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)
Wow, four people! I hope you all guys play nice.
@Xbox 720 will require constant internet connection
No, no, no. Didn’t they learn anything from Assassin’s Creed II ? I really, really hope Microsoft is not going to do that. I mean they don’t bother too much about pirated copies of Windows, why go for this radical approach for DRM for a console (thank you Jonah)?
@me being from Australia – nope … sorry.
I’m from Romania (Central Europe). There is a guy I know in Australia, so I was somewhat aware of what Aussies have to go through to get some games (I shipped him a game at some point).
@Sony confirms Zipper Interactive closure
… closure is normal? Like death being just something normal in the larger circle of life?
Well tell that to somebody that knows he’s going to die in 6 months. Retarded Sony …
@Wii U less powerful than PS3, Xbox 360
Erm, really? Everybody is pushing for more, they’re going for less?
For just how long they think their blocky looking games can hold up against Battlefield 3 like graphics?
Regarding “The ring”, it was a phone call saying “7 days”. When the creepy girl shows up, you’re usually dead.
:O Jonah didn’t bleep out the F from GTFO 😀
😀 4 person podcast!
I like how Dan says ‘about’, there’s something really weird about it. (Oh, I just realised he’s Canadian)
@Rumor: Xbox 720 will require constant internet connection: If this is true, this will only give people a bigger excuse to either mod the console or buy from their competitors. Either way, this would be one of the worst ideas they could implement in the Xbox 720.
@Epic Mickey: I think that Epic Mickey is one of the most underrated games of the Wii. Sure it has its flaws, but I remember being immersed so much in its world that I couldn’t stop playing it. Like Warren Spector said, you can skip the cutscenes, and I doubt any of the songs will be “Happy Fun Time”, like everyone seems to be thinking at the mention of musicals.
@Wii U less powerful than PS3, Xbox 360, developers say: Like Paul said, anyone who wants to remain anonymous should not even comment. Who knows how little they know about the Wii U’s capabilities? Hell, even Paul can appear as “an anonymous developer”. Like I have previously stated, I don’t give much attention to rumors, especially anonymous rumors or anything coming from an analyst.
Even if they are having problems with pushing the boundaries on the Wii U, do you remember Naughty Dog saying it took them very long to get used to the PS3 and its capabilities? And there are also a lot of non-anonymous companies who have stated otherwise, and that the Wii U is much more powerful than this generation.
By the way, I wouldn’t mind a 4 person podcast every week. 😉
Happy Fun Time, eh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXSOD1N5lR4
Yes Jonah, I doubt any of the songs will be similar to that.
Anyway, I would like to suggest a topic for next week’s podcast. After Tim Schafer’s success on Kickstarter, I thought that no other video game kickstarter would be successful any time soon. But I was quickly proven wrong as I have seen plenty of Kickstarters crop up and each one that I have seen are earning what they ask for, sometimes even a lot for. It isn’t as much as Tim Schafer’s 3 million, but I am surprised at the amount of attention they are getting. I hope that I can hear your opinion on this subject.
If I have any time, I will make a list of video game kickstarters later to make it easier for you.
^sometimes even a lot MORE.
I picked the ones which have earned at least $100,000 to make the list shorter.
Title: Takedown
Link: kck.st/xBJJ0N
Goal: $200,000
Money Earned: $221,833
Days Left: 0
Title: FTL: Faster Than Light
Link: kck.st/HiG1V7
Goal: $10,000
Money Earned: $200,542
Days Left: 0
Title: Code Hero: A Game That Teaches You To Make Games
Link: kck.st/sRf3LL
Goal: $100,000
Money Earned: $170,954
Days Left: 0
Title: Wasteland 2
Link: kck.st/yAfgj2
Goal: $900,000
Money Earned: $2,100,562
Days Left: 10
Title: Leisure Suit Larry HD
Link: kck.st/HYQbcy
Goal: $500,000
Money Earned: $200,190
Days Left: 25
Title: Shadowrun Returns
Link: kck.st/I1vU2N
Goal: $400,000
Money Earned: $595,104
Days Left: 22
Title: The Banner Saga
Link: http://kck.st/GTp0kn
Goal: $100,000
Money Earned: $411,014
Days Left: 13
Don’t know about you, but to me this is completely mind-blowing. It makes the internet meme “Shut up and take my money” a reality. Voting with our wallets has never been so real.
