Could it be, are we just around the corner from a new console generation? We aren't quiet ready for the Playstation 9 (above) but are we ready for the Xbox 720 or Playstation 4? Lets break this down.
Playstation 4
Reports of these things crop up all the time. According to the rumor mill (grain of salt in tow) well known first party companies like Santa Monica Studios (God of War) and Guerrilla Games (Killzone) may just be getting their hands on some form of new hardware and tech (that isn't from the current generation) for producing games that could quite possibly be launch titles for a PS4. For Sony as a company this seems like a necessity since Nintendo has already shown their cards, and Microsoft is obviously working on things as well. The question is what more can Sony do?
Sony had already shipped a console that was technologically more advanced than the rest of the generation. Do they need to create a new generation so quickly and have we seen all the PS3 can do? Sony has just started to get the price at a reasonable place and are starting to move significant unit numbers to make the money back they've lost. But the question is, are they willing to risk being last to the party again even though their console might have more breath left than the rest of the industry, will their hand be forced?
Xbox 720
Well first thing that needs to be obviously stated is that there is a LOT more information around about a Xbox 360 successor than a PS4, but again lets dive in with our salt grain. What is in a name? Well, ask Microsoft, they will tell you that the next Xbox might be called the Xbox Loop. Yeah, that might be the new console's name, and it's mainstay? Well that would be the Kinect hardware, to the tune of the Kinect 2, which will apparently be able to track your fingers, read your lips and sense the tone of your voice. Creepy right? Well anyway, the main rumor is that this stuff does exist and that Microsoft's sequel might come in two shades, a pared down box for the casual folk (a la 4GB 360) and a badder hardcore gamer model. But the focus is Kinect 2.
The verdict on the future of consoles after the break. (Click the Rawr! below.)
Verdict
Well that's the rumors, but the question at hand is do we really need a new generation? Do we need a slightly better Playstation for that extra frame per second? Or a better Kinect next year that can sense your fingers? Yeah maybe we do but frankly I think it's all too soon.
Nintendo kicked this all off by announcing the Wii U this last E3, but do Sony and Microsoft really need to shake in their boots over such release? We've already seen what would in the past have amounted to a new console multiple times over in this generation. If you look at the software updates like the New Xbox Experience and the Playstation revamps that have taken place. These are things that would have been new consoles, not even counting both receiving revamped 'Slim' hardware or the Kinect and Move launches.
Both Sony and Microsoft are entering a time when their consoles are hitting the stride. We are seeing the best games, taking advantage of the hardware and pushing the boundaries. And in all honesty I don't think we've reached the end. We still have another year or so of this generation that could produce quality games. If, and I mean if, we don't cut it off at the head.
So boys, hold your horses, let Nintendo release their new console, update yours and hang out for a bit, let the tech catch up.
No comments:
Post a Comment