Square Enix: Current Console Generation Has Lasted "Way Too Long"

[CybrSlydr]

Square Enix: Current Console Generation Has Lasted "Way Too Long"

The company's worldwide technology director also believes we'll never get rid of the uncanny valley.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/...d-way-too-long

Square Enix's worldwide technology director has said that the length of the current console generation is "the biggest mistake [Sony and Microsoft] ever made".

In an interview with GamesIndustry, Julien Merceron shared his opinion that those developers who grew bored of the current generation were pushed into exploring iOS and browsers, and were now unlikely to return to hardware.

"We have Sony and Microsoft talking about this generation lasting seven, eight, nine or even 10 years and it's the biggest mistake they've ever made," he claimed.

"This generation has been way too long, and I say this because you have a lot of developers that work on a new platform, and perhaps will not succeed, so they will wait for the next generation, and will jump on that platform. You could not do that with this generation though. So these developers went elsewhere to see if the grass was greener. They found web browsers, they found iOS, they found other things and a lot of them won't come back to the hardware platforms. So you could look at it that thanks to Microsoft and Sony and the length of this generation, it helped the emergence of other platforms and helped them get strong before the next hardware comes out."

Merceron elaborated by suggesting that future generations could afford to be shorter, thanks to simpler hardware and increased online functionality.

[lexandro]

Bull.

Considering that very few developers / publishers have bothered to go beyond DX9 on PC shows that it aint the consoles at fault. Sure the current gen have been around for a while, but thats because for most people they are more than good enough. And the PS3 hardware is still barely used properly by developers.

Square are just peeved that its games of recent times have been crap and tanked in sales compared to the big AAA titles.

[b1lk1]

Originally Posted by lexandro

Bull.

Considering that very few developers / publishers have bothered to go beyond DX9 on PC shows that it aint the consoles at fault. Sure the current gen have been around for a while, but thats because for most people they are more than good enough. And the PS3 hardware is still barely used properly by developers.

Square are just peeved that its games of recent times have been crap and tanked in sales compared to the big AAA titles.

+1. THat is laughable that devs and publishers will abandon the lucrative console market for the un-lucrative iOS and Android market. Simply laughable.

[Deluded]

Originally Posted by lexandro

Bull.

Considering that very few developers / publishers have bothered to go beyond DX9 on PC shows that it aint the consoles at fault. Sure the current gen have been around for a while, but thats because for most people they are more than good enough. And the PS3 hardware is still barely used properly by developers.

Square are just peeved that its games of recent times have been crap and tanked in sales compared to the big AAA titles.

Actually, 360 and PS3 have already been maxed out for a while. You aren't likely be able to squeeze out more than what's already possible.

Crysis 2 is a prime example of this.

[lexandro]

Originally Posted by Deluded

Actually, 360 and PS3 have already been maxed out for a while. You aren't likely be able to squeeze out more than what's already possible.

Crysis 2 is a prime example of this.

Yeah thats the point though we know the systems are maxed on the graphics front but many developers are still not up to speed for PS3 development, resulting in many cross platform titles having issues on PS3.

We dont need them to squeeze more out of them in graphical terms anyway, we just need better games with more content. Remember that bluray gives the PS3 much more room for data but its barely used in most games with many not needing as much storage as it provides.

Squares contention that developers are "bored" and then "forced" to move away from current console platforms is ludicrous at best, and down right wambulance material.

If anything the current stability in hardware for the consoles provides a almost gauranteed level of graphical quality coupled with more than adequete performance. For some developers thats a big plus as it means they have a much easier time in development as they understand the system much better than when it was initially released, giving them a much more robust product without having to "learn on the job" as is the case with new hardware.

As I said earlier, the reason square is even saying this is that the games they have released have been crap and tanked in sales. They are all flashy and without substance, resulting in poor sales. Rather than try and work on its failings to make a better product, they are simply dolling out blame because they cant make the games any flashier. Basically they want to cash in on the "hipster" effect of new hardware with B minus products.

[Witchdoctor]

PS4 and X-Box 720

I am a PC gamer so it makes no diff to me

Interesting to see where it goes as new releases from MS and Sony would mean DX11 would become mainstream ............

All good if you ask me

[Maniac]

If Square would develop for PC they wouldn't have this problem

[sysigy]

Originally Posted by Maniac

If Square would develop for PC they wouldn't have this problem

+1

Square's comments are laughable

[CybrSlydr]

I agree with Square.

The problem is that consoles are holding everything back. Computers these days are massively faster than consoles due to newer hardware. The fact that Sony and Microsoft are sitting back and keeping the available performance bar steady means that developers aren't going to try and improve because they can't - and by keeping this generation going longer, they're preventing forward progress.

[vai0]

1200x680 0xaa 30fps

hmmm

yes they lasted about 5 years too long

[MattSharkey]

If im not mistaken, isnt it the xbox that's holding us back? devs arent using the ps3's full potential because they need it to work on the xbox too (for most cross platform games that is) microsoft is just loving the cash cow that they made between xbox live and call of duty that fuels it.

I would hope that steam goes forward with its barebone PC/Console: that would push microsoft to get off their lazy asses and sony to follow suit.

[Maniac]

PS3 is only slightly more powerful than the 360. 360's CPU was even based on the cell processor.

[CybrSlydr]

Originally Posted by Maniac

PS3 is only slightly more powerful than the 360. 360's CPU was even based on the cell processor.

And isn't the gpu a stripped down 7800-series card?

[SCOLANATOR]

Yeh it is, the PS3 does have a powerful processor but with it's meagre 256/256 RAM and weak graphics card there isn't much more it can do.
Would like to see a new DX11 generation of consoles if anything just to allow PC's to continue advancing.
~scol

[Enigma_AMDboy]

Originally Posted by CybrSlydr

And isn't the gpu a stripped down 7800-series card?

If by stripped down 7800-series, you mean its approximately on par with integrated HD4200 graphics that were on AMD mobo's about 5 years ago, then the answer is YES!

But as far as raw computer power goes its about 60% as powerful as a HD4650.

[N64link]

Originally Posted by Enigma_AMDboy

If by stripped down 7800-series, you mean its approximately on par with integrated HD4200 graphics that were on AMD mobo's about 5 years ago, then the answer is YES!

But as far as raw computer power goes its about 60% as powerful as a HD4650.

He meant the PS3, IIRC it's based on an nvidia GPU that was akin to the 7800gtx

EDIT: found it.

[CybrSlydr]

I remebered one was of the 7800 aeries, but couldn't remember which - though both appear pretty equal in performance: dated.