A view on the next generation of consoles. Who will come out on top?

Most people agree the next generation will begin late next year or the beginning of the year after.

This asumes the beginning of the next gen will be marked by the release of the next Sony or Microsoft console and not the Wii U. According to earlky insider info it appears that the Wii U is going to take the awkward position of 'better than current gen but worse that next gen'. Assuming it is released first, this will make it temporarily the strongest console and give Nintendo some early glory, but will no doubt be quickly dwarfed by the next Sony and Microsoft console.

Its more than likely that Microsoft will release their next console before Sony. It appears the Japanese company is more than content to stick by their (completely antiquated) PS3 based on the fact its potential 'has not been unlocked yet' whereas Microsoft seems to be beating the next gen drum a lot louder.

In my opinion, Sony is playing a dangerous game. How much more can be flogged out of an ancient Nvidia 7800 graphics card (even with assistence of the equally ancient cell technology) and given a half decent launch line up, will the next Microsoft offering completely murder any attempt the PS3 makes to hang onto the gaming community?

Again, in my opinion I believe the next Xbox will probably launch with something along the following spec: 6 core IBM CPU at 3.2Ghz (new generation - i.e. not same architecture as current IBM processor), 2Gb RAM, 1Gb Video RAM, graphics performance along the line of the AMD 6870 (optimised and reworked with EDRAM to fit a 1080p image).

I believe the PS4 will release with the same Cell technology but wth more SPUs and more effecient archtecture. At this point ist hard to say whether they will plump for an 'off the shelf' Nvidia card as before. I assume not as it seems that was a last-minute choice due to issues with running graphics off the cell. Hopefully they will run with an optimised Nvidia card. Probably in the same league as a 560Ti or possibly 570.

With this in mind I do believe the Xbox will probably edge ahead once again. It will be very cost-inefficient for Sony to offload the cell now as so many developers have built up staff intelligance and resources around it. We could quite conceivably end up in the same position we are in now.

I do feel that Sony will have a chance to claim the graphics throne but it is all down to RAM. Whoever has the most will probably prevail.

What are your thoughts on this?

Most likely nintendo although MS and their kinect is becoming a threat to nintendo

I think we shouldn't formulate opinions until they come out.

Last gen, the Gamecube was a massive failure along with the Xbox, while the PS2 became objectively considered to be one if not the greatest console of all time in terms of game quality, quantity and sales.

This gen PS3 became more focused on first party titles, graphics and is barely last place while the widely ostracized before release Wii became a runaway sales success and the Xbox 360 was sort of the "vanilla" console in being in the middle of sales and graphics.

Last gen, no one could have predicted all that would happen, especially not Nintendo and Sony switching places in lineup after two generations of Sony being first in sales.

MS is the only one that truly covers all bases with teh hardcore and teh casuals.Spartan070

MS is the only one that truly covers all bases with teh hardcore and teh casuals.Spartan070

Yeah... no.

The 720 will be a kinect box with some Halo on the side.

And maybe with this new team developing Halo it might not even be good.

[QUOTE="Spartan070"]MS is the only one that truly covers all bases with teh hardcore and teh casuals.theuncharted34

Yeah... no.

The 720 will be a kinect box with some Halo on the side.

Sadly, it is looking like the Next Xbox will be the new Wii, while the Wii U tries to go for hardcore gamers again in its new approach to third party titles and multiplats. I really want a Wii U, not just for that extra hardcore love, but for the 2 consoles worth of libraries in the Wii and Gamecube.

PS4 will probably let you use Move, but so far it hasn't been a focus as much as a little addition compared to Kinect.

I think MS will end up selling the most, but probably put out a Halo or Gears game a year with about 20 Kinect titles, Wii U will probably sell less but be more respected, and I think Sony is a wild card here since we know nothing of their plans.

For all I know, Apple will make a console, announce it at E3 for 2013 and it will be freaking huge and outsell everything. Who knows?

[QUOTE="Spartan070"]MS is the only one that truly covers all bases with teh hardcore and teh casuals.theuncharted34

Yeah... no.

The 720 will be a kinect box with some Halo on the side.

And maybe with this new team developing Halo it might not even be good.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="Spartan070"]MS is the only one that truly covers all bases with teh hardcore and teh casuals.SPYDER0416

Yeah... no.

The 720 will be a kinect box with some Halo on the side.

Sadly, it is looking like the Next Xbox will be the new Wii, while the Wii U tries to go for hardcore gamers again in its new approach to third party titles and multiplats. I really want a Wii U, not just for that extra hardcore love, but for the 2 consoles worth of libraries in the Wii and Gamecube.

