What's Wrong with Modern Console Design?

Next Generation is running an article looking at the design of the next-gen consoles. Article author Eric-Jon Rossel-Waugh argues that the new systems have lost their sense of identity, due to high monetary stakes and the need for consoles to 'say something' to the consumer. From the article: "In May, I finally saw a PlayStation 3 up-close - and dear lord. It looks like a space ship based on the template of a waffle iron. Whereas the Sega Genesis looked like you could top-load a CD into it, the PS3 looks like you could top-load a side of bacon. It was around this point that I realized, on the surface, none of the forthcoming-generation consoles really strikes me as a game machine. Building on the PS2, both Sony and Microsoft have chosen to outwardly craft their systems to resemble nothing so much as random hunks of pop electronics."

Fundamental premise wrong

[SuperKendall]

I think the idea that modern game systems don't "look enough like game systems" is silly - what it is is a box with a design that can fit in with other home electronics. That's because gamers have grown up. If a case came out today identical to the Sega, I'm not sure it would far as well.

Game systems also have to hook into more advanced AV equipment now and that simply means they have to somewhat adopt the look of that whole electrnocis ecosystem.

Personally, I am fine with how the 360 and the PS3 and the Wii look. All interesting designs. If all the console makers were really smart they would have arraanged the designs of the three consoles so that they could lock together and with all three you'd have some funky cool shaped thing, or a transformer or the like.

I have to admit curiosity...

[drinkypoo]

...as to why no one has made a video game system that integrates into a standard stereo system. It seems to me that making something as large as the Xbox and not putting it into that form factor is the work of a complete idiot. It would make the device desirable to whole classes of people who would not otherwise be interested.

Sweet Jesus! It's highschool all over again!

[czehp]

I can just hear the makeup laden pouty cheerleader now...
"Come on, I know I look like some over-inflated piece of living pop art but it's what's on the inside that counts..."

Seriously though, does any gamer (or anyone at all) really care that the Wii looks like a single slice toaster or that the PS3 looks like a George Foreman grill? I guess this guy is the last one on the planet who still buys the plain beige pizza boxes that used to be all the "rage" because he feels that buying a nice Lian Li would make his computer lose it's sense of identity.

And speaking of identities... can we add any more hyphens to the author's name? Sheesh :)
How about Eric-Jon "The Waffle-Iron" Rossel-Waugh?