Is it time for a new console generation?

[Alpha Centauri]

I was talking about this with my friend recently, and we both agreed that it is time for a new console generation, currently this generation has been chugging along for 7 or so years now, and I think we a pushing the bare ends of what these consoles can produce.

But what to do you think?

Spoiler: On a side note

Also I currently have a console survey running for a marketing project worth 10% of my final grade if you could be so kind as to fill it out, I would be very happy. http://tinyurl.com/74rr2zr

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Data-thingie filled out.

Anywhozles, I want a new generation to see what consoles are capable of and what cool features they can include.

 

[ZeroMachine]

Yes. It does. Almost desperately.

I'm not one to scream "CONSOLES ARE KILLING PC GAMING", but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

Or, at the VERY least, we should be entering a generation of supreme optimism with maximum graphics. Games of intense complexity with fantastic graphics and little issues.

But, there's a flip side... it'd restart the graphics race (people may argue that it's still going on, but the way I see it, developers hit the finish line but just keep running in circles now). And that'd be bad. I want good games that look good. Not "meh" games that look amazing.

EDIT: Ok, truth be told, I want OMGAMAZING games that look HOLYSHITTHATSFANTASTIC.

But we're a ways off from that. Skyrim is the closest we have, IMO.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Yeah, it's time alright. I can't help but wonder how Skyrim and RAGE would have looked on a next gen console, not to mention that my XBOX version of BF3 was vastly inferior to the PC version.

 

[Something Amyss]

but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

That mentality is exactly why I don't want to see a new console generation.

 

[Andy Shandy]

I'm...not sure actually. On the one hand, all three consoles have been out for quite some time now and technology has probably improved enough in those years to justify new consoles but at the same time the systems do seem to have at least some life left in them and I don't particularly want to spend money on new consoles any time soon. Will be interesting to see what they are like whenever they do come out mind.

 

[LookingGlass]

The only reason I want to see a new console generation is that that's the time when a lot of new IPs get created. There seems to be a bit more risk-taking and that's when the industry moves forward. At the later stages of console generations you tend to just get sequels and clones.


In terms of actual graphics technology, I'm not convinced that it's needed yet. My PS3 exclusive games look great, so it's obviously capable of what's necessary to please me. I don't want to see game development times increase just so we can get slightly prettier games.

Since I bought a new PC about six months ago, I doubt I'd be buying a next generation console at its highest price point. It would have to have a real "must-have" game at launch.

 

[ZeroMachine]

but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

That mentality is exactly why I don't want to see a new console generation.

So you don't want to see the technology evolve?

Look at the rest of my post. I said that with trepidation. It's one of those "on paper" comments.

Graphics can be better. They SHOULD be better. IF it doesn't hurt the quality of gameplay.

It's a potentially win/lose-lose/win scenario. We stick in our current graphical stagnation, but get consistent quality games. We end that stagnation with a new generation of consoles, but we run the risk of losing quality of gameplay in favor of quality of graphics.

We SHOULD be at the point where we can improve on graphics without sacrificing good gameplay. That's all I meant.

 

[MaxwellEdison]

With the pretty great games coming out this year, I feel like we have some more life in this generation. Unless there's some great technology we're not using that I'm unaware of...

 

[babinro]

Only the Wii is really in need of a new generation console. The motion controls are simply too unreliable for far too many types of games. They need a better technology for handling motion and are the only ones that have a noticeable drop in graphical output.

The PS3/Xbox may be 6+ years old, but they still hold up to high end PC graphics rather nicely. The fact is we wont see a tremendous visual jump with those consoles.

I guess the question becomes...what are we upgrading for? What new developments will justify the probable $300.00-$600.00 day one console?

I'm not opposed to going to a new generation of consoles by any means...but I'd hate to have put all that initial money in just so I can see water splash a little more realistically than was previously possible.

 

[XMark]

I'd say another year is good for this generation, since they still need to make their money back on the various motion control systems.

Also, this generation is quite different from the ones before it. In terms of graphics, sure, a new PC with a good video card will give you way better graphic quality than a 360 or PS3. However, we've hit a point where the extra graphic quality is almost undetectable unless you know what to look for.

Nintendo jumping from 8-bit graphics to 16-bit graphics was a major step. Playstation jumping from ugly-ass blocky 3-D to smooth and pretty 3-D was a major step. But the current generation is like 80% photorealistic, and the next generation would only be about 90% photorealistic. Hardly something that would warrant a whole new generation of consoles in itself.

There needs to be something else other than graphics to really warrant the release of a new generation. I think we're due for a revolution in game design, actually. When there's less room left for extra graphic quality, you need to do something else to compete in the marketplace than just looking better. Like make better games. I think I'm going a little off topic.

 

[Something Amyss]

Look at the rest of my post.

The rest of your post indicated the downside was the exact same thing as what you were proposing. Can=should is exactly why it's a problem, and no disclaimer changes that. I'm sorry, I read the rest of your post. It doesn't make it any more indicative of the real problem.

 

[theheroofaction]

Well, one part of me wants a new console gen.

The other part likes money.

The second one is bigger.

 

[Gustof26]

Yes. It does. Almost desperately.

I'm not one to scream "CONSOLES ARE KILLING PC GAMING", but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

Or, at the VERY least, we should be entering a generation of supreme optimism with maximum graphics. Games of intense complexity with fantastic graphics and little issues.

But, there's a flip side... it'd restart the graphics race (people may argue that it's still going on, but the way I see it, developers hit the finish line but just keep running in circles now). And that'd be bad. I want good games that look good. Not "meh" games that look amazing.

EDIT: Ok, truth be told, I want OMGAMAZING games that look HOLYSHITTHATSFANTASTIC.