PS4 will probably let you use Move, but so far it hasn't been a focus as much as a little addition compared to Kinect.

I think MS will end up selling the most, but probably put out a Halo or Gears game a year with about 20 Kinect titles, Wii U will probably sell less but be more respected, and I think Sony is a wild card here since we know nothing of their plans.

For all I know, Apple will make a console, announce it at E3 for 2013 and it will be freaking huge and outsell everything. Who knows?

Well, We really have no idea sales wise but you could be right. These things just can't be predicted well.

I'm thinking the Ps4 will just be more of the same from the Playstation brand, so you can count on it being a great console.

The Wii U has the most potential as of right now.

As for Apple, they won't, because their current business model (Portable ios games) is working perfectly for them. They won't ever come into the traditional games market.

Apple could take over the industry, their phone makes the Wii look like old school console.

their 1st party games would probably be weak but in terms of console specific features they would dominate.

My thoughts are that this thread is way early. Speculating on the future based on completely random specs doesn't seem like a very good idea. Who will come out on top? Why don't we wait until MS and Sony officially announce their consoles first.

Apple could take over the industry, their phone makes the Wii look like old school console.

their 1st party games would probably be weak but in terms of console specific features they would dominate.

rasengan2552

It's not going to happen. The Market is crowded already.

They can't just bring their business model they currently have into the console market, it'd be an overpriced turd with non-existent first party support.

My thoughts are that this thread is way early. Speculating on the future based on completely random specs doesn't seem like a very good idea. Who will come out on top? Why don't we wait until MS and Sony officially announce their consoles first.

Cheese-Muffins

I'd say PS4.

The $599 price tag was what really really hurt the PS3, but not exactly a failure as most pathetic trolls would declare.

Once PS4 rolls out at a reasonable and affordable price at around $299-$399, I guarantee Sony will be on top again. :)

Actually I think it's Microsoft. They're going casual and threatening Nintendo a lot. And the new Xbox will get better graphics for Kinect or whatever. Playstation always focus on core gaming, Microsoft and Nintendo are going for a casual route.

[QUOTE="Cheese-Muffins"]

My thoughts are that this thread is way early. Speculating on the future based on completely random specs doesn't seem like a very good idea. Who will come out on top? Why don't we wait until MS and Sony officially announce their consoles first.

en3sge

But what are we supposed to be speculating on? Speculating an uncertain future based on entirely speculated specs? Seems a bit vague if you ask me.

But either way, I'll give my take I suppose. I do believe that next generation won't be a large upgrade in terms of visuals. I expect both companies to use AMD for their GPU. I expect Microsoft to release their console first. Whether Sony decides to use an updated Cell is hard to say personally. On one hand, they invested so much in it that it would be sensible to reuse the architecture. On the other hand, devs have commented on how difficult it is to work with. Either way, I'm thinking Sony will have the more powerful console next-generation, if only by a small margin. Kinect has taken off relatively well, and there are reports saying a new and improved Kinect will ship with the next-gen. They have to make some sacrifices in terms of power, to make the console appealing in price to the Kinect crowd, while still being hefty enough to run all multiplats. However, I wouldn't discount the Wii U as being the short end of the stick. I think the consoles will be relatively close to each other in visuals, with the Wii U able to receive downports of all 3rd party games.

So in terms of my graphical speculation, PS4>Nextbox>>Wii U, but they will all be fairly close (i.e. nothing like this gen, Wii-->PS3/360))

In terms of who come out on top, sales-wise, that's hard to say.

Nintnedo with Sony close behind. Microsoft will fail hard.

Anyone who thinks the Next Xbox will be soley Kinect, I will be standing by for ownage when it asserts itself as the most powerful system.Spartan070

So a company who is betting hard on Kinect would want to make «the most powerful system» why exactly?

Anyone who thinks the Next Xbox will be soley Kinect, I will be standing by for ownageSpartan070

That part you're right about at least.

xbox will flop next gen

Both microsoft and sony are getting their next systems out at the same time, give or take one year.

As with current generation, they will more or less have the same capacity and games will continue to be multiplatform with the occasionnal exclusive for one or the other.

So, like the current situation, I think next gen will continue to have a 50/50 market share http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Console_wars#Worldwide_sales_figures_6

This 50/50 split is ideal for us customers as it keeps the competition high. I hope the market won't go 80/20 or 20/80.

Fanboys will still continue to claim one is obviously superior to the other, in both camps, and games will continue to be largely the same whatever the platform you choose.

Wii U will come out on top, mark my words.

Consoles are for people too cheap to get a good PC. :D Naw just kidding. They're cool. I just think PC is the best.

