Next Gen Preview?

[Neon Ignition]

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/dor/articles/1153246/gdc-see-what-next-gen-games-will-look-like/images/gdc-see-what-next-gen-games-will-look-like-20110302045903216.html

IGN has posted images of the latest Unreal Engine 3 version which is being referred to as an indicator of how the next generation of systems will look graphically. They're certainly impressive with a lot of visual detail and effects on the go though it should be noted that games rarely meet up to the standards of the tech demo's and the Unreal engine has it's history of practical shortfalls. None the less it's probably not far off.

It raises the question again about console life cycles though. Whilst I can appreciate the visuals in this engine, it doesn't wow me (I think those days are over) and doesn't represent a jump that would, for me, warrant a new console within the next few years.

[sj33]

In fairness, IGN is being a bit misleading here - there's nothing to suggest that we're heading towards the next generation of consoles anytime soon.

What the new version of Unreal Engine 3 does add are the features supported by DirectX 11 such as Tessellation, features that we can reasonably assume will be a basic element of the next generation of consoles.