Gary Penn (creative manager at DMA Design)

My gut feeling (and it's a big gut) is that come 2001 we will end up with two clear-cut front-runners: one computer and one console. And as much as I'd hate to see Apple and Sega and even Nintendo out of the race, I can't shake the feeling that a significant change is looming. But, of course, the more things change...

The new PlayStation specification means we are a step closer to moving out of the Wooden Age and into the Plastic Age. And I don't care; what goes on under the hood means fuck all to me - and most of the real world, (the potential mass market) too, I'll wager.

I'd also bet that the increase in the quality of the materials will mean more of the same, only more detailed than before - and not necessarily more robust or more entertaining. But, of course, it will all be fresh and shiny and new to a suitably sizeable proportion of the audience.

That said, it's No Bad Thing if the specification and associated tools make it easier for development teams to strut their funky stuff. Why, it might even make it viable to research and develop new digital toys... so perhaps I do care after all. Well, until we all find our feet and some blighter decides to pull the rug yet again…