Next gen or not next gen? That is the question

Capcom has released its annual report, in which it outlines the current state of its business and its predictions and aims for the future.

The company has stated that it wishes to move away from the current development model - which involves big budget games with long production periods - to a setup which will see smaller teams working on more titles, and consequently 'more sequels'.

However, the most interesting comment from a Nintendo perspective relates to Capcom's view on the next generation of gaming hardware:

Although Nintendo will release the new game console Wii U and the market will be continue to be invigorated by the increase of DLC, time is required before the next generation console cycle begins in earnest.

It would appear that the creator of Monster Hunter, Street Fighter and Resident Evil doesn't see the Wii U as a true next gen platform - something that many other developers are likely to agree with, given the system's technological parity with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that the Wii U could end up being marginalised by developers and treated as a second-class console, as the Wii was? Or is Capcom's wording just a little off?

[source eurogamer.net, via capcom.co.jp]