Lack Of A Dominant Console Hurting Industry Innovation?
See Full ImageSome have whined about a lack of innovation in big-budget titles this generation (although much creativity can still be found, especially in the downloadable realm), but perhaps there's a reason...
Zoe Mode studio boss Paul Mottram spoke to Strategy Informer about the current development and publishing trends, and how the lack of a console front-runner throws a wrench into the works. Said Mottram:
"It used to be that ten years ago, it was PS2... So you'd just do PS2 and then maybe some others... But now we're finding that everyone is not knowing what platform is going to succeed - we did our first 3DS title - we got Crush onto that, but we had to delay the release of that because of the success of the platform."
Basically, he says it's hard because none of the platforms are dominant right now. The Wii "is on the wane," for example, and the PS3 and Xbox 360 continue to duke it out on the retail front. Multiplatform projects are commonplace these days, but we've also noticed that when a developer wants to make a statement - i.e., wants to fulfill a certain vision - that studio focuses on one platform.
At any rate, it's just another factor in this complicated business.
Tags: console war, gaming industry, next gen consoles
7/19/2011 9:03:56 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (52 posts)
Qubex
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 9:30:23 PM
Reply
There is no doubt that Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony will produce competent hardware. There may be a platform that has a slight edge under certain conditions, BUT, today, and in the future, it will be all about the SOFTWARE - the games that entice players to any one given platform. HD is HD, 1080p is 1080p and 60FPS is 60FPS... all 3 platforms will do this in the next generation release...
What is important now is the supportive SOFTWARE ECOSYSTEM that supports that platform's interactive environment and the multimedia services it will support.
What will be a game changer then.... 3D, not so much, but it will help. Well, in light of Sony's dabbling in a commercial consumer VR headset product, maybe that is the next "revolution" everyone is waiting for...
Full immersion in a sense... that is probably the next paradigm shift and the one that will raise the experience and technical bars again. It is when this leap is made that one company may once again become the dominant platform...
I guess we all hope it will be Sony...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
5 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 9:58:31 PM
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Sega Dreamcast 2 launches in a nice middle ground that caters to unique interactive titles, hardcore mulitplats and great Sega exclusives like Valkyria 4, Yakuza 5, Skies of Arcadia 2 etc, Ninento has the casuals with Wii U, and Sony has the hardcore locked down with its AAA exclusives and equal quality multiplats.
9 up, 4 down
Claire C
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 10:09:27 PM
Sega's console days are way over.
I just hope Sony's next console is so much better and more appealing than Microsoft's that it's really easy for me to buy the PS4 and not be tempted at all by the Xbox 720. I'm %100 buying a PS4, but I don't want there to be any desire to own a new Xbox.
8 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 12:01:11 AM
I think that the future of the industry isn't so much in consolidation as it is in collaboration. Sony taking part shares in companies that develop for other platforms does not harm their own platform, nor would such a move harm Nintendo. But it would help support the industry against the destructive predation of Microsoft. I won't write a long Microsoft focused post, but I will point out that Microsoft has spent 10 years trying to find a way to dominate the living room in the same way they dominated PCs for the last 25 years. Microsoft doesn't care about the software ecosystem of developers already in the market. If it serves their goals of domination, they will happily destroy that market because they know they can cross subsidize their own efforts while the others crumble. This is precisely how they operated for 25+ years in PCs and Windows. So I do think that Nintendo and Sony would benefit from collaboration to protect the ecosystem of the video game market - and that includes innovation.
8 up, 0 down
drortego
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 7:11:00 AM
1 up, 0 down
The Doom
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 9:40:13 AM
You know the Xbox has been helping the PS3 pretty much this whole gen and verse visa. The PS3 wouldn't have gotten things like trophies, custom soundtracks (for some games), an OS-based store, premium avatars, and stuff without the xbox and the xbox wouldn't have had it's UI resigned (it functions somewhat like the XMB), less game size restrictions for developers (it used to be 200 MB at max until PSN games started showing up), larger HDDs, a redesigned xbox, and others without the PS3.
