What will the 8th Generation bring to the table?

[XMark]

It seems that every generation of consoles represents at least one major advancement in gaming, something that changes the way we look at games, or their position in society.

1st generation: introduction of video games as a concept
2nd generation: Consoles defined - a generalized game system supporting multiple games in cartridge form
3rd generation: Wide mainstream adoption of gaming, deeper and more complex game styles are possible.
4th generation: Jump from 8-bit to 16-bit graphics, sound and music now usually based on digital samples rather than FM synthesis.
5th generation: 3D games become the norm, CD-ROM and other large storage media allows huge games and FMV cutscenes.
6th generation: 3D graphics de-uglified, most issues with 3D control have been worked out, consoles have online capabilities
7th generation: Much deeper integration of online services, graphics are good enough for a true cinematic feel (what used to be FMV is now usually rendered real-time), consoles also serve as media centers, introduction of motion controls

Obviously the next generation will have better 3D graphics, bigger storage for games, more RAM, etc but what do you think will be the big revolution that the 8th generation will bring to us?

Here's my guesses:
-Games shift away from linear scripted sequences, opting more for more dynamic, emergent situations supported by more complex AI and realistic physics
-All games on all consoles available as digital download in addition to physical copies (don't think we're quite ready for online-only yet)
-Motion controls mature into some form that doesn't only support casual gaming.

 

[Mute52]

A tablet
A console using an outdated processor that can't play used games
And whatever Sony decides to bring to the table

Also undoubtedly tons of gimmicky motion control things

 

[krazykidd]

A tablet
A console using an outdated processor that can't play used games
And whatever Sony decides to bring to the table

Also undoubtedly tons of gimmicky motion control things

Well , isn'T everything gimmicky , until they perfect it ?

OT: VIRTUAL REALITY !!!! ... okay seriously, probably , better motion controles, seriously there is ALOT of potential there, it's just a tad bit too soon . I also hope games will have more random events that happen . Imagine skyrim , but with random things that happen in the world, making it feel busy and ever changing.

 

[Mute52]

I think motion controls is over. Nintendo is moving on, and putting the touch screen in their console's controller

Have you even seen a WiiU?
It uses motion controls, except you're moving around the tablet instead of a remote now.

 

[Ordinaryundone]

We're gonna see the lines between PC and console get blurred, at least in terms of functionality. Also, even considering how close they are now, I'm guessing Microsoft and Sony's next consoles are going to be even closer to each other. Exclusives are going to be pretty much the only thing setting them apart.

Other than that, I'm guessing motion controls.

 

[TrevHead]

With how MS are pushing adverts, multimedia on the 360 and games especially xbla and xbl ig getting pushed further back, ill expect the next generation consoles to all do the same thing.

I really hope the next xbox has a better dashboard, it totally sucks for searching for games. I hope that one of the consoles copies from Steam's homepage which just by having a large number of titles showing on the screen everytime I log onto my account, I can easily keep track of new releases AAA and indies.

The 360 with its streamlined dash is the opposite, it doesnt promote indies and there are plenty of games that fly under my radar

 

[LilithSlave]

Exclusives

I want to see the generation someday come that the exclusive doesn't exist.

Definitely not this generation, but maybe in five more...

Biggest obstacle is my beloved Nintendo.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

Here's my guesses:
1. Games shift away from linear scripted sequences, opting more for more dynamic, emergent situations supported by more complex AI and realistic physics
2. All games on all consoles available as digital download in addition to physical copies (don't think we're quite ready for online-only yet)
3. Motion controls mature into some form that doesn't only support casual gaming.

1.
As long as movies are making money, games will be trying to imitate them, and the over-scripted, linear games will still far outsell the latest Eidos Montreal game. Battlefield, Modern Warfare, Uncharted and Gears all outsold Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and I don't expect to see that trend reverse any time soon. On the same day that happens, the media conglomerates will stop trying to censor the Internet and pigs will fly.

2. And I honestly don't think Nintendo are ready to have online-oriented consoles yet, judging by how FUBAR Nintendo Wi-Fi was for the DS and Wii. Still, that was online multiplayer - an online marketplace is pretty diff--oh, wait, 3DS. So they don't know how to do that either.

3. That'd need a Holodeck. And even if they did exist, they'd be too expensive for general use.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

They will bring the same thing every new generation has brought: Poorly optimized new graphics, and horrible launch titles.

Gameplay is going to take a backseat again once the new consoles launch while the programmers cream themselves over their new graphics engines.

 

[TephlonPrice]

My guess:

Ditch gimmicky crap (motion controls, etc.) because much of it is useless
Actually make use of the graphics engines & create LARGE worlds for a change
Actually take risks for a change
Realize graphics do not equal gameplay & actually make some fucking effort to create interesting games
Take existing IPs & take them to new places for a bit
Stop with worthless exclusives unless they're actually good

 

[pilouuuu]

Hopefully better A.I. Really almost no improvement in A.I. in all these years? Also better HD textures and better character animations. Colors! Less brown and grey games.

 

[XMark]

Gameplay is going to take a backseat again once the new consoles launch while the programmers cream themselves over their new graphics engines.

I've got an entirely opposite view on this. Graphics are pretty close to photo-realistic in this generation already. Sure, next generation will have higher poly counts, better real-time shadows, etc but all that will only work towards taking what was already 90% photorealistic and pushing it up to about 95% photorealistic. When there's very little room left to go in improving the overall look of the graphics, the thing that you have to do to make your game stand out is to provide better gameplay than the competition.

Maybe I'm over-optimistic but I think the 8th generation is going to be a massive gameplay revolution.

 

[XMark]

As long as movies are making money, games will be trying to imitate them, and the over-scripted, linear games will still far outsell the latest Eidos Montreal game.

Games are making more money than movies now. Games lead the way. In fact, I think we're going to start seeing a totally opposite trend of movies trying to capture the feel of gaming.

I think that trend has started already. Ever see Battle: Los Angeles? That was essentially a movie trying to capture the feel of an FPS, including a huge number of shots literally through the scope of the characters' guns.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

As long as movies are making money, games will be trying to imitate them, and the over-scripted, linear games will still far outsell the latest Eidos Montreal game.

Games are making more money than movies now. Games lead the way. In fact, I think we're going to start seeing a totally opposite trend of movies trying to capture the feel of gaming.

I think that trend has started already. Ever see Battle: Los Angeles? That was essentially a movie trying to capture the feel of an FPS, including a huge number of shots literally through the scope of the characters' guns.

Yeah, I saw that movie, and it still doesn't change the fact that Infinity Ward and Treyarch take turns grinding the sales records of much better games into the dust. Even games like you described - games with more than one pre-determined path to the end, longer than six hours for your first playthrough and with more depth than a paddle pool. Deus Ex: Human Revolution comes to mind.

 

[Robert Ewing]

Tonnes of gimmicks. Not much innovation at all by the sounds of it. It seems like it's going to be a generation that just ups the graphical grunt. Not holding much high hopes for it at all.

Hopefully the titles released will change all of these hardware woes.