The next generation of consoles will be web-driven.
I.e. All games will be held on the internet and you will access them via a browser interface. Now, this browser interface could be a 'console' of sorts but I believe that TVs themselves will have this 'browser' and the user will be able to use whatever games service he wishes to.
For example, I switch on the TV (basically an intelligent PC with a huge monitor anyway) and pick Games from the Main Menu (I could have picked a TV Channel, Shopping or Movies) and then I will likely be offered a choice of Game Suppliers, such as SONY, Microsoft, etc.
(basically, what we know now as Playstation. Xbox, Wii and PC will be as one)
What I am saying is that the consumer , us, will have the ultimate choice and we won't be forced into any one games supplier or console.
Its called 'Convergence'. What we know as our TV will infact be a Media Center that does everything.
Now... a web-based Playstation 4 or PS5 is one thing but what about controllers?
Well.. all these TVs will have the latest in wireless ports, of course, so you'd just have to choose from the controllers offered on the market. By the PS5 I would expect to see VR headsets becoming the norm and interactive Playsuits. I reckon it will take until a PS8 or PS9 until we have a 'Demolition Man' style brainwave transference system, basically plug your brain in and go.. You ARE in the actual game environment.
So.. when can we expect this.
Well, all i said before the last paragraph is absolutely possible now!! Absolutely. However, the current suppliers have not made enough money out of the current technology so my estimation is that this Playstation 5 or even PS4 may well introduce web-based gaming around 2011/2012.
Yes, as soon as that.
You may even see SONY bringing out a Bravia with integrated Playstation in the next year.
Initially the VR add-on will be pretty poor but like everything else, once they gauge thats what the public wants the leap in quality and investment will be rapid.
Exciting Times....
One thing is for sure, we won't even recognise what our grandchildren will be playing.
When I was a kid, I rememebr when the old black and green, beep-boop-beep-boop Tennis console came out!