RF Generation Message Board

Who will make a next gen console?  Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Someone Else?

If anyone will drop out it will be either Microsoft or Sony, but it's a bit early to say which one yet. If someone does drop out I can imagine another company stepping in to take their place.

All 3.

I think Nintendo's going stick around for a LONG time. And from what I understand, Microsoft is already developing their next system.

The only one that's a concern is Sony. With them stating that the PS3 will be a "10 year" system, I'm not sure that they'll stay in the market. But then again, I can't see them dropping out of the race and giving Microsoft the high-def market share. So we'll probably see a PS4 somewhere down the road.

My curiousity would be raised if Apple decided to throw their hats into the console ring.

I imagine all three. But if someone drops out I doubt any serious contenders will appear. The industry has changed so much in the last 10 years. Companies can't just go off and build hardware that can be competitive anymore. You pretty much build it based on features and specs within a range of what is thought to be leading edge.

Even all three new systems now use parts made by PC manufacturers and have to try and offer as many features and abilities as everyone else. Sony spent billions making the Cell, Nintendo and Microsoft use IBM CPU's and all three use either ATI or Nvidia for the GPU's. Not many companies could shell out for that kind of tech. That's why the world's biggest consumer electronics maker, the world's biggest software maker and the biggest dedicated gaming company are the only three in it. Not even EA or Apple could manage a cutting edge system.

All three will build a new system. Even if the PS3 doesn't do that well Sony will make another. Microsoft will just because they have an endless supply of money.

D00d!  The Phantom will rise from its grave!

I would bet all three will end up making next-gen systems, though this time around Sony seems to be slow to really get started.  The 360 is doing well, and the Wii is in incredibly high demand (at least at my store, people come in every day and ask constantly), but the PS3 systems are sitting around.  If that continues to happen, I don't know for sure if Sony will try another piece of hardware, but I wouldn't be surprised; after all, Nintendo did after both the Gamecube and the N64 weren't at the top of the sales listings.

I dunno about the PS3 having a "slow" start...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4a4dc0ee-dd67-11db-8d42-000b5df10621.html


Although, this paragraph is a bit of a play on words:


How many months in a quarter?

I said Nintendo and M$ because Sony already has made the Next Gen System.

Although you could argue that only M$ will because in my opinion the Wii is different enough from last gen to constitute a status of "next gen"

But the 360 is, and always will be, simply X-Box 1.5

I said all three.  I can't see Sony dropping out but I can see Microsoft dropping out but not until after the next gen systems come out.

I like your reasoning Leon. I almost wish I could change my vote from all three.

Also James, PS3 has sold more units in the time since it's launch than 360 sold in the same timeframe after its launch.

I say Microsoft and Nintendo because Sony already made the next generation door stop.

Three months in a quarter, from my understanding.

I said it seems like it's had a slow start because since we've gotten shipments in at my store (I work at the local Fry's) we've been hard-pressed to sell them out.  I don't think we've had a complete sell-out since a shipment or two after launch (for reference, we were getting shipments of them almost every week for a while).  I can't say how many people I've had come up to me asking about the PS3 and soon after asking make a remark like "I can't believe it's that expensive" and "why is it so pricey when the thing sucks?"

Can't say I agree or disagree with them at this point, but at least in my region it seems the predominant rumbling.  The Wii is a different story, but that's for a different thread.

Every employee at the game sores around here have said the same thing.

I know around here they've been having a helluva time trying to make good use of the demo kiosk.

Well, I bet those people have been exposed to all the lies and half-truths found on the Internet about the PS3. Seriously, it is not a bad system if you actually make a conscious effort to try it out for yourself.

You are correct. BUT, the games out are not that great. Yes they will be in time but not yet. I know w few people that have a PS3 and they where all gung ho about it but know they are saying there isn't that many good games and they should of waited.

I've found the same thing. The sixaxis is pretty decent, the system itself quiet, load times good, but with so few appealing games most of the PS3's my friends have haven't had much of a workout. Right now it's more of a conversation piece or acts as a PS2 for most of them.

Tan and Tynstar, you both are absolutely correct. The only real problem with PS3 at this time is lack of games. Right now there are maybe 3 or 4 real PS3 games that are really worth looking into if you own the system, but other than that, there isn't very much going on.

This is the exact reason I waited until later on this year or maybe later than that to go for PS3. I didn't want to get one right when they came out so they can iron out all the kinks (there haven't been very many issues), get some good games out there, and MAYBE have a price drop. If there isn't a price drop, but a decent amount of great games are out for it, then I won't really have an issue paying $500 or $600 for it.

What he said^

All 3.
But they will be in their own micro generations.

They are technically in the same generation now but becuase Nintendo is off doing its own thing, Xbox jumped the gun to try and steal the market and sony held out to get overkill technology they are all in different places.

Maybe next gen things will be more like previous generations where there arn't huge differences between the major contendors.

Also i think the Phantom will own the next gen as will the Xavix 2.
Apples Macsphere could make a nice showing aswell!