next gen?

Apium · Post by **Apium** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:16 pm

IGN has recently started editing the phrase "next-generation" in their articles as "current-generation." Has the next generation that we talked about at last E3 really arrived? It doesn't feel like it. Yea, there is the occasionally game that can be called next-gen, but I don't think the large majority of the gaming industry is really in the next-gen, err current-gen? Anyways, what do you guys think?

Ri'Me · Post by **Ri'Me** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:02 am

I think we've reached the next-gen, I mean, all 3 systems are out now, and they can do things that the previous gen systems can't do, and a lot of the games are showing it. The PS3 and 360's games blow away last-gen in terms of graphics, and the Wii is proving to be easier to get into for the casual gaming crowd and makes certain games have better playability. It's all in how companies utilize their respective system's strengths, to make last-gen just that.

Apium · Post by **Apium** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:17 am

I think I will feel like we are in the next-gen when companies stop making a game for the PS2, PS3, and the 360. I know the PS3 doesn't have as big of an installed base as most developers would want, but taking a game back to the PS2 kills some of the next-gen things you can do on the 360 and PS3. It would be fine if they built two seperate versions from the ground up, one for the PS3 and 360, and another for the PS2. There are so many games that feel like they were developed on the PS2 and ported to the next-gen consoles.

Santos · Post by **Santos** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:28 pm

IMO there wasnt NEARLY as much hype when it comes to PS3, 360, and Wii as there was for PS2 Xbox and Gamecube. Those systems basically brought us into the 3d world, with online play and expansive worlds, and all you can do from there is tone. It's kind of like human generations, Bob might work out and be able to bench 300 pounds, but he's still Bob.

Apium · Post by **Apium** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:25 pm

then the next hyped generation will be.....virtual reality?

Waucod Meesman · Post by **Waucod Meesman** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:49 am

yeah that'll be pretty sweet...

Erougn · Post by **Erougn** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:33 pm

For me, next gen means a bigger leap than what ps3 and xbox360 brought to the games. Not much has improved beyond HD and bigger hard drives.

IMHO this gen is a half gen at best.

BTW I left out the Wii on purpose, the controllers are next gen but the games are last gen so it's a wash.

RettVescan · Post by **RettVescan** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:04 pm

I think when the ps3 has been out for a bit longer and games like The Force Unleashed are released - THEN we'll be in the nextgen.

Apium · Post by **Apium** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:20 pm

yea, but you have to remember that the technology in Force Unleashed has very little to do with the next-gen consoles. Of course DMM and euphoria(I think that is what its called) are next-gen, but its third party software that was possible on last-gen consoles.

Kurke_Aumea · Post by **Kurke_Aumea** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:23 pm

Ri-me said it best. All three systems do things that are far and above what their predecessors are capable of. All you see are graphics and hard drive sizes. Take a look at Xbox Live from the original Xbox to the 360 and look how it changed. It was originally just built-in software for streamlining the method connecting game sessions. Now look at it. You can chat with your friends, send txt messages, send video messages, buy games, rent games, rent movies, download dashboard themes, post competitive gamerscores, purchase add-on content for games, AND play online against other gamers. The PS3 does something very similar, albiet in a less-developed form. The PS3 also has the Home project underway. Not to mention you can play next-generation DVDs on both the 360 and the PS3.

"But what does all of the have to do with gaming?" Well, it's all in how you use a product. Yeah, out of the box the 360 and PS3 offer gaming with improved graphics and physics compared to their predecessors. But when you start adding in unified multiplayer, downloadable content, gamer themes, and player videos, it can take gaming to a different dimension.

You complain that it doesn't feel next-gen. Great, what do you mean by that? What were you looking for in next-gen games? And is it really MS, Sony's, or Nintendo's fault the games don't feel next-gen?

Yes, I know I left the Wii out of a lot of that. It can be both next-gen and last-gen depending how you look at it, so i'll leave that one up to you.

Apium · Post by **Apium** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:30 pm

Kurke_Aumea wrote:

You complain that it doesn't feel next-gen. Great, what do you mean by that? What were you looking for in next-gen games? And is it really MS, Sony's, or Nintendo's fault the games don't feel next-gen?

I don't think anyone blames any of the console makers. they put out top quality systems. maybe sony hindered next-gen a tad with their sales strategy, but the console was there. I think the blame is on the developers. Its obvious that many of the early titles didn't use the system to anywhere near its full advantage, and not because it was new. It was because they went in and made a last-gen game and ran it on next-gen consoles. I say the next-generation will be here when teh software is here. Which should be this fall with the launch of games like Call of Duty 4, Medal of Honor Airborne, and Mass Effect.

Santos · Post by **Santos** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:59 pm

Games like Force Unleashed wont be revolutionary, they'll just be cool. The next step in gaming would be something like the Wii with 360 or PS3 hardware or virtual reality.

Kurke_Aumea · Post by **Kurke_Aumea** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:04 am

I guess I look at it as what were you really expecting? You got graphics upgrades, improved physics, wireless controllers, wireless networking, HD playback, online marketplaces, retro gaming, arcade gaming, unified online gaming, webcams, full voice chat, and the ability to watch TV and movies on your consoles.

Yeah, there's a a lot to be said from a software standpoint. In the first year of a console's life, is there really ever a game to make full use of a console's abilities? I mean, we did have Gears of War, but what was realy next-gen about it? It certainly had the graphics and gameplay. But at its core, it was a linear third-person shooter that has its roots in some of the oldest games out there.

From a hardware standpoint, I'd say all three onsoles are "next-gen" in some way. The Wii offers a new ontrol scheme. The PS3 offers an in-the-box multimedia system, and the 360 can do everything but butter your toast... (see my previous omments about Live)

I've owned a 360 since it was launched. I had a launch batch console. I think my first gaes were PDZ, PGR4, and NFS:MW. Yes, aside from graphics, you've seen the same thing on previous onsoles. Hell, PDZ played like its N64 predecessor... Since then I've played COD2, BF:MC, Oblivion, Gears of War, GRAW, Rainbow Six: Vegas, and a host of demos. Within that first year, you could feel the games evolve. The racing sims felt more realistic. The shooters were more immersive. The RPGs were so broad its engulfing.

I played the demo for Forza 2 and I think its a perfect example of what next-gen gaming is. It is pretty, plays well, and has a host of other features that keeps you entertained long after you finish the main game. Gears of War raised the bar for what to expect out of shooters with its cover system and graphics. I think the sports games will take on a whole new look in the coming years.

What to expect next? Beyond the Wii, 360, and PS3? Who knows! But, I think we need to be realistic about what to expect.

Apium · Post by **Apium** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:27 am

Kurke_Aumea wrote:What to expect next? Beyond the Wii, 360, and PS3? Who knows! But, I think we need to be realistic about what to expect.

Grand Theft Auto that scans the real world and puts it into the game? I'd love to do a drive-by on my family.

I know this isn't about what we want, but I'd just like one RPG where you really feel like a ruler or even a hero for that matter. For example in Oblivion when I walk into town wing my Black Hand robes I want to see people run in terror. I guess when I really think about all the things I want, I can see its the AI that has fallen behind. Maybe Euphoria will be a good start in that direction.

Kurke_Aumea · Post by **Kurke_Aumea** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:26 pm

Speaking of A.I., have you seen the vid doc for Halo 3 called "Et tu Brute?" It covers how Bungie is improving the A.I. for the Brutes in halo 3. If all goes according to what they say, it sounds like significant progress in A.I. for an FPS.

I'm especially interested in the Crysis A.I. though. We know it looks spectacular and the physics are godly, but how will the A.I. perform?