8th Generation: Predict specs

[Groucho]

jetrii said:

Groucho said:

XBox370: same, smaller package, and with a new controller. Maybe a faster GPU, and maybe 768MB unified memory. 320GB HDD.

PS4: Same CPU, but with all 8 SPUs unlocked, instead of just 7. Hella faster "RSX 2" GPU, and 1GB memory (512/512). 320GB HDD.

Wii HD: 1.5 GHz "Super Broadway", 2x 350 MHz "Super Flipper Bros". Has HDMI, has DVD playback. 80GB SSD add-on. Okay, yes, I'm making a joke with the GPU, but it might be close, depending on costs.

Yep. I'm predicting the next gen will merely solidify its ability to play HD games, and not jump the gun with crazy new tech and costs, for both the console manufacturer and developers. 1080p at 60Hz is all that's needed, and I think the console makers will do only what's necessary to hit that bar. Nintendo won't, because I don't think they care.

Interesting predictions. Sounds like you think every console maker will take the Wii route and release a console that is only slightly more powerful than the last. However, I think that with the exception of the Wii, both the Xbox and PS4 would fail. That Xbox 370 could be achieved with 30 dollars over the current one. Even if Microsoft takes a tiny leap, it will most certainly be a lot more powerful than that. Also, neither one of those consoles is powerful enough for real 1080P games at 60 FPS. Sure, certain games like basketball and tennis will work at 1080P, but the vast majority simply won't look good. Not enough memory or processing power.

 

That's why I upped the memory a bunch, and its really the GPUs that are keeping the current consoles (esp the PS3, which has plenty of CPU power) from hitting 1080p with every game.  The only thing that really taxes the CPU these days is physics and animation, and both of those features will be available in hardware, on GPUs, shortly.  NVidia owns PhysX, and Intel owns Havok, if you weren't aware.  They have some plans.

Any redesign beyond what I posted is basically just wasted money.  MS may up the bar as much as Sony, but I kinda doubt it.  THe X360 is already easily powerful enough to hold onto the blue ocean for years to come -- its only the software that needs to change.  Sony's target isn't the Blue Ocean, and it never will be.