i guess some of us will just have to agree to disagree whether less than 5 years is that significant or not.

even if xbox next comes out next summer, it doesn't mean that i will stop playing the xbox (assuming no backwards compatibility).

imo, it is far better to make a good product (for less than $200) w/ good games.

I don't see what the big deal is - everyone knew the Xbox 2 would come out when PS3 came out and everyone knew PS3 would come out Holiday 2005. It's 4 years instead of 5, big deal. Consoles cost 299 today brand new... so did consoles 20-25 years ago. You think the dollar is worth the same today as it was 25 years ago? Nope. 299 was a helluvalot of money back then and damn right a console should last 5 or 6 years. I'm sure they'll support the Xbox through 2006 or 2007 regardless of when the Xbox 2 comes out. Backwards compatable or not.

Given that the X-box and PS2 launched for $299, what makes you think there's a snowballs chance in hell the X-box 2 or PS3 will be under $200. There's no way that happens IMO. They'll more than likely be $300 again.

$299 is ridiculous when Nintendo can put out a system with pretty much even graphical capabilities (just lacking in features I don't care about) for $199.

Plus your right that everyone knew the X-box 2 would launch with the PS3, but the thing now is that Sony has said they're in no rush to launch the PS3 and it may well fall to 2006.

I don't think Nintendo or MS should launch before Sony for business, rather than personal reasons. They should all launch around the same time. If that's fall 2005 so be it. But I think Nintendo and/or MS will shoot themselves in the foot if they launch before the PS3, as that would give Sony time to develop a marketing plan to over take them, maybe make minor spec improvements (can't do anything major as developers get kits a couple years before launch) etc.

I don't really care that much personally when the next gen systems come out. Launch lineup have been pathetic the last two gens. I'll wait a year or so till the first price drop on the consoles, and pick up the 1 or two good launch games cheap then as well.

Do you want to know who console life cycles are important to?

It's not the techno-savvy, gadget hounds that snatch up the new console on its release date because they just absolutely have to.

It's not the kid / teenager who beg their parents endlessly for the new console at Christmas.

It's not the 18-22 year old college student that wants to play tournaments against everyone else on the floor.

It's certainly not Joe Sixpack who doesn't even remember when they bought the last console.

Simply put, Console life cycles are important to a handful of people on message boards that like to jibba-jabber about the future of new consoles.

i have no idea what it will sell for at release. i wasn't speculating on the price.

i just want a console for $200 or less as that's sort of my price point before i buy it.

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i also think it's really funny that people are speculating on 5 year vs 4 year or less, pricing, market shares, etc... when all we do is play video games (and watch dvds).

[only JH can see]Ok - please don't attempt to communicate with me directly or quote my posts and reply. I don't want to be dragged into some squabble that gets me in trouble... I'd prefer it if we just ignored each other. I'm not suggesting you're trying to pick a fight right now or anything - I know you're just having a discussion, but you and I don't get along and I'm sick of getting into trouble over it. I don't put anyone on ignore, so don't bother suggesting. I have been for the most part simply not returning to threads that you start posting in (or at least I try not to post right after you or respond to something you said) in order to avoid conflicts.

I'm sorry (to everyone) about the speedbump in the thread... there's reasons why I couldn't email this. No need to reply to this post, I think it's pretty clear-cut and either you'll do it or you won't... not much I can do about it and there's no need to discuss it. Thanks.[/only JH can see]

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Anyway - as for the new console thing... all these companies know what they're doing better than any of us do, so I'm sure they'll be fine whatever they choose to do. And Flay - I agree.

Fair enough, to an extent. I'm still going to discuss things like what you posted, as others can jump in, but I'll refrain from quoting you or expecting a reply from you.

My speculation of next generation of consoles:

Xbox 2: 4th Quarter 2006, at $299
PS3: 4th Quarter 2006, at $299
Nintendo: Who cares, at $199

My purchase of one of these: 2008, at $150.

We already have a thread for discussing this.