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	FFD: Do we want a new console generation this year?
	Gavin Mannion January 20th, 2012 10:30 am

FFDPS4

With all the rumours we’ve been hearing recently about a PS4 and XBN release at E3 this year it begs the question of whether we want a new generation now or whether we’re happy with what we have.

I personally am not that excited about another generation now and while improved graphics is always awesome I don’t really see what else we need this year or next from a new console.

How about you? Do you want to see a new generation of powerhouse consoles now or next year or could you wait another 3 years?

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Skyrim Patch detailed, Creation kit confirmed	Delve into the lore and art of the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Andrey
Consoles?What’s that :/
Nicholas Rowan
Meh.
Maybe next year. All three of mine have been a little neglected lately with all the Skyrim and Starcraft. Maybe we could do with some a bit beefier than the Wii this year, like the Wii-U (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JElywbkSbY Snicker)but the PS3 still has untapped power as developers are finally figuring out how the damn thing works using some sort of modern Rosetta stone and the 360 is still chugging along happily.
crystal ball says – Wii-U mid year, then the 720 end of the year with the ps4 being delayed and coming in early next year.

Anonymous
I’d definitely want to see the Wii U this year, almost every new Nintendo console has made a lasting impression on the gaming world (e.g. NES and traditional controller, SNES and shoulder buttons, N64 and analogue stick, GameCube and trigger buttons, Wii with the motion, Wii U with screen in controller hopefully). But it’s a risky move that could either go the Xbox 360 route (success) or Dreamcast (failure).
I disagree with the 360 launch date though, I can’t see it coming out this year at all. Earliest launch I’d bet on is next year.

http://urbancr33per.blogspot.com/ UrbanCr33per
While I do agree that Nintendo has had quite an influence on the gaming world … I don’t think that your controller examples were completely correct…
“NES and traditional controller” … D-Pad first appeared with the Microvision (console) in 1981, a year before was released by Nintendo with the Famicom (console).
“SNES and shoulder buttons” … True, the SNES did introduce should buttons, but at that time, all the systems were introducing extra buttons in various places, so it’s just interesting that the should ones stayed.
“N64 and analogue stick” … Actually, the first analog stick was introduced on the Vectrex in 1982, 14 years before the N64.
“GameCube and trigger buttons” … Nope, Sega Saturn instroduced analog triggers in 1996, 5 years before the GameCube.
“Wii with the motion” … Actually, there were motion controllers long before the Wii, for example, the Activator of Sega Genesis in 1993 … or even Nintendo’s own Power Glove in 1989.
“Wii-U with screen in controller” … While the Wii-U controller might be the first one to hit the market, the idea is not new … Sony filed a patent in February 2010 for a universal game controller with a LCD touchscreen, that’s almost a year and a half before the Wii-U was announced.
Actually, a couple of the Nintendo controllers were abyssmal … like the Nintendo Power Glove, and the N64 controller, which had a terrible design, was impractical and uncomfortable as hell.

Anonymous
Thanks for the corrections, you’re right in that a lot of Nintendo “innovations” were actually just popularised by them, but I thought they were fair game anyway (e.g. Apple and tablets). Do remember the Saturn had that controller for Nights, no?
Also, there were heavy rumours that Nintendo had played around with the idea of screens in controllers for the “Revolution” aka Wii back in 2004/2005. Can’t seem to find the exact link but here’s a semi-related story:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/rumor-control-nintendo-revolution-rumor-explosion-6128178?sid=6128178
True, who could forget the Virtual Boy too? That whole set-up was nasty.

http://urbancr33per.blogspot.com/ UrbanCr33per
Yes … you are right … Nintendo did add a lot of momentum to some design features … like the Nintendo Famicom controller popularized the D-pad. Regarding your question about the triggers … Sega Saturn’s 3D controller replaced the shoulder buttons with analog triggers, so yes … Sega Saturn introduced triggers on the controller’s shoulder.
Nintendo has made some rather poor design issues with some of their controllers, but has also popularized some features that have become mainstream. Personally, I don’t think that the Wii-U’s controller design really makes any real logical sense … maybe it will go the route of the Power Glove, only time will tell. What I do find rather daft is that the Wii-U will only support 1 of it’s fancy controllers … does put a bit of a damper on social gaming.

fred
Even if it came , my wife will likely divorce me if I get one.

http://twitter.com/Valshen Garth Holden
Rightly said, Fred.
LongJohnSilver
Same boat as me buddy….

http://www.twitter.com/WobblyOnion Geoffrey Tim
NO THANKS! My wallet’s not even keeping up with all the awesome stuff already available…now to go throw in another (two) R4K consoles in to the mix?

