THE 2020s: A NEW ERA FOR VIDEO GAMES

The new generation of video game consoles by Sony and Microsoft have officially arrived! The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are taking video game consoles to a new level thanks to the advanced technology and futuristic appeal that they offer.

It looks like Sony and Microsoft are butting heads once again with their new generation consoles being released only two days apart. The previous generation, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One were originally released in 2013 (along with a few newer versions that had slight modifications that came out over the years as well).

But what do the new generation consoles truly have to offer that’s different from the previous? Or, better yet, what does each console have that their opposition doesn’t? Here’s a brief breakdown of the features that the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have that gamers are excited about:

A comparison of the new generation consoles

PLAYSTATION 5

(R: Digital Version; L: Disc Version)

XBOX SERIES X

(R: Disc Version; L: Digital Version)

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Are gamers excited about the new generation consoles?

The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X follow a long timeline of generations of video game consoles. It goes without saying that many gamers will be upgrading to the new generation consoles from their predecessors.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic left many companies limited in their capabilities to market their products, Sony and Microsoft weren’t able to promote their consoles as they would’ve wanted to.

Ali Khan and Alveen Ahmed have been playing video games their entire life. Khan and Ahmed say they will likely be purchasing them soon after their release date, but both agree that the excitement around this generation of consoles is somewhat different.

According to Khan, both major companies (Sony and Microsoft) have been very secretive about their products, their release dates, prices, and so on.

Ahmed also said that the experience is different because Sony and Microsoft weren’t able to host panels at major events like E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) to openly discuss what the new generation consoles have in store.

Watch the full video with Ahmed and Khan:

Is EB Games struggling to survive?

Video game stores seem to be following the same fatal end that other niche stores like Blockbuster and HMV did. That is, customers are turning either to online shopping or going to the large department store route.

EB Games is a partner institution to the American company, GameStop. Several companies struggled to stay in business during the COVID-19 lockdown, and hundreds of GameStop locations in the United States were forced to shut down.

Khan said that EB Games is no longer the same store it once was. According to Khan, after rebranding, EB Games seems to be more toys than video games, and that this is a sign that they are not evolving. But after speaking with an EB Games employee, marketing toys and collectible items is exactly what the company needs to survive.

A conversation with an EB Games employee

Assistant Manager at EB Games Samantha Patel has had an inside look at what it’s like to work at EB Games during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patel works at the EB Games located in Woodbine Mall in Etobicoke, Ont. Patel is also a graduate of George Brown College’s game development program.

According to Patel, all part-time employees were laid off while the managers had virtual conference calls to discuss the future of their EB Games locations once they can re-open.

“We had to sanitize everything. At first, when we first opened, after every single customer, we had to sanitize every single thing they touched,” said Patel. “But as time went on, high-touch surfaces were sanitized every hour and we’re not allowed to serve customers anywhere but at the plexiglass.”

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, EB Games was evolving as a business because video gamers now have a number of avenues from which they can purchase consoles and games. As a result, EB Games began to branch out to three brands: EB Games, EB X, and EB Pop. They have begun to sell more toys and collectible items that would diversify their sources of income from just selling video games, consoles, and video game accessories.

EB Games’ New Brands

Click on each photo to see each EB Games brand.

Click here to listen to the exclusive interview:

Introducing the PC world

The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are definitely introducing brand new technologies – to consoles, that is. PC (personal computer) gamers have been enjoying the luxuries of advanced technology such as backwards compatibility and high FPS for years now.

After surveying 50 gamers, it was clear that PC was the solid choice for gamers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Over 99% of people who responded that they purchased a new console during pandemic said they purchased a PC.

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A PC isn’t a pre-built console that a gamer can buy. It is a gaming system that people build on their own using the software and components that are on the market.

Andrew Busnello has built three PC systems now, while his girlfriend, Shaylee Davis only just entered the world of PC and has officially set up her very first PC.

After experiencing the perks of PC gaming and customizing her build to her personality, Davis said she won’t be turning back to console gaming anymore.

Have a glimpse at Davis’ new PC and Busnello’s Cyberpunk-theme setup:

There’s no question that the world of video games is evolving every day as new technology and the influence of the digital era pave way for revolutionary advancements.

Even amidst a global pandemic, gamers are excited to see what the new generation consoles and the future has to offer.