u/ChampionGunDeer

I grew up largely in the 90s and heard the word "console" used for other things before I heard it used for video game systems. Examples include console stereo systems, console TVs, and the center console in a vehicle. Then, as a GameSpot.com reader in the 2000s, I always heard the word "console" contrasted with "handheld" (which, granted, may not have been common practice on other gaming websites), the former used for systems that were externally-powered and needed to be connected to a screen. My ongoing impression was that "console" denoted something that was not portable/relocatable while in use.

Later, I encountered people referring to handheld game systems as "handheld consoles", which completely baffled me and seemed internally contradictory. These days, what I have always referred to as a "console" game system is more often called a "home console", and systems like the Nintendo 3DS are called "handheld consoles". The latter choice of wording also puzzles me because we could just be calling all of these things "video game systems", as I believe used to be the common practice. Then, "console" could be a disambiguator, assuming it makes more sense in the way I've been using it.

Separately, the use of the word "franchise" within the games industry and in media coverage thereof has also confused me. If this usage was common in other media contexts before video games, then this context will get rid of my confusion on the matter. However, the only context outside of video games where I remember seeing the word is the business context, in the sense of an individual or group being granted license by a company to sell its products or use its branding within a region. Example: John Doe has the Dairy Queen franchise in [insert town name here].

What do others have to say about their experiences with the above terminology? Is anyone also in my boat with them?

I grew up largely in the 90s and heard the word "console" used for other things before I heard it used for video game systems. Examples include console stereo systems, console TVs, and the center console in a vehicle. Then, as a GameSpot.com reader in the 2000s, I always heard the word "console" contrasted with "handheld" (which, granted, may not have been common practice on other gaming websites), the former used for systems that were externally-powered and needed to be connected to a screen. My ongoing impression was that "console" denoted something that was not portable/relocatable while in use.

Later, I encountered people referring to handheld game systems as "handheld consoles", which completely baffled me and seemed internally contradictory. These days, what I have always referred to as a "console" game system is more often called a "home console", and systems like the 3DS are called "handheld consoles". The latter choice of wording also puzzles me because we could just be calling all of these things "video game systems", as I believe used to be the common practice. Then, "console" could be a disambiguator, assuming it makes more sense in the way I've been using it.

Separately, the use of the word "franchise" within the games industry and in media coverage thereof has also confused me. If this usage was common in other media contexts before video games, then this context will get rid of my confusion on the matter. However, the only context outside of video games where I remember seeing the word is the business context, in the sense of an individual or group being granted license by a company to sell its products or use its branding within a region. Example: John Doe has the Dairy Queen franchise in [insert town name here].

What do others have to say about their experiences with the above terminology? Is anyone also in my boat with them?