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The Revolution is coming. On the brink of 2005’s Electronic Entertainment Expo
(E3) we are all wondering exactly what the next generation will bring – especially
from Nintendo. There’s been rather substantial speculation about all three systems,
as expected, but as much as I can pin-down pretty much what to expect from both SONY and
Microsoft, as far as Nintendo are concerned, I really haven’t got the foggiest.
Microsoft’s next offering; the Xbox360, and SONYs’ already infamous PlayStation3 will be previewed and
most likely playable at E3. The Xbox360 we currently understand will be a much sleeker,
smaller machine than the Xbox, and is less likely to break your neck when dropped from a  short distance above your head. In a similar
move to SONYs’ established PlayStation brand, the Xbox360 will act as a more powerful
system offering entertainment on a similar level to what we’ve already seen, but
obviously allowing for grander environments, depth and incredible visualisation. While the
PlayStation3, being the successor to the “biggest selling games console in the
world… ever” will, firstly, hopefully be more durable than it’s predecessor
as I have to say – tempting fate with my second
console in it’s infancy – how many of the millions of PlayStation2’s sold
have been replacement consoles for an expired original system? Although there are some
quite inventive uses for that broken-down, two-tier bad boy… like a door-stop or
bookend… Secondly, I would hope that SONY have noticed the basic difference between
the PlayStation2 and it’s aggressors – the PlayStation2 is currently the least powerful console on the market by a large
margin– a clause which they must certainly cease.
So, within the next week we will be able to cast our eyes on these two new systems
in awe – as it is now clear that the Revolution will not be appearing on the show floor. However,
I’m sure to get e-mails from my colleague, Kev J., who will no doubt be dancing
around like a pranny exclaiming “Dude! You wouldn’t believe this! Oh my god!
Blah blah blah!” as he visit’s Nintendo’s pre-E3 Press Conference –
where Nintendo plan on unveiling the Revolution. It’ll be quite some time before the
Revolution comes to UK shores, and exactly what new ideas Nintendo have for us – and,
for that matter, how they may work – is very much open for debate. Current rumours
circulating include all manner of features; tilt sensors, squeezy-grips, touch panels,
hologram projectors – but whether any of
these will actually surface is an altogether different matter.
It’s common knowledge that Microsoft intend to see an Xbox360 worldwide launch
by the end of 2005, granting the system a few months breathing space before the
competition launches. A similar move was taken by SEGA twice, but when questioned about
the early arrival, a Microsoft spokesperson lashed out stating “...In other words,
we've got a Sega Genesis (MegaDrive), not a SEGA DreamCast.” There’s no doubt in
my mind that, at launch at least, both the Xbox360 and PlayStation3 will outsell the
Revolution. However, given some time to develop and for word to spread, and I can see the UK
 ascertaining a common love for the system
similar to the US’s Nintendo adoration. My main argument for this simply coincides
with Nintendo’s own stance that gamers will become bored with the same games,
rehashed with better effects and bigger levels. A prime example being the Fifa Football franchise. Not content with a mere
three editions per year, EA have taken it upon themselves to create a fourth title for our
enjoyment. But, umm, I’ve got a little problem with this – aren’t they
missing the point? Fifa… Street?! Surely street football is out of
Fifa’s jurisdiction? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Manchester United take
on Liverpool F.C. in Old Trafford’s car park… However, I may just contradict
myself by saying that the general public managed to send Fifa Street hurtling up the charts upon
release… ohh dear.
Having recently spent hours
enthralled in the depths of “middle-Europe” with Shinji Mikami’s new Resident Evil title, it would be absurd for me to
claim the innovation on our current systems is possible, but it’s rare that this
level of creativity combines with large amounts of revenue – hence Resident Evil 4 only reaching a lowly fifth place
in ELSPA’s European chart, followed by a mysterious absence of the title from shop
shelves. With exception to the NintendoDS, the Eye-Toy
has been the only real success story born of innovation over recent years, but since its
conception there’s been very little to distinguish the multiple launches as offering
any sort of progression for the hardware. But then again, of course the NintendoDS proves
a case in-point, as progressional hardware can became a fashion.
The current generation of
consoles has proven that 3D games can work, very well, and history dictates that something
new is warranted with every second console –  the NES and Master System saw the introduction
of games consoles and 2D graphics, the SNES and MegaDrive perfected that second dimension,
while the Nintendo64, Saturn and PlayStation introduced us to the third dimension and the
current generation has more than stabilised here. No doubt all three forthcoming systems
will feature integrated clock hardware (as opposed to the PlayStation2 and Xbox’s
current clock software) to allow gaming in the
fourth dimension as seen with Animal Crossing
which, while entertaining to say the least, isn’t really the same sort of progression
we’ve come to expect of the new generation. We already know that all three gaming
giants intend on utilising online gaming with the next generation, but to what extent is
yet to be revealed. All we know for now, is that a Revolution is coming. Viva the
Revolution! |