[QUOTE="en3sge"][QUOTE="Cheese-Muffins"]

My thoughts are that this thread is way early. Speculating on the future based on completely random specs doesn't seem like a very good idea. Who will come out on top? Why don't we wait until MS and Sony officially announce their consoles first.

Cheese-Muffins

But what are we supposed to be speculating on? Speculating an uncertain future based on entirely speculated specs? Seems a bit vague if you ask me.

But either way, I'll give my take I suppose. I do believe that next generation won't be a large upgrade in terms of visuals. I expect both companies to use AMD for their GPU. I expect Microsoft to release their console first. Whether Sony decides to use an updated Cell is hard to say personally. On one hand, they invested so much in it that it would be sensible to reuse the architecture. On the other hand, devs have commented on how difficult it is to work with. Either way, I'm thinking Sony will have the more powerful console next-generation, if only by a small margin. Kinect has taken off relatively well, and there are reports saying a new and improved Kinect will ship with the next-gen. They have to make some sacrifices in terms of power, to make the console appealing in price to the Kinect crowd, while still being hefty enough to run all multiplats. However, I wouldn't discount the Wii U as being the short end of the stick. I think the consoles will be relatively close to each other in visuals, with the Wii U able to receive downports of all 3rd party games.

So in terms of my graphical speculation, PS4>Nextbox>>Wii U, but they will all be fairly close (i.e. nothing like this gen, Wii-->PS3/360))

In terms of who come out on top, sales-wise, that's hard to say.

A nightmare scenario: Apple buys EA Apple makes console named eg: iGame Madden + FIFA iGame exclusives Game Over for Ninty Sony M$True_Gamer_

A nightmare scenario: Apple buys Coca-Cola. Apple buys USA research labs. Apple develops a mind control pill and mixes it with the Coca-Cola. We drink the Coca-Cola, get mindfu*ked and sell our console/pc to buy a mac/ipad. No sense at all right? Then read again your post.

Not much difference betweenthe three. I think it will be similar to the 6th gen in terms of power. Wii U will be similar to the PS2, and the PS4/720 will be like the GC and the XBOX, more powerful, but not too noticable.

I'm way better at forecasting weather than predicting which new console will come up on top. I do know this, my family (with girls, of course) are Nintendo diehards which kind of rubs off on me sometimes. He He.:oops: So, the WiiU wins by default. It's an automatic purchase, no matter what.

Honestly, I'm psyched with the new crop of handhelds, Vita especially.

[QUOTE="Cheese-Muffins"]

[QUOTE="en3sge"] Maybe, but speculating can be a good conversation topic and can generate lots of interesting comments. It all depends on what you like to read on the forums. Personally, I like to read peoples' opinions on what is to come. Give us (the gaming community) more credit. People on these forums often come out with alarmingly accurate predictions and ideas!en3sge

But what are we supposed to be speculating on? Speculating an uncertain future based on entirely speculated specs? Seems a bit vague if you ask me.

But either way, I'll give my take I suppose. I do believe that next generation won't be a large upgrade in terms of visuals. I expect both companies to use AMD for their GPU. I expect Microsoft to release their console first. Whether Sony decides to use an updated Cell is hard to say personally. On one hand, they invested so much in it that it would be sensible to reuse the architecture. On the other hand, devs have commented on how difficult it is to work with. Either way, I'm thinking Sony will have the more powerful console next-generation, if only by a small margin. Kinect has taken off relatively well, and there are reports saying a new and improved Kinect will ship with the next-gen. They have to make some sacrifices in terms of power, to make the console appealing in price to the Kinect crowd, while still being hefty enough to run all multiplats. However, I wouldn't discount the Wii U as being the short end of the stick. I think the consoles will be relatively close to each other in visuals, with the Wii U able to receive downports of all 3rd party games.

So in terms of my graphical speculation, PS4>Nextbox>>Wii U, but they will all be fairly close (i.e. nothing like this gen, Wii-->PS3/360))

In terms of who come out on top, sales-wise, that's hard to say.

Do realize that sony and microsoft made huge losses when they sold their consoles. I actually bought an x360 back then for around 250$ just because if i wanted the same hardware in a pc i had to spend over a 1000$. Sony is even worse, the ps3 has eight cores but to what use when the gpu is so outdated. It's the reason why they stretch this console generation so long.

Nintendo has a golden opportunity here , if you see what the x360 and ps3 does with 6 year old graphics cards then the wii-u specs will be more than sufficient to go through next gen. The manufacturing costs will also be low , so the sale price will also be low, everybody is going to buy this thing that has some money.

