Game Consoles Are Already Dead — And Developers Know It
 

Game Consoles Are Already Dead — And Developers Know It
Mark Hachman posted 11 hours ago
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Still blasting away Halo's Covenant hordes on your Xbox 360, or ripping out guts as God of War's Kratos on your PS3? Your days are numbered — and I'm not talking about how far you're going to make it in these games.

Game developers, it turns out, are abandoning the venerable video-game console even faster than gamers themselves. The Game Developers Conference, which opens next month in San Francisco, recently asked 2,500 developers about their plans for next-generation consoles. The results were, shall we say, not encouraging for the likes of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.

Survey Says...

Specifically, the GDC asked developers which platforms they had last developed for, which platforms they were developing for now, and on which platforms they planned their next game. To no big surprise, tablets and phones are increasingly winning over developers: 38 percent wrote their last game for mobile devices, 55 percent moved to mobile for their latest game, and 58 percent plan their next game there.

Compare that to Sony's PS3. Thirteen percent of respondants called themselves current PS3 developers, and just 12.4 percent planned their next game for the PS3. The Xbox 360 only does slightly better: 13.2 percent for now, and 14 percent for the future. (Eleven percent of the devs polled said they're making games for the next-generation PlayStation 4 and the "Xbox 720," or whatever Microsoft ends up calling the 360's successor.)

And don't even think about Nintendo's Wii or dedicated handheld game devices. Just 4.6 percent of developers are actively making a Wii game, although 6.4 percent say they'll do so in the future. A mere 4.2 percent are working PlayStation Vita games, with about 5 percent saying they have future plans. Barely 2.8 percent say they're developing future games for the Nintendo DS.



And Then There's The PC

More than half of the surveyed developers, or 53%, self-identified as "indie" developers — i.e., they're not associated with megacorps like Electronic Arts that are solely devoted to turning out the next blockbuster. Which may help explain one of the survey's more surprising findings, which is that many of these developers are actually once again warming to PCs and Macs.

Those stats don't lie: 34.6 percent of developers say they've developed PC/Mac games in the past, 48 percent are doing so now, and 49 percent plan future games.

Of course, you could reasonably ask what choice they have. It's incredibly difficult to eke out a living selling 99-cent games through Apple's App Store or Google Play. And sales of video-game consoles are in precipitous decline. In 2012, sales of video game consoles, software, and peripherals fell 22 percent to $13.3 billion, according to retail tracker NPD.

By contrast, mobile games are upending the traditional "mobile console" handheld devices such as the Vita and the Nintendo DS, according to a report (PDF) co-authored by IDC and app analyst firm App Annie. Combined game sales on the iOS and Android app stores are now higher than revenues generated by the mobile consoles — even though games on the Vita can be ten to fifty times more expensive. And that's not even counting ad revenue generated by free and nearly free game apps.

Why mobile? Chris Akhavan, senior vice president of partnerships for mobile game monetization services provider Tapjoy, explains that the reach of mobile games — 207 million iOS and Android devices combined, compared to the 70 million PS3s in the market, is the first driver. And mobile hardware is constantly, iteratively improving, while consoles only refresh every seven years or so.

"The second is a lower barrier to entry," Akhavan told me in an email. He went on:

Mobile platforms are much more open than a console, and don’t have the restrictions of a working with a publisher. Console game development comes with a much bigger price: big title console game studios maintain budgets around $80 - $100 million, while most small to mid-size mobile gaming studios have budget closer to $200,000 - $400,000.

However, mobile game development budgets are growing because of the final contributing factor: earnings potential. Supercell reports earnings around $1 million per day for its games, and Gungho’s Puzzles and Dragons game is bringing in around $2 million daily. The monetization potential on mobile is much higher, and coupled with a lower development cost, there’s a huge opportunity to earn significant revenue.

