First word on "Wii 2"

[Razer]

from gamepro.com-

" The radically different console is being shown privately to select parties, and offers a 'true refresh' to the hardware--not an update.
Sources: Nintendo privately showing new Wii hardware, dubbed 'Wii HD'

We've looked into the future of the Wii, and saw this

Veteran video game journalist John Davidson is reporting today that Nintendo is secretly showing select developers a radically new "Wii HD" design behind closed doors.

The "complete refresh" would arrive in 2011, sources said, and would be a true "next generation" Nintendo console. Davidson reports that the new system would be a true successor to the Wii, which launched to critical claim and continued success in November, 2006. Those developers who have seen the system in action have unofficially given it the "Wii HD" moniker, not Nintendo.

The anonymous sources have also described the transition from Wii to Wii HD as "similar to the shift from Game Boy to Game Boy Advance," in that key elements remain intact while the core hardware is made more powerful. Regardless of the final form, sources stated the "Wii" name will remain, in part.

And while sources were hesitant to spill the beans on all features they witnessed the new machine produce, they could confirm HD visuals, increased digitally distributed content, and backwards compatibility. A local storage medium was hinted at, but remains unconfirmed. 2011, coincidentally or not, is also about the time when many analysts predict downloadable movies, games and music will bury the need for physical media formats like Blu-ray.

Nintendo will also continue to focus on how people interact with the system, and not the power or processing under the hood.

Supporting Davidson's sources is evidence that goes beyond the typical "we do not comment on rumors" shtick that Nintendo normally fires off for such stories. And, as it so often is, all you have to do is follow the money.

As Nintendo has grown over the past two years, so too has its research and development budget. Since the launch of the Wii, Nintendo's spending on R&D has ballooned to more than ten times what it was five years ago, during the dying days of the GameCube. In the past three years spending has tripled.
The numbers are pretty telling: In 2003, Nintendo spent $34 million on R&D. In 2006 the number climbed to $103 million. The following year it rose dramatically to $370 million.

"While this could be attributed to any number of additional projects, the level of spending suggests that a large project is in the works," Davidson said.

No kidding. A new Wii console--and we mean completely new, given the bump in research and development--is as sure a thing as giant enemy crabs appearing at a Sony press event.

Update: Video game uber-analyst Michael Pachter agrees. As we reported earlier, Pachter predicted that Nintendo might very well release some kind of updated Wii system to appease customers within the next 2-3 years."


That would basically make it five years after the launch of the Wii which is about par for the course for new hardware (except for the PS family) so it's not as much of a blockbuster as it appears. Still, it'll be interesting to see if they go to the "holographic drive" with the Wii or wait until the new system (which sounds like it may be a better fit).

[Silver Adept]

Next console on the way, as expected. So that makes perfect sense. Leaks and rumors abound. Quesiton is, will Sony and Microsoft rush out another console to match that on the 2011 timeframe?

[Razer]

Sony won't. They're dead set on maintaining their "ten year lifespan" and to jump early would make them lose face. Besides, the way that the PS3 launch and first year was handled, it'll be another year befor eit becomes a viable platform. Therefore tho it'll look like it's been around for three-four years, it'll only really have been used for 1-2. Of course I do expect Sony to slash the price of the PS3 whenever Nin's new console hits. That's just common sense tho.
I believe Microsoft will jump early but not that early. The 360 is just starting to hit it's stride (at the more price points) so they'll have to sit just to see how the effects are really taking place. I'm guessing that'll take 12-18 months to accurately rate. The 360 should be able to survive at least another 4 years so I'll say 2012-13 before that one hits. It has to be drastically more efficient tho (aka no red ring of death, built in wifi, wireless components, etc) or else it's a wash tho. Their proprietary charge and play kit, wireless adaptor, etc is pure madness when compared to the PS3 (and even the Wii). You position the XB to be a "gamePC" yet you don't use easily accessible pc cables and accessories. Stupid.

Just my opinion.