[[PhiberOpticks]]

Originally Posted by Celestin

Regarding power, there are already three or four PS3s grades I think. There are the original PS3s with the 90nm GPUs and CPUs ( release PS3s, MGS4 80GB bundle PS3s ) ( the numbers are liable to be off ), the 40GB and 60GB models with the 45nm CPUs, 90nm GPUs and the new 45nm CPU / GPUs on the new 80GBs. So the die sizes have been changing.

I figured that just changed power consumption. What else does it change, exactly?

And with the different versions, I don't forsee the problem being multiple models, but now developers will adapt to it. I think one of the reasons why it can be argued that console games still can hold their own against PCs is that developers know what they can do and what they can't do because all consoles are the same. They don't have to worry about quality settings because there aren't different consoles. But with different level consoles with actual significant hardware differences, they will, and most importantly, no matter what, all games must look good on the lowest end model. Otherwise, the point of having a console would be defeated. So the only real differences they could probably apply is how much memory the system has for improved textures and the max level of AA / FSAA appliable.

The difference couldn't be too much, though. I think people would rather see features dropped rather than hardware downgraded when dealing with cheaper models.

Originally Posted by Shade

SSD would be overkill for next gen. MS and Sony are doing pretty much the same thing, so I think Microsoft should buy Sony's game division. Blu-ray disk drives in all consoles, but with the option to just download the game. Online multiplayer should be based on servers, not P2P, and should be cross compatible (PC, and consoles players on the same server).

Not in a million years would I recommend that Microsoft buy Sony's game division. The one good thing about three different consoles on the market are the different flavors that come with each brand. Not only that, but competition inspires higher quality.

SSDs will be much cheaper by the time the next-gen consoles come around. Let's say that, hypothetically, all the companies announced their next consoles tomorrow. Judging from history, I would estimate that the consoles wouldn't be out till 3 or 4 years later. And judging from the progress made on SSDs in the past year, I think they'll be a great choice.

Originally Posted by Howling

The next gen of GAMING consoles should focus LESS on all this "media centre" crap that they do right now, storing music, videos and tv on a gaming console is ****ed up to say the least. Leave the games machines to the games, focus on the gaming, and produce better games.

The media center is a nice feature. It's pretty much good enough as it is, though. The music ain't worth much. But the ability to download videos is a good marketing tool for games. TV is worthless, I agree.

I knew someone would have to throw a 360 flame in there somewhere, it's just the anti-fanboy law to flame 360's at every opertunity... and I don't believe I even mentioned DvDs - but thanks for adding that to the list of useless things our gaming consoles do

I've seen people flame the PS3 more because it's expensive. In all honesty, I think the Wii is the most worthless console. It's cheap, but good games for it are few and far between. Friend codes are bullcrap. And Miis are too. Don't get me wrong, I think Home and those MS avatars are a load of crap too.