Anonymous
Provided it’s BC, I’ve got enough games I can do without + a PS3, that I wouldn’t mind trading it in for an upgrade. Can’t really see a downside there honestly. Buying from scratch could cost a pretty penny, but as I said, if it’s full BC (which I kinda assume Sony’s learned from past mistakes), seems like a win-win to me.
http://twitter.com/JimLenoir James Lenoir
Amen brother.. Amen!

http://www.twitter.com/WobblyOnion Geoffrey Tim
I will add though, that the thing I’m most looking forward to with the next generation is the renewed stupid FANBOY WARS and the resultant lulz.

Nicholas Rowan
Flame on! Oh wait Johnny’s dead.

http://twitter.com/Valshen Garth Holden
Come on, I still have my ps1, ps2 and DSlite sitting in their boxes, gathering dust… Sigh. No more consoles please.
http://twitter.com/NoodleZA Jarrod Lane
No thanks, I have no more kidneys to sell.

http://twitter.com/JimLenoir James Lenoir
I considered selling my gallbladder, but alas no demand…

http://twitter.com/Valshen Garth Holden
Who will console me if new consoles come out?
LongJohnSilver
Nah….
Still loving my PC & xbox…..
I want innovation over gfx to be honest, no more bland games please!!
Anonymous
Heh… no.
Not only because of wallet restrictions, but because I’m still happy with the current consoles.Really don’t see the need for the “next-gen” yet.
http://twitter.com/matthurstrsa Matthew Hurst
Want? Yes, because improved graphics, processing power, speed and functionality are always awesome.
Need? No. Because do you really need better graphics than the current crop of games?! And besides, graphics are often an excuse for poor storyline and character development. Take ME3 for example: old engine, but most people quote that as their most anticipated game of the year. Why? Because we care about what happens to Shephard and his crew.
Storyline and engagement will always win over eye candy. Except for ION, that’s completely exempt.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1690164499 Marcus Trettin
In my humble opinion, better graphics often lead people to the conclusion the story and character background also need to be better. If ME had better graphics, I’m sure a lot of people would have complained about alle the mistakes that are present in the game. But since the graphics and Animations are so 90′ everybody seems to overlook them. These faults in the interactive story telling are especially noticeable in ME2.
I do think the overall story of ME is a good one but the interactive elements within are not well done. The main reason why I play ME so excessively is baucause of the savegame import feature that personalize the successor and some of the characters and their own little story, like the one of Tali.
But that’s just my opinion.
A new generation of Consoles should be come out very soon with at least more processing power and updated standards, or – and that would be my more faved option – the devs (both hard- and software) brining the PC into focus again. Here the options for more decent perephials and breathaking new gameplay scenarios are much more versatile. The PC for example has DX11 while the console creeping around with the outdated DX9. If the game devs would be able to write their programs directly on the hardware (hopefully the kindergarten that every hardware has its own way comes soon to an end; gaming hardware should be standardized in how devs are able to adress it and each branch should be equally updated).
Another option – and that would be the ultimate solution – would be “unlimited details” from Euclideon. So i hope they soon come forward with their development to present the public a working package of their game engine, because this would solve everything.
What I hate most is the fact, that the majority opinion is – that also counts the game developers -, the pc can only be used while sitting on a chair infront of your desk. That just couldn’t be more wrong!

Magius
No thank you. My pile of shame for both consoles and my PC is far too high. And we still haven’t factored in the PS Vita.
Darthdad
How many jobs do these people expect us to do!

http://twitter.com/JimLenoir James Lenoir
Jim Lenoir.. Party planner… Jim Lenoir Night Manager at Macdonalds… Jim Lenoir… male prostitute.

Nicholas Rowan
But… those are all the same job.

Anonymous
Absolutely, can’t wait for the next round of console hardware, that means games developed from then on, can actually be tailored to hardware made this decade. Graphics aren’t everything folks, there are so many improvements they could make to the actual games, that people simply don’t care about because ‘Oooh look, a pretty!’
Better AI, individual AI systems for different NPC’s, better physics (impact, bullet, etc…), increased map sizes, increased objects on screen, better destructibility, etc… etc… etc…. I could go on, but you catch my drift.

Purple Dragon
I agree hundreds.

FoxOneZA
The next-gen has to be less about consoles pumping hawt graphics and more about other aspects such as affordability, size and interface. This gen is starting to show it’s age on 46″+ TV’s.
Yes some new hardware would be refreshing for those that have huge TV’s.

Anonymous
Honestly, they could upgrade the GPU to a DX10 compliant hybrid (like…1 step above what they’ve got in them already), quadruple the RAM, and those machines would be SICK. Less than a gig of RAM in either machine was the biggest mistake Sony/Microsoft made this generation, by far.

Uberutang
Actually new Generation of Consoles would be great, then at least the PC ports that they lead to will at least be up to date with ‘current gen’ PC specs.
Sitting on a huge amount of power and potential, yet being dragged down to the same level as a Xbox feels like I have wasted money on a Bugatti, only to be ever able to drive at 80KMH.
So yes, please bring out new Consoles, with DX11, etc but keep them BC to the current Gen.

