Have we hit the technology wall?

[rocketpig]

Gamerace said:

I think the point is there IS a lot of incremental improvement and those will continue as developers master the new systems. However, the change from PS2 to PS3 or Xbox to 360 is nothing compared to the change from 2d to 3d environments or other changes that a new generation of systems have brought in the past.   I look at a game like Virtual Fighter 5 and yeah, sure, it's pretty, but does it play any different than VF4? Most, if not all, games so far, have been the same games we've already played, just prettier, more crowds, lighting, etc. 

The one game that in my mind might really seem 'next gen' is Force Unleashed.  If your not familiar with what LucasArts is doing with that goto IGN and check it out.  But still, although it'll make the world seem 'real' gameplay may remain essentially the same.

I'll agree that the jump isn't phenominal for most games but I keep hearing people bring up the PS2... Exactly what "huge leap" was made from gen five to six? Sure, the move from 2D to 3D was huge but the last 2D consoles were three generations ago. What have they done for us lately if improved environments, graphics, and AI aren't moving the industry forward enough?

In short, if you're going to criticize this generation, you also have to criticize last generation.

As for Force Unleashed, it has real potential and it's stuff like that where I think we'll see the most progression. Assassin's Creed brought us incredible cityscapes, Mass Effect brought us a movie-like experience, and Force Unleashed has the potential to break open the physics with completely destructible surroundings.

Things are still moving forward, whether people want to admit it or not. It almost seems as if defending game progression in technology is an affront to some Wii fanboys based on the way they want technology to grind to a halt (as if suddenly graphics, AI, and physics don't matter anymore now that waggle exists). I just don't get it. Some people want different things from different games.