14 DAY TRIAL // Seeing as how the current generation home consoles are getting a bit long in the tooth, the possibility of a new generation of devices is becoming more apparent and, according to Crysis 2 developer Crytek, we should see at least one brand new console around 2013.
Crytek made a reputation for itself by pushing platforms to its limits, and is now getting ready to squeeze consoles with Crysis 2, set to arrive in March.
After that, however, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli says that a whole new generation of devices is needed, in order to really expand games in terms of technology.
"For some reason my gut feeling is still that we'll see a new [console] generation in 2012, 2013," Yerli said to CVG. "Factually spoken, it looks like I'm going be wrong, but my gut feeling is that there's going to be a new one because it's really getting old and tight in this space."
Both Sony and Microsoft have revealed that through new devices like the PlayStation Move and Kinect, their home consoles' lifecycle has been extended even more.
In Microsoft's case, at least, the Crytek boss expects his studio's exclusive Kingdoms title to really push the Xbox 360 to its limit.
"I think when we put Crysis 2 out we will show a level that is, multiplatform-wise, maxing out, but we will look into with Microsoft how Kingdoms can push the Xbox 360 110 percent, to its limits," he said.
"When you're spending a multimillion budget only on the Xbox 360, that team will be able to crank out the last two or three percent left in the console. But I think that two or three percent will make the difference potentially between day and night that you cannot afford if you go multiplatform."
Yerli once more said that the lack of innovation in consoles is keeping the PC platform back, but that isn't all that bad, as developers are generating new experiences on it, like free-to-play online titles, which aren't possible on the consoles.
"Because of the lack of a new generation of consoles... inevitably the PC cycle is being held back. So the PC generation has to innovate in different areas where it can be faster and more user-friendly, different models like free-to-play communities, more online, more social and more browser gaming."
Yerli said a few months ago that the PC platform was at least one generation ahead of the current consoles.
Crysis 2 will be out on March 22 in North America and March 25 in Europe, for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.