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)
Great episode and nice to see quick turn around for this!
@Indi Dev: Not sure there is much to add that hasn’t already been said. I hope that the Dev can fix his situation as Paul was pointing out it did seem like he was very unprepared for managing this. I still feel that this is a sign to be cautious with Kickstarter, but not out right abandoning it. As Jonah pointed out there were worse cases.
@Fallout 4: I am looking forward to this game, also FO series wasn’t always First Person perspective, it used to be Isometric like Wasteland 2. So for some Wasteland 2 is like having a Isometric Fallout 3.
I loved the trailer, the color scheme seems so much more alive than in FO3 and FO NV. I think I prefer a voiced protagonist so I am looking forward to that as well.
@Steam returns: I can see how this can be easily abused, however I too have a lot of games on my list some I want to play and some that I don’t have any intention of playing but got through others or through Humble Bundle. Also when games start being like $2 it’s really harder to feel that need to resist.
Now here’s a Question since it’s been awhile for a QotW: Which do you prefer a Voiced protagonist (or one that talks at least via text if not voice) or a Blank slate (Chrono, Link, Mario, etc)