When should we see next Gen Consoles...

[kingdomheights777]

http://giantrealm.gameriot.com/gaming/g ... n-xbox-720

Great article guys, thought I would get everyone elses thoughts on the topic.

I personally think that 2010 is way to early for new consoles to come out, (maybe a new Wii) I really feel Microsoft and Sony should wait until at least 2015 or 2016. These machines can produce great games, the just don't need to get impatient and give the game developers more time to get comfortable with the current line up of machines.

[Harvey]

With the technology that the 360 and PS3 have under their hoods, Microsoft and Sony need to take their time releasing a new system. It seems to me that with a longer console life, the console producer will gain more trust from consumers and game makers alike. Furthermore, the longer a console is alive, the higher the chance that a smaller company with fewer resources will make a great game, since they will have time to learn the system. Smaller companies probably can't keep up with bigger companies when it comes to switching platforms every few years.

I think a minimum 7-8 year span would be a good amount of time to allow between console releases. Even with the Wii having less graphical power, I don't want the Wii 2 to come out in 2011. I want that console to be later so companies can really learn the ins and outs of the original Wii.

[Pulsar_t]

I expect buzz about nextgen to gather momentum by E3 2010.

[s1mplehumar]

Very refreshing read. I couldn't agree more concerning a lengthy development cycle...(namely the God of War segment). I FINALLY jumped on the 360 wagon in October - gimme a break man

[superlarz]

Personally, here is what I think should happen.
Sony - Lost a ton and is still losing money on PS3. They more than any others need this gen of consoles to last longer to recoup money. As manufacturing costs go down, the will hopefully be able to start making some money back. They seemingly are really going to need to milk this. On the flip side, if there is some inherent flaw in manufacturing of the PS3 and then can never make the hardware as cheaply enough to make decent profits while getting consoles into consumers homes at a reasonable price (>200-250) they may have to abandon this generation early and go with hardware that is cheaper to make.
Microsoft - Microsoft lost a ton of money early in the lifespan of 360 and during the original lifespan of xbox. They are making money off of the 360 now and selling a ton of software. They are trying to build market share and get people hooked for the next xbox. The should not move on too soon, as they may alienate people if they stop supporting 360 as quickly and abruptly as they stopped supporting its predecessor. The should wait at least 3 - 4 more years before unveiling its successor.
Nintendo - The Wii is selling like hotcakes. Nintendo wont move on to the next one until sales slow significantly. They have made a pop culture phenomenon with this one, but have alienated tons (but not all) of people who consider themselves hardcore gamers. Nintendo, while making a huge profit off of Wii should probably release an upgraded version that can output games in HD and has more onboard memory.

Here is what I think will happen
Sony - Sony will reduce manufacturing costs significantly and start making money off of PS3. Eventually they will lover the price allowing them to be competitive in the market in terms of moving consoles. Will the win this generation? Almost definately no, but I do not think they will be distant 3rd either. I think we wont see PS4 until 2014ish or about 8 years after PS3 hit retail.
Microsoft - Will keep selling as they are now for a while, when PS3 price gets competative they will start to lose sales and market share. As soon as that happens we will see the next xbox, probably 2012 or 2013
Nintendo - Sales will being to decline as everyone already thats wants one gets one. Kind of a victim of its own success i think it will have the shortest lifespan. Sales will slow significantly as the average joe gets more HD in their lives. I think the next Nintendo will be out 2012

[otaku]

I'd prefer 2012 at least for ps3's follow up. 360 maybe in 2011. Wii could be in 2010 since its so underpowered now.

[Japhei]

Sony: 2015 Sony put a 10 year shelf life on PS3 themselves saying it is FUTUREPROOF. Blu Ray has not scratched the surface and devs have no understanding on how to use it. Think about how the PS2 had crap games on it and towards the end they get God of War. Its all about how you tackle the hardware. 2015 is likely.

M$ : 2010 I expect the next Xbox system as soon as the next great video card comes out for the PC they have to keep up with the Ports as all of you know.

Nintendo : 2009 Iwata said that they would support the gamecube until 2007 and has kept word by allowing Nintendo to release remakes of gamecube games on the Wii. What is everyone working on right now? They are lax on development on both the DS and Wii leading me to believe the reason they outsource companies to make 1rst party games lately is that all 1rst party development is being spent on a next gen console. This is to believed based on their recent R & D spending going up a ton since the Wii was released. A HD console is imminent and could be just a small upgrade if any to the current Wii formula. I expect a new console in Japan in 2009 and a USA release sometime in 2010.

[Gamerforlife]

Anyone sick of new consoles? I mean nine times out of ten they don't show us everything a console is capable of before moving on to the next one and this generation of consoles hasn't even come remotely close to providing anything that can be considered next gen so I don't think either company should be in a rush to move on to the next console

Seriously, "next gen" gaming has been nothing but empty promises. Sony and Microsoft have given us last gen games with high def graphics, while Nintendo has focused on gimmicky games with dated graphics and no high def. I'm just saying

More reasons to enjoy retro sites like this

[Mozgus]

Anyone sick of new consoles? I mean nine times out of ten they don't show us everything a console is capable of before moving on to the next one and this generation of consoles hasn't even come remotely close to providing anything that can be considered next gen so I don't think either company should be in a rush to move on to the next console

Seriously, "next gen" gaming has been nothing but empty promises. Sony and Microsoft have given us last gen games with high def graphics, while Nintendo has focused on gimmicky games with dated graphics and no high def. I'm just saying

More reasons to enjoy retro sites like this

Preach it. I'm not touching this gen at all, unless you count a few things on PC. I tinker on the DS some but have yet to actually find a game worth the retail price. In my eyes, it's still not a Gameboy replacement.

[lordofduct]

I don't care, because I won't freakin' buy it.

And when this generation ends we're going to see probably one of the most annoying things. Considering that we've moved completely into a "online experience" with our consoles, it's not going to be cool if they drop the servers for these consoles. It won't be immediately in the next gen, but the time will come when it won't be worth it to them, there won't be enough subscribers to warrant its use. And that'll be a shame.

What are MS's plans to extend the lifespan of their XBLA? The DRM protection on it is highly dependent upon being connected to the internet, and if they don't support it long term what are users going to do? Especially us the retro community.

Hopefully they do help us out, but they won't forever no matter what. May it be 5 years or 10 years... but I highly doubt in 2025 20 years after the initial 360 will they be supporting it if at all... though I still today play my Genesis 20 years later (released in 1989).



It's something I don't like about the video game industry. This is speculation, but our past has really shown that they expect you to "keep up with the times". The movie industry doesn't particularly do this, they upgrade their distribution medium but I can still easily watch Marlon Brando in a movie with out a hitch. The gaming industry isn't as friendly about this... play Super Mario Land from monochrome GB isn't an easy task anymore. Not even in PC gaming, the work arounds and the sort to play old Dos games or Lucas Arts games is a pain. Yeah we've got emulator... but that is third party semi-illegal.