'Consoles have hit their peak' - say analysts
He expects next year's Wii U release to drive strong sales, but not Wii-level ones, and says Sony and Microsoft are hesitant to introduce new hardware as they're currently enjoying rising profits from PS3 and Xbox 360 respectively.
But the longer they wait, the more opportunity console makers give platforms like mobiles, tablets and other devices that can play games as a secondary feature a chance to steal market share, Cole believes.
"Systems like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are having their best sales ever five or six years into their lifecycle," he said. "Unfortunately this means Microsoft and Sony are in no hurry to launch new systems that would generate substantial consumer excitement and spending.
"Games on Facebook and products like the iPad help expand the audience and the way products are delivered. The console business is firmly established and suffers mainly from the reluctance of hardware manufacturers to commit to expensive new products.
"The dedicated console business is still the major driver of industry growth, but we feel overall it has peaked with the current console systems."
THQ CEO Brian Farrell said this week he expects future consoles to drop support for physical discs in favour of cloud gaming, resulting in lower hardware manufacturing costs, lower console prices driving mass market adoption, and no physical goods cost for game makers.
Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/318227/consoles-have-hit-their-peak-analyst/
Posted:
Related Articles
Comments
BraddieBoiPosted:
Hit their peak? People are always going on about how boring and repetitive xbox is getting now. Microsoft are just dumb money grabbers who don't want to spend money on creating a newer console when they are probably the most (or one of) the more profitable companies in the world. Such selfishness
Latest Downloads
- 01. SnowRunner: SaveGame (all locations are opened) [32.0](1)
- 02. [EU] Resident Evil 6 MainGame+All DLCs [CUSA03840](1)
- 03. Elden Ring SAVE FILE (CUSA18581)(0)
- 04. Dead Island 2 - NG+ Trophies PS4, PS5 - CUSA27043(1)
- 05. Infinite Stratos 2 Love and Purge(0)
- 06. Real Racing 3: SaveGame (perfect start) [12.7.1](0)
- 07. What the Car?: SaveGame (Game completed 83%) [v15692787](0)
- 08. Fallout 2: SaveGame(0)
- 09. Ben and Ed: SaveGame (all levels open, bonus levels, Bencalypse)(0)
- 10. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons - SaveGame (100% completion)(3)
- 11. Metro: Last Light - SaveGame (to get the achievement Specialist)(0)
- 12. Frogun Encore: Game Save (The Game done 101%)(0)
- 13. Warhammer 40000 space marine 2 saves(16)
- 14. Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP: SaveGame (100%, everything is open)(0)
- 15. Dead Space 2 - Save Game (The Game done 100% on impossible difficulty) [1.1](1)
Latest Tutorials
- 01. PS3 HEN - Audio via a USB headset.(133)
- 02. Stumble Guys | Social Butterfly Achievement(96)
- 03. Last Days of Lazarus Achievement Walkthrough (Xbox/PS)(1,341)
- 04. EDENGATE: The Edge of Life - 100% Trophy/Achievement Guide(1,649)
- 05. Sherlock Holmes Chapter One | Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,365)
- 06. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes | Full Game Walkthrough(2,123)
- 07. Adam Wolfe | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,461)
- 08. ALFRED HITCHCOCK: VERTIGO - 100% Walkthrough(1,695)
- 09. SHERLOCK HOLMES THE AWAKENED | Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,205)
- 10. Space Roguelike Adventure | Guide - Cheat Code!(1,418)
- 11. DETECTIVE Stella Porta Case | Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,113)
- 12. Tunic 100% Platinum Walkthrough | Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,714)
- 13. Outbreak: The Nightmare Chronicles Achievement Walkthrough(1,369)
- 14. Full Void 100% - Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,313)
- 15. Outbreak: Lost Hope #Xbox Achievement Walkthrough(2,082)
"'Consoles have hit their peak' - say analysts" :: Login/Create an Account :: 11 comments