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[Pachinko]

I was giving this some thought recently and realized that I kind of do find it insane ! 2013 was 4 years ago but it doesn't really feel like that much. There's some definite "being an adult and time feels faster" going on in my case but my thoughts are my thoughts. Why do I consider this a point worth mentioning ? Well, it's more so in comparison to previous generations. The NES had it's full launch in 1986 after the soft launch in 1985. So going back in time a bit , it's 4th full year of life for most people in North America was 1990. The SNES came out over here in 1991 so it's equivalent year 4 was 1995. Sega Genesis was 1989, so 1993 was it's year 4. The playstation's was 1999. 2004 for the PS2. 2010 for the PS3. I bring up all these dates as a point of reference because ... I suppose the biggest thing I'm getting at is why it doesn't feel like it's been that long. A combination of a smaller overall game publishing industry and substantially longer development times AND the feeling that both the PS4/XB1 felt like they came out a year late has made these past 4 years feel somewhat lacking in software. Compared to the past. There have certainly been a ton of great games but they all take forever to come out now and most release half baked or as evolving online services now. Then, you have last years PS4Pro and this years XB1X launch further compounding generational lines.

In my above listed dates , it's pretty safe to say that the NES,SNES, GEN, PS1, PS2 had pretty much all of their biggest hits released by this point in time. The 360/PS3 gen took about about 2 extra years. So I suppose it's possible the same will be true now. Ultimately I made this thread because it feels like the last 18 months were the first time the XB1/PS4 really seemed to launch some high quality anticipated exclusive software. It feels like we should have 2-3 more rounds of high end software like this before we move on to a PS5 or whatever comes next and yet... I also feel that the tech inside these boxes is aging out very quickly and we'll have new hardware 2 years from now. On sony's side in particular , it feels like the next wave of announced games will be it for the current hardware cycle. Detroit : Become Human , Days Gone, Spider-man, God of War 4 and Last of Us Part II. I suppose there's a chance suckerpunch is working on something too but beyond that ? once that list of games is out it stands to reason by my account that the next project for each studio will be a PS5 game.

Anyway, this was kind of a rambling editorialized post that I just wanted to get out there, thanks for reading if you took the time. Obviously feel free to post your own comments on this line of thought below. I'm curious to know if I'm the only one suffering from videogame related insanity. I'll just stress one final point - I'm not at all saying that there hasn't been quality software , that would be a gross exaggeration. I've had a ton of fun this gen so far but in comparison to the generations of my youth there are simply fewer "big" games coming out. That's the crux of my insanity really.

 

[PhilipDoesMatter]

Time flies. It has been a good generation so far.

 

[SprachBrooks]

Why do you put a space between your punctuation points?

Anyway, i think this generation has been decent enough so far. The PS2 era is still my favourite in terms of the variety of games.

 

[RoboPlato]

I completely disagree with anyone who thinks this gen has been light on good games. The past two years have been astounding for quality and it’s not slowing down moving into 2018. It’s not just that we’re getting a few great games. We’re constantly getting amazing games at a faster pace than I can ever remember.

 

[CannonFodder52]

Good games so far, but yes I swear time scares me. It doesn't feel like anywhere near 4 years for me.

 

[Crossing Eden]

Best year of the gen is a constant reminder that we're far into it.

 

[Windle Poons]

I know right and 1080p / 60 fps still isn't standard on console but 4K is trying to be? Weird.

 

[NeoZeedeater]

It's worth noting that back in the day, game systems originating in Japan came out 1 to 3 years later in the West. The first year of releases for the TG16 and Genesis was way more impressive than the first year of the PC Engine and Japanese Mega Drive. Still, the current gen felt slow to start even factoring that in.

 

[BigEmil]

I know right and 1080p / 60 fps still isn't standard on console but 4K is trying to be? Weird.

It could've been if the current consoles had a better CPU. But for its time when they were making it, the weak Jaguar CPU was their only option.


It's likely next gen around PS5 they will finally use a proper CPU like the Ryzen, no excuses then when that time comes I will change my buying habits and prioritise buying 60fps games over 30fps games all the time, 60fps games day one and 30fps games buy it used and cheap later on

 

[Raiden]

Yeah we're just getting older. Kids experiencing this as a first are going mental with everything thats available.

