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)
@Avellone: Kickstarter still in its infancy
Not sure if backers will become more wary when a high profile project doesn’t make it. When somebody wants something really bad, they’re willing to ignore any kind of risks.
Now I’m not going to quote Michio Kaku however, since that would imply that most projects are trying to just rip people off, and I don’t think that’s true.
@CD Projekt RED’s new licensed sci-fi RPG officially titled Cyberpunk 2077
… really? No better title than that?
But again, the Witcher games were well received, so who knows …
@Zombie Nation – well, it was a severed flying giant head, so I guess you can count the character as a zombie.
@QOTW: dunno, really. I’m not into conferences that much, never been to one, so meh …
I’m very sorry, but I won’t be able to donate to your Kickstarter because I don’t have a credit card, and I don’t think my parents will accept “giving strangers money” as a valid reason for using theirs.
@QOTW: Being in such a small country, I could never attend such conventions.
Dynamic Jul: Try GamesCom in Germany.
I dont have much to contribute this week, i’ve been studying a f*cking lot
@QOTW:
yeah… Brasil doesn’t have many gaming conventions, and those we have are in Sao Paulo, wich is far far away from my house. it looks fun see people getting toys, shirts and exclusive stuff for free. i’d like to go to a big one in US some year… when i win the lottery :3