Theoretically, we could say this console generation is about halfway through based on previous console generations. And yet, it feels like we’re still just getting started. Despite this, we’re already hearing rumors of a mid-generation “refresh” of consoles. What we really need, however, are more current-gen games.
Going off of previous console generations, this current console cycle should have an expiration date around 2028; roughly eight years since the generation began. When you take into account the pandemic and the massive headache it caused in terms of supply chain issues, however, people really only began getting their fancy new consoles as late as last year!
It wasn’t until a few months ago Sony promised PS5’s would be readily available, and finding an Xbox Series S|X can still be hit or miss. That wasn’t the only delay, however, considering how many units ended up sitting in scalpers basements. The result of all this meant games have been bottlenecked by previous gen hardware. It’s mostly been this year we’ve seen games launching as total next-gen exclusives.
During the initial PS4 launch, a lot of AAA exclusives weren’t cross-gen releases. This followed Sony’s commitment to “new experiences” and taking advantage of advanced hardware. The PS4 quickly had a robust lineup of exclusive titles and rarely let up throughout the whole generation.
Early on we had games like Knack, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Infamous Second Son, Bloodborne, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End; encompassing all sorts of genres and experiences. While not everything was a hit, many of these PS4 titles went on to become household classics and/or strengthen the franchises tied to them. Near the end of the PS4 cycle we got powerhouses like Ghost of Tsushima, The Last Of Us Part 2, Death Stranding, and Persona 5.
On the Xbox side we actually had tons of games! While not as strong of a launch line-up, games included Dead Rising 3, Ryse: Son of Rome, Killer Instinct, Forza Motorsport 5, and Crimson Dragon.
For this current cycle, we’re not seeing the same level of generation exclusives. Instead of groundbreaking titles taking advantage of the added power of a new console generation, we are getting cross-generation titles with slightly better performance. It leads us to question what the importance is of this new generation. Was it to make better and new games? Or to just improve the quality of old games?
This generation is closely tied to remasters and remakes. Look at the news as of late. One of the biggest news stories floating around the internet right now isn’t for Sony’s next big exclusive (or some big new project by a publisher), but a remastered version of Red Dead Redemption. During the “not-E3” showcases, one of the biggest talked about titles was a re-release of Metal Gear Solid.
Remakes seem to be the highlight of basically every showcase event this generation. Many PS5 and Xbox Series libraries probably consist of several previous generation ports or cross generation upgrades, leaving little to no notable reason to remember this generation. I’m not saying remakes (or remasters) are terrible. They are good for filling in gaps between new games and offering new players an opportunity, but where are the new games?
Luckily for us indie games seem to be the biggest contributor to this generation. Smaller studios, indie titles, and studios started by ex- developers of bigger publishers are winning in many areas. I’m a horror game fan and man those smaller indie titles are friggin amazing, especially when Unreal Engine 5 started to take place. It kinda reminds me of the PlayStation Vita in a way.
With COVID delays seemingly behind us in the industry, several new AAA games are starting to hit our libraries. But now we’re about to be told it’s time to upgrade our systems again. We waited all this time for jaw dropping new experiences, and now I need to buy a PS5 Pro to get the best new experience? Just no.
Generally speaking, I’m not a fan of mid-gen console upgrades. PS4 Pro felt like it was somewhat needed since we all started adapting to 4K setups, but the jump to the next format (8K) isn’t exactly looming on the horizon. So what’s the point in doing “pro” style upgrades this time?
The whole point of buying a console is longevity and ease of use. I expect my console to last a “generation” without worrying if new games will run properly. Otherwise I’d just suffer with a PC. Not to mention we’re still getting cross-generation titles throttling the industry for performance. Instead of making another upgrade (adding another layer to the development), it’s time to drop the last generation already and let teams focus on performance on modern consoles. Fix the performance issues (why is Call of Duty still eating up ALL my console storage space?!) we have without having to double up on making it work for previous systems.
2023 marks the first real year for this generation. Yes, we had some great games in the past, and those games were great even with last generation ports, but true “next generation” titles like Ratchet and Clank and Returnal were few and far between until recently. With games like Final Fantasy 16, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, plus Starfield and Spider-Man 2, this year has truly felt like we’re IN the next-generation cycle. Third party developers have started dropping last generation, and new engines like Unreal Engine 5 are finally starting to shine.
It’s safe to say the “peak” of the current generation has been shifted to a new position, and it might be a good idea to extend the old console timeline with it. Console makers should be looking to put their stamp on this generation and give it a purpose before looking to move everyone to new hardware. What’s the point of better hardware if we all just play old games?
