The 2010s saw gaming make leaps and bounds in technological innovation, both in software and hardware. Games started looking better and consoles began doing things previously unheard of in the prior decade. The following list will focus on the latter as it details five hardware innovations we want to see continue throughout the years, and five we want to see stop as soon as possible.
The companies who failed in their attempts to advance hardware still deserve credit, however. It takes experimentation and mistakes to find out what works and what doesn't. It is just unfortunate that some consumers spent money on a less than stellar feature.
10 Needs To Stop: 3D Gaming
3D was all the rage after James Cameron's Avatar came out. For a few years afterwards, every big budget blockbuster came into theaters in 3D. Home theaters got in on the action too with 3D televisions. Several games came out with the ability to play in 3D, and then the Nintendo 3DS marketed itself on this. The thing about 3D, however, is its lack of utility in game play. The two screens of the Nintendo DS changed the way people thought about games, but 3D war more a gimmick. The fad has already died down, and companies better not try bringing it back in the future.
9 Should Continue: Suspending Applications
Before the PS4 and Xbox One, if one needed to stop playing for a half hour or so, they would be stuck with the decision to either leave the game paused or shut off the console entirely. With the ability to suspend applications and put the system to sleep, one can pick up right where they left off while using up less energy than just leaving the game paused and without going through the hassle of booting up the console once more. It's a small improvement, but one of great convenience.
8 Need To Stop: Joy-Cons
The Nintendo Switch is a revelation in console design, but not every aspect of it is golden. The Joy-Cons, while nice, need serious improvement. They feel too much like toys rather than serious gaming devices.
They are pricey too; way more expensive than one would think for how flimsy they feel. With the drift problem plaguing numerous Switch users, we hope this controller isn't adopted by Microsoft or Sony anytime soon.
7 Should Continue: Rear Buttons
Sony recently announced a controller attachment adding rear buttons to the DualShock 4. Several third party remotes already included this functionality beforehand. The PS Vita also included back touch pads, which could be seen as a precursor to the rear buttons. Because these are rarities, developers haven't utilized them, instead letting the gamer decide how they function. If the DualShock 5 includes these buttons, it will be interesting to see what developers do with them.
6 Needs To Stop: Motion Controls
Motion Controls had been a thing before the 2010s but this decade continued to run with the trend. The Wii U included it in their game pad, though it wasn't quite as heavily used as it was in the Wii. The DualShock 4 also has it. If the PS5 is going to include as much backward compatibility as reports are leading people to believe, then the controller will most certainly have it. Hopefully they don't force it upon any new games.
5 Should Continue: VR
Until someone has experienced VR for themselves, there is no way to translate the feeling of being fully immersed in a gaming environment with words. The only roadblock to its proliferation is accessibility. VR platforms are expensive and require space in one's home to use. As time goes on, companies will hopefully find ways to make it more convenient and decrease the price. With titles like Half-Life: Alyx on the horizon, developers are only just starting to show what the new technology can really do.
4 Needs To Stop: Touch Pad
The touch pad on the DualShock 4 was a neat idea, but most games used it as a map button. It is still worth it as one, however.
If the next controller doesn't want to seem redundant, Sony will have to do more with it than simply making it a touch pad once again. Some rumors say a small screen will be on the controller, though no hard facts substantiate this. If it does include a screen, it could go along way towards eliminating a hud, since developers can display all the information on the controller.
3 Should Continue: Mid-Generation Iterations
As technology moves along, consoles are bound to get left in the dust. This generation is already experiencing this with games like Control halting and experiencing frame-rate jutter during hectic fights. While some may not like the idea of buying a new console before the next generation, it is a solid way of making sure the platform doesn't become obsolete.
As long as every game is always playable on the base model, it shouldn't garner too much ire from gamers. Without the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, this generation of consoles would have felt outdated sooner.
2 Needs To Stop: Voice Activation
On current consoles one can activate applications from the menu with their voice if they have headphones on. As nice as this is, we really hope it doesn't become the standard to the point of developers using it in games. It is solid convenience, but if it is imperfect in video games, the slightest error or glitch will cause immense frustration during play time.
1 Should Continue: Hybrid Consoles
The Nintendo Switch was such a success, fans immediately forgave the company for their grand misstep of the Wii U. The ability to play on the go or in the comfort of home was a breath of fresh air for gamers. Alienware's new prototype gaming PC already takes inspiration from the platform's design. Here's hoping more companies follow suit. We wouldn't mind Sony making a hybrid PS4 console available or even Microsoft getting in on the fun. Given Cuphead's release on the Switch, the latter company is already appreciative of the hybrid console's utility.