What I find interesting is in theory PS3 (and 360) could be on market a long time and probably match basic specs (graphics / processor) of next Nintendo.

I do wonder if the PS4 / 720 will simply be versions of current consoles with slight upgrades for cheaper / better components rather than a huge leap - so throw in new BR drive to PS3 in 5 years and better/cheaper WiFi etc.

If anyone does continue with the push it might be MS as I think they know their core audience is FPS / Online MP crowd who I think will demand horsepower so long as the console still comes in much cheaper than an equivilent PC.

I do think next time though Sony isn't going to get into a 'bigger dick' arguement with MS - the Wii surely does show that big and expensive isn't the way to get most consoles in the market.

And some people realize that making money on the games and the console is better than making money on the games and losing money on the console.

I'm sorry...what did Sony try that was so different from PS2.

Sony to do checklist for ps3:

1. Include latest media drive - check

2. Make an all powerful graphics processor that is hard to program for - check

3. Hype games 3 years in advance - check

I just hope that games' prices don't go the way of the PS3/360. Paying 50 € for games is enough already.

Hope the Wii doesn't cause cheaper consoles next generation :(

I absolutly love the PS3 & 360...Power, Price, Features. I don't mind paying a lot of money for a powerful system, for the best graphics, paying for a console that will take advantage of a really nice TV, some great surround sound...I could go on

Lets hope Microsoft and Sony stay competitive to each other, and let Nintendo do whatever they please

I love the fact that Microsoft & Sony (Especially Sony) try to cram so much features into their system...Hard Drives, BluRay, WiFi, USB's... I hope they don't stop this.

Next generation Sony/MS consoles should do the same thing... a Superfast Primary SSD Hard Drive, with a seconday slot for a 3.5" HDD, 1080p/4k 60fps gaming, HDTV's with builtin PS4/720 systems inside, I dont know, I just hope they do the exact same thing next generation as they did this generation... I don't know about you guys, but I think everything that has happened this generation has turned out great for all systems.

I buy the cheaper console part. I do not buy the crazy thing about interconnected computers or whatever...

There are a few differences though. The DVD drive was already a few olds when the PS2 was launched, and was guaranteed to be the next format. It was also a lot cheaper. According to this website, the DVD was released in Japan in late 1996, a good 3 years before the PS2 was released. As for blu-ray, it was released somewhere in 2006 (as far as I can tell from this site), a whole couple months before the PS3 was released. Als, it's much more expensive than a 3 year old DVD drive in the PS2. Also, blu-ray was not guaranteed to be the next movie format.

As for the all powerful graphics processor which was hard to program for, it was hard to program for... but it wasn't he all powerful graphics processor, since both the GameCube and Xbox had better graphic capabilities.

The third part yes, that is true. Hype hype hype.

And MattAAron, we all love power (hell, I hate getting a computer that doesn't feature tomorrows processor), but not everyone can afford it. And not everyone wants all the features that come with the price of those features. Eventually (and even now), you'd drive many people out of the market, which wouldn't be good for the market. And it's definitely worse than whatever Nintendo is doing. There will be a market for a higher powered system (like the Xbox last gen, and the 360/PS3 this gen), and as long as the two consoles are similarly powered or can be ported easily enough, then there's room for two of them.

Actually, if this is true, Sony and M$ are screwed.

think about it: they need to keep their next console cheap, but really, how will they do that AND make it look significantly better than their previous console AND not look like they're just coping what Nintendo already did with the Wii?

I just don't see how it can be done. They can't spend too much on the next console, so the graphics and processing boost is going to be limited, if they add in the motion controls, they'll look like they're just following Nintendo's lead.

Meanwhile, next 3 years, prices on processors go down. Nintendo establishes an incredible library for the Wii. If they make sure to keep backwards compatibility on their next console, even if it's just with Wii games and not Gamecube, they will have both a large library of games to offer right off the bat AND the various companies working for them will have experience with motion controls and developing for the Nintendo system.
Plus smaller developers would still be able to develop games based on the old Wii system for cheaper, quirky, niche games that have the potential to catch on big without having to risk huge loses if the game doesn't go well.

I just don't see how it's possible for Nintendo to lose it's domination when it comes to the next console release. that's of course barring a HUGE screwup by Nintendo or some INCREDIBLE advancement in gameplay technology that Sony manages to snap up (Something bigger than just the PSEye)

I think its' still possible to make powerful consoles and make a profit--it's all in the research. For example, Nintendo was able to make a graphically-competitive system (the Gamecube), not sell very many, and still make a tidy profit.