What every future console should have as standard specs

[Anthony1]

From now on, these things should be standard in all new video game machines.


1. REAL HDTV OUTPUT standard in every single FREAKING GAME. Both 1920 x 1080i interlaced and 1280 x 720 progressive, should be standard options in every single freaking game for the PS3, XBOX 2 and GameCube 2. You should be able to go into the system menu and select whether you want all games to output 1080i or 720p. Xbox games like Dragons Lair in 1080i and Tony Hawk 4 in 720p, prove that this can be done. But it must be a standard. That means a standard resolution for every single freaking game. Much like virtually every XBOX game has a standard resolution of 640 x 480 progressive.
Ok, this is the big one. The future is HDTV. Video games need to make the transition to HDTV just like everything else. 1080i and 720p are the standard resolutions of HDTV. So future video game systems should have EVERY FREAKING GAME output 1080i and 720p. You should be able to go into the options menu for the system and select whether you want 1080i or 720p output. The XBOX has proven that this is possible. The XBOX currently doesn't have the power to do 720p or 1080i in every game, but future systems should. It would be completely unforgiveable if the the PS3 or XBOX 2 or GameCube 2 doesn't include this feature.


2. Dolby Digital EX 6.1 and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 on the fly surround sound decoding. In EVERY SINGLE GAME. STANDARD.

The XBOX has shown that 5.1 surround sound during the actual game is an amazing experience. Once you hear a game like Steel Battalion for the XBOX in all it's Dolby Digital 5.1 glory, it's very difficult to go back to games that don't have Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. But future video game systems should take this even one step further with true 6.1 sound decoding on the fly in hardware. Both 6.1 formats should be supported as a standard. Once again, you should be able to go into the systems menu and select whether you want Dolby Digital EX 6.1 or DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 .


3. Future game systems should have DVD drives that can double as a high quality Progressive scan DVD player.

Like the new PS2 with the built in network adapter, new video game systems should have DVD drives with progressive scan output. This way, people with HDTV's , don't need to have a seperate progressive scan dvd player as well as their game system. The game system can double as both.



4. 5 Disc DVD Changer for DVD games and movies should be available in a deluxe version of all new consoles.

Of course Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, can all come out with their cheapo versions of their systems to get the price as low as possible, but they should all offer deluxe versions as well. These deluxe versions could possibly include a 5 disc DVD changer. Just imagine if the current XBOX had a 5 disc dvd changer. You could have 5 XBOX live enabled games in there, and if you were playing Ghost Recon online, and you get an invite to play ESPN NFL 2004 with a buddy online, you could switch over to that game without ever leaving your seat.


5. Built in fuctionality for 5 wireles controllers.

New systems should support up to 5 controllers at a time, with all of them being wireless. Wireless technology has come a long way, and why should we have to deal with controller wires anymore? VIdeo game systems are become more and more sophisticated in terms of sound and video, that they now belong in the home theater cabinet, and not in the middle of the living room, in front of the TV. Because of this, you need longer and longer controller cords, but why even deal with cords at all? Just make it wireless from the get go.


6. Controllers to all feature mini screens and headset and headphone functionality. Sega was on to something with the VMU. Especially for sports gamers. Why not have the option for play calling screens in sports games to only be visable on the actual controller? Also, from now on every system needs to have their controllers accept headsets for online play. A regular headphone jack for sound is also a need.



Well, that is what I can think of right now off the top of my head.

Any ideas?

[Droodroo]

4. 5 Disc DVD Changer for DVD games and movies should be available in a deluxe version of all new consoles.

I really love the idea of a deluxe version of next gen consoles, for the rich gamer. not so sure about it having a 5 disc changer though, what good is that really? you must be UBER lazy.

Some ideas for next gen consoles:


1. Dont let third party publishers release completely naff games, rendering prices of decent preowned games sky high.

2. Inter console connectivity for third party internet games. Socom xbox vs ps2 anyone?

3. Hard drive as standard.

4. perhaps dvd-rw software for saving to game?

5. With technology like bluetooth, all controllers could be cordless, perhaps with a rechargable battery?

6. multi-tv output, for playing two player games from one system on 2 tv's.

