Xbox 720, PS4 will mostly be a ‘graphical update’

Yesterday, I wrote next-gen consoles like the Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 are a gamers dream, but a developer's nightmare.  Despite the excitement about a new console, many developers are justifiably concerned with developing for new consoles, most of them citing a required learning curve for new systems and then not being as much of a "stabilized platform" as the current gen Xbox 360 and PS3.

But from a gamer's perspective, there are far less worries.  Although some are not ready to part with another couple hundred dollars for a new console, many are ready for the advancements a next-gen console will bring.  Consumers want games that run natively at 1080p, a solid 30/60 frames per second, higher textures, higher quality shaders and shadows, faster loading screens, etc.  Some analysts believe many consumers are simply looking for the next "innovative" console.

However, what fans are looking for and what they get may be too totally different things.  No one really knows what the next-gen consoles will bring to the table, but everyone has their own ideas.

One such idea is that the Xbox 720 and PS4 won't really bring "crazy new things".

Speaking to OXM, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning lead designer Ian Frazier spoke of the idea of next-gen consoles, saying, "It won't be completely crazy new things, but mostly a graphical update.  We'll see."

Of course, this is just one man's opinion.  He even admitted prior to that statement that he's actually curious himself as to what a new console generation will bring.

"Honestly I'm really curious to see," he said.  "It's something we don't get a lot of information about on the back channels.  I get bits and pieces of information now and then."

I guess until we get some solid information from Microsoft or Sony, we're all in the same boat.  But until then, gamers and developers can live in their own fantasy lands and dream about the future of gaming consoles.