Don’t Throw Out Your Console Anytime Soon: Current Gen To Last For A While

Posted by Matt Little , Jul, 2009 @ 9:59 am

current_gen_consoles

Image via Joystiq

Being an early adopter of tech – especially game consoles – can be SERIOUSLY cost prohibitive. It’s equally frustrating to finally be able to afford a console, only to have a new generation announced soon after, effectively rendering your purchase moot. Lord knows that happened to me before, which made me shy away from several different systems (sorry, SEGA).

However, according to a rather exhaustive report on the industry by Wedbush Morgan (via Joystiq), we won’t be seeing that type of issue anytime soon. Why? Because this is going to be the last.

Pointing to the small adoption rates for HD displays, Pachter says that unless consumers start coming out in droves to pick up HD displays, these consumers aren’t going to feel compelled to pick up a HD-compatible console (or upgrade from their Wii). This, he feels, adds longevity to the current cycle, stating that current-generation console sales will go long tail, and says that the lower-than-expected adoption rates for consoles suggests a longevity not seen in the past.

Instead, we should look forward to new updates of the current generation (like the WiiHD, which he claims is “inevitable”). I’m inclined to agree with Pachter, to a degree. I can’t imagine the big companies being so not-arrogant as to think they can’t pump another console out onto the market, even if it’s not necessary (hi, SEGA). I think we’ll see one more go-round, giving enough time for cloud gaming and server farms to at a point that it’s feasible for everyone to get on the train.

Until then, though, breathe easily in knowing you can dump tons more money into this generation without fear of noncompatability.

Tags: console life cycles, future, gaming industry