ok
if by "likely in 2012" you mean being released in the market then of course not. They haven't been announced yet and I think E3 2012 will be that day or TGS for PS4. However, I still think we are far from the next generation consoles release. Maybe we'll get them 2 years from now(late 2013) but not before. Sony would at least want the PS3 to have its console reached 7 years of its lifespan until it releases the PS4.

As long as I get ac3 on current systems so I can finish the story without having to get a new machine, I'll be happy.

I'm not buying a new console to play the same shit unimaginative games with slightly better graphics.

Haw, this author is in for a very big surprise.

Xbox 10 and Wii-U both before Christmas next year. Just in time for the Holidays.

new consoles will be announced officially in 2013 with a 2015 release date. thats what im predicting and possibly more realistic. You need time to tell consumers and developers what to expect and also developer kits have to be sent out at least a year before.

NOBODY HAS THE MONEY!!
if 80% of the world is bitcin about a $300 console,can you imagine 400 or 500.forget it!

2013-2014 The start of the New Gen.
Who cares we all die 2012, (Rock Box, Playstation Leaf, and Wii Died.)
*Realistically expect it in the next 3 years.

Announced in 2012 with a release in 2013. Only if the world doesn't end December 2012 though lol

I doubt that in current economy parents or other buyers are willing to fork out up to $ 600 for brand new spanking gaming device by next fall

i hope microsoft releases, all these rumours are the only thing holding me back this xmas from jumping on board the xbox brand. would love to see a new machine on the market for next year.

I haven't heard many rumors of a 2012 release for either system. More like announced in 2012 with a planned 2013 release.

i learnt my lesson with the ps3(on 4th console) and 360(bought the elite after a few batches and it hasn't broken down yet) wait until kinks are worked out and a lower price point is set

I dont think it will have a 2012 release, more like 2013. The wi u needs to come out due to the lack of hd in the wi but the ps3 and xbox are still strong enough to survive atleast another 2 years

I could've sworn i read an article that stated that the new xbox would be able to play Xbox360 games and automatically upscale the graphics. I know I read this a while back, but cannot remember where, if anyone has read this please let me know. anyway I would like a new xbox and Killer Instincts at launch!!

A decent article, with good points. I'll correct one guess, in the article, with facts:

New engine titles (the kind that would ship on a new piece of hardware) generally take 3-5 years to develop, and often start on PCs. Sequels on the same engine (#s "2" and "3", as the console gen progresses) generally only take about 2 years to put together (as the article states).

This fact is one of the major reasons #2 and #3 of successful game series', especially exclusives, are often so much better than the first -- the initial game is often a PORT from a PC engine, and the second game is honed to work best on the target hardware (devkits are available the whole time).

Any titles aimed at next gen consoles will take *at least* 3 years to develop -- although it's very likely that development will start on PC long before final devkit hardware arrives. Typically, FINAL hardware is not available until about 1 year before the game is meant to ship. Prototype hardware *may* be available earlier, but... not typically unless your game is REALLY important to the console. Even the kits available 1 year ahead of release are in a state of flux, often being upgraded (via OS) on the fly, and usually needing a physical replacement about 6 months before release.

Nintendo hardware causes some exceptions to my rules above, since it is largely "familiar" and not overly advanced. Recent Nintendo hardware has had a slightly longer ramp-up time, since it is fundamentally old tech from the start. Wii U prototypes will have been in dev hands for about 1.5 years, rather than the typical 1, by the time the Wii U ships, most likely. You can bet that hotter hardware will have only been in dev hands for about a year, tops, however.

I'd love new consoles in 2012, a next-gen launch is always so exciting.

Wonder if they time windows 8 with the next Xbox. I only have PC and PS3. I feel like I am too late to get the xbox now. Looking forward to the next version.

100 reasons why no one knows jack shit either way.

stopped reading after "probably named 720"

While I don't think they are 2012 releases I have to say the points raised in this article are not terribly well thought out with the exception of the good sales point. If you don't think Sony and MS are both looking to launch first if they can you are nuts. If you think both are not worried about Wii U ...again... Nuts. The economy issue is cack... During down turns in economics you often see higher spend in home entertainment like games, etc... Not too mention we are seeing growth again in software numbers. I just don't buy anything this article is spinning outside of both are enjoying good sales and want to extend that.

developers are now doing great and really used to these consoles and really great games and more great ones are coming. I wont care if microsoft decide to keep there 10 year life span for the xbox. Plus motion control is something both companies began and keep wanting to promote and keep going for some time.

I would expect the new consoles to come out 2013 at the earliest.

I think I am the only person that wants the Ps3 and 360 too go on for another 3-4 years. I have always felt systems get replaced when they could be hitting their stride. When costs for making the games are down, the devs know what they are doing and know how to make everything work.

Give me the next gen when every game on Ps3 for a year looks as good as Killzone and Uncharted, and every 360 games looks as good as Gears 3. Then I want a new gen.

I hope not. The PS3 is reaching its prime its gonna be a glorious 2012 for PS3 there is no reason to release a new system yet.

I don't understand why this "New Consoles in 2012" idea is being encouraged or even popular. Firstly look at all the great games we currently have on the market? So many 8's and 9's being released.. just take this year as a prime example. Even remove the exclusives on each console and we'd still have a great year of games.

When a new console is launched the first year is usually a time of learning and adaptation from the developers. In other words we never get the best experience or what the new consoles can offer.

Its not all about processing power. But the overall gameplay experience and story. This gen has reached a stage where we're getting all this consistently. No point of changing it "because it's time".

I can understand that Nintendo wants to make the jump.
But for Micrsoft and Sony I see a 2013/14 launch. the later date being Sony's.

You'll never see the Xbox 720, because it won't be called that. -_-"

The next Xbox I believe will be out either christmas 2012 or spring (March-ish) 2013, and I predict a worldwide spring 2013 release for the PS4. An E3 2012 reveal is likely I believe.

It will come w/e it comes, people worry too much about when they will come out etc >_>.... it's w/e, I honestly don't care when they come, I'm too busy enjoying this gen to be worried about the next.

I never thought the PS4 would be out next year anyway, Sony is sinking a ton of money into the Vita and still has a ton of first party games coming out next year. It seems more likely that we will see a Xbox 720 next year though, Microsoft has obviously scaled back production on first party games and we've heard too many rumors of games being in production for the next Xbox for their not to be fire.

2 reasons why they should release them in 2012:

1. The Wii U won't have any competition and get a big user base-> less market share for MS and Sony.

2. The hardware in both 360 and ps3 is outdated, an average ps3/360 game released nowadays is sub HD and runs @ 30fps with framerate drops.