What do you want your console to do?

[Jetherik]

The console makers are hard at work at the next-gen system. Did they ask the users what was wanted? I don't know. So, I am going to ask you, "What do you want your console to do, or have?" Wireless? Huge hard drive? Sleekness? Cool colors? What is important to you?

[TrackZero]

I want my console to see through time, fire laser beams and warm up my burrito.

[AzN.Homeboy]

Have good games.

[zipR]

Keep my feet propped up whilst I play games on my PC.

[ÜberJumper]

Play high definition capable video games? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

As for innovation, sure, but don't innovate too radically.

Maybe link to my Home PC across the home network so I can add "stuff" to it, like savegames downloaded from the web, or new player created skins or logos. I'd be cool to be able to pump down funny videos and such downloaded from the Internet and store them to make my own funniest videos collection.

I'm not so big on the home media center yet, and I don't listen to music very much, but yeah, it'd be kinda cool to be able to store music and movies and recorded TV shows on it.

[TrackZero]

Play high definition capable video games? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

As for innovation, sure, but don't innovate too radically.

Maybe link to my Home PC across the home network so I can add "stuff" to it, like savegames downloaded from the web, or new player created skins or logos. I'd be cool to be able to pump down funny videos and such downloaded from the Internet and store them to make my own funniest videos collection.

I'm not so big on the home media center yet, and I don't listen to music very much, but yeah, it'd be kinda cool to be able to store music and movies and recorded TV shows on it.

Do you want to buy me a HDTV to play those games on? It's still too rich for my blood.

[Savok]

Hard drive because I hate memory cards

Wires because I fear wireless

Reliability

Duel Shock controller or something similar (unless they got an even better idea)

Backwards compatible so I don't have to keep my cupboards filled with plugged in systems

Internet access to the extent that you can dl other people's saved games

At least one AAA title for launch

Simple design so it isn't a bitch to clean

An instruction manual that has real information in it

[if76]

Reduce loading times

[Savok]

Endorsements from Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull fame) and his cats

[Abednigo]

More great/good games than mediocre/crappy games.

At least a small hard drive for save games (a larger one if downloadable content is going to be available...duh). Memory cards are a waste.

Backwards compatibility with the previous console.

[Blue]

I want my console to play video games. I don't need a media center/toaster, I need something that's going to be able to deliver a compelling gaming experience and give developers the means to do so.

[ÜberJumper]

TrackZero:

Key word "Capable"... as in It'd be nice if it was capable of doing XYZ.

"Play high definition capable video games?"

I've got a pretty good HDTV, and I'm loving the high def stuff.

[abso]

Have a large library of games (bound to be some good ones if the library is large enough) and play my DVDs.

[trip1eX]

It should have a better controller for fps/rts games. IT should let you use mouse/keyboard. YOu should be able to hook up to an lcd outta the box. YOu should be able to surf the net. Run an MS OFfice like program. Do your taxes. HOok up a printer to it. Print photos. Image editing. Oh and games. Yes games.

Anyway internet would be neat if you're waiting for someone to come on to game with. ON the pc I often surf while waiting. Or check email etc. The 360 should have that. I mean it's got more power than everyone's pc why not let users take advantage of it. Let it connect up to some external storage like a network harddrive.

[Savok]

YES, mouse/keyboard compatible for MMOGs and so on, forgot about that.

[crazyfrazee]

I want them to bring back the game "variants," like in the old systems. You know, where you put in your game, then hit reset, and it comes back with a new color scheme or something. Maybe change the name a little. "Halo, no... Hillo, no... Hello, no... Galo, no... Yalo, yes!"

[Ghost_Saint]

YES, mouse/keyboard compatible for MMOGs and so on, forgot about that.

You could just go get a PC, since the vast majority of MMOGs are PC games and there's only about 2 that you can't play on PC. Plus the way things are going before long your game console will be a media center PC.

[Kermit]

XYZ
ABC buttons, arcade style like sega's pre-dc controllers. having only 4 on top still feels like a step back.
and something that can at least compete with a keyboard/mouse setup for fps,rts,etc

quick start-up, no loading, auto-save on shutdown and start where you were last when you turn it on. turn on/of using (wireless) controller (i think xbox360 has this?)
completely silent & small
can clone itself and take over the world

[Savok]

I have a PC. Right now for MMOGs I have CoH and Guild Wars.

What I would dearly love is intergrated voice support, something that even GW avoided.

[AbeLincoln]

First party VGA/DVI support would be awesome so I could use it on a monitor if the TV is tied up. Ever since having a VGA box for the Dreamcast I've wanted every console to do this.

