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Analysts Debate: Is This The Last Console Generation?

Everyone loves to speculate and debate concerning the next generation of consoles. We've heard all sorts of predictions and they include everything from a new Xbox in 2011 to an upgraded PlayStation 3 and Wii. However, one analyst believes we've seen the last of the consoles, believe it or not.

Speaking at the GamesBeat 2009 Games Conference in San Francisco yesterday, industry analysts Michael Pachter (Wedbush Morgan), Colin Sebastian (Lazard Capital Markets) and David Cole (DFC Intelligence) weighed in with their thoughts on the next decade of gaming. Pachter believes "we've seen the last generation of consoles," as the manufacturers in question will be "more reluctant to release any subsequent consoles." (source- 1Up) We're far more likely to see a standard delivery platform, primarily because, as Pachter said, "third-party publishers aren't going to support a PS4 or Xbox 720." He cites the current issues publishers face concerning the cost of producing a game, and he adds that "content isn't going to change in any meaningful ways because the publishers can't afford it." Basically, he's saying that you had better be happy with the current console selection because you won't see new ones any time soon…if ever.

For the record, Sebastian disagreed with this theory, as he believes there will indeed be one more console generation, and it will start in 2012. Cole took Sebastian's side and also stated that the PS3 would be the leading platform by 2012, and this will cause the competition to release new consoles (the PS3 will stick). However, all three believe we won't see another PlayStation console for quite a long time; Pachter said simply, "Sony is not going to put out a console until they make a profit on this generation, and my math puts that at around 2015." Well, for our part, we're happy with the PS3; we really don't need a PS4 any time soon.

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Tatsujin
Tatsujin
15 years ago

This theory is just idoitic. What drives a company? Money. This is like saying we wont see any more Windows from Microsoft. Idiotic. Anyways… Ben, I know your going to buy a DSi, tell me how it is, si? 😛

Troy Powers
Troy Powers
15 years ago

lol…Patcher's a quack.
And I seriously hope there's a new generation before 2015. That's a long fu**in' time.


Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 3/24/2009 10:19:55 PM

SarahPalinMILF
SarahPalinMILF
15 years ago

hasn't he predicted a price drop like ten times incorrectly then were he is proven wrong he states he was kidding…what a hack…

fatelementality
fatelementality
15 years ago

Ok…..consoles will be around for at least two or more generations? We still haven't even made the full switch to digital TV. You corporate wigs best not forget that alot of people still live in the middle of B.F.E. and have limited to zero internet access. If you cut these people out, your losing at least 1/4 of your fanbase. BTW, none of this is 100% fact. I'm not going to go to 60 different sites to gather proof. I'm too lazy to be completely honest 🙂

fatelementality
fatelementality
15 years ago

Why did I put a question mark on my first sentence, but not this one.

Tim Speed24
Tim Speed24
15 years ago

Good question…..period.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
15 years ago

I would have to say I really hope for another generation. This one has been to awesome to ignore. I do believe the xbox will come first again in the release of another console, and I'm not unsure that M$ is already planning another one. Yes they are doing good right now in sales and there should be no reason to release another console for 3 years atleast, but I think they wanna try and stay out front, and the only next logical thing they can do is to release at least a system that can stand up to the PS3 (or so they say, which will get people to buy the next machine).

So I agree with what Cole in the article said to an extent. I believe that M$ and/or Nintendo will have to make a console on par or better than the PS3 because it will be the leading console.

Although numbers say otherwise the PS3 is leading in my eyes, because of what it's achieved in all areas from software to the PSN. I want the PS3 to stick around I am quite happy with it and I know it can handle the competition but as time goes on and technology advances we will see a new generation.


Last edited by bigrailer19 on 3/24/2009 10:39:40 PM

Tim Speed24
Tim Speed24
15 years ago

How are M$ and Nintendo going to step up with-out going to Blu-ray? Digital content only maybe? That would be some long wait times to get a game like the ones packed onto a Blu-ray disc.