Why Consoles Suck

What's the most telling sign of the demise of the traditional video game? Sequelitis. Each of 2012's top-ten bestselling games — every single one — has been done before: Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Madden NFL 13, Halo 4, even Just Dance 4 and Borderlands 2.

Compare that to the vast array of indie games being developed for the PC, Mac, and tablets. Sure, you've probably never heard of many of those. But for just a dollar or two a pop, you can afford to try them out. Who needs top-tier review sites? A collection of four- and five-star reviews (along with a careful parsing of the review scores, to ensure that the developer is not "paying" for good reviews through in-game currency or other goodies) can fill the bill.

Let's face it: for those with less and less time to game, episodic and casual games fill the bill, especially while riding trains and during "downtime" with no access to a console. Gamers can be online and playing in seconds. One of the most interesting tests will be platforms like the Ouya, which features a traditional console that plays mobile games.

That's not to say that any given mobile game is a guaranteed winner; Mark Fidelman makes the case that most game developers are chasing imaginary profits. Still, how long can it be before the conservative mindset of console game developers drives more and more gamers away from the console and back onto their phones? Sure, for those who have never played a Call of Duty game, the experience can be, well, cinematic. But for those who detest being handheld along from checkpoint to checkpoint, the experience, is well, cinematic. (Ugh.)

And when you do it again, and again, and again... well, maybe it's time to take a break with some Angry Birds.

I disagree. I don't know anyone who games on a PC. Maybe a couple aquintances I don't know about, but everyone I know who does game, has either an Xbox or PS3. I don't ever see myself gaming on a PC.

This.

I'm not playing on a computer, tablet, or phone.
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I think this is the only idiot I've heard say PC's are going to beat consoles.

Well if you're developing on a Mac or a PC for a different platform, wouldn't it make sense to push it for Mac or PC? Instead of waiting for development hardware from Microsoft of Sony you've already got the hardware.

I'd think that would be especially true for development of iOS games...you're already writing in Obj-C for iOS...just put in the right hooks for OS X.

I think there's some real potential there in using iOS with Airplay to get stuff onto the bigger screen. The problem, of course, is that you don't have big analog buttons and sticks to help control. It works fine if you're looking at the screen (GTA Vice City plays real well) or if you don't have to look at the screen (Hot Pursuit) but if you've got to use your thumbs to control something on the TV then not so much.

Sweet. Square needs to develop an old-school Final Fantasy game for Android.


I thought the guy was going to mention console gaming's lack of mouse aiming........

:eek:

Nearly all competitive gaming takes place on PC.

I certainly hope so, PC is so much better than the crap consoles.

I hooked up a usb keyboard and USB wireless mouse to my PS3 and played the Dust 514 beta a few weeks ago. I've been a console guy all my life, so I couldn't get the hang of it, but if I would have put more time into it I can see how it would be better.

I'm not sure if the mouse/keyboard capability is uncommon on PS3 games or if you can use it with more games, but Dust 514 was the first game that I've heard of that has that feature.
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glorious master race

http://cdn2.gamefront.com/wp-content...ace.jpg?cda6c1

Besides the obvious hardware, this is part of what limits consoles. The 360, for instance does not have any 'legitimate' way to hook up mouse and keyboard. With a PC, you obviously have any sort of user input you wish.

Mouse and keyboard control is ultimate compared to a controller. Yes, the controller is better in some cases (sports games, racing games) but the vast majority of games, especially competitive shooters/mmos, keyboard/mouse reigns supreme.

yea.... they said this shit like 4 yrs ago some old shit

And nearly all normal people gaming takes place on a console.

Every tournament I have played in has been on pc.

Nope.

Oh hell, if you master mouse aiming you would dominate against a controller player.

Game consoles are dead

Signed Atari, 1983

Yep, the aiming part was definitely superior, but moving around was damn near impossible for me. I do have the PS Move "nunchuck" thing. I thought maybe the nunchuk in the left hand, controlling movement with the joystick, and the mouse in the right hand controlling aiming would have been ideal. I never tried it though, kind of lost interest in the beta version of that game, it will be kick ass though when it gets released.

