It's been quite some time before the public has been graced with new home console launches. The last one, the PlayStation 3, came out way back in 2006, almost six years ago. Console manufacturers such as Microsoft and Sony have been upgrading the existing systems in an effort to prolong their lifespans, but it looks like it's going to be time for a complete new overhaul.
Sadly, if GameStop is right, then we'll be seeing only one console in 2013, with the last of the big three systems to hit stores in 2014.
"The Wii U is going to be the first in line, and we're excited about the launch," GameStop CEO Raines told Polygon.
"I'm getting a lot of rumors that are very interesting about 2013. We have not been expecting two more consoles in 2013. We're expecting Wii U this holiday, another one next year, and another one in '14. These rumors change every week, but we're hearing more about next year."
If you look at the fact that the Xbox 260 launched a year before the PlayStation 3, then this could mean that Microsoft might have its 'Xbox 720' out in 2013, and Sony's 'PlayStation 4' would then hit shelves in 2014.
While there is no official news about either the next-gen Xbox or Playstation, there are industry trends that should point to certain features. Controllers with screens, like the Wii U or the Xbox SmartGlass, should be a standard as should constant internet connectivity. A streaming game system could help companies fight piracy as well.
This might be sore news for those hoping to own a shiny new console within the next year. But with games around the corner like Halo 4, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Assassin's Creed 3, there's still plenty of kick left in the current generation.
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