Final judgement reserved until I've actually held one, of course. But initial impressions from the photos sure look like they're trying to make it more comfortable to hold.

I'm thinking it'd be better for me to buy a hardware-emulation PS3 (to play all those delicious PS1 and PS2 games as well as PSN games)

For what it's worth, I bought one of those models on eBay over 3 years ago (at which point it was probably already 3-4 years old), and it's still going strong.

Hopefully Bungie can work out cross-platform play for the sequels. PS3 <-> PS4 network play would also make Destiny on PS a better choice, IMO, but we have to wait and see on that.

That's an interesting thought. I've already deemed play between XBox and PlayStation platforms impossible, due to both technical reasons and politics. But play between PS3 and PS4, or 360 and XBOne, MIGHT be theoretically possible. Obviously it depends a lot on the architecture of Sony and MS' networks, both on the current-gen consoles and the next-gen (which we know nothing about yet). But still, it at least MIGHT be possible.

I do have a PS3, but I use it very little. I think I have 3 people on my friends list, none of whom I actually play online with. So that doesn't really factor in, unless there's a mass exodus of the B.Org community to the PS3 for some reason.

Sure, eventually, given enough years, it would be cheaper to avoid the online subscription fee.. but that doesn't seem like a very convincing reason to buy a PS3. If it was, I would've bought a PS3 in the first place, instead of an Xbox 360.

That calculation also assumes that Destiny is the only reason I have XBL. Which it isn't.

I do agree with the OP that, in theory, the PS3 is the most cost effective way for a large group of people to obtain a machine to play Destiny together on. But this assumes that said group is starting from a point where they're definitely going to need to lay out cash for one system or the other (and said system's associated online subscription, where applicable). It also assumes that Destiny is the only game involved. Whereas the reality is that many of us have already bought other consoles and online (XBL) subscriptions, and may be keeping them in order to play other games regardless of where Destiny goes. That being said, I suppose for someone who is in the situation of not already owning any major console, get a PS3. :)

I've only read the first three so far; just trying to stay ahead of the TV show.

If Destiny ends up on PC, though, all bets are off. We'll see.

To elaborate a bit more myself, a big point for me is money I've already spent on my new PC, and a desire to see/hear Destiny with the performance provided by that machine. After going from Skyrim (or DX:HR or Civ or Fallout) on the 360 to the PC, I just do not want to play Destiny on 360 (or PS3). Sure, going to a high school hockey game can be fun, but I want the NHL playoffs.

And after mentioning the money spent, there's no ability for me to buy an XBONE or PS4. In my world, there's just zero sense to not wait for a PC release. My alternative to Hired's solution is wait, and if it never happens, possibly forgo completely.

I'm also theoretically opposed to the new console generation, but for reasons I can't entirely articulate yet. It just feels like gaming is going into a dark age, where the kind of games we'll have coming out are the kinds of things in movies that Singing in the Rain made fun of all those years ago. I've got very little faith in AAA studios - Bethesda, Bungie, and Irrational are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head that might make really vital stuff. But there's no guarantee any of them won't pull a Bioware and jump a shark.

Probably more relevant for 360 owners since eventually they'll all fail…

PS3's will last forever and ever?

My PS1 is still kicking.

Actually my old NES that operates VCR style is still kicking.

The problem is that the validity of the proposition depends on everyone agreeing with you.

This seems to be a pointless dispute. We're going to be fragmented, there's no doubt about that. This is merely one idea that could have varying degrees of effectiveness. I haven't really heard anyone go into any depth on the pros and cons of their alternative proposals, besides Pete, if they even bothered to present any at all.

The Xbox 360 is a good option for community meets because most of us have them already as well as Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. However, a lot of people seem to be favoring the PS4 right now, and may not wish to continue their Gold subscriptions if they pass or wait on the Xbox One. If the PS3 and PS4 versions of Destiny end up being network-compatible, those who get the PS4 are covered for community meets on the PS3 which is another advantage for that option.

I thought Narc did a good job. They way RC presented his argument he didn't have to go into depth. I'm sorry you don't think I did--I purposely tried to not retread too much of Pete's argument. It would be fantastic if PS3 and PS4 are network-compatible, and that does bolster your case, but I still think it's a hard sale. Most people wanting to buy a new console are wanting to buy a NEW console. Yes, a lot of people may agree with you about the Gold account, but based of what I've heard, Xbox Live has consistently been a better service than PSN. And despite all the Halo negativity in this community, a lot of people may want to stick with it because they still have an interest in Halo. People are not making this decision in a vacuum, and who knows what other factors we'll know before launch.

Besides my hatred of the controllers, I'd really like to have a PS3 if I had the time and money to enjoy it. I'm not particularly interested in having two last-generation consoles, though. I doubt many people are who don't already have both. I get that you don't want to pay for a Gold account, and you want most of the people in the community to to be able to play with you. I think it's fine to hope for that. I suspect that most people here, though, are thinking they'll be in this for the long haul. That's another reason they're saving their pennies for next gen hardware. If Destiny ends up on PC, though, all bets are off. We'll see.

The problem is that the validity of the proposition depends on everyone agreeing with you.

This seems to be a pointless dispute. We're going to be fragmented, there's no doubt about that. This is merely one idea that could have varying degrees of effectiveness. I haven't really heard anyone go into any depth on the pros and cons of their alternative proposals, besides Pete, if they even bothered to present any at all.

The Xbox 360 is a good option for community meets because most of us have them already as well as Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. However, a lot of people seem to be favoring the PS4 right now, and may not wish to continue their Gold subscriptions if they pass or wait on the Xbox One. If the PS3 and PS4 versions of Destiny end up being network-compatible, those who get the PS4 are covered for community meets on the PS3 which is another advantage for that option.