Move with the keyboard and left hand, mouse in right hand.

I didn't like it way back when I played Half-Life in 98', but once I got used to it, WOW.


You can strafe with the keyboard (A,D), and turn/aim with the mouse. Customize the buttons around your base keys (A,S,D,W) for crouching, jumping, special attack, etc.

I use the mousewheel forward for Attack 2, and mousewheel back for reloading. Right click can be action/activate button.

The speed of mouse/keyboard battles are sooooo much faster than controller battles. I laugh at the thought playing Unreal Tournament with a controller. ;)

Who cares. 95% of gamers are not "competitive" gamers.

Umm, consoles have become PC's that happen to have a game controller with it in the box.. What everyone is raving about on consoles has been done for 10years on those so called PC's no one plays..

Resistance is futile..

I can somewhat understand people who would rather play on a pc than a game console, but who the hell would rather play games on a tablet or their phones?

PCs have more flexibility and can cash in on the huge multiplayer capabilities

you can go from a small company that makes a free online game and bank millions/billions

see: Riot Games or Blizzard or Valve

This isn't about PC versus consoles. It's the phones and tablets that are changing things the most right now. There's been a boom in casual gaming... Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, etc. It's the same market Nintendo went after (or, at least ended up finding) with the Wii.

It's not gonna kill the consoles though, or PC gaming. The games you can play on a phone or a tablet are simple. Time fillers, for when you on a bus, subway... waiting at the airport... whatever.

There will always be people who want a more complex deep game with a big screen / monitor and a controller / keyboard and mouse.

That percentage is extremely skewed. There aren't that many studios out there who can develop AAA titles. Those take incredible amounts of time, money and manpower. They're prohibitive as ****. Of course all those tiny indie developers will be creating games for tablets and cell phones (some will also develop the XBL arcade and PS Store games too), but if you think the Maddens, the FIFAs, the CODs, the HALOs, the GTAs, the GOD OF WARs are going to die, you're a ****ing cretin.

Are we going to see less titles? Maybe. Is the console going to die? Don't make me laugh.

I haven't turned my xbox on in months. Every AAA title is a rehash. The multiplayer is laggy as **** and you have to pay $50 a year to play online? **** it, going PC gaming. Just need a gaming pc.

We do need to see more original stuff though. The consoles right now are dominated by sequels.

I agree. That's also why we are seeing new IPs like "The Last of Us" and "Watchdogs" pop-up. New AAA+ titles are coming. But come on, every time a new COD comes out, there are lines at every store waiting for that 12:00am to strike. If someone thinks that's death, then I want to know what life is.

the article is also about the surge of developers going to PC because there is a better chance an "Indie" company can develop an original game that takes off.

I think the next gen consoles are gonna be hurt by the fact that there isn't a new DVD format.

Playstation sold because it was a great piece of hardware and the games were awesome at launch.

Playstation 2 sold because it was cool looking, had a few cool games, but it was MANY people's first DVD player. It was an excuse to upgrade.

Playstation 3 didn't have much at launch, and what they did have didn't fully use the capabilities. Madden was a huge disappointment. But it was cool, and it was everybody's first BluRay player. I actually splurged that day and got a new TV and an HDMI cable... It was freaking beautiful. Now I use it every day to watch movies, get online, game (only every once in awhile), and I watch a crap ton of Netflix.

I watched the launch party 2 hour event for PS4, and while it all looks neat... It's just not anything I feel like I need right now. Don't get me wrong, I'll prob start saving now and go get it at launch, just to have one (because I'm a tool like that). But overall... I guess I'm just hoping for a better version of what I already have. Less noisy fan and heat, much better browser, lower download times, much less lag with online gaming, etc... Maybe it'll have .mkv support?


