The next generation of consoles. Let's speculate.

[Rman]

When I think about the upcoming generation of consoles I cannot help to think that pricing will definitely be a major issue again.  I doubt that we will see another 600 dollar launch console.  But for this discussion, I'm thinking more about the generational leap.  Will Nintendo success with the Wii--basically rebranding GCN internals, with a small speed bump, adding a new IU, and input device, and some online functionality--affect Microsoft's and Sony's development strategies?

I honestly believe it will.  I do believe that both companies will pursue cutting edge tech, but not bleeding edge tech.  I'm a graphic's whore, unashamedly, however, just continuing a graphical arms race doesn't seem healthy for the industry.  Real time graphics engines rivaling the best CG around may looks amazing, but also costly to produce.  I would be content with a focus on 1080p/60fps being the minimum standard for the next generation. 

Here are some bullet points on what I want to see for the next generation.  Most of these can actually be implemented this generation as well, since both HD consoles are basically PCs, and have upgradeable firmware and robust OSes.

• 1080p/60fps locked being the minimum standard
• Greater focus on art direction as technology starts diminishing in returns
• Free online as a standard
• More investment in digital downloads.  Digital downloads are great because the allow more varied design projects.  Sony's original PSN titles are a great example.  These games would never be viable as standalone disk releases.  DD also allows for greater price flexibility.
• Moderately priced casual games.  Some of these casual games are just overpriced.  They need to be priced accordingly

What are your ideas, EB?

[archie4208]

Marginally upgraded power + waggle.  Thanks Nintendo. :'(

[Kestastrophe]

HD-DVD will be standard

[ToxicAdam]

Points 3 and 5 are way off base. It's all about getting a userbase and milking them for every last penny you can. Sony's probably regretting thier model now that they will be in 3rd place.


I believe with this global recession hitting, you won't see Sony make any investments into a new machine. Which means MS won't have to. The Wii HD will come out, but won't be quite the sales monster that the Wii is.

Next gen .. delayed.

[Rman]

Points 3 and 5 are way off base. It's all about getting a userbase and milking them for every last penny you can. Sony's probably regretting thier model now that they will be in 3rd place.


I believe with this global recession hitting, you won't see Sony make any investments into a new machine. Which means MS won't have to. The Wii HD will come out, but won't be quite the sales monster that the Wii is.

Next gen .. delayed.

I was just speculating on what I wanted to happen.  But, you're right.  As long as people continue to pay for this stuff it will continue.

[recursivelyenumerable]

Here are some bullet points on what I want to see for the next generation.  Most of these can actually be implemented this generation as well, since both HD consoles are basically PCs, and have upgradeable firmware and robust OSes.

Yeah, none of these are really about more powerful hardware (except the resolution I guess --- but not the framerate), so I don't know why you titled the thread as you did.

[Rman]

Here are some bullet points on what I want to see for the next generation.  Most of these can actually be implemented this generation as well, since both HD consoles are basically PCs, and have upgradeable firmware and robust OSes.

Yeah, none of these are really about more powerful hardware (except the resolution I guess --- but not the framerate), so I don't know why you titled the thread as you did.

I was talking about what I would like the next generation of consoles to focus on.  Increased graphical fidelity is a give in.  At least I hope. 

For example, along with increased graphical fidelity, the Xbox team worked on improving XBL, adding the XBLA initiative, and making the 360 a media extender.  A new generation doesn't just mean beefier hardware.

[duckman2000]

The Playbox, or Xstation. It will make no sense for either party to release another set of competing systems, so I think we'll see some form of collaboration there. Power, and a nickel dime approach to accessories and services for an otherwise rather open system.

I can see it involving upgrade paths, too. Nintendo will keep distilling the game experience until they reach Pong level, and then maybe release some expansion accessory that gives the system HD functionality.

[maxy]

Waggle ftw

[Oblivion]

I will honestly be surprised if either Sony or MS go with a real next gen. upgrade after seeing how Nintendo cleaned up.

Nintendo, I would HOPE goes to at least 360/PS3 level next time around. If they do that, then all 3 would be on roughly the same playing field, so would leave Nintendo room to get some non-shitty ports this time around.

