You wake up at 1 a.m., after only three hours of sleep, and head to Best Buy to get in line. There are already 20 people there (they didn't sleep at all), but that's okay—you'll only be waiting for six short hours. Then you'll finally have it: the new system that all those hardcore early adopters have been raving about.
Your sleeping bag isn't as comfortable on the concrete sidewalk as you thought it would be, but you hardly complain as the hours slip by, so great is your anticipation. When the moment finally arrives, you find out the store only got 15 consoles in today's shipment. But don't worry, they'll get more next week. And you'll be there waiting, won't you?
THE CONSOLE RACE
When was the last time a new gaming system actually met your expectations? A console launch is marked by exorbitant fanfare, artificial shortages and a handful of crappy games pushed out at the last second by developers who understand a fifth of what the system is capable of. Another round of Perfect Dark Zero, anyone? Didn't think so.
So why can't we stop talking about the "next generation" of consoles? It's been more than five years since the Xbox 360 hit shelves, with the PS3 and Wii flopping to life a full year after that. In any previous generation of consoles, we'd have new systems by now. So why don't we?
In an interview earlier this month, Epic CEO Mike Capps posed an even more direct question: "What's the point of those next-gen consoles?" Today's consoles have continuously evolved to be the systems they need to be, and all three have seen enough success to warrant their continued existences. Compare the upcoming Skyrim to 2006's Oblivion. They're both for Xbox 360 and PS3, but you wouldn't even think they're from the same decade.
INSERT WII PUN
If the 3DS's current numbers are any indication, the Wii U may very well bomb. And contrary to Capps's notion that the system is coming too "early," it's actually way too late. The possibilities presented by the new controller are tremendous in scope, but who knows whether any third party developers will actually step up and run with it after having their Wii titles largely ignored for the last six years. It's an iPad with joysticks, artificially tethered to your "New Console" at a range of however-many-feet, and it will most likely follow in the Wii's underwhelming, shovelware-filled footsteps.
The fact that the U has power comparable to that of the other current-gen systems is not the draw Nintendo seems to think it is; "The Wii is finally in HD!" probably sounds better on paper. Gamers will inevitably cry out for better A.I., improved graphics, and more particles of sand between their virtual toes, while at the same time deriding new technologies like the one in this video as scams and pipe dreams. Is this really what you had in mind for the next generation of consoles?
CAN YOU AFFORD ANOTHER $600 SPACE HEATER?
Capps seems worried that mobile platforms will replace consoles altogether, but that's never going to happen. Epic makes games for both types of platforms. Their markets have spiraled too far away from one another for them to merge now, despite what Nintendo would have you believe—no one system will please everyone at this point. No, consoles won't go away, but the now-beleaguered minority of hardcore gamers (always first in line for new consoles) aren't numerous enough to keep another PlayStation afloat for two or three years of mediocrity while developers figure out how to use it. And the rest of us simply don't have it in our budgets.
Will the Xbox 720 have a built-in Kinect? Will the PS4 be able to fly fighter jets? Who cares? We're not asking the right questions, and our expectations aren't high enough. Today's consoles have plenty of life in them; always-on internet connections allow for unending tweaks and updates, not to mention hardware revamps like MotionPlus, Move and Kinect (though their staying power remains to be seen).
Nintendo acted surprised when 3DS sales dropped off after its initial launch, but anyone could have predicted that a handheld without a single killer app wasn't going to appeal to the masses. Why should anyone buy a new console just to sit on it for three years waiting for publishers to get onboard? It's going to take a miracle to get me squatting in a camping stool outside Gamestop in the cold again while Nintendo executives sip bubbly and laugh at our naivete. When the next generation of consoles does launch, it had better be mind-numbingly amazing. Otherwise a legion of gamers might just stick with their iPads.
Alex August 29th, 2011 at 11:49 AM
"It's been more than five years since the Xbox 360 and Wii hit shelves, with the PS3 flopping to life a full year after that." The PS3 and the Wii came out almost within a week of one another, don't make such bogus statements.
Michael Rougeau August 29th, 2011 at 08:08 PM
You're right! Thanks for pointing that out. Fact check failure.
Max August 29th, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Well, this is extremely poor.