Use of PC peripherals. At least the XBOX:360 and PS3 should have USB 2.0 jacks so why not let me plug in my keyboard, mouse, thumbdrive, external HD, and if they're feeling generous my flight stick or racing wheel

Networked Co-op games. Seriously, I don't like playing the Halo games that much, but I love playing the Halos' single player campagins with a buddy, it'd be great if I didn't have to do it on a split screen.

[Heretic Machine]

1. Good games.
2. Excellent online support.
3. Wi-fi out of the box.
4. DVD playback.
5. Rechargable wireless controllers, if they are wireless.
6. Ethernet out of the box.

Endorsements from Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull fame) and his cats

That too.

EDIT: Oh, and I saw on Kotaku where the memory cards for the XBOX 360 looked to be USB. I want to be able to use those memory cards as thumb drives, and also be able to use a thumb drive as a memory card if possible. That would be the ultimate in awesome.

EDIT 2: Oh, and a hard-drive... can't believe I forgot that.

[XxSATANxX]

Okay Here's my wish list:

1. Hooks up to my Computer monitor.
2. Has a keyboard mouse for FPS.
3. Kick ass games.

Am I getting any of that this time around?

Nope.

At 499 dollars launch price I think I'll just build another game box.

[bapenguin]

Nobody else wants realistic booby physics? ;)

[Vjornaxx]

I'm with Abe about the VGA/DVI support. I don't have an HDTV for my Xbox, I use the X2VGA instead. I really hope that Xbox 360 will let me use my monitor for Hi-Def rather than having to go and purchase a proper HDTV.

[Savok]

Dammit Perigon, don't make me like you

[GodFather]

Id like my new console to make me breakfest in the morning after recieving a nice long session of oral sex from it. Not sure if these features will be included in this generation of console units...

[Furious Wang]

All I care about is faceplates.

[Adam Blue]

The Xbox 360 looks to have more than I could ever want in a console. Now we just have to wait and see the games. But on that note - so far, so good.

I'm curious as to the output on the 360. I'm figuring the component is a given. But DVI? HDMI? Anybody know?

[netcraazzy]

HD is cool but I don't have one of those TV's..yet. Same goes for surround sound. DVD playback is pretty much expected I think and backwards compatibility is a nice touch but by no means necessary. Online is the name of the game if you ask me. Give me games that build online communities the way PC games do. Live is good but there is still much work to be done. Give players an easy to configure website/clanspace that exists within the confines of the online service. Allow user created content like new characters and maps. Provide game updates and "gasp" patches from developer created gamespaces. Lastly, how about downloadable game demos and video trailers again from developer created gamespaces. Of course all of this stuff will require a decent sized storage medium and it better be compatible with my PC and affordable, *cough* Sony *cough*.

[Nath5000]

I want the consoles to have keyboard and mouse capability as an OPTION, just to show PC gamers that the difference between console and PC gaming is a lot smaller than they all think, aside from PC customizability.

[ÜberJumper]

Wait a second, you people call yourselves gamers and you DON'T have HDTVs yet?

You people are fucking broken... GET WITH IT.

(In all seriousness, 480p gaming's amazing, I can't wait for 720p to be the standard. TV nowadays lacks luster when not in HDTV. It's like comparing VHS to DVD. HDTV > Regular TV. HD Gaming > Regular Gaming.)

[yutt]

Nobody else wants realistic booby physics?
I think the next big technological leap for gaming will be to just have breasts on the console itself.

[netcraazzy]

Wait a second, you people call yourselves gamers and you DON'T have HDTVs yet?

You people are fucking broken... GET WITH IT.


Well I just graduated from college so moving out of my parents house kind of takes precedence over buying a new HDTV, but as I said I don't have one...YET. Since prices are finally starting to come down I foresee that most people, those that user their TV frequently and care about picture quality anyway, will either have or plan on getting a HDTV within the next 3-5 years. That time span is certainly within the lifespan of this upcoming console generation so I can see where MS is going with their mandatory 720p in all games.

[anakin876]

Id like my new console to make me breakfest in the morning after recieving a nice long session of oral sex from it. Not sure if these features will be included in this generation of console units...


Ah, you must be thinking of the EDS prototype units from Sony (one of the H models). The problem is, first you have to make it love you before it will do any of that; I am guessing you don't want to have to work too hard to get these sorts of perks. I guess you'll just have to crack the code and just force it to love you.

[VoodooKarma]

Nobody else wants realistic booby physics? ;)

I am not buying a next-gen console unless it has realistic booby physics. And most people overlook this, but realistic ass jiggle physics is almost as important. You are looking at the characters ass most of the time anyways. :)
Oh yeah, a keyboard and mouse would be nice too.

