New Xbox coming or something?

[Breetai]

For all of you debating on a game system being relevant you should all just shut up. You are on a retro game site remember. None of us could care less if systems are old and outdated. If you do, you shouldn't be on this site.

Did you even read the posts in that argument? You seem to have no clue what was actually being talked about...

[RyaNtheSlayA]

You seem to have no clue what was actually being talked about...

That sounds about right

[Breetai]

You seem to have no clue what was actually being talked about...

That sounds about right

True, for most of us, EVERY system ever released is likely to be relevant. I was just drooling over some MSX systems today. Only $70 (7000yen) for a nice Panasonic MSX system. Sweetness. Original Metal Gear, Parodius, Puyo-Puyo, Bomberman, Castlevania. It's my new object of covet.

The MSX, by the way, lasted for 12 years. Relevant at the end? I have no idea. Anyway, it's a computer; technically not a console!

[crux]

This thread was astoundingly semantic, dashed with a side of misguided speculation. Pages of posts on what boiled down to a disagreement on the definiton of "lifespan." There's a lifespan in terms of new releases, there's a lifespan in terms of economic relevance, and there's a lifespan in terms of gamer relevance (which is infinite, baby!).

Comparing Microsoft's OS business with their console business is cute, but doesn't go anywhere. In today's console climate, unless you're Nintendo, releasing a new generation of hardware is hugely cost prohibitive during the first few years (and growing). Operating Systems, on the other hand, aren't hardware at all. If they can convince us it will run on the hardware we already have or want, they can sell us software at a huge profit margin to them.

The latest issue of EDGE has an article that speculates that this generation will last longer than previous generations. Development costs, on both the software and the hardware side, have gone up enough that no one is ready to push new hardware yet. Most think that Nintendo will announce Wii HD, but aside from that a lot of the industry (with some exceptions) aren't expecting so much as a console codename to emerge for at least another two to three years.

[elvis]

Long story short: there's no new console due from either Microsoft or Sony for a long time (ignoring minor revisions, slim line versions of existing consoles, etc).

Anyone care to disagree with *that*?

Nope. Your job sure has come in handy in figuring that out! (couldn't help myself...)

[Erik_Twice]

Nintendo is not going to make another console, the Wii is still at full price and selling incredibly well. Sony wants their investment back so they are going to keep up with the PS3.

However Microsoft may attempt to get ahead on the console race as it has money to burn and wants to own the market hard. It would be stupid to do so (Alienates costumers the Sega way) but it's quite possible.

Given the current economy they would not release anything but I bet Microsoft will be the first to release a new console.