living room, I'd ask your mother round for dinner.

Controller layouts | Liam Andrews

I’m going to agree with Chris and say the controller is one of the most important things to consider when coming up with a new gaming platform, and it’s my main focus here. I agree today’s standard design is very good and I wouldn’t stray too far from it (two grips to hold, a d-pad, two control sticks, four shoulder and face buttons etc.) but I’d definitely like to see the button hierarchy of the GameCube make a comeback.

It makes so much more sense than the diamond ABXY layout seen on modern controllers, as there’s always one button that’s used more than the others and the different shapes also made them easier to tell apart. So my controller would have unique face buttons and shapes and they’ll be smooth and silent to press, none of that overly loud clicky-ness of the Xbox controllers, but I will take the asymmetrical control sticks as they are a lot more comfortable to use.

Portability would be nice, but I don’t mean as a hybrid console like the Switch. If I lose control of the big TV, I have to lug a weighty and expensive plastic box upstairs to play on a smaller monitor, so it would be nice if all consoles could be as small and look as sleek as the Series S from now on as this would make moving from room to room so much easier.​