Nintendo is launching a new console. So is Sony. So is MS. So... new generation?

This is a rather interesting question to ask, isn't it?

We know that Nintendo is launching a brand new console either this year or next. We know that Sony have the PS4.5 planned for anywhere between October of this year to March of next year. And we also know that Microsoft is looking at launching an upgraded Xbox One 'Elite' some time soon- they'll probably announce it at E3 this year, probably.

The question now is this: does this technically count as a new generation?

• All three console manufacturers are now launching new consoles
• All three of these new consoles are expected to be at least somewhat more powerful than the current generation ones
• All three of these consoles launch distinctly after the previous ones, meaning there is no lifecycle overlap
  

Technically, the Nintendo NX, PlayStation 4K, and Xbox One Elite all meet every requirement necessary for their launches to collectively be called a new generation.

But what does System Wars think? Is it a new generation? Is it one on a sheer technicality? Is it just a half step, a generation 8.5 so to speak? Was generation 8, which would be the shortest and objectively least remarkable in terms of games, a mistake?

Just call it what it is: generation 9, NX, Playstation 5 and Xbox Two.

They are technically 9th generation consoles since they would all offer superior hardware than their predecessors.

I'm just curious what Sony and Microsoft will officially name their next consoles. New PS4/XB1?

Yeah, sure, whatever, gen9, let's go before gen10 shows up.

PS4.5 is officially named PS4K, according to The Wall Street Journal, while Xbox 1.5 will probably be Xbox (One) Elite.

So: NX vs PS4K vs Xbox Elite. Finally, a three way war again?

Gen 10, coming your way in 2018. Get ready!

Might as well. I mean what do the generational jumps actually mean anyways? This gen has so far just been a higher resolution ps3 and 360. Makes sense to says this next jump is a generational jump. New hardware, higher resolution, same gameplay.

You know what I find amazing? Sony fanboys who kept calling Nintendo out because apparently they ditched the Wii U 'too soon...' but this would make the Wii U the longest supported console of the previous generation.

I don't care. Aside from maybe an NX I wont be looking to buy in anyway.

I just hope it all ends up not true and the NX is the only new console releasing this year

No, it's not a new gen for anyone other than Nintendo. If you're calling it a new gen for Sony and Microsoft, then you have to say that the DSi, PSP 2000, and New 3DS were new handheld gens.

In a way, yeah. Or maybe it's more accurate to say there are no new generations anymore.

If it is this was shittiest generation of them all and I just entered October 2015. Bull.

I doubt that the other two will lunch this holiday. PS4.5 seems very early along and even rushed (to the point that I suspect that Nintendo actually found out about it too late in the design process to make NX as powerful as it even if they wanted to), and XB1.5 doesn't even seem to actually exist yet.

I think it would be more correctly called a trans-generation.

The traditional generation swap out for what usually takes around 8 years for consoles is simply getting a mid gen boost. The rumored 2x power gain isn't nearly enough to quality as a generational leap when console generations usually gain around 10x to 20x power over previous systems.

This 'transition' is more in line with PC gains throughout a console generation with multiple GPUs releasing in one generation. This trans-gen, however, I expect to only have one bump before the true next gen of consoles arrive.

I don't think it's a new gen. I think it's the start of a lot of potential problems for the industry.

Nintendo is fine to release a new system, the WiiU flopped massively, they need to cut their losses and move onto something else.

Sony and MS however, don't really have a legitimate reason to release these, and are honestly just going to gain a lot of anger and mistrust from the average consumer, PS4 especially. Core Gamers might not have much of a problem with is, but the average consumer, isn't going to be happy that they've just spent $400-500 on a PS4, and now Sony is coming out and asking them for another $400-500.

Unless Sony and MS offer up some damn good upgrade deals, people are not going to be willing to do it, and when the games they buy aren't running properly, or at least as advertised, and they find out it's because they don't have the latest model, they're gonna be very angry. This is going to make the average consumer a lot less trusting of Sony and MS, and they'll be unwilling to buy their actual next gen consoles, because they know they'll be made redundant 3 years into their lifecycles and they have to wait till then for any decent games to start showing up anyway.

Simply put, no they're just upgraded versions of the same consoles. They're not playing new games nor do the devs HAVE to program differently for them.

Its gen 9.5, the golden age of gaming is truly upon us

What we should have gotten in 2013 from all three companies to begin with.

I see those as hardware revision just like Nintendo release many version of the GBA or DS or even 3DS ... sorry but no, not a new gen

@Bigboi500:

More like, generation 8.5 - and none of us even knows if NX will even be on par with the current PS4 (and Xbone).

@beardmad: Just like PS4k and Xbox One Elite ... just hardware revision of the same crap we have right now.

Just like it was an hardware revision between DS and DSi, DS light and DS XL ... things got better but still, it took the 3DS for a new gen ...

The new Xbox existed years ago that's call PC. MS are just now starting to support it.

Okay, to everyone saying no: I understand the crux of your arguments, but then my question to you is, if this is not a new generation, how do you define a new generation?

