Ms new console codenamed "phoenix"

[movingtables]

Taken from another forum:

More on the next generation consoles

Obviously all three platform holders are working on their next generation consoles, we even know that Microsoft have given theirs the codename “phoenix”. It is also pretty obvious that all three will be scaled versions of the current generation consoles with up to four to five times the power. They will use massively enhanced versions of the same GPUs and CPUs and will have a lot more memory. Backwards compatability will be 100%.

Nintendo are in the tightest corner. The Wii is looking very tired with its lack of HD TV support and lack of hard drive. It is still selling well, but on the back of a small handful of populist games that are now quite old. So sales numbers could implode at any time, there is nothing new driving them forward. The lack of first party Nintendo game releases for a long time now looks suspiciously like their internal teams are working on the SuperWii instead, to ensure a good supply of launch titles. This means that the SuperWii is not too far away.

Microsoft are obviously working towards a two model range with the 360 and the phoenix both available for many years. They have now moved the Xbox 360 down to the $199 price point so they are strategically positioned to launch the premier price point phoenix machine any time they want. Microsoft have pulled off brilliant long term strategy with the current generation machine so don’t be surprised if the phoenix arrives sooner than the analysts are predicting. The market is ripe for a premium machine that is up to four or five times more powerful with 100% backwards compatibility.

You have to wonder about Sony. The losses on the Playstation PS3 fiasco have wiped out the profits they made with PS2. So will they even bother with PS4? The answer is probably yes. Firstly because it will be far cheaper to develop, being just a scaled PS3. Secondly because as a company they need to make profits and the console business can be enormously profitable when you get it right. And thirdly because this industry is still at its beginning and will grow to be massively bigger, so the potential upside is huge.

One thing I think is very possible is that one of the upcoming consoles makes a step change in its sound capability. Generation on generation we haven’t had the same advances in sound that we have had in graphics so there is plenty of scope for such a step change. The main cost is development, after that you are just making silicon. So there is a big opportunity to get a substantial product differentiator here. Which would be nice after the 360 and PS3 were so close to each other in capabilities.

source: http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/09/15/more-on-the-next-generation-consoles/

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Without any information, and purely off the back of the 360, MS can be gaurenteed a purchase from me of their next console.

 

[Herojuana]

Without any information, and purely off the back of the 360, MS can be gaurenteed a purchase from me of their next console.

Haha, just what I was thinking!

 

[cheets64]

Nintendo = Need to come out with that profit and make a nice piece of hardware and bring true Nintendo gaming out, the Wii and Gamecube have been imho very poor and skimped on the graphics and firepower, they have some of the great games but the Wii has impleteed the stupid Wii mote, what is wrong with a basic joypad, they really need to offer both control systems on the next console. Nintendo will bring out thier next console around 2010

Microsoft = Have got both consoles spot on but lacked reliability in the 360 and pricing in the Xbox, built up a huge games catalogue, Xbox live is a great success as are, Achievement points, arcade games. The way MS have implemented some of there business tactics is not owning plants thus cutting out huge mortgage costs and costly refurbishment. Next console should be out around Christmas 2010

Cant really comment on the PS3 as I don't own one, they have seemed very slow and not really taken the threat of Nintendo and Microsoft seriously I can only think they know they can get a lot out of the PS3 hardware. They have been hit and miss on the games side. but I cant see a console coming out well into 2012

Sony don't have the luxury of living of the PS brand anymore, I think we have all heard that the current console of each company was its last, almost the Wii would have been Nintendo last if it had flopped and talk of EA/Apple buying out the 360 brand and Sony being in too much debt to give the green light for another console.

I dont want any console to fail because its all good competiton and keeps each company on their toes and cutting edge.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Nintendo = Need to come out with that profit and make a nice piece of hardware and bring true Nintendo gaming out, the Wii and Gamecube have been imho very poor and skimped on the graphics and firepower, they have some of the great games but the Wii has impleteed the stupid Wii mote, what is wrong with a basic joypad, they really need to offer both control systems on the next console. Nintendo will bring out thier next console around 2010

Microsoft = Have got both consoles spot on but lacked reliability in the 360 and pricing in the Xbox, built up a huge games catalogue, Xbox live is a great success as are, Achievement points, arcade games. The way MS have implemented some of there business tactics is not owning plants thus cutting out huge mortgage costs and costly refurbishment. Next console should be out around Christmas 2010

Cant really comment on the PS3 as I don't own one, they have seemed very slow and not really taken the threat of Nintendo and Microsoft seriously I can only thing they know they can get a lot out of the PS3 hardware. They have been hit and miss on the games side. but I cant see a console coming out well into 2012

Pretty much agree with everything you said there.

 

[Streeteh]

You have to wonder about Sony. The losses on the Playstation PS3 fiasco have wiped out the profits they made with PS2. So will they even bother with PS4?