[mulligan]

Wait a second, you people call yourselves gamers and you DON'T have HDTVs yet?

You people are fucking broken... GET WITH IT.

(In all seriousness, 480p gaming's amazing, I can't wait for 720p to be the standard. TV nowadays lacks luster when not in HDTV. It's like comparing VHS to DVD. HDTV > Regular TV. HD Gaming > Regular Gaming.)


hehe .. not all of us are located in the united states... here in .do (and im sure the rest of the world), HDTV is a luxury that few can afford.. im a student, i have to pay for school, my car, food etc.. my gaming budget its the LEAST of my priorities, all i was able to buy was a 480i/P tv 21 inch (hardly hdtv). but in a few years i hope to make the plunge to hdtv, so you are a lucky bastard :)

[EL CABONG]

Online out of box
Backward campatible
Solid Games(plenlty of teen and M rated)
Hard Drive
controller like dual shock or s controller
Custom soundtracks
Games in HD
a MMO with voice chat so I don't need a keyboard and that has pvp
DVD player out of box
upgradeable/modable inside of the case
most of sytems rpgs don't star spikey haired teens/Kotor 3
Light gun support! viva la Duck hunt! viva House of the dead!
Other than light guns and maybe driving wheels no strange controllers/other junk that don't get supported.. ahem ninntendo, ahem sony hardrive.
for ninntendo to be a third party supporter of sytem(I know this won't happen anytime soon if ever but I own all three consoles and the gamecube is the only on I feel was a disappointment and if they went third party That means with only two consoles to buy and buy games for it would help hardcore gamers wallets)

[netcraazzy]

for ninntendo to be a third party supporter of sytem(I know this won't happen anytime soon if ever but I own all three consoles and the gamecube is the only on I feel was a disappointment and if they went third party That means with only two consoles to buy and buy games for it would help hardcore gamers wallets)

Even though I've been a Nintendo fan for a long time, Dreamcast was the first non-Nintendo console I bought, I think this might be a good idea. I like Nintendo first party games but not the Gamecube, it just does not have that "cool" factor like Xbox and PS2 do. Maybe Nintendo will fix that problem with Revolution but honestly making innovative hardware has never been their forte, I think Virtuaboy may have been the one exception and look how well that did.

[bapenguin]

I think the next big technological leap for gaming will be to just have breasts on the console itself.

LOL! I like it. The Playstation 00 with realistic boobs ON the console.

[kizke]

I want a console to play games. That's it. With distractions aside I think you cut through a lot of the BS and production costs and developers can keep their focus on what purely matters: game design. That's why ethically I support the Gamecube above other systems of its generation.

Maybe this is just me yearning for the days of the Super Nintendo, but where the games industry is going is just kind of disheartening to me. If gaming was a band, their new albums are just them selling out more and more.

I'm actually kind of perturbed that in forty posts nobody else stopped to think about this.

[Rakael]

They need two models then, not all of us are boob men. I want the junk in the trunk model.

[SteveRage]

I want it to play games. I have over 3 grand into my PC. I dont need some $400.00 box in my game room trying to compete. I just need it to play games. I dont care if they can go online, I have a PC for that. I dont care if they play MP3s, I have a quite nice Stero and a mute button on my TV.

I want a console that has everything I need to play games in the damn box and nothing else. I don't need a media player or a Tivo or a camera, y'know what I need? 2 controllers, a game, the system and the plugs to my wall and my TV.
I want good games and lots of them.
That's all I want.

[ÜberJumper]

mullican:

Yes, not all of us live in the US (like me for example).

HDTV is awesome, sell your kidney and get an HDTV.

[Dirty Harry]

What i want in a console?

By Dirty Harry (Andy)

