Square Enix job listing reveals preparation for 'next generation platforms'

I totally agree. If they start early, imagine the awesome engine we'll have for the next FF.

@Bobby

Since the NextBox will still use our Gamertags, there's no reason DLC couldn't be redownloaded if BC is on the table. Same for the PS4.

I don't think I could afford another "gen" of consoles anytime soon -_-

yeah, all they have to worry about is implementing 100% BC, instead of 40%-70%, or none at all, and since it would still use your gamer tags you can re-download everything

@ Bobby

Shouldn't you be firing your money making developers?

I think developers that have a reputation for keeping their projects hush hush should be trusted with the big 3's next gen plans. Those companies usually make great games which gives them the luxury of keeping quiet about their future plans.

I think we can have a next gen without abandoning the old one. The PS3 will go on, and Microsoft hasn't shown that they'd drop the 360 immediately the way they did the Xbox (though that was partially nVidia's fault).

Now I feel stupid, because honestly, I never thought of that, even after Sony kind of did it with the PS2 and PS3.

What I want them to do is start a new console gen in 2012, but avidly continue to support their current systems, because honestly, excluding the fact that Godof War II came out on the PS2 while the PS3 was on the market, I didn't see THAT many AAA games for the PS2 from the point the PS3 started. I'm not talking about just games, I mean really AAA games. That's what they need to bring to the table even after the next consoles are released, indeed.

We might get Blast Processing if Sega brings the RingEdge to market as Dreamcast 2...

Believe it or not, but you're in the majority.

Im pleased with my Xbox 360 and how they intend to extend its life span. I have no doubts that I will continue to enjoy the games it will bring us in the future. However, I do look forward to the next generation of consoles. This generation, with the PS3 and the Xbox 360, has indeed lived up to what we ever wanted in a console. The competition between Sony and MS has been very good for us gamers, both striving to better themselves give us a great experience. I expect this to continue and can only imagine what they will bring us next.
Id like to think both companies have learned a thing or two from any mistakes they made this cycle. Particularly, MS with all the issues its had with the 360 hardware. I really believe they will put out a much more reliable product while at the same time further expanding and improving the overall gaming/entertainment experience. I think we indeed get not only 3D gaming but much more than that.
So while most of us are happy with the long lives of the current generation, I think many of us still look forward to what awaits us next. I am in great anticipation for it and if it came next year, I wouldnt complain one bit.

I would not use Halo Reach of what the 360 is capable of. If anything Halo Reach looks how Halo 3 should have. Look at Gears, look at Ghost Recon. They were both out before Halo 3 and they both well, don't look like high res versions of original Xbox games.

Wasn't aware you had seen the final version of Halo Reach Urza.

Take me with you next time you go time traveling. I'd like to make some investments.

(Also, you should go back and play Halo 2 again.)

I don't know, I remember hearing about the Cell processor a long ass time ago and I got excited. I still bought PS2 games during the meantime because I knew that it was still going to be awhile before a PS3 rolled around.

As long as they make it clear that whatever work they are doing won't see the light of day for a few more years, I say let them talk. I love hearing about what's to come, and I know it won't stop me from buying good games in the meantime.

New technologies are always appearing....processors, graphic chips, et al, but I wouldn't necessarily equate the development of those singular technologies as a deterrent from buying an existing console. Sure we heard about the Cell during development, but none of us really knew exactly what to expect.

What I'm saying is that if Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo specifically announced "we're working on a new console" I'd have to believe that people would think, well if I haven't bought one yet, I might as well just wait for the new version. And if you know specifics about the console, such as "backwards compatibility" then you're probably going to be even more apt to wait for the new version.

Consoles manufacturers are going to wait until just the year prior to release to announce their new consoles-- whenever that ends up being. I have to believe Nintendo will likely be first, followed by Microsoft, and then Sony. Sony will likely maintain the PS3 for as long as they can just to recoup their investment in the technologies. Nintendo, I'm fairly certain has long since recouped their investment, and I'm sure Microsoft is probably there as well, but from their point of view, I think they need something with better engineering. Neither has to wait as long as Sony, however they can ride the longer wave assuming it's feasible to do so. I really wouldn't be surprised if we saw a smaller Xbox 360 prior to a replacement design.

But back to my original point, I don't think it's in any companies best interest to announce their plans too far ahead of time. I think we're a couple of years off for Nintendo and Microsoft. And then maybe Sony a few years after that.

By then 1TB will probably be around $70-80, so I imagine they'd probably go for the cheaper route and stick with 500GB.

I really don't think Sony is going to release a console with all the bells and whistles again after the nightmare that was the PS3 launch. As for Microsoft, good luck getting a 500GB hard drive for under $180 from them.

Nintendo will probably go with whatever is cheapest, so probably 100GB or less with the option for SDHC cards. They don't seem to really care about throwing in (semi) expensive parts when they could easily leave that up to the user to provide.

In the case of MS, I really, really, really hope they end the raping of HDD prices. As much as I love my 360, Im not sure if Ill take the crap they pull with certain things. I want to believe they learned from the past but at the same time, I wont bank on it.

A few things that need to happen for MS to continue to be successful when the next gen is upon us:

1. Most important, release a product that is reliable. They will kill themselves if they release another product that has problems close to what the 360 had. If they do, stick a fork in them.

2. HDDs. Sony wins big by making it easy for users to use their own HDDs. Storage will most likely be a huge part of the next gen. If MS decides to continue the unjustified raping for HDD prices, it will hurt them big time. If you wont allow consumers to buy their own Off the shelf hdds, they damn well better make their versions more practical and affordable. The pricing for theirs as we all know is just ridiculous.

3. MS cant afford to take for granted the success it has had this cycle. If they get too comfortable and think people will buy the next console just because of their success this gen, they are wrong. I think theyll be okay though and continue to improve, giving us the best possible experience. They need to go all out with the hardware like Sony seemed to do with the PS3. Sony covered pretty much everything with the PS3, which is why a quick glance at their specs and the console as a whole, out shines the 360, albeit not by a large margin, but big enough.

@ChuckJ I wouldn't worry too much about harddrives in the next generation. The 360 didn't have one because the original Xbox barely used it's harddrive. I'm pretty sure microsoft has come to realize that the future of consoles now recognize massive space for DLC and game installs.

The PC is far ahead of the current consoles but since development is focused on consoles, the PC has been tapping its feet. That is why I'm ready for a new console generation for better graphics to trickle on down to the PC.

go on.

its called mip mapping or LOD

nah, its something else that hasnt been released yet. its still in beta phase. geforce 3 cards use mipmap. this is something new, im not even sure it has a name yet.