The videogame industry owes much to convergence. The earliest videogames were built on computers designed for other tasks and were perhaps one of the earliest examples of computers being used for a purpose other than their primary function. OXO (1952) and Tennis for Two (1958) are just two of the earliest examples of computing power being used for entertainment, a past-time that has continued to grow since those early days.
Convergence or rather ‘technological convergence’ is a term that covers a number of phenomenons that are becoming common place within our increasingly wired and global society. Convergence as a term describes multi-purpose devices that were created to replace several single purpose devices, for example; a telephone that is also a gaming platform, it can also be used to describe the amalgamation of online technologies and media content that is viewable on the web (Flew, 2008). Or just simply, when you get several forms of popular technologies someone is going to try and find a way to mash them together and deliver them to you in a more convenient package.
For videogames there are endless examples of convergence. I could refer you to the front of my PS3 that has so many mystery holes bordered by incomprehensible hieroglyphics that even an avid Gizmodo reader would have trouble naming them all. Each (presumably) used as a means to transfer media onto the device. This allows the PS3 to be used as a media device that can among other things create slide-shows of pictures or view home movies from memory cards/sticks.
The Xbox 360 on the other hand links with a Microsoft application known as Windows Media Center and allows the console to function as a sort of relay to display media content on your TV from your PC. Movies can also be downloaded directly onto the Xbox 360 via a Netflix subscription Briefly take the time to visit this link and read this article if you can and witness future convergence in action. Facebook is coming soon to an Xbox 360 near you. Take note how each of these technologies and media slot together. All these popular technologies are being combined on a single device for user convenience.
Many consider the Playstation 3’s support of Blu-ray to be a major if not the major factor in the recent format battle between Toshiba and Sony. Yet another clear example of convergence, so many people use their gaming console to watch movies that their preferences became a deciding factor in the adoption of a new media format. I speak from personal experience in saying that I would probably not have bothered with Blu-ray at this point if I didn’t own a PS3. However, I find myself purchasing the Blu-ray version instead of the DVD whenever a film comes out I wish to buy simply because I have the technology available to me.
There are infinite examples of convergence in the gaming industry; social games on Facebook, Steam as an instant messaging client and a digital game/media distributor, Microsoft Messenger’s availability on the Xbox 360, web access on the PSP and of course, Apple’s iPhone to name a few.
Convergence of technologies seems to be a natural pattern that doesn’t show any signs of slowing. However it’s amusing to see that the more technologies they lump onto devices like the Xbox 360 the more it becomes like a Personal Computer. The simpleness of the console over the PC has always been one of its major superiorities as a gaming platform and it will be very interesting to watch and see if this convergent path takes the videogame console away from what consumers really want.
-Ryan “Gibbo” Gibson
Flew, T (2008). New media: an introduction 3rd edition Oxford New York
Wikipedia entry on Technology Convergence Retrieved 7th October 2009 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_convergence
Wikipedia entry on first video game Retrieved 7th October 2009 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_video_game
Wikipedia entry on Blu-ray Retrieved 7th October 2009 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc
Wikipedia entry on Windows Media Center Retrieved 7th October 2009 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Center
Beaumont, C (2008). Blu-ray wins Retrieved 7th October 2009 From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3356484/Blu-ray-wins.html
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