Do we even need new consoles right now? - Blu-ray Forum

linkgx1 · 08-05-2011, 04:51 PM

I was just reading an article on CNET.com where Epic Games President Mike Capps basically said that there is no use for new next-gen consoles right now. I wonder...is he right?

I've been thinking about the Law of Diminsiing returns....which basically means that you can only input so much before your output stops giving you less value. For example, I spend $400 million in advertising and get $1 billion revenue. Next I spend another $400 million in advertising but this time get only $500 million in revenue. Basically you can only invest so much before you stop seeing a big return.

It costs about $ 1 billion to launch a gaming console. So far each gaming console has provided a huge leap over the other. But that's starting to slow. Gaming technology has gotten so far that new consoles probaly won't provide for a significant leap in terms of actual graphics/ gameplay.

What did we get this current gen? Well, we got lighting and dynamic lighting at that. The consoles can now generate entire city buildings in one frame. Each gen had a major flaw up until now. We had 8 bits with no detail. Then we had detail but now 3D with 16 bit. Then we had 3D, but very little detail with the N64/PSX. Then it was 3D with detail/lighting but was still lacking in having a large amount on screen. Now we have that this generation.

The thing is, I don't really see how a vast improvement next generation. I mean, unless it looks like Avatar then maybe or exactly as the CG we see in games today. But if not, what's the point? Don't you think it's better just to delay this gen until that point is reached? Maybe we'll have "unlimited detail" where you can detail games on the atomic level.

I don't know what the next step is for games. I'd love to have Inception-style consoles.....but I will probaly be dead before that happens.

Cell phones are catching up at fast rate and will eventually plateau with consoles for a bit.

I am currently looking at the games this gen and don't see how they can improve majorly....enough to warrant another purchase. I really don't want to upgrade until I can play uncharted 3 EXACTLY as the CG parts look or darn MASS EFFECT 3.

We can already have tons of characters on screen. The details are enormous. We have huge enviorments. What can improve? What's the "missing thing" this generation?!

Sorry for me rant, please discuss!

08-05-2011, 04:51 PM	#1
linkgx1 Banned Member since:Feb 2011 Location:Saint Louis, MO	Do we even need new consoles right now? I was just reading an article on CNET.com where Epic Games President Mike Capps basically said that there is no use for new next-gen consoles right now. I wonder...is he right? I've been thinking about the Law of Diminsiing returns....which basically means that you can only input so much before your output stops giving you less value. For example, I spend $400 million in advertising and get $1 billion revenue. Next I spend another $400 million in advertising but this time get only $500 million in revenue. Basically you can only invest so much before you stop seeing a big return. It costs about $ 1 billion to launch a gaming console. So far each gaming console has provided a huge leap over the other. But that's starting to slow. Gaming technology has gotten so far that new consoles probaly won't provide for a significant leap in terms of actual graphics/ gameplay. What did we get this current gen? Well, we got lighting and dynamic lighting at that. The consoles can now generate entire city buildings in one frame. Each gen had a major flaw up until now. We had 8 bits with no detail. Then we had detail but now 3D with 16 bit. Then we had 3D, but very little detail with the N64/PSX. Then it was 3D with detail/lighting but was still lacking in having a large amount on screen. Now we have that this generation. The thing is, I don't really see how a vast improvement next generation. I mean, unless it looks like Avatar then maybe or exactly as the CG we see in games today. But if not, what's the point? Don't you think it's better just to delay this gen until that point is reached? Maybe we'll have "unlimited detail" where you can detail games on the atomic level. I don't know what the next step is for games. I'd love to have Inception-style consoles.....but I will probaly be dead before that happens. Cell phones are catching up at fast rate and will eventually plateau with consoles for a bit. I am currently looking at the games this gen and don't see how they can improve majorly....enough to warrant another purchase. I really don't want to upgrade until I can play uncharted 3 EXACTLY as the CG parts look or darn MASS EFFECT 3. We can already have tons of characters on screen. The details are enormous. We have huge enviorments. What can improve? What's the "missing thing" this generation?! Sorry for me rant, please discuss!

Best PS3 Game Deals