I know their are problems with starting new generations but I'm not sure no generations is the solution per say. For example we saw a move by developers this last gen where many large budget multiplat games were designed to target multiple generations of consoles. It's pretty well established that during the hardware transition this is important so they can sell enough software while the new install base grows and so gamers of the last gen don't feel abandoned during the transition. Not sure how moving to an iterative hardware model would really be that different (maybe some difference in development costs). And I'd much rather have a mix of these multi-generational games as well as dedicated exclusives (shallow as those launch titles might be) than no exclusives at all.
I don't know. I feel like rather than staying with the same generation model or moving to a fully iterative model the solution might be something in between. For example how about a PS5 that not only plays both PS4 games and PS5 exclusives (basically just a return to backward compatibility of all prior Sony machines), but also games made for a NEW CROSS GENERATIONAL GAME RIGHTS/DELIVERY SYSTEM. So we get both a PS4 and PS5 disc in the same box, Download codes/rights to both versions, or both PS5 and PS4 games on the same disc or any combination of the above. Anything that gives me the rights to those games on both new and old Sony platforms for one fee. There are many ways to scale and deliver software so the last gen user base isn't abandoned and developers can still sell to that wider install base if they want to.
But endlessly iterative consoles will bring just as many if not worse problems than generational hard stops. The ones I keep hearing are-
1. PAYING FOR HARDWARE THAT ISN'T FULLY UTILIZED- Games will be held back to accommodate lower end machines and will be designed for the most active user base of these machines (same as on PC). Because of this the higher end machines will rarely get pushed if ever, the same way your high end PC's don't. This sucks because you are paying a premium for hardware that won't get pushed at all. From a purchasing stand point you have effectively LOWERED THE VALUE PROPOSITION of your new hardware.
2. I DON'T NEED IT- If their are no Generational exclusives and all new games are made to be playable on the older hardware (forward compatibility) the incentive to purchase the more expensive new hardware is significantly reduced (for example the PS4 Pro isn' needed to play PS4 games and so it's selling only 20% of total PS4 platform sales). Plain and simple why do I NEED a new machine if the old one still plays all my games? Sure they are slightly prettier but from a sales stand point you have once again LOWERED THE VALUE PROPOSITION for new hardware.
3. MIGHT AS WELL WAIT- This really affects us Gafer types. The average early adopter (GAF user/PC gamers/technophile) want the newest and best machines to play our games on and we spend a lot on this hobby to do so. For example I have spent many thousands to keep my PC in VIVE ready status (1080ti here I come
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But consoles have always been a different story. They have always been good for 5-6 years (at least Sony machines are), but moving this to every 3 years is crazy expensive for what they are. From an early adopters perspective OUR PURCHASE JUST BECAME LESS VALUABLE because it will only be the best for a few years and then I have to buy again. Why buy the newest machine when in a few years the next one will come along?
4. Frequent releases of endlessly iterative hardware LACKS THE IMPACT of larger generational shifts. New generations, as crazy as they must be for everyone in the industry, inspire gamers to stay with this hobby. Going to an iterative model will dilute the impact of each hardware release and take a lot of excitement out of the industry. Plus why get new hardware if the differences aren't very pronounced? (again we are talking about the visible software differences not the raw hardware specs).
I see these things as having a hugely negative impact on the console gaming market and to be honest I hope they don't succeed.