As we move closer to the beginning of a new year, we can’t help but think about all of the exciting games, surprises and announcements to be made in 2016. Naturally, with all of this comes an opportunity to try our hand at some predictions for the upcoming year of gaming.
These predictions range from safe to wishful, and cover a variety of aspects of the industry. Games, hardware, and buying trends are all accounted for one way or another as we take a peak into what we think could be coming next year. So without further ado, here are six gaming predictions for next year.
Price Drops
As we sail past the two year mark of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it’s likely we’ve passed the one third mark in these consoles’ lifetime. Therefore, it’s only reasonable to believe Microsoft and PlayStation will introduce a price drop for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in the coming year. Why now? After a good couple of years of selling the consoles like hotcakes, Microsoft and Sony will be searching for ways to reduce costs and continue sales past their initial release years.
While we’ve already seen prices drop on both consoles over the past 18 months, we could see another chunk off the tag of both. These will then become the entry point consoles, which will then make way for…
Slim Versions
Yep. 2016 may be the year we’re going to see the slimmed down models of both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Donning the 1TB hard drive inside each of them, these models will take the current price point of the 500gb models and have a slimmer, sleeker look.
Although the PlayStation 4 may struggle to shed any excess size, the Xbox One definitely seems like it could do with a slimming down. This will all depend on whether Microsoft has found a way around the overheating issues that loomed over the Xbox 360 era and its much smaller form factor in comparison to the Xbox One.
The Fate of VR
With the release of many virtual reality headsets expected during the early months of 2016, it’s fair enough to suggest that the video games industry is about to reach a potentially huge turning point. First things first – the pricing of these VR headsets. Based off the comment made by Andrew House on PlayStation VR, the general price of the headsets releasing this year will be a ballpark figure between $300-$400. While these may seem like pricey bits of tech, the early months of 2016 may see the reveal of a bolstered launch window line-up of titles for these headsets, which will provide more of a reason to pick one up.
As the year continues VR could truly take off, with headsets selling pretty quickly, existing games getting some element of VR support, and third party developers really getting behind the tech. Of course, this may be wishful thinking, but with the positive press that VR headsets are receiving from those who have experienced the tech, this is prepping to be the next grand step in the video game industry.
The Next Legend of Zelda
Okay, so while the easy route is to say that the NX will be revealed in 2016, we’re going to be a bit more out there. With the upcoming Legend of Zelda game currently set to release on the Wii U in 2016, we’re predicting another Twilight Princess scenario occurring.
Yes, the next Zelda game will finally release on the Wii U, but we can also see the very same game being ported to the Nintendo NX as a launch title. With the Wii U ready to take the backseat, we can’t imagine them leaving the title to only release on a console that’s sold just over 11 million units. Instead, it would make much more sense for Nintendo to release what many are calling its ‘make-or-break’ console with a Zelda game as part of its launch line-up.
Not only will this give their next console an advantage upon launch, Nintendo can also keep its Wii U fanbase happy by releasing the title on both platforms. Now we’ll just have to wait and see what new president Tatsumi Kimishima has up his sleeve for 2016.
Season Passes
It seems like every single relatively big release of 2015 was accompanied by downloadable content. The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone expansion was hearty and entertaining, while players felt that others, such as Batman Arkham Knight’s and Star Wars Battlefront’s season passes, weren’t worth their high costs.
The reign of season passes will likely continue as we move into 2016, hopefully with some companies taking on the approach of CD Projekt Red, putting large, comprehensive expansion-style content behind a pay wall and giving away smaller little pieces for free.
The Annualized Ones…
Just as Christmas comes round every year, so do the announcements and inevitable releases of the latest entry into the Call of Duty and Assassins Creed series. These may not be the most groundbreaking of predictions and well… really we’re just trying to ensure we get at least one right. But we’d like to think that the next Assassins Creed game may take place in Nazi Germany or make some really experimental changes to the series following on from Syndicate’s successes.
As for Call of Duty, it now comes back to the Infinity Ward team to turn things around from the rather lackluster Ghosts of two years ago. The next entry may very well continue with the more modern take on the war franchise, although we hope it’ll be somewhat improved over their last venture.
And that rounds out a couple of our predictions for the upcoming year in video games. Do you think we got it right? Missed any of your predictions? Let us know in the comments below.
Check out more
- Battlefield 4 Easter Egg Is Mindbogglingly Elaborate for Just a Camo
- Celebrate the Holidays With These 15 Game Events This Week
- Listen to Lindsey Stirling Play a Beautiful Final Fantasy Violin Medley
- Kingdom Hearts II Turns 10 Years Old Today, Let’s Take a Look Back
About the author