 

[Bakkus]

Well, it's not like PS3 and XBOX360 died 4 years ago, they died just around 2 years ago. 3rd party developers continued to port to those afterwards.

 

[Soul of the Beast]

2013 and 2014 were absolutely fucking garbage, there're times that I literally want to smash my PS4 because of how disappointing everything was. PS3 was so much better than PS4 during those years, graphics aside.

2015, 2016 was alright, at least we got good games like MGSV, Wticher 3, Bloodborne, DOOM etc.

and 2017 is just fucking GREAT.

I know this isn't true but I really feel like we are only 2.5 years into the generation, if you know what I mean.

 

[Pachinko]

I know right and 1080p / 60 fps still isn't standard on console but 4K is trying to be? Weird.

That's the nature of technology sadly. It's "easy/cheap" to push pixel counts but not so much to push fillrates higher. Or put another way , a faster GPU ended up costing less than a faster CPU. Cost in this case isn't just $$$$ either , it's also heat and space. It's why the upcoming XB1X was literally built around overclocking it's GPU to the limit... and also why it's 500$.

Also, sorry about that formatting SprachBrooks, I'll clean that up. It was easier for me to toss out my rambling thoughts that way so I didn't turn them into paragraphs until I was done, the text entry box on firefox is very small when making a post so the formatting looked much better in there than it does as a final post stretched out. This one my look similar I suppose.

 

[Afrodium]

It's crazy, and I think it's because the first couple years were very slow, to the point where it feels like it only recently got started. It's crazy to me that people assume next gen is starting in 2-3 years as that would likely mean that most of the new IPs this gen or even major non-annualized series would only have one to two game(s) this generation.

 

[Soul of the Beast]

It's crazy, and I think it's because the first couple years were very slow, to the point where it feels like it only recently got started.

Exactly how I feel. This gen wasted it's first 18 months on mediocre and bad games, no one will ever remember those games, that's how boring they are.

2015 is when this gen really starts for me.

 

[xviper]

2013 and 2014 were absolutely fucking garbage, there're times that I literally want to smash my PS4 because of how disappointing everything was. PS3 was so much better than PS4 during those years, graphics aside.

2015, 2016 was alright, at least we got good games like MGSV, Wticher 3, Bloodborne, DOOM etc.

and 2017 is just fucking GREAT.

I know this isn't true but I really feel like we are only 2.5 years into the generation, if you know what I mean.

excuse me ?? 2014 was garbage for PS4 but was amazing for Xbox one, but i agree, overall it was a very weak year

but 2013 was a good fucking year, we got GTA V, TLOU, TR, MGR, AC4, Beyond, GOW:A, DR3 and many more, but most importantly, we got the best game in decades, the masterpiece, game of all generations, Knack

Edit: unless you mean 2013 was garbage for ps4\x1, you are half right, it was good for Xbox one and horrible for PS4

 

[Ferr986]

I know right and 1080p / 60 fps still isn't standard on console but 4K is trying to be? Weird.

You guys really need to stop thinking 60 fps will be standard. They will never be.

And yep, time goes so fucking fast. It's kind of scary sometimes lol

 

[Afrodium]

excuse me ?? 2014 was garbage for PS4 but was amazing for Xbox one, but i agree, overall it was a very weak year

but 2013 was a good fucking year, we got GTA V, TLOU, TR, MGR, AC4, Beyond, GOW:A, DR3 and many more, but most importantly, we got the best game in decades, the masterpiece, game of all generations, Knack

The majority of those were PS3/360 games that only later got remasters. If you just look at the PS4 or Xbox One library the year was quite slow.

Which kind of makes me wonder why at this point people are hankering for next gen, or generations to continue at all. 2017 has been firing on all cylinders and a new generation is going to grind everything to a halt as upcoming games are made cross platform and devs make games specifically for new hardware that's two years out. People love new generations for the hype cycle, but they actually kind of suck for awhile. I'd take more years like 2017 over a new gen any day. I think at this point new upgraded hardware releases every 2-3 years like the Pro and One X that are backwards/forwards compatible for the foreseeable future are the way to go.

