Next Generation of Video Game Consoles

Bluevoodu

Bluevoodu

Site Founder
You know... I was thinking today... I am only able to think of a few things to really improve today's video game consoles. During the Xbox, PS2, and Gamecube lifespans, I was able to think of a ton to improve the consoles for the next generation of video game consoles. Now I'm not so sure.

Where do you think the next consoles are heading? I mean... We have a motion controlled system, systems that have good online plans and other pc / social website functions... And let's not forget integrated netflix. The graphics are still very good on the current systems... The one major area I see for improvement is load times. However, I don't think it is possible to significantly increase load times with Blu-ray and high density disks. There is just a lot of information to process. Do you think we will eventually head back to a more solid state technology? Or stay with discs?

Post it up! What do you think the next generation of consoles will offer or you would like to see them offer? Do you think they will just become simplified PCs? Or will they continue to be seperate units? How far off do you think we are from new consoles.

Does anyone else think that the rate of progression on video game consoles could possible slow down and we'll have the current systems for 3 or more additional years?

BV :hat
 
I would like to see them gravitate back toward a type of solid state cart format. I think that it will be needed just to avoid the heavy loadtime that will be acquainted with the amount of information that has to be accessed. The increased graphical content as well as anything associated with gameplay environments will only increase in complexity as video console technology advances. I would like to know if there is any research concerning development in a new cheaper storage medium containing something that would be akin to a cart? Something like a DS cart or SD medium? Or are we stuck on the disc medium idea? With Blu-Ray being the latest incarnation, I wonder. I personally prefer the cart anyway. I'm not sure how the new "Playstation Go" is doing. That might be the idea that the game companies are pondering and beating around. Built-in solid state storage? All you have to do is pay for the game and download it to your home console? Download your game manuals in a PDF file? That is something that I personally would not like. I am the type of gamer that has a need to hold something tangible in my hands. Yeah, I want to blow it before I stick it in. Reliving those nostalgic moments. :lol

Technology has come a long way, even since the N64 days, that the cart wouldn't have to be much bigger than the DS cart. If they want to make it bigger, it would only be out of a marketing and a preventive theft thing. On the other hand with the next generation of consoles, we might be talking about something that would be akin to a Neo Geo game cart, comparable to an arcade board. Surely the disc medium is about to reach its limitation as a viable storage medium idea?

I would say that we could be headed back into a period of solid state technology, but only if someone introduces something that can be manufactured cheap. Cheap enough to compete with the cost of a disc. Blu-Ray doesn't seem that it is taking the place of the DVD yet. At least I haven't seen any signs in my town yet. Then again we might be facing a period of gaming history where we go back to some long loadtimes. Yuk. :(
 
I don't think physical media will be how games are distributed in the future at all. Either digital distribution will proliferate, i.e. full games will be DLC, or if the infrastructure gets there (and in America and Canada this seems to be a priority at the national level) cloud computing and streaming will take over. I have mixed feelings about this, to be sure, but I do think it will be inevitable.

I think the dominance of the disc is over, and I would be incredibly surprised to see a resurgence in cartridges.

3D seems to be the next horizon for gaming, but I certainly have my doubts as to how that will be received by the masses. I do believe the 5 year console cycle is over, and I think we're already experiencing that. Iterations on previous hardware will dominate, whether it be motion control, 3D, or something completely different, I think it will all build off of current technologies. I don't believe there will be a "next generation of consoles" in the traditional sense.

The only radical prediction I can make is that gaming consoles will become more and more integrated with home entertainment systems in general. Not just as a movie/TV show player, or internet browser, which are things current consoles already do, and I don't see any limit to the amount of software a console will eventually run, like becoming a PC but far more standardized. But I see gaming consoles becoming further integrated with other pieces of hardware, i.e. built in functionality to the TV itself, and fully integrated with cell phones, PC's, laptops, iPods, digital cameras, and everything else. I don't think the time is far off where one's facebook profile is their twitter is their gaming ID is their iTunes account, and so forth. I'm not saying these systems will be integrated on the software side, but I do believe they will all talk to each other, and I believe they will do so through video game consoles.

With respect to the types of games we'll be playing in 5 years... I really don't know. I hope motion control either gets substantially better in the types of experiences it offers or it fails utterly. I don't want the Wii to be prophetic of the games of the future. I think gaming will be a more "social" experience, and I hope that does not mean a more "online only" experience.

