Video Game System definition

[echo]

I have been collecting game systems for many years now with the goal of having every major gamesystem released in North America (being that I live in Canada). But really what is a game system? Personally I don't concider any computer a game system as that is not there sole perpose nor are they marketed exclusively for that perpose. Secondly to be concidered a system I would think it would require some form or removable software. And finally there is that marketing thing. If a company that produced the system won't call it a videogame system why should we? (I feel most preschool oriented systems fall into this catigory).

[Sirgin]

Hmm, you make an interesting point. I agree that PC's aren't video game systems, otherwise you'd have to buy every type of PC out there to have all "video game systems". However I disagree that removable software is required to make something a video game system. I'm sure that things like the Atari Flashback 1 & 2 can be considered video game systems. To be completely precise, they are dedicated video game systems, meaning that they are preprogrammed with games built in. A lot of the earlier home consoles were dedicated systems.


And welcome to RFG!

[echo]

Ahh but that is a type of game system. You made the seperation by adding dedicated to the term. A good point but that would be a different all be it simular classifacation. That certainly helps in clarity though, thanks.

[Sirgin]

Ahh but that is a type of game system.

No, they are a type of video game systems. If you can see visual action/stuff on-screen, then they are video game systems.

It's not: video game systems <---> dedicated game systems.

Rather, dedicated video game systems are still video game systems.

[Izret101]

A dedicated video game system is onlya gaming system in name. Today we call those plug and plays;)

IMO i agree on the not including computers. Because they are something that constantly needs upgrading to play the newest games and then after a few years or sometimes less your system is too good to run older PC games.

Also would you be avoiding all things edutainment?
Anything made by LeapFrog or vTech, Sega Pico?

Also if your only going for "major" systems you could finish that up really quickly with a 2600, NES, SNES, Genny, N64, PSX, DC, GCN, Xbox, PS2, 360, PS3, Wii. (I feel i was generous with this list as far as "major market influence would be concerned")

I think the biggest question is what do you consider to be a major console? The ones i listed were more or less the heavy hitters but i know there are people who would be disseminated to to see a Turbo Graphix or Master System or Neo Geo or Coleco in there.

[Sirgin]

Also if your only going for "major" systems you could finish that up really quickly with a 2600, NES, SNES, Genny, N64, PSX, DC, GCN, Xbox, PS2, 360, PS3, Wii. (I feel i was generous with this list as far as "major market influence would be concerned")

That's about what I'd call "major" too.

I have exactly those systems except for an Xbox, 360, PS3 and Wii. I do have a Master System and Saturn though. But I must agree that those two are somewhat less important than the ones you listed. (Even though the Master System was bigger over here than in was in the U.S.)

[logical123]

This conversation is really easy to end. I will use another example: Define Life. You can't. You will define things that contain life, but there is no definition to 'life'. Video game systems are the same way. If you want to be specific, then be specific. Asking "What is a Video Game System" is meaning less, because that applies to so many things; edutainment, PC's, Consoles, handhelds, etc. All have the ability to play 'a game' and output it to a video display of some sort 'video'. Thus Video Game. Then the thing itself is the system, or method of doing so.

There is no real definition. If you want to include something, go ahead. If you don't, go ahead just the same.

[Sirgin]

According to Wikipedia, everything that plays a game is a video game system:

A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or electronic device that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device (a television, monitor, etc.) to display a video game. The term "video game console" is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy and then charge others to play.

However, Wikipedia does say that PC's and Arcade machines aren't video game consoles, but still video game systems.

[Marriott_Guy]

I had to cross this bridge when developing my website (specifically devoted to consoles).  The following link is what I used to define what would be included:

http://www.videogameconso...ary.com/main-overview.htm

Also, one of my fellow partner's in crime there wrote this interesting article on this same topic:

http://www.videogameconso...brary.com/art-console.htm

Like has been said already, the truth lies in the eyes of the beholder.  Hope this helps you out a bit.