I'll be thrilled if they significantly upgrade the Madden franchise, and can make a few games that will suck me in the way Ninja Gaiden Sigma did. But overall I'm just not a gamer anymore. Haven't been in a long time.

I've built my own computers since I was 14, I know PC gaming, you don't have to sit there and try to talk to me like I'm a homer for consoles. Between playing WoW since BETA and first person shooters on the PC, I know the value of a great rig (not that WoW stretches graphical barriers but you get my drift, Crysis 1 and 2, Farcry or Guild Wars can be subbed in etc). I'm not bragging because I'm not what I used to be, but the simple math comes down to this:

If you're a person who can't build a PC and doesn't have $2000+ to drop on an overpriced Dell or Alienware, you're going to go with the console at less than half the price. You can take consoles with you much easier than a PC, you can play Multiplayer with just one console as opposed to a PC, and PC's require much more know how than your typical console. If you build a computer and the MoBo goes out, there's so much more that goes into it than just getting a red ring of death and buying a new xbox for the same price as a primo motherboard goes for, then you have to worry about vid card, processor, hard drive, you know the drill.

I guess it just comes down to who you game with. Back in the day when I played Counterstrike competitively and went to alot of LAN parties, PC gaming was my thing. But if I'm a guy who plays Madden and the latest Halo game with my buddies then I see an Xbox is the way to go. Luckily I've always favored PC gaming because I can put the extra effort into making my rig the right one for me, but when you come down to teenagers and kids, consoles will win out most of the time. These kids don't have the money to buy PC's unless they're working or their parents get them whatever they want, but I know that when kids ask for a PC or an Xbox, parents are going to go with the cheaper alternative most of the time.

With PCs you pay for what you get; graphical comparisons are a no brainer if you have a good to great rig, shooters are infinetly better with mouse and keyboard, MMO's on consoles? Pfft. But I'll always have a PC and a console because I like the variety. To say that consoles are going to die out is the most ridiculous jargon I've ever heard, just because we went through a recession and this generation of consoles is late to the party by a couple years, this article seems to start mass panic and a far fetched conclusion that is unlikely at best.

Also don't compare Android and IOS games to console games. You're going against numbers like the ten gajillion people who've bought Angry Birds because it's .99 and they need a time waster. I somehow doubt the entire world of underground Angry Birds competitive leagues will ever be considered hardcore gamers. If you tell me that you can somehow do better on Megaman X for IOS than you could with a PC emulator and a controller then I'll punch you in the face.

You wouldn't play Uncharted on a tablet just as you wouldn't play WoW on a console. If you want to be the guy that says, "FFXI was the shit on the Xbox!!!" Then go ahead, but I don't know a single person like you.

Casual gamers are moving to the phone/tablet world. You're a tweener.

Price point dictates otherwise: PC/Mac = $thousands; Console = $hundreds.

Pfft. I game almost exclusively on my PC. Though, I have a gaming PC, built to destroy the graphics of any console out there, or even soon to be out there.

And before you say but I can play on my 70 inch big screen, so can I, and I can use a controller, and a mic, and anything and everything a console can do, only 10x better. On top of that, on my second and third monitor I can watch netflix and surf the web at the same time depending on how bad my A.D.D gets.

The people that think Angry Birds is awesome.

It doesn't seem to be PC vs console. It seems to be console vs phone.

Console/PC games are expensive to make. Youre talking budgets in the multi-million range rivaling major motion pictures. Just look at Curt Schilling.

But games on phones and tablets. Cheap. Fraction of a cost. Plus even more distribution.
Way of the future dude, 100 percent electronic.

Check the Play Store, there are already three of them I believe. Ive been playing the shit out of FF3, its great.

This. Check out Crisis 2 settings maxed on a good gaming rig and you'll never want to play on a console again.

Gaming PCs cost you about $800-$1K and then you have to upgrade it every couple of years, if that long, with about $400 extra. That's stupid.

