GCN Successor takes place
 

http://cube.ign.com/articles/422/422...html?fromint=1

hmm... seems like Nintendo is serious on releasing earlier. I hope they don't rush it too much.

Wow...less than a 4 year lifespan for the Cube. I think 'jipped' is the right word.

I'm satisfied with this generation for another 3-4 years...

If they have Mario up start, and a good multiplayer like Super Smash Bros, consider it worthy. The only thing lacking for the Gamecube when it launced were good games, and it hung them over for more than three quarters of a year. Like, ouch.

Yeah better (who the **** am I kidding) A online plan would help too.

Spring 2005 means Fall 2005 in Japan at the very very earliest. Spring 2006 more likely.

But I'm still enjoying my Gamecube. Shouldn't they wait until the customer has been fully pleasured by one machine before giving them the next one? :confused:

They would if they wanted to be behind on each generation forever

Well if they feel they could get more done by releasing early, they have a reason to.

Example, a system developed for online play from the ground up would be good. Trying to make Gamecube a great online system is difficult, and probably wouldn't work too well. There's one reason to come out earlier.

If they can come out and get a significant user base, they will do well (PS2). If people choose to wait for the other systems it will do poorly (DC).

This might actually not be a bad idea. the other 2 consoles are concentrating on Online play. Since this is not of Nintendos concern they can put this focus on a new console.

I hope Nintendo adds backward compatibility if they decide to release it "early". Since I'm guessing they are going to use a similar format but with more space, backwards compat. would be a no-brainer. Just as long as they don't charge too much for it. I've read in a few places that its very cheap to make a 'Cube and if they only need the processor and a few other small things, it shouldn't cost much to add it in.
Yes, 'Cube owners do seem jipped, but honestly, Nintendo and MS waited an extra year, so its the only reason owners of new consoles "feel jipped". But like I said, just let me continue playing 'Cube games and I'm a happy paying customer.

All I have to say is, backwards compatability. Its one of those things that Nintendo should put in no brainer. Online would be very nice too.

Agreed

Wow, some people always find ways to bitch. If Nintendo releases it earlier than it's rivals, it actually stands a chance of competing. If they release it too late, then it will be the same situation as the current one, and Nintendo would be accused of releasing 'bad' and outdated hardware.

I do agree 4 years is short, though I think Gekko clarified the situation, hence making it around 5 years.This will also allow Nintendo to gain some more 3rd party support, so it should pay off in the long run.

Like the Dreamcast? :D

Although I guess it's not exactly the same situation because Nintendo is err... More specialer... and I guess it would help to get a jump on the next Playstation... But I dunno I think as long as Sony doesn't crazy overprice it or not have any good games/graphics are launch or shortly after, a lot of people will skip Nintendo and just wait for PS3... Just because it's a big name in the casual gamer market deal...

Hehe. Well, not quite exactly.

Oh yeah, around what time has MS set for the release of their next console?

Lol, yeah, they'll be ahead, but not far for the XBox. It was the same this gen, I guess. Well, it gave them a lead somewhat.

I think people viewed the dreamcast as more of a late, late entry to the last generation. All the people I ever talked to would compare it with N64 and PSX...

But all those people are fools. Think that explains enough.

Ok then, the Sega Saturn..... Or did people view that as a late, late entry to the SNES period? :sneaky:

They should release better hardware at the same time if possible... ;)

I mean, release early and they make the same mistake as Sega... release late and te make the same mistake they made the last two generations. Release at the same time, and they create a whole new mistake ;)

Either way there is a reason to complain... all I want to say is, release any time, and if you have outright better games and hardware than your competitors you will do good. I would like them to try Sega's angle though. I know way too many people who would have purchased a DC before Ps2 was released is one more developer made games for it.... EA.

If they get out the gate first and have the best version of this yearly best-seller (Madden) people won't wait for Sony. If they come out of the gate with the same line-up as GCN, just with the time advantage, I think they would give Sony a much bigger run. GCN had a good launch, but games like Madden and THPS don't have the same effect when they aren't exclusive for a year ;)

-EDIT-

Just as a late thought for ya'lls, when ou release late (like Xbox/GCN) you have to worry about exclusive games to carry you, release early and every game you have 1st-3rd party is exclusive. Get a high selling third party game out the gates (Like Ps2 with Tekken and Madden and Ridge Racer) and the crowd will follow.

this is great news! I hope Nintendo kicks Sony's @ss in the new generation! :)

good for you, sport! :)

I too am disappointed at the likely short life-cycle. We're not the only ones, believe me. Knowing Nintendo, they would have loved to stick it out much longer and milk GameCube for all it's worth.

However, if the competition is so dead-set on engaging in next-generation activities(some already courting developers with their vision of hardware capability, and features), what the hell is Nintendo to do? :confused:

Act like the competition is going to wait on them? Give them a huge headstart? Give thrid-party more incentive to "abadon" them? Start software development late? Let the competition mold the minds of the potential "GCN2" buyers and gain overwhelming consumer confidence? Basically, making all the same moves that got them in the situation they are in now?