7. no regions, pal/us should DEF be one region, holding out for japan for obvious language problems.

8. keyboard as standard? nah, how about voice hardware as standard?

9. backwards compatibility, the ps2 has shown that it can be done!

10. handheld connectivity, much like the GC-GBA connection, but perhaps with greater use.

11. DIVX codecs

there, im all idea'd out.

D

ps. my first driving lesson tommorrow, wish me luck.

[omnedon]

You should've worked for SEGA in the early nineties Anthony1! They would have loved you!

More hardware manufactured means more risk of expensive inventory... I think they make very little if any $$$ on new consoles. Segmenting the market with cheapo and deluxe too..... I dunno know man...

Cool to fantasize about disc changers though. You can have similar functionality to a changer today. Just mod the Xbox, and link it to your PC's. My Xbox can access all the media files on my PC thru a Relax server. Multiple movies, thousands of mp3's, all with the 'box controller. :)

Who knows what the future will bring. I wouldn't bet on an GC2 though...

[Oberfuhrer Hamm]

UBER lazy.

Did someone call me?

Anyways, a disc changer would be neat, but is unrealistic and would make a console unnessecarily large.

[rbudrick]

I can't imagine wireless controllers will ever be standard. Why?

Because mucho dinero is made on accessories. A retailer makes 2% on a current console (I think it's 5 on a gba though). They would MUCH rather sell you a "luxury" like wireless controllers. I'm still waiting for a wireless bluetooth card to put in my memory card slot on my current controllers so I don't have to plug it in (a hybrid, you might say). Wouldn't that rock to just plug your controller in like normal and recharge the batteries for when you want it wireless?

Also, a lot of times, wireless really pisses me off.....I lose the damn controllers. Now, if there was a page button on the console, like for my cordless phone, that would rock.

-Rob

[Vice Guy]

I just want a fucking machine that plays games.

Not any of that fancy HDTV, hard drive shit.

Just a fucking gaming machine.

If I want a DVD player, I'll buy a DVD player. If I want a stereo, I'll buy a damn stereo.

If I want a gaming machine, I'll buy a goddamn gaming machine!

[thegreatescape]

Blast Processing!
and VGA box support.

that is all.

[Chunky]

I just want a fucking machine that plays games.

Not any of that fancy HDTV, hard drive shit.

Just a fucking gaming machine.

If I want a DVD player, I'll buy a DVD player. If I want a stereo, I'll buy a damn stereo.

If I want a gaming machine, I'll buy a goddamn gaming machine!

you got it! I don't want a 2nd rate DVD player or wow it plays MP3s or some other such BS. I want a game player only! IT must have playable games, and a decent controller. those 2 things are a must, and for some reason in present and past history those 2 have been skipped.

[1bigmig]

I can't imagine wireless controllers will ever be standard. Why?

Because mucho dinero is made on accessories. A retailer makes 2% on a current console (I think it's 5 on a gba though). They would MUCH rather sell you a "luxury" like wireless controllers. I'm still waiting for a wireless bluetooth card to put in my memory card slot on my current controllers so I don't have to plug it in (a hybrid, you might say). Wouldn't that rock to just plug your controller in like normal and recharge the batteries for when you want it wireless?

Also, a lot of times, wireless really pisses me off.....I lose the damn controllers. Now, if there was a page button on the console, like for my cordless phone, that would rock.

-Rob

I agree to an extent, but if two of the major consoles came with wired controllers and the other came with a wireless, I think it would have a fairly significant advantage when marketing to the casual gamer who just "picks up" a new game machine without serious research. It would only take one generation of a console having a wireless campaign blitz before the next round of consoles all came with wireless.

[bigdaddychester]

I can also agree with getting rid of the DVD player. With the motor problems the PS2 has had, any non gaming use, in my opinion, is not necessary. I do like the idea of 6.1 but I believe that the software companies will have to support that as well. Inter-Console online play could be an option that some software companies may want to look at but then again, Isn't that the purpose of owning a home computer?

[Keir]

Woodgrain should be standard on all consoles.

[1bigmig]

Woodgrain should be standard on all consoles.