 

[Cutebrute]

excuse me ?? 2014 was garbage for PS4 but was amazing for Xbox one, but i agree, overall it was a very weak year

but 2013 was a good fucking year, we got GTA V, TLOU, TR, MGR, AC4, Beyond, GOW:A, DR3 and many more, but most importantly, we got the best game in decades, the masterpiece, game of all generations, Knack

Funny, all but three of those 2013 titles you named weren't on new generation platforms in 2013, and the two exclusives you named weren't noteworthy. In fact, they were very disappointing given they were the flagship launch titles for their respective platforms.

2013 was a great year because it was the end of the ps360 gen. The PS4/XBO line up in 2013 was hot garbage.

EDIT: beaten. Although the XBO launch line up was better than PS4, it was still lackluster as the start of a new generation.

 

[Greatest Ever]

This is, what, 2009 or 2010 for last gen consoles? Feels weird man. I loved 2016 so if that was the peak I don't mind.

 

[TheXbox]

2014 was such a wash it might as well be three years.

 

[Soul of the Beast]

Edit: unless you mean 2013 was garbage for ps4\x1, you are half right, it was good for Xbox one and horrible for PS4

.....that's what I meant dude, we are only talking this generation, remember?

 

[xviper]

.....that's what I meant dude, we are only talking this generation, remember?

sorry i misunderstood, but Xbox one had an amazing first year, it got DR3, Max: curse of the brotherhood, Titanfall, D4, Forza horizon 2, Sunset overdrive, and Halo MCC

while PS4 got.... nothing good, maybe Resogun( which was awful for me but i get that the majority liked it, it's and indie game)

 

[EdgeXL]

If you consider 2013 to be the start of the generation. I see 2011 as the start of the eighth generation with the 3DS launch.

 

[Nitpicker_Red]

Why do you put a space between your punctuation points?

I thought it could be a non-native deformation, some languages have different rules about putting spaces before "?" and "!" punctuations, Edit: but apparently not.

 

[Trace]

If you consider 2013 to be the start of the generation. I see 2011 as the start of the eighth generation with the 3DS launch.

It technically started in 2012 with the Wii U. Handhelds follow their own rules when it comes to generations.

 

[Zukkoyaki]

Eh, not really. Hopefully we still have a good few years left.

 

[thechristoph]

This whole generation seems entirely unnecessary to me outside of first party exclusives. I've been enjoying things just fine with a 3DS and a six-year-old PC. I'd include Switch in that but I really only have a couple games so far.

 

[UrbanRats]

Time flies, when you need 2 to 6+ years to develop a game.

GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas, all came out within 4 years of each other.
Now it takes almost 10 years to get ONE GTA.

 

[Stevey]

Getting old does this.
2004 feels like last week

 

[jryeje29]

A bunch of good stuff but yea it's insane how fast time has flown on this one. Maybe thats a good sign, it would feel like more of a drag if it were mediocre.

 

[Melon Husk]

Games take longer to develop. Also, I buy my consoles 4 years into the cycle so idk — I feel like there's plenty of choice. Of course, the experiences are mostly the same as they were in previous gen, just in higher resolution.

 

[Haribokart]

The playstation's was 1999. 2004 for the PS2. 2010 for the PS3

Agreed

 

[Prince of Space]

This is why I waited until 2016 to buy a PS4

 

[Magic Mushroom]

I completely disagree with anyone who thinks this gen has been light on good games. The past two years have been astounding for quality and it’s not slowing down moving into 2018. It’s not just that we’re getting a few great games. We’re constantly getting amazing games at a faster pace than I can ever remember.

Past three years I'd say. 2015 had Bloodborne, Ori, Splatoon, Rocket League, Witcher 3, Siege, Phantom Pain and others. Heck, 2014 was good if you had a Wii U. But this year alone wrecks last gen.

 

[Unaha-Closp]

I remember thinking at the end of the PS3/360 era that 1080p is more than good enough and we will get rock solid 1080p/60fps on all games on PS4 and 360Two.........what a sweet summer child I was.

