Ever since the first known mass produced video game, Computer Space, in November of 1971, American’s have divulged into the animated world and immersed themselves into an alternate reality known as “console gaming.” When one speaks of game consoles, they often refer to them by generations, from first to eighth.

When German engineer Ralph H. Baer first envisioned the idea to create an in-home gaming console in 1951, he created one with the help of Sanders Associates, now BAE electronics. He made what was once a dream become a reality. It wouldn’t be until 1972 when the Magnavox television company came up with with enough money to mass-produce the Magnavox Odyssey, the first in home console to grace the American public.

Now, nearly 62 years after Ralph Baer envisioned it, and 41 years after Magnavox made it come true, people are lining up for midnight releases of eighth, yes, eighth generation consoles, meaning, they have had a “Next-Gen,” console a little more than every five years. But do they live up to their expectations?

Sophomore Hayden Elder is a self-proclaimed “PC Gamer.” He thinks consoles have had their run, and will soon be replaced by the newer technology in the near future.

“I believe that consoles are kind of on their way out,” Elder said. “One of the major problems is incompatible software with earlier games and the push towards more downloadable games. Because computers are getting smaller and even [televisions] are getting smaller, I have no reason to believe that the next generation of [televisions] will have the capability of playing video games all in one package.”

The Xbox One, Microsoft’s new gaming console will come out on Nov. 22 at midnight, and it’s opening price will be $500. For Elder, though, the price is too steep to be worth it.

“The Xbox One is $500. I can buy a pretty good gaming PC with a rendering and computing power five times as powerful as that console for that price,” Elder said. “Why should I spend money on a console that will be rendered obsolete in five years?”

Sony released its Playstation 4 just one week ago, at a price of $400. Junior Dylan Green said, “The Playstation 4 is more powerful and more consumer-friendly than it’s competitor, the Xbox One. I personally have a PS4. The only reason that people would get an Xbox One would because they have bought Microsoft products in the past.”

Elder’s response is brought to light through senior Garrett Zyk, who says that while he is an Xbox fan, and “Will be getting an Xbox One,” he will be getting an Xbox One because he “started off with an Xbox and not a Playstation.”

[heading]BearingNews asked students: What do you think of the the new consoles?[/heading]