I probably won't join in the craze of new systems, unless there's some really fantastic stuff happening. I'm happy with my backlog of current gen games. :) I'll pick up a PS3 soon and then start collecting those games since they'll just get cheaper and cheaper in price.
The gravitation toward online features has bothered me for a while. I sort of liken it to the 3D phenomenon in films where they begin use 3D graphics and hope that that covers the fact that the movie has no storyline. I just hope that there is still enough for solitary gaming and not everything has to be an online experience going forward. To be honest, I miss the days when you had to actually have your friends come over to your house to play Nintendo or PlayStation with you.
I am very thankful that online gaming exists but it makes me sad that so many games entirely lack couch co-op to accomodate it. :(
Yeah it's sad when games leave out in-game co-op because we're expected to play online. Luckily LAN parties exist.
...well. I don't think anyone would want to go back and experience link cables. They were kinda neat but in practise they were so slow and not very reliable haha. :( LAN parties only work for consoles if everyone has a copy of the game and an extra console and an extra TV/monitor to use. Okay for an actual party/event but for everyday use it's just frustrating. I've definitely come to appreciate any game that has local co-op, especially for more than one person.
I don't really have any gaming friends offline, so I'm very thankful for online co-op. And wi-fi trading and battling is such a welcome change after years of having to use Link Cables. But anyway, getting back to the topic, I really can't see next gen being much of a graphical leap. Honestly, some of the stuff we're seeing this gen is getting really lifelike as it is - how much better can gaming graphics possibly get? I think basically we'll see even more of an online push (full embrace of cloud, digital distribution, etc.) and, unfortunately, less of a focus on traditional control and more Kinect-like control schemes. I also think that the FPS obsession will continue into next gen's big releases and quirky, unique games will be relegated to the indie and handheld realm - big budget console JRPGs and new IPs like Okami and Psychonauts are a thing of the past, I'm afraid.
I want local multiplayer to come back and be bigger than it is currently. I'd really like to play multiplayer on the 360 against my brother since we're both here, without having to buy another console and both get a Gold account. ...why do I have two controllers exactly?
Yep. I think it's sad that if you and I want to play together we typically resort to playing something on the N64. In terms of what to expect in the next generation, I agree that graphics won't improve that much. Non-gaming features will be more prominent I think, and all games will be available for download. Hopefully, we'll see less FPS' and more platformers!
Well, the N64 was dubbed the "Fun Machine" to the NES' "Entertainment System" FPS, platformer, whatever. Just something original
God no. Platformers are so archaic. I'd rather see more epic adventure games a la Zelda or Assassin's Creed. I agree that FPSes are out of control though.
