Can't find a Wii...get ready to search for the Wii 2...

So I should hold off for another two years. I call BS!

 

The Wii is in a unique situation, so I don't know if anyone can really accurately predict how the market will react towards it in the upcoming years. Given current trends and how Wii sales compare to sales of previous consoles, there's really no reason why it couldn't go on to sell 60M+ systems in the next 4-6 years (and I'm being EXTREMELY conservative with the numbers). On the other hand, if consumers start to lean more towards the HD consoles (which will start hitting the more "mainstream" price points), then I suppose Nintendo could consider releasing Wii HD in the next few years if Wii sales take a hit. I'm sure that might have been in their thoughts initially if they didn't think the Wii would take off as quickly as it has, but I doubt they're putting much thought into it now (although they'd certainly be working on a successor, like all 3 are doing).

I don't really see why MS would release a new console in 2010 though. Doesn't really give them much time to rake in the profits for the 360, especially since a lot of people would probably find out about the plan in 2009 or so.

All 3 companies were making a profit this past quarter, and each company was finding at least some success in what they were aiming for. This is pretty much the opposite of last generation, where only the PS2 did well (technically, the GC brought profits, but Nintendo probably wasn't that happy with sales). If all 3 can keep it up, the generation could last relatively long since no one is really wanting to start things over again I imagine.

 

I'm with you RC Cola. I figured all 3 companies would milk the current generation for several more years before considering a replacement. But with Nintendo raking in huge profits on the Wii from the "get go", maybe they could consider making an early move. With Sony and Microsoft digging into such deep holes

 

2010 seems a bit too early to me as well...although RC brings up a good point- WiiHD.

2011-12 seems like the sweet spot to me.

 

Just for the record... were you ever a "bullfrog?"

If so, you may have been a good friend of mine.

 

I have a Wii but it seems like every 3 months a slew of new controllers come out that I need to play certain games. Whats that crap about?

 

???? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? Any Wii game uses the Wii controller that comes with it. Are you talking about downloadable games? Becuase if so, all you need is that Classic Controller, and nothing else.

 

the 8800 gt is about 200 dollars and is twice the power of ps3 or 360. I think they could just use commodity pc hardware and design a system quickly and cheaply. I think msft had a good idea with xbox1 I think all this custom stuff was a step in the wrong direction.

 

well, I don't know about all the other stuff, but you can certainly help me drink my wine.

 

I thought that would be the gameplan with the wii. Come out with a cheap console that has a hook(wiimote) and then come out with the more powerful console when it's much cheaper to do so.

BUT - with the success of the wii that even they could not see coming ... I don't see them putting out another console in just 3 years. They should be able to make a lot more $$$ by releasing good software.

Kinda wish N would buy up Sega just to revitalize their old IPs. I think it would be a good fit.

 

ahh hell

 

Do you mean the gaming divisions of both Sony and MS were profitable last quarter or Sony/MS as a whole?

 

Whatever. I'm with RC. Way too early for any company to release another console. I do see the point on Wii HD, but still, they stand to make a lot more scratch where they are right now.

 

The Xbox1 is pretty much the design not to follow. I guess it provided decent power and a familiar development environment, but it didn't allow MS to reduce costs very easily. A custom design would generally be better in the long run, especially since it would probably allow for a more powerful system overall.

Certainly they could do this if they wanted to release quickly, although I think they probably have some plan Bs and Cs for a scenario like that.

Gaming divisions. Although to be fair, the numbers are skewed a bit. PS2 and PSP sales helped put Sony in the black, and the Xbox business is included with other businesses that are pretty profitable (like the Zune and their PC gaming stuff).

 

It makes sense, and is probably smart of them. They were behind the curve in terms of graphics and processing, but intentionally waited out to keep their price down. In two years, they can make that leap without having to give the console a $400 price tag.

Sony was the idiot that was so desperate to be at leading edge of the curve that they ended up with all the production delays and poison pill price tag to kill themselves. Many will disagree, but I just don't think the graphics and processing are that end-all that it justifies.

The Wii, however, can springboard the Wii's splash with Wii2, get plenty of repeat customers, and hopefully have tons more developers on board for launch.

I hope 360 isn't planning on integrating a HD drive that can play games when that disc is on its deathbed...

Evan

 

I don't know if MS would comeout with a system in 2010, but i expect them to try to come out with a new system as soon as possible. MS loves a monopoly. Sony would lose more money than MS if the Xbox 720 came out late 2010.

The PS3 came out a year after the 360 so I assume Sony is at least a year behind MS on next gen. The time between the XBox and 360 was 2 years shorter than the time between PS2 and PS3. If MS is able to develop the 720 a year faster than the Sony develops the PS4, the 720 will have a two year head start on the PS4. Unless Nintendo really tries to go after the hard core console gamers, a two year head start would be incredibly profitable for MS

 

I betcha there is no way Sony gives Microsoft a one year head start next time. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but a major reason the PS3 was so far behind the Xbox360 was Sony's insistence on waiting to include a Blu-ray drive. Unless there is a similar circumstance next time, why would MS be able to come out faster than Sony?

 

We know they work on the Next Gen before the current Gen even hits the shelves, so it's not news that they're working on this. I don't like the idea of Nintendo coming out with a new system on 2010, especially if it will only match what PS3 and 360 are doing now or only slightly surpass them. Obviously, they have shown that graphics aren't everything, but if that's the case, then why would people want a slightly better HD Wii so soon after they get the current one?

 

Sony may not have a choice. If a new MS console come out in 2010(and I could certainly see that happening), there is no way sony drops PS3 after only 3 years of support.