Are you ready for the next-generation of video game consoles ...

With next generation consoles expected to hit store shelves at the end of this year or early next year, the game release schedule for current generation consoles is rather slim right now.

A quick look at upcoming game releases reveals that apart from a few multi-platform titles like Crysis 3, Bioshock: Infinite, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Tomb Raider, there really aren?t many other big name games with firm release dates on the horizon.

This is even more apparent when it comes to Sony?s PlayStation 3. It has very few big-budget releases on the horizon (apart from The Last Of Us). This is probably because the company is expected to announce the?PlayStation?4 at a big press conference event in New York on January 20th.

I also feel like impressive looking PS3 exclusive titles like Quantic Dream?s Beyond: Two Souls will somehow find its way onto the PlayStation 4 rather than be released on the PlayStation 3. If you look at the Xbox 360?s release schedule in terms of exclusives, Gears of War: Judgment is pretty much the only notable title.

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are quickly becoming consoles of the past, as developers are gearing up to create games for both Sony and Microsoft?s next-generation consoles. To a lesser extent, Nintendo?s already-released next-generation console, the Wii U, is also on the forefront of most video game developers minds.

Sure, there will be a few big name releases over the next few months as developers struggle to get their games on store shelves before audience attention shifts to fancy new consoles. But for the most part, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are already pretty much dead.

This past console cycle has arguably been one of the longest ever in the video game industry. The Xbox 360 was released on Nov. 16 way back in 2005, which makes it almost eight years old.

The PlayStation?3 was released approximately a year after the Xbox 360 on Nov. 11, 2006.

The Wii, a console that has already been succeeded by the?supposedly?next-generation Wii U, was released on Nov. 19, 2006.

Today, both consoles have experienced numerous redesigns and, through firmware updates, have apps and capabilities that probably weren?t even being created when they were both first released years ago. Their life cycles were also extended by the PlayStation Move and Microsoft?s fun-yet-inaccurate Kinect.

It?s an exciting time for gaming and rumours are already circulating across the internet regarding what these new consoles will actually be capable of?and what console will be released first. It makes sense for game releases to precede the next big shift: Everyone is going to want a piece of this pie.

After an extremely long cycle, today?s video game consoles are ancient and out dated. It?s time for new high tech devices with more modern?architecture.

For more Press Start action check out last week?s column that tackled PlayStation 4 rumours.?

Every Friday, Patrick O?Rourke?s new column Press Start will tackle a new issue in the gaming industry and?analyse?it from an opinionated angle.?

Source: http://o.canada.com/2013/02/08/are-you-ready-for-the-next-generation-of-video-game-consoles/

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