How long do you think a generation cycle should last?

5-6 years no more no less.

4-5 yrs

While this current generation has been a bit long, I do like the added length. I think around 6-7 years is an ideal length for a generation.

8-10 years is good for a generation cycle. i think this would have been better and gamers would have welcomed a longer cycle had developers made a more varied market like the ps2. $60 a game really killed the market and the interest of most gamers

10 years

I'd say 10 years is pretty solid. While some believe 5, that is just too short for them to be profitable in the long run. Many gamers won't even purchase a new generation of console till 2 or 3 years into its lifecycle and with only about 2 years left to look forward to, they'd be less willing to even bother with any new consoles.

I'd like this gen to continue, we are getting games like AC3, Bioshock Infinite, FarCry 3, The Last Of Us, GTAV, it becomes tough to justify a new console when we are still getting titles like these from current hardware.

Just like contracts420 said, many gamers probably don't get a new console (well, I'm not sure on the actual stats) until at least a year or 2 after, so there is that to think about as well. I think a console's life cycle should be at least 6 years. With that being said though, I am still enjoying this current gen. For me, there is no real rush just yet. Games are still getting better this gen and there are still amazing games!

four iphones

I'd say 10 years is pretty solid. While some believe 5, that is just too short for them to be profitable in the long run. Many gamers won't even purchase a new generation of console till 2 or 3 years into its lifecycle and with only about 2 years left to look forward to, they'd be less willing to even bother with any new consoles.

I'd like this gen to continue, we are getting games like AC3, Bioshock Infinite, FarCry 3, The Last Of Us, GTAV, it becomes tough to justify a new console when we are still getting titles like these from current hardware.

contracts420

Many gamers are mainly interested in better graphics promised from next gen consoles. If the gameplay will still be the same, what's the rush? With games like AC3, GTAV, Beyond Two Souls, Metal Gear Ground Zereos, there is plenty of room for more solid gaming left in this gen. Plus I would definitely wait a good 2 - 4 years after a next gen console release to purchase, especially with all the R/YLOD's that plagued both consoles at the start of this gen.

4-5 years.But the console business is a hard one.It takes years before they even start making any money.Long console cycles may be the norm from now on.

...I am still enjoying this current gen. For me, there is no real rush just yet.

Ashley_wwe

5-6 years

5-6 years

Flubbbs

current gen systems are already on 6-7 because November 17th will be the start of the 6th year for the PS3; November 19th would've been the 6th year for the Wii but Wii U releases one day before the Wii's 6th year; November 22nd will be the start of the Xbox 360's 7th year.

5-6 with an additional year of game support.

What's up with people saying 5 years? That's way too short.

I think 7-8 years sounds fine.

8-10 years, ideally.

I don't buy a console until it's at least a year or two old and has had a price drop. The wide majority of release software for new consoles is garbage. It's not really uncommon to see a solid lineup of exclusives for a console until about two years into its lifecycle.

Personally, I'm hoping that console developers will create future consoles with an eye toward keeping them relevant on the market for as long as possible. With how close we are to photo-realism, it doesn't seem like a huge stretch to bet that major console upgrades will become further and further apart.

Simple answer:

As long as it's fun to play on that system

What's up with people saying 5 years? That's way too short.

I think 7-8 years sounds fine.

ItsJoeMama

lol@people saying 10 years.

Why don't you stick to PS2 or SNES if you want decade old systems? :P

5-6 years.

Simple answer:

As long as it's fun to play on that system

Justforvisit

This

at this point in the last gens life, I was sick of it, But I am still perfectly content right now

Technology nowdays is advancing really fast, so.....6 years is the sweet spot for me.