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A lot may say that mobiles would never be able to catch up
to the kind of games that consoles deliver
and I would agree with them. But the
question is that are we really concerned about the hardcore devoted gamer who
crave for that kind of experience? He will anyway play on his console. But what
about the not so devoted gamer? If he is getting nearly the same kind of
experience at a fraction of the cost and at his choice of convenience, it would
be tough ask to compel him to invest hundreds of dollars on a new gaming
device. Many gamers game because it allows them to escape their routine life
and get into a world of fantasy. If their phones are allowing them to do just
that whenever they please to, would they be willing to go back to their
consoles? The answer is not absolute but it’s a “Maybe No”.
Xbox One and PS4 are here and looking at the look of things,
they don’t seem to be going away in a hurry. Both the consoles are selling like
hot cakes with each able to rack up sales of 1 million units in just 24 hours.
Those are impressive numbers for any consumer device. There have been estimates
that both the consoles would be easily able to outsell their predecessor. Going
by that estimation, the newly launched consoles are going to be huge hits
considering the fact that both Xbox 360 and PS3 have managed to sell around 80
million units individually. Those are big numbers.
All seem to be rosy for MS and Sony but is it really so? I
mean, yes the new consoles have got a rousing reception but is that not also
due to the huge pent up demand that has been building for the last 3 years.
This has been the longest console cycle ever, extending well over 3 years from
the generally accepted norm. That has resulted in a huge demand for new
hardware for the devoted fan boys. Considering these theories, it was almost
certain that whenever a new console is launched, it would be greeted with open
arms. And that has happened. So what’s next?
A lot has changed over the last 8 years when the Xbox 360
was launched. For one, a certain Apple along with its quarreling sibling, the
Android, has captured and ruled over the attention of the masses. Gaming has
evolved from being confined to the living room to be present on train,
stations, offices, shopping malls and practically everywhere humans have been. Simply
put, the gaming habit of the average gamer has evolved. The smartphone and the
tablet along with the consoles have become the main gaming machines. Yes, it is
true that the level of engagement or the kind of games is not the same when
mobile gaming is compared to consoles. But that does not take away from the
fact that people are getting their compulsory doses of gaming away from their
consoles. Also mobile games are doing an increasingly good job at delivering
nearly the same kind of experience as got from a console game. Not same but
nearly. Games like Reptide GP or Prince of Persia Shadows & Flames allow me
to have a deep gaming experience without switching on my console.
A lot may say that mobiles would never be able to catch up
to the kind of games that consoles deliver
It’s not all gloomy for consoles. I think that they would
survive and grow as well but maybe not at the same pace at which they have
grown over the past generations. They would need to do things differently this
time around. For one, they would need to integrate the different mobile devices
as second screens in their platforms. The mobile devices need to be an
important integrated part of the consoles. Games need to designed and developed
in such a way that they would make use of both the consoles as well as the
user’s smartphone. The experience needs to be connected. For Microsoft, the
Surface and Windows 8 phones become so much more important. The same goes for
Sony’s PS Vita. If they can find some way to meaningfully integrate the mobile
devices in their whole ecosystem, gamers may see a lot of added value in buying
the new consoles.
While doing so, both Xbox One and PS4 need to deliver better
& more of what they have been known for: great quality games. They need to
up the ante so much that the gamers would find the difference in quality
between the mobile and console games big enough. That would make it much harder
for them to ignore the consoles. Bigger better games should be a huge help for
the consoles. They would also need to give a lot of space to the Indies as
that’s where the real innovation lies. Again care would need to balance the
price point with the value offering so as not to dilute the value of their
bigger brother, the AAA games.
With so much going on in the industry, so many new
developments almost everyday, it would be very difficult for anyone to guess
one clear-cut winner. The whole ecosystem is changing, and changing fast. The
one who would be able to adjust and adapt would be the one who is more likely
to succeed. Change is here and its forever. In the famous words of Friedrich Nietzsche:
“The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are
prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.”
Siddharth has been playing games since forever and loves it
so much so he decided to make a profession out of it. After completing his MBA,
he decided to join EA to learn the ropes of the industry. A Game Producer and
Game Designer by profession, while not playing games, he loves to read about
them, watch movies and spend quality time with his family. His passion for
writing led to the creation of this blog.
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