Next gen systems what differences do you think?

[kai123]

I am not sure what the difference between the next gen systems will be. They all seem to be using an IBM chip. Microsoft and Nintendo are both going with ATI for their graphics. My question to you is what will make them stand out?

[RetroYoungen]

Games. Particularly exclusives. Hopefully more titles like Viewtiful Joe, Halo and Jak and Daxter to show off the power of each console, and to show just who's backing and taking advantage of that power.

[Griking]

Better question;

In the next generation of consoles what more do you really NEED?

Aren't the graphics and sound effects good enough yet? Really the only thing that releasing a new console will accomplish is is to have everyone purchase yet another port of games that we've purchased a number of times already. I'd much rather see them maximize the potential of the current consoles and make some more original games.

In fact, what would you say was the last console released who's maximum potential was actually reached? My guess for the closest would be the Atari 2600.

[GaijinPunch]

The last few new games I've picked up have had fantastic replay-ability.

DMC 2, Macross, Panzer Dragoon Orta and something else before that. :P

Graphics for all of the above are quite wicked, so I'm generally happy with the way things are for now. I hope the PS3, and other consoles don't come out for a while... I'd like to not have to buy anything else. :(

[Slipdeath]

Then again the longer these systems are out the harder it will be to collect for them

[spoon]

I'm pretty sure the NES was close to being maxed out. I believe that The big N would have rode it like the Fami had it not been for the Genny. Maybe even the Original Gameboy was maxed. It def. needed better hardware. Don't get me wrong, there are some great games for it. I just believe color and other add-ons have made it nicey nice.

I would like to see companies updated the classics that have collected dust over the years.

[Flack]

I remember having this exact same conversation before the last wave of nextgen consoles came out. I remember thinking ... how much better does the Playstation have to get? I'm perfectly happy with the way things are!

[sisko]

Not too much really.

Faster drives and processors would be nice to reduce load time.
Internal memory is always nice (we are already halfway there!)
Built in Broadband (again, halfway there)
Any system that comes out in the future with out component video and optical audio support would be pretty much be shooting themselves in the foot.

The technology is here....lets use it!

[Captain Wrong]

Games. Particularly exclusives.

I could not agree with this more. On a techinal level, I don't think there's going to be much difference at all. It's going to be all about the exclusive games.

[ddockery]

As long as they all make 16:9 and 1080i a standard for every game, and have full surround, I'll be happy. I want to be able to use my TV the way it's supposed to be used damnit! It seems like this should be a given with HDTV finally starting to hit cable markets now.

[Nature Boy]

I could not agree with this more. On a techinal level, I don't think there's going to be much difference at all. It's going to be all about the exclusive games.

I'm guessing that the graphical leap we saw between the PS1 and PS2 will look massive compared to that between PS2 and PS3 (and it's competitors). However I do think there is something that *will* be drastically different.

Online capabilities.

I expect a lot more hype right from the get go on *every* console. And I expect it'll have evolved much like the aforementioned PS1 to PS2 generations: very noticably.

[Anonymous]

Exclusive games I think will be important but for more than the usual reason of exclusive games=people buying your system, although that will still be important. I think this next generation will see companies putting extra hardware into their systems to help differentiate between systems whose graphical capabilities will be similar.

For instance, I will be amazed if all three systems don't have a hard drive, DVD capability, and an Ethernet port. Backwards compatibility is another requirement for success. Sony proved that backwards compatibility doesn't kill the previous market and that People want more from their system (as long as it doesn't compromise game quality). I think Nintendo stands to gain the most from this next generation's hardware war, because it is already doing things with connectivity, and has a huge installed userbase with the GBA. The PSP will also factor into the console's plans, probably featuring cross connectivity between the PS3 and the PSP. Microsoft is at the largest disadvantage, having already blown it's load with hardware, and having no portable to allow connectivity. But Microsoft has always been innovative (like it or not), and will probably have a few tricks up it's sleeve.

[Mospeda]

I seriously doubt the next generation is gonna wow the masses like the jump for 8bit to 16bit. Hell to me the premature release of the dreamcast made the playstation 2's arrival seem quite underwhelming. I figure it will be another 2 generations until we become blown away again.

[petewhitley]

I'm surprised to hear so many people doubting that the next generation will bring massive graphical and gameplay changes. Every generation thus far has brought about such changes to greater or lesser degrees. And it seems that with every generation gamers exclaim "How much farther can it go?", and then *boom* they push it farther and we go through it all again. The PS3, XBox2, Nintendo's Last Stand, etc. are going to knock our socks off. Wait a couple of years, and let's revisit this topic. (....waits 2 years, "I told you so!"). None of us are going to quit playing the classics, but I guarantee you we're going to keep being impressed.

[Nature Boy]

I'm surprised to hear so many people doubting that the next generation will bring massive graphical and gameplay changes. Every generation thus far has brought about such changes to greater or lesser degrees.

Perhaps. But there is a law of diminishing returns. Just because we've seen big changes in the past doesn't mean they'll continue.

And nobody is saying the graphics won't be better. We're just saying that the graphics are pretty damn decent right now and we don't see them improving as much as they have in the past.

[Captain Wrong]

@nature boy...good point about the on-line capabilities. I think this may really start coming in to play mid to late next gen as I think broadband still has a way to go before becoming common place. But I do think you have a good point there.

@pete..."Nintendo's Last Stand", heh.

[bensenvill]

well it was really cool to hear that the next x-box will be an IBM processer (I mingt consider buying it this time around). But things like broadband and HD's will be standard, same with 4 controller ports. I'd be suprised if they didnt switch all connections like the controllers to USB.
Memory size is going to go through the roof. I am curious wheither they are going to be doing a unified memory architector or dedicated (I'm going with dedicated on all but nintendos).
I think the sound processor and its outputs will get the largest overhaul.
Video, I wouldnt be suprised if one of them has a vga or dvi port (at least thats what I'm hoping for).
but as far as controllers, I think thats the most unknown of the bunch. I wouldnt be suprised to see wireless become standard, possibly bluetooth. and if they arent wireless I expect to see a usb port on the controller itself (for microphones and stuff).


well thats just my rambling thoughts

~Tj

[Tritoch]

Two things I'll be looking for as far as Nintendo is concerned is whether it uses a proprietary format (and more importantly, if it's smaller than the others making ports difficult) and how the controller is laid out. Both have hurt Nintendo's already low third-party support.

[bensenvill]

ya I agree, I cant deal with nintendo's controllers. I love them being innovative but I just cant get compfortable with them. And I'm sure they will continue to use a proprietary format. I wouldnt be suprised if microsoft does the same.

I am worried about the ps3's cpu architecture. if they are going to use this cell processor, I couldnt imagine having to program for it (wayyy too much complexity, seems reminiscent of the sega saturn's problem). it definitely gives the upperhand to a G5-off-shoot.... mmmmmm..... riscccccccc.

~TJ

[Nature Boy]

I think the HD is a neat device but I really wonder if Sony and Nintendo will follow suit. It'd be like including a second controller with each system again. Selling that second controller helps them recover some of the money they lose on the system in the first place (especially after the costs to produce the controllers go down but their prices don't). I have a hard time believing memory cards will be abandoned as they fall under the same category IMO.

[Anonymous]

Sony's Memory card is the most successful peripheral in video game history. If Sony does include a HD (which they'd be crazy not to), I wouldn't be surprised if they disabled the ability to save to said hard drive. Personally I'd like to see a standard format for memory cards between all three manufacturers (yeah right).