But we're a ways off from that. Skyrim is the closest we have, IMO.

I'm with you on this Zero. Though I've gotten to the point where I feel that it's worth the risk to leap forward. We might lose out a bit, but I'm of the mind it would be the greater good and profit of the industry as the whole. Through they would need a launch title for the new system. Halo was for X-box.

What game do you think would become the launch title for a new system?

 

[Shadowstar38]

I want to say no. Im still getting really fun and deep games for the systems I have. I just want to buy more games not new hardware. Is there anything we really need from next gen systems?

 

[ZeroMachine]

Yes. It does. Almost desperately.

I'm not one to scream "CONSOLES ARE KILLING PC GAMING", but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

Or, at the VERY least, we should be entering a generation of supreme optimism with maximum graphics. Games of intense complexity with fantastic graphics and little issues.

But, there's a flip side... it'd restart the graphics race (people may argue that it's still going on, but the way I see it, developers hit the finish line but just keep running in circles now). And that'd be bad. I want good games that look good. Not "meh" games that look amazing.

EDIT: Ok, truth be told, I want OMGAMAZING games that look HOLYSHITTHATSFANTASTIC.

But we're a ways off from that. Skyrim is the closest we have, IMO.

I'm with you on this Zero. Though I've gotten to the point where I feel that it's worth the risk to leap forward. We might lose out a bit, but I'm of the mind it would be the greater good and profit of the industry as the whole. Through they would need a launch title for the new system. Halo was for X-box.

What game do you think would become the launch title for a new system?

NextBox would need Halo 5 or 6. The 360 released without a Halo game, but it'd help them big time now that the PS3 has become a major contender. I feel like they'd also need a couple new IPs. One for adults, one for a wider audience.

PS4 could probably survive on another Uncharted, LBP, or even a Metal Gear. Or Kingdom Hearts 3. Damn, would that be a major selling point.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I don't want a new console generation for another two years or so because I'm fine with the current one I'm using.

The whole technology and graphics deal? Fine, just not YET. I've never been big on how a game looks as long as it plays excellently, so that whole argument is lost on me. I would love to know what new tech they plan on using, but I just don't want to see it for a few years.

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

Yes. It does. Almost desperately.

I'm not one to scream "CONSOLES ARE KILLING PC GAMING", but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

Or, at the VERY least, we should be entering a generation of supreme optimism with maximum graphics. Games of intense complexity with fantastic graphics and little issues.

But, there's a flip side... it'd restart the graphics race (people may argue that it's still going on, but the way I see it, developers hit the finish line but just keep running in circles now). And that'd be bad. I want good games that look good. Not "meh" games that look amazing.

EDIT: Ok, truth be told, I want OMGAMAZING games that look HOLYSHITTHATSFANTASTIC.

But we're a ways off from that. Skyrim is the closest we have, IMO.

I'm with you on this Zero. Though I've gotten to the point where I feel that it's worth the risk to leap forward. We might lose out a bit, but I'm of the mind it would be the greater good and profit of the industry as the whole. Through they would need a launch title for the new system. Halo was for X-box.

What game do you think would become the launch title for a new system?

NextBox would need Halo 5 or 6. The 360 released without a Halo game, but it'd help them big time now that the PS3 has become a major contender. I feel like they'd also need a couple new IPs. One for adults, one for a wider audience.

PS4 could probably survive on another Uncharted, LBP, or even a Metal Gear. Or Kingdom Hearts 3. Damn, would that be a major selling point.

If the PS4 came out with Kingdom Hearts 3 I would buy Sony, and give everyone a raise and a blowjob. Im not kidding

I dont think we need a new generation just yet, the current consoles are still doing well, with this year being one of the best for gaming ever in my opinion, give it another 3 or 4 years

 

[ZeroMachine]

Yes. It does. Almost desperately.

I'm not one to scream "CONSOLES ARE KILLING PC GAMING", but it has gotten to the point where graphics COULD, and therefore SHOULD, be better.

Or, at the VERY least, we should be entering a generation of supreme optimism with maximum graphics. Games of intense complexity with fantastic graphics and little issues.

But, there's a flip side... it'd restart the graphics race (people may argue that it's still going on, but the way I see it, developers hit the finish line but just keep running in circles now). And that'd be bad. I want good games that look good. Not "meh" games that look amazing.

EDIT: Ok, truth be told, I want OMGAMAZING games that look HOLYSHITTHATSFANTASTIC.

But we're a ways off from that. Skyrim is the closest we have, IMO.

I'm with you on this Zero. Though I've gotten to the point where I feel that it's worth the risk to leap forward. We might lose out a bit, but I'm of the mind it would be the greater good and profit of the industry as the whole. Through they would need a launch title for the new system. Halo was for X-box.

What game do you think would become the launch title for a new system?

NextBox would need Halo 5 or 6. The 360 released without a Halo game, but it'd help them big time now that the PS3 has become a major contender. I feel like they'd also need a couple new IPs. One for adults, one for a wider audience.

PS4 could probably survive on another Uncharted, LBP, or even a Metal Gear. Or Kingdom Hearts 3. Damn, would that be a major selling point.

If the PS4 came out with Kingdom Hearts 3 I would buy Sony, and give everyone a raise and a blowjob. Im not kidding

I dont think we need a new generation just yet, the current consoles are still doing well, with this year being one of the best for gaming ever in my opinion, give it another 3 or 4 years

The fact that this year was so good is why I think we need to make that push. Yeah, next year we have a couple Blizz titles, GTA5, Mass Effect 3, Halo 4, and the inevitable Assassin's Creed sequel... but other than that, I can't think of any BIG NAME releases.

I feel like this generation just hit its peak. It's time to start looking at the next one.