The NEXT Next Generation in Console Gaming

A holodeck, as seen on Star Trek (Next Generation - Voyager)

With the Xbox One release on November 22nd and the PlayStation 4 release on November 15th, social media is buzzing with both praise and disappointment over the new next generation consoles. As this generation is ushered in, it's no big secret that the next one is likely already in development and game developers probably have some rough idea of what's in store for the future. With so many ways to connect various accounts and share gaming experiences with friends and the whole world, as well as having the ability to give consoles (namely the previous gen. Xbox 360 plus Kinect) verbal commands, it's a little difficult to ponder what the next step could be, especially since the technology exists for a gamer to use his or her body as the control for certain games.

This is a prime example of the potential for science fiction to become factual reality: the next generation in console gaming could very well be the gateway into "holodecks" similar to the various interactive rooms seen in Star Trek, Spy Kids, Ray Bradbury's short story The Veldt, and many other science fiction shows and literature. Just imagine being able to be fully submersed in a video game and simply be in an empty room with only a console and a projector generating the scenes around you, being able to track your moves and provide an entirely hands-free gaming experience.

In 2010 Sony's PlayStation Move hit the scene, rivaling the Nintendo Wii's usage of the player's body as an extension of the console control. In January 2013, Microsoft unveiled IllumiRoom, a holodeck-like technology that turns your room into an interactive gaming environment. The idea is to utilize the Kinect camera in tandem with a projector to expand gaming beyond the confines of a television screen.

What are your thoughts and ideas of what we might possibly see in the next iteration of console gaming? Do you see a different future ahead? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below, but be warned: NO FLAMING.