I'm still holding out for a resurgence in split-screen multiplayer and LAN. I know its a longshot, but that's what I want the future of games to be, with online functionality as a back-up option.
 
Virtual Reality, anyone? ;)
I think it's a ways off, but maybe when my grandchildren are playing their PS9's it'll be using holograms. ^_^
I think graphics can still improve a bit, and so could motion control, imo.
Regardless of how much the technology advances, I just want companies to make good games, that's all I really care about.
 
Several HDDs now are hybrid, a spinning platter with a large memory cache to help decrease load times.

SSDs are rising, but still expensive...bleeding edge technology $$

At the moment, solid state still has a place, especially with the DS, but many games can be downloaded now too. The performance of carts/solid state has always been high, but storage capacity is low. The price point is a determining factor of what manufacturers will use.
 
ThravRande said:
Virtual Reality, anyone? ;)
I think it's a ways off, but maybe when my grandchildren are playing their PS9's it'll be using holograms. ^_^
I think graphics can still improve a bit, and so could motion control, imo.
Regardless of how much the technology advances, I just want companies to make good games, that's all I really care about.
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In order for the virtual reality to take place, the TV industry will have to move in that direction. It seems that they are moving into the 3D TV area now. Has anyone seen any of this type TV technology in action? I'm curious as to what this looks like. Maybe this will be the natural progression toward virtual reality or holograms,.... maybe? Baby steps? Can't wait to do Ridge Racer on a virtual reality console!
 
I'm in the same boat as you BV. The only thing I can think of is that consoles will last you much longer. The more powerful they become, the more you can squeeze out of the technology. It's not just about graphics anymore, it's about the AI, environments and how the game behaves to your actions. I would say that GTA III started this trend with its sandbox genre.

I have a feeling that both MS and Sony will not think about as much what extras they can throw in their consoles, but mostly just make it more powerful so that developers can truly make great games. Sony seems to be the one leading this charge.

Nintendo on the other hand, has nowhere to look but up. Their console is so scaled down that they can pretty much add whatever they want on their next iteration. It's really hard to tell anyways since it's usually consumer technology that dictates what a console will have as extras or as staples.



As for digital downloads? Don't think it's going to happen anytime soon either. Probably on the Sony side since they allow you to upgrade the hard drive, but definitely not on the xbox. I also don't think 3D is more than a novelty. Not only do you need a brand new TV that costs in the thousands, you also have to wear those stupid glasses. Which is just going to cause fatigue in your eyes, limiting the amount of playing time. I honestly don't know why this technology is being pushed as hard as it is. Avatar was not that great.
 
China has a 3D TV that you do not have to wear the glasses to watch. But the price tag at the moment is $20,000.00. Not exactly goin to be in your Wal-mart store anytime soon, but the technology is here and now.
 
retro junkie said:
China has a 3D TV that you do not have to wear the glasses to watch. But the price tag at the moment is $20,000.00. Not exactly goin to be in your Wal-mart store anytime soon, but the technology is here and now.
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I know it exists but like you stated it is not economical for the normal gamer. It's here but it's definitely not now.

TV manufacturers are having a hard time making LED TVs affordable, I highly doubt 3D TVs without glasses are going to be affordable any time soon.
 
Bluevoodu said:
Does anyone else think that the rate of progression on video game consoles could possible slow down and we'll have the current systems for 3 or more additional years?

BV :hat
Click to expand...

Wow! That would be nice.

There are always progressions in hardware and software but I have to say that I can see what you mean. I can see the next generation trying out new interfaces. I think that Nintendo has started something with the Wii and I think they will all progress to try out new interfaces. That might be the next new thing. Still, hardware will still get faster allowing for better graphics and audio. I hear that we're going to see an HD Wii soon. There are rumors that the PS4 will be out this year, but I think that's ambitious. I think the next gen consoles will hit in late 2011 to late 2012.

As for 3D, I still think it's a gimmick. But we'll see I suppose.
 
I would love if the current consoles stayed for another few years. I wish every generation had a 10 year life cycle. The current gen systems have been out for 4-5 years now and are JUST starting to hit their stride. Don't cut em' off when the fun's just beginning!
 
Strubes said:
I would love if the current consoles stayed for another few years. I wish every generation had a 10 year life cycle. The current gen systems have been out for 4-5 years now and are JUST starting to hit their stride. Don't cut em' off when the fun's just beginning!
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QFT. I don't want to keep paying 250 to 400 for a system every few years.
 
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