Next-Gen Game Consoles Still Years Off 386
jfruhlinger writes "Gamers who have grown bored with the current generation of game hardware will have to sit tight a bit longer. Word on the street has it that the next PlayStation won't be ready until 2014, and the next Xbox won't appear until Christmas 2013 at the earliest."
Do not want (Score:1, Insightful)
Weird abstract... (Score:5, Insightful)
If the gamers are bored with the game hardware, they may find it immensely more interesting to start playing games on it.
Years off? (Score:4, Insightful)
I know there'll be people saying it's not a next-gen console because it's graphics aren't much if any better than a PS3, but I would say it is, because it is one that has been designed after seeing the results of the current gen. Like the Wii, Nintendo decided the key to advancement was not pushing graphics, but other aspects of the user experience.
Re:Weird abstract... (Score:2, Insightful)
but i couldnt help but wonder, if 2005 era hardware (and let's be honest, in 2005 my PC was stronger then the 360 already) can pull this off, what would be possible with a console built on todays technology?
The problem is not a question of technology, look at what we can do with modern gaming PC's. The problem is a question of economics.
For Sony and Microsoft to refresh their console lines after only 5 years means taking a huge loss on the last generation of consoles. It took them 3-4 years to stop making a loss on every bit of HW sold, they still haven't paid back the R&D yet. The PS3 in particular really does need a 10 year life span to pay itself off. Both MS and Sony subsidise their console divisions from more profitable areas (OS and Office from MS, TV's and computers for Sony). The hardware was designed to be a loss leader, with the profit being made up in game licensing (this is why BF3 for console is $10-20 more expensive then the same game for PC. There are no per-disc licenses for PC's)
Nintendo does not have this problem. They made a profit from the word go so they've paid off all costs incurred in producing the Wii. This realistically should put the final nail in the coffin for the PC-alike consoles. Console gamers want actual consoles that are fun to play, not weak PC's with limited control schemes. I dont think we'll see another "high powered" console war like we saw between the Xbox360 and PS3 after the low powered Wii ate their lunch. MS will likely copy Nintendo with the next Xbox. Sony may not be so quick to learn and another loss like the PS3 may sink the PS brand.