The first thing I look for in a new gaming machine is the ability to play games.With this current generation i want games like farcry and doom 3, to be cranked in settings to the max. I want the new consoles to provide real physics, stuff beyond the half life 2 physics. I want great audio, even if I am using my 32" tv's natural speakers. Don't get me wrong, i have available to me my own stereo which is quite good, some of the games i played were awesome, the getaway was a good example when you were playing as mark and in the rastafarian neighbourhood. With the guy playing on the turn tables it was crazy good. Anyways, I also think it should be a requirement atleast that every game comes with its own soundtrack, that would atleast justify the prices of today. I also want my ps3 (who am i kidding, i dont bother with that other shit) to be able to play burnt dvds and vcds. I'm a game purist, so i always listen to the orignal music and play my games on the hardest setting. So having a custom music sound track doesnt really look to swell, but for the multiplayer aspect i do see the good things. So i would expect some type of sony o/s that you can controll to add music through a usb connection. It would be excelent if sony supported its own mp3 players as transfers. Next i want some time of winamp-esq program that allows me to mix and make lists of my music to play durring a game. So i can make game spefic playlists. Next i want netbrowsing, if you are connected to the net why cannot i browse the web. If i can surf the web, i want versions of all shock/wave/flash ect to be view able. To pull this off, your going to need a o/s of some sort and a hard drive to save this information. I would strongly recommend you put a reliate harddrive of atleast 80 gigs. Normally in a pc enviroment that can get full pretty quick, but just with PATCHES (yes, i want games now to have the ability to be patched when devs find serious bug stoppers) and mp3 files (why mp3? because its an easy format that any moron can work). Now im just dreaming but it would be awesome if you included some type of msn messenger-esq program so i can communicate to my friends. To make this even workable, include support for a usb mouse and keyboard. Why would you not consider this? it makes fps games for the console soooooooOooOOOOOooooooooo much better. Plus it would make devs more interested in trying out diffrent ways on the tradditional fps. In morrowind, first person is an option it adds to the feeling of realizm with the swords and such. Another thing i would like to see if you are supporting mp3's is a itunes program on your own machine so people can download music (for a fee) that is. That way you can digitally make money for way less money. The best part is alot of people are going to buy your product so you can except a good percent to use your pay2listen system, because the majority of the world are technical idiots when it comes down to it so an easily accessible system is good way to hook people into paying. No offense to the computer enlightened, phear the fixing the computer problem over the phone situation. Now i bet you are saying to yourself, hey this sounds just like a Personal computer, and i say to you. The world is changing in home entertainment, products are beginning to merge into one. I honestly hope sony realises what they can do with this system. Microsoft is doing something to this extent but its not exactly magical being that they are not a console company in general. Folks before you hang me, the xbox sports a modified version of directx, its a barebones pc in some manner in a diffrent style case and it contains a "generic" of this time video card from nvidia or is it ati?:P. Anyways this is what i want in a console, which isnt so much a console now is it?.

/fin?

So thats it what i expect from sony.

[NACIONAL]

Here's a question I've had for a long time: Why is it that people want graphics to get closer and closer to photorealism? Why do people want realistic looking graphics at all? I live in "real" all day long. When I play my games I'm looking for something different. And should everyone be striving for the same look? Do we want all our games to look the same?

imagine a monster with its real guts outside.... real graphics... almost near emotions....

imagine Dead or alive with photo-realistic boobs... damn...

[Heretic Machine]

Here's a question I've had for a long time: Why is it that people want graphics to get closer and closer to photorealism? Why do people want realistic looking graphics at all? I live in "real" all day long. When I play my games I'm looking for something different. And should everyone be striving for the same look? Do we want all our games to look the same?

Because once you get to a perfect representation of reality, you can create ultimate fantasy. Besides, when the day comes that a game is released to perfectly simulate life, then you'll be able to do whatever you want to do in the real world but without consequences :p Which would be the ultimate in cool.

[Chandler]

yeah, because realistic graphics help me jump out of reality, which is my favorite part of gaming

[yutt]

They need two models then, not all of us are boob men. I want the junk in the trunk model.
That works for me. :D

And now you have me thinking of Chobits.

[Deadend]

I think on the movie/mp3 playback... why the hell NOT have that kind of stuff? for the most part it's just a software problem, so they might as well let your console play music and movies. Or talk to people online, there is no reason why they SHOULD NOT.

Consoles are becoming the center of the home theatre/media center because they have fast enough processors and are smart enough to do it all.

Hell, I hope the Xbox 720 can replace EVERYTHING that is not my TV, and at that point, it will just be wires that slow it down, as you have to have input and outputs all over your system to have it go from cable, to TV, and output to the 10.5 speaker setup, and a fiber optic line.

I want my console to be able to do anything and everything that can be done by a machine that has only the input from the internet and what is put directly onto it's storage medium.

I am of the belief that if you can, you should.

[AbeLincoln]

I wholeheartedly agree with Deadend, the console has a powerfull enough processor it can handle all this stuff, it can do it, so why shouldn't it?

I really disagree with the argument that media features distract from the quality of games, because all of those features are manufacturer side. It's not like game developers are making software to let you connect to your computer and play movies, music, or look at pictures, that's what microsoft or sony is doing. So how can limiting a console's features to just games improve the quality of the games?