Not only that, the wii-u is set to be released next year in july or something, microsoft and sony don't seem to be alarmed by this and it will be their worst nightmare. Not only will they attract hardcore gamers and nintendo fans, they still have a lot of casual gamers. Casual gamers that bought a wii won't have bought a xbox for kinect and if the wii-u comes out they have a reason to upgrade because the wii-u will support the older wii games. Hardcore gamers will seriously consider this if the wii-u price is low, the x360 and ps3 are really showing it's age and there's nothing around the corner for a long time, they speak of 2013 even 2014.

And as hardcore gamers we should be glad the wii-u is coming , even pc- owners because finally next gen will be coming. In the console market , the wii-u will have monopoly in for hardcore gamers and will have all that base from the previous wii.

It will be massacre i tell you, the next console war, and i can't wait to see it and experience it.

[QUOTE="True_Gamer_"]A nightmare scenario: Apple buys EA Apple makes console named eg: iGame Madden + FIFA iGame exclusives Game Over for Ninty Sony M$tjricardo089

A nightmare scenario: Apple buys Coca-Cola. Apple buys USA research labs. Apple develops a mind control pill and mixes it with the Coca-Cola. We drink the Coca-Cola, get mindfu*ked and sell our console/pc to buy a mac/ipad. No sense at all right? Then read again your post.

OP's analysis is garbage. You can't say the Wii U is in a bad position, it actually has a really good position.

[QUOTE="en3sge"][QUOTE="Cheese-Muffins"]

But what are we supposed to be speculating on? Speculating an uncertain future based on entirely speculated specs? Seems a bit vague if you ask me.

But either way, I'll give my take I suppose. I do believe that next generation won't be a large upgrade in terms of visuals. I expect both companies to use AMD for their GPU. I expect Microsoft to release their console first. Whether Sony decides to use an updated Cell is hard to say personally. On one hand, they invested so much in it that it would be sensible to reuse the architecture. On the other hand, devs have commented on how difficult it is to work with. Either way, I'm thinking Sony will have the more powerful console next-generation, if only by a small margin. Kinect has taken off relatively well, and there are reports saying a new and improved Kinect will ship with the next-gen. They have to make some sacrifices in terms of power, to make the console appealing in price to the Kinect crowd, while still being hefty enough to run all multiplats. However, I wouldn't discount the Wii U as being the short end of the stick. I think the consoles will be relatively close to each other in visuals, with the Wii U able to receive downports of all 3rd party games.

So in terms of my graphical speculation, PS4>Nextbox>>Wii U, but they will all be fairly close (i.e. nothing like this gen, Wii-->PS3/360))

In terms of who come out on top, sales-wise, that's hard to say.

evildead6789

Interesting reading your opinions there. I still dont think the Wii U will be anywhere near the next Xbox. I believe if any console is to make a huge graphical leap it is the xbox and not the PS4. I have a nasty feeling Sony will sit smugly and just use an updated cell architecture with a reasonable graphics card leaving most developers scratching their heads again as they attempt to eek out even more phantom power from even more SPUs. Plus the mistakes Sony made with the hardware (off the shelf graphics, seperate RAM, difficult cell architecture, slow BD drive) do not fill me with confidence for the next gen. I do believe the Wii will be powerful but at least one tier down from the next xbox (poss equivalent to GTX 560 vs GTX260).

Dear Lord you make it sound like Armageddon. Now I realise why 2012 is meant to be the end of the world. Conceivable if what you mention happens... I can see Wii U enticing impatient hardcore gamers (although initially I expect the graphics to be on par with the Xbox 360/PS3 before developers get their teeth into the hardware) but once the next gen proper comes long I can see those same gamers abandoning ship and parity will be restored once again.

OP's analysis is garbage. You can't say the Wii U is in a bad position, it actually has a really good position.

Giant_Panda

[QUOTE="Giant_Panda"]

OP's analysis is garbage. You can't say the Wii U is in a bad position, it actually has a really good position.

en3sge

I think it's garbage to claim Wii U isn't a next gen system. In my opinion, because that's just plain silly.

[QUOTE="evildead6789"][QUOTE="en3sge"]

Interesting reading your opinions there. I still dont think the Wii U will be anywhere near the next Xbox. I believe if any console is to make a huge graphical leap it is the xbox and not the PS4. I have a nasty feeling Sony will sit smugly and just use an updated cell architecture with a reasonable graphics card leaving most developers scratching their heads again as they attempt to eek out even more phantom power from even more SPUs. Plus the mistakes Sony made with the hardware (off the shelf graphics, seperate RAM, difficult cell architecture, slow BD drive) do not fill me with confidence for the next gen. I do believe the Wii will be powerful but at least one tier down from the next xbox (poss equivalent to GTX 560 vs GTX260).en3sge

Dear Lord you make it sound like Armageddon. Now I realise why 2012 is meant to be the end of the world. Conceivable if what you mention happens... I can see Wii U enticing impatient hardcore gamers (although initially I expect the graphics to be on par with the Xbox 360/PS3 before developers get their teeth into the hardware) but once the next gen proper comes long I can see those same gamers abandoning ship and parity will be restored once again.

