Poll: New Console Generation: Why?

[tthor]

so, apparently Nintendo is making a new Wii, ok.

But now, we here that Microsoft might be making a new console, too.

Why?
Why do we need a new console? i can understand why Nintendo might make a new one, they enjoy experimenting with different gimmicky console tricks. But why would the mainstream consoles need a new generation? haven't we already reached a nice peak of game performance in consoles? what could a new Xbox or Playstation console honestly add worth while? we already reached about the peak of graphics (and any more graphics, and you would just alienate even more game companies with higher level-of-entry requirements of game programming). And they both are pretty good processing speed-wise. If anything, this generation can easily last for atleast another 5 years. what more could we want from it?

UPDATE: EA's Vice President of Communications, Jeff Brown, has told Kotaku that the story is "a total fabrication - 100 percent not true.

 

[Vicarious Vangaurd]

Current gen technology is outdated, especially the 360's DVD drive. In layman's terms the next gen is going to be a much needed hardware boost across all platforms.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Because opf the better limitations we've reached in the past few years?

 

[Seieko Pherdo]

From what I heard video game systems are going through a "make gimmick" phase. Of course that is the only logical reason I can think of besides pointless console cold war arms sequel.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Because nothing smells like money more than a new higher-priced entertainment system in an economic slump.

 

[Epic Fail 1977]

Yes.

Developers have long since reached the point where they are struggling against the limits of the 360's hardware. I think the long life span of the current generation of consoles has been great for games because its forced developers to learn how to optimize instead of being lazy, but it's time now for some hardware improvements so that games can start to improve. Better hardware means larger and more interactive environments, smarter AI, and (of course) better graphics. Right now I think the 360's hardware is holding back all of these things.

 

[Epic Fail 1977]

UPDATE: EA's Vice President of Communications, Jeff Brown, has told Kotaku that the story is "a total fabrication - 100 percent not true.

Of course he said that. He'd say that either way.

 

[viranimus]

Honestly, Nintendo prolly needs to advance the generation.

Microsoft? not as much. Theres still plenty that can be done with it. However it IS starting to somewhat show its age.

Problem is, if you say MS needs a new generation, then honestly your just as well to start the generation cycle now, which I totally disagree with the need for that.

2014 should be the soonest we see the release of new consoles outside of nintendo, and 2015 is not unrealistic, but unfortunately none of this will likely happen and well see it cycle 2012-2013

 

[Tanis]

If the last 'generation' can last around 10 years...I don't see why this one can't as well.

 

[Wayneguard]

Let's look at the graphical leap from resident evil on the ps1 to resident evil on the gamecube. Unless the next generation can match that leap, to hell with it I'm not paying $600 for a new console.

 

[Clive Howlitzer]

Because all you dirty console gamers need to catch up to the glorious PC gaming master race. (Mostly joking, no need to rip my head off)

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

i would say in maybe 4 years or so they should make the jump, by then hopefully we will have reached a good equilibrium for powerful but small components so the consoles can come back to what they were, easy to plug n play things to bring wherever/whenever.

plus by then xbox would hopefully be rid of the god damn dvd drive..(not that i'm stupid enough to have it happen to me, but the amount of people i know who've had it bumped or picked it up while it was running..*facepalm*)

 

[Vault101]

so, apparently Nintendo is making a new Wii, ok.

But now, we here that Microsoft might be making a new console, too.

Why?
Why do we need a new console? i can understand why Nintendo might make a new one, they enjoy experimenting with different gimmicky console tricks. But why would the mainstream consoles need a new generation? haven't we already reached a nice peak of game performance in consoles? what could a new Xbox or Playstation console honestly add worth while? we already reached about the peak of graphics (and any more graphics, and you would just alienate even more game companies with higher level-of-entry requirements of game programming). And they both are pretty good processing speed-wise. If anything, this generation can easily last for atleast another 5 years. what more could we want from it?

UPDATE: EA's Vice President of Communications, Jeff Brown, has told Kotaku that the story is "a total fabrication - 100 percent not true.

I thourght the Microsoft console turned out to be not true...

 

[bob1052]

If the last 'generation' can last around 10 years...I don't see why this one can't as well.

Because the power of computers is not growing linearly.

 

[mjc0961]

Developers have long since reached the point where they are struggling against the limits of the 360's hardware. I think the long life span of the current generation of consoles has been great for games because its forced developers to learn how to optimize instead of being lazy, but it's time now for some hardware improvements so that games can start to improve. Better hardware means larger and more interactive environments, smarter AI, and (of course) better graphics. Right now I think the 360's hardware is holding back all of these things.

Because the 360 and Wii are the only old ones, and PS3's tech is still state of the art.

No, wait. PS3's hardware is old and outdated now too. If consoles are holding things back, they're all doing it together.

 

[Vault boy Eddie]

Because money is good, money makes the world go round. The makers of these consoles know this, and there's your answer.

 

[Cronq]

Let's see:

- 512mb RAM is now considered insufficient even for cell phones
- 1024 x 600 is not really HD
- DX9 is short of DX11
- Mid-range 6 year old graphics hardware isn't quite cutting edge

The current generations are desperately in need of an EOL.

 

[tthor]

so, apparently Nintendo is making a new Wii, ok.

But now, we here that Microsoft might be making a new console, too.

Why?
Why do we need a new console? i can understand why Nintendo might make a new one, they enjoy experimenting with different gimmicky console tricks. But why would the mainstream consoles need a new generation? haven't we already reached a nice peak of game performance in consoles? what could a new Xbox or Playstation console honestly add worth while? we already reached about the peak of graphics (and any more graphics, and you would just alienate even more game companies with higher level-of-entry requirements of game programming). And they both are pretty good processing speed-wise. If anything, this generation can easily last for atleast another 5 years. what more could we want from it?

UPDATE: EA's Vice President of Communications, Jeff Brown, has told Kotaku that the story is "a total fabrication - 100 percent not true.

I thourght the Microsoft console turned out to be not true...

...
did you even bother to read my post (specifically the bottom)?

 

[Shreder55]

Just so they can add a little bit more to a console, declare it a giant leap forward for the medium and sell it for massive profit. (When in reality its old technology masked with a gimmick im looking at you 3DS)

 

[Epic Fail 1977]

Developers have long since reached the point where they are struggling against the limits of the 360's hardware. I think the long life span of the current generation of consoles has been great for games because its forced developers to learn how to optimize instead of being lazy, but it's time now for some hardware improvements so that games can start to improve. Better hardware means larger and more interactive environments, smarter AI, and (of course) better graphics. Right now I think the 360's hardware is holding back all of these things.

Because the 360 and Wii are the only old ones, and PS3's tech is still state of the art.

No, wait. PS3's hardware is old and outdated now too. If consoles are holding things back, they're all doing it together.

I'm a PC gamer, not a PS3 fan. I wasn't implying that the PS3 is better (or worse). The reason I mentioned the 360 is because it's the lead development platform for most AAA titles (and, therefore, the limiting factor).