Gregory Freeman
Gregory Freeman
15 years ago

two words… Holographic disks… they can hold up to 20 dual layer blurays!! thats 1 TB!!! wikipedia it… i heard microshaft might try to aquire the rights to use it in their new system…

anyways, this guys fulla de shit… i can sware i just heared last week that production of the new xboxes graphics card, processor ect are nearing test phases, which, if the 7th gen is the grave stone of the gaming era, would be a pointless thing 2 waste money on (investing in something that will never go into production) especially in this time and date, where the us deficit is the highest its been ever…(expected 2 double by the end of obamas 8th year) when times are this tough, it must be nice to have Bill Gates backing you up… i sware, ms could build a sh!t console that breaks 33% of the time, and still have enough money to live strong… oh wait…

SerichA
SerichA
15 years ago

PS3 has yet to hit its absolute potential, it has the least likely chance of upgrading, while the 360 may receive an upgrade; however, in the coming years, 3rd party titles will look further poor on the PS3 compared to 1st party, unless they aren't bound by the 360's limitations, so the 720 or whatever the name would be possible. And since the PS3 isn't making profit for Sony currently, the PS4 is practically insane. Likewise, Nintendo will probably upgrade their Wii in a few years with maybe half a gig of storage, and a camera to take pictures of their players.

Los87
Los87
15 years ago

i d0nt mine wats the rush

fatelementality
fatelementality
15 years ago

My 360 received a downgrade to an expensive air purification system. It's not that I hate the system (when it works), it's just that I haven't played on it since Gears 2. Fable 2 wasn't what I expected at all, sadly. I haven't even seen any 360 exclusives on the horizon that have piqued my interest either. MS better be hidin some slick games up their jewel encrusted sleeves. Ahem……and not a thousand games that rhyme with J-lo.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

There's gonna be at least one more generation because the PS3 can't use the Blu-Ray to it's full potential.

Karosso
Karosso
15 years ago

Are they freaking insane? What a bunch of attention wh@r3s…
HDTV is only now becoming the standard and the next generation will just look better than ever.
If anything the Wii showed us that there are other areas that can be changed to enhance the medium.
The PS3 has a long way to go and we don't need a PS4 anytime soon but to say that, it's the last… just stupid rubbish!

isaya85
isaya85
15 years ago

I think there will be one more PS4 xbox720 and wii2 after that I'm done with gaming I'm not going to be doing this for the rest of my life, I have goals and plans I want to achieve in the future and I don't see playstation or xbox for that matter in any of my plans, PS3 could be my last don't know yet

PSN ID Biggest_GMoney

BigTonesAUS
BigTonesAUS
15 years ago

yeah, thats what i said. Then they annouced MGS4 and like magic, a PS3 fell in my lap….

KevinCairo
KevinCairo
15 years ago

The problem I see with an even more powerful console generation is the amount of time it will take to develop games that actually take advantage of the additional power, especially when multi-platform.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

Stick a fork in this guy, he's done. Consoles aren't headed anywhere, just because someone announced OnLive (which will ultimately fail) doesn't mean consoles are going anywhere. People like to game on their big ass TVs.

I think analysts look too far ahead and try to drag that future into the present because they are used to having information ahead of the curve, the problem is they are out of touch with what is actually going on right here and now.

SPS3
SPS3
15 years ago

Yeah, I hate the thought of "OnLive". Where in the hell are all the good games are going to come from if there is no hardcore competition! OnLive is not going to let games in general evolve. We have the best games weve ever seen to date bc of Sony & Microsoft competition. Imagine if it was only OnLive; only devs & pubs would be competing! Consoles are here to stay!


Last edited by SPS3 on 3/24/2009 11:32:53 PM

JofaMang
JofaMang
15 years ago

What? Pachter talking out his ass again? Why do people still seek his opinion? He is always wrong.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

The next gen consoles will still be using Blu-Ray though, we already have 100GB and 200GB Blu-Ray which is crazy…..but extreme.

JasperLoons
JasperLoons
15 years ago

So much wrong with this…

More reluctant to release subsequent consoles?
Yeah, the I'm sure the unheard of sales numbers, mostly for the Wii, has really crushed their spirits.

Third party publishers wont support them?
Yeah, that's the exact impression I've gotten from all of those developers going multi-plat…

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

Good points Jasper, see what I mean about these fools being out of touch with the here and now?

