History MediaNotes / TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames

!!New franchises on these consoles

!!Games of old franchises

Ahead of the competition by a year, the first to launch a console in this generation was Microsoft with the {{Xbox 360}}. While it wasn't the first console with the ability to output in [[HighDefinition HD resolution]] (The PS2 and {{Xbox}} already had that ability), it was the first console with HD as a standard for games. It eschewed the PC-based architecture of its predecessor; however, it used development tools very similar to those used for PC games, making it easy to develop for. Unfortunately, the early launch was plagued with hardware issues, most infamously the "red ring of death". The next year, Creator/{{Sony}}'s {{PlayStation 3}} saw a release. The {{PlayStation 3}} was marketed more or less as a household supercomputer (in Britain, there was a bizarre and weirdly durable UrbanLegend pre-release that it was to feature a ''toastie-machine''), as it was manufactured with cutting-edge technology like the Cell processor and the very high-capacity UsefulNotes/BluRay format. The latter was actually put in as a push for the Blu-ray format, since there was still competition as to what the standard high-capacity optical disc would be. Indeed, Sony's executives outright said that the success of the {{PlayStation 3}} and the Blu-ray format were dependent on each other. However, the high-tech hardware came with a hefty cost, as the console was released with the infamously high price of $600, and many studios found the hardware very difficult and expensive to make games for. Despite early launch issues, both HD consoles did drum up excitement for what could be done on these powerful machines.

The company that had much different attention than Microsoft and Sony was Creator/{{Nintendo}}. In the [[TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames sixth generation]], the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube fell behind the {{PS2}} and {{Xbox}} in the ConsoleWars. Many thought either that Nintendo would quit the console business and go third party like {{Sega}}, HudsonSoft, and {{Atari}} did before, or that Nintendo's own entry into the ConsoleWars would simply be like the others yet fail due to their "kiddie" reputation. Instead, Nintendo [[TakeAThirdOption did something completely different]].

The company that had much different attention than Microsoft and Sony was Creator/{{Nintendo}}. In the [[TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames sixth generation]], the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube fell behind the {{PS2}} and {{Xbox}} in the ConsoleWars. Many thought that Nintendo would either quit the console business and go third party like {{Sega}}, HudsonSoft, and {{Atari}} did before, or that Nintendo's own entry into the ConsoleWars would simply be like the others yet fail due to their "kiddie" reputation. Instead, Nintendo [[TakeAThirdOption did something completely different]].

* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''

** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition''

** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption''

** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeHunters''

** ''[[{{VideoGame/MetroidPrime}} Metroid Prime 3: Corruption''

The company that had much different attention than Microsoft and Sony was Creator/{{Nintendo}}. In the [[TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames sixth generation]], the NintendoGameCube fell behind the {{PS2}} and {{Xbox}} in the ConsoleWars. Many thought that Nintendo would either quit the console business and go third party like {{Sega}}, HudsonSoft, and {{Atari}} did before, or that Nintendo's own entry into the ConsoleWars would simply be like the others yet fail due to their "kiddie" reputation. Instead, Nintendo [[TakeAThirdOption did something completely different]].

Another realm where casual games became massively successful turned out to be the handheld market. The NintendoDS, which was released in 2004, was named the "Developer's System"[[note]]This is where the name "DS" comes from, not "dual screen"[[/note]] in hope that it would inspire innovative design from developers. It managed to gain widespread popularity among casual gamers for the simplicity of games controlled by simply using the touchscreen, as well as earning the appeal of traditional gamers for its traditional controller setup. The DS's success foreshadowed the success of games in the smartphone and tablet market. Not only was the [[IOSGames iOS]] easy to develop for, but is was powerful enough that it could support a variety of games. The success of [[IOSGames iOS games]] led to many other smartphones getting their own libraries of games and the rise of smartphones as a viable gaming device.

With the advent of the WiiU by Nintendo, the {{PlayStation 4}} from Sony, and the XboxOne from Microsoft, it is likely that this generation is winding down, and TheEighthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames has begun. [[{{Wikipedia}} The Other Wiki]] considers the PlaystationVita and Nintendo3DS, Sony and Nintendo's most-recent handheld consoles (respectively), part of the 8th generation as well.

