Hmm... you keep missing my point, and I don't see why. Developers don't make extremely high-end PC games because there indeed aren't enough potential millions of customers to warrant these types of games most of the time. Most core PC gamers have PCs that are around the level of HD consoles (probably slightly below). I totally agree with you on this.

Let's put this in a simple form...

HD Consoles = moderate power, userbase = over 100m

High end PC gamers = High power, userbase = a few million

Moderate PC gamers = moderate power, userbase = many more millions

result = Make a game that can be ported between all platforms to see best profit. For PC exclusives, if you make your game more moderate, you can reach a much higher userbase to be profitable.

Now... when the new HD consoles release...

NEW HD Consoles = high power, userbase = growing millions

High end PC gamers = high power, userbase = a few million

Now all of a sudden making a high-end game nets you a much higher userbase than you could reach before. When new HD consoles come out, we will see a jump in PC quality games as well. This is why people say current consoles are holding the PC back.

What it really shows is that there are two things holding high end PC gaming back: the lack of a 20+ million userbase to actively fund high-end games by itself, and the lack of power in current consoles that keeps a high-end market from developing further cross-platform.

nope. i personaly don't need a new console just yet. but WiiU is mandatory

I do hope for great things from next gen, like $40 boxed games (like PS1/PS2 were), tons of new game IP (like in the SNES/PS1 days), instant load times (like Atari through GBA have), stand by mode (like DS/PSP have), one use save states (like PSPGo has), and a comfortable and efficient controller (like the DualShock 3 is).

It is always fun to speculate, but current trends and rumors point towards more bad then good to come from PS4 and Xbox 8.

I really do not know what Next Gen is going to bring.

The Wii U is at least similar to PS3 and Xbox 360, so I will probably get it when it has enough exclusives.

Really though, the Vita and 3DS are starting the 8th gen fairly well so far. I hope to see both those game libraries continue to flourish with games that have great gameplay and awesome game worlds. :D

I concur. :D

I've got mixed feelings. I feel this generation has ran it's course when you look at how many sequels have come out with little to no changes, but at the same time I blame development costs for the amount of sequels we get, and by next gen these costs should be even more ridiculous than they currently are.

I think we've ran into a transitional problem. We're at a roadblock that's currently stifling creativity in the industry and with the next gen these problems will only grow worse if something doesn't change. It's honestly the perfect moment for Nintendo to release the Wii U, just so something fresh will be on the market, and I don't think development costs for the platform will be too much higher (if at all) than current HD consoles. People view it as if Nintendo will be the ones in trouble once the PS4/720 hits, but I think development costs for games are what's keeping those consoles at bay right now... so it might be the opposite.

To be completely honest, I can't even tell the difference between the two.

I think that I could wait another 5 years.

While I am in no way burned out of games to play for the current gen consoles, but they are definitely hitting their limits in terms of what developers can do right now. Engines like Frostbite 3 and Cryengine 3 are not able to achieve their full potential on the consoles. Many PC versions of the games are far superior to the console counterparts boasting 60 FPS with full hd capabilities.

Plus console sales are on a decline as well. I highly doubt MS and Sony would want Nintendo to have their Wii U on the market for over 1 year, so I would expect the 720 to at least come out in holiday 2013, which I think is the perfect time for it. Sony might go for a 2014 release just to get some more money out of the PS3.

I don't want a PS4 because then Sony will release a firmware update for the PS3 that turns it into a disc shredder with their new slogan "Should have got a PS4" playing every time a disc is inserted. It will cost a billion dollars and I can't afford that, no one can. They are going to convince the world leaders to start a tax of 2000% to anyone without a PS4, if you can't verify through internet then you will have to mail in the receipt which will get lost and they will apply the tax to you anyways.

Next gen is so awful, I never want it to come.

i couldnt wait for a next gen console so i took the plunge into making a gaming PC, it turned out pretty good.