Game consoles, if you look at their history, are basically glorified/dedicated home computers. They’ve slowly been converging with computers in such areas as the processors used (all three of the 7th generation consoles – 360, Wii, and PS3 – are using POWER-based architectures made fully or in part by IBM; the same architecture was dropped this year by Apple for Intel’s x86 architecture), applications, and now Internet connectivity (Nintendo’s DS Browser, made by Opera, comes specifically to mind). They can also play CDs and DVDs.

However, they’ve been dependent upon cartridges and “disposable” records for the selling of games throughout gaming history, while computers have gradually become less focused upon hardware of any kind for the transmission of media (like DVDs vs. YouTube).

This, of course, is changing, starting with this generation; Microsoft has already launched Xbox Live Arcade, and Nintendo will be offering its Virtual Console with the Wii (described by CEO Satoru Iwata as “the video game version of Apple’s iTunes music store”). Sony hasn’t come up with anything similar as of yet for the PS3.

So what I’m expecting is that, by the 8th generation (*if* there will be one at all), most, if not all, console games (old and new) will be downloaded from online rather than bought at the local store. They will also lack DVD or CD capability, since these companies will also offer their own video , movies and music from their own iTunes-like stores (just like Apple’s iTV).

And I honestly think that they will be running on x86-compatible processors.

That will be the state of gaming consoles in the 8th generation. But, as usual, normal computers will most likely blow right past them by that time (dunno what that will look like).