EA CEO Heralds Apple iPad as Games Industry’s Future

[onthebottom]

Interesting and aggressive view... take this POV along with the fact that Nintendo just dropped the price of their new 3D DS by $80....

OTB

EA CEO Heralds Apple iPad as Games Industry’s Future

By Alastair Stevenson | July 28, 2011 10:11 AM GMT

EA CEO John Riccitiello has predicted the death of console gaming, claiming that in the near future devices such as Apple's iPad 2 will become the primary gaming medium.


EA CEO John Riccitiello has predicted the death of console gaming, claiming that in the near future devices such as Apple's iPad 2 will become the primary gaming medium.

In the interview with IndustyGamers Riccitiello argued that the cyclical pattern of console releases would eventually die out.

The CEO cited the consoles already diminishing share of the gaming market as proof. Riccitiello pointed out how in the year 2000 consoles accounted for 80 per cent of the market, yet now with the advent of casual and tablet gaming, they only speak for 40 per cent of the industry.

Riccitiello went on to state that he believed devices like the Apple iPad would eventually become the world's primary games platform:

"We have a new hardware platform and we're putting out software every 90 days. Our fastest growing platform is the iPad right now and that didn't exist 18 months ago. So the idea that we're categorizing the industry as being [cyclical]... Nintendo is off cycle with what? I mean, the point of reference is gone.

"And so Nintendo is bringing out a new platform that brings together some of what we're learning from new media and new platforms like the iPad and then integrating that with a console. It's the perfect time for that in the industry."

The CEO went on to suggest that current console makers insistence on improving graphics was in reality a step in the wrong direction. Riccitiello argued that while still currently relevent, in the near future graphical prowess would become "inconsequential". The CEO argued that in the future consumers would be more interested in inter-device compatibility commenting:

"I think there's going to be an interesting debate when you get to processing power beyond what you can push up with a 1080p or a 720p [system]. Most people squint between 1080p and 720p, because what's the difference, seriously?

"I would argue that there's more to be provided in terms of value for the consumer in micro-transactions and social experiences and driving those better in cross-platform gameplay between a console and a PC and a handheld device and a social network than there is supercharging graphics."

The CEO's comments come after Apple revealed its own plans to expand its presence in the games industry earlier this year. To date the company has hinted at plans to increase the synchronisation between its iPad and Apple TV devices to allow gamers to play more "hardcore" games through the device.

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

Interesting and aggressive view... take this POV along with the fact that Nintendo just dropped the price of their new 3D DS by $80....

OTB

EA CEO Heralds Apple iPad as Games Industry’s Future



By Alastair Stevenson | July 28, 2011 10:11 AM GMT

EA CEO John Riccitiello has predicted the death of console gaming, claiming that in the near future devices such as Apple's iPad 2 will become the primary gaming medium.


EA CEO John Riccitiello has predicted the death of console gaming, claiming that in the near future devices such as Apple's iPad 2 will become the primary gaming medium.

In the interview with IndustyGamers Riccitiello argued that the cyclical pattern of console releases would eventually die out.

The CEO cited the consoles already diminishing share of the gaming market as proof. Riccitiello pointed out how in the year 2000 consoles accounted for 80 per cent of the market, yet now with the advent of casual and tablet gaming, they only speak for 40 per cent of the industry.

Riccitiello went on to state that he believed devices like the Apple iPad would eventually become the world's primary games platform:

"We have a new hardware platform and we're putting out software every 90 days. Our fastest growing platform is the iPad right now and that didn't exist 18 months ago. So the idea that we're categorizing the industry as being [cyclical]... Nintendo is off cycle with what? I mean, the point of reference is gone.

"And so Nintendo is bringing out a new platform that brings together some of what we're learning from new media and new platforms like the iPad and then integrating that with a console. It's the perfect time for that in the industry."

The CEO went on to suggest that current console makers insistence on improving graphics was in reality a step in the wrong direction. Riccitiello argued that while still currently relevent, in the near future graphical prowess would become "inconsequential". The CEO argued that in the future consumers would be more interested in inter-device compatibility commenting:

"I think there's going to be an interesting debate when you get to processing power beyond what you can push up with a 1080p or a 720p [system]. Most people squint between 1080p and 720p, because what's the difference, seriously?

"I would argue that there's more to be provided in terms of value for the consumer in micro-transactions and social experiences and driving those better in cross-platform gameplay between a console and a PC and a handheld device and a social network than there is supercharging graphics."

The CEO's comments come after Apple revealed its own plans to expand its presence in the games industry earlier this year. To date the company has hinted at plans to increase the synchronisation between its iPad and Apple TV devices to allow gamers to play more "hardcore" games through the device.

Your headline is a little misleading.....

EA CEO Heralds Apple iPad as Games Industry’s Future

the quote from the article is

EA CEO John Riccitiello has predicted the death of console gaming, claiming that in the near future devices such as Apple's iPad 2 will become the primary gaming medium.

