What if there's no next generation?

[toythatkills]

Every other thread on GAF at the moment is stuff like "PS4 in two years!" or "random Xbox 720 rumour from unreliable source!"

Everyone just takes for granted that there's going to be another Xbox. That there's going to be another Playstation. I'm sure there was a time in all of our lives where we just assumed there'd be another Sega console too, but at some point a manufacturer has to look at how much they cost to produce and say "maybe getting out is the way forward for our business."

What if that happens? What if Microsoft decide that a new Xbox would just be too expensive when the current model is perfectly adequate? With the Wii-U by all accounts not being noticeably more powerful than current gen machines, it won't be like Nintendo has forced their hand, and if the Wii-U gimmick does catch on it'll only take a peripheral to make them competitive again.

So, what then? What if the next generation never happens?

[Ouenben]

I'm more worried about next-gen having a stronger focus on Kinect/Move/Casuals from the start. Despite the fact that market is somewhat slowing down. I have been extremely pleased with this generation in gaming aside from the Wii.

I've got plenty games left from this gen (And plenty to come) to not have to worry about next gen for a few years.

[dataDave]

I have arcades now... so consoles can GTFO.

Aside from the Nintendo must-haves I only need a console to practice fighting games at home.

[kryss]

I would be happy with no next-next-gen. I have enough to play.

[mugetsu]

no next gen= win

[Matt]

If Sony and MS don't bother, some other money bags company will produce one.

[charlesr]

I'd be very disappointed if this was the last gen. They can't even guarantee 60fps at 720p.
Presuming that TVs don't go nuts with higher resolutions (bad assumption - how else are TV manufacturers going to sell more sets), then it would be nice if they could fill up the current TV technology at some point.

However, I'm pretty happy with the current tech in terms of variety and delivery methods, so I could wait for a bit.

[Neon Ignition]

Yup, there'll be at least several more generations yet so really it'd be more a case of if the big 3 decided to massively extend the console cycles. Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Games like Gears 3, Uncharted 3, Battlefield 3 etc show that great visuals are possible this gen still and unlike some I don't feel the need for a great visual leap with every single new title. The graphical levels on display from those games could easily sustain me for another 3-4 years before I felt the time was right that a new gen was needed.

[Flabio]

Never is a very strong word. To say we'll never see another hardware generation is very unlikely indeed.

It might be longer till the next one than people expect, but there will be one.

[Neon Ignition]

That's true, this and the last gen's tech has to already be easily the longest use we've seen so far for a generation and despite the Wii U's announcement I'm not 100% convinced (despite the bazillion stories we'll hear in the run up to next years E3) that MS (who're likely next to announce) will announce the next Xbox next year despite the age of the 360. It's something that might very well get even longer when the next machines do arrive.

[abigsmurf]

The gameboy currently holds the crown for the longest lasting 'generation' at 12 years doesn't it? Even if you class the GBC as a different gen, there were still plenty of B&W games released up until the GBA.

I still think the current gen has a fair way to go. The PS3 is only now picking up steam in Japan and, although the peak of visuals for the current gen was reached a while ago, I don't think enough games are comfortably reaching it. Whilst we could see a 720 unveiled at E3, I don't think there's a thirst for it from either consumers or publishers.

I also think there's a good chance Sony and MS would want to delay the next consoles for as long as possible so that they get tech where the improvements are immediately obvious whilst keeping costs and heat levels (console makers won't want to repeat RROD issues in the future) down.

Another interesting thing will be : Will Japan continue to focus on handhelds at the expense of home consoles?

[Guts]

The gameboy currently holds the crown for the longest lasting 'generation' at 12 years doesn't it? Even if you class the GBC as a different gen, there were still plenty of B&W games released up until the GBA.

The Famicom was produced in Japan from 1983-2003.

[toythatkills]

Never is a very strong word. To say we'll never see another hardware generation is very unlikely indeed.

It might be longer till the next one than people expect, but there will be one.

Yeah, I'm sure there will be, I just wonder how people would react if it's not the next generation they expect. If Sony and MS pull out and Apple released a console, for example, or even Activision.

Everyone just assumes that there'll be more Xboxs and Playstations without really giving it a second thought.

[Fader209]

Does the WiiU not count as next gen?

Of course there will be more Playstations and XBoxes in some form or another in the future, there's so much money to be made in the market. Even if they did drop out there would be another company pop up to carry on the consoles - maybe Apple.

[Wools]

I would be happy with no next-next-gen. I have enough to play.

Although I feel there will be another generation of consoles in the next few years, I completely agree with you that I’m currently satisfied with the Xbox 360 I have.

5 years ago I had every console going and was like a pig in the proverbial when the Wii, Xbox 360 & PS3 were released. As time has moved on my free time has vanished because of work and I’ve found enjoyment in focusing my time on just one console, purely because I can then complete games!

At this moment in time the Xbox 360 does everything I want it to and more. I can download free demos & trials, buy content on XBLA, install DVD based games on the console, rip music, the firmware can be updated, the console has been refreshed with a new revision that has a massive hard drive and I’m continually being stunned by new releases that are still finding ways to push the technology.

Although a new console will push and refine what we have, I don’t feel this generation is as constrained and ancient as it was previously.