Wait... is the current Console-Gen already coming to an end?

[Splitter]

I think the Xbox just runs on its own timeline.
To me, the 360 feels like its been out for ages and is in between the PS2 and the PS3. Whereas the PS3 still feels like a relatively new console.
For example, there are games on PS2 that were also released on 360 before PS3 was released, and the PS2 & 360 games are pretty much indistinguishable.
Which would suggest when it got started 360 was running on about the same sort of level as the PS2.
Now because people are more familiar with 360 and most games are multi-platform nowadays, the PS3 has to run on about the same level as the 360.
However if what everyones saying is to be believed the 360 is nearing its limits an the PS3 has loads of untapped potential.
Which means when the PS3 gets going and becomes more familiar to developers then microsoft are going to have to bring out a new console in order to have a chance at keeping up at the standard set by the PS3 and so some games can still be multi-platform.
And then we're back where we started pretty much.


Of course all that could be completely wrong.

 

[mark_n_b]

People talk about how the PS3 "hasn't been used to it's full potential" and such because they don't really understand the core technologies...

So no, the current generation isn't going anywhere. And no, the 360 is not being utilized to it's limit any more than the PS3 is. The Wii on the other hand...

Thank You.

Its the ram that sucks as the game on ps3 can only take up 256 mb of ram where as the 360 can take up 412.

And Thank you.

It drives me up the wall when people ignore these things that almost completely balance the 360 and PS3 out.

People just like speculating about the next gen, and with every passing year that speculation gets more rampant because it becomes more reasonable, so no, we really are at a halfway point right now.

As for what to expect in the future, I think 2010 / 11 is a good time to expect the new generation to begin rearing its ugly head. The Wii will want to move on to an economical system that can appeal to a core audience. The strategy of focusing in on inexpensive, innovative, and inviting (to non-gamers) has worked really well for Nintendo, I am predicting an expansion on that strategy.

Xbox 360's early system release gave them a killer head start on the PS3 and is a key reason they have maintained a notably stronger market share over the PS3 and have a larger library right now. Plus the Xbox was designed under the same guiding assumptions as last gen based on 5-6 year trends. If it ain't broke kinda thinking, served them well. The 360 and the PS3 are really on par right now for titles they are serving up, and no great leap for the PS3 is expected to really highlight the 360 as a last gen system, so I can see the system stretched out for a couple extra years.

As for Sony... Ten years? Maybe, we'll see, the PS3 failed to expand the PS brand into the demographic Sony was hoping for, and it is not the PS2 by a long shot. The PS3 has been comparatively rough for Sony, I'm positive they are at least considering a six / eight year exit strategy over their ten year plan. But market trends will decide that. This Christmas and 2009 are important deciders for this system, it is looking solid right now, I can't say how solid tho'.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

A funny thing i noticed the other week:

Ps3 fdanboi's are using the same excuse to defend the ps3 as the microsoft fanboi's used to defend the origional xbox last gen. The fact it was a late entry and is better console hardware wise.

Just shows how all fanboi's brains are wired the same way.

Are they wrong though?

 

[Shadow-Knight]

Gaming consoles usually last about six years, but the new consoles are probably already in development, so its not unusual to hear murmuring about them.

 

[Virgil]

None of the consoles can run natively at 1080p, everything after 720p is just upscaled. A large number of the games can barely do that, like Call of Duty 4 being rendered at 600p. HD on the current gen console hardware is a marketing gimmick simple as.

That's actually incorrect. Both consoles can render and output games at 1080p natively if the developers choose to and the display is capable. Developers on many games choose to render at a lower resolution to run multiple visual effect passes instead - effectively trading resolution for more detailed visuals.