It’s amazing to think we’re in our third year of “next generation” console bliss. Three years have passed since the first Xbox 360 shipped, for good or bad, and it’s time to start thinking about the future.
Or is it?
Bobbie Bach, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices president, seems to believe this generation of consoles will expand out further than the typical four-year release cycle. Perhaps because the console developers have invested so much money in defeating each other in the market and making their console “number one” in the eyes of their investors.
Bach does not believe we’re cresting on the current generation, that is for certain, and we’ve yet to hear any hype over a new next-generation console from Microsoft. They were the first to market so, theoretically, they should be the first in the next-generation as well, right?
Their move to be number one was really a strategic attack which has paid out well, leading them above the past domination of Sony and Nintendo before it. However, they are holding strong with the Xbox 360 and there might be cause to sit tight and let this generation playout before bringing in another piece of hardware.
Bach stated that he believes consoles today are competing at different levels than ten years ago. There isn’t one clear winner, there isn’t one dominating console. There will be victors in different areas of the industry; casual consoles, top game sellers, best graphics and others. It’s not about sheer “units sold” it’s more about being profitable and building a community around your hardware, see Xbox Live as a great example.
Next generation will be full of fantastic new features, ways to connect and crazy hardware specifications, no doubt, but… for many of us, it will take years before we forget the pain and suffering we paid shipping our dead Xbox 360’s back to Microsoft for repairs. Would you be willing to buy into their next generation as their first customer?
(Thanks, 1up)
@The Old Republic of “warping kids” with pro-gay message:
… something tells me that being gay is not an acquired taste, so I have my doubts about “warping”.
@Rumor: Next Harmonix project being released on XBLA, PSN, and Facebook
You know what? I’m gonna call any game/genre that requires a new/dedicated controller a fad.
I don’t care about fads. Next!
@ extreme sports videogames back to prominence
Dunno. People who like extreme sports will just do the sports.
@SNK brings Neo*Geo back as a handheld
Emulators, people, emulators. Apply the right filtering and you can play it on pretty much on any resolution.
Paul, I’m not making names up. Worst case, I spell them badly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prypiat
If you can’t figure out a good question of the week, you can use this one: “What would be a good question of the week?” 😉
“You know what doesn’t exist in the Star Wars universe? God.”
touche Jonah!!
Actually, there’s a reason there’s no question of the week, and it’s not because I couldn’t think of one. You’ll see.
There’s a reason for no question of the week? I’m anxious to know what’s coming up in episode 250, I wonder what could be that special in a podcast.
@Vita: I’m just going to repeat last week’s comment which didn’t get posted: No surprise here to me. I knew that the PS Vita was going to have a rough launch no matter how good they say it is. It has to appeal to the masses and have good software for it to sell.
sup .i really missed 2 episodes and this new one, just came here to say that oliver lance and oliver are the same. @special 250th episode I really hope that you could get derrick and jennifer in the podcast coz I really miss em…still downloading this episode
Sup.
@=The Old Republic of “warping kids” with pro-gay message . I mostly disagree with lesbians and gays coz I am a christian myself and i have been wanting to punch gays on my class BUT its not Biowares fault coz its how you allow your kids its your parents fault if they allow you to play those “gaymes”
@PS Vita continues to struggle in Japan
Now this is what happens if you make a portable console then you smash all the good things together ,I MEAN wth its like a DS on steroids
BTW oliver and oliver lance are the same .I wish the special would be Derrick and Jennifer hosting the show