Former PlayStation Executive Argues Console Giants Must Look to VHS History for Growth
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
A former PlayStation executive argues on the IGN Daily Fix that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo must look to the history of VHS to overcome decades of stagnation in the console market.
The traditional console hardware market has spent decades locked in a predictable cycle of generational upgrades, but industry veterans are starting to question whether that plateau can sustain future growth. In a recent segment of the IGN Daily Fix, reported by IGN South Africa, a former PlayStation executive argued that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo need to study the history of the VHS format to figure out their next moves. As hardware sales flatten and players increasingly expect seamless access across mobile, cloud, PC, and console, the traditional box under the TV might no longer be enough to drive the industry forward.
Looking back at home entertainment history, the VHS format triumphed not just because of hardware specs, but due to widespread compatibility and an ecosystem built around accessibility and content sharing. Modern gaming is facing a similar crossroad. With subscription services, cloud streaming, and cross-platform progression becoming standard expectations for Gen Z and Gen Alpha players, hardware exclusivity feels increasingly outdated. Platform holders are challenged to transform their ecosystems into open networks that meet players wherever they choose to game, rather than locking them into a single piece of living room hardware.
For the modern community, this conversation hits close to home. Players invest heavily in digital libraries, battle passes, and virtual economies, expecting those assets to travel with them across devices. If console manufacturers want to avoid true market stagnation, they have to prioritize player mobility and digital ownership over walled gardens. Taking a page from the VHS era might sound unconventional, but the underlying lesson about universal access and format standardization is more relevant to today's multi-platform gaming landscape than ever before.
Tags: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Industry Trends, Cloud Gaming
Original article: IGN South Africa