Next Gen Risk Takers
This editorial was written by: Hombre Sabio
As we all know, the next generation of consoles is growing nearer and
nearer. Each company is doing something that will potentially either
put them in first place, or perhaps bring them nothing but failure. So,
what is each company’s risk and what are the best and worst case
scenarios? Well, to answer that question, I’ve written up this little
article here.
Microsoft
Microsoft’s big risk next generation is, of course, being the first the
make the jump to the new generation. Not being the leader in this
generation is what makes this a big risk. 3rd party companies may not
be willing to develop across two different generations.
Best Case
In the best case scenario, Microsoft makes a clean jump and gets a head
start in sales over the others, thus giving them a good shot at taking
over first place. This will pan out if 3rd party companies make the
jump with them. And things start looking really well if they can manage
to strong arm some much needed Japanese support.
Worst Case
By not being the leader this generation and making the jump this soon,
they risk alienating 3rd party companies. Simply put, 3rd party
companies go where the money is. They may very well stay back with Sony
and Nintendo in the current generation. Sony, of course, since they are
the current leaders and Nintendo because that would make 2 companies in
the current generation and only 1 in the next generation. The companies
can make more money and easier ports working with just Sony and
Nintendo.
Nintendo
Nintendo’s risk is their promise of a revolution for the industry.
Their next generation system is going to clearly be much different from
the other two in order for it to truly be a revolution. This risk, as
with Microsoft’s risk, creates potential problems with 3rd party
companies.
Best Case
Nintendo makes the Revolution intriguing to developers. While it may be
different, it is a welcome change and is both appealing and interesting
to the developers. In this scenario Nintendo gathers much 3rd party
support.
Worst Case
The Revolution ends up being too different or perhaps not appealing
enough. Developers shy away from the radically different capabilities
of the Revolution and seek shelter with Sony and Microsoft.
Sony
Sony’s risk is their cell processor chip idea. It’s clearly going to be
very powerful and exciting. But it’s once again up to the 3rd party
developers to decide how to use it.
Best Case
Third party companies are intrigued by the capabilities of the cell
processor. They find it to me new and exciting and capable of great new
things. Third party companies rush to develop new games for the PS3.
Worst Case
The cell processor ends up being difficult to develop for, or perhaps
too difficult to utilize it’s full potential. Or perhaps it just ends
up being intimidating to many developers. Any of these could drive 3rd
party support away.
As you can see, all three of the companies are risking it all next
generation. And the risks they are taking rely heavily on how the 3rd
party companies feel about the respective consoles. Now, these are just
best and worse case scenarios. This doesn’t mean that all of these
things will happen, or that any of these things will happen. These are
just the polar opposites. There could be mixtures of any of these
things. No matter what the outcomes, though, things will certainly be
heating up and we’ll be sure to reap some excellent benefits from the
next generation of consoles.
-Hombre Sabio
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