Next Gen Consoles – PS4 and Xbox 720

The Xbox 360 arrived in 2005, the PS3 and Wii in 2006, the Wii MotionPlus in 2009, and the Kinect and PlayStation Move in 2010.  Graphics and gameplay have achieved such an incredible quality that cut scenes often feel more like watching a movie than playing a game.  Our new gen consoles are relatively young and are arguably still exploring their full potential, particularly due to recent developments like motion sensor controllers, body tracking, and facial/voice recognition capabilities.  In some ways it seems somewhat premature to discuss the next PlayStation and Xbox systems, but it is also incredibly appealing to think of the possibilities that lie ahead… Next gen consoles will of course bring impressive advancements to the gaming world.  Neal Robison of AMD wholeheartedly promotes the development of new consoles.  He believes this would bring about a game environment in which every single pedestrian in games like Grand Theft Auto would have their own mentality.  In addition, graphics would be on par with the movie Avatar.The Wii U was already announced for release during the second half of 2012 and will be unveiled at the 2012 E3.  While there are many rumors regarding the development of the PS4 and Xbox 720, there are few confirmed details.  As Sony’s CEO of Europe, Jim Ryan, says, “There’s still a lot of unfinished business on PS3.”  However, other game developers are just waiting for next gen systems.  Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid, says that the next open-world puzzle game The Witness “is unlikely to be released on PS3 or Xbox 360.”  Although the PS3 and 360 are impressive consoles, Braid wishes that next gen consoles had already been released, since even slighter faster graphics processors and more RAM would make a huge difference for game development.  Even Naughty Dog requires a new gen system “to make the next Uncharted as impressive as the last.”So far, only the Wii U has been confirmed for release, though Microsoft is expected to reveal the Xbox 720 in the coming year.  The 720 is rumored to be released as early as winter 2012.  However, recent reports indicate that the next gen Xbox will not appear until winter 2013 or early 2014.  Todd Howard (Bethesda developer) announced that Skyrim was intended for release on the PS4 and Xbox 720 but the PS3 and 360 still had plenty of life left to produce outstanding graphics.  More speculations about next gen systems have surfaced since the 720 logo appeared in the movie Real Steel. In addition, Microsoft employees have updated their LinkedIn profiles to reflect their experience working on a next gen Xbox. Despite Sony’s reluctance to release any information about the PS4, it is likely to follow close behind the 720, as Jim Ryan says it would be unwise for Microsoft to get as extensive a head start as it did for the 360.