The "new" Next Generation.

[capcom_suicide]

Hi,

What is the current thinking on Xbox 3 and Playstation 4?

Have there been any dates or ideas recently? I haven't found anything useful from Google.

Having played a bunch of games on a computer the past months I would say that the consoles really do seem to have reached the end of their lifecycles.

Often games are dropping FPS, install times are becoming an issue, low res textures and worst of all, artistic direction is being capped by technical performance. (according to Crytek)

So.... we now have situation that buying "Mainstream" gaming hardware is way more powerful that the 360, so surely a new model must be getting close?

Does the launch of Kinect and Move mean the big players are refusing to be pushed on new launches?

Could the mighty N have a chance at launching Wii HD and moving from bottom spot to "Top Dog" in the GPU stakes?

Whilst HD gaming was great on my PC, it wasn't the same plug & play experience as I have with my 360, and I really do prefer console gaming. So come on, give us a hardware refresh!

What do you people think? Time to change, or do the current consoles have many years left in them?

C_S

[Flabio]

I'd be surprised if there weren't new machines in the pipeline, but putting a new machine into production is really expensive, and I doubt there's much desire to drop that kind of cash at the moment.

[nakamura]

I can't see it happening just yet. People have a lot less disposable cash at the moment and powerhouse consoles are very expensive from the offset. I don't think Sony can afford to put too much into a machine right now. Also the standard console gamer, as in Joe public are more than happy with the current machine. Most of them don't even care about things like frame rates and textures.

[Darwock]

Don't want it, don't need it. I also suspect there's a lot more to be seen from the PS3 - just look at the difference between early and late PS2 games.

[nakamura]

Another reason we don't need it. Bugs. Until developers can stop launching games riddled with bugs we don't need it.

[Neon Ignition]

In short... Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii gonna love you long time!

Personally I don't feel that the current systems are maxed out. I think most lower framerates and textures on the formats have nothing to do with system ability and have more to do with the level of fine tuning applied. Like has been said, 90% of gamers don't care about such things so why waste money and dev time on it if it's essentially up and running? I know there's still and audience out there who are always keen on the next wave but I get the feeling that the current direction the industry is leaning in means that they're in for a big disappointment next gen as all the formats follow the Wii's example and reign in the graphical progress barrier.

I fully expect Wii 2 to be of rough PS3 power equivalent and for the next Xbox and PS3 to border on Xbox 2.5 and PS3.5 for improvement so that costs can be kept down, assets carried over and budget allocated to new broader market initiatives. In short, I don't think we'll see a sniff of the next gen systems till E3 2012/2013 and nor do we need to.

[Family Fry]

I do think we will hear something from Nintendo next year about a new Wii.

[Brats]

Personally I'm fine with things staying as they are. I don't game on my PC, so I have no frame of reference of how good PC games look. I can say though that I never boot up a current console game and think 'That looks crap. It would be so much better if it were on next gen hardware.'.

Imo there isn't much from a pure gamerplay perspective that isn't achievable with the current consoles, so any extra power is mainly about increasing graphical fidelity.

But then I think art style is far more important that graphical power anyway. There are 80 point XBLIG titles that are amongst the best looking games around imo.

[capcom_suicide]

Another reason we don't need it. Bugs. Until developers can stop launching games riddled with bugs we don't need it.

I've added a poll!

[capcom_suicide]

I do think we will hear something from Nintendo next year about a new Wii.

I agree, as I think Wii sales have dropped, and thus they need to do something.

As long as 360 and PS3 sales are strong, I also agree the chances are slim.

In terms of the next hardware, I also expect it to me a "Marginal" increase in power, but the target should be full 1080p at 60fps. The reality will be 1080p gaming at 30fps.

I really do feel the difference, and feel those who don't mind 30fps are really lucky!

[speedlolita]

I've barely begun playing PS3/360/Wii as it is. Please nothing else..

[Guts]

Personally I'm fine with things staying as they are. I don't game on my PC, so I have no frame of reference of how good PC games look. I can say though that I never boot up a current console game and think 'That looks crap. It would be so much better if it were on next gen hardware.'.

Imo there isn't much from a pure gamerplay perspective that isn't achievable with the current consoles, so any extra power is mainly about increasing graphical fidelity.

But then I think art style is far more important that graphical power anyway. There are 80 point XBLIG titles that are amongst the best looking games around imo.

My feelings exactly. Don't want 'em, don't need 'em, and I'm willing to bet most average consumers think the same.

I don't think Microsoft or Sony have any rush to bring out completely new hardware, they probably will keep adding features/services to their current consoles as long as it's profitable. I'd guess if someone brings out a new home console in the next couple of years, it's Nintendo if/when the Wii will begin to lose steam to Kinect and Move. I also don't think that consoles are competing with the PC, they're different markets.

[Family Fry]

Sales are down as market share decreases, hard to sell a product that most people own already. With Kinect and Move on the market now there should be fear that Wii owners will jump ship to another console for a better experience.
Also Nintendo REALLY need to get the Wii MASS Online and start making some cash from other revenues.

[nakamura]

I agree, as I think Wii sales have dropped, and thus they need to do something.

As long as 360 and PS3 sales are strong, I also agree the chances are slim.

In terms of the next hardware, I also expect it to me a "Marginal" increase in power, but the target should be full 1080p at 60fps. The reality will be 1080p gaming at 30fps.

I really do feel the difference, and feel those who don't mind 30fps are really lucky!

I don't mind 30fps for a lot of games but for racers it must be 60. I would hope any new generation would be able to display 1080p at 60 but I feel they will have to push the graphics too far so Joe Public will notice.

Therefore no 60fps.

[Skull Commander]

As am Xbox 360 owner I have no desire to replace it with something more powerful yet. New for the sake of new is never a good thing, and I feel this generation still has plenty to give.

Personally I like that all three companies are extending this generation, especially as the first Xbox was killed off so prematurely.