FAQ: The next video game consoles?

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What processor will it use?
Sony--Sony is promising a brave new world of computing with the multicore Cell processor, a joint project with IBM and Toshiba.

The Cell will have nine independent processing units that can divide up complex computing tasks or loan processing power to other systems. The initial version of the chip--the one likely to run the PlayStation 3--will run faster than 4GHz, be capable of 256 billion calculations per second and have built-in security systems to prevent illegal copying of games and other content.

Microsoft--Unlike the current Xbox, which uses a standard Pentium PC processor from Intel, the software giant has hired IBM to design a custom Xbox 2 processor based on Big Blue's Power architecture. Microsoft says the chip will be capable of processing more than a trillion calculations per second (1 teraflop), putting it on a par with high-end servers.

Nintendo--The console maker hasn't revealed any specifics about the Revolution processor--or much else, for that matter--except to confirm that IBM is building it and its code name is "Broadway."

What about storage, graphics, memory and so on?
Sony--Nvidia will design the graphics processor for the PlayStation 3. Sony hasn't said anything about storage, but it would be hard for the PS3 to accomplish its touted multimedia functions without something more capable than the current 8MB memory cards--the leading candidate would be Sony's Memory Stick cards. Sony also has confirmed that the PS3 will use its Blu-ray technology for high-capacity DVD discs.

Microsoft--After a somewhat difficult experience with Nvidia on the current Xbox, Microsoft is going with rival ATI Technologies to create the graphics chip for Xbox 2.

The storage picture for Xbox 2 is less clear. Flash memory partner M-Systems has indicated that the 8GB hard drive in the current Xbox will be replaced with high-capacity removable storage, but more recent signs point to the possibility of two Xbox models, one with a hard drive and one without. A recent Microsoft survey also suggests that the Xbox 2 may come with built-in support for wireless networking.

Nintendo--ATI signed a "technology development agreement" with Nintendo two years ago that appears to cover the Revolution graphics chip. Besides that, evidence gets pretty slim. Previous consoles from piracy-sensitive Nintendo have all introduced proprietary new media formats, so support for current or upcoming DVD formats is unlikely.

Recent Nintendo patent applications hint at ideas that could actually live up to the Revolution name, such as a digital-camera controller, a sunlight-monitoring system and numerous advances in virtual golf.

Will it do stuff besides play games?
Sony--Executives have talked for years about outfitting the PlayStation with multimedia functions, which would seem natural, given the parent company's ownership of major movie and music operations.

To date, those efforts have culminated in little more than the Japan-only PSX hybrid machine. But recent moves by Sony management and the multimedia-friendly design of Cell suggest that the PS3 may arrive just as Sony finally gets serious about convergence.

Microsoft--It has gradually outfitted the current Xbox with nongame functions such as voice chat, karaoke and digital music. Microsoft also introduced "extender kits" for hooking up an Xbox to a PC running the Windows XP Media Center.

Expect those type of functions to come together in a nice, sleek package with Xbox 2, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates told CNET News.com recently. "We didn't do Xbox just to do a video game; we did it to be part of our vision of the digital lifestyle, and with the next generation, we really get to go there," Gates said.

Nintendo--Executives have insisted for years that nongame functions in a console would just dilute the game experience, and there's no sign that they're changing their position with Revolution.

[Andrew J Glina]

Pointless

Surprisingly factless article. I thought that the PS2 would use Memory Sticks, but it didn't so I am not conviced that the PS3 will. (I think that Sony wanted to be able to charge the same for the Memory Card instead of dripping the price as flash became cheaper.) I am hoping that the PS3 will have a HD, or at least 1GB of flash interally. Memory Card are annoying (and expensive) and it is why I buy more XBOX games these days.

[Andrew J Glina]

Pointless

Surprisingly factless article. I thought that the PS2 would use Memory Sticks, but it didn't so I am not conviced that the PS3 will. (I think that Sony wanted to be able to charge the same for the Memory Card instead of dripping the price as flash became cheaper.) I am hoping that the PS3 will have a HD, or at least 1GB of flash interally. Memory Card are annoying (and expensive) and it is why I buy more XBOX games these days.

With comments like these

Why didn't you rather leave the Cube out of the article completely?

With comments like these

Why didn't you rather leave the Cube out of the article completely?

[montgomeryburns]

What other newish game consoles are there?

What other newish game consoles are there? Any good ones?

New systems

To answer your question. The three main consoles that are going to be coming out over the next 2 1/2 or so are from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. Microsofts next Xbox (widely rumored to be called Xbox 360) is expected to be released by the end of the year. Sony initially said mid 06-early 07. But I think Sony wouldn't want Microsoft building up too much momentum before it releases its next Gen system, and Nintendo? Well, no game developers even have dev kits (Sony doesn't either for that matter) out to developers yet, so I wouldn't expect to see anything from Nintendo until PS3 launches or even after.

[montgomeryburns]

What other newish game consoles are there?

What other newish game consoles are there? Any good ones?

New systems

To answer your question. The three main consoles that are going to be coming out over the next 2 1/2 or so are from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. Microsofts next Xbox (widely rumored to be called Xbox 360) is expected to be released by the end of the year. Sony initially said mid 06-early 07. But I think Sony wouldn't want Microsoft building up too much momentum before it releases its next Gen system, and Nintendo? Well, no game developers even have dev kits (Sony doesn't either for that matter) out to developers yet, so I wouldn't expect to see anything from Nintendo until PS3 launches or even after.