:hail: :hail: :hail:

[chadtower]

Wow. Why don't you also request that they come with an 18" downfiring woofer and 6 satellite speakers? Or a hot chick to sit on your lap while you play? I sure as hell don't want to spend $500 on a console and that's what you're talking about.

[rbudrick]

I would spend $500 dollars on a console if a hottie sat in my lap while I played.

Hell, you neo geo owners could have had hundreds of hot chicks all over you by now with the kind of dough you guys throw around.

-Rob

[wberdan]

i think a retractable beer holder and ashtray should be built in

[Mr. NEStalgia]

5. Built in fuctionality for 5 wireles controllers.

New systems should support up to 5 controllers at a time, with all of them being wireless. Wireless technology has come a long way, and why should we have to deal with controller wires anymore? VIdeo game systems are become more and more sophisticated in terms of sound and video, that they now belong in the home theater cabinet, and not in the middle of the living room, in front of the TV. Because of this, you need longer and longer controller cords, but why even deal with cords at all? Just make it wireless from the get go.


Why 5 controllers? You can only have 4 player split screen for a reason...there's not enough room on the t.v.

-=Mr. NEStalgia=-

[chadtower]

I would spend $500 dollars on a console if a hottie sat in my lap while I played.


Well, except that any time I've had a hot chick on my lap I've had no interest in putting my hands on a damn video game controller.



i think a retractable beer holder and ashtray should be built in

There IS a retractable beer holder... that's the tray that comes out when you press eject.

[hezeuschrist]

6. multi-tv output, for playing two player games from one system on 2 tv's.

Best idea ever. Maybe then Console FPS games wouldn't suck quite as bad as they do.

[Bratwurst]

Why 5 controllers? You can only have 4 player split screen for a reason...there's not enough room on the t.v.

Possibly with the intent of playing full teams with certain sport games, which doesn't need split screen so far as I know. I don't play em. :p

[bargora]

Why 5 controllers? You can only have 4 player split screen for a reason...there's not enough room on the t.v.

Possibly with the intent of playing full teams with certain sport games, which doesn't need split screen so far as I know. I don't play em. :p
For my "ESPN Soccer X-Treeeeeem 2Khalfdozen" I would need 22 controllers. Wait, make that 25 (3 for the refs).

Also, I would like future consoles to come equipped with a sausage dispenser.

[OldSchoolGamer]

Well, there's been some fake pics goin around the net (DO A SEARCH FOR NINTENDO NEXUS) but they look way cool! The name would be cool to. Now I won't hold my breath BUT my personal wishlist regarding the next Nintendo console would be the following:
1. Stick with it just being a Gameplaying machine and concentrate on that specificly! I don't need another PC/DVD Player/CD Player etc. Anything to do with gaming specificly whether solo or online is OK!
2. Like Xbox, build in Broadband and Hard drive for gamesaves, streaming levels etc.
3. My biggest wish: Backward compatibility! Yes I know many will still have their original Gamecube/N64/Snes or whatever BUT if Nintendo plans to be early out the gate with another next gen system then I for one would love to be able to at least be able to plug in and play my original Gamecube games! Having the Gamecube GBA player built right in would be a nice option to!

Think about it, if the next nintendo system is a dedicated gaming platform that looks cool, allows playing original Gamecube and maybe even GBA games at a good pricepoint then many people would probley sell/trade their original Gamecube system as people with a large Gamecube collection would be more inclined to upgrade and the wont whine about "I can't play my Gamecube games so I'll wait until the new system builds up a library of titles and the price goes down". Lastly, whether or not they pack-in a new title a coupon for a game of choice would also help, a pack-in like "Mario Nexus" wont help sell to someone who loves strategy or survival horror, people like options!!!!!!!!! I really think such a machine released at the same time or before sony and microsofts next offerings would really increase their chances of gaining back ground they've lost to their rivals....................

[FABombjoy]

Future systems should come with at least 128 Bytes of RAM. Otherwise, you'll just end up with more crap like the Channel F. Although, if you had 256 Bytes, just think of the possibilities !!!!