* {{PlayStation 3}}

* {{Xbox 360}}

* {{Nintendo DS}}
* {{PSP}}

* {{Wii}}

Ahead of the competition by a year, the first to launch a console in this generation was Microsoft with the {{Xbox 360}}. While it wasn't the first console with the ability to output in [[HighDefinition HD resolution]] (The PS2 and {{Xbox}} already had that ability), it was the first console with HD as a standard for games. It eschewed the PC-based architecture of its predecessor; however, it used development tools very similar to those used for PC games, making it easy to develop for. Unfortunately, the early launch was plagued with hardware issues, most infamously the "red ring of death". The next year, Creator/{{Sony}}'s {{PlayStation 3}} saw a release. The {{PlayStation 3}} was marketed more or less as a household supercomputer (in Britain, there was a bizarre and weirdly durable UrbanLegend pre-release that it was to feature a ''toastie-machine''), as it was manufactured with cutting-edge technology like the Cell processor and the very high-capacity {{Blu-ray}} format. The latter was actually put in as a push for the Blu-ray format, since there was still competition as to what the standard high-capacity optical disc would be. Indeed, Sony's executives outright said that the success of the {{PlayStation 3}} and the Blu-ray format were dependent on each other. However, the high-tech hardware came with a hefty cost, as the console was released with the infamously high price of $600, and many studios found the hardware very difficult and expensive to make games for. Despite early launch issues, both HD consoles did drum up excitement for what could be done on these powerful machines.

[[/index]]

In previous generations, eastern-developed games made the bulk of the market and generally outsold western games worldwide. This generation is notable in that western developers dominated the worldwide video game market. Because of this, western-oriented genres like the FirstPersonShooter and WesternRPG gained much popularity in this generation. In the previous generation, the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' franchise popularized the FPS genre and led to an influx of developers wanting to capitalize on its success. This FPS craze became very apparent in this generation, but the ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' series made the genre even more popular and outshone ''Halo'', particularly after ''VideoGame/ModernWarfare'' hit the scene. The WesternRPG genre was already quite popular on the PC, but several console releases of [=WRPG=]s lead it to becoming a phenomenon on consoles. Creator/BioWare in particular spearheaded the increased popularity of [=WRPG=]s, especially with the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' franchise which [[{{Reconstruction}} reconstructed]] the SpaceOpera in the vein of ''Franchise/StarWars'' for a new generation. The popularity of both genres contributed to the rise of western developers in this generation.

Ahead of the competition by a year, the first to launch a console in this generation was Microsoft with the {{Xbox 360}}. While it wasn't the first console with the ability to output in [[HighDefinition HD resolution]] (The PS2 and {{Xbox}} already had that ability), it was the first console with HD as a standard for games. It eschewed the PC-based architecture of its predecessor; however, it used development tools very similar to those used for PC games, making it easy to develop for. Unfortunately, the early launch was plagued with hardware issues, most infamously the "red ring of death". The next year, Creator/{{Sony}}'s {{PlayStation 3}} saw a release. The {{PlayStation 3}} was marketed more or less as a household supercomputer (in Britain, there was a bizarre and weirdly durable UrbanLegend pre-release that it was to feature a ''toastie-machine''), as it was manufactured with cutting-edge technology like the Cell processor and the very high-capacity {{Blu-ray}} format. The latter was actually put in as a push for the Blu-ray format, since there was still competition as to what the standard high-capacity optical disc would be. Indeed, Sony's executives outright said that the success of the {{PlayStation 3}} and the Blu-ray format were dependent on each other. However, the high-tech hardware came with a hefty cost, as the console was released with the infamously high price of $600, and many studios found the hardware very difficult and expensive to make games for (and some still [[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim do]] to this day). Despite early launch issues, both HD consoles did drum up excitement for what could be done on these powerful machines.

** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime 3: Corruption''

* ''Franchise/Kirby''

** ''VideoGame/MarioMaker''

* ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}''