And nintendo has won this console war, they had the lowest production costs and they sold the most consoles. They have money to spend and 1st party support will be big , very big.

This has nothing to do with 2012 and the end of the world, it's just common sense. The graphics will certainly not be on par with the x360 and ps3 lol, for starters it will support 1080p and actually have decent framerates, the graphics will look ten times better. The wii-u will have a gpu comparable to a hd 5770 (or hd 4890), the x360 and ps3 have something comparable to a x1950 or a 7800 gtx. The hd 4890 is four times that power. It will be a custom chip too, so it could easily be even stronger than that.

Have you even looked at the console war history, nintendo is the longest player here and the most resilient , they lost two console wars in a row and then came with the wii. You know when nintendo sold the nes, they contracted developpers for two years when they made a game for their system. In those contracts developpers were forbidden to develop for other platforms for two years. Nintendo knows exactly what they're doing. And here they have a chance of lifetime. It's only lately that sony and microsoft are making profits with the sales of their consoles while nintendo made profit from day 1.

Sony and microsoft will survive this off course, they both have enough money and they're active in other markets.

This console war was pretty quiet, because there was a lot of new ground to conquer (the casual gamer, look at kinect and move). Next console generation it's a whole new war and we all know 'three is crowd'.

[QUOTE="en3sge"][QUOTE="Giant_Panda"]

OP's analysis is garbage. You can't say the Wii U is in a bad position, it actually has a really good position.

Giant_Panda

I think it's garbage to claim Wii U isn't a next gen system. In my opinion, because that's just plain silly.

We'll probably see Sony on top, then Ninty, then MS.

Also don't forget sony made a huge mistake with putting 8 cores in the ps3, i made the ps3 a lot more expensive than the x360 and only delivered the same quality. They have a blue ray player , but that's only gaining popularity the last few years.

The security issue with psn is also something a lot of consolites won't forget They do have their exclusives and fanbase but if the ps4 doesn't come quick, they will get a beating. It may seem impossible to you but look how much ground microsoft gained over sony. the ps2 pushed sega out of the market , it could happen here with sony and nintendo to.

Microsoft also made the mistake of not making enough exclusives but that's about the only mistake they made, the next mistake could be , releasing their console in 2014 and when i see how much they focus on kinect, this could very well be the case

I have a x360 now , dark souls and mortal kombat are the games that i have played on it this year but otherwise it gathered a lot dust the last three years because i also have a good pc.

I'm not a nintendo fan, but the wii-u i'm buying. Nintendo also has some experience with 3d games with the 3ds. If they will make some 3d games first party, hardcore gamers could be ending up buying 3dtv for this. I think nintendo will do us all a favor.

[QUOTE="tjricardo089"]

[QUOTE="True_Gamer_"]A nightmare scenario: Apple buys EA Apple makes console named eg: iGame Madden + FIFA iGame exclusives Game Over for Ninty Sony M$True_Gamer_

A nightmare scenario: Apple buys Coca-Cola. Apple buys USA research labs. Apple develops a mind control pill and mixes it with the Coca-Cola. We drink the Coca-Cola, get mindfu*ked and sell our console/pc to buy a mac/ipad. No sense at all right? Then read again your post.

Apple has the money I didn't said it hasn't. But Apple knows jack about the gaming industry.

It seems tradtional that Sony consoles have the best games and stuff.. so PS4 by default I assume.

I'm betting on PS4. Thye've always deliver. Even in this generation, they've managed to pull thier ass out of that bumpy road, an extraordinary feat, if you ask me.

That high price launch was practically the thorn on thier side. And with PS Vita coming soon, and Sony learning from their past mistakes through PSVITA, I'm pretty sure Sony is determine to make things all right again.

[QUOTE="Giant_Panda"]

[QUOTE="en3sge"] It was only an opinion. No such thing as a garbage opinion. I am entitled to it. It is mine. The whole point of this thread is for people to agree/disagree but no opinion is garbage.AzatiS

I think it's garbage to claim Wii U isn't a next gen system. In my opinion, because that's just plain silly.

Hardly. Wii U shouldn't lack online unlike Wii, and the graphicaldifference will not be as big due to diminishing returns.

1.Next Wii

2.Next XBOX

3.Next PS