I personally would expect a new Xbox around 2010 holiday season. I don't think it was designed to outlast much longer than that. This will be an
advantage and a disadvantage over Sony's take on it. A new system, newest tech ... but jaded community if they cancel 360 games as fast as the
dropped original Xbox development. Most likely in the $500 range +- with different features.
PS4 around 2015, though they want a 10 year life for the PS3, I think it could be sooner than this depending on what the 3rd gen MS product does. Of
course, an updated PS3 might just get them there ... who knows what we will see once developers figure out how to best utilize the cores for what
they want it to do. Probably around $500 as well.
Nintendo ... I think after the Wii, they will have to make a big leap. Move into the 1080p graphics, since a few years most people will have those
sets. Better motion sensing controllers. I think they will still low-ball the other two, but depending on how much tech they put into it, they may
not be able to do it by as much. Possibly $3-400.
I don't think we will see any virtual/3D in gaming until the generation after next. I believe that televisions will have to advance to at least
double their current resolution, or, the system will have to come with a set of stereoscopic goggles ... which will raise the price point
considerably. It is possible, since a company has developed a 7" 1080p screen .... just a bit smaller and stereo 3D goggles could be a reality for
next gen, since the size and distance from you eyes will make it quite vivid at that dot pitch.
I think we need to see how Home works out. If it is a success, figure Live will have to go this route in the next gen. Sony I believe will continue
free online access, while MS loves to get that $5/month. Hopefully, after another year or so of people paying for DLC, they will start to get sick of
it and do a soft boycott of companies that try to rip us off (EA having you pay to unlock cars early, that are already in the game).
I think it would be great to see SEGA step back in. Learn from past mistakes. The DreamCast wasn't bad, it just had bad timing, and if it had a DVD
player as the PS2 did, it could have lasted longer in the U.S. market. It was much more successful in Japan. They also had a cool handheld back in
the day, even a handheld that played Genesis games.
Apple. Yes, I would be interested, but, probably $1000+ price point. They are so much more expensive in general, even though I prefer their
products. After feeling ripped by my 360, I am not too eager for another computer maker to jump into the mix. I would rather see a handheld from
them than a full console.
I think the most important thing that any company making a next gen console needs to realize is, we need MORE MEMORY. Both the PS3 and the 360 could
have performed much better if they had a gig or two of both system and video memory each. Graphics intensive games need lots of memory. Obivion
stutters on both of these systems (though one is better). The main reason is memory.
I think they should also make the leap next gen and give us a TB or bigger hard drive. MS pushes digital downloads, Sony claims media center ...
well, to do either, we need space. If you want me to put my 60+ GB of music on my PS3, videos, game saves (5 GB for Oblivion + game saves that can be
multiple GB), virtual memory cards, add-ons, expansions, PSN games, PS1 games, etc. ... drives fill up quick ... if MS wants me to buy movies,
shows, games, add-ons, expansions, etc. as well as media, 20 GB or even 100 GB fills up quick.
Of course, game development should be top notch ... for any generation. Game developers shouldn't give us some of the junk we do get. This gen can
do some amazing things I am sure. We haven't scratched the surface of the PS3. 360, who knows, conflicting reports. Next gen should be nearly
unbelievable with polygons, physics, lighting, colors, etc. That isn't everything ... I hope to see more top notch voice acting like in Heavenly
Sword (the best voice acting in any game to date ... in fact, better than a lot of movies and shows I have watched!!!). Immersion comes from overall
quality of production.
As long as people stop the stupid console 'wars', and hating those who have/like different systems ... competition is good. I think this gamer
generation is much spoiled and do not realize just how good it is.
I remember when I was quite impressed with my ColecoVision. It was the Playstation of the past ... I used it as a computer (word processor with a
printer) and could save the document to a tape drive (cassette), games, both tape and cartridge ... and it played Atari 2600 games as well. It had a
controller with a joystick, keypad and 'shoulder' buttons. It cost a pretty penny as well
I cannot forget the countless hours playing
Asteroids, Omega Run, Donkey Kong Jr., Buck Rodgers, Family Feud, and many other games ... that by today's standards look a bit outdated. Ah, the
good old days.
Well, hope I didn't bore you, I was bored and rambled