The NEXT Generation

[Soapy]

I do realize that with the "Xbox 720" rumored to be released in Fall of 2010 or even 2011 and other next gen consoles most likely dropping around the same time it's definately a bit too early to start such a thread. However, the way I see it, there's no harm in discussion.

What do you want to see from the next wave of video game entertainment systems?

What current trends would you like to see continue?

What trends would you like to see stay behind?

Will Microsoft make the first jump again, or will Sony or Nintendo beat them to the punch?

Will there be any new big competitors?

I certainly imagine that next consoles will move further away from "video game systems" and even closer to "media systems". Movies, music, games, photos, etc. will all be better integrated with increased functionality. Of course all of those improvements will be great, but my main interest is the games. Thus, the bottom line is, what do you want and what do you expect from the next generation of console gaming?

 

[StrainedEyes]

I just want Microsoft to actually have full BC with 360 games. They didn't impress me with their BC transition from the first Xbox.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

No more Red Ring of Death, the console should be stirdy like a rock and not sound like you're revving an engine on your car when you start it up. It should not have ANY overheating problems.

It should have next generation graphics capability and not go down the route of Nintendo with a gimmicky controller and sub-par graphics.

It should add a really good analog d-pad unlike their crappy one now that is horrible for 2-D fighting games. The battery life should be longer.

It should be fully backwards compatible with 360.

I'd like to see the Xbox become a conduit to rip your DVDs into digital format and stream your data and media wirelessly even if you don't have Windows Media Center.

Hard drive should be bigger, to be able to store HD movies and games and be able to save those on your computer as a back up. Screw Sony and their proprietary Blue-ray discs. Download HD movies directly to your hard drive to be able to store them and access them on the flash.

Make an agreemant with an online tv show network like Hulu, or create their own to allow Users to stream TV shows without having to pay for them via points.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

I just dont want to see the trend of casual gaming to continue. The LAST thing i want is for Sony and Microsofts next consoles to mimic the Wii. However i have a feeling thats where we are headed.

 

[StrainedEyes]

I just dont want to see the trend of casual gaming to continue. The LAST thing i want is for Sony and Microsofts next consoles to mimic the Wii. However i have a feeling thats where we are headed.

I think it's pretty obvious that publishers and developers don't want to go that way, or else Wii would have a much better lineup. I do not think Sony and MS will go Wii-casual. There will be plenty of casual games, and probably accessories, but I don't see them ignoring their core market.

 

[The Riddler]

i want photo realistic visuals.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I think it's pretty obvious that publishers and developers don't want to go that way, or else Wii would have a much better lineup. I do not think Sony and MS will go Wii-casual. There will be plenty of casual games, and probably accessories, but I don't see them ignoring their core market.

I think publishers would like to go the way with the Wii. Development for the Wii type casual games are much cheaper and is currently what's in demand.

The problem is that I think that developers really just don't know how to make games for the Wii-casual market. That's why the vast majority of the games are crap. It's pretty hard to get a hit on the Wii if you're a third party developer, I mean the only third party successes that are really out there are Capcom with the Resident Evil series, Sega with Sonic, and Activision with Guitar Hero.

Personally that's why I think that Sony and Microsoft will end up finding a middle road in between.

What I think Sony will end up doing is making the PlayStation 4 more developer friendly like the Xbox 360, continue to improve their online service to make it on par with Xbox Live, and impliment Wii styled controls. With franchises like SingStar and Buzz! they know how to capture the casual audience with innovative ways. They're also doing an excellent job creating new IPs like LittleBigPlanet and Resistance and have franchises like Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, God of War, etc. that can capture both the core and casual gamer. I think that if Sony plays their cards right, they can end up having a massive comeback next generation.

I think Microsoft will observe what Sony and Nintendo are doing to capture the casual market and mimick what works (as evident in Lips, Scene It, and Avatars). Overall, asides from implimenting Wii styled controls, Microsoft really doesn't need to do anything much different asides from finding a new big massive hit (Halo was last generation's hit for them, Gears of War is this generation's).

