Next next generation?

[Predator]

Just watched the latest E3 trailer of Killzone over here: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21609.html

Pretty amazing, sort of looks like Gears of War on steroids. If they can keep those sort of games up on PS3, should make a good buy in say.. 12 months

Microsoft is going to have to work pretty hard, as most of their 'key titles' by then (halo3, GTA IV) will have been out, and they'll need the hard hitting ones to follow late next year.

[Master Chief]

I'm really unsure how long this generation of gaming is going to last.  Sure, they are saying the consoles will be around for 10 years, but technology is still increasing rapidly and already both consoles are basically on their third model, possibly more if you considered the parts they're using inside them.

Not sure what Microsoft will do about the 360 once all the big games are out this year though.. They really don't have much on their plate next year.. except for Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Test Drive The Alps, Alan Wake... =P

[Predator]

I disagree - I reckon this generation will actually be the longest, or at least on par. The failures, problems, and dramas all sides have faced so far (360 especially, but you can't say ps3 isn't experiencing some competition now), means that no side is going to rush out anything for a while.

360 will be in it for another 2 years at least.. PS3 another 3-4. Nintendo's next system may be the most interesting - 2010? 

[Napoleon Insists]

Last generation still isn't over for quite a few people - the market leader, PS2, still has a ton of games coming out for it. They may not be great, but they have a huge market.

At the same time, It's hard to tell what people will do in the next gen - How are Nintendo going to up their controls? Will they simply go for a redesign? Maybe make it more tactile? Incorporate the balance board as a standard control method?

Xbox, I think, won't be in this generation for too long. They'll probably see the advantages of a staggered release, because it basically gave them the headstart this gen. PS3 will be longer I think, because stuff all developers have tapped it yet, and it will be a while before there are any good engines to do so. Nintendo, like I said, will be hard. Who knows?

[Deano]

I reckon that this generation will be one of the longest but it will be the last generation of purchasing video games.  All games will eventually be downloadable, that is when download bandwidth in Australia increases. Would be much easier, but takes the fun of having a collection of games with boxes and manuals.

[Predator]

That's another aspect too.. what we are using our consoles for, and receiving games is already starting to change rapidly.

They can't keep churning out redo's of 'retro classics' though for downloadable titles. When they start doing proper innovative games that aren't simply old games, I think that is when things will improve. WiiWare looks like it could deliver..

[Napoleon Insists]

I think it will be a very long time before all content is downloadable. Perhaps an option to, but you always have to consider:
- The joy of having a cupboard full of games.
- All the huge gamestore franchises and their business with physical property.
- International rollouts - not every country has the ability to take part in these, and most companies would have a hard time keeping a consistent service throughout. Australia is a perfect example of one.
- The infrastructure many developers and publishers have in place - production lines etc.

Also, it's a different game than it is on computer, where there's a lot of downloadable content and often the alternative to download.
- Games can be stored on harddrive and played on almost any system. Not so with Consoles.
- Not everyone is willing to put their credit card number on the line. It sounds silly, but there are many people I know who are hesitant to ever do so on the internet, or over their consoles.
- Downloading over the computer is more natural for many users than doing so at their TV.
-Server stress can be a problem. Why have the infrastructure for huge releases like Halo or others, probably having problems with lag, download errors etc. for weeks after release when you can already deal with it as physical property through stores?

I have no doubt that it will one day eventuate, and these things are all based on my current conceptions, but I don't think it will be a simple transition that will happen all at once; rather, it may slowly roll out as an alternative to physical property. Pred's right though, right now the potential is in smaller downloadable content with the possibility of larger games; I know that 360 has the ability (though I'm yet to see anything too great), and the Wii will join it soon (hopefully).

Also:
- Console harddrives are stupidly overpriced.

[nshady]

I think the future for Nintendo will be a high-def super powered next-gen (quote, unquote) machine around 2011-2012 ish. Importantly, the Wii remotes, classic controllers, zapper, Fitness pads etc. will all still be compatible. It seems like so many peripherals are coming out for the system...Wii 2 will simply be the same idea, same controllers but with high def graphics/hard drive space etc. to keep up with the times.

I'm gonna move the topic. Dave kinda hijacked the thread from the start...we're not really talking about Killzone.

[Deano]

- Console harddrives are stupidly overpriced.

Well..PS3 HDD's are just 2.5" hdd's..not really that expensive. I can see how it can be a pain for XBox360 users having a hdd that is only made by Microsoft and only can be used on the xbox. So many people have already upgraded their ps3 hdd's, its quite easy to do..open a little door..unscrew 1 screw and out she comes! Also..the ps3 detects the new hdd..and it doesn't void the warranty, but...sony will not replace the hdd if something happens to it.

[Master Chief]

Ya lots of people have just taken the 60gb PS3 HDD out and bought a 150gb HDD or something bigger.  So their model is already twice as good as the new model that Sony announced the other day.