I find it interesting that they say this, yet don't mention the fact that the Microsoft gaming division is still in the red, surely that's a pretty big factor for them too? The only console maker to be hugely profitable at present is Nintendo, with Sony now finally beginning to make back their losses on the PS3.

 

[V4NT0M]

That blog post just looked like he made it up as he went along...

Massively enhanced versions of the same GPU/CPU? Sounds like a crock to me, are there any reliable sources?

 

[Sinny]

I can imagine that Nintendo will be going to the HD market and have some Hardcore fan titles at launch. Nintendo have always made their consoles according to cost so they can maximise their profits. Now processors are getting smaller i think they will be able to produce high quality games in HD.

I have no idea what Microsoft is planning, They say that the next console will be forwards compatible (PC rip off ;D). i hope they manage to create a more stable quieter console with 1080p gameplay. I think they're going down the 1080p route they will need higher res textures so Blu Ray will be required or some alternative installation method..

Playstation will probably just have improved graphics and processing power with an improved cell processor and RSX or another dubb named graphics unit. But i hope atleast they redesign their controller to something more ergonomic that fits better.

so my wishlist is.

Wii 2 - HD 720p gaming, Motion sensor and controller option and less cheaply produced games that give the console a poor presentation.

360 2.0 - Quieter drive and 1080p visuals. HD disc support & Built in wireless.

PS4 - Ergonomic controller, somehow better ported games and more third party support & 1080p support.

I think that we will only get 1080p support and perhaps a new controller from sony but im always optimistic and like to be surprised.

 

[JUMPURS]

i'll probably buy all the next gen consoles again cos i am a sucker.

I am interested what MS will do with the next console, the whole gamerscore thing was new for the 360, but now it has been going a while and the PS3 has trophies, it has kind of lost it's appeal. I think the GS helped boost the rate of game sales early on with the 360.

One thing is for certain, nobody will be releasing a console in the next year or so due to the credit crunch. It would be sheer folly to do it.

 

[Sinny]

i'll probably buy all the next gen consoles again cos i am a sucker.

I am interested what MS will do with the next console, the whole gamerscore thing was new for the 360, but now it has been going a while and the PS3 has trophies, it has kind of lost it's appeal. I think the GS helped boost the rate of game sales early on with the 360.

One thing is for certain, nobody will be releasing a console in the next year or so due to the credit crunch. It would be sheer folly to do it.

I think MS will carry on doing gamerscores as it's still a fantastic thing to have. Bragging your achievements and having an incentive to do particular aspects of the game you would never normally consider doing.

 

[Streeteh]

Both Sony and MS will allow your gamertag/PSN ID to be carried forward to their next console along with their trophies/achievements, they would be mental not to as it's a simple yet effective incentive to keep your customers loyalty.

[EDIT] What's this rubbish he's on about with 'sound capability'? What more can consoles do in terms of sound quality that they aren't now? After rereading that article the guy doesn't seem to know what he's talking about much.

 

[msmalls74]

The interesting thing i think is that this gen MS had a big jump on Sony with regards to comunity, achievements, and online gaming. I think Sony will be on par, well not enough for it to be an issue, for the next gen. I dont think game companys want to be spending even more money on "next gen" games for a few years yet. There was a rumour of a 3DFX type thing for the 360 before hand so you could upgrade your 360 like the old megadrive thing. This could give MS time to wait and see how the digital downloads pays out with increased bandwidth.

 

[Will Lucky]

Without any information, and purely off the back of the 360, MS can be gaurenteed a purchase from me of their next console.

Definately, finest console since the Mega Drive.

 

[Will Lucky]

Definately, finest console since the Mega Drive.

Edit: I think Sony may try to do what Nintendo did with the Wii. As in Not go mad on improving the power and not improve the PS3 too much from what it is right now.

 

[Kreeeee]

I love the completely pulled-out-of-an-orifice comments about each manufacturer.

 

[Robert1986]

Halo 4 and Gears 3 should be launch titles. That would be the greatest console launch ever.

 

[cheets64]

I love the completely pulled-out-of-an-orifice comments about each manufacturer.

Please digress

 

[Naffa]

I find it interesting that they say this, yet don't mention the fact that the Microsoft gaming division is still in the red, surely that's a pretty big factor for them too? The only console maker to be hugely profitable at present is Nintendo, with Sony now finally beginning to make back their losses on the PS3.

I was under the impression that Microsoft's gaming division starting to turn a profit about a year ago? I heard it on Gamespot or something, I have no source, but I'm pretty sure they are. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[Will Lucky]

I was under the impression that Microsoft's gaming division starting to turn a profit about a year ago? I heard it on Gamespot or something, I have no source, but I'm pretty sure they are. Don't quote me on that though.

I believe they did but soon afterwards the 3 year RROD warrenty plan was announced which cut the profits down quickly.

 

[Naffa]

Didn't they shift the costs of that onto the books of the previous fiscal year though? So technically, they would still have turned a profit from this quarter? Or year? Or whatever...