 

[Havok83]

I think publishers would like to go the way with the Wii. Development for the Wii type casual games are much cheaper and is currently what's in demand.

thats true to an extent. I read that some publishers like Ubisoft make Wii games to fund their 360/PS3 titles. Tons of crap Ubisoft titles on the Wii that sell enough to give money for big projects like Assasins Creed and PoP

 

[StrainedEyes]

I think publishers would like to go the way with the Wii. Development for the Wii type casual games are much cheaper and is currently what's in demand.

Making a quick buck doesn't mean they enjoy doing it. Since when is it in demand? If it really was I think there'd be better titles. People have made decent Wii games, the bigger publishers just don't care enough to try. Like Havok said, some use the Wii profits to fund their bigger games, which means they care more about the bigger titles then the do the throw-away Wii ones.

Some companies, sure, they are just in it to make cheap, profitable games. However, places like Rockstar North, Bioware, Bethesda, and Ubisoft Montreal, seem much more interested in interesting, artistic, groundbreaking non-wii games. At the very least, they care about the power. The ability to do more then what the Wii can do.

I don't think MS or Sony will try a full out motion system. Sony tried a happy medium and look how that's turning out. So what else is there? The next gen will be more powerful, MS will especially try to push some more casual games out there, but I think they know what their best selling games are and it's certainly not Kung Fu Panda or Your In the Movies. I can't see them intentionally going against what's making them sell so many systems. Even if it goes more casual, I am not worried that the non-casual content will dry up.

And I do believe that the (good) developers will stick to their guns and make the games they want to make, which in general are not casual party games.

 

[Matt]

It is weird to think this generation is a short two years away from being over when thus far it has been so very underwhelming. Really nothing remarkable in the RPG genre. Due to EA's attempted monopolies, sports games are at an all time low point. Most FPS' outside of COD have felt like little more than attempted Halo-killers. The action/adventure genre has been okay...but really...we are past the half way point and there have only been a handful of gems on each console so far. I gotta say...the 7th generation has been a massive disappointment.

 

[Matt]

Making a quick buck doesn't mean they enjoy doing it. Since when is it in demand? If it really was I think there'd be better titles. People have made decent Wii games, the bigger publishers just don't care enough to try. Like Havok said, some use the Wii profits to fund their bigger games, which means they care more about the bigger titles then the do the throw-away Wii ones.

Some companies, sure, they are just in it to make cheap, profitable games. However, places like Rockstar North, Bioware, Bethesda, and Ubisoft Montreal, seem much more interested in interesting, artistic, groundbreaking non-wii games. At the very least, they care about the power. The ability to do more then what the Wii can do.

I don't think MS or Sony will try a full out motion system. Sony tried a happy medium and look how that's turning out. So what else is there? The next gen will be more powerful, MS will especially try to push some more casual games out there, but I think they know what their best selling games are and it's certainly not Kung Fu Panda or Your In the Movies. I can't see them intentionally going against what's making them sell so many systems. Even if it goes more casual, I am not worried that the non-casual content will dry up.

And I do believe that the (good) developers will stick to their guns and make the games they want to make, which in general are not casual party games.

If they push the limits any further, we will be looking at eight or nine hundred dollar systems just for the manufacturer to break even. I think casual will be the way of the future just out of profit necessity. It seems like Wii is turning out to be the most profitable system of this generation. Other studios will want to emualte that success.

 

[StrainedEyes]

You really think they aren't going to try and go further with the power of the systems? By the time the next gen comes out, the 360 and PS3 will be relatively cheap and the new ones won't be much out of the ordinary for a system launch.

I don't even think Nintendo is breaking even on their hardware sales. Companies look to the software to make their money back.

I think that developers will play a bigger role in this whole casual v. non casual argument. Most of them like the new power and freedom of the 360/PS3, and don't like the restriction of the Wii. I'd like to think that a fair amount of developers have artistic integrity and prefer to make something good that will make them a decent profit over making something cheap for a quick buck.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

i want photo realistic visuals.

There are a few games that can look nearly photorealistic but only at certain times, low resolution textures and what-not can still be seen.

Spoiler

The Crysis models are ever so slightly stylized.

Wouldn't want games to look like this though.
Or developers to aim for it , too much.

[YT]bLiX5d3rC6o&feature=related[/YT]

Something was off with the Heavy Rain tech demo also.

[YT]HbVnZBxbo9w[/YT]

 

[hippie_hunter]

Making a quick buck doesn't mean they enjoy doing it.