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 10:02:10 AM
However, Microsoft are a completely different kind of competitor to any that have been seen in video games or consumer electronics. Microsoft's aim is nothing less than domination of the living room, to the same degree that dominance was achieved with PCs and business software. Their strategy to achieve that is sometimes called embrace, extend, extinguish. That means that at first they embrace the de facto standards and concepts of the target, then they grow those things adding features that are attractive to customers and over time they lock customers into those features. The final phase - extinguish - is when they snuff out the competition achieving market dominance by default. That strategy was not good for the software ecosystem in PC software. There are innumerable software developers that are no longer doing business or were bought up in consolidation efforts to survive Microsoft.
Whether you want to believe it or not, that is their strategy, their aim is to dominate the living room and video game market, and they are following their normal strategy to do it. Look at the proprietary nature of XBL and all the subscriber only features that lock you into their way of doing things. The lock-in is so strong that people buy multiple replacement Xbox360s despite the certain knowledge of design flaws.
Whatever their positive impact is, they have had (and will continue to have) substantial negative impacts as well.
OK, that was part of my Mircosoft rant, I'll hold onto the rest for now - except to say that if you doubt this, research their history and look at what their stated aims are with respect to gaming.
2 up, 1 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:40:45 AM
"The ideal solution to me would be for MS to give it up and go back to being a Windows based monopoly"
I agree %100.
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:47:19 AM
Anyway, it didn't give any further info on why, but I really can't see MS trying to partner with Sony. Knowing Microsoft's lack of business ethnic's, I suspect that MS will try & use this as some kind of vs. Sony astroturfing site.
Here's the article.....
Microsoft Registers Microsoft-Sony.com
Microsoft has set the internet rumor mill on fire after registering two domain names with "Sony" in them....
(microsoft-sony.com and sony-microsoft.com).
The software giant has registered microsoft-sony.com and sony-microsoft.com. Both domains were registered to Microsoft through Corporation Service Company (CSC), a corporate identity protection firm.
A great deal of speculation focuses on a gaming partnership between the two firms but it’s likely that the move to register the domains was simply a typical domain protection process. The company has previously registered microsoftinsider.com to protect its brand.
http://hardocp.com/news/2011/07/15/microsoft_registers_microsoftsonycom/
0 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:49:18 AM
"After buying 3 360's and my best friend bought 4" LoL, what took u so long to make the move. M$'s 360 hardware is a joke.
1 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:57:41 AM
The thing M$ will have to pay attention closely at the next xbox is hardware. Curse of the RROD's.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 12:59:03 PM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 10:11:42 PM
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9 up, 2 down
Cesar_ser_4
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 10:35:07 PM
0 up, 0 down
godsman
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 11:05:08 PM
1 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 3:19:46 AM
the reason i think there seems to be such a focus on the 360 is the way the na market has developed. unfortunately the 360 significantly outnumbers the ps3 here in na. most of these developers are based in the US. so developers focus on it. it even has an affect on the japanese gaming industry becuase of how badly they covet thre na market. it's just unfortunate that we get the shaft when it concerns multiplats. it is a shame but at this point i'd settle for the ps3 version of a multiplat game being just as good as its 360 counterpart.
3 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 10:14:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 12:21:26 AM
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3 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 1:54:14 AM
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This time around, the Wii is the standout, but not thanks to the quality granted to the core market. Moving the Wii U to try to capture that will probably not work out the way they want it to, as I seriously doubt its efficacy in drawing the core gamers away. And it will also sideline the casual gamers, by losing the motion focus. They'll see an identity crisis, and likely latch on to Kinect.
Losing focus here. There's a truth to the statement, but if anything, lack of a distinct leader should actually create innovation, as the hardware manufacturers seek to take bigger risks to get that market share that they so desperately crave, until it ultimately becomes a game on one-upsmanship.
Peace.