Come on! It's all unfortunate(short cycle), but you gotta do what ya gotta do.

PS: I hope the industry doesn't keep this up(pushing for next level of hardware, and not giving the current gen enough time to hit their true potential). Everyone is so anxious to take hardware to the next level -- that's not saying it's a bad thing -- but meanwhile, content isn't advancing near as fast.

The greater the push for new hardware is, the less time content has to evolve. On the bright side, the sooner the industry hits that ultimate level of hardware capability, the sooner they'll have NO CHOICE but to focus on content in order to capture a gamer's attention. A point where developers will be able to say, "Ok, we've got all the capabilitily we need, let's just kick back and make the best games we can." But, until that time comes, you'll have to put up with these short generation cycles, puntuated mainly by huge graphical leaps and small content jumps.

Stonecold 3:16, fix your sig... the rules are in a sticky thread in the general forum.

I don't see how console lifespans are that much shorter these days.

2-generation leaps:

Then: NES (1985) - N64 (1996) 11 years
Now: PSone (1995) - PS3 (all signs point to 2006) 11 years

:confused:

I think that Nintendo is being pushed into releasing the next gen console quickly, as to not lost sales to sony, i mean, look at what happened this time around, sony released a year earlier, and nintendo get a 8th of the sales...same with microsoft, therefore, this time they want to right their wrongs and release b4 the competition thus granting them a head start on sales, and a head start on everything.

You gotta take a lot more into account.

As technology gets more and more sophisticated, the developement cycle of software(the engines that run them and the will to push the envelope) is extended. Some of today's major/ambitous projects are in development for well over 3 years. That says a lot! :eek:

So, what you're seeing is that -- even if your looking from the perspective that the console lifespans are somewhat stable -- development cycles are getting longer and longer, YET, the console lifespan isn't getting any longer(I personally believe they're getting shorter).

I persoanlly tink SOny has gotten cokcy with the PSX and they're going to release in last palce this time which is the same msitake nintendo amde oon the N64,m god for the big N because I want the release to go like this:

1. Xbox 2
2. GCN II
3. PS3

Ok why XBox2 beofre GCN2?

Because as we';ve seenw ith SOny, the first of the enxt-gen laways ahs bugs, let m$ work out the bugs for NIntendo, let the Big N make their release adn ahve sony make the same mistake NIntendo did, I just don't want NIntendo to become the enxt Sega, relasing tooe arly and eventullay droping the COnolse biz.

I don't think Sony WANTS or plans to release PS3 after Xbox2 and NGC2... It might turn out that way, but I doubt it would just be from cockiness...

But who knows... Microsoft hasn't said when they are planning to release Xbox2, have they? And Sony hasn't exactly said a date for them have they? And as someone else said, Nintendo's console could always be delayed...

Yep...

Could be delayed? Isnt that almost a scientific fact?

Sony will release the PS3 when it is ready. I really don't understand how them becoming "cocky with the PSX" has anything to do with them purpously releasing the PS3 late. In fact, that whole statement by Cyrax makes my brain hurt :(

Not exacty a fact... it's somewhere on the level of saying "The sun will rise tomorrow morning"... Extremely likely, but not a fact. ;)

I don't think anything refering to the future can be a fact :p

Stu is right. The PSX isn't even a mainstream product. It's for the elite/rich people who want forward technology paired with a console.

As for PS3... It might launch last. But X-Box2, and GCN 2 will be taking a heavier beating in long run since Sony is going to have the graphics advatage.

As for Nintendo... I HOPE they make a game only console. No HD... PLEASE...

I dont think PSX is really being offered as a game console, more of just a tivo type thing with ability to play games, as it seems the controller ports are hidden on the back. It just use's PS's name to sell.

you mean "no DVD, please"

Because an HD is like a built i Memory Card (kinda like when Nintendo had carts). I hope Nintendo has a WAY biger memory card than they have this gen, and if they stick to the same small size please have some type of HD.

:hmm: ?? Last time I checked, a Hard Drive was composed of platers with a read/write head. But if you mean that is has the same purpose as built in memory which is simply holding data, then my bad, you're right.

HD's would be fine, but the only thing I don't like about relying only on HD's is that most games would save at every chance they get. I like it when I'm using a mem. card and I mess up badly, I just pull it out, hit reset and do it again:D And on the subject of Sony having the graphics advantage. If Sony does come last, I hope Sony fanboy's don't turn into the XBox fanboys of this gen. I hate it when all people ever talk about are graphics and not the gameplay. GotDamn casual gamers, I hate them as much as the Pupli;) (Name that show!)

I don't hate casual gamers(most of my friends). I just detest it when they tell me how PS2's graphics are far better than GC's or how the xbox has sold more systems than any other console.

I wonder how much of a difference there will be in graphics between the next console gen. I don't think it will be more relevant than the current generations difference. Not that there's that much of a noticable difference now anyway.

or whenever Sony releases the PS3

:rolleyes:

3-4 years, or when developers stop making top notch games for PS2 and XBox. whichever comes first...smartass