A publisher is much different than a developer. I think it's pretty obvious that developers would rather make traditional games, it's what's in their comfort zone and what they do best. But the publishers like EA, UbiSoft, Activision Blizzard, and whatnot would most likely prefer the Wii on account it is much cheaper, and they're the one's footing most of the bill.

Since when is it in demand?

Casual games like Wii Sports, Wii Play, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Wii Fit, Mario Kart Wii, Madden NFL, etc. are what's selling the best.

Games like Gears of War, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Halo sell great because they appeal to both casual and hardcore audiences.

Games meant for core gamers like the new IPs EA is releasing, Resistance 2, and whatnot aren't selling the way they should.

If it really was I think there'd be better titles.

There would be better titles if developers really knew how to make a Wii game.

People have made decent Wii games, the bigger publishers just don't care enough to try.

To be fair, I think a lot of those are dumb luck like Resident Evil 4.

Like Havok said, some use the Wii profits to fund their bigger games, which means they care more about the bigger titles then the do the throw-away Wii ones.

I think that's just UbiSoft.

Some companies, sure, they are just in it to make cheap, profitable games. However, places like Rockstar North, Bioware, Bethesda, and Ubisoft Montreal, seem much more interested in interesting, artistic, groundbreaking non-wii games. At the very least, they care about the power. The ability to do more then what the Wii can do.

Again, those are developers, not publishers.

I don't think MS or Sony will try a full out motion system.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the rumored Newton and the break apart controller next generation for motion controls

Sony tried a happy medium and look how that's turning out. So what else is there?

The SIXAXIS is not a middle ground. The middle ground is Wii-styled controls with the powerful graphics of the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 while being developer friendly.

The next gen will be more powerful,

With developing costs getting higher and higher, I'm not expecting that much of a graphical leap.

MS will especially try to push some more casual games out there, but I think they know what their best selling games are and it's certainly not Kung Fu Panda or Your In the Movies. I can't see them intentionally going against what's making them sell so many systems. Even if it goes more casual, I am not worried that the non-casual content will dry up.

That's why I think that Sony and Microsoft will end up finding a middle ground. With it they can cater to both casual and core audiences.

And I do believe that the (good) developers will stick to their guns and make the games they want to make, which in general are not casual party games.

I agree with that.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I don't even think Nintendo is breaking even on their hardware sales. Companies look to the software to make their money back.

Nintendo's been making a profit on the Wii hardware since launch.

 

[StrainedEyes]

Nintendo's been making a profit on the Wii hardware since launch.

You're right, for some reason I was finding conflicting manufacturing costs.

 

[Addendum]

I'm not sure what I want from the upcoming gen systems, or even if I want one.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I know that the next generation is closer than we think because of Gearbox already making Halo 4 (or any other Halo) for the next gen.

But i hope it to only happen in 2011, not before.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

I'm not sure what I want from the upcoming gen systems, or even if I want one.

Once they start showing demos of the games and the hype begins, you'll be ready jump over the cliff just like all us other lemmings.

 

[SuBe]

I agree with Issy, I don't want to see the next gen Xbox and PS3 until at least 2011. I wouldn't care however if Nintendo put out the NextGen Wii. I heard they are working on one with PS3 level graphics, not just upgraded Gamecube graphics.

 

[GL1]

My prediction: The next Generation will Plateau. Advancement this gen has slowed to a crawl, next gen it will flatten out even more, if not outright flatline. Graphics are the best they can be for games that take less than 3 years to develop. The necessary price jump to up the graphics will be enough to ward away yet another flock of not-hardcore-enough casuals from "real" systems like PS and MS. 800 dollar systems. 1000 dollar Elite Bundles. Stories of people buying the MS Phoenix and the PS4 for 2K on Ebay will be tired news.

We're talking about games that take 4-7 years to come out here. With these costs, there will be even less room for creativity and innovation. That's hard to imagine in the sea of sequels where original IPs are considered "risky." But when you're trying to see the pores on Jin Kazama's face, there really isn't any room for innovating the fighting genre. Or sports genre. Or FPS genre. Or any other 'staple.'