That said yeah time flies. Always has done. Rockstar still haven't released a game this gen.....you know what I mean. Mind boggling really.

 

[Wiped89]

It's scary. Back in 2011/12 there was TONS of rumour and hype flying around for 'next gen'.

Now I hear nothing at all about PS5 or Xbox Two, not even speculation. It's clear nobody wants next gen yet and that we don't really need it, even though new consoles in 2018 would totally fit most patterns of console releases.

For me, hooking up a PS4 Pro to an OLED is sublime and I cannot see why I'd need to upgrade yet.

I also remember buying a PS4 on launch day, then suffering through the first year barely having anything to play (see also: Wii U). Now there are so many great games in my favourite genres, games like Wipeout, Uncharted, NFS and Forza Horizon, that I am not sure we'll even get versions of next gen, that I am happy to stick with this one for 2 more years easily.

 

[mazillion]

Games take longer to develop. Also, I buy my consoles 4 years into the cycle so idk — I feel like there's plenty of choice. Of course, the experiences are mostly the same as they were in previous gen, just in higher resolution.

Damn dude that's some willpower right there, especially for someone who frequents NeoGaf.

 

[spazchicken]

I know right and 1080p / 60 fps still isn't standard on console but 4K is trying to be? Weird.

It never will be.

 

[The Pet of the Month]

I do not miss the beginning years of this generation. I'm glad the X1 and PS4 have relatively stable operating systems and a great collection of applications/games.

Actually just yesterday I thought how crazy it's been these last 4 years. Hardly feels like we're really at the midpoint of these consoles.

 

[chronic_archaic]

Feels shorter to me, though, I didn't really start dying for a PS4 or Xbox One until 2015. I could have gotten one in 2014 but skipped because everything was still on 360 and a lot wasn't on the new systems, and I wasn't a graphics whore so I made out pretty good.

 

[Servbot24]

I know right and 1080p / 60 fps still isn't standard on console but 4K is trying to be? Weird.

60fps will never be standard, probably for several generations to come.

 

[facetheslayer92]

Time flies, when you need 2 to 6+ years to develop a game.

GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas, all came out within 4 years of each other.
Now it takes almost 10 years to get ONE GTA.

Yup the days of console trilogies are over. They ain’t coming back.

 

[neurosyphilis]

Yep I remember being 17 years old and a Junior in high school, and pre ordering a PS4. Now I'm 21 and in college.

 

[Betty]

No, it feels like it's been 4 years, 2016 honestly feels like a lifetime ago sometimes.

I am hoping the generation lasts though, i'm feeling very comfy with the consoles and the games.

 

[JordanN]

Time flies, when you need 2 to 6+ years to develop a game.

GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas, all came out within 4 years of each other.
Now it takes almost 10 years to get ONE GTA.

To be fair, games are so much bigger now.

So we could get faster games, but it means going back to this.

Instead of this:

And that was just PS3/360 hardware.

 

[Soul of the Beast]

To be fair, games are so much bigger now.

So we could get faster games, but it means going back to this.

Instead of this:

And that was just PS3/360 hardware.

I am okay with that, screw open world games, give me handcrafted level design.

 

[Gartooth]

It really only feels like its been 2 years. When I think back to 2013/2014, the only games I remember loving happened to be part of the last hurrah for PS3/360, or whatever Nintendo had on Wii U. It wasn't until 2015 that I started having a lot of fun on my PS4, and 2016 was the moment when it finally felt like the new generation was here.

I just don't care at all about having new generation hardware until like 2020. I think there's a lot that can still be done with current hardware and I don't want to see software dry up again once new machines hit.

 

[The Pet of the Month]

To be fair, games are so much bigger now.

So we could get faster games, but it means going back to this.

Instead of this:

And that was just PS3/360 hardware.

To be honest I wouldn't mind one or the other, but I apparently have a higher tolerance for the former than many do.

But yeah, games are much bigger and sound much better than they ever have before.

 

[Astral Dog]

This whole generation seems entirely unnecessary to me outside of first party exclusives. I've been enjoying things just fine with a 3DS and a six-year-old PC. I'd include Switch in that but I really only have a couple games so far.

Thats crazy.