Michael Pachter is good at investments. Predictions, on the other hand, are hit and miss for Wedbush Morgan’s industry analyst. He’s come up with some crazy conjecture, like the PS3 being the out-the-gate winner this generation.
Up on the hit list with Pachter is the next generation of gaming consoles, which he states will come in 2013, if at all. One exception to the rule is a predicted Wii HD in 2010, which will bring better graphics to Nintendo’s cash cow.
I think the “if at all” portion is wrong; sorry, Pachter. While I do think the current generation will last significantly longer than previous console iterations, I do think at least one more will be coming to a living room near you before we hit the mark of online-only (which is where everything is eventually headed). That’s just my opinion. What about you?
The current generation of consoles has been on the market for a few years, but looking back at sales data and Neilson ratings for 2008, I began to wonder how much graphics really matter to the average gamer. You have to consider the fact that today’s average gamer is not the hardcore guy playing the latest games all day long. The hardcore, which all of us here are certainly a part of, is very much a minority in the grand scheme of things. And the average or casual gamer isn’t looking for bleeding edge graphics.
The global success of the Wii goes to show that you don’t need to have the latest hardware to push product. While I will agree that many Wii games are gimmicky, there is plenty there to suffice for the average gamer. Games and systems are flying off the shelves. Also, Sony recently revealed that the PlayStation 2 has sold over 50 million units in North America. Their last generation console is still selling at an exceptional rate. These are currently the two best selling consoles, neither of which is in high definition.
After careful deliberation with myself, I have rescinded my original animosity toward Microsoft for the things they have done over the past week; deciding that Blu-Ray is unimportant, and that they are in no rush for the next generation Xbox. Originally I thought it stupid of them to state, or even think, both of these things. However, with second sight, and my breath back from screaming so loudly at them, I decided that maybe I was a bit harsh and abrupt.
Microsoft’s Robbie Bach recently sat down for an interview to talk about the Xbox 360’s life cycle. Unlike previous generations, Microsoft intends for the Xbox 360 to be around for a bit longer than usual.
“Just coming up with something that’s faster and prettier isn’t going to be sufficient,” said Bach. “The life cycle for this generation of consoles — and I’m not just talking about Xbox, I’d include Wii and PS3 as well — is probably going to be a little longer than previous generations.”
“When you look at consumers, they are going to be more value-conscious,” Bach said.
“We want to make sure that as the economy does start to recover, that we’re positioned well.”
With current generation consoles having the ability to download games, content and basically everything else in between, there really is no need for a hardware upgrade anytime soon. Plus, it’s better for consumers who are low on cash and don’t feel like standing outside in ridiculously long lines waiting to purchase the next big thing in gaming.
On a side note, we can now use the release of the next Xbox to indicate when the economy is back on the rise. At least according to Robbie Bach.
We know it’s coming eventually, it’s really just a matter of how soon and who it will be that does it. We are privileged every so often to see a 3D movie, and soon 3D commercials on television. All you need is to pick up those goofy 3D glasses and BAM, 3D (maybe it’s a bit more technical than that but you see what I mean). With the next generation-super-systems must come the next generation of graphics, controls, games, genres, and anything else that has been created or improved throughout the course of video game history, and I think 3D graphics is definitely a way they can and will go.
“When it came to the idea of 3D gaming, Sony was implicit but never explicit. During his keynote, Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer showed attendees a still from Gran Turismo 5, rendered in 3D. “You’ve never seen the game like that,” he claimed.”
So it seems Sony is trying to break into, or create, this new generation of gaming. NVIDIA has also released 3D glasses that can bring your video games to 3D life. All of this is speculation, but it’s obvious the video game world is going to move in specific directions, and 3D gaming, as well as possibly virtual reality gaming, is definitely, more than likely, on their plate of things they are going to try. So which system, or company will be able to change the gaming community this time? Who knows, but we can always speculate.
Am I the only person who wishes all three gaming consoles could unite and become a super-next-gen system? Xbox 360 with it’s great Live Marketplace and easy online use, mixed with the fantastic game-play and amazing video quality of the PS3, wrapped around the complex controls of the Wii-mote and Nunchuk; wouldn’t it be a day in Utopia. I know it will never happen but much like the new XM and Sirius merger, I feel it would benefit all gamers, new and old. One system where all the games are able to be played. I’m a little surprised some company hasn’t yet attempted to create a super system evolved from all the great things used within each console. I say this because with each of the three systems there are some issues that others have corrected.
I’ll start with the Wii, which corrected the most boring and basic issue I believe, and that is the family consumer friendly gaming experience that Microsoft and Sony have yet to indulge. The Wii has brought the family together and made young families complete once more when it comes to video games. But look at the problems with the Wii. Online use. The Wii’s multiplayer is so much more complicated than both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Maybe it’s not too crazy for hardcore gamers but I believe for a regular family atmosphere it is; if say two fathers want to play Tiger Woods together how long do you think it would take them to figure out how to do that, if they even could. But within this statement lies the rub; how much better is it playing Tiger Woods golf, and bowling, and tennis, and Zelda, when you actually get to swing your remote.
Fanboys, start your engines. A recent Cnet article has predicted that by the time 2012 rolls around, PS3 will be the undisputed champion of the next gen universe. How did they come to this conclusion? A lot of speculation and some liberties were taken in finding this conclusion. They believe that future price drops in the PS3, its built in WiFi, Blu-ray, and more exclusive titles, it will be the console to have. No one predicted the 360 to hit 10 million sales. The above graph shows the PS3 and Wii dominating and the 360 almost flatlining. Just to be safe, I bought all three of ‘em. What do you guys think?
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