This is embarrassing. I don't know what "next-gen" refers to. Several times a week, I type those two little words into this website, and read it even more times. Yet, I'm clueless.

Dictionary.com defines "next-generation" as: pertaining to the next generation in a family; also, pertaining to the next stage of development or version of a product, service, or technology

The example sentence reads, "Programmers are now developing next-generation software." Vague, at best.

Of course, of course, it could refer to super-powerful consoles, millions of new gamers or even that monster HDTV Crecente's gonna buy. Yes, of course. That still explains jack.

Not sure if "the super powerful console" argument sells me. We're not leaping from Pong to PGR3 here, folks. Last I checked, neither the PS2 nor the original Xbox sported lame-o images. Heck, the GameCube looks fine by me.

No matter how slick the 360 is or the PS3 will, these systems are going to let folks down. They cannot live up to the image we've created—especially the PS3, which I am expecting to do my taxes and shit candy canes.

Contrary to popular belief, Microsoft did not invent the HDTV.

If we are using millions of new gamers to define "next-gen," then shouldn't next-gen have already started? Like when the NDS launched and oodles of middle-aged women in Japan started playing brain games. That is the future of video games: old ladies in Saitama and Seattle with touch pens. For the market to grow, it needs new customers, not just new consoles.

So what's next-gen? Got me, but I think it began sometime last fall.

Are We Really in the Next-Gen? [Kotaku]

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