Generation 7

The console market is determined in the seventh generation by the three remaining large companies. Their machines are now factory-equipped for online functions, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 present graphics in HD resolution, but the essential innovation in this generation is the Wii controller system. For the first time, a console relies entirely on a control system via motion sensors – a new gaming experience that opens up new layers of buyers and brings in millions. Sony and Microsoft are soon moving with PlayStation Move and Kinect, but the Wii is selling better, despite the weaker graphics.

While in the previous generation, customers can mainly select the exterior of the console, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are configurable with regard to their hardware and are produced with different sizes of internal hard drives – the similarities of the consoles to highly bred gaming PCs are increasing.