PS3, Wii, Xbox 360: Call ’em “New-Gen”

Every generation has its buzzwords, and with every passing one, we as a maturing (ESRB: M) race learn to discard the old and tacky with what is sleek and smooth. You can’t get away with saying “groovy” or “hip” these days without getting pelted with (pet) rocks, fuzzy dice or platform boots – Austin Powers’ exempt, for obvious reasons.

Then we come upon the word “next-gen”, as the guys over at Joystiq have reiterated, it stands for a system that is yet to land, something in the making…something people haven’t camped out and beat the begeezus out of other people for. The problem is, the Wii, PS3 and certainly the Xbox 360 are already out, with the Wii’s Japan landing marking the end of this “1st launch” race.

With the initial hype now over, do we still call them “next-gen” consoles, like some spankin’ new boy-band?  The U.S. will now have to discard the “next-gen” label that’s been the buzzword of Gates, Kutaragi, and Fils-Aimes when they described their new consoles, and finally call these “new-gen” consoles – they’re out, they’re in retail, and they’re definitely shiny, scratch-ably, brand-new. Here’s to starting anew – new buzzwords  for the new phases of the console wars. Groovy.

Every generation has its buzzwords, and with every passing one, we as a maturing (ESRB: M) race learn to discard the old and tacky with what is sleek and smooth. You can’t get away with saying “groovy” or “hip” these days without getting pelted with (pet) rocks, fuzzy dice or platform boots – Austin Powers’ exempt, for obvious reasons.

Then we come upon the word “next-gen”, as the guys over at Joystiq have reiterated, it stands for a system that is yet to land, something in the making…something people haven’t camped out and beat the begeezus out of other people for. The problem is, the Wii, PS3 and certainly the Xbox 360 are already out, with the Wii’s Japan landing marking the end of this “1st launch” race.

With the initial hype now over, do we still call them “next-gen” consoles, like some spankin’ new boy-band?  The U.S. will now have to discard the “next-gen” label that’s been the buzzword of Gates, Kutaragi, and Fils-Aimes when they described their new consoles, and finally call these “new-gen” consoles – they’re out, they’re in retail, and they’re definitely shiny, scratch-ably, brand-new. Here’s to starting anew – new buzzwords  for the new phases of the console wars. Groovy.