Damian's Rant - Disc Format Or Cartridge-Based

Damian’s Rant – Disc Format Or Cartridge-Based

9. January, 2013 by Damian PlayStation, Xbox 6 comments

In 2013, video games are in the stages of next-gen. All current generation video game consoles use disc-based formats (Xbox/PS3 & Wii). With the first next-generation console, the WiiU, being disc format and using DVD Nine as that format I would say they are using last gen’s technology. With Xbox/PlayStation next-generation consoles using possibly both Blu-Ray as their disc format, they are truly next gen and ahead of the game.

With these next-generation consoles using the disc format and a powerful laser, some wonder about the cooling systems in the next gen consoles too. So now here is where the cartridge theory comes into play, and you’re wondering why I am saying cartridge. With this current generation consoles using laser technology and disc format generates a lot of heat and wear and tear on the systems. This also causing disc read errors and laser failure.

So the year is 1985 and Nintendo launches their home console. The console was a well-built console that had a cartridge based 72 pin connector and hardly any heat Problems. Yes, the NES had its problems, a constant blinking screen not reading of games. Yes, this was due to the cartridge technology at that time. So Sega came out with the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, and Nintendo dropped the Super Nintendo & N64, which were all cartridge-based. Last year, Sony came out with the PlayStation Vita, which uses a proprietary cartridge for its games.

Yes it is a handheld and yes Nintendo has been doing it for years too.
Some say cartridge-based technology is outdated, well this is where you’re wrong, current phone technology only uses a proprietary memory card or internal memory which in some ways are considered a cartridge.
What I consider a cartridge is anything that does not use a laser or a disc technology.

So now why can’t video game companies use the memory cards/cartridges in their consoles? Yes, the disc format is cheaper to make, but having a laser format and a heat sink inside the system causes the system to be hotter and a higher failure rate. How many Red rings/Yellow lights of deaths have you seen? I’ve seen too many. Now don’t sit here and say that the cartridge technology is outdated these days. You have cards ranging from 16 to 32 to 64 & 128gb Of storage. Current generation Blu-Ray discs are only up to 25 to 50gb. With next-gen, there’s no telling what size of Blu-ray will be able to handle. If video game companies were to make a system cartridge-based, they would be able to get rid of all the heat issues that causes the system to either melt overheat or come apart from the inside, Using a memory card/cartridge as its format.

Yes, you can say it’s a stupid idea, but it’s also a good one. You can say it won’t work due to the bootlegs of cartridge games. That’s where you take a page out of Sony’s book and make a proprietary card/cartridge like the Vita has, which forces you to buy the games.

Disc technology, or cartridge, what does the future hold for us when it comes to gaming?

This is my rant.

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Comments

Dirk

1 / 11 / 2013 7:14 am

I bought supplemental storage for my phone 4+ years ago that cost $8 for a 16gb SSD. It is the size of my fingernail. With the push of flash drives and other storage mediums I believe cartridge based games could have a future. It certainly can be cheap enough.

Reply
Osiris

1 / 11 / 2013 8:41 am

Lol, wii U is not using dvd9 , it uses propertary blu rays 25gb, xbox360 is using outdated dvd9

Reply
- edm
  
  1 / 11 / 2013 9:53 am
  
  Um, it’s already confirmed that WiiU uses DVD9 discs.
  
  Reply
  - wampdog29
    
    1 / 11 / 2013 10:51 am
    
    Ummm no. DVD-9 discs only hold 8.5 GB of data. Wii U has been confirmed to hold 25 GBs per disc. Study up on your knowledge a bit before you correct others.
    
    Wii U uses a proprietary disc format that is read by a blue/violet laser like Blu-ray.
    
    Reply
    - Osiris
      
      1 / 11 / 2013 10:55 am
      
      Yep, google is your friend, Wii U uses discs with capacity of 25 gb, edm you are wrong!!
wampdog29

1 / 11 / 2013 10:55 am

Cartridges have been replaced by cards. Game cards do have a future, but as far as what you are speakin gof, no. Game carts are dead and cards are an evolution/advancement of that technology. Game cards are cheaper and more like memory cards than the olds game carts. No wiring and less overall hardware.

Reply

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