And then Nintendo will keep cleaning up. We can say they're "not having fun," but they are catering to a group of people that are basically being spurned by the financial machines that are Sony and MS... and they're going to KEEP cleaning up.

My wishlist?

What do you want to see from the next wave of video game entertainment systems?

Similar price points.
New IPs.
Innovation in gameplay and genre.

What current trends would you like to see continue?
Online Multiplayer

What trends would you like to see stay behind?

Will Microsoft make the first jump again, or will Sony or Nintendo beat them to the punch?

MS will have to if they want an increase in market share, though they may be smart and go head to head with Sony. Nintendo, as it has a significantly different market, should be irrelevant.

Will there be any new big competitors?

Not a chance.

 

[Addendum]

Once they start showing demos of the games and the hype begins, you'll be ready jump over the cliff just like all us other lemmings.

I bought my 360 last year, 2 years after it launched. The hype had long since disappeared

 

[EdRyder]

If they push the limits any further, we will be looking at eight or nine hundred dollar systems just for the manufacturer to break even. I think casual will be the way of the future just out of profit necessity. It seems like Wii is turning out to be the most profitable system of this generation. Other studios will want to emualte that success.

Processors are already staged to make a gigantic leap from duo core to 8 core in the coming years,.16 core would be right around the corner from that.At that point youve eliminated the entire "graphics card" industry.All your PC games will be run directly off of the processor.Now, that technology is only emerging(why a duo extreme is like 2 grand)but as it progresses it will become cheaper and cheaper.
As an example,The PS3 was over $600 when it debuted. The justification for such a purchase was other blu ray players were at least a thousand bucks at the time..Now the price continues to go down.(anyone old enough to remmeber how expensive a VHS player was when it first came out?)If memory serves correctly Xbox 360 only finally started turning a profit in late 07 early 08.

 

[Timstuff]

I do not want to see the next gen start until 2011 at the earliest.

The trend I'd like to see continue is offering more user created content for games. Games like Little Big Planet and having mod support in Unreal Tournament 3 are a start, but we haven't quite achieved the "youtube of videogames" yet (and I don't expect that will truly happen next gen, either). Giving people solid modding tools for games is going to be a must next gen, whether it's simply giving people powerful level creators within the game, or allowing people to make full game conversion mods using their PCs. In addition, they need to have a strong community feature that lets people sort out the good from the bad, and leave feedback on their experiences. We're already seeing some of that this gen with Little Big Planet and Guitar Hero World Tour, but we need to see more of it next gen, because I think that a large portion of gaming's future will be "Internet 2.0 games" (although that is NOT an excuse for developers to make a half-assed game and then expect users to pick up the slack).

The trend that I don't want to see continued? Prices. This gen, we went from having $50 games and $300 consoles to having $60 games and $400 consoles. Next gen, are we going to see $70 games and $500 consoles as the norm? I am not paying $500 for a system in today's economy, so either they're going to have to cap prices at $400, or I'm going to wait until the prices drop. And $70 is too expensive for a game when it's probably only going to last for 15 hours, so I'm guessing I won't be buying many games when they first come out if prices go up again.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

The main reason for i not wanting the next generation to start before 2011 is that, it´s all too recent.
I only have the 360 for 20 months...i want to get a PS3, but i´m very afraid to realize that, in 12 month or so, a new gen is coming out.

As prices go, i believe that this is the higher they will ever get. As a matter of fact, the more mainstream gaming gets (and this gen is helping a lot on making gaming be seen as much more than a "nerd" thing), the more the prices will fall.
Movies and games are starting to go hand in hand, video game movies are becaming the "new comic book movie", next year we will see the first big budget video game movie (Prince of Persia), movie companies are starting to want to get into gaming (WB is in talks to buy Eidos, and the rumor states that Disney is thinking on getting their hands on EA).
Prices will go down......i hope....and pray.

As for user games, i´ve been waiting for this for ages now, the means and tools to make great games.
Little Big Planet was no surprise for me, i knew that something like that would happen sooner or later, as i know for sure that LBP is just the tip of the iceberg.
I read somewhere that Will Wright wanted to make something similar, and it´s still thinking on that; and the 360 has something in the making to allow people to make game directly on that platform (i read it on Kotaku some months ago, it had pictures and all, but i can´t find it).