JasperLoons
JasperLoons
15 years ago

I do indeed World. I think most of these analysts just jumped on the bandwagon when the industry got so hot.

Like so many journalists and reporters out there (sorry to any legit journalists or reporters), they think they can do a couple hours of research and be an expert.

xnonsuchx
xnonsuchx
15 years ago

I seem to remember 25 years ago, these kinds of 'analysts' were the ones saying the PC was going to usher in the days of the "paperless office" (most offices ended up using MORE paper).

I agree there probably won't be a new console until 2012-ish (more likely Nintendo), but to make a wild guess that no more consoles will come out after 2015 is kinda ridiculous…and wholly unsupported.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

Does anyone of you have information regarding the 3 new consoles?
Zeebo, Pandora and OnLive?

Qubex
Qubex
15 years ago

For Zeebo, just type in Zeebo in the Google and go to the consoles home page… they have all the specifications there. It looks like it could be a great success in the BRIC nations… developing nations; however just to have a play with it, especially for messing with HomeBrew – which will surely come – I may pick one up…

Q!

"i am home"


Last edited by Qubex on 3/25/2009 12:38:21 AM

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

I seriously doubt that all 3 upcoming consoles can compete with the current 3.

Qubex
Qubex
15 years ago

Zeebo is not being marketed in developed markets; it is an entirely different concept at $179!

It is based on downloading content wirelessly via cellular networks using an IMSI identification method for each console that is network "live". There is no way to load media. All distribution is digital. Low power consumption, and much much cheaper than the current crop of consoles.

There are no moving parts in the console either, break downs should be almost non existent.

Watch, the PS4 box my just be a far more advanced version of what Zeebo offers come to think about it… digital distribution, no moving parts… plug in and go…

Q!

"i am home"


Last edited by Qubex on 3/25/2009 2:24:11 AM

karneli lll
karneli lll
15 years ago

Whatever Patcer says should be ignored;stay perfectly still and the idiot will leave the room.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

His vision is based on movement, stand still and he won't see us.

jaybiv
jaybiv
15 years ago

Analysts are nothing more than sports handicappers. They supposedly have access to all this information, yet most of the time, their predictions fall flat on their face. The next time any one of these clowns opens their piehole, expect the opposite–especially if it comes from Pachter. "Lay the deuce on the favorite. I'm 80% for the season. Try my 5-Star lock of the week!"

Qubex
Qubex
15 years ago

Jaybiv, there are many many good analysts out there. Warren Baffett, the second riches man in the world is an analyst of sorts… how the hell has he built up Berkshire Hathaway to have an intrinsic worth of a few trillion dollars – when you look at the companies it ownes…

How does he decide to buy or sell companies or shares within companies…

Whilst some analysts may get it wrong, and they often do, I think what Pratchett is saying is that consoles as we know them, in this particular configuration, may be the last of their kind…

I think any future PS or XButt console will probably be a box of some sort, but the way software is transferred to them and distributed may be very different, including the storage media used. It may be the HDTV displays, or computer displays (as we have seen already with some "PC" models) will simply have Cell type multi-core processes and a few RSX's thrown in for good measure…

Toshiba is already doing this with their next HDTV, it will have a Cell embedded in there…

What does that mean then? So there will be "consoles" but they will take a very different form… internet box or built into next generation displays…

Q!

"i am home"

jaybiv
jaybiv
15 years ago

First off, Warren Buffet is not an analyst. He is a business man and investor.

Secondly, analysts only know what they companies tell them. Sure, other companies are trying to get into the game, but that doesn't mean the gaming landscape is going to chage as dramatically as he claims.

We are 15 years into the Internet revolution and no one has found a way to blend television with the Internet. So what makes you think they can go it with video games?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I would just rather hear from people who actually know what they are talking about.

K ASH
K ASH
15 years ago

I dont think the japanese would let go of the console concept especially the handheld ones.

dveisalive
dveisalive
15 years ago

This cant be it, for Microsoft and Nintendo are for sure going to bring new systems around 2011 and up so they can compete with the ongoing 10 year life span of the PS3. I think PS4 isn't coming until 2015 etc… Just watch around E3 10 that the announcements of Microsoft's and Nintendo's next generation consoles will happen.

ceedot
ceedot
15 years ago

Stupid 'analysts'. How can they call themselves that if they really believe we won't have another generation of consoles.
OK, if they were right, that means in 100 years time we will still play our ps3 and 360.
Good work, dickheads.

