If you weren't somehow aware, the next generation of gaming consoles are about to hit stores and the homes of gamers around the world. Despite the countless next gen articles that are sprouting out on every gaming site out there, the launch of Sony's Playstation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One is being met with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Like any new launch, there's a degree of the unknown that excites the likes of me, especially in regards to what it will mean for the future of gaming. Yet unlike past launches, there appears to be more caution and skepticism than ever before.

To be fair both Sony and Microsoft face a very different market these days, even when compared to the launches of the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. PC's have become a useful and sole source of gaming for many and thanks to services like Steam it's become easier than ever. The gaming market in general isn't as clear cut as it once was and we've been seeing that for the past two to three years as developers have taken it upon themselves to make better PC ports that offer better visuals, better performance and a better experience overall. Now I'm not going to go on a rant about the PC master race because that's bullcrap in my opinion. Consoles will always have a place for a large majority of gamers who don't want to fuss with components, drivers, operating systems and so forth. All they want is to throw in a disc and have it work as it always as. Yet it's a fascinating landscape when the likes of Valve are busy developing their very own SteamBox.

The whole market in general is a lot less sure of itself, it's clear games are going in an interesting new direction, one we might not always like but one I feel will be good for the industry as a whole. When I think back, it would have been insane of me not to consider picking up either the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 at launch because I'd know that I wouldn't be able to get those games anywhere else. However when I take a glance at the launch titles available, the ones that excite me are all games I know I'll be able to play on PC. Of course exclusives will be a factor, as will the likes of many sports games which never appear to get quite the PC treatment they deserve. But I'm left wondering if even these have the pulling power to attract the vast majority of console gamers. Would a gamer be willing to throw down £400+ and £40 for the game just so they can play a slightly better looking version of FIFA 14, when they already own a more than satisfying copy of the game on Xbox 360?

From my own personal perspective, I know there's value in being part of the crowd that jump on board a console launch early, especially if you're a frequent participant in the gaming community. Chatting about what you love, bitching about everything you hate and simply giving over your opinion is part of the fun of a console launch. Let's not forget the fact that gaming sites will be flooded with content based solely on the next generation of consoles for many months to come as we make the transition. It's easy to to feel left out if you don't own one of these new consoles at launch, but it's important to remember that these consoles won't come cheap so I suspect a great many of us will decide not to be part of the launch crowd this time round. There's certainly positives in jumping on board early, but when I think back to the previous generation I recall playing very little of my Xbox 360 at it's launch, for lack of games more than anything else and I worry that things would be the same this time round.

Weather you've decided you'll be picking up a brand spanking new Playstation 4, a shiny new Xbox One or even both, then it's going to be an interesting couple of months for you. With so many unanswered questions still lingering and the fact that there's still Nintendo's Wii U to consider, it's certainly going to be fun finding out. The next generation finds the industry unsure of itself, more than it's ever before. There's something both exciting and scary about all this, whilst we hate to admit it we gamers hate change, even when it appears we might be begging for it. It won't be an easy launch for either console with both having already drawn criticisms, for example the whole resolutiongate debate. But it'll be interesting to see how both Microsoft and Sony tackle these uncertain times. Me, well I'll be watching from the sides with great interest… that is until I feel the urge to jump on on board with the rest of you.