Carmack says it is 'likely' Sony will launch new console first
- Posted August 11th, 2009 at 16:33 EDT by Mike Harradence
- 69 Comments
Id Software technical director John Carmack reckons that Sony will be the first console manufacturer to make the transition to the next generation of gaming platforms, though noted he doesn't expect any announcements to be made on the subject anytime soon.
Speaking to CD-Action, Carmack observed that Sony may want to launch its successor to the PlayStation 3 first in order to prevent a similar scenario to the current hardware cycle, where Microsoft gained the upper hand by releasing Xbox 360 a full year ahead of the competition.
“The whole jockeying for who's going to release the first next-gen console is very interesting and pretty divorced from the technical side of things,” he said, adding, “Whether Sony wants to jump the gun to prevent the same sort of 360 lag from happening to them again seems likely.”
“As developers, we would really like to see this generation stretch as long as possible. We'd like to see it be quite a few more years before the next-gen consoles comes out, but I suspect one will end up shipping something earlier rather than later.”
He also stated his belief that at least one next-gen machine would ship without the capacity for optimal media.
“I think that Xbox Live and the advent of that and the App Store with the iPhone are wonderful signs of the future of digital distribution,” said Carmack.
“I think there's a decent chance that one of the next-gen consoles will be without optical media. The uptake rates of people who have broadband connects surprised everyone this generation. It's higher than what the core publishers and even the first party people expected.”
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LegendaryAim
- 11:55am EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 5
@4 How so? Sony's 10 year plan refers to the support we saw the PS1 and PS2 receive. I actually think Sony will do this. I also think they will launch a more cost-effective console that will sell at a minimum lost. H ell might even break even when it launches.
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incredibilistic
- 11:56am EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 6
Sony doesn't need a new console or needs to come out with a new console first. Microsoft has shown that you don't need a brand new console to breathe new life into a system. With the NXE and Natal coming up they've reinvented the concept of the 360.
Their online service is better, they're getting more social networking abilities that will draw more non-conventional users to power up their 360 and with on-demand games and movies they're making inroads to becoming the true "set-top-box" console that everyone's been talking about for well over a decade.
I hate to sound like a cheerleader for the competition but the fact is that Microsoft is leading the market the stuff they have available with Sony lagging behind. Even if Sony releases a new console there's NO WAY they'll have a device without a Blu-ray drive. That's basically pissing away all the work they put into making the format a standard only to suggest that it's not needed with a model that doesn't have a physical media drive.
Microsoft, on the other hand, I can see them releasing a system with no drive offering a USB connected DVD drive to play old 360 titles while everything else is DLC only. They'll also make the drive easier to upgrade or offer a 1TB or 2TB model. If that happens the PS3, PS4 and Blu-ray will look archaic by comparison.
I think it's time Sony and Apple merge. Otherwise I think Sony's Playstation days are numbered.
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Byuu
- 11:57am EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 7
The PS3 will be around for a little while longer yet, considering now devs are getting used to the platform and are actually creating games for it i don't think sony would upset their new found creativity in the next few years by saying "screw our 10 year plan here is the PS4 with only slightly updated graphics and new CPU which you'll have to learn all over again...."
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LastManDancing |
LunaticSoula- 12:09pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 9
Like said earlier, with the 360 being reinvented with NATAL and NXE Sony releasing a new console first seems plausible. But I think the earliest we would hear anything would be 2011.
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GunTeng
- 12:10pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 10
He has a point about beating each other for 1st console release, but all developers competing against each other have to ensure they have a balance between competing & delivering for the consumer...meaning they can't afford to release too early (consumers & developers will not be ready for it).
The point about the 10 year life cycle for a SONY console will not likely change regardless when they release a new console. It is something that is dependable & provides some insurance to developers & consumers alike.
The other point about digital media....well, it won't be a SONY product. Having digital distrubution only will seriously limit the consumer base. AAA Games are just too large for digital distubution and will be even after the new console releases, especially considering the BB capabilities in most countries, the cost of such BB and the remote chance that it will improve cheaply by that date.
I personally think he is completely wrong about Digital Distrubution & is getting his ideals in the way of practical ability. Even so, there will be an overlap time where AAA games are available on both formats. So taking that into account, DD only consoles will not happen next gen, and if they do will limit only their own sales (IMO).
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biron_w
- 12:29pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 12
It's entirelypossible the DD will play a big part next gen but I can't see any company getting rid of any type of physical media completely.They would simply lose money as not every country and everybody has decent enough internet to make downloading games worthwhile.
My guess is next gen you will see a steam like system for consoles so people can download new games if they want to.
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Decode1976
- 12:30pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 13
Yeah, that isn't happening BUT remarks like this will only push PS3 further into 3rd place. An entire group of potential buyers will now think there is no point to pick up a PS3 if a PS4 is right around the corner.
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XERPENT
- 12:35pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 14
late again psu
also, i dont think there will be much hardware in sony's 4th gen, there will be more software and on demand gaming services like onlive and some futuristic stuff like voice recognition, something a size of a cd box with the PS logo and an ethernet cable, power and tv connectivity socket. the rest will be done online, like i said, on demand gaming
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Xion9
- 12:39pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 15
I like to have a pile of games to show off. So what happens when you want to rent a game you pay for it then you wait for forever for it to dl, No thanks. Some of us like to bring our games to a friends does that mean you have to bring your system or your hd everywehre?
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Syphon_Filter |
Syphon_Filter2- 12:43pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 16
Old news. Since 2007, Sony SCEJ has been working on new hardware that supports fully 3D graphics and etc.
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XERPENT
- 12:50pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 17
@10
it will be like a live stream dude, u just select the thing, it wont be downloaded but will be played on the company's servers, making it lagfree and if u wanna replay something, u just go and select that level from the server, the graphics, decoding and everything will work on the company's servers so theres no stress on ur system, its just like playing a live stream like i said, like a live movie, but that u r playing it practically but not literally (like theres no disc or anything present at your side) maybe theres a service that lets u play unlimited (or set by the owners of the game) games for an amount of money, like $20 a month for unlimited games.
for example nowadays its like this:
friend [A]: yo come join me in m.a.g
friend [B]: oh no man i dont have a copy
FUTURE PS4:
friend[A]:yo join me in call of duty 10: future warfare
friend[B]:no prob man, with this live stream gaming, i can just come in without ANY hassle
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HalfOfZero
- 12:52pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 18
Someone has already mentioned it here, Sony and Apple HAVE to make some sort of joint force, otherwise, and I hate to sound cliche/cheesey/overlydramatic, Microsoft will get their wicked way and rule zee entire earth, and maybe even enslave us all..
Then you'll all wish you used itunes once in a while :P
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lurkingshadow89
- 1:13pm EDT - August 11th, 2009
- 19
HaHaHaHa A He a HAA A He ha he ho and i thought my jokes where bad.......?
Listen sony is way ahead of the graphics and cpu and processing power ofthe xbox which means the xbox is needing to show something new first, but hey your funny. Does Microsoft look like a company with a plain they just... Do Things..... They are like a dog chasing cars.... They wouldn't know what to do with one if they cuaght it.
PS3 is here and its now. U want the best u need to get the Best Nough said.
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