Gregory Freeman
Gregory Freeman
15 years ago

omg, reminds me of south park when cartmen froze himself for the wii, and woke up in the future, to find that the wii was the last console ever made, and it was never used 2 long after release… cartmens like "wheres my wii?" and the atheists are like "whats this "weeeeeeeeeee??" lol i love that episode

Random_Steve
Random_Steve
15 years ago

i think this is the last time all 3 consoles are sold simultaneously

Zubs
Zubs
15 years ago

Like it or not but the article is correct,tough economic times dictate drastic measures.Besides,PS3 was always going to be Sony's leading console till 2018.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

Whoa, by the time PS4(maybe) is out I'm already holding a baby in my arms.

Vivi_Gamer
Vivi_Gamer
15 years ago

if this is the case i doubt ill play games after the PS3.

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
15 years ago

Indeed. Maybe its the fact that i grew up in the NES era and have had almost every console since then, but i think the business works. I like having a new hardware, new games, new everything. Few things in life are as fun as unpacking a new console and plugging it in.

We are in a recession now and some people are too short sighted to see that we will eventually bounce back and businesses will start making profits again. I am 100% certain we will see a ps4. Not as soon as the other new consoles perhpas, due to the fact that the ps3 can sustain itself much longer than the already outdated 360. The wii is different though, it doesnt require power to be fun, so maybe nintendo will go with eve more interactive controls next time around.

Victor321
Victor321
15 years ago

I agree with what Pachter said, but this guy's an idiot…I want him to be right but I have a feeling that he's gonna be wrong again….This guy doesn't make consoles what do you expect this man to know?

Fenrir
Fenrir
15 years ago

As I heard from another source there´s a new system announced called "OnLive". This is game broadcasting network. The function is like you have it with your pay tv receivers. You pay a monthly fee and you´re allowed to play certain games by streaming them to your tv. Plus – no one can copy games anymore MINUS – This will lead to a centralised control on video games.
This is why those analyst might think there´s no place for the next console generation regarding this new system, but I think this is not true, because approaches on pay tv are not profitable (especially here in europe) and the internet is not made for 60mio.+ online players so far. And last but not least – I want my games in my rack and not on a server and I think that I´m not alone with my opinion. 🙂

migabyte
migabyte
15 years ago

I do hope the PS3 is around for a while, this is one reason I detest the Xbox. The first Xbox had to have one of the shortest runs, it was silly really. I would never buy a Microsoft system because of this. They seem to have no plan, release a system, ride it until people want an upgrade, and then give it to them. It works for making money, but I don't support this business model.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

They killed off the Xbox because they knew it has no chance to catch up to the PS2.
And I was thinking of gettting one in 2006…….

They wanna make money with a 360 so fine we consumers don't care but…..I loathe them for making a console with dozens of problems.

If RRoD wasn't enough it now have E74 which the warranty doesn't cover.

GRRR, guess I'll never get to play GeOW and Halo 3……

migabyte
migabyte
15 years ago

Ya, you could always rent one if you only want to play a few games. I am not dying to play any games on the 360, but there a few I would like to play, but I may never get around to it. The PS3 has plenty of games to play.

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
15 years ago

Rent?
Sorry dude, but my place here ain't got renting…..
And if you're wondering, I'm from Malaysia where piracy is a culture.
Most of my friends who owned a PS2 doesn't have a PS3 because there's no pirated Blu-Ray.
They don't own a 360 because they don't like it.
I have a PS2 but all my games are pirated because it's damn cheap, 10 times cheaper than originals.
But well just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's good all the way, you can't play online and there's a possibility the disc cannot be read so you have to buy another.

psxmax
psxmax
15 years ago

These analyst have nothing better to do. They are just as bad as the weatherman. What is their next prediction, people will stop playing video games next year?

As long as games exist, there will be consoles.


Last edited by psxmax on 3/25/2009 9:45:54 AM

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