Forbes' Chris Morris says that it's "insanely early" to start talking about the next generation of videogame consoles. I agree, but that hasn't stopped anyone from talking about it here lately.
At E3 earlier this month, I heard the name "Xbox 720" dropped about a half a dozen times over the course of about a week. Of course, you have to throw about half of it out as speculative bullsh*t, but there has to be a reason why it's being mentioned so much lately.
One UK-based developer told us that he's heard some "pretty incredible things" about the upcoming console from his Microsoft UK contacts. That tells us absolutely nothing other than he's excited about something. We need more, people!
But, we're getting ahead of ourselves, it seems. Epic Games President Mike Capps says that we shouldn't expect the next next-gen until somewhere between 2012 and 2018. Wow, I hope my Xbox 360 lasts that long.
Brian Farrell, CEO of THQ, thinks there's still room for growth in the current gen. "Those engines have a lot of steam left in them. We think it could be seven or eight years before new machines start to roll out."
Of course, this doesn't mean that console makers aren't working on their next unit. Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata admits it. "We are always preparing for the next hardware," Iwata says. "We are under development."
And Microsoft won't openly admit it, but from what we hear, they're already hard at work. And I'm sure Sony is, too. I don't know about you, but I don't think our current consoles have hit their peak yet. They're doing better things every day, on each console. I say take your time, Big Three. Give my bank account time to catch up.
Contest:
10:55 AM on 07.30.2008
| 
The dashboard is being changed, the kinks of digital distribution are still being worked out, we're still waiting on a "stable" iteration of the hardware, and we've yet to see any truly revolutionary advances in gameplay. Hell, the talk of a potential 360 motion controller even makes the system sound like an experiment.
I've had a lot of fun with my 360 and have enjoyed it more than any other console this generation, but the prospect of an "Xbox 720" makes me look back at the last few years and realize that I feel like I just took part in an expensive beta test. Is this a result of a transitional period in gaming or is it because gaming expenses now come from my pocket instead of that of my parents?
MS: I wouldn't be suprised. I'd say they'll reveal a new console in 2 years, release it for that holiday season. Fails to make a large enough jump from the current gen to warrant purchase. Will become the "Vista" of the Xboxes. Everyone(with a 360) will upgrade though because MS has always had planned each 360 system to fail at a certain time*cough*RRoD*cough*, but unfortunately for them(or maybe just for us), a good chunk of the consoles failed prematurely. When the new Xbox is released, 360s worldwide will start having RRoDs en masse.
Nintendo: Oh, they have one. They made sure to be prepared after the Gamecube. If it wasn't for the commercial success of the Wii, they would have released it already. Depending one when people stop buying Wiis, this system will either be a "generation" ahead, or a "generation" behind.
P.S. Aside from my speculation on Sony's plan, all of the stuff i just wrote I pulled out of my ass. As far as I know, the PS4 speculation could be out of someone elses ass.
Nintendo could make one next week if they wanted to...and we would all buy it. Those guys shit cash.
Ah, speculation. How pointless it all is in the long run.
Nintendo will have something new out soon as well as they do that, lots.
It would suck if MS brought out a new system in '09 but I could almost see it happening.
Try pushing the hardware a bit more.
That being said technology is always being driven forward so who knows what they all have up their sleeves
I hope they wait... with updates available and power to explore with both major units, i'd say keep them coming with minor updates for better hardware performance every couple of years or so... otherwise... 6 years sounds good...
Personally I hope whoever decides to come out with a new console in a year or two loses their shirts and the gamers reject them unequivocably.