[The Manimal]

Some of that is useless. Either way, you need backwards compatibility with older TVs and so forth. DVD Player? Ugh! Why would you buy a gaming console for it's DVD playing ability? Isn't that what a DVD Player is for? How about having them cut the price so many dollars and remove the DVD player? Hard drives also....they go bad...click click click. Not sure on memory cards though, as I have only used a memory card once :D Disc changer is another awful idea. More parts to break, and more costly repairs. Also, I'm not sure about the 6.1 thing. There's 7.1 out now.


Backwards compatibility is good. Wireless controllers are cool, but I'd rather have cords than to use batteries ($) or recharge them at an outlet. Or they could be solar powered and go out on you if someone turns out the light.


Also, what good is DIVX now? I faintly remember this, but I swear either the discs 'expire' after a certain number of plays/days, and are like disposable diapers. Throw em in the garbage when they're done. Or was it the players... @_@



If anything, Nintendo has things right with the four controller ports on the player. No multi-taps! Yay!

[The Manimal]

One more thing, I don't have the intention of sounding rude in the prior post, if it seems that way. Those are my opinions on these ideas. This 'console' would be waaaaaaay to costly and would have so many extras that would probably be little used. If you have little screens on the controllers, why have the TV? I'd rather look at the big picture. I could only understand this if you wanted to use it portably (like those LCD screens).

[bargora]

The little screens on the controllers are apparently usesful in the so-called "sports" games in which the player would like to select a "play" in secret. By providing a small screen, the system allows the player to covertly select "Red Dog 42 Hello Kitty" without the opponent being any the wiser.

This feature was also utilized in Ikaruga for the Dreamcast, in which the VMU would tell you your currrent chain length, or occasionally say "u suk".

[Bratwurst]

For my "ESPN Soccer X-Treeeeeem 2Khalfdozen" I would need 22 controllers. Wait, make that 25 (3 for the refs).

Too true. Basketball was the only thing floating in my normally vacous mind in an effort to translate Anthony1's thought process.


Also, I would like future consoles to come equipped with a sausage dispenser.

YOU SIR, ARE A MAN OF VISION

[omnedon]

@ Manimal

DivX is now a codec, like mp3. Essentially it's the video equivalent to mp3. You can rip a DVD to a CD sized file with the DivX codec. You are confusing the term with what DIVX used to be, a proprietary term of use convention that would make you pay a fee everytime you watched a DIVX disc. Wonder why that failed? :-D

[atomicthumbs]

Well, there's been some fake pics goin around the net (DO A SEARCH FOR NINTENDO NEXUS) but they look way cool

Take a peek, very cool indeed! Too bad it's just like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and a male-affectionate, easy to get along with, non-political agenda lesbian. All figments of our fu**ing imaginations!

[The Manimal]

omnedon: thanks for the clarification. :)


atomicthumbs: watching too much 'chasing amy', eh? good film though (got it on Voyager/Criterion LD).

[Anthony1]

OK, let me defend myself on this post. Everybody is saying, "No way man, this would be too expensive, and I just want a machine that plays games, that's all!".

Well, I understand that. But we can dream, can't we? Plus alot of my ideas are going to be standard whether you use them or not. 6.1 or 7.1 Dolby Digital and DTS support will be standard in both Microsoft and Sony's next machines. You can count on it. As for Nintendo, they like to do their own thing, so maybe they will go with Pro Logic III or some crazy crap.


As for HDTV resolutions, this is also something that is going to happen whether you like it or not. Sony has heard alot of complaining from people about the lack of progressive scan games, and lack of Dolby Digital in game, and they aren't going to make the same mistake twice.

Plus this isn't really going to cost any extra money. The full HDTV support will simply be a by-product of the incredibly advanced graphic cards that will be featured in all these machines. And as far as Dolby Digital and DTS is concerned the power that these consoles will feature anyways, will easily drive 7.1 on the fly surround sound.

So none of that is going to cost anybody any extra money.


