Are We Ready For The Next Generation Of Game Consoles?

I love my consoles this generation. I don’t really want to send them to the shelving unit in my apartment where gaming consoles go to die. It’s too full and I’m not done with them yet. Sure my PS3 80gb sounds like a rocket trying to complete a lift off sequence. It turns out that HDTV did catch on, and maybe the Wii doesn’t look so great at 55″. Yes it’s the 3rd Xbox I’ve bought, but it was worth it every damn time. I’m OK with what I have now.

I just spent my video game hardware money for this year in the form of a gaming PC. Give me an extra year or two of the current consoles. Then I’ll be asking you to take my money for your new shiny toy.

I’m sure it’s a tough call though right now. For both us and the big 3. On the one hand, you have a console that’s just starting to turn a profit (or had CRAZY sales figures) and now has a large user base to sell loads of software to.

On the other hand however, you have rampant piracy. All 3 consoles and both handhelds have been hacked to their core with no going back. PS3 just had a CFW with backup support released a day or two ago, Nintendo has been busted open for a while now, and MS even longer. The 360 is not nearly as easy or accessible as the other two, but the damage has been done nonetheless. The difference between this gen and last gen is the fact you can load up a USB stick or SD card with software, and the rest is pretty much done for you (again, the 360 being the exception).

I wouldn’t be surprised If the rumor mill starting cranking on the next gen. Sad, but not surprised. If Sony starts seeing PSP level piracy on the PS3, they might not have any choice but to introduce a new platform. The other two, not to be outdone, might follow suit. Bad for us. At least Apple isn’t in the console business, could you imagine buying a console yearly?

Good for us though is that fact that we all love shiny new toys. Let’s face it, we all don’t think we want something until specs and pictures are released. Then it’s a sea of “Do want!” memes and outbreaks of nerdgasm comments. I’ve been ’round these internet parts for a while now and it happens every time. I’m sure the next consoles will be awesome. Probably won’t be that big of a jump hardware wise (except Nintendo), but there’s always a hook. Everyone will still have their distinguishing features, and there’s sure to be a surprise or two.

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PlayStation 4 concept by Tai Chiem” />