I don't think MS will rush their next machine, for a start, where exactly are they going to go with it? They are obviously going to boost the power but to what gain? theres no resolution bump to boast about, online gaming is pretty much perfect too. This may be part of the factors behing sonys much touted 10 year gameplan (and the fact its going to take them 10 years to make a profit!).
With last gen, the first few enerations of 360 games looked to all extents like xbox games in HD, even the ones that were 360 exclusives, only when in HD could you really tell the difference. For MS to relase the xbox3 and have the same low standards when the PS3 will no doubt be at the stage where its being pushed to its limits, the differences will probably be very hard for the average joe to even notice.
For anyone to release a machine with say 5x the power, what noticeable differences is that going to make? GFX on the current generation (wii excluded ofcourse) are, to the naked eye almost CG standards.
I think we are pretty much near the ceiling of our 3D capabilities now, its only the fact that some developers are lazy or unskilled that some games look rubbish.
The Wii is in a great position in this respect, it can take a bump upto 360 graphics next gen and still look comparable to the PS4/xbox3, without having a ridiculous price tag.
If this was to happen, nintendo could probably buy sony and MS and take over the world. the end ;)
