190°

What Will Next Gen Bring That We Don’t Already Have?

Joel Taveras writes, “Bigger, better, louder, more.” That was the way God of War and Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe described the next gen when I questioned him about it earlier in the year. What I found interesting from that interview was that even an industry visionary like Jaffe couldn’t shoot me a straight answer on what the next generation of consoles and games would even bring and, for the past 10 months since that interview, I’ve wondered the same exact thing.

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dualshockers.com
taz80804161d ago

If its graphics, meh. I'm hoping for smarter AI

BitbyDeath4161d ago

We're getting that now with "The Last of Us".
I'm hoping for true multi-tasking.

JoelT4161d ago

I'm not even trolling, but genuinely interested as to what you mean by "multi-taking" pertaining to games.

BitbyDeath4161d ago

Ability to play music, watch movies, play games, copy files, run home, access the store/web etc.

All at the same time or at least 2 or even 3 at once.

Gazondaily4161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

It's about time that significant strides are made in the area of Artificial Intelligence. I think this generation's take on it has, on the whole, been woeful.

With the exception of certain A.I behaviours, I cannot think of a single game that has convincing A.I. Admittedly, it's a very difficult area to program for but even so, in comparison to the effort put into areas such as visuals, physics, scale etc, AI has been neglected to the detriment of the medium.

I really do hope that the Last of Us lives up to its promise. What is the point of amazing looking 3D gaming worlds when the 'inhabitants' that comprise these worlds are hollow and one dimensional at best?

pixelsword4161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

Accurate grenade/n00b-tube/mine detonation. I hate it when someone launches a grenade from a launcher three feet away from me and gets no damage, or you set-off a mind coming around a corner and detonate it and die before you even go through a door.

That, and advanced boob jiggle.

@ septic;

Play Killzone 2 on elite; it's probably the best AI I've seen this gen.

stragomccloud4161d ago

So.... a PC?
Not trolling. Just being facetious.

Thefreeman0124161d ago

you can already play music and play games at the same time. im not sure why you would want to watch a movie while playing a game because then you are not giving any good attention to either.

th3n00bg4m3r4160d ago

Yep, The Last Of Us has the best AI in a video game ever.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4160d ago
konnerbllb4161d ago

Graphics, AI, Physics, Map size, Team size, ect.

Conzul4160d ago

I'm tired of seeing cloth clipping.

Anyone who's watched Altair, then Ezio, climb to synchronize and see their cape just magic itself through the wood platform knows what I'm talking about.

Oh, and METAL ARMOR DOESN'T STRETCH! Stop having it deform along with the mesh it rests on! Sheeesh.

ILive4161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

I think the price range should be between $400 and $500 dollars. We need some form of a noticeable leap in the visual department because that is what they are going to use to sell their consoles. I don't like the whole AI argument. Do you want it to take 6000 hours to kill an enemy because it was super smart? What if you are surrounded by multiple enemies? It is still a game after all is it not? Enemies should be challenging, but not to the point that its vexing. Perhaps when it comes to co-op partners should be smarter but not to the point they are killing all the enemies, leaving you with nothing. Perhaps stealth games are where AI need more work. I want noticeable improvements in graphics, creative freedom for developers (which means taking risks), more rewarding game-play experiences, less sequels and fun games that combine all the elements together for great entertainment like Uncharted 2. I also want more people in multiplayer. 30vs30 sounds good to me. Next gen may be my the last gen I can truly have time to game.

wiiulee4161d ago

the wiiu is the only true next generation console that is going to be out with true next generation gameplay and uniqueness with great graphics....sony and microsoft will settle for prettier picture while pc games still look better then them and haters and silly fanboys will be happy that the next xbox and ps4 can do pictures twice as pretty as ps3....nintendo went the right direction with major interaction upgrade and rounded better graphics then the current generation...then again im sure sony and microsoft are thinking of ways to copy the wiiu gamepad.

BitbyDeath4161d ago

FYI. Not everyone likes the Wii U tablet/gamepad.

Stroke6664161d ago

thus the pro controller was born, problem solved no? but why waste developer time to skip the cool shit the gamepad can be capable of.... meh whatever floats ur boat

Pillsbury14161d ago

Sony and m$ do follow and imitate what Nintendo does which means they are unique. I like the wii u because it tries to innovate but we all know the ps4 will be more powerful, but better graphics doesn't translate to better games. Sony brings amazing exclusives and pushes tech to new heights.

Daoshai4161d ago

Have we not grown up yet? This m$ stuff is so childish

Stroke6664161d ago

so I take it doashai is ur real name?... no? we cant pick and choose when to be freely expressive my friend.

ratcop224161d ago

The wii u is a joke sorry to say. The graphics don't even achieve next gen or current gen.