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

The future landscape of such tablets will look something like this.......

The iPad will continue to dominate the growing tablet market until Android tablets take over in 2015, according to forecasts from Informa Telecoms & Media.

The study estimates that Apple currently owns about 75% of the tablet market, which is expected to expand from less than 20 million units in 2010 to more than 230 million in 2015. By that time, Apple’s share of the market will drop to just 38%, due largely to the proliferation of cheaper and more advanced Android tablets. Still, it will take another year — until 2016 — for Android tablets to outsell Apple ones.

RIM’s prospects for market expansion are less optimistic, the study finds. Once the PlayBook begins supporting Android apps and 4G connectivity — HSPA+ and LTE versions are expected before the end of 2011 — sales are expected to improve.

Other analysts are more bullish on Apple’s market dominance. A study released by Gartner in April predicted the iPad will maintain a 47% share of the tablet by 2015, with Android hovering just above 38%.
http://mashable.com/2011/07/27/tablet-study-ipad-android/

 

[onthebottom]

Your headline is a little misleading.....

the quote from the article is

Wasn't my headline, you should contact the author.

Not every discussion is a Apple vs Android topic, try learning a new trick. The real topic of this article isn't about the iPad but about a transformation in the gaming industry as discussed by the CEO of the largest gaming SW vendor... one would think you could recognize that as opposed to demonstrating your gag reflex on the taste of Apple.

OTB

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

Wasn't my headline, you should contact the author.

Not every discussion is a Apple vs Android topic, try learning a new trick. The real topic of this article isn't about the iPad but about a transformation in the gaming industry as discussed by the CEO of the largest gaming SW vendor... one would think you could recognize that as opposed to demonstrating your gag reflex on the taste of Apple.

OTB

The headline "EA CEO Heralds Apple iPad as Games Industry’s Future" implies an Apple centric view, which i know excites you to no end.
I pointed out that it was misleading and obviously designed for click through value from the fanbois such as yourself.
Knowing anything with Apple, iPad, iPhone or Apple profits in a headline excite you, I just like to remind you there are other players in the game. Had the author used the actual quote from the article i would have had zero issue with it and would not have posted on this topic which has already been brought up numerous times in other threads....so it's simply redundant. but it highlighted Apple which is really why you felt the need to post it.

 

[djk]

Not every discussion is a Apple vs Android topic, try learning a new trick.

It's like having a dog doing tricks for you. You say sit, the dog sits. You post something on Apple, the freetards and neckbreads breathe harder than Darth Vader and post their Android posts. LOLOL.

 

[WoodPeckr]

...one would think you could recognize that as opposed to demonstrating your gag reflex on the taste of Apple.

Not all had need to master 'gag reflex' as you did bottie....:eyebrows:

 

[ExerciseGuy]

Back to the thread guys. I think that this just reflects that people want a single device to be able to do multiple things. At present, the tablets seem to be doing this best. If they can get the consoles to provide other functions, I think that could make things more competitive.

 

[onthebottom]

The headline "EA CEO Heralds Apple iPad as Games Industry’s Future" implies an Apple centric view, which i know excites you to no end.
I pointed out that it was misleading and obviously designed for click through value from the fanbois such as yourself.
Knowing anything with Apple, iPad, iPhone or Apple profits in a headline excite you, I just like to remind you there are other players in the game. Had the author used the actual quote from the article i would have had zero issue with it and would not have posted on this topic which has already been brought up numerous times in other threads....so it's simply redundant. but it highlighted Apple which is really why you felt the need to post it.

I posted it because I think he's right on the future of gaming.... the fact that you had a knee jerk reaction to Apple says more about you then the editorial choices the publication made.

OTB

 

[onthebottom]

Back to the thread guys. I think that this just reflects that people want a single device to be able to do multiple things. At present, the tablets seem to be doing this best. If they can get the consoles to provide other functions, I think that could make things more competitive.

I think that's some of it but for a long time now the focus of the game companies not named Nintendo was on ever more powerful hardware, higher resolutions and more involved (and expensive) games..... what the EA CEO is seeing is a move to less complex, lower resolution, less expensive games that people can take with them vs play at home on a home theater setup. The fact that Android phones (for the most part) iOS devices don't have traditional game inputs but use touch is also interesting....

OTB

 

[Tangwhich]

OTB: Android tablets can be hooked up to joysticks (including a PS3 controller amoung others) and they can connect to a TV with HDMI. With emulators plus new software, the possiblities are endless.

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

I posted it because I think he's right on the future of gaming.... the fact that you had a knee jerk reaction to Apple says more about you then the editorial choices the publication made.

OTB

You can spin it any way you want, but being Apples poster boy, we all know what you meant to point out. as for gaming this has already been discussed in a thread when John Carmack said basically the same thing and again in a thread when it was revealed the Nintendo 3DS wasn't doing nearly as good as had been reported as well as a couple of other gaming threads.

trust me, your fanboi tendencies are quite transparent.

