Xbox and Nintendo tempt gamers with a sneak peek at their next-gen systems

Gearing up for E3, two of the video game industry’s big three hardware players have given gamers a taste of their next-gen platforms, due out in 2006. Microsoft is betting on an HD future with its console, nicknamed Xenon, and has created a system for delivering gameplay at warp speed – performing one trillion operations per second. The company is also upgrading its Xbox Live menu system to include Gamer Cards, which let players know what kind of opponent they’re facing with scores, stats and reviews from other gamers. Mirroring eBay’s open-market functionality, an on-line hub launching with the new system will let gamers download add-on content such as new levels and weapons, and the cost of this content will be determined by the indie developers themselves. Nintendo was less forthcoming about its newest console, code-named ‘Revolution,’ but the system will be backward compatible and include Wi-Fi features for wireless on-line gameplay.