[dr_wily]

wireless, and a console that will have titles with the name "mario" in it.

[Kelegacy]

a machine that comes with a built in catheter and poop bucket, and a feature that turns these two waste products into food. I dont like getting up when in the middle of a good RPG.

[dr_qwandry]

I'd like to have games with innovation and heart.
Katamari Damashi
Breakdown
stuff that isn't just the same shit with one new twist.

Edit: and one that can play the new elder scrolls game because my PC sure as hell can't

[Plac1d]

I think the next big technological leap for gaming will be to just have breasts on the console itself.
I think they call it Donky Konga. It will arrouse you, just give it a chance.

[Lint of Death]

My ideal console would come with a game or two by Double Fine. I love Psychonauts.

Oh screw it, I'd probably be better off with those games on an awesome new PC that came with AoE3 preinstalled. Even if that game turns out mediocre (which I seriously doubt), I can just spend time looking at its scenery. I know I did that with Age of Mythology. Actually, I'm more excited about Spore than any other game by many, many miles. Assuming of course that excitement can be measured in miles and that one mile of excitement is considered be a hugely significant quantity.

[Spigot]

Backwards compatibility, wireless controllers and some kind of hard drive for save-game storage.

And, of course, good, interesting games. Games that are FUN.

Games that are allowed to be completed before they're released instead of being released on a set date, major problems be damned.

Sequels that don't suffer from the Warrior Within syndrome. (Ie. don't badass up a game that didn't need to be badassed... unless you can do it right)

One that will reward my buying hundreds of games for it by some kind of financial compensation. I should be able to rack up frequent gamer miles or something.

[Spigot]

Here's a question I've had for a long time: Why is it that people want graphics to get closer and closer to photorealism? Why do people want realistic looking graphics at all? I live in "real" all day long. When I play my games I'm looking for something different. And should everyone be striving for the same look? Do we want all our games to look the same?

While certain games look good when going for photorealism, it's not the holy grail for me.

I'd rather play games with a unique art style than one that looks 'real'. Look at the latest Splinter Cell. It is on the road to photorealism yet the humans look the least realistic of the entire series.

Games like Rez, Katamari Damashi, Ico and WoW don't have the most technologically advanced graphics, but they have a style that blows most high-end graphic games out of the water, IMHO.

[mister_slim]

Ah, you must be thinking of the EDS prototype units from Sony (one of the H models). The problem is, first you have to make it love you before it will do any of that; I am guessing you don't want to have to work too hard to get these sorts of perks. I guess you'll just have to crack the code and just force it to love you.
But then when the batteries run down you have to carry your "girlfriend" home.
Even though I've been a Nintendo fan for a long time, Dreamcast was the first non-Nintendo console I bought, I think this might be a good idea. I like Nintendo first party games but not the Gamecube, it just does not have that "cool" factor like Xbox and PS2 do. Maybe Nintendo will fix that problem with Revolution but honestly making innovative hardware has never been their forte, I think Virtuaboy may have been the one exception and look how well that did.
Personnally, I like hardware that works well and doesn't break, but maybe that's just me. And I like short load times. And ergonomically sound controllers.

But obviously "cool" is more important.

[codswallop]

What would I want in a console right now, besides awesome games?



Wireless controllers
Should have AA or AAA batteries so I can change them in a pinch, but the unit should have a charging station (like the LogiTech MX700 mouse). Possibly include a cable which plugs into the controller (my wireless controller for the Xbox interferes with other wireless stuff at our house).
True High Definition games/outputs
Should support DVI/HDMI for those lucky enough to have expensive TVs.
Storage included
Either a hard disk, or better yet an included memory card (flash memory is so cheap it wouldn't kill them to include a 2GB memory card!).
Games only
I don't care if it has a media centre (not a spelling mistake, it's centre dammit); even though I personally do like the Xbox Media Center application I would prefer a games console to be dedicated to games because that's why I buy the console. If it comes with audio/video playback, custom soundtracks, tivo features etc then fine, but it's not the reason I'd buy the thing.
Damn this WYSIWYG editor, I am not getting what I see...

[netcraazzy]

Personnally, I like hardware that works well and doesn't break, but maybe that's just me. And I like short load times. And ergonomically sound controllers.

But obviously "cool" is more important.

When somebody buys a console, or just about any product, things like reliability and ease of use are expected. You really don't ask for them and usually don't think much about it until your expectation does not come true. It may be a sad fact, but looks and the "cool" factor sell way more consoles than reliability and ergonomics do. So... if you look at things from that perspective then you can't really deny that Sony and Microsoft have Nintendo beat in this hardware generation.