The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are doing well, as both consoles are more successful than their predecessors. The PlayStation 4 is having a grander success since the console is tracking ahead of Sony's most successful video game console, the PlayStation 2.
With both consoles moving in the direction to break their respective records in terms of sales, we have to wonder, what should we expect from the next generation? We're talking about the PlayStation 5 and whatever it is Microsoft will call the next Xbox. It's likely the software giant wouldn't go with the name "Xbox Two," though we could be wrong.
To make this grand assumption of the future, we are going to look at technologies that are being worked on right now, those that are already available, and the mindset of gamers.
A VR And Holographic Future
Several companies including Sony are working on VR headsets. Sony's take is called the PlayStation VR, and as the name suggests, this device will be designed with gaming in mind. Already, critics are talking about PlayStation VR in a good light, so that's good news.
Should this accessory become an enormous success, one can be sure that the PlayStation 5 will be developed with VR in mind. However, Sony would have to find a way to reduce the cost of its VR headset in time for the new console because by then, should it be a success, Sony may have to bundle the console with the headset in order to secure long-term developer interest.
When it comes down to what Microsoft is doing, well, the company is not working on its own VR goggles, but it is working on something called HoloLens. It is similar to VR goggles in the sense that it needs to be worn over the face. However, instead of being a complete experience that locks the user out of the real world, HoloLens attaches objects in the real world. These objects are quite interesting because users can interact with them.
For example, with HoloLens, a gamer might be able to replace the TV with a holographic TV, or even a holographic computer monitor. We've seen this in action when a Microsoft employee released a video that shows Halo 5: Guardian being played through HoloLens via a holographic screen.
Possible Specifications
It's not easy to come up with an accurate idea of the hardware specs fans should expect from the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Two. However, if we look at what is on offer right now, we could manufacture something.
For instance, 1080p and 60 frames per second (fps) are what console gamers require from their video games today. Due to the hardware specifications of the current consoles, most games are unable to hit that mark. Because of this, we expect that Microsoft and Sony would develop consoles that can easily meet this demand.
It should be interesting to find out if Sony will choose to adopt GDDR5 RAM for its next console, and if Microsoft will do the same seeing as it worked out so well for Sony. We believe both companies will adopt DDR4 for several key reasons.
GDDR5 is a type of RAM that is designed for graphics, and as such, would likely not work well for things outside of that area. If Sony is wise, the company would want to leverage the PlayStation 4 as more than just a gaming machine, something Microsoft attempted with the launch of the Xbox One.
This time around, Sony should learn from Microsoft's mistake and do a better job. Furthermore, if the company's cloud gaming platform takes off, expect an improved version.
As for Microsoft, a future version of Windows will likely be the primary operating system that powers the next Xbox. Based on what the company is doing right now, expect the home console to support Windows Universal apps. All casual games from within the Windows Store could be playable on the future Xbox platform.
By then, the ability to cross-play with Windows, Xbox, and Windows Mobile devices should no longer be a dream, but a grand reality.
Overall, we should look forward to an era of connected video game consoles as we sit back in our living rooms with weird gadgets on our heads.
Photo: Mark Farrell | Flickr
