The problem with the current generation you might say is that both Microsoft and Sony stuck with traditional high powered consoles. This may be true. But also true is there relentless attempts to copy trends in the industry such as motion instead of focusing on what they already had or creating their own trends.
To understand what needs to happen, we need to look at what already happened. This generation especially the line between Microsoft and Sony consoles blurred. Which means the games released for both where essentially the same- with the consoles offering the same “packages”. Only after motion control which Nintendo had used for their Nintendo Wii- became more than a fad- did the companies start to distinguish slightly, with Microsoft taking an approach which involved a webcam style system. While Sony decided to blatantly copy the “wand” idea.
With these enhancements the companies and the gamers expect the generation to be much longer then before. Giving the generation an extra few more years- rather then disappearing just as things started getting interesting. To be blunt, the latter would probably be for the better- with a refresh been what should be primary focus.
Gaming generations have always sadly been about been number one. With competitors ideas been replicated to try and gather the same success. Its basically repeating itself to the maximum. It’s a shame that Sony and Microsoft took away the wrong things from Nintendo this generation- they copied the motion idea, but they didn’t copy the break away idea. The break away idea wasn’t just about control been different, it was that tech and other ideas should be considered on different plans. The Nintendo 3DS provides gamers with 3D, a new step- and quite enjoyable at that- but its new and different- “alien” you might say- copying 3D and incorporating it into your own products isn’t going to work. What is needed is a new level of approach to distinguish your product from X or Y.
Remember that the problem this generation was the blur, while offering the traditional approach- its never really had a good easy pick up and play desire for casuals- which was the money target this generation. The thing is more verity would allow more people to buy multiple consoles and/or pick the one they most desire.
What I’m trying to say- and very badly at that I might add. Is that focus should be on more traditional styles and designs of entertainment consoles from the “other two” because we know dam well by now Nintendo does what ever they want. Which is what the rest should do- just not by copying.
For example, making a cheap main stream 2D console- on the level of something like a NES etc. but with updated technology in it for a few things to bring the ideas which where done then into the 21st Century.