1 up, 0 down
___________
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 4:03:11 AM
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thats the biggest crock of sh*t i have ever heard!
the only thing stopping the innovation of the industry is publishers lack of taking risks, and developers laziness!
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 4:56:05 AM
Sounds like whining to me.
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/20/2011 4:57:25 AM
0 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 6:22:16 AM
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 9:26:42 AM
I respect your opinion and understand your reasoning but I completely disagree, although I've heard similar claims before. I just don't see how half the potential market can create twice the quality games (to put it simple).
I see no logical relation between the creativity of a game concept and the number of platforms it's planned to be released for.
The planning is done before coding, it might not even be the same guys doing the conceptual design, creative artwork and the coding (usually it isn't).
We can easily find examples of good concepts and creative titles both amongst multiplat and exclusives, and we can just as easy find trash and copy-cats in both categories. I see no apparent difference.
To me the greatest titles so far this gen are all multiplats. Games like Dragon Age, Burnout Paradise, BioShock 1&2, Mass Effect 2, Crysis 2, Red Dead Redemption, Fallout 3, Skate 1-3... These are high quality games I would not want to be without. They *are* this gen to me.
The best exclusives I got are: Lbp 1&2, infamous, mgs4, kz2, wkc, uncharted 1&2. All good games but with one exception, Infamous, I'm not sure if I'd buy them again...!
I guess you also owned a ps2, Lawless? I'm starting to think that this praise of exclusives is something that is rooted in earlier generations, that the exclusives for the ps2 were a lot better than those days multiplats (for whatever reason).
For someone like me, who's first console is the ps3, this idolization of exclusives is really quite hard to understand!
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/20/2011 10:59:22 AM
1 up, 0 down
___________
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 9:34:22 AM
publishers wont publish said games because there stuck in this mindset that we play nothing but COD wannabees and racing games!
that, creative differences like what happened with alpha protocol, lazy devs, or a list of all of the above.
i just wish the industry would go back to the good old days, go back to being about making a vision in your head come to life, to bring a dream and blossom it into a amazing reality.
and less about hmmmmmmm how can we make the most money?
ok, games dont pay for themselves but if you do go and make a amazingly new fresh game it will sell well.
look at LA Noire, been #1 in the UK charts since release!
publishers need to get out of the mindset that new unusual styled games just wont sell well, because its not true!
ok there will be some who wont buy it, but theres plenty people out there who are looking for and will buy anything thats different.
hell, i hate block puzzle games, but i still really want to get catherine just because it looks so quirky and weird.
2 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 1:43:36 PM
Nevertheless, it sort of exemplifies the idea of a singular focus, and when you consider how many developers say that they have trouble with the PS3, it makes one think that it has to have an effect, especially when it comes to the deadlines.
Actually, no. I never did have a PS2. The reason that I enjoy exclusive games so much is because I enjoy the uniqueness that is on offer from there. There's no other modern game like Valkyria Chronicles, and until Dark Souls, Demon's Souls. No other console has games with so robust a UGC system as LBP. Few other games can touch the storytelling of Uncharted, though some come close. It is the unique properties that draw me to them, not some deep seated misconception that they are greatly superior.
And Anon is right, most publishers aren't willing to take a similar risk. L.A. Noire, despite my dissatisfaction with it, is a great game, and I bought it because it offers gameplay that you can't get elsewhere. The same goes for Catherine, which I would also love to get. John Carmack had a good idea the other day wen he said that developers have to make money, but creative liberties have to be taken as well.
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Thursday, July 21, 2011 @ 3:03:41 AM
The uniqueness is *not* something reserved for exclusives - the very claim is irrational!
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/21/2011 3:06:04 AM
0 up, 0 down
79transam
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 6:18:28 AM
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2 up, 2 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 6:26:35 AM
And 80% is overstating it a bit. No more than 50%. You can blame it all on World this time :P
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 10:03:38 AM
Or Microsoft.
I forget...
3 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 10:18:23 AM
Every game would be filled to the max with content.
