The Future is Now, Gaming Handhelds are Irrelevant, Consoles next? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

The Future is Now, Gaming Handhelds are Irrelevant, Consoles next? Stuck

Posted on October 23, 2012 at 06:09 PM.

(17)

I'm a stickler for change.

Typically, I'm the type of person that see's some sort of a chance to move things forward and my imagination thinks of all the possibilities of what could be -- detriments be darned.

The Apple marketplace is that type of a thing -- I once wrote that Apple could literally buy their way into gaming quite easily by snatching up several gaming publishers and having many billions to spare. Or Apple could buy a company like Nintendo and become a major hardware manufacturer.

What I didn't really envision right off -- and I probably should have -- is that the iDevices are now one of the most popular gaming platforms on the planet. Apple didn't need to do anything -- they're on their way to becoming the center of gaming for most Americans and perhaps even for the entire world.

Handheld consoles such as the PS Vita and Nintendo's many latest iterations are hopelessly going to be left in the dust. As of this summer, the Vita had sold 2.2 million units. As of this last quarter, Apple sold 16 million iPads in the last three months alone.

As a software developer, which are you going to want to develop for? Sure, the software prices on games on Apple's devices are much smaller -- but the potential profit margin plus lower development cost is just astoundingly easier to get products to market.

If I were starting a gaming company, I wouldn't even consider consoles -- I'd develop solely for Apple and Android devices.

Apple has famously claimed that the death of the PC is here, as it's tablets sell more inventory than any PC manufacturer sells PCs. The real question that needs to be asked is: are gaming consoles next?

The next generation of consoles figure to feature huge spikes in hardware capability, but that also means there will be a spike in development costs. This means gaming start-ups will have an infinitely harder time developing for consoles -- and many are choosing not to do that. Furthermore, this will consolidate where games are developed for major gaming consoles to big box publishers only, whether Sony and Microsoft (and to a certain extent Nintendo) like it or not.

Where the newer and fresher ideas are going to go is to mobile. You can develop games with less people (sometimes one), and reach an audience of millions. Many start ups have banked huge on this strategy. There's no doubt this trend will continue.

The Death of the Gaming Console?

Gaming consoles, just like PCs, won't go away entirely. But their relevance is surely going to wane at least somewhat. Consoles have already began making the necessary shifts to becoming more like entertainment hubs rather than gaming consoles -- it's likely only a matter of time before being able to take your game with you becomes a much bigger priority than the number of pixels one can pack on screen.

What we are likely heading to is an era where consoles see the more mainstream efforts come out with gems every now and then, whereas the best imagination and often the best products are found in the mobile realm -- where the freedom from corporate chains on creativity and the imagination are free to roam, not unlike how the movie and music industry currently works.

Mobile Games Are Simply More Accessible

For the most part, mobile gaming is allowing a new breed of gamer to really be impacted -- not unlike what Zynga famously did with it's games on the Facebook platform.A four year old and a sixty year old traditionally would never play big complicated games like The Elder Scrolls or Madden -- but they certainly are playing Angry Birds and Flip Kick Football.

And it's not just extremes around the traditional 18-34 gaming populous. The average age of a mobile gamer is 39.5 years old, that same generation that grew up with simpler games on simpler consoles. There's no doubt some nostalgia there. The marketplace is exploding, with the number of individuals who have played a mobile game in the past month raising 45% over last year.

Nearly half of mobile gamers get their fix daily.

Even more interesting, a third of mobile gamers will spend more than $10 on their mobile games and twenty percent plan to spend more than $50.

And this is just the beginning.

Mobile Games Are Best When Built Around Simple Concepts

Mobile games are obviously not geared to an audience which is looking for an experience like the console version of MLB: The Show. But a game built around a home run derby concept? Instant winner.

Flip Kick Football was one of the first mobile games I reviewed, and it was built around the simple concept of making field goals to get a higher score. A sports game? Yes. Realistic? No. Simple? Also...yes.

But there is room for mobile gaming to appeal to a more hardcore audience. Take iOOTP baseball -- while simpler and less expansive than it's big brother, most on staff here at OS who have played the game have said it is one of the most addictive games you'll find.

Perhaps it's the relative simplicity within the text simulation -- I'm not sure -- but iOOTP is a game that's perfect for mobile gamers who want a deeper experience. I still get some play time in on the game from time to time.

What do it all mean Basil?

This trend means that if you aren't a mobile gamer, you might want to consider jumping on the bandwagon and trying it out. It also means that somewhere in the future, but probably not this decade -- gaming consoles aren't going to be as relevant as they once were, perhaps even driven to extinction.

It's a fascinating trend to watch.

It also means new ideas and new concepts are going to be everywhere in gaming, so long as you play on mobile. Many of the coolest ideas for gaming apps over the past four years are on mobile platforms. While this will mean a lot of gamers who are interested in realism only will find themselves on an island at times with few good options (see: Baseball games currently, if you are a 360 only owner), it also means many of us are going to be participating in a new golden era of gaming.

Viva la revoluci�n m�vil!!

Comments

# 1 ubernoob @ Oct 23

There will never be a death of console gaming. Just as PC gaming has been claimed to be "dead" before it is still going strong.

These games hit niches that were largely untapped by PC/Console gaming - and you hit the nose on that head when you talked about the Show. How many people would be happy with only a home run derby game compared to the show?

As a compliment to bigger, meatier and more robust games, mobile games are just fine. They will continue to grow in popularity, but I can never foresee more traditional methods of gaming going the way of the dodo.

Just look at how much money console games bring in, especially with big releases. Mobile developing is a great start for those wanting to get into the industry, but anyone that I know that has worked on developing games has never been content to just rest on their laurels and pump out more of the same. They always want to move on to something bigger and better.

