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Post by Martin St. Louis on Nov 3, 2010 14:26:30 GMT -5
As I downloaded the 360 update today, something occurred to me. We are already five years into this console cycle and it is showing no signs of slowing down. This has been the longest generation that I can remember. The original Xbox only had four years, GameCube and PS2 had five.
The current systems are more like PCs than any other consoles before them, the 360 is experiencing a complete overhaul with the redesigned system and Kinect. These systems appear to be infinitely upgradable. We're pretty much at a standstill. I can see a Wii HD/Super Wii whatever in the near future, and I would bet anything Nintendo will be first out of the gate next time. But... are we in video game purgatory?
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Post by J.J. on Nov 3, 2010 16:33:08 GMT -5
The next gen is rolling in already. Microsoft and Sony are artificially prolonging the life cycles of their consoles by developing additional hardware. I know for solid facts that they are hard at work on the ground work for their next consoles. But with Sony finally picking up steam and Microsoft expecting to sell 5 million Kinect units in the launch window, there is no benefit for at least a year. Nintendo is the only one that can benefit, since they are the ones with their monthly sales getting hit hard as of late.
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Post by Martin St. Louis on Nov 3, 2010 23:26:15 GMT -5
I just keep thinking about the 16-bit gen. "Look at those expansion ports! Who needs an Ultra 64 or a Saturn!" And really, how much better can graphics get? How many people are just now buying an Xbox 360 or a PS3? Those people are going to be PISSED if new consoles are unveiled at next year's E3.
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Post by Martin St. Louis on Nov 5, 2010 23:54:52 GMT -5
Just for fun, I'm going to make some predictions for the Wii's successor (much like how I intended to do with this blog entry before it spun out of control -> video-armageddon.blogspot.com/2010/10/world-exclusive-video-armageddon-gets.html) 3D High-definition Padded controllers? If the remote jacket is any indication... Shake and recharge controllers? Floor Vision! I doubt they'll do anything truly out of the box next time. I'm expecting a Super Wii. Judging by their track record, only every other Nintendo system does something innovative. NES, N64, Wii. SNES and GameCube were just suped-up versions of their respective predecessors.
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Post by Martin St. Louis on Nov 12, 2010 3:40:01 GMT -5
(Quoting JJ here, our best conversations happen in private and I want to spark a conversation with everyone on this issue)
I can't see this happening anytime soon, perhaps in ten years but even then, I can't see it for one reason: retailers. It would essentially kill them. I wouldn't give a frog's fat ass if GameStop and Wal-Mart went tits up, but retailers, especially Wal-Mart, WOULD NOT stand for this. The only way I think this could happen is if, perhaps, stores had kiosk set-ups where you bring in your SD card or whatever and buy your game, digitally, at the store. But I think hard copies will be around for a while, at least as an option. And when given the option, I will always buy a physical copy.
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Post by J.J. on Nov 12, 2010 19:16:52 GMT -5
I'm not saying it's next-gen, but if anyone is going to just bite the bullet and try it, Nintendo seems like the likely candidate. Sony can't ever fully commit to anything, and Microsoft just plays everything safe. They don't even put classic Xbox games on the marketplace anymore.
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Post by Martin St. Louis on Nov 13, 2010 3:16:26 GMT -5
Which pisses me off, there are a ton of Xbox games I still need to play.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Nintendo started doing the games on demand thing as soon as the next gen. Provided they stick more than 512 megs of memory in the damn machine.
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