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In just a couple of months, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will launch, thus beginning the 9th console generation. This upcoming generation is going to be different from any other. Why, you ask? Let’s examine this.

The Wii U came out last November, which makes it the only console in generation “8.5.” Nintendo isn’t trying to compete with Microsoft or Sony, which is why they released their console a whole year before the next-gen consoles. Did it work? Was this a smart move? That’s a topic for another article.

However, I find it really interesting that the Wii U is sitting back while the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 duke it out. Shouldn’t Nintendo be more aggressive, since their console is failing to capture gamers’ attention? I, for one, feel that Nintendo needs to up the advertising (AND RELEASE MORE GAMES) once the true next-gen consoles come out; they need to let consumers know why they need to own a Wii U. Core gamers won’t be able to own only a Wii U, but it can be a great compliment to the other consoles in their living rooms.

Another unique thing about this upcoming console generation is the competition from mobile and tablet gaming. According to a recent report from The NPD Group, the time that people (especially teenagers) are spending more time playing games on their mobile devices than ever before. This has been happening for the past few years, and it seems that mobile gaming increases in popularity every year. This is not to say that people aren’t still playing dedicated handhelds, consoles, and PCs, but mobile gaming is definitely considered a threat to the gaming industry. As I said in a previous article, as long as developers release good games for dedicated handhelds, I don’t think they will have a problem competing with mobile gaming.

Some speculate that the 9th console generation could bring us the last gaming consoles ever. Some think that PC gaming and mobile gaming will take over, and consoles will become obsolete. Personally, I think consoles will be around for years to come.

What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below.