the answer to "upgrade or innovate?" really depends on a few questions.
- will the expanded audience be bored if the control scheme is only a sleight improvement or is another innovation required?
- will the competing hardware manufacturers implement an innovative control scheme?
- will another innovation need to be implemented to counter any possible actions of the competition?
Nintendo didnt really ask those last two questions when developing the Wii because the concepts of PS3 and 360 were predictable. they'll probably ask them this time round but will ask the first question alot more as it is a much more sensible approach.
now another question that may be asked is: "can an upgrade in data processing efficiency result in any significant improvement in the Wii remote control scheme?"
that will probably be asked to determine how much improvement in graphical/data processing power Nintendo will go for.
well i think we'll be looking at something that is roughly in the range of PS3/360 maybe a little more. by the time of next generation, HD adoption will be a much higher percentage. Nintendo will most likely reflect that with their system power.
the reason i dont think it will be too much more powerful than PS3/360 is because Nintendo will be looking at that US$200/300 price range again. Nintendo have realised that the expanded audience is where the majority of sales are and the price will refect that. manufacturing anything more raise the price too high as Nintendo will still be looking to make a profit from hardware.
so that will create the questions: "how much of that US$200/300 is left after the power upgrade and profit?" and "is that enough for any extreme innovation?"
personally i dont believe Nintendo will introduce another radical control scheme. but that doesnt mean there couldnt be any significant improvement in the Wii control scheme. i'm hoping that they combine a camera with the sensor bar to allow better reads of motion, pointer screen position and depth perception. i'd also like the nunchuk to have the pointer functionality.
