Every year the video game industry holds two big conventions, The Electronic Entertainment Expo in May and Tokyo Game Show in September. It’s at these events that companies come out and unveil the new products they’re working on.

This year marks the end of the current gaming generation, and on Nov. 22 the next generation will begin with the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox 360. This will be followed in 2006 by Sony’s release of Playstation 3 and Nintendo’s release of what is currently called “Revolution.”

This is a very exciting time for gamers and technology addicts like myself, and the trailers and screen shots from the next generation indicate that the future of gaming is going to be absolutely astonishing. Today in the gadget corner, I’m going to attempt to give y’all the 411 on the next generation of gaming.

Xbox 360

On Nov. 22, Xbox 360 will be the first system out of the gate. In the overall scheme of things, it’s probably the second-most powerful system behind the Playstation 3 and in front of the Nintendo Revolution. The Xbox 360 won’t have any new form of DVD media due to availability and pricing concerns but will require all games to be high-definition compatible.

Currently, there are 24 games slated for either launch day or prior to launch day. That’s an impressive number, especially since over half of them are “Top Tier Titles,” meaning they’re either a big license or from a big publisher. Electronic Arts alone is launching the system with five titles.

When the system is launched in the United States there will be two different versions of the system on sale, the Xbox 360 Core System and the Xbox 360 Video Game System. The Core system, which comes in at $399, will include the system, all proper cables and a wired controller. The Xbox 360 VGS comes in at $499 but comes with all the bells and whistles. Included with it will be the Xbox 360 system, all the proper cables, a 20GB hard drive, a wireless controller, a headset for Xbox live and, for a limited time, a remote to access all of the media possibilities of the system. All in all, the “fully loaded” system is the better deal, because to buy the headset, hard drive and wireless controller will run about $180. The online word is you’re will need a hard drive in order to play original Xbox games on the new system, so if you want your “Halo” fix on the 360, pick up the premium package.Both versions of the system will also come with a “silver” membership to Xbox Live, the online gaming service pioneered on the Xbox. There will also be a gold level available to users. What these categories mean is yet to be seen, but every game released for the 360 has to be compatible with Xbox Live.

The games look good but are nowhere near what Playstation 3 is promising to deliver in 2006, so for the time being we’ll just have to sit back and see what happens.

Playstation 3

Playstation 3 has the most advanced graphics of all the next generation systems. Running with the new “cell processor,” it will be able to chain up with multiple other cell processor devices and take over the world “Terminator” style. As scary as it sounds, the results are absolutely beautiful. If you want proof, go to www.gametrailers.com and watch the “Metal Gear Solid 4” trailer.

Just think, 10 years ago the Playstation was released and the gaming community was playing such games as “Battle Arena Toshinden,” “Street Fighter: The Movie” and “ESPN X Games.” Twelve years ago we were playing “Super Mario Bros. 3” on the original Nintendo.

What could happen in the next 12 years? I don’t know, but I’m as excited as a fan boy at a Star Wars convention where George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford are making an appearance to announce a new “Star Wars” movie NOT written by Lucas.

As far as the Playstation 3 launch goes, not much is known yet. However, the system is also going wireless with their controllers and supporting high definition. Sony will also be using the new DVD standard known as Blue Ray. This means games and the system will be more expensive, but they will also be prettier and bigger in scope.

Nintendo Revolution

Now this is something I’m excited about – it almost rivals my speculation about the quality of games 12 years from now. Like Playstation 3, The Nintendo Revolution will be launched in 2006, though not much information has been given about it. What we do know is that it will play DVDs as well as Nintendo Gamecube discs. It will also connect to the wireless network around it and allow free online play with people around the world. That’s not the exciting part, though. Are you ready for this? Are you? I don’t think you are. Okay, THE ENTIRE NINTENDO BACK CATALOGUE WILL BE PLAYABLE ON THE REVOLUTION! Everything! From “Super Mario” and “Duck Hunt” to “The Legend Of Zelda” to “Metroid Prime.” This is one system to rule them all, if you ask me. It’s the one-stop gaming spot.

The one other fun thing about the Revolution is its controller. Unveiled at Tokyo Game Show, its workings have raised some debate on the Internet. It looks like a remote, it connects to “add ons” through a port in the bottom and, yes, it’s wireless as well. It has motion sensors inside of it. So, if you’re playing a baseball game, you actually swing the controller to hit the ball. If you’re driving, you turn the controller. It’s something new for the industry and I can’t wait to wrap my hand around it and take it for a spin. But for now, we are stuck playing the waiting game.

So those are the basics of the next generation. I’m sure I’ve missed some stuff, but that’s what the Internet is for. If you want any information about anything I’ve talked about here, Google it. When we return from Thanksgiving, I’ll have had a chance to play the Xbox 360 and I’ll include it in my Holiday Gadget special edition. So until next time, cheers and don’t forget to play with your gadgets.

T. Michael Jett Jr. is a sophomore creative writing and advertising double major. He can be reached at [email protected].