PopRocks3594161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

Based on what, launch titles (most of which are current generation ports) or analyses done by random hackers? How about giving the console its due time before writing it off graphically?

Stroke6664161d ago

How about playing one(not kiosk bound) before making empty statements

ratcop224159d ago

Techincally this a response to PopRcoks359 but Ng4 is being stupid and won't let me reply directly. Yes I am saying the Wii u is a joke based off of Launch titles. When the xbox 360 launched it had Ps2/xbox games on but looked and played much better. When Ps3 launched it had Resistance which played much better than pretty much any Ps2/Xbox game

pixelsword4161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

"the wiiu is the only true next generation console that is going to be out with true next generation gameplay and uniqueness with great graphics"

You *must* hook me up with your supplier.

As most Wii U people state, the next gen is the next one out, so by definition all next-gen consoles will have true next-gen gameplay.

As far as great graphics, when the Wii U reaches God of War III level graphics, I'll sort-of believe it; when it surpasses it, then it will merely live-up to what Reggie and a lot of "U" folks have been saying from the beginning, it will not advance it's reputation though.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4159d ago
GrandTheftZamboni4161d ago

4K visuals for games on discs, 1080 for cloud games.

JoelT4161d ago

While 4K TV prices linger around 25,000 USD, 4K games seem to be a ways off.

pixelsword4161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

Some of us can afford 4K televisions, so why should we suffer or the tech be put on hold for the next gen while the other gamers wait around for the tech to drop?

That's the same reason why consoles are behind in some way; This gen is bucking that trend, and I hope the next one puts consoles neck and neck with cutting-edge and near-future PC specs.

I understand that it could add to the price, but basically what will happen is one of three things:

The tech will be available next gen while in a year or two the tech will be old and then old tech will be put in next gen consoles (basically what people are saying Nintendo is doing with the Wii U)

Console will start to have shorter console cycles and will price itself out of the market due to the general population's advancing PC knowledge (hey, if you're going to spend several hundred dollars in less than five to seven years on a console, you might as well do it on something that you can mod and possibly make money on)

Or, the tech will simply not be used this gen (if at all) and it will put the PC in a stronger position because the tech will eventually drop in price, and if it's not going to be used, then it's going to be a tech that PC and graphic snobs will flock to.

GrandTheftZamboni4160d ago

You're right. But take into account 1 year till the next gen consoles are released + 5 years console cycle. Consoles should be able to utilize what will be a standard in their last year or two.

konnerbllb4161d ago

1080p on cloud would be nice, I don't think we'll see 1080p at 60fps this gen, we can't even do 720p at 60fps this gen.

boybato4161d ago

its been several years since "this gen" started.

pixelsword4161d ago

There's been a few 1080p, 60fps games this gen

Qrphe4161d ago (Edited 4161d ago )

1080p should be an easy task for the new gen (it's been a standard for years on PC).

Don't expect 60fps on most games though. I say this because most developers will favor graphical effects over higher framerate most of the time.

FarCryLover1824161d ago

Graphics, AI, PHYSICS, destruction, more NPC's on screen.

madjedi4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

I would like to see more games, make use of a more realistic physics destruction engine like the digital molecular matter engine, lucasarts used in the force unleashed games.

And a definitive reduction or all together elimination of loading screens or cutscenes to mask the load screens.

Is a open world game like fallout/skyrim with battlefield bad company 2's level of destruction or better being too greedy?

Does nvidia's physx engine ect do the same thing, ie objects respond more like they do in real life. Wood splinters, glass shatters, metal bends ect.

I could see sony show the infant stages of vr, they have a personal headset tv screen equivalent to a 150 inch screen. Motion controls(move) and add a head tracking device with built in high def speakers and there you go. You could even sub the move for a regular ds3.

Of course if they did do this, it would be a very niche market at first, but as technology progresses over time i could definitely see it take off.

Pillsbury14161d ago

True 1080p standard 60 fps for all games. True multi tasking like opening up the browser while gaming, an improved browser that doesn't crash my ps3 all the time. An overall better smoother experience than we already have. Ps4 I am ready. Long live play.

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270°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv721d 3h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle13h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188111h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning776h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga13h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff218312h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga11h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan7h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit11m ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus236h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv726h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 11m ago
purple10116h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos15h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-5h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac15h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10114h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic12h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead5h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5h ago
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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

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insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 23h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 21h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 18h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 11h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 13h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 9h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 21h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 7h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 6h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger3h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 22h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 22h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 19h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 21h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 21h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."