Same gen aside from the new Nintendo

Where are the new xbone rumors? Some spec leaks would be good for Microsoft. Sony ando Nintendo have all the chatter right now

I would only call NX gen 9. Same way N3DS and Wii U is gen 8. Its hard to define it, but you basically define it the generation of games it plays or is associated with.

if its better hardware as in faster from Sony PS4K & MS XB1 Elite ninja then yup gen 9 it is...if its just efficiency & cheaper to produce slim then nope.

Gen 8 is the lame duck if this true. :P

I would lol, but it might be true.

Well, if you really count PS4k as a new gen console. I count it as PS4 Slim. Same with the Bone Elite.

Honestly, i'm not liking this one bit. Why does Sony and MS have to bend over backwards for lazy devs? Or is it the fear of the NX?

@charizard1605: Complete new hardware. PS4k and XO Elite is pretty much the same hardware, just with better performance on some stuff ... like the DSi versus the DS.

But Sony and Microsoft made it very clear they are never going to do that again when they announced the XB1 and PS4- they made it clear they switched to x86 to be able to build on their platform for future hardware launches.

So by your definition: no more new generations?

Also, how does your definition account for the Genesis? The Wii? The Wii U?

Okay, Mr. I bought a GTX 980 Ti just to play crappy Visual Novels in 1080p.

Yup....call it a new generation.

This current one lasted only 3 years and it's not gamers fault so we shouldn't be afraid to say it. This generation was fun for me: some great games.came out, but the fucking lifecycle is inexcusable.

Again, I'm seriously thinking to going back to PC full time. I'm going to get my UC fix....Hot Shots won't need the PS4k....just hope whatever David Cage is working on doesn't require it.

I don't want to though....I like playing on my console. I guess if the NX/Nintendo doesn't **** up 3rd party relations and doesn't come with some sort of alienating gimmick.....it'll be my go-to console.

Aside from Phil blabing it, are there any rumors about an Elite?

@charizard1605: Yeah if there is no obvious cut, there is no gen. Going from the PSOne to the PS2 was step up, now between a PS4 and PS4k not really ... even between a PS3 and PS4 there isn't that big of difference.

And yes they did a few version of the Wii, they aren't new gen.

Like on PC they don't have gen, they just gradually look better and offert more but this is pretty much it.

I also have a hard time beleiving in a consol that could be updated

Are you obsessed with me? You reply to most of my posts with non related posts.

There's no new Xbox, there finished. Perhaps a PC entry box, but that's different.

Please check the links in the OP. They have very specifically mentioned a new Xbox.

Will new Xbox One and PS4 games continue to work in older X1/PS4 models? If so it's not a new gen.

Will new Xbox One and PS4 games only work in newer X1/PS4 models? If so it's a new gen, or a .5 gen

Yes, but that's a function of x86, and has nothing to do with whether or not these are new hardware generations. As long as Sony and MS stick with x86, and they have stated before that they intend to, there is no reason for their hardware to not be forward compatible.

We will see, Phil talks more shit than my ass.

I feel like such a dipshit for buying a ps4 day 1.

Hmmm. Depending on what the PS4K is, I might not- if it's just a resolution bump, for example, I couldn't care less. Personally speaking, of course.

@charizard1605: I guess I just mean it all encompassing. It seems in this hobby, the spoils go to those who wait.

It seems like it. I do agree, in general, Sony stands to lose a lot of goodwill from a move like this, but I also think it is necessary in the long run.

I am also excited, because it opens up a window of opportunity for my boys. The ball is in your court now, Nintendo...

@charizard1605: yes it is... I hope Nintendos gen 8.5 console is a beast. Sony and Microsoft are starting to lose me a bit.

It both is and isn't. Solely due to the fact that the NX is the next console for Nintendo and the two new Sony and MS systems are incremental upgrades.

It'll just be another gimmicky POS, and they will call it Wii Mii :(

I feel like I'm one of the few who doesn't like this ps4.5 and Xbox elite crap. Only because I think it's just a cash grab and be too expensive for what it's offering. I'm just sensing poor execution.

Will there be any games that only work on the new console's? If not, then it's hard for me to consider it a new gen really...

Honestly I don't know, it all sounds like it's going to be a clusterfuck (Sony & Microsoft that is..). I'm not sure how the market is really going to react to buying new console iterations so soon. We will have to wait an see.

I'm just glad that I chose PC as primary platform this gen, and out of the big three, I'm only interested in the NX at the moment.

Edit: This brings up another point some people are trying to make. At seems some people are trying to compare it to PC, its really not that simple. So if the PS4k will have a new beastly GPU chip, what then? Will games start offering enhanced settings or what? Just because it's x86 based doesn't mean anything if devs don't offer ways for the PS4k to enhance their game. More stable 30fps is not something to be excited about. When it comes to PC, you tailor your games to fit the performance capabilities of your GPU/CPU by tweaking several of the options provided.

Zing!