Correct. Board games are excellent on the iPad.

I've kicked around the idea of building a flight simluatre for the past 3 years. Getting a dedicated rig (no idea what would be a good one from a hardware POV); building a desk to atatch all the flight controls - yoke/throttle/switch panel, instrument display, radio, multi-panel etc. Get a nice big monitor, and possibly 2 smaller ones for each side (would do this down the road)

I used to 'fly' quit a bit on my lap top but it sucked. but, i did get a good understanding of how to read approach plates, maps, VOR radials etc. I always thought it was fun to fly from local, to like Arkansas and back; or to/from various airports. Got to the point where I could fly a commercial type jet or Lear Jet and do the whole auto-land thing which was pretty fun.

and if I want to go with a Jet level deal, I've seen guys do setups where they place stickers on the assigned hot key on the keyboard for whatever they want etc, then black out the remaining keys with black stickers. Mount it above them, or whever so they don't have to necessarily buy switch panels, multi-panels etc.
I want a rig that will be able to handle the add ons like terrain, airport traffic (luggage carrts, other planes etc), run at a better FPS.
Wife wants a PS4 so I can put my PS3 upstairs for her and to stream etc. 1/2 tempted to just use the PS4 money on a CPU

Bullshit.

I want all-new. I love the originals, and have played them through probably 3 to 5 times each, but if there is a new ff like the old games for 25 to 40 bucks on my phone, I will buy it.

LOL...developers don't drive the market for console games. If those developers don't want to do it, then new ones will be employed in their place because this is true: Money talks and bullshit walks.

ROFL ok

The ff3 for Android is nothing like ff3 on (American) NES. I think its the same as the one for DS though.

This ^


Console gaming isnt going to die
PC gaming isnt going to die
Casual gaming (Tablets and Phones) isnt going to die.

The market has been fractured but each audience is distinct enough to make money.

What is going probably happen is some companies will suffer and inevitably close up shop and get out of the hardware business or a certain segment of software. Nintendo, Dell, etc??? There is too much competition out there for everyone to make money.

The irony here is that Atari game consoles were very low tech, whereas Atari home computers were great gaming systems.

If you want the optimal gaming experience then yes it's true. While the optimal gaming experience on a console depends on the HDD in the console and the developers engine. Which doesn't cost you a damn thing other than space. Herp derp. Fail.

You're a n00b, therefore your opinion means shit.

You can build a good(not great) gaming rig for around $400, then upgrade the video card later to make it great. ;)

:hmmm:

Its not an opinion that you dont know what the hell you're talking about. I have about $600 in my son's rig, and the graphics it produces will blow any console out of the water. I do this shit for a living. Douche.

I do. So much easier to be able to download a game on steam. Steam sales that have $50 games from 2 months ago for $20. Games from 6 months ago for $10. Not to mention a ton of indie games that are under $10 that you'll never see on a console.

You can argue the reasons all you want, but the fact of the matter is that the article in the OP draws nothing but non sequitur conclusions. Games on mobile devices are generally far simpler and easier to develop than games on consoles, so of course a majority are planning to develop for that medium. Similarly, my understanding is that it's easier to develop for PC than it is for consoles since it's all fairly standardized.

The only thing this article proves is that developers tend to put their efforts into areas that require less of an investment. Go figure. In addition, this survey seems to be aimed at a wide variety of developers. If they'd focused just on the major players, I might pay more attention, but a guy who develops a tic tac toe game in his basement wasn't exactly going to be thinking of developing an Xbox game anyway.

And meanwhile, you're stuck with outdated graphics on your console for the next 5-6 years.