[recursivelyenumerable]

For example, along with increased graphical fidelity, the Xbox team worked on improving XBL, adding the XBLA initiative, and making the 360 a media extender.  A new generation doesn't just mean beefier hardware.

Yeah, but (as you pointed out!) there's no reason any of those things need to be tied to a new generation of consoles ("consoles" does mean hardware, right?), other than perhaps marketing I suppose.

[WrikaWrek]

Too depressing.

[Bebpo]

DS2 will feature around PS2ish visuals with lower geometry, lower-res textures, but better IQ.  Basically like PSP but slightly better.  It will still run on carts.  There will be a bigger focus on DSware that is in the DSi and games will have achievements linked to an online profile.  There will be a hard drive, but it will be tiny like 2gigs.

PSP2 will feature slightly above PS2 visuals, a PSN store with PSP playable titles and lots of PS1 titles and some PS2 titles, achievements linked to an online profile.  The disc media will be either a mini blu-ray or UMD2 that will hold 7gigs+ like a DVD9.  There will also be a 40gig harddrive and you'll be able to install games directly to the drive like X360.

[tiesto]

I'll be happy with a consistent 60FPS and a cut-back on loadtimes throughout the games.

[recursivelyenumerable]

There will be a hard drive, but it will be tiny like 2gigs.

why would it be a hard disk and not flash memory?

[Bebpo]

There will be a hard drive, but it will be tiny like 2gigs.

why would it be a hard disk and not flash memory?

Ok, DS2 uses flash memory 

[GilloD]

Here are some bullet points on what I want to see for the next generation.  Most of these can actually be implemented this generation as well, since both HD consoles are basically PCs, and have upgradeable firmware and robust OSes.

• 1080p/60fps locked being the minimum standard
• Greater focus on art direction as technology starts diminishing in returns
• Free online as a standard

[/b][/i]
[/list]

 

[recursivelyenumerable]

Isn't it all about programming rather than hardware?

Yep.

[WrikaWrek]

All that matters is how awesome PSP2 will be. Download only, and hopefully not pirated so it will be better supported.

PSP without piracy = no reason to exist.

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Dreamcast 2 will have best BC in gaming (Saturn and Dreamcast and a cartridge slot for Master System & Genesis)

[WrikaWrek]

PSP without piracy did exist, and it had support, but nobody was buying it.

PSP with piracy exists, it has less support, but people buy it.

[recursivelyenumerable]

I've bought a couple PSP games but still haven't bought a PSP!

[CurseoftheGods]

1 terabyte HDD with digital distribution for games as a standard. I don't want to switch discs anymore.

[Rman]

Here are some bullet points on what I want to see for the next generation.  Most of these can actually be implemented this generation as well, since both HD consoles are basically PCs, and have upgradeable firmware and robust OSes.

• 1080p/60fps locked being the minimum standard
• Greater focus on art direction as technology starts diminishing in returns
• Free online as a standard

[/b][/i]
[/list]

 

How is that unrealistic?

[CurseoftheGods]

Yeah, I hate it when people post smilies instead of a counter-argument.

[GilloD]

Here are some bullet points on what I want to see for the next generation.  Most of these can actually be implemented this generation as well, since both HD consoles are basically PCs, and have upgradeable firmware and robust OSes.

• 1080p/60fps locked being the minimum standard
• Greater focus on art direction as technology starts diminishing in returns
• Free online as a standard

[/b][/i]
[/list]

 

How is that unrealistic?

Greater focus on ART? FREE ONLINE?

[Rman]

More on art direction, meaning since we might not see a huge generational leap in terms of graphics, developers will need to focus on art direction to differentiate from the previous generation.  Look at games like Wind Waker, Okami, Killer 7, Wario: Shake it; these games look fantastic due to their art direction.

Regarding, free online, why not?  The Xbox platform is only platform, including PCs, that charges for online play. 

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

- No more free online.

- Nothing that is universal either.  Battery packs will now be made by the console manufacturers.  Nickel and diming is big business and since the steps taken this gen have been successful, next generation will push it further, probably to its fullest potential.  Microtransactions out the ass as well.  Consumers are gradually accepting it and next generation will see a full push.

