I'm really not ready for another console generation.

[Xeogred]

But will it really mean anything? Speaking from purely a gameplay standpoint, there's been very few games this generation that wouldn't have been possible last generation.

A good point. The "leap" from the last gen to this one was more like a "step". Not as big of a deal compared to the jump from the N64/PSX/Saturn to the GC/PS2/Xbox I'd say. Graphics just kind of got better (and some major stuff became the norm like lighting, anti-aliasing, physics), but yeah. Gameplay wise, hardly anything revolutionary and trends got worse.

[ZeroAX]

A good point. The "leap" from the last gen to this one was more like a "step". Not as big of a deal compared to the jump from the N64/PSX/Saturn to the GC/PS2/Xbox I'd say. Graphics just kind of got better (and some major stuff became the norm like lighting, anti-aliasing, physics), but yeah. Gameplay wise, hardly anything revolutionary and trends got worse.

oh come on. Don't say that. Online play became a reality. Games with user made content were finally doable. And sandbox games benefited a lot from the extra horse power.

The thing is that a PC game of 2005 looked A LOT better than a PS2/XBOX/GCN game at the time, but even the PC games that take advantage of the amazing modern hardware don't look or play a lot better than similar console games (unless we are talking about games which depend on a lot of HD space, like MMOs)

[ZenErik]

I think this generation was a huge leap for online play outside of Nintendo. Originally I wasn't interested in the Wii-U at all, but I know I'll be getting one within a few months of launch. But where to put it? Already have 7 consoles + Blu Ray player hooked up to my TV.

[ZeroAX]

Blu Ray player

But you have a PS3....

[ZenErik]

Blu Ray player

But you have a PS3....

My Oppo BDP-83 is MUCH MUCH MUCH better at upscaling DVDs than a PS3.

[BoneSnapDeez]

But will it really mean anything? Speaking from purely a gameplay standpoint, there's been very few games this generation that wouldn't have been possible last generation.

A good point. The "leap" from the last gen to this one was more like a "step". Not as big of a deal compared to the jump from the N64/PSX/Saturn to the GC/PS2/Xbox I'd say. Graphics just kind of got better (and some major stuff became the norm like lighting, anti-aliasing, physics), but yeah. Gameplay wise, hardly anything revolutionary and trends got worse.

I think the biggest jump in gaming that I can recall was going from SNES/Genesis/PCE to PSX/Saturn/N64. Things changed so drastically during this era that it actually made me feel alienated and I stopped gaming for awhile. I hated the horrible blocky "3D" graphics, load times, memory cards, and multiple CD games. I just wanted to play SNES forever, and I actually went from SNES to Wii without buying another console in between!

I know the Wii-U, Xbox 720, and PS4 will be more powerful and showcase greater online capabilities, but this generally doesn't result in better disc-based gameplay. In fact, single player gameplay right from the disc is probably going to get worse as there is such a focus on co-op and DLC.

Lastly, I believe that the 8th generation of consoles will be the last, eventually "consoles" will simply be extra hardware integrated with televisions and/or our PCs. American casual games, whether they be football rehashes or Hollywood-inspired cutscene-a-thons or Facebook time killers or military recruitment tools disguised as video games, will reign supreme. Japanese games will become a niche market and people with tastes like mine will turn to importing even moreso than we do now.

[MrEco]

Lol, I agree.

A new generation would be a serious dick in my system. I just bought a 360 and only recently got a comfortably sized PS3 collection.

[deathsled]

Something else worth thinking about is even though Nintendo is going to be releasing the Wii-U before anyone else has a new console, doesn't it really just bring Nintendo into the current generation spec wise? It's not going to be some huge leap ahead of x360 or ps3 right? It's pretty much on par with them from a technical stand point isn't it? (aside from a screen on the controller)

[ZenErik]

Something else worth thinking about is even though Nintendo is going to be releasing the Wii-U before anyone else has a new console, doesn't it really just bring Nintendo into the current generation spec wise? It's not going to be some huge leap ahead of x360 or ps3 right? It's pretty much on par with them from a technical stand point isn't it? (aside from a screen on the controller)

Well, the tablet controller is interesting. As far as specs, it SHOULD be more powerful. Just maybe not significantly more powerful.

[Pulsar_t]

I only quickly skimmed through the posts but I think the AAA model is broken and next gen will even see less "key" games because of budgetary inflation. I'm also of the opinion that Nintendo and Sony should exit the hardware market, with Microsoft providing a home console with media services and even cloud gaming. The lack of competition on the PC side of things didn't harm PC gaming as much as consoles did.

To imagine that in 1995 we had the following platforms supported simultaneously!
Genesis, SNES, NeoGeo, NeoGeo CD
32X, SegaCD, CD-i, 3DO, Jaguar
Saturn, Playstation, Amiga CD32
Virtual Boy, GB(C), Game Gear, Master System, Lynx (?)
And I'm sure I missed a few

Fun times