Anonymous
I’m in the same boat dude, I feel for ya.

Ceto
Would love to have new consoles now to overcome the cross platform game performance differences and horrible jagged edges due to the hardware not being powerful enough to run all games at 1080p with decent AA settings.
But the world is not in a good state economically so the average consumer wont spend R4000 or $500 plus on a new console, never mind even two consoles . At least not in great numbers…..and that won’t be nice for Sony and MS.
Anyways this is a time where Sony and MS need to focus and improve their PSVita, Move, Kinect and online services.
As we have seen many developers are job posting now only for next gen. That means that have either recently or still need to get their hands on the new hardware. Which will anyways take probably plus minus two years minimum to test, create content for.
2013 we might start hearing more serious news but I’m not expecting much until 2014.
Anonymous
I actually think the next 6 months to a year would be a great time to
launch the next gen. There are still legs in both the MS and Sony camps,
however, nobody has ever said that the Xbox 360 cannot sell next to the
MS “Shiny-pants”/ Xbox 720. It worked for the PS 2 and 3, and I think
could work this generation as well. Especially if there is still more to
be had out the current gen. It would allow the manufacturers to get to a
wider market I reckon. If the Xbox 360 or PS3 can run as the secondary
system for a few years more, then why not launch the next gen now.
Complain about pricing all you want (as there would undoubtedly be
shenanigans with price structure), but gaming is not a right, it’s a
luxury, and nobody is forcing you to buy the next gen consoles.
Copy pasta my answer off the NAG forums.
rogue_riezo
Nope, dont need one.
Henk Roux
Naw. I like the current situation where everyone is complaining that PC games are console ports and that it looks crap and hating the publishers for it. Gives them something to think about for a change.
Anonymous
Who’s that idiot who reckons the ps4 & the xbox 720 will be the last console we ever see? haha. I like all of them, but can’t have all so I stick to PC & Xbox, would love a new xbox, tech is outdated
Cause
From a simple fiscal viewpoint. I would rather it come out next year!
Waynster ZA
No. But yes.
Technical improvements rather than visual. For me anyways.
MS would be able to utilize a blu-ray disc much better than Sony in my opinion.
And the unit can do with a better video player. The PS3 handles HD mp4′s much better.
Sony needs to have a long, good brainstorm over their controller and PSN interface. 2000andLate!

http://www.lazygamer.net Gavin Mannion
My personal belief is that Microsoft won’t release a Blu-ray enabled Xbox of any sort. They may hold on another year for a better solution

http://twitter.com/JimLenoir James Lenoir
They might actually go digital, which would be a very balsy thing to do, after the uproar the PSP Go caused, but it seems in this DRM fuelled world, digital might be our future.
Ceto
It’s going to be interesting. I can’t see everything going digital. In first world countries it might work but not worldwide. Either consoles will need massive terabyte size drives to store everything because you don’t want to delete/download a 15gig plus game every time you run out of disk space. Then we’re not even talking about the internet connections the average person will need….
Both Sony and MS need to stick with the disk based format at least for this next generation. Blu-ray has a lot of life left. Current technology can push the capacity to anything from 100GB to 1TB.

Anonymous
I can honestly see digital distribution for the next gen. Far more control for the developers, and since when do Sony/MS give a damn about third world countries. Just look at SA Live.

Anonymous
I agree MS won’t go Blu Ray, but I highly doubt they’re going to come out with another disc based solution. As much money as they have, it’s unlikely they have any interest in creating a new optical media, and then pushing that to the film industry (one of which Sony owns, so yeah, good luck there). They could go proprietary, but that’d be hugely expensive, and a massive waste. Honestly, unless they go digital, Microsoft’s stuck with DVD’s for the foreseeable future.

Waynster ZA
It would be great if they could, but I don’t see them ignoring the Blu-ray market. It’s massive! Maybe a hybrid… Can’t see the dvd existing another gen though.
Anon A Mouse
Nah, I still play games on my PS2. But then again I’m old skool like that. The PS3 still have a lot of development power hidden in it. It also doesn’t seem as if The Xbox people are complaining too much, although some still calls for a blu ray player.
I’d say give it another year.
Veeash Lala
I would love an updated kinect. The potential for brilliant augmented reality titles is here. With a more accurate sensor I think we’d see a lot of developers being able to do some fantastic things with it.
Another 3 years wait? Not if I had a choice. My one other wish would be that MS or Sony or Nintendo take a page out of NINTENDO’s book from the early 2000′s. The titles on the GameCube were brilliant. I want another Pikmin game where I can gesture or actually pick up or move things accurately using a more accurate Kinect (or reasonable facimile device )
Tidycpc
Can wait till the end of the year or beginning of next year for a new xbox….

This post made me think about: Consoles, E3, Flamebait Friday Debate, New generation

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