http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-12-10-playstation-4-now-counts-for-10-percent-of-all-twitch-streaming

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/analysis/digital-strategy/social-media-a-new-frontier-for-gaming/3022558.article

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/technology/sony-and-microsoft-ready-with-new-game-consoles.html?_r=0

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/27/why-digital-distribution-wont-kill-gamestop-yet.aspx

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/05/30/why-digital-distribution-is-the-future-and-gamestop-is-not-taking-the-long-view-on-used-games/

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/half-life-3-news-game-support-vr-technology-oculus-rift-1433962

For BA5 Contextual studies we have been tasked with writing a 2000 word essay of a title and subject of our choosing within the sphere of the technology and hardware used in the gaming medium in addition to how this will effect the material a digital distribution of games in the future. The essay will also be written in a professional yet self chosen manner.

Initial Idea Below

I have chosen to write an exstenive Editorial article looking at the last generation and the most recent generation of gaming consoles, concentrating on primarily player interface and a predictive look on how this will continue to evolve in the next few years with the current generation. And how some of the technologies only now being invented but will likely make into public release before the end of the consoles lifetime may be implemented in usage alongside them. In addition to this I will be analyzing how the technology its advancement will influence the consoles games distribution and how this in itself will affect the future of console gaming as well as the entire gaming industry. The articles conclusion will define if within the next ten years the likely changes to console systems and well as the how this could potentially effect the marketing and development of video games in addition.

For this I will be looking into existing articles and analysis into the subjects of the games console technology, the effect of social media on gaming, upcoming peripheral instrument, such as Oculus Rift. And how digital distribution has effected the marketing of video games and how this may come into conflict with buying video games from stores such as UK gaming distributors Game and Gamestation as well their equivalents in other companies.