Regarding the DVD player being progressive scan, maybe you don't know this but Sony's new version of the Playstation 2 that has the Network card built in it, for $199.99 does feature a progressive scan DVD player. Is the DVD player any different then the first PS2's? No. The only difference is that Sony has "ALLOWED" , progressive scan output for the DVD player. At first they were concerned with Hollywood's objections to having the player be progressive scan. It's a long story. Believe me. Same thing with the XBOX. Microsoft could offer a download off of XBOX Live that would enable you to get progressive scan out of the XBOX for DVD movies, if they wanted to. Again, it relates to Hollywood. Don't ask me.

The bottom line is that adding progressive scan to a console that plays DVD movies is adding zero cost. Since it adds zero cost, they might as well include it.


As for the Wireless controller idea, yes this will add a little extra cost, but it will also give the system a "Cool Factor", that could help it differentiate itself from the main competition. It's just something that prospective owners would find to be cool.


Now, I will admit that the 5 disc changer idea is kinda "out there", but this wouldn't be for the version of the PS3 and XBOX 2 that they sell at Wal-Mart. This is for the version that the sell at high quality electronics stores. Why segment the market? This isn't segmenting the market. They would play the exact same games, and function exactly the same. Kind of like a JVC Wondermega. Haven't you guys heard about Sony's PSX system? This isn't a reference to the nickname of the PS1. The "PSX" is a product that Sony is going to release next year that will feature a PS2 and a Tivo like unit with other special crap built into it, that is going to retail for like 700 bucks. This thing isn't going to segment the PS2 market. The average PS2 customer, won't even know it exists. It's simply for the rich geek that wants it all.

And the reason that I think a 5 disc changer would be cool, has to do with playing games online. For example, let's say that I'm playing NFL2K3 on the XBOX Online. I'm playing some guy in a game of football, and during the game, I get an invite from somebody who is playing Ghost Recon. If I want to play Ghost Recon, with my friend, I have to turn of the xbox, eject the NFL2K3 disc, insert the Ghost Recon disc, turn everything on again, reconnect to XBOX Live and then find the guy in the Ghost Recon lobby. With a 5 disc changer, if I had Ghost Recon in one of the slots, and if Microsoft built in this functionality in the XBOX 2, I would be able to click on the controller and in a matter of about a half minute, I would be playing my friend in Ghost Recon. It just would be extremely cool, to be able to bounce from Ghost Recon to Wolfenstein, to Halo 2, to Midtown Madness in a matter of 30 seconds.

By the way this feature could be built into the new consoles without using a 5 disc changer. It could be built in there by having a HUGE hard drive, and allowing people have 5 of their games loaded to the hard drive for this feature. The only problem is that Microsoft would have to come up with a way to prevent somebody from borrowing a game or renting a game and loading it to the hard drive for internet play. Maybe they could randomly require you to put the actual game disc in the Machine to prove that you really have it in your possession every 20 times or so that you play it.


So, anyways, just to recap, all of my ideas are very possible , and the only one that would really add cost to the machine is the wireless controller idea. If any of the machines had a 5 disc changer, that would only be available in the deluxe version of the system. And the deluxe version of the system really wouldn't be a different system, they would play the same exact games, but maybe the deluxe version would have a much, much larger hard drive and stuff like that. Who knows. But it wouldn't affect the mass market version that they are both going to release for $299.99.

[Zach]

I agree with much of what Anthony1 is saying. Almost all of these upgrades are the product of technology evolution, and the prices on all of this stuff is dropping constantly. They'll still be able to hit the ever-so-important $200 or $300 price mark.

Please do not underestimate the power of the "cool factor". Everyone who is asking for a cheaper system that "just plays games" wants what I want (and own): the Nintendo GameCube. No DVD player, simpler top-load drive, no "extras" built in. But guess what. The "cooler" systems are smashing it at retail. I'm not saying that I can't enjoy a system that's not as "cool" as the next guy's, but the fact is that coolness sells consoles. And if the thing doesn't sell well, then there's no money in it for publishers. And if there's no money in it for publishers, they won't sell games for it, and soon the system (and eventually the company producing said system) will go away.

I think Anthony1 is actually building a pretty good framework for what a console will need to be to survive in this market during the next generation.

Unfortunately, it looks like we're getting to a time when all of the bells and whistles need to be thrown in just to avoid looking inferior to the competition. Everyone who wants to stay in the game is going to have to play along.