Instead, we deal with once a Blu moon three DVD games to the PS3's one Blu Ray.
There is a major problem here, and that fault is squarely placed on MS.
2 up, 0 down
Cesar_ser_4
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 10:40:06 AM
Nah it's not all mikes fault. It is also the developers and the consumers, but mainly the developers. Main reason being that they don't man up and actually make a game that fills up a single layer bluray disc.
2 up, 1 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:08:08 AM
Not quite true. Most games - even those on dual layer DVD - are compressed. Games on BluRay do not have to be compressed and a game that fills a dual layer DVD may well fill a BluRay single layer disc with no compression of the content.
Compression is how games that we are told are larger than a single DVD in size on BluRay, can be downloaded in just a few GB, it's because of the heavy compression in use.
2 up, 0 down
Cesar_ser_4
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:37:39 AM
But what good does it make to have the content on the bd side not compressed when it's not up to par with the 360 in therms of graphics and/or performance?
Last edited by Cesar_ser_4 on 7/20/2011 11:40:29 AM
1 up, 2 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 12:13:12 PM
3 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 12:23:20 PM
I assume that by "mike" you mean Microsoft. I do see the point you are making about the consumers be responsible, but in the end, it's still up to the powers that be to put the software on the best piece of technology out there. Consumers will do what consumers do, and that's purchase things. Right?
As far as your comment to Highlander goes, you will have to explain what is meant by "up to par" because I am not sure I understand you.
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Cesar_ser_4
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 12:27:28 PM
Hehehe lemme do a bit of wordplay if i can pull it off. Yes highlander you do waste bytes. Gigabytes, what with the game installs and all.
2 up, 0 down
Cesar_ser_4
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 7:00:08 PM
Last edited by Cesar_ser_4 on 7/20/2011 7:00:36 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:17:43 PM
BTW I was complimenting you on the wordplay, it's so rare these days that anyone bothers, I'm glad you did.
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Mornelithe
Thursday, July 21, 2011 @ 8:11:13 AM
It's only a waste of you don't have the proper display/sound system to display it on. Otherwise, I can certainly see/hear the differences between lossless audio/video formats.
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Fane1024
Saturday, July 23, 2011 @ 10:17:17 PM
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Kain81
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 7:02:05 AM
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We are begging now for some Japanese games here, but we dont get it see Tales of Vesperia,it seems even Sony dont want to work on JRPGs like Rogues Galaxy, Wild Arms, Legend of Dragoon, Dark Cloud and so on...its a sad situation...
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:18:11 AM
0 up, 0 down
Kiryu
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 8:55:05 AM
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3 up, 3 down
Zorigo
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 10:23:04 AM
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and more devs on the ps3, would mean the ps3 would become more prominent, and become the dominant console.
0 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 11:36:48 AM
Reply
Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 7/20/2011 11:38:21 AM
2 up, 1 down
Nas Is Like
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 4:15:05 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Mornelithe
Thursday, July 21, 2011 @ 8:18:27 AM
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That just pisses me off. I'm sorry, but screw you people. Personally, I hope every single developer, whose first thought is to profit, goes out of business. Every one of them.
As a developer, and maybe this is simply in my own little Utopian paradise, their first thought should be towards making their vision, a reality. Profit _should_ come later, if the game rocks. The problem is, companies like MS, Activision and so on, have flooded the industry with insanely pricey marketing campaigns, to the point where people think research isn't necessary to find the games that will most suit their tastes. That anything worth the money, will undoubtedly be advertised through the roof. If anything, the more marketed games are the ones I'm leery of.
There are multiple machines out on the market right now, all well...well above 40-50 million units a piece. A brilliant IP should make them TONS of cash, no matter what platform it's on.
Publishers, should be the ones whoring themselves out for marketing hype. Devs, should be developing games. When that formula fails, so does their IP, and hopefully, so does their studio.
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Reply
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 9:29:06 PM
If you want the best, you buy the best.
Yes, it's just that simple!