Yes, I want to provoke you with this statement because this thread is about the future and what we will see the next years and what Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are planning to do next.

That's why I ask you to share your opinions with me and here are my thoughts starting with the present time and past:

Sony wins this generation of console gaming. The Wii U fails and the Xbox One is not such as strong as the PS4 is in technology and sales even if Microsoft says something else. And that is the difference to the last generation. The Wii printed money for Nintendo with thousands of casual gamers finding a new hobby. The Wii won 7th gen with the weakest hardware. But PS3 and Xbox 360 weren't bad. In the end there are 20 million units behind the Wii and in a constant console war against each other. But his time it looks like there will be a bigger gap between the first and second. It looks like the PS4 is unstoppable the hype is still there and a lot people are still waiting for their console while the Xbox One and the Wii U are waiting in the stores. Of course with some big surprises everything can be changed and Sony does mistakes or so. But this is very unlikely. Even the fight between the Wii U and the Xbox One will be more interesting but it seems like this is far away from PS4 sales.

So let's say this goes on the next years. Sony will do everything well while the Wii U and the Xbox One are trying to survive with some great game releases such as Halo or Super Smash Bros. So what are the 3 companies willing to do?

So I come back to my first statement in the headline: "PS4 kills 8th Gen". It is obviously clear that Nintendo and Microsoft won't let Sony enjoy the success. So what will we see next? Nintendo starts the first attack with "Quality of Life" whatever it is. It isn't going to be a competitor for the other home consoles but it will help Nintendo coming back to bussiness. Maybe they will show us QoL this year at E3 and a year later their next home console releasing one year later or maybe later. But what should they do? Casual or core? Both doesn't worked with the Wii U because in the end it isn't casual and not core, it is something between. But with QoL surely not targeting the core gamers it would be stupid releasing another console for casual gamers and that would mean 3rd party support because of a stronger hardwareand their usual 1st party exclusives. But we already heard about a completely different idea: Fusion Terminal and Fusion DS. With this (too strong for Nintendo) rumors in the Internet Nintendo could release a handheld and a new console in one. That would be Nintendo like innovative and a clever step after bringing the development teams for hardware together. But it is still a rumor.

Talking about rumors: Is Microsoft going to leave the gaming bussiness after the not so good release of the Xbox One? So maybe they are going to sell their whole Xbox universe to another firm but if it is so we will see still a new Xbox. That's sure. Maybe the new firm can even do it better. Or they only sell their franchises like Halo. Just an idea. But I think Microsoft doesn't give up. We will see another Xbox focussing on the games after the critic on the Xbox One reveal. Then a lot of Microsoft fans will come back to their beloved Xbox and enjoy the less important multi-media features. Or Microsoft still concentrates on this features trying to contact new consumers to enjoy another All-in-One-sytem. Maybe Microsoft will try to appeal the Japanese market with their next console. Or they will release a western system with a lot of hardware power without Kinect for a better price. Doing the same just better.

The problem for Sony is that after the other two big companys will have released their systems it's impossible to wait too long. Sony will have to react and release the PS5 and that means the 8th generation will not last so long. I would say 2017 we will surely see something new even if they said this gen would last 10 years. Sony will do the same like everytime. Doing the same but better. With the same Dualshock and with the same idea but more powerful.

Do you agree or disagree? Did I missed something? I hope so because I am very interested in your ideas

There won't be a generation 9 my friend. Microsoft will sell the Xbox division to ebay, Sony will finally run out of building to sell and go bankrupt, and Nintendo will embrace their new QOL division and start making Mario branded suppositories. This is the future of gaming.

And then we play some games

I could see Nintendo releasing their next console by 2017 or 2018. But I don't see any way PS4 and X1 ending before 2020.

Quite possible, but more likely is that PS will become a streaming brand so that all manner of tablets, TV´s and set-top boxes can be used to play games.

MS will never leave the gaming business since they have been in it since long before Sony started. They will, however, probably evolve towards the streaming and touchscreen environment and put all their focus there. This might very well include Sony devices.

Nintendo will probably still release consoles in the traditional sense and will keep a chunk of that market for themselves.

This may sound pessimistic but I think it will actually save the gaming industry. Less focus on individual consoles, more on games being available through a number of mediums.

Both MS and Sony will milk this gen for long time. next will need far greater power jump then the PS3 to PS4 jump was.

Ninty can release a new one any time neither of those two will care nor follow.

2020 the earliest.

My forecast is 1) 2019 for the next Hardware. 2) PS4 domination. 3) MS will release a wonderful console after this One, like Sony did after PS3.

Nintendo doesn't have too many reasons to hold onto the Wii U. So I can see them releasing a new console in 2016. Although we sure will have again discussions of that new console is 8th gen or 9th gen... :P

Sony and Microsoft won't release a mew gen earlier than 2018. 2020 is my bet.

With PS4 and XBO being successful so far i think it ll be a good long while. Possibly 2024-2026. WiiU much sooner.

I also think things like the cloud can extend this generation even longer

You really think the PS4 & X1 will stay for 10-12 years?