@Darkstorm:
For sony I agree. Though I'm sceptical if anyone can get the full power out of the PS3 - threading is a nightmare, and the cell chip takes it to extremes - but the best we already have with stuff like uncharted is more then good enough for me.
Thats the thing. I realize the graphics can still get better… but its already at the point where graphics are so good, and you can put sooo many enemies or giant monsters on screen (the uber achievement of Shadow of the Colossus is now a regular enemy type in games) that well... graphics can't get that much better without ridonculous development times. Already the difference between a cg cutscene and actual gameplay footage is pretty much diminished... it doesn't need another step up yet, no one can take advantage of it.
Blue ray is still the best data storage we've got. Internet access is already on there. Its already hi-def. the graphics are as good as a company can conceive of making them and are limited only by time and budget. The PS store is still getting content up there, and the thing is compatible with PSP. I really, just can't imagine there being another really effective monumental leap anytime soon that justifies an entire brand new system, other that tossing PS2 compatibility back in, though thats obviously a cost thing.
The PS3 could easily stand for another five years as its own behemoth. Let it saturate and develop to the point where there's one in every home like the PS2 did. Theres just no need for a PS4 yet, and there won't be in 2012 either.
Especially considering that yes, the Wii was basically a Gamecube with a gimmick controller and they got away with it.
The PSP is still pretty damn impressive too, its basically a PS2, tho it can be fixed still. Proper joystick(s) instead of separate arrow keys, and design it to do digital downloads without the risky spinning disk drive thats not so great on a portable.
...They of course blew it on the PSPgo by making it a PSP that's missing parts, as opposed to its own new system. If the PSP2 had been download only, it might have taken and been okay, people are about ready to make that leap. But as a old PSP that couldn't use any of the games you already bought? baaad idea.