Somewhat. They are hurt because the technology leap and innovation isn’t as great as it was from the PS2 to PS3, XBOX to 360 and Gamecube to the Wii

I've built around 17 or so for friends the last couple of years, and I always have them skimp a little on the graphics card to start then upgrade that at their discretion. My 260 gtx I bought 4 years ago still plays everything at hi(not the highest) graphic settings, works great in my 3rd machine.

lol. $1200 versus up-to-date graphics. I guess it is a matter of priorities. I have many other things I could use that money on. I am way more than a casual gamer and consoles are perfect for me. Hell I'm a professional programmer and my main box (at home) is almost 7 years old.

The real story is that they finally discovered the casual gaming market(thanks to nintendo). The thing is indie developers can compete and excel in this market as games like COD, WOW and Skyrim have no place in this market. Casual Gamers won't take the time to learn complex games. Give them a bubble shooter and they are happy.

Hmm. Yeah, I'm researching now. I basically just want one simply for MS Flight Simulator.

not sure if it makes a difference in terms of the guts of the computer but I'll probably end up with 3 monitors eventually. BUt not to start out.

Consoles ARE computers. They're just tucked in a neat little form factor. And their hardware can't be upgraded. You're overestimating a gaming rig build. I build them quite frequently. And for much less than your $800-1000 range.

After years of being addicted to Everquest and sitting At a computer desk. My PCM gaming days are over. My back will start screaming at me if I'm at a desk to long. I rather fire up a console and sit/lay down on a comfy couch. My PCM is for general use and a media center now.

****ing done with PC gaming

Why couldn't you just alter your PC arrangement to better suit your new issues? Maybe an ergonomic chair or a swinging arm for the monitor so you can lay down and have it in a good position?

You know, you can configure a PC based game setup in any way imaginable right?

This includes being kicked back on your couch playing on your big screen with a wireless controller.

Yes that's true. But I am talking about the top tier, the high end of high end. But with a console they can't offer such a thing and gouge you with pricing. My point is, there is so much crap to build a gaming PC and so many types and competitors and prices to choose from. You could easily be fooled and waste money. With a console, what you see is what you get. You save more money is the bottom line and NO ONE can argue that.

Anyone have thoughts on Valve's Steam Box?

Then that would be well over the price range you quoted.

:eek: :eek: :eek: Would it? Well dang then.

Damn, I just sold a full SimHawk simulator console with rudder pedals on Ebay last week.

You SOB.

::D

Sorry to hear that, I try to stretch out about once an hour...it's not really great to sit in one place for hours at a time anyways.

What a stupid article.

"Hurr people aren't developing for dead/about to be dead consoles. In conclusion, console games r ded"

Can't wait for this shit****s next article. "We polled some TV producers and none of them are anticipating they will be making programming for UPN. Broadcast television is dyin ya'll"

Back then i couldnt really do that, one, HDTV's were not around, it was CTR's. then when they came around, they were really expensive.

Now days, i have no desire. I can play on an xbox and relax it. I dont care about super duper leet graphics. I also dont like FPS games. More action/adventure Sports and Fighting games.


ooh and the big kicker, i dont know anyone that games on a PC, no one.

Hell, I built a gaming PC and rarely ever use it. Matter of fact, it has actually become my DVR.

You'll be playing Angry Birds, Plants v Zombies and other phone games exclusively soon, grandpa.

Only if you're a dumbass that doesn't know how to do a little research. So you basically have no point.

Yup, all you really need is Microcenter and a friend with decent knowledge on how to build the system. It really is so much easier than it used to be. Research a little and save a lot.

Especially if you started going crazy with the cooling that you need in order to keep it together... I mean, if we're talking best of the best. You would go well over that, sir!

As someone who used to be a strictly console guy, I've turned more to the PC for a few reasons. I have my PC hooked HDMI to my HDTV now. Most games on PC have gamepad support. So it's exactly the same as playing on a PS3 or 360, only...the graphics are a ton better. Now I'm not a big graphics guy, but when I have a choice, why NOT go with the way better graphics? My PC basically IS a console now. And a console is a computer that pretty much only allows you to play games and do a few other things. The line between a PC and console grows thinner all the time.