Topic: When will the "next-generation" begin?

We have been talking a lot about the NX and we have no idea if it will be a home console or a portable console. Right now I want you to put that aside and look at something much larger. When will the "next-generation" begin? When will all companies release their "next-generation" system?

My idea is that Nintendo is in the perfect spot to begin the "half-generation" as I am calling it. Last generation was around for a while and I think that trend will/should continue. Sony and Microsoft build the big consoles and compete directly with each other. Nintendo releases their next console 3-4 years after Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo's console has enough power and similar enough architecture to make porting easy for 3rd Parties but has a different way to play, in the normal Nintendo fashion. This allows for Nintendo to get 3rd Party support, keep hardware prices down, and innovate. This also allows Sony and Microsoft to push for bigger games and more power. Nintendo gets easy ports until those "current" Sony and Microsoft consoles are completely phased out. Once the Phase out happens, Nintendo announces their next console, which is again 3-4 years after Sony and Microsoft's system. I bet plenty of people are going to poke holes in this idea, and there are plenty of places for holes to be poked, but it is just an idea. What are your ideas on when the "next-generation" will begin?

"Next-gen" as used by most is a buzzword that means absolutely nothing. It starts and ends whenever people want it to.
As to when the 9th console generation starts, it's whenever Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo stop focusing on the PS4, Xbone, and WiiU and release the PS5, Xbox 2, and New Wii U.

It probably will be 2018 or 2019.

For 3DS successor it will probably be November/December 2016, January-May 2017.

2017 seems the most likely, that's the perfect time to start phasing out 8th gen, it's not so short that the 8th gen consoles don't have time to round out their lineup and cut off support before fans can really get their money's worth, but not so long that they risk Microsoft and Sony stealing their thunder. And with the NX being revealed in 2016, it's likely going to be a 2017 release.

I think Nintendo are going to be well and truly out of sync with the standard console generations from now on. I can see Sony and Microsoft waiting until 2019 or even 2020 for their next console... but Nintendo will probably be 2017 at the latest, and I'd say there's a good chance it's coming next Christmas.

I agree, Microsoft and Sony will probably wait a bit, do as much as they can with this gen, and wait until 4K is affordable to launch their next gen consoles.

Would it be smart for Nintendo to release a product early that will be underpowered as soon as Sony and Microsoft release their next console?

My idea above kinda covers that but who knows if they will follow that.

Well it's probably going to be underpowered either way, and if they release an underpowered console after Microsoft and Sony release theirs, Nintendo's efforts are going to look pathetic. Why would you buy a Nintendo console that just caught up to the level of power that Microsoft and Sony have already left behind 1-2 years ago? That's why it's important Nintendo releases theirs first, it's bad enough that they're a generation behind the competition, they don't want to fall 2 generations behind the competition.

Next gen is a buzz word based purely on the time the console was released. Next gen will only begin when either Nintendo, Microsoft or Sony release a new system, and it'll be replaced by 'current gen' when all three of them have.

I am not disagreeing with you. But how is that different than the Wii U? Underpowered system (compared to X1 and PS4) that released first.

Whenever one of the Big Three drops their next console. The only thing that wouldn't count, I think, would be if Microsoft decided to join the handheld arena.

Well we've seen two Nintendo consoles that are underpowered, and they have had very different outcomes. The timing of the release doesn't matter, it's what the console can do and how they market it that matters. If the NX is going to be successful, it needs a better hook than the Gamepad to draw people in. Now it doesn't necessarily have to be a controller gimmick (and preferably it shouldn't, since people are getting tired of those), it just has to be something that significantly changes the experience and is easily marketable.

I hope not for another 7-9 years (For all three).

That would be terrible. Do you want stagnation, because that's what we will see without some new hardware sooner.

That's how long the last generation lasted, so I don't see why it shouldn't do it again. It was definitely ready to move on when the PS4 released, but I like long generations.

When Microsoft and Sony release their new systems, so I'm guessing 2019, thought Microsoft may want to get a head start from PlayStation, so I can see them releasing one in 2018.

No, longer console generations will just make companies angry that they have to work with weak hardware, and they'll eventually give up and just make games for the PC.

seriously guys what is your problem? the current generation is just about to really start. why are you already so impatient for the next one?? dont you have anything to play on your current gen consoles?

Considering the PS3 and 360 didn't really catch their stride in terms of quality games until their 4th year on the market, and only went upwards until almost a year into their successor's lifespans, and the biggest complaints leveled at the current gen are the lack of unique games justifying the move to a more powerful platform, I think it's safe to say that "More power = greater innovation" isn't exactly true. Potential =/= output. The gaming companies (developers and publishers) need to be motivated to innovate, otherwise the shift to new technology is largely pointless to them.

@Jaz007 @6ch6ris6 And what do you think Nintendo will do to fill the extra 2-4 years of 8th gen that you think they so desperately need? Because I'm looking at the current lineup of 3DS and Wii U games, and they feel almost complete, they just need a few more IPs to round things out (3DS: Metroid and Wario, Wii U: Zelda, Animal Crossing, Metroid, Paper Mario, main series Kirby) and then they're fine, and they could easily release those between now and 2017. If they give the Wii U until 2018-2019, the last few years are going to feel like filler with no major releases like Mario, Mario Kart, or Smash to drive sales, and while they could come up with some more unique games, they'd be too much of a risk and probably better saved for a more successful console with a bigger userbase. 2017 feels like a natural stopping point for the Wii U.

Well yeah, pure power doesn't really innovate anymore. But Nintendo doesn't go that route anyway, they tend to come up with new hardware features that justify the upgrade. Microsoft and Sony, however, have no reason to upgrade until they can implement either 4K or VR, otherwise their next consoles have nothing to bring to the table and drive already ludicrously high budgets up even further.