What I think would help is some set of standards that would let people create "PC Consoles". On the one hand, these are "no apology" consoles that absolutely appeal to the hardcore gamer that would otherwise use a PC. On the other hand, you ought to be able to pick one up at Target and not need to be a hardcore system builder to use it.

So I'm thinking someone starts a "PC Console Consortium" that does the following:

- Come up with a good name for the specs (similar to the old 3DO idea or the "THX" certification. It needs to have a marketable name.)

- Establish the proper bylaws and rules for the standardization process, including overall version levels, RFC-type specifications, etc.

- Come up with specs and reference designs / hardware for:

* Form factor of mother board

* Minimum number and preferred placement of ports, indicators, controls, and drive bays (if any)

* Minimum feature set (e.g. WiFi, DirectX 10, etc.)

* Standard OS image details and reference image (hopefully Linux)

* Living Room interface (Steam Big Picture mode should conform by fiat, we need those games)

* Reference controller designs and interface (should also allow use of XBox and PS3 controllers)

* etc

The way I see it, it should be possible to have the convenience of a console with the upgradability of a PC.

Lastly - and it's so important I put this separately - we need a way to take the "fiddle factor" out of PC games. Gamers shouldn't have to tweak anything when running on a spec-compliant system. They can if they want to, but it should be totally unnecessary for 95% of gamers.

To do this, I propose we standardize on some way to exactly report the system configuration. I'm thinking something like the Windows 7 scoring system. The idea is that the online stores will know ahead of time whether a game could even be played on your system. Also, when games run, they should automatically configure themselves with the optimum settings and resolution for your system (and TV or other display device).

Put simply, the "big picture vision" here is pretty simple: it's a box that looks and acts a lot like the XBox 360. The interface is just as simple. There are just as many features. The games run and play without headache. Controllers are just as nice (no more $10 "PC gamepads"). The entire experience looks like a console (no "seeing Linux or Windows boot first"). It's branded like a console. It's purchased like a console.

BUT...

It's buildable, upgradable (optionally depending on manufacturer), and "tinkerable" just like a PC. You do so at your own risk, of course, but the standard should be designed with this in mind.

EDIT:

Here's an idea that would be far in the future but would be cool. "GCPC" specs could include a new type of GPU interface. It would still be standard PCIe with power, but it would NOT include interface headers. Instead, standard video ports would be included in the motherboard standard (HDMI + Thunderbolt perhaps). If the chipset includes integrated graphics, it would use it. However, if a user plugs in one of these "headless GPUs", video signal would be directly routed to it. This would give the back of the console a cleaner, more standardized look while still allowing upgradability.

The back of the console should LOOK like the back of a console, NOT the back of a standard PC.

Another idea is to take a page from the upcoming TV apps playbook and standardize some kind of "feature card". This card would include processor, ram, and GPU in a known configuration and pinout. That way you can upgrade a lot of the "guts" with a simple card swap. I don't know if I'm too fond of this idea, but it's a possibility.