Loved the 4 man podcast. It’s great having Dan in the show, he brings in a… rational view that the podcast benefits from. Hey Dan, since you’ve invaded a second podcast that I listen to, how about you go for more? Ask the BBC if you can join the Friday Night Comedy podcast! You’d fit perfectly! 😛
@GAME’s troubles
As an Aussie, it seems that the GAME stores here are functioning normally. As far as I know, they’re a separate entity and are unaffected by the UK troubles. The GAME stores near me are almost always empty though, so I’m not so sure how well they’re doing either. EB Games seems to be much more popular here.
@Jordan’s terrible taste in video games
I’m sorry Jordan, but your opinion on the N64 is just plain crazy. No good games!? What!? Ever heard of Super Mario 64? Ocarina of Friggin Time!? Goldeneye? Banjo-Kazooie? Majoras Mask? Perfect Dark? My personal favourite, Paper Mario!? Anyway, I could go on all day about how many great games the N64 had, but I’ll restrain myself…
@Xbox 720 rumor
Yeah, these ‘anonymous’ rumours? I don’t give them any credence what-so-ever. We’re talking about a console that hasn’t even been announced yet, so unless I hear some rumours from a named, reliable source, I don’t take much notice.
@WiiU rumours
Same goes for these rumours. There have been so many conflicting rumours from ‘anonymous’ sources, ranging from ‘a significant jump over 360/pS3’, to less than 360, to 5 times the 360. Again, I’m waiting for either official announcements OR named, reliable sources.
I’m hoping to go just PC+WiiU next gen, because of my current gen systems (PC, 360 and Wii), the 360 has been my least used console by quite a margin. Probably because the genres I really like are mostly covered by PC and Wii. Strategy, Point ‘n’ Click Adventures, and Simulation games are all covered by PC. (Plus Steam and gog.com keep me coming back to play PC games). And then Platforming, Adventure and Multiplayer Party games are taken care of by Nintendo. Which only leaves Racing games for my 360. And I’m not going to buy a console just for racing games again. PC+WiiU FTW!!!
After my last post, another game rose from the ashes.
Title: Yogventures!
Link: http://kck.st/HqymGE
Goal: $250,000
Money Earned: $123,104
Days Left: 28
hey guys!!!
@4 man crew
let me put this way: you have the “HanzKrebs seal of approval ™”
btw, i like the canadian way to say “abut” 🙂
@xbox720 rumor
as Jonah said, if blu-ray were this good, they would have released a blu-ray xbox device, since it sucks for gaming with its CLV, not a chance.
i imagine these rumor making people like children crying for attention on anything they find, like the deleted tweet
@3p1c mickey “musical”
the cutscenes are going to be cool and new in now a days games. will be a good way to go back to the “original mickey” on the 40’s
@GAME not closing
i’m glad for the british people 🙂
@wiiU < 360 and ps3
common… let's be more realistic here, the wiiU will be at least as powerful as the ps3 and x360. My guess is that this rumor is a way of disrupting toughts of future wiiU buyers, probably by the nintendo console competidors.
the wiiU tablet will be and awesome infinite mutitool just like the nintendo DS's touch screen.
btw jordan, nintendo wants, no, NEEDS money, revalorize it's stocks and face sony and microsoft again in a fair console fight
one more thing: please dont beep the profanities, it is cooler when you dont like the last time 🙂
yes, i am Paul's biggest fan, and just cannot send hatemail as hard as i want… sorry