 

[onthebottom]

OTB: Android tablets can be hooked up to joysticks (including a PS3 controller amoung others) and they can connect to a TV with HDMI. With emulators plus new software, the possiblities are endless.

And I think it will be interesting to see where all of that goes...... I'm not sure there is much of a model for the PS4, 5, 6.... the market is changing.

It's not hard to imagine a MS tablet and phone working with their XBox 360 and Kinect in innovative ways either....

OTB

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

OTB: Android tablets can be hooked up to joysticks (including a PS3 controller amoung others) and they can connect to a TV with HDMI. With emulators plus new software, the possiblities are endless.

I agree. trying to play a game on a tablet using the touch screen to control the action is very limiting, not to mention having no tactile response and takes up too much room on the screen. Unless you are doing your gaming on an HDTV the tablets are only good for stuff like Angry Birds.

 

[Garrett]

I think it is very clear that consumers are demanding less. Less resolution. Less power. Given them a small form factor, brand recognition, and they are happy. I personally detest the ipad for many reasons, but it is fabulously successful.

The high end market in all areas is disappearing.. whether music, movies, or gaming. It is expensive, non-portable, and generally content has been reduced in quality (compression etc) to the point that most people no longer care. I personally find it very sad, but the mass market rules and the industry is very happy with subscription services and hardware that becomes obsolete every 12 months.

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

I think it is very clear that consumers are demanding less. Less resolution. Less power. Given them a small form factor, brand recognition, and they are happy. I personally detest the ipad for many reasons, but it is fabulously successful.

The high end market in all areas is disappearing.. whether music, movies, or gaming. It is expensive, non-portable, and generally content has been reduced in quality (compression etc) to the point that most people no longer care. I personally find it very sad, but the mass market rules and the industry is very happy with subscription services and hardware that becomes obsolete every 12 months.

I disagree. high end gaming is alive and well and going to be around for a long time to come. tablets and phones are quite a ways off from matching the graphics and realism of current top of the line PC and console games.

case in point Call of Duty: Black Ops Sales Top $1 Bln

Activision's latest video game Call of Duty: Black Ops have surpassed the $1 billion mark in worldwide sales in just about 42 days from its launch on Nov.9.

In its first five days alone, the game sold more than $650 million worldwide, outpacing theatrical box office, book and video game sales records for five-day worldwide sell through in dollars, according to internal Activision estimates and boxofficemojo.com.

and new releases are expected to eclipse that.... Analyst: New Call of Duty Sales Could Pass 20M(copies)

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter says he thinks Activision's next Call of Duty game could surpass Black Ops' 20 million in sales, despite a competitive threat from EA's Battlefield 3.

In a new research note, Pachter says the new Modern Warfare 3 has the potential to surpass Black Ops' "mind-boggling" sales numbers, "due primarily to the network effect created by the game’s remarkable 17 million weekly active unique online players."

clearly there is still a market, and there are many huge blockbuster titles on the way

this is intense gameplay and graphics, it may not be to everyones taste but $1 Billion in sales in just over a month says it's a healthy market

 

[djk]

Awhile back, Sony was going after iOS games.

http://adage.com/article/adages/psp-s-marcus-iphone-games-chumps/145529/

They pulled the plug on the campaign recently. Too bad, it was good for a chuckle.

 

[onthebottom]

I disagree. high end gaming is alive and well and going to be around for a long time to come. tablets and phones are quite a ways off from matching the graphics and realism of current top of the line PC and console games.

case in point Call of Duty: Black Ops Sales Top $1 Bln



and new releases are expected to eclipse that.... Analyst: New Call of Duty Sales Could Pass 20M(copies)



clearly there is still a market, and there are many huge blockbuster titles on the way

this is intense gameplay and graphics, it may not be to everyones taste but $1 Billion in sales in just over a month says it's a healthy market

I own both BFBC2 and Black ops.... great games for what is a well established FPS hard core audience... (another title to watch is Unchartered 3 - the first two were some of my fav games - PS3 only though). But that's not the point.

http://youtu.be/DHHcM6aHPnE

The point is that the growth (not more of the same) in the game market is moving to different platforms and that's interesting and where the innovation will come from.

OTB

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

I own both BFBC2 and Black ops.... great games for what is a well established FPS hard core audience... (another title to watch is Unchartered 3 - the first two were some of my fav games - PS3 only though). But that's not the point.

http://youtu.be/DHHcM6aHPnE

The point is that the growth (not more of the same) in the game market is moving to different platforms and that's interesting and where the innovation will come from.

OTB

agreed. but it's still a little ways off.

I also loved the first 2 Uncharted games i'm really looking forward to uncharted 3. I have Black Ops too

I like this gameplay demo from Uncharted 3