This is hardly surprising, at least not for anyone who has been keeping an eye on rumours and news surrounding new console hardware. It is another little indication that, despite Microsoft and Sony sticking their fingers in their ears and shouting “LA LA LA, I CAN’T HEAR YOU” every time they’re asked, the next generation of consoles is coming in 2013.
John Riccitiello, head honcho at EA, has told CNBC that he expects NPD to be tracking data for next-gen consoles. The comments came in response to the general decline in the traditional videogame market. Riccitiello suspects that the “10-25%” slide we’ve been seeing (which is sometimes as much as 40%…) will be counteracted by the invigoration of new hardware.
This theory that new hardware will rescue the ailing retail sales is a popular one, with publishers seemingly all keen to see it happen sooner rather than later. Sony’s previous statements that they wouldn’t want to give Microsoft’s next Xbox (codenamed Durango) another headstart on their PlayStation 4 (codenamed Orbis) so we can expect both major players to pull the trigger on announcements at similar times. Many expect that to be at E3 next year, with a release in time for the all important Christmas sales.
Source: CNBC
Dom El
John Riccitiello clearly aiming to brighten a slow news day with his pearls of future-wisdom – what a helpful chap.
fs
I thought you said “What a heapful of crap” for a minute….
Dom El
That works too.
Bilbo_bobbins
I predict a riot !
bunimomike
It’s like the cycling event at the Olympics (Keirin, I think or maybe Sprint) where everything is paced slowly until things finally go mental. Same with Microsoft and Sony. They’ll ride high around the velodrome at a slow speed until one of them breaks free.
double-o-dave
Or like a bunch of newbs in a tittie bar. They all shyly stand back scared & uncertain but as soon as one plucks up the courage and has a dance, wallets come flying out of everywhere and the smut commences.
bunimomike
Busy this evening? :P
Omac_brother
Seeing as though he is boss man over at EA, I would have thought he would “Know”, not “expect” when the next Gen is going to drop seeing as though his company is developing for the next gen.
bmg_123
Still don’t care for next-gen…can’t afford it, probably! Had to wait 3 years to get a PS3, and I don’t really want to have to spend out on something new already. Don’t see how an expensive set of consoles will re-invigorate the market…why not trash online passes and premium subscriptions, see where you get then.
cc_star
Away from the very pinnacle of graphical excellence your idea has a lot of merit
A £250-£300+ barrier to entry before you even buy any games doesn’t sound like the best way to return to how things were.
bmg_123
Exactly, I got a Vita recently, only out of my darned curiosity. Although it’s great, I don’t think I’d pay more for a system with only improved hardware to justify the price. It would have to improve on UI (360 especially), ease of use and just general features, or lack of such, that currently annoys with this generation. And of course, it would have to bring down the price of digital games drastically, something which the Vita, sometimes, does already.
KeRaSh
Wouldn’t it be better for you if they released the next gen consoles sooner, though? The sooner they release the consoles, the sooner the price drop / hardware revision hits the streets, which would only benefit those, who are still happy with the current gen and / or don’t have the spare cash for an immediate next gen upgrade.
bmg_123
I guess it could work in that way, but then again it would also be beneficial to wait for the bigger graphical jump to please devs and that sect of gamers, whilst also keeping the price low (because new tech would depreciate in price over the years) and at the same time keep the console cheap and profitable for the company.
Whereas releasing the same spec machine now would mean either a high price to begin with, or the console companies would have to take a hit. So rather than everyone waiting for a new revision whilst the old one bleeds money, you get the best deal from day one, and each side benefits.
Does that make sense? I feel I rambled a bit there…
An-dz
Next year EA will announce the “exiting” return of home insert coin arcade machines, but for your own home! an EA representative will collect the money at the end of every week.
SH Number 7/Mini-Lipscombe
Never know, Sony could be leaking all this stuff about the slim PS3 to trick everyone, and they might be announcing the PS4 at Gamescom.
cc_star
10% declines, then 20% declines on top of those declines, then up to 40% declines on to those declines
The next gen will reverse this?
What if it doesn’t, what if people’s gaming kicks has become so fragments across a million different platforms & devices… Sure they’ll always be a market for a AAA console and the AAA games to play on it, but what if that market is much smaller than everyone wants & needs it to be.
leeroye
Well i for one will be waiting for second iteration of the next Gen consoles. I have been burned by both 360 and PS3 consoles failing way to early. If they do get consoles out next year then they will obviously be rushed out and sub standard in the quality department just like this Gen.
bigbaldwolf
Very true. My original Xbox died and this has put me off getting another 1 batch console. They will undoubtedly make improvements and release a better version. I did buy the Vita day one however and that is where most of my gaming is. I’m not bothered / ready for next gen yet so we will just have to see where it goes
Nickboss1
Thank you Mr Riccitiello… Now get back to work!