Next generation needs to start happening soon, as publishers are beginning to feel the pinch. One such publisher? Ubisoft. “We have been penalized by the lack of new consoles on the market,” says company CEO Yves Guillemot, wishing he could get new IP out on new systems.
One such new IP? Watch Dogs, still officially only announced for PS3 and Xbox 360, but surely a game that’ll work much better with more advanced technology pushing it – like the PCs used to demo the fantastic looking game at E3 last month.
“What we missed was a new console every five years,” he said to Gamasutra, talking about how this generation is starting to drag and how new machines could kickstart the industry. “I understand the manufacturers don’t want them too often because it’s expensive, but it’s important for the entire industry to have new consoles because it helps creativity.”
Ubisoft normally push out loads of new games, some riskier than others, at the start of a new generation or to coincide with the launch of a new platform. They did really well with the sheer numbers on the 3DS and Vita, for example.
“It’s a lot less risky for us to create new IPs and new products when we’re in the beginning of a new generation,” he added. “Our customers are very open to new things. Our customers are reopening their minds — and they are really going after what’s best.
“At the end of a console generation, they want new stuff, but they don’t buy new stuff as much. They know their friends will play Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed so they go for that. So the end of a cycle is very difficult.”
“If you can’t take risks because people don’t buy, you don’t innovate,” he says. “And if you don’t innovate, customers get bored.”
Forrest_01
“It’s a lot less risky for us to create new IPs and new products when we’re in the beginning of a new generation,” he added. “Our customers are very open to new things”
I just read that as “New IP works well when a console is launched as there isn ‘t much out there so no-one really has a choice but to play it. Doesn’t matter if it’s terrible or not.”
Does that make me cynical? :)
bmg_123
Not at all, Ubisoft are well known for their crap brigade at new console launches…
bunimomike
Spot on, Forrest. Nothing to do with going for what’s best, in a way. There’s shit all else available so I’ll pick up the game that looks less fugly than the rest. Job done.
Jakster123x
I think Assassin’s Creed is helping them out plenty just now
cam the man
I’m glad there’s not a new console every five years, it would be a bit much for most people’s pockets. If the PS4 is released no sooner than Christmas 2013 I may have saved enough for one. I’m happy sticking with the PS3 for a while yet so even 2014 would be fine with me..
bmg_123
“it’s important for the entire industry to have new consoles because it helps creativity.”
-Um…no! Since when have we seen a truly different title at launch? It helps creativity when there are long cycles, because devs don’t have to focus on the newfangled tech, and instead on the gameplay/other features.
What a silly suggestion, Yves.
jayjay119
I kind of have to agree with this. There are always sequels and adaptions in every generation but there are definitely a lot more original titles at the beginning and middle of each gen to the latter half. Look at the beginning of this gen; Assassin’s Creed, Portal, Mirror’s Edge, Uncharted, Condemned, Infamous, Red Dead Redeption, Dead Rising. All new IPs. Granted most have followed into the well know series of sequels and spin offs by this point in time. But would they have been as successful had they been released at this point?
colmshan1990
Only Portal and Mirror’s Edge actually tried something different and had something more than a new setting and name to previous games in their genre. The others weren’t really fresh ideas anymore than a new modern set military shooter revealed tomorrow would be lauded as an original game despite being a new IP.
You did leave out the big one shaker-upper this gen: Little Big Planet.
And finally, Red Dead Redemption was not a new IP, but a sequel of sorts to Red Dead Revolver on PS2.
Tom Pitcher
I’m sorry but when did power in a console relate in any way to creativity. I’m pretty sure journey didn’t need the power of the ps4 to help the creative aspect of that title.