- Achievements, Trophies, Nintendo's inevitable tard variant of an achievement.

- Marginally improved overall hardware power in favor of a lower price.  If a new console is above $299, I will be stunned.  Unless there is an Elite version that goes for $349 or $399.  PS3 is doing shitty because it launched at $599.  360 launched at $399.  Both lost out on millions of potential sales to get that badly needed momentum that every successful console needs.  I don't think they will make that mistake again, especially Sony.

- No waggling.  I think Sony and Microsoft may be tempted but they might worry that they will be seen as copycats and waggle will fail for them.  Sixaxis was largely ignored and people are still buying a shit ton of 360 software despite the lack of waggle.  Nintendo will have waggle but consumers aren't going to be wowed with it like before.  Not to say it will fail for them but waggling will now be several years old; consumers will want something new.

- DVD standard for Microsoft (they don't want to pay Sony for BRD royalties) with a deal with Netflix or whomever for a streaming package.  Xbox 1080 will have a huge HDD for this; at least 256 GB for this kind of deal.  Digital distribution will be the core focus of the new Xbox.  Sony will still use Blu Ray.  Nintendo won't be doing any of this.

[littlemathletics]

1 terabyte HDD with digital distribution for games as a standard. I don't want to switch discs anymore.

Won't happen as soon as you'd think. The rest of the world isn't quite as up with broadband as the US, so until data limits stop being an issue, we won't see widespread DD.

[Bildi]

I can't see locked 60fps being a standard for the next gazillion years.  Some developers will always sacrifice frames for a prettier picture.

Frankly, I hope they do keep perfecting 30fps plus motion blur in some games as 60fps looks so "videogamey".

I can quite easily see waggling out the wazoo on all consoles next gen though.

[dammitmattt]

I can't see locked 60fps being a standard for the next gazillion years.  Some developers will always sacrifice frames for a prettier picture.

Frankly, I hope they do keep perfecting 30fps plus motion blur in some games as 60fps looks so "videogamey".

I can quite easily see waggling out the wazoo on all consoles next gen though.

Dammit.  You beat me to it.  These are the two points that I came in to make.  60 fps will NEVER be standard and next-gen will be more casually-oriented.  DD and decent storage (whether it's on cards or hard drives) will be standard.  I think we'll have a Steam-style system where you can log onto any system and access your games/information.

Unfortunately, we still won't be ready for server-side storage and streaming games, which is the ultimate goal.

[cool breeze]

- No more free online.

OH DEAR GOD THIS THIS THIS!

I hope that by now Sony fans realizes that free shit is just that... shit. You pay, and you get the worth of every penny. I can't think of anything more naive than expecting PSN (in its current form) to surpass Live.

you are just being facetious, right? people don't actually believe that...right?

[cool breeze]

That's a blunder on Sony's part, it has nothing to do with Gold being a premium service.  The original Xbox Live also required money to play online, but all you got with that was the online play.  When Xbox Live came to the PC, it still had the Silver limited version and a pay Gold version despite Steam being free.  They just want the money is all.

To be fair, you can get live for cheap now by exploiting card deals at stores, and live on 360 offers a lot more than the original xbox did.  As for actual online play, despite paying the premium price the quality differs from game to game.  On the PS3 you have Resistance 2 which runs perfectly, then you have LittleBigPlanet with all the online issues; on the 360 you have CoD4 which runs perfectly, then you have Gears 2 which had online issues.

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Steam is just as good as Xbox Live Gold and it's free.

[littlemathletics]

Steam is just as good as Xbox Live Gold and it's free.

It's not quite as spectacular looking, but it's easy to use and works without any problems, for the most part. Steam's an aberration, though. It's a glorious one, but it's an aberration.

[duckman2000]

PSN is a plenty capable online service, it's just not as tightly integrated into the whole PS3 "experience" as XBL is to the 360. It lacks raw content, some community features and consistency across titles, but that's improving. It feels like when people are talking about the PSN, they refer to the launch format. Which I guess is valid if you mostly play older titles.