Nico24 August 29th, 2011 at 05:35 PM
While I agree with some of the statements made in this article, I find it a little cynical toward all things Nintendo. Comparing the Wii U to the iPad is like apples to oranges. The Wii U is going to be a 1080p gaming device like the PS3 and Xbox360 but with more power and different ways to play. It will support all current Wii controllers and the new tablet-like controller. We don't know what the price will be, but Nintendo has as of yet never released a console for more than $250 in its history. Nintendo President, Iwata stated earlier on the console may be more than $250, but I highly doubt the price would be over $300. An HD system is just what Nintendo needs to stay competitive. With current Wii games being able to support 720p or 1080p, Nintendo should be trying to make their console bring new life to it's existing franchises. Many developers have already stated that they will be on board for developing new content for the WiiU. Hopefully, unlike the 3DS, there will be enough of this content to warrant early adoption.
Michael Rougeau August 29th, 2011 at 08:10 PM
You mentioned this, but I'll say it anyway—developers were on board with the 3DS as well, until it flopped. I'm predicting the same will happen with the Wii U. The 3DS can still recover, but you can't argue that it's not off to a rocky start.
Nico24 August 29th, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I find the statement that next generation consoles are not needed, to be a little naive. Sony has stated that their console having 256MB of system memory the reason to why they can't offer in game chat. Simply having 1080p is not the definitive in gaming. There are texture maps, cell shaders, anti-aliasing, and other factors that allow games to look and play better. Current games are amazing and definitely refined now that programmers take full advantage of the consoles, but this is true of any console. I won't camp in front of my local GameStop, but I will preorder and pickup a WiiU to add alongside my PS3.
SteveDOF August 30th, 2011 at 09:08 AM
I'm betting Microsoft bring out a new iteration of the 360 soon, maybe announced at E3 next year. Give the 360 more ram, built-in Kinnect and a higher capacity optical disc and that will give it a new lease of life. As for the PS3, that machine was too complex and different for the majority of devs to make the most of it's capabilities, which still have not been tapped out. I foresee a PS4 much more closely aligned to P.C. architecture, if it comes at all, making deving for all gaming machines much easier on the developers.
Drew Oetting August 30th, 2011 at 11:06 AM
I finally got on the PS3 bandwagon after slogging it out with a PS2, Wii, and an old XBox. Wish I had bought alot sooner, but I sure wouldn't be waiting in line for whatever they dream up next. Lunazul Tequila just started their Facebook page and are holding monthly giveaways. Check it out. http://on.fb.me/poV2cI
AM August 30th, 2011 at 12:24 PM
The 3DS has not flopped in the way that you keep saying. The system sold lower then expected because of a lack of games, features, and the price at launch. The system after the price drop has been selling extremely well across all regions. Pokemon Rumble continues to top the charts in Japan and Ocarina of Time 3D is also on top. The 3DS will also be getting tons of titles by this christmas and some of key ones are going to be by third parties, like Heroes Ruin, Tekken 3D Prime, Skylanders, Rayman Origins, and we are nearly getting a Monster Hunter game as well. Also, if you look at the original DS is experienced a similar problem at the beginning but went on to become very successful. Nintendo has also stated that they have learned from the 3DS launch are incorporating what they have learned into the Wii U. I never believe that the future generation of consoles will flop, it has always been predicted but it has never come true (well except for maybe when Atari dominated the console market). People thought that stronger PCs would cause the end to consoles but that never happened. As long as the consoles continue to innovate and expand there will always be a market for them. While we do not yet know Microsoft and Sony's future console plan I am sure they will create meaningful changes to their new consoles and they will accompany it with great games and people will buy it. As for Nintendo, the Wii U is a meaningful update, it is a system with full HD graphics, with a new innovative input device, a redesigned online system, and new Nintendo games using the new technology (and yes Nintendo said they have learned from the 3DS so they will make sure some of the AAA titles and the main features will be ready by launch, they also said they will be cautious about the price). I think that Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft will continue to be successful with their next consoles.
Mike August 30th, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Every system has to launch somewhere. Maybe Perfect Dark Zero was crap, but Oblivion wasn't far behind. Do you doubt that Oblivion was a big jump from last generation? You think another jump like that isn't possible? I honestly don't understand the point of this post.
RogueCheddar September 1st, 2011 at 12:28 AM
The point is simply that I think there's a lot of life left in the current generation, and gamers as a whole will be better served if the next generation isn't forced onto shelves any time soon. That's it.
Bluezool October 9th, 2011 at 05:12 AM
Spot on. Belts are tightening and not many people want another expensive slab of plastic when the one they have (that finally doesn't overheat, or actually has some games) can provide a lot more value. Sequels are where the real money is at for software companies now anyway. Xbox live is littered with charming, critically acclaimed games that nobody bought. DIg through those before demanding a new mega toaster to play a slightly shinier fifa with.