In a horrible analogy, mobile game development would be like riding a bike with the training wheels. It is excellent to start out with, but the training wheels have to come off at some time. Not that I am saying it is any easier development wise, more so in the start up cost department.

# 2 VladCanada @ Oct 23

Id rather never game again then do it on an Ipad

# 3 ai2k2 @ Oct 23

Hardcore gamers and ****** gamers are not to be confused. Consoles aren't going anywhere. Even if cloud gaming becomes the primary way to distribute games as opposed to up****** the Hardware. Consoles will still be there. The entertainment hub thing company's like Microsoft are chasing after is just an excuse force Windows 8 and a music service down ppls throats as the Xbox is their more popular device. They know otherwise right now as it stands they can't compete with the strangle hold Apple has on the iTunes market etc. But again Consoles are going no where.

Looking forward to the Playstation 4. Sony will def put forth an honest gaming effort of the three that as usual pushes the technology boundaries in the process...and our pockets.

# 4 elgreazy1 @ Oct 23

Why not develop for both and create the games to work in conjunction with each other? Gaming on the console, franchise/dynasty & roster managing capabilities on handhelds (phones, tablets, etc.), and league management.

With that said, I was thinking the same as well: I am falling out of love with console games, well gaming, in general. Much of it could be due to lack of good sports games (football, namely) or the innumerable sequels to "big name" titles, but regardless, I simply don't find it worth my time to sit in front of a console for a dedicated hour+ anymore. Mobile gaming could fill that niche for me, but there simply aren't any good sports games out there that are deep and handheld.

# 5 GlennN @ Oct 23

Absolutely depends on the kind of game we are talking about - I love simple arcade games on my iPhone (like Angry Birds) and iOOTP is amazing, but I still want not only my 360, but even my PSP for "real" gaming. I tried playing sports and racing games on the iPhone and it is painful. Nothing can replace the dedicated console or mobile gaming device.

# 6 RandyBass @ Oct 23

Console gaming sucks right now, both as a business model, and in terms of the quality of product put out. We've seen a big drop off this generation in the range of titles on the market, as publishers won't invest in fringe titles because the risk is too high. The end result is a bunch of cookie cutter titles and a bland selection for consumers to choose from. To make matters worse many developers have struggled to get their games to even work right if at all, and gamers are left waiting weeks or even months for patches, patches which don't always resolve the problem.

Consoles are too popular to see a drop off anytime soon, but I have yet to see any indication that the console gaming will be in good health in the near future. If Apple wanted to rub salt in the wound they would release a first party gaming controller, expanding the options for developers and at the same time turning the iPad into a more familiar and traditional gaming device. I think the chances are slim to none of that actually happening, as the iPad has been both designed and marketed as a peripheral free device. And besides, why would Apple want to try and elbow their way into the home console market? It would only be a surefire way to take some of the wind out of their sails.

# 7 tril @ Oct 23

if angry birds is the future of developers, then I'll stop gaming!!!.
There is a clear difference between ****** gamers and hardcore gamers.
Both markets can co-exist and any particular title can be and should transferable between devices. Some games already do this. THE SHOW
I believe does this

# 8 tarek @ Oct 23

I agree with ai2k2 that hardcore gamers are significantly different to ****** gamers. Frankly, it's kind of insulting that people claim they are 'gamers' when they only play ****** games on facebook or Angry Birds.

Also, mobile gaming will only start to challenge PC and consoles when they can (completely) replicate games on PCs or consoles. E.g. If a game like The Witcher ever came out on a mobile platform, that would be a game changer. If an identical or better version of Madden or The Show could exist on an iPad then it would be over for consoles.

But the fact is THEY DON'T.

PC and consoles provide BETTER, more in depth, more robust gaming than the iPad does. Look, I love iOOTP and I love Football Manager Handheld. But neither of them are in the same league as their PC/Mac counterparts. And that is the true test. When you can turn around and say those games are equal or better than their PC/console counterparts then it's a whole different story.

# 9 Dazraz @ Oct 24

There is still a big gap in the quality & depth of a Console based game as opposed to anything experienced in an handheld device. That will never change in theory.The stumbling block with consoles is development costs of software. The technology is will be on hand to give us the ultimate in sports simulations. The limitations come from the developers abilities to create such a game & of course the budget to do so.

# 10 SGMRock @ Oct 25

Apple constantly releasing the same things over and over with minor tweaks in hardware reminds me to much of how Intel used to release little step ups in CPU's over and over again very close together in the 90s. It pissed people off and they eventually went to a longer release period between CPUs.

Its ok to play the occasional game on my Ipad 2 but honestly I way prefer the PC over anything, though for my sports gaming fix I have to use my Xbox as they don't make them for the PC anymore accept for a few titles like FIFA which pisses me off too

So that being said I would never just play on a handheld, screw that. Also i fit into this group "The average age of a mobile gamer is 39.5 years old, that same generation that grew up with simpler games on simpler consoles. There's no doubt some nostalgia there."

I have no nostalgia to play old pixel games like Tank on my Atari 2600, if anything I want them to keep pushing hardware because I can afford it and love to look at the new graphics! I don't think you understand the first generation of gamers very much

# 11 SGMRock @ Oct 25

Oh ya, don't you old dudes remember when Wing Commander first came out and we all had to upgrade our 8088's to a 286 because the game was so awesome looking you had to play it! Titles like BF3 that push graphics limits are still doing this today and I don't mind because I love to see companies push the limits and progress gaming. That's one of the reasons I don't like consoles too much, how long have we had to deal with DX9 type graphics because the PS3 and 360 have been the current gen for so long. Bring on the new hardware already!