5 Ways Modern Consoles Are Different From Older Ones

There is a scenario involved here, but not one I'm willing to tell on this blog.  Here's the short version:  I'm picky about who gets to use my PlayStation 3.  In fact if you do want to use it I would insist I be present when you do.  I'm seriously entertaining the notion of hiding the power cable when I leave the house.  The idea of other people using my PS3 all random like kinda stresses me out.  I tried to explain this someone about how you really can't just let someone loose on a modern console (that is owned and actively used by someone).  I tried to explain that a PS3 is in no way like Super Nintendo.  Then I saw it: The glazed over look in their eyes.  I know that look very well.  I see it almost every time I try to explain a computing concept to someone who either doesn't get it or doesn't care to get it.  So here I am blogging about how modern console are different from older ones.  Here we go!

1. Modern Consoles Are Personalized

Back in the day, you were either Player 1 or Player 2.  In some extreme cases you could also have a Player 3 and 4.  If you were playing certain games you could probably enter your name and even save.  Today though, your consoles uses an account system similar to computers.  If you have a family computer you'd understand immediately but not everyone's that computer savvy.  On a family computer each person has their own account and things tied directly to that account.  There are some shared resources like word processing and spreadsheets, but the actual files each person makes is stored only in their own account.  On the PS3, your username is tied to your email address.  So in order to create another account, you have to create another email.  Frankly, it's not worth the effort to create a junk account for randoms to use.

2.  Netflix

I probably shouldn't be scared too much by this.  People who don't know how to operate a PS3 properly probably won't even be able to find it.  But the last thing I need is for someone to figure out how to use my Netflix account.  Seriously, it'll wreak havoc on my "Suggested For You" list.  Now I could create a guest account and I could set it to that guest account and switch it back to mine when I'm on it, but again not worth the effort for randoms.  Also, probably not a good idea to expose little kids to my previously watched list.  Breaking Bad could scar a kid.

3. Saved Games

Saved games don't work the same way they used to work on older consoles.  If I didn't want somebody to mess with my Final Fantasy or Legend of Zelda, I'd simply remove the game from the collection and hide it in the sock drawer.  That's because all my progress was saved on the game itself.  When games moved to a more digital format, saved games were stored on memory cards which were also simple to remove and hide.  Now progress is saved on the console. This means that any old person can fire up your console and immediate start playing YOUR saved game...most likely screwing up your stats and forcing you to start over again from the beginning.

4.  My Wallet

No I'm not talking about a physical wallet.  I'm talking about a virtual one.

It's the one that says Bad Mother...never mind

I actually purchase PSN cards and keep a fair amount of cash on hand in my PS3 account (DCUO subscription).  There's no lock and key on this so if you are on my PS3 you can easily enter the PSN Store and go on a shopping spree on my dime.  Sure you can't actually keep any of the stuff you bought since it'll end up in my PS3 but that's MY money you're spending there all willy nilly, bub!

5.  Games Aren't Just For Kids Anymore

Wanna hear some interesting statistics:

• The average gamer is 35 years old and has been playing games for 13 years.
• The average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 40 years old.  
• 25% under 18 yrs, 49% 18-49yrs, 26% 50+ yrs (That's right 75% of gamers are adults)
• 45% (Everyone), 12% (Everyone 10+), 28% (Teen), 15% (Mature) (55% of games are made for ages 10 and up)

So what I'm driving at is video games are a mostly adult market right now.  And the Entertainment Software Ratings Board has given developers license to make adult games.  Letting a kid run loose with a modern console is like giving a kid a movie rental card, telling him to pick out anything he wants and then leaving the store unsupervised while he does it.  You just know what section they'll end up in.

Are you picky about who you let mess with your video game system?  Let me know about it in the comment section.